If Shanahan's given up, what hope do we really have with him? A pretty darn disappointed and disillusioned long time backer of the HC.

[The Robert Griffin Experience]

Of course Haslet didn't want the 3-4. He is a 4-3 guy, with a little 34 experience many years ago in Pittsburgh. Mike was hell bent on moving to the 34 and should be held accountable for it not working.

Haslett sucked as a 4-3 coach too. The error was not hiring Romeo "I built a 3x Super Bowl winning 3-4 defense" Crennel.

We drafted 2 stud 4-3 DE's and immediately converted them to OLB's. Instead of bulking them up a bit, we made them stand up, lose weight, and learn pass coverage.

How many 3-4 OLBs played 3-4 OLB in college again? Oh right, none that play in the NFL atm.

[Mursilis]

If that's true, then it's another high-profile example of Shanahan's ego getting the best of him in the face of contrary advice by a coordinator. It's pretty well known by now that Kyle vehemently proposed trading for McNabb. We saw how well that panned out. Now, we have reports of Haslett having been opposed to the 3-4 switch from the beginning. The merits of the decision have been argued ad nauseum elsewhere, but it's hard to deny that our 4-3 personnel in 2010 weren't awful, and that there have been substantial growing pains in switching to the 3-4 that have led us to cut quality guys (like Carter) and make other guys learn a new position (like Orakpo).

And that's why I've got no faith in Shanahan - his ego is just too big, and he clings to stupid ideas (like icing the kicker) even when evidence clearly suggests they're not working. His ego led him to think he could make a run with a 4-12 team and coach up an older, fading QB (McNabb), and his ego made him think he could be both a GM and a coach, even though no other coach has been successful (won a Super Bowl) handling both roles. Shanahan's ego will doom him here.

[Gibbs Hog Heaven]

Haslett sucked as a 4-3 coach too. The error was not hiring Romeo "I built a 3x Super Bowl winning 3-4 defense" Crennel. .....

Wasn't he already the DC in Kansas when Mike got the gig here?

Hail.

[authentic]

The problem is an overall lack of playmakers on both sides of the ball, Shanahan and Allen have to be held accountable for that. Our defense is HORRIBLE, they would have to play their best game to be TERRIBLE. We have no speed other than RG3 and he can't throw it and then go catch it himself. The only bright spot from yesterday was our Kicker nailed two more and hasn't missed since being signed. Please get some defensive players this off season and maybe a new coordinator as well, Haslett just is not cutting it. While we are at it can Kyle at least run a play on 4th and 2 at the goal line that has some OPTIONS! Geez he is like a kid with a playstation with his play calling sometimes.

I said essentially the samething on twitter. You look around the league and teams are full of playmakers (thugs). Our team lack passion and fire and over-the-top talent. They're nice players, but not good enough to overcome adversity.... IDK seems like the same ol BS, IMO. The offense is better, but not good enough to be consistantly good (but i think the OLine has alot to do with that). The Defense is a complete mess! Never seen this defense be look so depressing.

---------- Post added November-5th-2012 at 08:25 AM ----------

Haslett sucked as a 4-3 coach too. The error was not hiring Romeo "I built a 3x Super Bowl winning 3-4 defense" Crennel..

Actually we had an opportunity to hire Wade Phillips after the 2010 season and stayed with Haz.. with Shanny knowing full well that Haz was no good. (or should have known anyway)

[RandyHolt]

Haslett sucked as a 4-3 coach too. The error was not hiring Romeo "I built a 3x Super Bowl winning 3-4 defense" Crennel.

How many 3-4 OLBs played 3-4 OLB in college again? Oh right, none that play in the NFL atm.

Oh I agree Haslet sucked in his 4-3 days, but at least he inherited a respectable 4-3 D. Only, Shanny converted our best 4-3 guys into 3-4 guys, or released them. And expected a guy with a thin resume to make it all work.

It must have killed Haslet to see his lifeline 4-3 guys, changed or flat out dumped. I always hated the 3-4, but primarily because we never ran it.

Riley is invisible this year. Fletch has slowed. Turns out Zo, a DT really, is not a savior. I wanted Rak and Ryan getting after the QB every pass play. Only, one is always stuck in coverage if we want to mask who is coming, the benefit of the 3-4. Does anyone ever want either in pass coverage? Just because other teams have found 3-4 OLBs doesnt mean its the best way for us to play defense.

We are so not a 3-4 team even after 3 years. Bulk up Rak and Kerrigan, and we are back into a 4-3 in no time flat.

How many years should it take to convert to a 3-4?

[SWFLSkins]

I will give Mike Shan. one more year before I throw the towel on him. Jim Haslett on the otherhand has to go.

I generally agree on this, his statement that this is the most depth he has had here before the season starting though deserves review by Bruce and Snyder.

[Skins Wingman]

who else can we get thats a legit head coach? i think the 2 best options (cowher and gruden) both have tv contracts. i dont think we can take a chance on an unproven coach

[Gibbs Hog Heaven]

..... Actually we had an opportunity to hire Wade Phillips after the 2010 season and stayed with Haz.. with Shanny knowing full well that Haz was no good. (or should have known anyway)

Oh, I completely and utterly agree with you. The persistence with Haslett fly's in the face of all logic. He should of been canned after that first year.

Just at the time he got the gig, there was little options available for a DC.

That said, I wouldn't trust him to pick a new one now. And I'm liking Morris less and less looking at his part in the debacle. Even the hold over starters in his group are fundamentally flawed week-on-week.

Hail.

[Bleed B&G]

who else can we get thats a legit head coach? i think the 2 best options (cowher and gruden) both have tv contracts. i dont think we can take a chance on an unproven coach

Sean Peyton... But Shanny's not going anywhere. I wouldn't be suprised to see Peyton in Dallas next year.

[Mursilis]

i dont think we can take a chance on an unproven coach

Why not? Nothing gambled, nothing gained. Sticking with Shanahan at this point is just committing to mediocrity, at best.

[authentic]

Oh, I completely and utterly agree with you. The persistence with Haslett fly's in the face of all logic. He should of been canned after that first year.

Just at the time he got the gig, there was little options available for a DC.

That said, I wouldn't trust him to pick a new one now. And I'm liking Morris less and less looking at his part in the debacle. Even the hold over starters in his group are fundamentally flawed week-on-week.

Hail.

I'm not sure if i want Morris coaching the Defense now.. I want a good experienced DC, who AGAIN is EXPERIENCED in his scheme and the players who fit that scheme. IDK, there is just so much we need from an organizational and personel stand point, I really don't know where to start.

[DC9]

I'm with you GHH... all it took was watching that "must win" effort that the players put on the field... that playcalling was dreadful... the preparation was dreadful... and the post game comments were put upon at best.

Mike sounds like he is doubting himself... and I don't think he should be invited back to coach the team after this season is over.

[authentic]

Sean Peyton... But Shanny's not going anywhere. I wouldn't be suprised to see Peyton in Dallas next year.

I'm almost certain he'll be going to Dallas. I think he lives there in the offseason.

[KDawg]

Of course Haslet didn't want the 3-4. He is a 4-3 guy, with a little 34 experience many years ago in Pittsburgh. Mike was hell bent on moving to the 34 and should be held accountable for it not working.

Then why did Haslett take on the job? It's this whole integrity thing. If you don't like what you're being asked to do and don't think you can accomplish it, then gracefully bow out. As much as Shanahan is to blame for this, and he is, Haslett is equally to blame. And it's easier to can a position coach or coordinator (in that order) than it is to can the head coach.

We drafted 2 stud 4-3 DE's and immediately converted them to OLB's. Instead of bulking them up a bit, we made them stand up, lose weight, and learn pass coverage. So now they are one dimensional - speed rushers only.

They aren't just speed rushers, first off. They both bull rush very well.

Second of all, virtually every 3-4 OLB in the NFL was a DE in college. That argument holds NO weight whatsoever.

Our best players on D, forced to learn new positions. Taken out of the role and place, that made us enamored with them in the first place. I hate schemes that have to do that with players.

So you don't believe in evolution in the game?

[RonArtest15]

Also....the 2008/2009 draft has KILLED this team. Look at the players selected. Hardly any of those guys are 1) in the league or 2) contributing on an NFL roster. In some respects, we are still recovering from Vinny's mess.

I'm not absolving Shanny from blame, but I'd much rather see him get the full 5 years to see where exactly this ship is headed. There is a caveat with that tho. I'd only like to see him get the full 5 years IF something is done about the defense. I'm not overly concerned with the offense - yes, we need playmakers etc...however, the defense is absolutely killing this team. Record would be over .500 if we had a AVERAGE defensive unit.