1. This really wasn’t an issue, but it is something that always lingers when it comes to Redskins coaches and Dan Snyder. And so it was asked: Was Mike Shanahan confident that he’d return in 2012?
His response: “There’s no doubt in my mind,” he said before adding, with a laugh, “Hopefully there’s no doubt in Dan’s mind, too.”
Shanahan is 11-20 and there’s no doubt Snyder is probably frustrated. Who wouldn’t be?
But Shanahan said when he first got here, he made it clear to Snyder what he needed.
“I said, ‘Dan, if you don’t plan on me coaching here five years and doing it the right way, you’re hiring the wrong guy,’ “ Shanahan said. “It’s going to take some time to get it right.”
Snyder fired coach Norv Turner before the end of his second season with him (but seventh with the franchise). He fired Marty Schottenheimer after one season and Jim Zorn after two. Steve Spurrier resigned after his second season.
2. Would it surprise anyone if changes were made to the coaching staff? No. And I don’t think it would surprise some of the coaches. Shanahan will address this, as much as he is wont to do, on Monday.
3. Because there is still a game this week, here’s your injury update: It’s the same as Wednesday. So running back Roy Helu (toe/knee) was limited, along with linebacker London Fletcher (ankle), right tackle Jammal Brown (hip), defensive end Adam Carriker (chest) and receiver Donte Stallworth (ankle).
4. For the Eagles, corner Asante Samuel (hamstring) did not practice and won’t play. Running back LeSean McCoy (ankle) was limited.
5. Four months after tearing his ACL, defensive end Jarvis Jenkins said he’s already started doing sprint intervals and is lifting and will start agility training in a week or two. Jenkins said he already has his full range of motion back and now is focusing on strengthening his knee. He said he’ll be ready by the time workouts begin in the spring. Having to watch every game was difficult, but he said it helps knowing that the season ends Sunday. “[Now] I’m getting work in like everyone else,” he said.
6. Receiver Donte Stallworth hopes his strong finish equals another season in Washington. He’s caught 16 of his 21 passes in the six games since rejoining the team a week after he was cut. They’re not eye-popping numbers, but he has been effective.
“I’m sure they know my interest level is very high coming back here,” he said. “It’s a great organization. It’s a brilliant area. They’re one of the best in the league as far as fan base goes. I’d definitely love to be back here. I know they’re trying to get younger and that doesn’t help my case much, but if I’m here next year that would be great and if not that would suck.”
Stallworth turned 31 in November.
7. Defensive coordinator Jim Haslett said they used Byron Westbrook in the slot last week instead of Kevin Barnes because they wanted to evaluate him. If they were sold on Barnes in the slot, there wouldn’t be much of a need to see if Westbrook could play this spot. Both of their contracts are up, but neither is unrestricted.
As for Westbrook’s performance, Haslett said, “I thought he’s played well. I thought he did a nice job. He’s got great speed and good covering ability. He’s another guy that just hadn’t had a lot of reps and time. For time he’s been here, he’s been more of a special teams player. I think this game he’ll have a good receiver in the slot, so it will be a good evaluation for us.”
8. Kyle Shanahan on where he’d like to see the offense improve: “Turnovers without a doubt. If you look in every category whether it’s the run game, the pass game, we’re pretty much right there at the midway point in every section, even third downs. I think last year, we were like 31st in third downs. I want to say right now, we’re like 14th. So we’re improving in a lot of areas, but you can’t win games when you’re turning the ball over like we have. That makes you struggle to score points when you turn the ball over and you struggle to win.”
To subscribe to my Friday email report, click here. This week: More from ex-Redskins safety Matt Bowen and a look at DeJon Gomes’ learning curve. And more.
