Shanahan’s decisions under fire
In 14 years as head coach of the Denver Broncos, Mike Shanahan had a 146-91 record and guided the Broncos to Super Bowl championships in 1998 and 1999.
Sunday, Shanahan made his return to Denver as head coach of the Washington Redskins where they lost 45-21 with the Broncos scoring the last 38 points over the final 22:48.
The loss drops Shanahan’s record as coach of the Redskins to 23-33 since taking over in 2010.
When he was hired by owner Dan Snyder, many Redskins fans hoped Shanahan would guide the Redskins to a Super Bowl title.
After going 6-10 and 5-11 in his first two years in Washington, the Redskins went 10-6 a year ago behind rookie quarterback Robert Grffin III raising hopes for this year. With Griffin coming off surgery for a torn anterior cruciate ligament in the offseason, the 2013 season has seen the Redskins go backwards.
Has Shanahan lost his touch?
Consider this: In his last three seasons in Denver, the Broncos went 24-24. In 2008, his last season, the Broncos were 8-5 and needed one more victory to win the AFC West, but lost all three games, including a 52-21 loss to the San Diego Chargers in a winner-take-all showdown. Also, since quarterback John Elway retired after the 1998 season, the Broncos won one playoff game under Shanahan.
Mike Wise, a columnist forThe Washington Post, has some questions and that was before Sunday’s game. Wrote Wise last Thursday. “… The next-most important issue for this franchise - whether Shanahan, in the fourth year of his five-year deal, has Washington clearly pointed in the right direction and is worth extending for at least two to three years - is still up for debate with 10 games and one season to go.
“From the failed Donovan McNabb experiment in 2010, which included giving up draft picks, to the hard sell of John Beck that ended up producing 5-11 dividends in 2011, to his initial handling of Albert Haynesworth, Shanahan has had numerous questionable decisions in his executive role.”
Wise went on to write that it’s frustrating to see the Kansas City Chiefs go from 2-14 a year ago to 8-0 this year and the Indianapolis Colts go from 2-14 in 2011 to 11-5 and a playoff berth under first-year coach Chuck Pagano and rookie quarterback Andrew Luck.
“Too often in Washington, most notably last January, the need-to-win-now coach in Shanahan has undermined the long-term organization builder,” Wise said.
“Still, if Griffin remains healthy and keeps developing, if this team can at least finish .500 and remainin the playoff hunt late, Shanahan is worth extending at least two years beyond 2014.
“If not, if the wheels fall off in any way these last 10 games, it’s time to part with the gold standard Snyder believed he was getting in 2010. After three of four losing seasons, no one would call the owner impulsive for pulling the plug on Shanahan’s final year.”
Coaches, despite past glory, can lose their touch
Homecoming No. 2
Sunday’s game was not the first time Shanahan returned to Denver as a visiting coach. In 1988, as coach of the Los Angeles Raiders, The Raiders fell behind 24-0 at halftime before rallying for a 30-27 overtime victory.
Quarterback John Elway said afterward, it was, “The worst loss I’ve ever had.”
After leading 21-7 Sunday and getting a video tribute, Shanahan said, “It’s very easy to get kind of fired up, especially coming back here and wanting to win the football game,” Shanahan said.
“That’s why it’s disappointing when you have the opportunity there in the third quarter and you don’t take advantage of those opportunities.”Quote of the day
“You’ve got to play harder when the bull’s eye is on your chest.” Arkansas State Coach Bryan Harsin on repeating as Sun Belt Conference champions.
Sports, Pages 18 on 10/29/2013