[Skinzerdie]

Shanny won't be fired this season as the acquisition of RGIII has pretty much guaranteed him another year, however, how he finishes this season, I feel, will definitely have an effect on the earnestness to produce emphatic results in ’13.

If we’re 3-6 by this time next season, Shanny won’t be lent nearly the same latitude he’s receiving this year. He’s getting a lot of leeway this season because he’s grooming a rookie QB and certain “growing pains” were to be expected.

But in year two for RGIII/year four for Shanny, it’ll certainly be a different story, especially considering how evident its becoming that it’s not RGIII’s maturity as a passer that’s costing the team so much as it is the talent around him. According to Michael Lombardi, absolutely all football matters – including all talent decisions – are incumbent upon Mike Shanahan, so any and all liability will rest squarely on the coach’s shoulders.

I’ve been an outspoken advocate of the Shana-plan since the start; though, if I’m being honest, the loss to Carolina definitely had me second guessing ever hitching a ride on Shanny’s bandwagon as I questioned in moments during and after the game whether his decision making was really making a difference.

Like Lombardi, I don’t have any reservations about Shanny’s tactical brilliance. When players stay focused and execute, we’ve seen the results his teams can produce, but his coaching isn’t so much what’s in question as it is his ability to assess talent.

According to Lombardi, the scouting department never changed over. Apparently, we’ve got the same scouts here from the Cerrato administration.

Considering that Shanny has spent the last three seasons cleaning house and doing away with nearly every piece of talent this crack team of scouts had brought here for nearly a decade prior, it’s almost inconceivable that he hasn’t brought in his own team of evaluators.

But nevertheless, I like a lot of what Shanahan has done to help this team in the talent department since he's been here.

Am I ecstatic about RGIII? Of course I am.

Am I thrilled with our 6th round pick out of Florida Atlantic, Alfred Morris? Without question.

Cofield? Love him.

Bowen? Same.

But it seems for every reliable Trent Williams and Ryan Kerrigan, there is an unaccountable Tim Hightower or Jamal Brown – promising players at skill positions that we’ve banked our seasons on who can’t stay on the field.

Now, I don’t fault Shanahan for having to bargain hunt, as I believe many grossly underestimate just how badly Vinny & Danny had/have screwed this franchise in terms of picks and cap, but for all of his shopping, at some point he’s got to start finding some healthy product, because it would seem other teams are doing more with perceivably less – namely the Colts, who presently sit 5-3 with an interim head coach, a rookie QB and a roster full of nobodies.

If he is, in fact, the true GM, Shanny has to start finding guys who are not only capable of playing at a high level, but able to survive week-in and week-out in this league, because just as much as depth, durability has become a clear area for concern for this football team.

In my opinion, it’s less about the talent and more about the durability of this squad. If this team under Shanahan is ever going to win, his players have to stay healthy and on the field one way or another.

Because whether it's bad scouting or bad luck, it isn't going to save his job come this time next year.

I'm editing to state that personally I'm willing to stay the course until said time comes to "evaluate talent" again.