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  • Backyard Banter Podcast
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 54: Kyle Crabbs - Build my own chair at the table
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 53: James Koh - Divorce the information from emotion
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 52: Will Brinson - That's how it'll have to be
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 51: Charles McDonald - Not an escape from reality
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 50: What you've learned - For you, by you
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 49: Jourdan Rodrigue - Let's see what you think then
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 48: Justin Twell - Long process to come back
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 47: Justin Lonero - It's time to relearn life
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 46: Scott Bischoff - Life presented the greatest challenge possible
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 45: Al Zeidenfeld - Little steps along the way
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 44: Jason Romano - Just a different dream
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 43: Matt Harmon - But here we are (Season 1 finale)
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 42: Gregg Rosenthal - I have to make it work or else
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 41: Jon Moore - Determiner of what I want
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 40: Uncle Chaps - Just have fun with it
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 39: Bob Harris - The best addiction I've ever had
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 38: Scott Fish - Everybody working together to make this big
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 37: Jene Bramel - Ask the questions you want answered
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 36: Mike Tagliere - Never going to leave this candy store
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 35: Ben Cummins - Starting at ground zero
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 34: Field Yates - It's the nature of what we do
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 33: Chris Heil - I gave it everything I had
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 32: Sal Stefanile - Just make them notice you
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 31: Adam Levitan - Accept an alternate lifestyle
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 30: Matthew Freedman - It's not built for everyone
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 29: George Kritikos - If your heart's not in it people notice
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 28: Marcas Grant - Certainly never expected this
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 27: Steve Palazzolo - I understand the questions that come
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 26: Matt Miller - To build bridges not burn them
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 25: Graham Barfield - A human game played by humans
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 24: Pat Daugherty - I just said yes to everything
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 23: Eric Galko - There's always work to be done
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 22: TJ Hernandez - In some roundabout way
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 21: Alex Gelhar - Homework for the rest of your life
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 20: The Fantasy Footballers - Because we were fans
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 19: Jessica Kleinschmidt - The scariest person you deal with is yourself
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 18: Evan Silva - A willingness to work hard
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 17: Jeff Risdon - It's hard to be in the middle
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 16: Cecil Lammey - Because I didn't ask for anything
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 15: Patrick Claybon - If you shine people will see you
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 14: Denny Carter - People want to know you
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 13: Adam Rank - Honestly just don't go away
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 12: Adam Pfeifer - Being happy is doing this
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 11: Mark Schofield - You get one drive in this life
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 10: Liz Loza - Ride the horse in the direction it's going
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 9: Matthew Berry - I've done it without being negative to anyone
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 8: Matt Franciscovich - Persistence is a huge deal
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 7: Matt Williamson - I got lucky, but I made my own luck
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 6: Eric Stoner - Passions are best left as hobbies
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 5: Josh Norris - You don't have to have an opinion on everything
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 4: Rumford Johnny - Elevate somebody or get out of their way
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast episode 3: JJ Zachariason - No one cares because you're not established
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast episode 2: Matt Waldman - Popular doesn't necessarily make it good
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast episode 1 - Sigmund Bloom
  • Fantasy Hipsters
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 28: We''l see you in a bit.
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 27: "Ehhh how about you people relax with that one"
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 26: Mail Satchel - Davante Adams debate & "friends of the show"
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 25: NFL Network's Top 100 Players This or That
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 24: Mail Satchel - Surviving without Charlie and Tight Ends to Watch
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 23: Jeremy Maclin reaction, news recap and did Harmon pull off that hat?
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 22: Mail satchel - WE ARE THE PODCAST OF THE PEOPLE
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 21: Reception Perception review of sleepers, breakouts and surprises
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 20: Evan Silva destroys our MFL10 hopes and dreams
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 19: Mail satchel - Will Brandon Marshall thrive with the Giants in 2017?
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 18: We Are Pretty Mad
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 17: Mail satchel - Rompers, clean eating and the 2007 NFL Draft class
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 16: NFL depth chart breakdowns and being sick of bad Eddie Lacy jokes
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 15: Mail satchel - Drafting too many rookies, breakouts and bell-cow RBs
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 14: French press vs. pour over coffee & mock draft review with James Koh
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 13: Mail satchel - Los Angeles Chargers the hipster's team of 2017?
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 12: NFL Draft rookie fits and a cast iron running back with Matt Waldman
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 11: NFL Draft preview and drumset vomit with Josh Norris of Rotoworld
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast Episode 10: Mail satchel - Dynasty debate, bad impressions and hipster bands
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 9: Perfect Prospect Parings — identifying NFL fits for draft prospects
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 8: Corey Davis, DeVante Parker and what to drink at your draft
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 7: Carlos Hyde, Laquon Treadwell and NFL Draft rookie big board part 3
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 6: Valuing Jordan Howard for 2017 and NFL Draft rookie big board part 2
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 5: NFL Draft rookie top-12 big board and in-depth beer interview
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 4: Kaepernick saga, Harmon shaves his beard and Franchise gets roasted
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast Episode 3: Eddie Lacy, Free Agency, music & beer and picking best QB roommate
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 2: Early Free Agency Fallout, Combine Standouts & Mailbag
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 1: NFL Scouting Combine preview and washed vets
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast: Teaser episode introduction
  • Reception Perception: 2017
    • Reception Perception: Investigating any correlation between the results and draft prospect age
  • The 2016 Reception Perception Project
    • Reception Perception: 11 flags planted for the 2016 season
    • Reception Perception: Nelson Agholor can bounce-back in Doug Pederson's offense
    • Reception Perception: Improved technician Donte Moncrief is set to explode in 2016
    • Reception Perception: Only one concern can hold Sammy Watkins back from his ceiling
    • Reception Perception: Bruce Ellington has a chance to flash this season with the 49ers
    • Reception Perception: Albert Wilson and the Diary of a Truther
    • Reception Perception: Willie Snead built an impressive resume we must not ignore
    • Reception Perception: Welcome the ascending Tyler Lockett to rarified status
    • Reception Perception: Kamar Aiken is the answer to the Ravens receiver riddle
    • Reception Perception: DeSean Jackson and Josh Doctson make the Washington wide receivers a strength
    • Reception Perception: Browns make a refreshing first pick in Corey Coleman
    • Reception Perception: The fruitless search for fatal flaws with Laquon Treadwell
    • Reception Perception: Why there will never be a cumulative or overall grade
    • Reception Perception: The changing variables for Torrey Smith point to a rebound
    • Reception Perception: 2016 media appearances
    • Reception Perception: Rashard Higgins - never tell me the odds
    • Reception Perception: Keyarris Garrett is a unicorn in this draft class
    • Reception Perception: Malcolm Mitchell is a top-10 receiver in the 2016 NFL Draft
    • Reception Perception: 2016 NFL draft prospects results
    • Reception Perception: Golden Tate won't be able to replace Calvin Johnson
    • Reception Perception: Jeff Janis, trump cards and sorting through the noise
    • Reception Perception: Top-four college receiver primer
  • The 2015 Reception Perception Project
    • Reception Perception Based Media Appearances
    • Reception Perception: Steve Johnson is the Surest Sleeper Around
    • Reception Perception: Target and Contested Catch Data for Sophomore WRs
    • Reception Perception: Success Rate vs. Coverage Scores for the Sophomore Wide Receivers
    • Reception Perception: Why we Must Consider the Entire Range of Outcomes for Sammy Watkins
    • Reception Perception: Data Results from Year 1
    • Reception Perception: Scanning Through the Dolphins Receiving Corps for Fantasy Answers
    • Reception Perception: Allen Robinson is Quietly on the Precipice of a Massive Breakout
    • Reception Perception: Michael Crabtree is Exactly What the Raiders’ Passing Game Needs
    • Reception Perception: Justin Hunter and Wisely Shopping the Clearance Bins
    • Reception Perception: How Kevin White Began His Ascension to the Top
    • Reception Perception: Sammie Coates Falls Along a Dangerous Archetype
    • Reception Perception: A Video Rundown of the Data
    • Reception Perception: New Browns Receiver Dwayne Bowe Bring Value to a Depleted Pass Game
    • Reception Perception: Expectations and an Odd Coupling Doomed Mike Wallace in Miami
    • Reception Perception: Andre Johnson Still has Plenty Left to Offer the Colts
    • Reception Perception: Randall Cobb Made the Right Call Sticking With the Packers
    • Reception Perception: Where Do We Go From Here, Percy Harvin?
    • Reception Perception: Devin Smith and The Value of a Trump Card (FBG)
    • Reception Perception: The Siren Song of Dorial Green-Beckham (FBG)
    • Reception Perception: Impending Free Agent Michael Crabtree
    • Reception Perception: Amari Cooper Under the Microscope (FBG)
    • Reception Perception: Sammy Watkins and Cordarrelle Patterson
  • Matt Harmon's in-season film review blog
  • Bio Page
  • Harmon's Fantasy Football Tiered Rankings
  • The Backyard Banter Quarterback Typology
  • Analyzing the Landing Spots for the First Round Wide Recievers
  • Reception Perception
    • Reception Perception: Cordarrelle Patterson and a Developing Story
    • Reception Perception: Jordy Nelson and Mastering the Little Things
  • Ramblings
    • Rebuilding a broken house: losing weight, changing my lifestyle and never looking back
    • Fighting through negativity bias and a wide receiver's drops
    • Saying Goodbye to Dixie
    • The #FreeAustinTice Campaign
    • My Reaction to Adrian Peterson and The Cycle of Abuse
    • Steve Smith: A Lesson in the Dangers of Emotional Football
    • The Arizona Cardinals Will Make the Playoffs
    • The Redskins Better Not Blow This Thing Up
    • The Commodification of NFL Players
    • Digging Deeper: Why Josh Freeman Failed with the Buccaneers
    • The Fall of Aaron Hernandez and the Patriot Way
    • Washington Redskins Injury Concerns
    • Carolina Panther's Draft Bungles
    • Stubbornness the Silent Coaching Killer
  • The Fantasy Gameplan Podcast
  • Draft Class Jersey Number Grades
  • The Eye in the Sky
    • The Eye in the Sky: The St. Louis Rams Should Commit to Sam Bradford for 2014
    • The Eye in the Sky: Why the Cardinals Struggle Against Tight Ends
    • The Eye in the Sky: Uncovering a Diamond in the Rough, Mike Brown
    • The Eye in the Sky: Uncovering a Diamond in the Rough, Brandon Bostick
    • The Eye in the Sky: E.J. Manuel's Improvement All-22 Breakdown
    • The Eye in the Sky: Why Defending the Colts Offense is too Easy All-22 Breakdown
    • The Eye in the Sky: Picking Apart the Jets Defense All-22 Breakdown
    • Eye in the Sky: Texans vs. Chiefs (Week Seven) All-22 Breakdown
    • The Eye in the Sky: Redskins vs. Cowboys (Week Six) All-22 Breakdown
    • The Eye in the Sky: Panthers vs. Cardinals (Week Five) All-22 Breakdown
    • The Eye in the Sky: Colts vs. Seahawks (Week Five)
  • 2014 Free Agent Profiles
    • Josh McCown Free Agent Profile
    • Jason Hatcher Free Agent Profile
    • Jarius Byrd Free Agent Profile
    • T.J. Ward Free Agent Profile
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    • Darrelle Revis Free Agent Profile
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    • DeMarcus Ware Free Agent Profile
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    • Red Bryant Free Agent Profile
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  • BYOB Forums (Bring Your Own Banter)
  • 2014 NFL Free Agency Position Breakdowns
    • 2014 Quarterback Free Agent Breakdown
    • 2014 Running Back Free Agent Breakdown
    • 2014 Fullback Free Agent Breakdown
    • 2014 Wide Receiver Free Agent Breakdown
    • 2014 Tight End Free Agent Rankings
    • 2014 Offensive Tackle Free Agent Breakdown
    • 2014 Offensive Guard Free Agent Breakdown
    • 2014 Offensive Center Free Agent Breakdown
    • 2014 Interior Defensive Lineman Free Agent Breakdown
    • 2014 Edge Player Free Agent Breakdown
    • 2014 Linebacker Free Agent Breakdown
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    • 2014 Specialist Free Agent Breakdown
  • 2014 NFL Draft Content
    • 2014 NFL Draft Tiered Prospect Big Board (Top 75)
    • 2014 Tiered Colored Position Board
    • 2014 NFL Draft Tiered Prospect Big Board (Top 32)
    • 2014 NFL Draft Top 10 Quarterback Ranking
    • 2014 NFL Draft Running Back Top 10 Ranking
    • 2014 NFL Mock Draft--Post Free Agency
    • 2014 NFL Mock Draft--Pre Free Agency
    • 2014 NFL Draft Wide Receiver Top 10 Ranking
  • Sunday Mornin' Comin' Down
    • April 27th Sunday Morning Coming Down
    • April 13th Sunday Morning Coming Down
    • April 6th Sunday Morning Coming Down
    • March 30th Sunday Morning Coming Down
  • 2013 NFL Power Rankings
    • Week Seventeen 2013 Power Rankings
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    • 2013 Season Preview Edition/Week One
  • 2013 Weekly NFL Previews
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    • Playoffs- Conference Championship Round NFL Preview
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    • Week Sixteen NFL Preview
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The Washington Redskins Better Not Blow this Thing Up

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By: Matt Harmon
11/18/13

            The Redskins came into this season with lofty expectations after surprisingly winning the NFC East last season and returning a young core on the offensive side of the ball. Many publications, including this website, predicted they would win their division much more comfortably than they did last year. Things have not gone to script from the very beginning for this team, and they sit in a 3-7 hole, and all but out of the playoff picture despite playing in the worst division in football. With such poor results in the wake of their run last season, the questions about Mike Shanahan’s job will undoubtedly begin to creep up, especially with a notoriously impatient owner at the helm. Canning Shanahan at this point in the rebuilding process would be a massive, and fatal mistake on a number of levels, and the Redskins need to stay the course for at least one more season.

            It is never discussed enough because he was such an electric player as a rookie last season, but Mike Shanahan, and his son as offensive coordinator to a lesser degree, were mostly responsible for Robert Griffin III’s success in 2012. Going into his rookie season, the Redskins offensive coaching staff set up a system perfectly tailored to RGIII’s skill set, and he executed it almost flawlessly. The threat of Griffin’s world class speed not only opened up huge holes for Alfred Morris to give the offense a strong, sustaining rushing attack, but it also provided Griffin with a lot of wide open lanes to throw to in the middle of the field. Linebackers and safeties were constantly cheating up to the line of scrimmage because they were so terrified Griffin would take off running down the field, and that allowed receivers to get open in between the numbers where Griffin displayed elite accuracy and ball placement to allow those receivers to get yards after the catch. It is almost laughable to hear reports about Robert Griffin supposedly not getting along with the coaches, or to listen to his comments after the loss to the Eagles where he essentially implied the team was outcoached. Griffin has all the potential in the world, but he is starting to develop an annoying habit of not knowing when to stop talking. None of us truly know what is going on behind the scenes with this team, but if the rumors are true and RGIII does want to talk the Shanahans out of town, the guys needs a serious reality check.

            Due to his devastating knee injury, Griffin was unable to participate in any real offseason activities coming into his second season in the league, and that is the offseason that is actually more crucial to participate in than the first one. There is a reason so many people talk about the “sophomore slump” for quarterbacks, its because defensive coaches around the league have a year’s worth of tape on you and are more often than not able to figure you out. They know your tendencies, they can exploit your weaknesses, and they will not allow you to get away with “gimmicky stuff” that the Redskins pulled off with ease in 2012. Athletic quarterbacks like Griffin are especially susceptible to this inevitable step backwards. While they are able to come in, catch the league off guard and take it by storm (think Cam Newton, Vince Young, and yes, even Tim Tebow) they are much less likely to get away with that the following season and the years to come. Newton, while by no means a finished product, is a great example. While he did not show much improvement from year one to year two, he has taken massive steps forward in his third year in the league. Cam has learned he cannot carry this team, and needs to play within himself and the confines of the offensive game plan. He is firing less shots recklessly downfield, is much more judicious with his runs, and off the field, he has learned when to pipe down and keep the focus on the team. And guess what, the Panthers are winning football games because of it. Many people chuckled when the much-maligned Mike Shula was promoted from quarterback’s coach to offensive coordinator after Rob Chudsinski left to become the headman in Cleveland, but the Panthers organization was right to keep a familiar face, and system in place to keep Cam comfortable. A change in the offensive staff would have only stunted Newton’s growth and the same would happen to Griffin if the Redskins let go of Shanahan at the end of this season. To expect Robert Griffin to walk into this season and suddenly turn into a refined pocket passer, after never being one in his life, while having missed an entire offseason was silly, unrealistic, and frankly unreasonable. However, can it happen in year three under still one of the best offensive minds the league has to offer? You bet it can, if they stay the course.

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The Panthers' path to success for Cam Newton in his third season should provide the Redskins with hope a blue print for RGIII. 
            This time next year, Mike Shanahan will be in the last year of his contract. People often say you absolutely cannot have a head coach go into the season on the last year of his contract. What a silly notion that is. If you do not want to make the coach appear like a lame duck, tack another year onto his contract. There is no need to go doling out a long-term extension, but just give him another year so you are not worried about the possible ramifications of him coaching out the final year of his deal. If an owner is prepared to eat the money to fire the coach to avoid that situation, it would seem only reasonable they are willing to eat the money a year from now as well. There also seems to be notion out there that players will not put their best effort forth for, or will tune out a lame duck coach. There are two problems with that theory. First, any player worth his weight who knows a coaching change is coming should be trying to put their best tape out there so they can either stick with the team after the change, or still be desired by other teams if the new coach lets them go. Secondly, if there are players on the Redskins roster who are uninterested in following a proven head coach with two Super Bowl rings on his fingers like Mike Shanahan no matter what the extraneous circumstances, they probably are not guys you want on your team anyways.

            When looking into the proverbial crystal ball for the Redskins future, there is both good and bad news. As it stands today, this Redskins roster is not a very good one, and it might look worse a few months from now. The defense is atrocious and at a bare minimum will need at least four new starters; three in the secondary and someone to take over for London Fletcher, who is without a doubt finished. Josh Wilson, DeAngelo Hall, Brandon Meriweather, and Reed Doughty should all be gone this offseason. The team will probably roll with David Amerson at one of the cornerback spots in hopes that his baptism by fire this year will make him truly ready to take over in year two, but the other three spots in the secondary riddled with questions. That is not even getting into what they need on offense, where outside of Pierre Garcon and the surprising Jordan Reed the group of pass catchers desperately needs an infusion of talent. The Redskins also need to bring in or develop some new interior offensive lineman because guys like Chris Chester, Will Montgomery, and Kory Lichtensteiger seem to be in some sort of contest to see who can get RGIII killed first. The needs are many, but the draft resources are few; Washington will be without a first round pick for the second straight season.

            The good news is that, the Redskins will finally be out from under the devastating cap penalties the NFL has levied on them the past two seasons. The Redskins do not have many key free agents to retain, with Brian Orakpo being the only real name of consequence on the list, and should have plenty of money to toss around to free agents. With a proven head coach in place and an exciting young prospect at quarterback, Washington should have no problem attracting quality players to their facility. They don’t need to go all 2011 Eagles or 2013 Dolphins and spend like mad men, but they have the funds to make several quality mid level free agent signings to replenish the talent on this roster, much like they did prior to the 2011 season. They would be wise to go for this home run strategy, because when you scan across this division, the only team that really looks to be emerging as a consistent future threat is the upstart Eagles under Chip Kelly. The Cowboys are probably one more inevitable late season collapse from wholesale changes, and the Giants are an underperforming aging team. Neither of those teams should scare the Redskins over the next five seasons. Even the Eagles, who are brimming with promise right now and will win the division this year, could experience their own sort of “sophomore slump” next season. As bad as things look right now, the Redskins could find themselves right back at the top of this division a year from now.

            If the Redskins decide to move on from Mike Shanahan and scrap the major rebuild he has been heading up the last four seasons, all bets are off. After shoveling through the mess this franchise threw him into when they hired him, Shanny is just now finally getting all the pieces together. If the Redskins cut him loose now, they will never take that next step forward, and will likely find themselves perennially at the bottom of this division once again. All the success the Redskins have with Alfred Morris in the zone running scheme, leaves with Shanahan. The offense that has so often put Robert Griffin III in positions to maximize his skill set even as he has struggled this season leaves with Shanahan. The ability to get top ten production out of guys like Garcon and Reed, leaves with Shanahan. The respectability and veteran leadership this team has now, and painfully lacked for the better part of two decades, leaves with Shanahan. If Robert Griffin and Daniel Snyder really want to see if the grass is greener without Mike Shanahan, they will be digging their own graves in that very grass soon enough.

            The team is frustrated, the players are frustrated, and you bet the fans are frustrated, but when it comes to the future of the Redskins and their head coach, patience is not just the best solution, it is the only solution. If one of the more storied franchise in the NFL does not want to jeopardize the future of their best asset, and return to the years of mediocrity they were mired in before Mike Shanahan’s arrival, they will heed this warning. Stay the course.    

Images taken from:
http://msn.foxsports.com/lacesout/fred-smoot-calls-rg3-a-brat-refers-to-shanahan-as-red-lobster/
http://thesportsmindonline.com/nfl/nfl-weekly-predictions-week-8/
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