It's going to take more than drafts and free agency signings

[Mike Bass]

Besides a player here in the draft or a player there via free agency, here are a few more intagibles that I think that we are going to need to improve on in order to get back to becoming a winning program again.

F.O. coaching hiring decisions....The Steelers and the Cardinals both hired hot commodities as coaches,the Steelers Mike Tomlin and the Cardinals Ken Whisenhunt. Both these guys were proven coordinators one on offense and the other on defense but both were well sought after coaches who had made their  names known as legitimate NFL  coaching potentials....Our guys hired a QB coach  with no credentials and no experience in running either side of the ball who in turn hired coordinators with no experience which made our coaching staff suspect from the start...Zorn may work out but we must get better around Zorn in order for him to improve. I know a Russ Grimm for the Cardinals and a Dick LeBeau for the Steelers are helping their head coaches out tremendously and their head coaches know that they are invaluable.

Player personnel decisions (existing roster players plus the draft and free agents) ...A huge reason that the Cardinals are going to be playing in Sunday's Superbowl is the decision made to start Kurt Warner over the "franchise QB" Matt Leinart. It took some guts for Whisenhunt to even make this a competition even though the franchise boy was crying about it. I know that Leinart was injured and that played into the QB change but even before he was injured, Whisenhunt had the two QB's alternating...With the Steelers, they can lose a Plaxico Burress and replace him with a Santonio Holmes or can have the eye for a undrafted Willie Parker, keep him around and turn him into one of the best RB's in the league. Each and every year it seems like they pull the right plugs when it comes to player personnel...Our guys can't seem to make the right  moves on a regular basis from Deion Sanders to Brandon Llyod, from Jeff George to Adam Archuletta,etc.etc...it seems as though we can not get it right....On top of choosing the right players, we are sometimes going to have to make moves throughout the season that may not make everyone happy if our team is not winning or showing any progress. We never made the adjustments this past season

Timing, luck and controling our own situation  ...I do not know if the Cardinals is or isn't the worst team to ever play in the 'bowl but they have to be one of the worst but what they did have with them is they played in the worst division in football. I do not think that they would have won their  division if the 49ers had hired Mike Singletary earlier...  But they did pull it out and managed to get hot at the right time in order to earn a SB berth...What do we we do?...We were in the supposed best division in the NFC if not the NFL and although the "division's best" did not play up to their expected level we did not have what it takes to take advantage of it....We managed to beat both NFC championship game participants in the 3 games that we played them but then we lose to the like of the Bengals and the Rams. Until we can beat the teams that we are supposed to beat we are going to run into seasons like we have had in recent years for a long time.

Heart...The Steelers team should be shown in the dictionary under the word "heart". I do not think that I have seen a game where they did not come to play with all of their might. They may not have won them all but I know that each and every quarter they are giving it their all...This year's Steelers O-line may have been worst than ours but they seem to keep Big Ben (who I do not think is one of the greatest QB's I've ever seen) on his feet when it matters....On top of the line not being stellar, their top back was down for most of the year and then the second string RB went down for the season and then the third stringer which left them with Mewelde Moore. These guys fought through all of this, never gave up and still was one of the best teams in the NFL for the season....Our guys are going to have to get some of that will to win even after adversities, forget about who is not playing and win with who we have on the field.

Tenacity and/or intimidation...Both Superbowl team has one or both of these qualities....I think that some of the Steelers games are won before they are even played because of their defense is known for being brutal to the point where they are in player's heads before the game even starts and too, players know that Hines Ward will knock you out if you do not pay him any attention...With the Cardinals they have the intimidation factor of Fitzgerald and Boldin going for them and teams know that they are going to come at you with those guys and you have to find a way to stop them....We have to establish an identity much like the that. At one time we had the hogs, the smurfs, the funch bunch etc. Guys who teams were intimidated by like Manley, Mann and Riggins... But now besides Portis' blocking, we have nothing that really is intimidating to our opponents. I am looking for that from Landry and horton on D and Kelly and Thomas on O but we do not have it yet.

These are some of the factors that I think that we are going to need to get to a Superbowl caliber team. We may have it with the F.O. or the players that we have right now to get it done but if not, I think that we should be looking to make a few changes this off season to get what we truly need.

[UK_Skinfan]

Good post Mike.

Theres a lot there I agree with and some that really should be dealt with asap.

I do think we are a team in transition, and to build right for the future we need to think about tomorrow as well as today. 

Quick fixes dont work....

F.O. coaching hiring decisions   Well I dont think theres a Dick LeBeau around every corner available to hire...  Maybe, with a full season under our belts, our coaching staff will have learnt a few lessons from their first season together.  I cant see much if any movement here in for the next season.

Player personnel decisions (existing roster players plus the draft and free agents)  Lets hope we have learnt our lesson on quick fixes and Buying "Star Players" to come in with their big egos and  mercenary attitudes.  We need a shake up but with limited Draft picks we have to be wise with our recruitment.  Some very serious thinking needs to be done about the way we are going to strengthen our ranks.

Timing  I do believe we were punching above our weight last year and got found out by aposing teams towards the last third of the season.  Just like what I said about our Coaches, our QB, JC, has had a season under his belt learning a new offense and with another full training camp to come JC will be more knowlegable, comfortable and confident.  True we are in a strong division and we cant help that.  We have to be able to match the teams in our division at least and BEAT the other teams we play through the season.

Heart  We DO need to step upto the plate and show some aggression in the way we play.  Having average players giving their all and playing hard will always be better than having a big time player going through the motions....  The players we have on the field will have to just get it done! 

Tenacity and/or intimidation  Well what can I say?  We can only play with the players weve got, lets hope theres a few players who can develop, shine and can make a name for themselves this  coming season.

Can we become a "Bowl" team next season? maybe, but I dont think so.  We have a lot to do with little or few options this year, however I do think we can start the rebuilding for the next few years NOW and build for a Superbowl caliber team for the future.  I do think we can push for a Playoff place this coming season though and if we do get there then anything can happen. 

[Mike Bass]

You're exactly right UK

It will probably not happen quickly, there is a lot that has to be done with the existing staff and players. Starting with Zorn hiring a offensive coordinator with some experience. Sherman Smith is just not the answer and with his (Zorn's) play calling being shaky in itself, I do not know if we are not going to go through another bad offensive season without an upgrade at OC.

Greg Blache will be ok because although he had not had the D-coordinator experience, he is a very learned defensive mind. Give him a line to work with and I think that we are going to be alright there.

I really think that we are going to get there but I hope that we start working on the intangibles and players start getting it on their minds that every play and every game is as important as the next.

[UK_Skinfan]

A team that battles at every snap will do for a start 

[redskin_ty]

This is a great post MB.  I believe that the Cardinals just got hot at the right time.  But if you look why they are winning is because that their line play is off the chart.  They are getting a push on the defensive side of the ball that did not have when they played us.  And their OL is playing out of their minds.  I think when we signed all those free agents we were signing skilled players not addressing our real needs and that was line play!!!!!  You are right when you say that a FA and a couple of draft picks is not going to help us but if we get the right draft picks and right FA in here it will only make us better!!!!!!! 

[Mike Bass]

This is a great post MB.  I believe that the Cardinals just got hot at the right time.  But if you look why they are winning is because that their line play is off the chart.  They are getting a push on the defensive side of the ball that did not have when they played us.  And their OL is playing out of their minds.  I think when we signed all those free agents we were signing skilled players not addressing our real needs and that was line play!!!!!  You are right when you say that a FA and a couple of draft picks is not going to help us but if we get the right draft picks and right FA in here it will only make us better!!!!!!! 

For sure my friend but right now our team is in a bad way because of  bad dealings in the past and it affects any move that we would presently make and will prolong our building process.

For instance, if right now and I hope we do, get the perfect draft picks or free agent aquisitions, like you stated it WILL help but how much?...I think that before we  expect a lot of change, we are going to have to, first get on even keel with the past mistakes. We can draft  a O or D lineman but they will have to progress to where they can really help the team and/or we can pick up a player or two via free agency but we can not afford  to pick up enough to make up for the past dealings.

The 'skins are MY/OUR team and I hope that they can get it together like yesterday but I really think that it is going to take some doings before we get back to where we need to be.

[Hitman21]

I love the post man Great points brough out there as far as


F.O. coaching hiring decisions I think we really need to get coach zorn guys that well boast the staff. we don't need anymore inexperienced coaches. We need to replace some of this coaches with guys that can rasie JZ's Level of coaching and complement him.

Player personnel decisions (existing roster players plus the draft and free agents)  I thing we need to shake thing up alittle bit. Loyalty can only go so far, If your not gettting it done than you have got to give guys a shot and see what they can do. I also believe that you can have the knee jerk reaction on things thought and you can worry about what the fans or BSPN my say about you for stepping outside the box.


Heart.. is SOOOOOO Key when you hplay with alot of heart it can get you over the hump and will you to win games. Pride in oneself and Pride in what you represent would go a long way. I think some of our guys understand what it means to be a Redskin but alot of guys just don't take enough pride in what they do and represent.


That's just a few things I thought of. I think Coach Z will get things right but I think we may need to get a peice or two but we need to continue to get young on both sides of the ball

[UK_Skinfan]

I think we are all on the same line of thinking here 

We do need some youth to add to our ranks and maybe, in an ideal world, we should have done this before now but we have to do it now and its better late than never.... 

Youth at Coach level wouldnt be a bad idea too, I mean youthfull coaches with fresh new Ideas, coaches that will have their fingers on the pulse and be upto date with their views and techniques. We have to be possitive with everything we decide to do from here on.

We need a team of players who will play for each other with PRIDE and give their all, they need to leave it all on the field and show that it means the same or as much to them as it does to us fans!  That way we wouldnt be able to question their effort and we can be proud of what ever happens on the field.

Theres more to building a Good team than just recruiting good players, lets hope we get the right blend of players that all pull in the same direction and can play for each other and can compete for each other as a TEAM. 

"40 men together cant lose!"  George Allen

We dont have to start over,  but we do have to start building a winning mentalaty at this club and move forward as one.

[stwasm]

Great post, Mike, but I'd like to add something else to this list.  An owner who stays out of the way and let's the football people do their jobs.  Dan Snyder is a very good businessman, but he's not a football person.  There's no way in the world he should be deciding who plays for this team.  His meddling has undermined the coaching staff and his "relationship" with Portis -- "I love Dan Snyder, Dan Snyder loves me" -- made that situation worse than it had to be.  He needs to check his ego at the door, just handle the business/marketing side of this franchise and let football-knowledgeable people make all on-field decisions.  It starts at the top and, until Danny does this, we'll have the same, mediocre team that may make the playoffs here and there, but will never be a top-tier team of the NFL.

[UK_Skinfan]

Good point stwasm, If only we could have it like that.... 

Dan Snyder looking after the business side of things and leeving everything football related to football people.  Now that sounds too good to be true!

[stwasm]

Good point stwasm, If only we could have it like that.... 

Dan Snyder looking after the business side of things and leeving everything football related to football people.  Now that sounds too good to be true!

It's an important key to success in the NFL.  Just ask the Rooneys.

[UK_Skinfan]

Yes, im very envious of how they run their organisation over the years.......  I think The Skins and Steelers are the two oppersite ends of the spectrum there 

[stwasm]

Yes, im very envious of how they run their organisation over the years.......  I think The Skins and Steelers are the two oppersite ends of the spectrum there 

What's really sad is that, at one point, we were right up there with the Steelers in terms of well-run organizations.  It's tragic to see how far this team has fallen since those four Super Bowl appearances over a 10-year period.  One playoff win in four years and only two since 1999?  Are you kidding me?

[AlexandertheGreatestFANEV]

Yes, im very envious of how they run their organisation over the years.......  I think The Skins and Steelers are the two oppersite ends of the spectrum there 

What's really sad is that, at one point, we were right up there with the Steelers in terms of well-run organizations.  It's tragic to see how far this team has fallen since those four Super Bowl appearances over a 10-year period.  One playoff win in four years and only two since 1999?  Are you kidding me?

That's been my question since 2006, Stew. And it is sad that even teams who've been around 10 years or less like the Ravens and Texans have been drafting better AND have had more success with playoffs and such. Bottom-line, we need to have Danny Boy put an end to his white-collar, business-crazed, football-flopping monopoly, and find people who can turn this team into the BLUE-collar winning team that it was. Of course, it would also help if people STOPPED marveling the past and concentrated on the game today!!!!!!!! Things have changed people!!!!!!!!! We aren't in a horrible state exactly, but things aren't looking good and I'm worried about the future of this team. Ifwe get a miracle run at the Super Bowl soon, I'll be thrilled. For now, I'll just settle for a .500 team and I don't think we're much better than that. I'm a diehard fan and always will be, but I don't think this team is good.

[stwasm]

Yes, im very envious of how they run their organisation over the years.......  I think The Skins and Steelers are the two oppersite ends of the spectrum there 

What's really sad is that, at one point, we were right up there with the Steelers in terms of well-run organizations.  It's tragic to see how far this team has fallen since those four Super Bowl appearances over a 10-year period.  One playoff win in four years and only two since 1999?  Are you kidding me?

That's been my question since 2006, Stew. And it is sad that even teams who've been around 10 years or less like the Ravens and Texans have been drafting better AND have had more success with playoffs and such. Bottom-line, we need to have Danny Boy put an end to his white-collar, business-crazed, football-flopping monopoly, and find people who can turn this team into the BLUE-collar winning team that it was. Of course, it would also help if people STOPPED marveling the past and concentrated on the game today!!!!!!!! Things have changed people!!!!!!!!! We aren't in a horrible state exactly, but things aren't looking good and I'm worried about the future of this team. Ifwe get a miracle run at the Super Bowl soon, I'll be thrilled. For now, I'll just settle for a .500 team and I don't think we're much better than that. I'm a diehard fan and always will be, but I don't think this team is good.

Alex, that's the one truth very few Redskins fans want to read.  But, you're absolutely right.  This team is a mess and things won't change until Danny checks his ego and gets some REAL football people in here to run the team.  To be honest, I'll be shocked if we win four times next season.