Posts Tagged ‘mike shanahan’

Payback time

Thursday, July 29th, 2010

By John Pappas
Skinscast Editor
 

This here is what you call Mike Shanahan getting his pound of flesh. 

Albert Haynesworth showed up today nice and early, and was subjected to a conditioning test.  Depending on whom you believe, Haynesworth either failed the second part of the test, or actually passed but Shanahan thought he took too long between part one and two and ordered the whole thing done again, which he then failed. 

No matter.  What was important is that Haynesworth had to spend the portion of practice he was out on the fields working out individually with the training staff doing drills.  He also got jeered by the crowd for his trouble. 

That probably made Shanahan smile on the inside. 

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As camp begins, Haynesworth is the story

Wednesday, July 28th, 2010

By John Pappas
Skinscast.com Editor
 

Albert Haynesworth reported to Redskins Park this morning, spoke to head coach Mike Shanahan and defensive coordinator Jim Haslett, and then left.  He is expected back tomorrow for the start of training camp.  Presumably he is here to participate in camp and play for the Redskins, though the best Shanahan would muster when asked directly whether Haynesworth would be here this season was; “We’ll see.”  

And so continues the Albert Haynesworth saga in Washington, and the contest of wills between Haynesworth and Shanahan.  

Haynesworth has been the story here since he decided he would not participate in any of the voluntary offseason activities.  It got worse when he skipped the June mandatory mini camp and Shanahan revealed the team had earlier given Haynesworth an opportunity to be released to another team if he could find one who wanted to sign him (but that if he then accepted the $21 million roster bonus in April he would be fully committed to the team).  Next, his teammates voiced their displeasure.  London Fletcher and Phillip Daniels in particular criticized the decision to stay away, with even-tempered Fletcher unusually critical of Haynesworth’s absence. 

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All the right moves

Tuesday, July 27th, 2010

By John Pappas
Skinscast Editor

They say the more things change, the more they stay the same.  Using that rationale, one might think it is more of the same in Washington these days.  The Redskins have a new coaching staff, made the biggest splash this offseason by landing the biggest name in football, and are installing another new offense.

Sound familiar?  That’s because it is.  Mike Shanahan is the seventh head coach to lead the Redskins over the past decade.  The trade for Donovan McNabb was the biggest deal of the offseason and typical of Washington, and the new offense represents the forth installed since 2004. 

So given this, why is everyone so excited about the new direction in Washington?  Writers and pundits who have been historically harsh towards the Redskins are finding positive things to say.  And while no-one is predicting a Super Bowl trophy this year, people believe Washington may finally be on the right track. 

The question is why?

It is probably because for the first time in recent memory the Redskins are being run like a professional football team.  For the first time in a long time, the decisions coming out of Redskins Park make sense.  Granted, there have been eye-openers this offseason, such as trading for McNabb, or later for Jammal Brown.  But there have been no head-scratchers, like signing three pass-catchers in the second round, or hiring a position coach to take over following a hall of fame legend.

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