You're Dan Snyder, what's your move?

If I'm Snyder I call up Mike Shanahan and offer him a whole lot of money and give him the keys to the Kingdom. Let him run everything!!

I present to you, the 10 step plan for success:

1.) GM -- must have total authority on everything
2.) Scouting -- gotta be able to make our draft effective
3.) Coaching -- defense-minded, motivator
4.) Clear out overpriced players -- value is EVERYTHING
5.) Build the lines -- 80% draft/20% FA
6.) Build the defense -- stop the run first, then the pass; I'd love to see 3-4
7.) Skill positions -- DB, QB, RB, WR, TE (in that order)
8.) Cheaper beer and free peanuts at FedEx
9.) Change my wardrobe to look like less of a chode
10.) Use less gel in my hair

Those things will only be possible if my steps are followed.

Explain to me why these would be priorities for you. Why a defensive minded head coach, especially with our 2 decade dearth of offense?

As to the positions, we've drafted DB the past 2 years, why would that be your #1 priority?

In short: I think defense matters more than offense. Look at the Ravens and Bucs Superbowl teams.

I'd build the defense first, and focus on stopping the run. After that, the only thing left on defense is DBs really, so naturally they'd come first in a defense-first approach. I'm not saying defense is our biggest problem, but it should take precedence over offense IMO.

As for the other skill positions, the QB just needs to be a guy who can execute the game-plan and minimize mistakes (think Dilfer and Johnson) -- anything more is gravy. Then, we need a RB who can read holes and get a few yards when we need it most. He doesn't have to be fast or agile -- just good enough to move the ball.

This is the way to build a contender, IMO. I think it's counter-productive to just say, well our problems are on offense so let's just focus everything there. We need to have a plan and stick to it -- not just react all the time to the latest batch of problems. Of course, this is not the only plan for success, just the one I think is most likely to succeed.

Let it be known Skinsfan69 was the first to fire over the bow.....

Hail:
"1. Fire Vinny and the entire coaching staff at the end of the year. No use firing them sooner, things are not going to get any better."

If I had a GM already in mind or someone I wanted I'd pick him up now unless they were committed to another team till seasons end. Why, cause I would give him the rest of the season to evaluate the players we have and make an informed decision as to who to keep and who to let go/cut when the CAP goes bye, bye.

"3. The Redskins should completely rebuild their offense. The only keeper in my book is Chris Cooley, maybe Santana Moss if the contract is right. Everyone else is expendable."

I keep hearing this, "Cooley is the only keeper" or "Cooley and Moss are the only keepers." Why? Although Moss is our only WR producing right now it's cause JC is afraid to go anywhere else with the ball. He leans heavily on Moss and Cooley. I'll keep Cooley, but Moss is getting old, always injured with groin injury or hammy at some point in the yr and takes plays off in the sense he sometimes won't finish his routes.

The keepers: Offense-
RB-Mason, Alridge.
FB-Eddie Williams. Pick up in FA or Draft.
TE-Cooley, Davis.
WR-Kelly, Thomas, Mitchell.
OL-W.Montgomery, Rinehart and R.Williams I would make Guards. E.Williams I would keep at center for developement. I'd draft a LT and a RT and bring in a bunch of UFA's.
QB-See if Colt fits whatever scheme we are running if not cut. See what Woodson has to offer. Cut Collins. Most likely JC is pissed at how he has been handled this last yr so I imagine he's going elsewhere, plus I doubt he would take a pay cut and be a back up.

Defense-
S-Doughty, Horton, Landry, Moore, Holmes.
CB-Hall, Barnes, Tryon, Westbrook. Rogers most likely will think he's a #1 shut down corner and will want more money, but needs to be a nickle(he's a carbon copy of Smoot). Pick up another shut down CB either FA or Draft. cut the rest.
LB-Blades, Henson, McIntosh, Bowen. Cut the rest and bring in UFA's.
DE-Jarmon, Orakpo, Wilson, Jackson, Skolnitsky. Look for a couple of UFA's.
DT-Alexander, Golston, Haynesworth. pick up a couple in FA or Draft.

My plan is based off of shedding the dead wood and bringing in younger faster healthier players. There would be a lot of spots to fill but trying to get a bunch of young guys to build cohesiveness in the trenches and play like a team for yrs to come.

I think a lot of our problems are with the positional coach's who don't or didn't have NFL experience prior to arriving. There is no such thing as developing players here, especially at WR. Our WR's are not trash, it's just how they are being taught how to do their jobs.

and like you said start building through the draft. As well as bringing in coach's that know what they are doing.

My question is: what do you do with Fletcher? He's still a very productive player (not as good as last year), and absolutely critical for this defense to be above average. But he has two years left on his contract, they're expensive years, and he will be 35 next season. With Orakpo pretty much requiring a move to DL, that entire unit needs to be rebuilt.

So how many draft resources do you put in that position considering how much help the O needs? And with Fletcher, who is a pretty darn good player who we are still losing with, do you cut bait with him at the end of the year and just let the defense take it's lumps?

Blades has been here for a few years studying under Fletcher, he was a stud at Pittsburgh and he's probably ready to fill in and play well.

On a side note something interesting from Rich Gannon. ....

Sirius Radio: Rich Gannon's Take on Lewis Calling Plays - EXTREMESKINS.com (http://www.extremeskins.com/showthread.php?t=304832)

For those who want to rip apart the defense, consider this:

Redskins average time of possession: 27:04 (29th overall, dead last in NFC)
Redskins 1st Downs/Game: 15.7 (29th overall, next to last in NFC, thanks San Fran)

Meanwhile, the Defense is 5th overall in Total Yards allowed and Points Allowed and that's with 2 teams ahead of them that have played 5 games (Denver plays tonight, Eagles have already had their bye). Considering the amount of time they spend on the field, they can only be stretched so thin.

Now, I do realize there are a few holes on D, but those can be fairly easily filled going forward, and still stay successful with the current coaching staff or if Gray is promoted to DC if/when Blache retires.

People that want to tear apart the defense don't know what they're talking about. They just want change cause they're pissed. lol.

On a side note something interesting from Rich Gannon. ....

Sirius Radio: Rich Gannon's Take on Lewis Calling Plays - EXTREMESKINS.com (http://www.extremeskins.com/showthread.php?t=304832)

yeah he pretty much is dead on. he was also very critical of jc during the game. "he's late with the ball, his footwork is sloppy and he locks in on one wr".

People that want to tear apart the defense don't know what they're talking about. They just want change cause they're pissed. lol.

Yeah I don't agree with tearing it apart, but I do agree with getting rid of the older players. If Blache is not going to continue his roll and wants to retire due to age then hopefully his Asst. understands the system enough to keep it in place. This defense is keeping other teams for the most part below 20 points every game. It's our offenses lack of keeping the ball or scoring ability that is not helping us.

Blades has been here for a few years studying under Fletcher, he was a stud at Pittsburgh and he's probably ready to fill in and play well.I think Blades is the next MLB for us (probably another Pierce), but I think it's a move that comes with a significant scheme change away from trying to funnel the run play to the MLB.

And for that, I think we need upgrades at SLB and WLB.