At this point, an intervention by owner Dan Snyder might be welcome. The once meddlesome boss has behaved since he hired coach Mike Shanahan and general manager Bruce Allen last year. He hasn’t overstepped like he has in the past largely because the 2010 fan revolt forced him into exile.
But Snyder needs to have a candid conversation with Shanahan. The topic is simple: What in the world is Shanahan doing?
The Redskins were blanked 23-0 by the Buffalo Bills on Sunday. Washington tied a team record by allowing nine sacks, largely couldn’t get near the red zone and showed it has nothing left.
And there are still nine games remaining.
It’s not often a 3-4 team looks ready to start the offseason. But after three straight losses, injuries all over the place and dismal play from both quarterbacks, it’s time for fans to transfer their attention to the Capitals.
Shanahan is a good coach despite this nonsense. He won two Super Bowls and could be in the Pro Football Hall of Fame one day. He’s not one of those has-beens who is no longer effective.
But somehow Shanahan has lost his way and the team has lost its will. This is when an owner calls a meeting.
Snyder has burned all of his goodwill in the D.C. area, so any contact will enrage Redskins fans — even if it’s warranted. But who else can talk to Shanahan? It’s certainly not the general manager; Shanahan has more power in the organization.
The Redskins don’t need to hire any consultants, but Shanahan probably requires two new coordinators. It wouldn’t be surprising to see defensive boss Jim Haslett released after the season. Shanahan has fired defensive coordinators before, and this unit isn’t protecting Haslett any better than the offensive line protects quarterback John Beck.
But what about offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan? What father would fire his son? No dad would — and that’s a problem because the offense isn’t working. It didn’t last year, either. Sure, injuries are bad, but the NFL is all about reloading. Instead, the Redskins have surrendered.
In the coming weeks, Mike Shan?ahan needs to rediscover what made him a top coach. Something is missing. Hopefully he can find it, but it wouldn’t hurt to have a late-night summit in Ashburn in which the owner lets the coach know that contracts can be paid off early.
Shanahan bet his reputation that Rex Grossman and John Beck were legitimate NFL quarterbacks. Instead, both are ranked at the bottom of the NFL, and there’s no Plan C. The Redskins didn’t draft a QB, so they can’t even develop a rookie.
FedEx Field will be half-empty the rest of the season, filled only with Dallas and New York Giants fans. That should get Snyder’s attention. A free fall may force Snyder to make another coaching decision.
It would be better if Shanahan prevented that call.
Examiner columnist Rick Snider has covered local sports since 1978. Read more on Twitter @Snide_Remarks or email [email protected].
