The change means something this time. That’s what they believe. It’s more than just the typical positive vibe created by a new coach, quarterback, staff and decision maker. This time, the players insist, it’s different.
The players cling to that notion, embracing what the new regime is selling. Not just coach Mike Shanahan, but general manager Bruce Allen and quarterback Donovan McNabb. Their resumes inspire hope. Their actions make them believe even more.
The culture at Redskins Park changed in one offseason.
“All of those guys coming in has changed the atmosphere around here,” Redskins end Phillip Daniels said. “You can tell by how guys carry themselves and how they approach practice and everything. Everyone is so confident.”
That wasn’t the case the past two years under Jim Zorn. After his first year, one Redskin veteran said players already were discussing how they knew he’d be gone after the following year.
“For one, you have a lot of believers,” Redskins fullback Mike Sellers said of the difference. “It’s a good feeling. The past two years you had a lot of doubters and it was frustrating.”
Of course, before Zorn’s first seasons some players referred to him as a breath of fresh air. But there’s a huge difference: Shanahan has won two Super Bowls and spent 16 years as a head coach. Been there; done that — even though he’s won just one playoff game since 1998.
“From day one, it was stunning how he got everyone’s attention,” Sellers said. “He hasn’t lost that yet. I can see why he’s won Super Bowls and playoff games. His players want to play for him. Guys start to realize, ‘This coach is cool.’ He gives us breaks when we need them; treats us when we do good. It makes you want to work hard for him.”
And everyone knows he’s in charge, another departure from the past two years when players complained that certain team members had seemingly an open path to owner Dan Snyder’s office.
“From day one Mike established that no one’s bigger than anyone else here, ‘This is the way it will be done or else,’ ” center Casey Rabach said. “It builds stronger team unity. This is probably the closest team I’ve been on.”
Shanahan said, “All I can do is be myself. We don’t have a lot of rules. Be on time. Do what you’re supposed to do. Sometimes … everyone isn’t going in the same direction. But as soon as you make them pay for the consequences, everybody seems to be on time and do the things that are important for a team to win.”
But it’s not just because of Shanahan, though longtime NFL observers say this is the best staff owner Dan Snyder has hired. Employees in the building have talked about a new atmosphere. Some were stunned when Shanahan even knew the names of the nightly cleaners during a first meeting with employees.
It’s also McNabb, a six-time Pro Bowl quarterback. The Redskins had hoped Jason Campbell could lead them places; they know McNabb can because he’s done it, with five NFC Championship Game appearances.
“I look for Mike to have success in Washington,” CBS analyst Phil Simms said, “and with Donovan he has the best quarterback he has had in years so I believe he’ll be a winner. How fast? Maybe not this year but it won’t be long.”
