In sports coaches are often the blame for everything, even though the players are out on the field. Coaches need to be held accountable as well for not putting their players in the best position to succeed, and that pretty much sums it up with Washington Redskins Head Coach Mike Shanahan.
It appears that Mike Shanahan and Robert Griffith III have been bumping heads since RGIII’s knee injury. Shanahan selfishly played Griffith in last year’s playoffs even though he knew that his best player was playing on one leg. After further damaging Griffith rushed back this season to show that he can pull off his own version of an Adrian Peterson type of comeback.
That comeback has been a disaster so far. The Redskins are 3-7, and Griffith has not looked like the quarterback who dazzled in his rookie season. All of the blame should not be on Griffith by any means. His receivers have resembled “Hot Hands” Hannon from the movie the Little Giants, his offensive coordinator has been terrible, and his defense has been inconsistent.
To be honest the Redskins lucked up last season. They started off the season 3-6, and went on to make the playoffs. Prior to last season Mike Shanahan has been irrelevant for quite some time. Shanahan did win Super Bowl’s with the San Francisco 49ers (Offensive Coordinator) and Denver Broncos ages ago, but in this day in age it’s all about, what have you done for me lately?
You take away last year’s 10-6 record Shanahan’s Redskins are 11-28 under hin. Knowing Dan Snyder’s need to win he will do whatever it takes to take care of his team and quarterback.
RGIII may be a brat, and lacks leadership qualities, but he is not being placed in the best position to succeed. It seems like the ride with Shanahan will only get worse over time, and it may be time for him to be replaced after his fourth season.
I will say that it may have seemed if Donovan McNabb had a little hater in him, but all he tried to do was to warn RGIII about the train wreck he is experiencing now.
With Chip Kelly’s success in the NFL with his system from Oregon, I can see Dan Snyder going that route. Memo to Snyder: Remember to stay far away from Steve Spurrier, you’ve been down that road before.
