The Washington Redskins’ head coach Mike Shanahan will lose his job come the end of the season, if not sooner, but he’s not the only one responsible for the team’s nightmare 2013.
After falling to the Kansas City Chiefs 45-10 at home this week in embarrassing fashion the Redskins find themselves drop to 3-10 on the season.
Just a year after winning their last seven games to finish 10-6 and win the NFC East.
It’s clear that Shanahan has to go, his 24-37 record with the team speaks to that, and however great the division-winning 2012 season was, it’s not enough to keep him in DC.
The final nail in the coffin came before the game even kicked off after ESPN’s report that he wanted out at the end of last season.
Not to mention the news that he is now benching quarterback Robert Griffin III to ensure he’s “healthy for the offseason.”
I can’t recall the last time a QB, who assures us he is healthy and has been declared fit to play by his doctor, was benched three weeks before the end of the season.
Shanahan will be gone by January.
However, an even bigger question needs to be asked: Who else should join him?
The list is numerous.
His son, offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan, will probably be next to go.
His offence this year has been unable to cope with defensive adjustments and a quarterback who clearly needs to develop his pocket passing.
They’re still technically a top-10 offence, thanks in no small part to the number two ranked rushing unit, but the passing attack has been woeful, and the team’s average points per game has dropped from 27.2 in 2012 to 21.5 in 2013.
The defensive coordinator, Jim Haslett, should probably go as well. Haslett has turned the Redskins into a historically bad defensive team.
Since taking over and moving to a 3-4 defence in 2010, the Redskins D has been ranked 31st, 20th, 28th and 22nd in yards allowed.
More importantly, the Redskins have given up more points per game than any other team in the league this year, with 31.3 in 2013.
His tenure has included the shifting of Brian Orakpo from DE to OLB, potentially turning an elite player into simply a good one (he did it to OLB Ryan Kerrigan as well), and the utter lack of an answer for what has been an awful secondary.
The coaches aren’t the only ones to blame, of course.
How about the owner, Daniel Snyder, who, as it has been reported, has an inappropriately close relationship with his most valuable employee?
His chumminess with his starting quarterback was cited as one of the reasons Shanahan had become disillusioned with the team.
He already had a history of meddling, of hiring and firing head coaches at whim, and of making bad decisions for the franchise.
It seemed as if he had turned over a new leaf when he gave the reins to Shanahan in 2010, but the decision to hire the veteran coach as both the head coach and, lets face it, the de facto general manager will go down as just another Snyder miss.
How about the players?
Quarterback Robert Griffin III was clearly not himself coming into the season.
So worried about backup Kirk Cousins he rushed his recovery and as a result was woefully under-prepared for the start of the season, let alone the new offence the Shanahans had dreamed up in his absence.
Now, for “safety” reasons he won’t start again for the remainder of 2013. Cousins has the job.
The offensive line has allowed their quarterback – one of the most elusive quarterbacks in the league – to be sacked 25 times in their last five games. The most in any five-gave stretch in history.
The defence keeps missing tackles, especially the secondary, and coverage assignments are routinely missed.
How about the special teams? If Aussie Sav Rocca (yes, he’s not without blame) hasn’t given up a short punt, the coverage team has completely whiffed on the return man, or the snap was botched, or somebody missed an assignment and got the kick blocked.
As you can see, there’s plenty of blame to go around.
It seems nothing less than a complete reboot is needed in the coaching staff, and yes, some players (and their bloated contracts) need to go too.
Not just the head coach.
Shanahan will go, and he won’t be alone, but after four years on the job we shouldn’t feel sorry for him.
We should feel sorry for whoever has to inherit the mess that is the Washington Redskins.
What do you think Roarers, what would you do if you were the Redskins’ owner?
Dominic is a US sports editor and writer based in Maryland, USA. You can follow him on Twitter @AussieAudible.
mushi
Guest
Well the point is pretty much straight out of the manual for getting your coaches certificate so glad to see Cooley on board :) I think there are so many "reports" that is getting like a woman's day "a person close to..." No one legitimately knows what happened. but the truth remains that RG3's needs to adapt as a pocket passer (footwork, sloppy reads and not getting lit up like a christmas tree every single day) if the skins are going to get the return on their draft day gift basket
Dominic Davies
Expert
This was more or less Chris Cooley's point, and I'm certainly starting to come around to it. Unfortunately that's not the reason given by Shanahan or the team, we've been simply told that it's to preserve RG3 for the offseason. Another report from the NFL.com dudes also claim that the switch to Cousins was a powerplay by Shanahan to assert himself as the head coach. Which, as far as reasons go, is probably the least legitimate one.
Eliot Bingham
Roar Pro
Shanahan definitely will go. Benching RGIII is a terrible decision. He's a second year pro and needs all the experience he can get his hands on and that is match practice. The season is gone so play him and experiment with different strategies and plays.
BA Sports
Guest
Shannan's justification for sitting RGIII would stand up accept for one problem - he played him at the start of the season when he wasn't 100% fit or match ready and was at risk of further injury. He also refused to sit him last year when he took knocks, despite his value and well known injury history in college. So to all of the sudden be concerned with his health is a bit of a strech to me As for the rest, they are bad in Offence, defence and their special teams is horrific. And there is no excuse, they have had very few injuries. Kyle should have been sacked, but I think even if Snyder told Mike to sack his son, Mike would say "no. if he goes, I go", and then Snyder has to sack Mike and pay him out $7mil for next year and the rest of this year. It is a complete mess. Washington fans can only hope Snyder sells, so they can attract a serious, quality and relevant coach (Am i right in saying Shanahan has just one play off appearance since the 98 Superbowl?!) who would be willing to work for the new owner, and get a new name.
mushi
Guest
Issue is whilst there is only so much of a real game experience you can simulate in preseason/offseason it is also true that there is only so much you can learn getting thrown into games if your skill base is insufficient. If Shanahan has observed him and thinks his problem isn’t maximising his ability to use his existing skill set but rather his ability to take the next step in absorbing a more complex NFL playbook and changing his behaviour in terms of decisions made in the pocket (or mechanics), then being 100% physically ready for offseason will mean more to him than a few weeks of game plan focus training and games. You don’t change behaviour by simply putting them in situations where their instincts will lead to them behaving the same way as they always have. As you say he needs to become a better pocket passer. If he needs to change or augment his skill set to be successful then it will be practice time that determines that success.
Dominic Davies
Expert
He certainly does. I've defended him quite a lot this season, as most of the big returns were due to another player's error, but he has had some bad punts, including terrible shanks and short ones.
Dominic Davies
Expert
The most recent criticism I heard was that RG3's release is too slow and that he holds onto the ball too long. It's not something I have noticed but will go back and watch some tape to see. Cousins reportedly has a quicker release, so keep an eye on how many sacks, hits and hurries he takes over the next three games. Then we'll know.
Dominic Davies
Expert
Contracts don't really mean much in terms of length in the NFL. If he is fired he'll still get the money. Completely agree with you RE: Snyder. Too many bad decisions.
Calum
Guest
yeh I heard him being interviewed on Mike and MIke and I agreed with his (Cooley's) assessment, he is getting worse - I'm sure Chris Cooley has been waiting for my validation! RGIII was obvioulsy nowhere near match fitness when he started, then he gradually improved each week (including a big improvement after they had their bye week (Win against the Bears?)), but in the last 2-3 weeks he has really gone backwards. He appears even more immobile and seems like he has lost all dynamics with the O line, his pocket passing (never great but okay) is bad and they are running more and more simple plays. However, still not sure I'd sit him out, and not convinced at all that this is in RG3s/ the franchise's interest. Just part of a mexican stand off between Snyder, RG3 and Shanahan.
Calum
Guest
not wanting to put up any defence of the Washington O line (which is obviosly dreadful) but in fairness RGIII's mobility is NOTHING LIKE what it was last year. In fact, that is part of the problem (of which there are many).... RG3 makes decisions (whether to throw the ball away, whether to scramble etc) AS IF he does the have same mobilty, and ends up getting caught out. Players that played againts him last year are openly stating he is not the same. The weird thing is the Washington run game has held up okay (actually quite well if you factor in that oppo defences don't have any respect for their pass game) and the O line os obviously part of that. I know that there is different blocking schemes etc for running and passing but i didn't think that they'd be so different as to explain... which kinds of makes me think more of this is on RG3 than I first thought.
Mark Pybus
Roar Guru
Sav seemed to cop a fair amount of abuse on Twitter during some of their lesser performances.
JJ
Guest
As an Aussie living in DC and a Redskins supporter (mainly due to simarity in team colors to my Brisbane Bronco's + being a big fan if RGIII) it is very embarrassing. The organization is a complete mess and league joke. It all stems from the top ie the owner. He's been through approx 6 head coaches in a decade. It's quite remarkable considering the skins are a top 5 valued/revenue sporting organization on the planet. They made a big error recruiting Cousins- this had manifested the situation for a variety of reasons. Shanahans performance in selling his reasons for benching RGIII are laughable. Everyone knows what is going on. I hope he doesn't get Fired as it's insulting he's playing this game out through the media - you sign a contract, you honor it.
Dominic Davies
Expert
If the benching were because of some injury or "soreness" or anything I'd almost be OK with it. I read an interesting take from former Redskins TE Chris Cooley, who said that RG3 was actually regressing in recent games, and that because of this benching him is the best move. Not sure I buy it.
Josh Wye
Roar Pro
Great read Dom. The Redskins are a mess. Must be painful for fans like yourself. I think they need to just completely wipe the slate clean. New coaches and new schemes are definitely on the agenda. Orakpo and Kerrigan are two of the best defensive lineman in the league, I love watching them play. The new defense should build around them? You have to feel for RG3, he is trying his best but just getting monstered behind that line. I don't understand dropping him, if a mobile quarterback like Robert is getting butchered I don't hold much hope for Cousins.
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
Benching RGIII I think I''m going to be sick!
Kasey
Guest
What a horrible couple of years. (I guess that's your punishment for a racist nickname. Yes I also believe in Cleveland's Curse of Chief Wahoo. Get caught cheating the salary cap and lose picks and are penalised in the cap. Trade 3 1st roundres away for RG3. which turns out to be the 6th, late teens, and possibly the 2nd overall next year.
Dominic Davies
Expert
You did Kasey, and he will. Obviously injury is a worry, but the Skins need him to get as much NFL experience as possible, you can only simulate so much in offseas / preseason. Dumb move. Snyder is certainly a problem, but he did try and step back when he had Shanahan come in. If you'll recall, he also hired George Allen to be the GM, which I think was actually a good move. The issue is that it looks like he's back to his old tricks and is getting too close to the talent, making things uncomfortable for the head coach.
Kasey
Guest
Did I read correctly in an ESPN alert this morning when I turned my phone on that RG3 will be benched for the remainder of the season? Snyder is the problem here. He wants badly to emulate his hero Jerry Jones rather than doing the sensible thing and hiring experts to make the coalface decisions and just turning up for the show on Sunday.