The Shanaplan Gets Accelerated

For all the talk that the Redskins cannot turn things around in a year (and that we need more like four), while I might be inclined to think a year is unrealistic, four seems indulgent. Look at the vastly improved Lions, Bills, and Raiders this season (heck, even the Bengals look decent). Granted, all three have been drafting a few players upon which to build a foundation for a few years, but so have we (e.g., Orakpo, Williams, Davis) -- just not enough of them. But these are each franchises that have been bottom dwellers for a long, long time. Why can't we seem to climb out of the cellar for anything other than a brief period when Gibbs II was here (for 2 of the 4 years)?

I think part is the competition of the NFC East. While the teams may not be the forces they were in teh 1980s and 1990s, it's still a smashmouth division and the Giants, Eagles, and Cowboys have each had better success than we have had. Part is clearly a decade of Cerrato -- whom I dislike perhaps more than Randy White, Michael Irvin, and some of my other favorite Cowboys to hate. Cerrato did more damage to us than any opposing team, player or coach ever did. But even this doesn't seem to explain why it is that our team has been just so flat out disappointing since about 1992.

I really, really hope BA and MS can turn it around. And maybe these young guys stepping up and playing well will be the first real signs of it.

They all have guys who can score and stop scores...often. Aka, they have playmakers. Fred Jackson-beast. Stevie Johnson-beast. Darren McFadden-beast. Suh-Beast. Megatron-Beast. And so on. And they're all home grown.

They all have guys who can score and stop scores...often. Aka, they have playmakers. Fred Jackson-beast. Stevie Johnson-beast. Darren McFadden-beast. Suh-Beast. Megatron-Beast. And so on. And they're all home grown.

So your saying .. Orakpo not a beast ? Kerrigan not a beast ? Davis not a beast ? Williams not a beast ? ... Landry although older, is still a beast ? ... ALL HOME GROWN ....

So your saying .. Orakpo not a beast ? Kerrigan not a beast ? Davis not a beast ? Williams not a beast ? ... Landry although older, is still a beast ? ... ALL HOME GROWN ....

Orakpo is a pussy.

I dare him to prove me wrong on Sunday.

So your saying .. Orakpo not a beast ? Kerrigan not a beast ? Davis not a beast ? Williams not a beast ? ... Landry although older, is still a beast ? ... ALL HOME GROWN ....

They are, bud. We just need even more beasts. MOAR MOARRRRRR. RAWR. I'm a greedy man.

After the 2010 debacle that was McNabb/Haynesworth, etc. it was pretty clear that the Shanahan era was going to be a longer evolution. Last offseason was primarily built around remaking the defense to be younger, faster and stronger while trying to get by on offense with minor improvements thru the draft. Now however we are going to see what the team has at key offensive positions..

QB-Beck has basically 3/4 of a season to determine his future as a Redskin and our decision in the 1st round of the 2012 draft. Best case is that he develops into a slightly above average QB that's capable of putting up good numbers and leading the team to a some wins (a la Matt Schaub) or he becomes a career backup, maybe holding the position for 2012 while a rookie learns behind him.

RB-I'm somewhat surprised that Royster wasn't added from the PS with Hightower going down but I think Tim may have been one and done anyways as a Redskin. Now, Torrain and Helu will get more time and we can either see if they are a legit one two punch or if either of them distinguishes himself as the feature back.

WR-While Moss signed a 3 year deal when the lockout ended, he may have one more year after this one as a serviceable WR. With his injury and the continued mediocrity of Armstrong & Stallworth, Niles Paul and Hankerson have a chance to make an impact and show an indication if they can be reliable options in the passing game. Come week 12-17, if they are not active and in the rotation on a consistent basis, that's cause for concern.

OL-I don't think Erik Cook was ever supposed to be more than a depth player but with him being the starting center for the foreseeable future, Shanny and Forester can determine if he is a quality backup, potential starter or just someone else on the 53.

I am by no means throwing in the towel and saying 'play the kids' but by circumstance we should have a much better read on the near term future state of our team in the coming weeks and months.


Trial by fire. They get paid enough to do the job well. They need to do it.

I don't understand this thread. The "Shanaplan" if there was/is one has been derailed because of the QB situation. Hell I just read a long sports article on Yahoo sports discussing this. The plan is "hoping to hell" Beck is a diamond in the rough, or we try and pick a franchise QB next year.

If we're focusing more on the offense (in this thread) I would say the most important dynamic right now is whether this group is developing an identity. Some argue Kyle's scheme will work when we get the right pieces, whenever it happens. I think waiting around to draft the right fit QB and WRs is absurd. Fit the scheme to the roster or get the eff out.

I don't understand this thread. The "Shanaplan" if there was/is one has been derailed because of the QB situation. Hell I just read a long sports article on Yahoo sports discussing this. The plan is "hoping to hell" Beck is a diamond in the rough, or we try and pick a franchise QB next year.

If we're focusing more on the offense (in this thread) I would say the most important dynamic right now is whether this group is developing an identity. Some argue Kyle's scheme will work when we get the right pieces, whenever it happens. I think waiting around to draft the right fit QB and WRs is absurd. Fit the scheme to the roster or get the eff out.

Great point, but I do think there is a method to the madness. I do see the implementation of a scheme going on here. I think there is certainly a lack of playmakers on offense, but, if you look at the strides the defense has made between last and this year, I believe that a similar process is taking place. It's the NFL though, and not a lab. In other words, it's not an exact science.

After the 2010 debacle that was McNabb/Haynesworth, etc. it was pretty clear that the Shanahan era was going to be a longer evolution. Last offseason was primarily built around remaking the defense to be younger, faster and stronger while trying to get by on offense with minor improvements thru the draft. Now however we are going to see what the team has at key offensive positions..

QB-Beck has basically 3/4 of a season to determine his future as a Redskin and our decision in the 1st round of the 2012 draft. Best case is that he develops into a slightly above average QB that's capable of putting up good numbers and leading the team to a some wins (a la Matt Schaub) or he becomes a career backup, maybe holding the position for 2012 while a rookie learns behind him.

RB-I'm somewhat surprised that Royster wasn't added from the PS with Hightower going down but I think Tim may have been one and done anyways as a Redskin. Now, Torrain and Helu will get more time and we can either see if they are a legit one two punch or if either of them distinguishes himself as the feature back.

WR-While Moss signed a 3 year deal when the lockout ended, he may have one more year after this one as a serviceable WR. With his injury and the continued mediocrity of Armstrong & Stallworth, Niles Paul and Hankerson have a chance to make an impact and show an indication if they can be reliable options in the passing game. Come week 12-17, if they are not active and in the rotation on a consistent basis, that's cause for concern.

OL-I don't think Erik Cook was ever supposed to be more than a depth player but with him being the starting center for the foreseeable future, Shanny and Forester can determine if he is a quality backup, potential starter or just someone else on the 53.

I am by no means throwing in the towel and saying 'play the kids' but by circumstance we should have a much better read on the near term future state of our team in the coming weeks and months.


Well said...

Why do you think Hightower was "one-and-done" even before the injury? I never got that sense...

What happens if after weeks 12-17 that Paul and Hankerson show that they have mediocrity written all over them? [Don't know about Paul but that sure looks like the right label for Hankerson as of this moment...]

I don't understand this thread. The "Shanaplan" if there was/is one has been derailed because of the QB situation. Hell I just read a long sports article on Yahoo sports discussing this. The plan is "hoping to hell" Beck is a diamond in the rough, or we try and pick a franchise QB next year.

If we're focusing more on the offense (in this thread) I would say the most important dynamic right now is whether this group is developing an identity. Some argue Kyle's scheme will work when we get the right pieces, whenever it happens. I think waiting around to draft the right fit QB and WRs is absurd. Fit the scheme to the roster or get the eff out.

There is no need to "hope" John Beck is our franchise QB. If he fails, then Shanahan will leave him as the stopgap or backup until he finds his next Jay Cutler.

It's not Kyle's scheme that's necessarily a misfit, it's more the play selection syntax.

There is no need to "hope" John Beck is our franchise QB. If he fails, then Shanahan will leave him as the stopgap or backup until he finds his next Jay Cutler.

It's not Kyle's scheme that's necessarily a misfit, it's more the play selection syntax.

I need an explanation here...

It is Kyle's scheme and Kyle's offensive game planning and Kyle's play calling. Are you saying that Kyle devises a great game plan/scheme and then screws up his great scheme with mediocre play calling?

If that is the case then he is a lot worse than merely an incompetent boob who got his job only because his Daddy is the boss...