Yahoo News (AP): Redskins players come to coach Shanahan's defense

[KingGibbs]

We knew going into this year it would be an up and down kind of year. It's a young team that has taken some very tough breaks the last few weeks without much reprieve. I think what will be much more telling is how they come back from the break. If they continue to come out flat after a bye week, and the added preparation? Then I might be inclined to agree with you. But IMO it's far too early to start throwing daggers just yet...

I'd agree, but Shanny eventually has to start delivering in the win column. The never-ending excuses for this guy has to end.

[LetThePointsSoar]

I'd agree, but Shanny eventually has to start delivering in the win column. The never-ending excuses for this guy has to end.

Certainly after how painful Sunday was, I can see your point and why a lot of people are getting there. I'm just not there yet. I still think patience is what this team needs...for the remainder of this season, and into the next. That being said, I'd fully advocate a change to get rid of Haslett at the end of this season, I've lost patience with his schemes.

[KingGibbs]

Certainly after how painful Sunday was, I can see your point and why a lot of people are getting there. I'm just not there yet. I still think patience is what this team needs...for the remainder of this season, and into the next. That being said, I'd fully advocate a change to get rid of Haslett at the end of this season, I've lost patience with his schemes.

The onus is on Shanny for that one to. His boy and what a colossal failure it has been. Year three in the system and it has gotten progressively worse. He can't continue to live off the laurels of his Lomardi's so many years ago. If it was any other coach? I'm not sure we would see the amount of patience we are seeing from some fans.

[KDawg]

Ok, so I read that and my biggest, most glaring problem with the whole thing:

When did Chris Baker become a defensive end?!?! Last I checked I only saw him playing nose! Get it right you bastards! haha

[LetThePointsSoar]

The onus is on Shanny for that one to. His boy and what a colossal failure it has been. Year three in the system and it has gotten progressively worse.

Agreed. But I think Has deserved this year, and it makes no sense to make a change mid season. If there isn't a MASSIVE improvement in the second half of the year, and he still doesn't make a move before '13? I'm right with you.

He can't continue to live off the laurels of his Lomardi's so many years ago. If it was any other coach? I'm not sure we would see the amount of patience we are seeing from some fans.

I think you answered your own statement, and I agree. He's earned the benefit of the doubt, plus not to mention all the unique challenges that have been thrown our way, handed a pile of **** from Cerrato in cap hell, capgate, every star player outside of RG3 go down in injury and/or suspension this season, etc.

Personally, I think there is fight left in this team, and the homer in me wants to believe we won't go quietly this season, and carry some momentum into next year where we are a playoff team in 2013. If that doesn't happen? Then I'm going to have a hard time continuing to stand up for a coach that hasn't produced results in four years of his tenure.

[Taylor 36]

Finally some reasoning.

I don't know what's going on around here lately, but I've just been reading post after post of just overreaction.

Welcome to EXTREMEskins.

The loss sucked yes, but toss Shanahan after 3 years and do the Redskins way of things like always?

I didn't see the big deal about his comments. Throwing in the towel? I read it as "I'm gonna start finding out who is good enough to be on this team"

I agree 100%. Plus, it doesn't matter what a team's record is. After losing the last two games the way we did, and especially after the "must win" comment, I would be seriously pissed if the HC wasn't evaluating how players responded and evaluated them on their drive, motivation, leadership, etc. This is probably the last rebuild audition for Shanny's team. After this offseason, most of the key pieces need to be put in place.

I don't know why I'm admitting this, but the first time I read the title I read it as though the players would actually be coaching the defense. I thought to myself, "I know Haslett is bad but you cannot let the players coach themselves."

That's some funny stuff. Thanks for the laugh. I needed it this morning.

[steve09ru]

I don't know why I'm admitting this, but the first time I read the title I read it as though the players would actually be coaching the defense. I thought to myself, "I know Haslett is bad but you cannot let the players coach themselves."

Haha I thought the same thing - I was like, "did they hire Lavar?" haha

[pjfootballer]

We knew going into this year it would be an up and down kind of year. It's a young team that has taken some very tough breaks the last few weeks without much reprieve. I think what will be much more telling is how they come back from the break. If they continue to come out flat after a bye week, and the added preparation? Then I might be inclined to agree with you. But IMO it's far too early to start throwing daggers just yet...

You're right that people thought this would be an up and down year. But quite frankly, it's been like years past; more of a down year again. Even in our 3 wins, they were heart and gut wrenching, eeked out wins. Out of the 3 wins, the Saints game was the only one I enjoyed because it was a big play game. I did not enjoy the Minnesota or Tampa wins.

[thesubmittedone]

I'd agree, but Shanny eventually has to start delivering in the win column. The never-ending excuses for this guy has to end.

Problem is, they're not never ending.

They're simple, true, few, and can not be disputed:

1- He came on to a team that wasn't talented to begin with AND old. An absolute lethal combination. He cut more players in his first year than ANY other newly hired coach that we like to point to and say "see, they turned it around quicker, wah wah"! You could get mad maybe had said players went on to other teams and excelled or even produced in any way, but what did those players do? Absolutely nothing. The vast majority of them didn't even make another NFL roster. This trend continued as he cut the likes of Portis who had been our best talent on the team and one of our highest paid previously and he couldn't even pass a physical. The only cut/trade he made that went on to produce elsewhere in any decent capacity was Jason Campbell who started for the Raiders at QB. However, Jason was the one who demanded the trade and, furthermore, he was actually battling Bruce Gradkowski for the position. Bruce Gradkowski.

2- In 2010, after cutting all of these old and untalented players, he had to deal with the worst FA class in the history of the NFL due to the uncapped season's restrictions. Why doesn't anyone ever mention just how further along we'd be along in this process of a rebuild had the players who became unrestricted free agents in 2011 became such in 2010 instead? They would have been one year younger when we acquired them and been more developed in our schemes at this point. A team that has had continuity in place for a long time previously wouldn't nearly be affected because they'd already have players developed within it, but one that is rebuilding on the level of ours is severely hampered by such a thing. Nope, just excuses, right?

3- In 2011, he had to deal with a lockout and subsequent lack of players developing in our program during the offseason. This led to players like Hankerson, Robinson, Riley, Helu, Royster, as well our entire Free Agent class to lose key time in developing as players within our newly implemented schemes. Again, a team that has had continuity in place for a long time previously wouldn't nearly be affected because they'd already have players developed within it, but one that is rebuilding on the level of ours is severely hampered by such a thing.

4- The biggest one yet; the 2012 surprise cap penalty on the eve of Free Agency. How many teams survive 36 million in total cap space being taken away from you unjustly even if they're not rebuilding? To make it worse, how many teams survive such a thing without even preparing for such a severe penalty (they knew they'd probably have something happen, but not the amount nor the way it was done)? We point to teams like the Bucs who are improving right now, but forget that they went against this bs "spirit of the cap" themselves by going waaaay under the cap in 2010 since they could and were basically able to sign anyone they wanted in Free Agency. Every player the Bucs signed this year could've been on our team as well as the ones we did sign. Could you imagine that for a second? Could you imagine where we'd be and where the Bucs would be had what was just taken place?



So, in summary, to me it's simple and they aren't "never ending excuses". They're just few and they're all true. Period.

[Hitman21ST]

Well, I guess Shanahan hasn't lost the locker room after all. I never really thought that he did, but there are some around here that speculated that.

[zskins]

So in another words it was more of a Freudian slip. And what was on his mind came out in words. In another words - he is making a list of players he is going to axe at the end of the season. Get rid of the players that can't even play to beat a 1-6 team in their own house. For me I really don't have a problem with that.

[SemperFi Skins]

I don't know why I'm admitting this, but the first time I read the title I read it as though the players would actually be coaching the defense. I thought to myself, "I know Haslett is bad but you cannot let the players coach themselves."

In seriousness, its encouraging that the team is sticking up for Shanny, as it shows that he has not lost the locker room after all.

hahaha I did the exact same thing. I thought he brought in former players again to coach for the week or something.

[tomhead76]

Most coaches "evaluate" their players in training camp and preseason. If he still has to evaluate players now, it's not a player problem... maybe he should evaluate himself and some of this horrid play calling.

[Enter Apotheosis]

Most coaches "evaluate" their players in training camp and preseason. If he still has to evaluate players now, it's not a player problem... maybe he should evaluate himself and some of this horrid play calling.

A coach who doesn't continually evaluate his players, his staff, and himself is a bad coach.

[skins island connection]

:My ex-wife compared the Skins record talent level to our sex life; pretty good in the beginning but peters out waay too early...

That has been the M.O. of this team for quite a few years; start off good/great, and as soon as the mediots begin paying attention, the downward sprial starts.
The players should be defending Mike, but maybe they're not being vocal enough during games or in the locker room; if they see something different, they should simply make their adjustments and explain it after the series is over, because even though Mike is a coach, he is human, and might not see what they see on the field.