Hello Coach Shanahan, Good Bye to Many

Welcome aboard coach Mike Shanahan. Redskins' fans can breath a sigh of relief now that Daniel Snyder has assembled our new management team quickly while the NFL playoffs have only just begun. This will give Bruce Allen, Mike Shanahan and newly hired defensive coordinator, Jim Haslett, a full offseason to evaluate the team's current players and begin moves and preparing for the draft. What may be even more important is the fact that "Danny Boy' hired this staff the right way this time starting with the GM, then the Head Coach and then the offensive and defensive coordinators. Perhaps, Danny learned from his last mistake two years ago with Jim Zorn and company.

Our fans have known all season that big changes were coming and they are finally here. As exciting as it may be, it is still difficult to say goodbye to some familiar faces. Some players are sure to be gone soon including Philip Daniels, Randy Thomas, Renaldo Wynn. Chris Samuels may and should retire after his neck injury this season.

Other players that will most likely be gone are Fred Smoot, Mike Sellers and Rock Cartwright. Then, there is the "on the bubble" list. This list, of course, includes Jason Campbell, Carlos Rogers, London Fletcher and Antwaan Randle El.

If he Redskins had extra draft picks, that would make the decision much easier for some of these players. However, the Redskins are left with only 5 draft picks for April. All season long, popular opinion has been that the Redskins will dump Jason Campbell and select a QB in the first round of the draft. However, do not be surprised if Campbell stays with the team for one more year. With so many needs along the offensive line and other areas, the Redskins to choose to select an offensive tackle with their first pick or they could very well try to trade down in the first round to get extra picks. The team needs not only quality, but quantity as well.

For now, the team is off to a good start with its new management team in place. Much of what happens in the draft will depend on what happens with the collective bargaining agreement and free agency. Keep your fingers crossed.

---
JacksGhost
Washington Redskins Hog Blog