Hansel tried to comfort his frightened sister, Gretel, as the two wandered lost in the forest. “We’re not where we want to be right now,” he claimed, “but we’re going in the right direction.”
Funny, that’s exactly what Washington Redskins coach Mike Shanahan said Sunday after his fourth straight loss.
But this is no fairy tale, and there is no witch to escape in a gingerbread house.
This, instead, is the story of a coach who is trying to escape even the most basic questions.
Shanahan was asked Monday whether the Redskins are “rebuilding” after a loss the day before to the 49ers dropped them to 3-5. Shan?ahan pretended to have forgotten the meaning of the word. Then he tried to turn the question back on the reporter before claiming he was playing younger players because they were the best available.
Please, this is where Shanahan fell into trouble last season with his double talk about Donovan McNabb’s benching. Shanahan already has learned the ways of Washington politics, using word games to try to escape blame. Haggling over the definition of sex didn’t help Bill Clinton during the Monica Lewinsky scandal, and haggling over the definition of rebuilding won’t keep Redskins followers calm. Sorry, it doesn’t work that way in this town.
The coach’s inability to admit things aren’t working is an insult to fans. Shanahan should concede that the injuries to an already thin lineup have left the Redskins with little chance of escaping the NFC East cellar rather than challenge reporters over definitions.
Everyone knows the offense has been decimated by injuries and poor quarterbacking. It’s OK to say it. Losing a key lineman, top receiver, lead running back and the franchise’s best tight end ever means the offense is grounded, to put it politely.
Shanahan uses buzz words like “character” and “gaining experience.” Those fool no one. Character is a phrase some fancy PR guy created that sounds good but means nothing. NFL teams would sign ax murderers on parole if they could throw touchdown passes.
Saying reserves benefit from playing more means little. Nothing good comes from Plan B.
To be fair to Shanahan, admitting a team is doomed midway through a season isn’t productive. Players have to believe anything’s possible; otherwise, they might tank the rest of the season. The Redskins already seem a Miami loss away from finishing 3-13 without such a confirmation from Shanahan.
At best, the Redskins will play hard and finish with five or six wins, but only if the players fear Shanahan will cut them otherwise. And that’s only those on the bottom of the roster; the top players are protected by costly contracts. If Shanahan wants to make an example of a starter by cutting him, he will find work elsewhere. Who’s penalized then?
It’s another forgettable season, but Shanahan’s words will be long remembered, much like predecessor Steve Spurrier’s. At least Hansel led Gretel to a happy ending. Shanahan might be the one who winds up in the oven.
Examiner columnist Rick Snider has covered local sports since 1978. Read more on Twitter @Snide_Remarks or email [email protected].
