Mike Shanahan: Washington Redskins New Commander & Chief

Maybe Mike Shanahan does have control of the Washington Redskins. With free agency underway in an uncapped year, it's uncharacteristic of the Washington Redskins, and Dan Snyder to be so quiet. Maybe the owner has finally found a coach he trust enough to listen to about free agents, and how to build a winning football team.

Mike Shanahan is a proven winner, and his first step in turning Washington into a winner, is getting his kind of players, which is why the Redskins were busy doing some addition through subtraction. Cornelius Griffin, Randy Thomas, Rock Cartwright, Antwaan Randle El, Fred Smoot, Ladell Betts, and Todd Collins, are now former Washington Redskins players. It's clear with the cuts, the Redskins are looking to improve on an offense ranked near the bottom in total offense last season. With the release of two running backs, Washington will look to bring in a runner to team with often injured Clinton Portis, and improve the Redskins run game, which was anemic for most of last year. Antwaan Randle El was the teams second leading receiver last season, and his release leaves the Redskins with young receivers Devin Thomas, and Malcolm Kelly behind Santana Moss. Washington may look to bring in another proven receiver to team with Moss, while Shanahan figures out what he has in Thomas, and Kelly. With Chris Cooley hopefully returning from injury, and young tight end Fred Davis, playing well in his absence, tight end seems the one position the Redskins are set at.

With a tender offer of a 1^st round pick assigned to Jason Campbell, it's doubtful he's going anywhere, unless the Redskins decide to trade him. With speculation the Redskins will take a quarterback in the draft, Campbell's time as starting QB in Washington may come to an end shortly. With trade talks revolving around Campbell seemingly every off-season, it's apparent owner Dan Snyder isn't sold on Campbell being the Redskins future QB, and Shanahan may want to bring in his own guy to run the most vital position on the team.

Mike Shanahan is a Super Bowl winning coach. Dan Snyder is a Super Bowl hungry owner, it seems like a perfect match. Now, if Snyder can stay out of the way and give Shanahan time, maybe Washington can compete in the difficult NFC East. Dan Snyder may have finally found success with a high priced free agent, Mike Shanahan.

　
Sources:

http://www.nfldraftblitz.com/mockdrafts.htm
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/football/nfl/stats/2009/team_offense/0_byOFNS_YDS_PER_GAME.html