Firing Gruden after one season with Washington would be the least productive, most destructive action the Redskins could make at this moment. It protects us from Daniel Snyder making a football decision.
Snyder spent this season paying two head coaches, Gruden and the final year of Mike Shanahan’s contract. It would be destructive to pay a new coach while paying off the last four years of Gruden’s contract.
You won’t hear Hog Heaven condemn the Redskins for guaranteeing Gruden’s full contract. I believe they had to do it.
Mike Shanahan is held in higher regard in NFL circles than Dan Snyder is. If Mike Shanahan cannot make a winner in Washington, what chance does anyone have? Your next target will demand more contract guarantees.
Better Solution
A good executive would ask, “What can I do to help my people do better and win?”
Think Joe Gibbs “All of us together…fighting our guts out…to win a game.”
To start, I would simplify Jay Gruden’s mission. Restrict him to coach the team. Remove from him any personal obligation to fix Robert Griffin III.
Clearly, that hasn’t worked.
Insist Gruden hire a quarterback coach. Hold that person accountable for making all the quarterbacks, including Colt McCoy if he returns next year, skilled to win a NFL game.
QB coach has to know Jay, his Offense/ QB mechanics
— Commanders (@ChrisWorthy_) December 17, 2014
Gruden has to focus on better preparation by his staff for game management. They floundered in that far too often.
Gruden is a rookie head coach who is well along the experience curve. Expect him to correct his own mistakes in his second year. Everyone promoted to a new job takes corrective action in his or her second season. They typically are in full command by their third year. Fire Gruden now and you lose the “what would I do differently” advantage.
Keeping Gruden is a tactical move, but secondary to the real question. How the heck did Gruden get this job? Organizations reflect the top and **it roles downhill.
If the Redskins are ever to change their fortune, the first change must come in the owner and GM’s strategic approach to the game. I want to hear about that before I hear about personnel moves. Otherwise, there is no reason to believe that Washington’s thinking will be any less flawed than it has been.
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