“You know how this works. You ask the questions and I don’t answer them.” ~ Mike Shanahan at his first press conference as Redskins head coach.
Bruce Allen’s press conference Wednesday morning is news in itself. Expect the DC sportswriter crowd to ask the usual, superficial football related questions – prominent names, job security questions, Robert Griffin III questions – that Allen will not pre-announce nor that touch on the real issues. Here are five questions somebody should ask before we get to that superficial stuff.
No. 1: What changes would you make in yourself to better evaluate talent of players and coaches and then leadership them to work better together?
This is a test of self-awareness. The Redskins’ issues flow from lack of strategic leadership the very top. Solutions must start there before anything else. If Allen cannot convince us of real change to strategic thinking and front office processes, then expect more of the same. Redskins to the Super Bowl will be a rare, random event.
To have an effect in 2015, strategic changes should have begun about six months ago. Hog Heaven is hopeful, but not optimistic.
No. 2: “I’m looking for one positive thing that the Skins will walk away with. What would be your No. 1 plus that the team has improved in and could possibly hang on to for the next season? New coach? Switching up QBs?”
Good question asked by Janell Weaver in Mike Jones column in The Washington Paper, Dec. 30, 2014.
No. 3: Jay Gruden’s coaching staff appears to have many blended roles. Gruden acts as his own offensive coordinator and QB coach as well as head coach. Sean McVay plays an assist role in all of those areas. How will the coaching staff clarify roles to make this more straightforward?
Gruden is a rookie coach who had growing pains of his own to master the full scope of the job. RGIII was not the only player affected. How does ownership pick up the pieces to genuinely help Gruden?
No. 4: How did the NFL $36 million cap sanction change your approach to free agency? What specific positions (or players if he will name them) would you have targeted if not crippled by the sanction?
This is a softball question. The sanction was devastating. Now that it is a year distant, Allen may be forthcoming on how the sanction hit the current roster. The question is also test of Allen’s candor.
No. 5: Is the Redskins franchise quarterback on the roster now? Who is it and why?
Hog Heaven thinks the notion of converting Robert Griffin III to be a pocket quarterback makes him average because it plays to his weaknesses. Colt McCoy or Kirk Cousins may well be better suited for the Gruden system. Fans are not interested in RGIII as a development project. How does the GM deal with this dilemma?
BONUS QUESTION: Who will get to a Super Bowl the fastest, The Cowboys or the Redskins? Why?
This is a low grade cheap shot. It is also a hint. The Cowboys invested first round Draft picks on the offensive line and then relied on the running game to relieve the burden on QB Tony Romo to win. Who needs that approach more than the Redskins do?
h/t: This story idea inspired by a broadcast on the Grant and Danny Show, December 30, 2014, 106.7 FM.
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