He's The Guy! Redskins Coach Introduced

Mike Shanahan Introduced As Head Coach of the Washington Redskins

Washington Redskins' general manager, Bruce Allen introduced the new head coach, Mike Shanahan, to the media today at Redskins Park via a live press conference.

Confident Mike Shanahan is the man for the job, Allen said,

"We were looking for a man who is passionate about football, passionate about the Redskins history, someone who had a good winning record, and someone who could lead our team on and off the field, lead our coaches on and off the field, to the greatest heights. Ladies and gentlemen, we got our man."

Shanahan comes to Washington, bringing with him, a 146-98 regular season record as an NFL head coach over 14 seasons. In 16 seasons as a head coach with the Denver Broncos (1995-2008) and the Los Angeles Raiders (1988-89), and has a regular season winning percentage of .598 (146-98), and an overall winning percentage of .615 (154-103).

During his tenure with the Broncos, Shanahan guided the franchise to two Super Bowl victories, three conference championship game appearances, seven postseason berths and nine winning seasons. Under Shanahan's watch, the Broncos offense ranked in the top five in the NFL nine times.

His extensive resume boasts having coached in six Super Bowls (five with Denver and Super Bowl XXIX with San Francisco).

Shanahan coached Skins' running back Clinton Portis during their tenure together in Denver. When asked if he would utilize Portis next season, Shanahan gave the following response:

“It’s hard to say that right now. I’ve got to go back and look at all of the film. Just to watch a game and not be around Clinton in the offseason program, not watching him on a day-to-day basis, judging him would not be fair to him, and not be fair to you. Like all players, as they get older, the key is how they work in the offseason program, and what they do to make themselves better as veterans. I’ve been around some veterans that have been very successful, and all of the sudden they quit working out, and as a running back you can fall off of a cliff. If you make a commitment that you’re going to be the best that you can possibly be, or you’ve got the passion and the work ethic to be as good as you can possibly be, then you’ve got a chance to be something special."

Adding, "I do love his toughness. He was obviously very productive when he was with Denver.”

A very poignant response with definite I'll-give-him-a-chance-if-he's-willing-to-work-for-it undertones.

What's on everyone's mind is whether Shanahan will retain Jason Campbell as the franchise quarterback of the Washington Redskins.

“Well, I am looking forward to working with him", said Shanahan. "I just love the way Jason handles himself. I am looking forward to sitting down and watching film and going through every play that he has had throughout his career and sitting down and talking to him and hopefully the best years are ahead. That is a process that will take some time.”

As to whether Shanahan plans to make his time at Redskins Park a family affair by adding his son Kyle as the team's offensive coordinator, Shanahan said, "... I am looking forward to having him on our staff. I think he’ll bring a lot to our football team.”

Shanahan becomes the Redskins' 28th coach of the Washington franchise. He joined Vince Lombardi, Don Shula, Chuck Noll, Jimmy Johnson and Bill Belichick as one of six coaches with back-to-back Super Bowl championships.

In his 14 seasons in Denver, the Broncos offense ranked in the top five in the NFL nine times.

With what many consider a winning resume, it should be easy to turn the Redskins into a winning team, in no time, right?

"I’ve got very high standards just like everybody in this organization", said Shanahan.

"I can’t tell you how long it’s going to take, but I can guarantee you one thing – we’ll get better every day and hopefully it won’t be long until we’re back to where this organization has been.”

View the presser below in which Mr. Shanahan was given substantial time (we appreciate that) to answer the questions on the minds of the Washington media.

**Update** Arenas Suspended Indefinitely

In a statement earlier today, NBA Commissioner, David Stern relayed the following:

"Although it is clear that the actions of Mr. Arenas will ultimately result in a substantial suspension, and perhaps worse, his ongoing conduct has led me to conclude that he is not currently fit to take the court in an NBA game. Accordingly, I am suspending Mr. Arenas indefinitely, without pay, effective immediately pending the completion of the investigation by the NBA."

Additionally, Wizards personnel continue to be interviewed by law enforcement authorities, some are scheduled for appearance before the grand jury and the investigation is proceeding with the intensity that one would expect for such a serious incident.

Arenas stands to lose almost $150,000 per game during the suspension for bringing guns to the Verizon Center and alledgely pulling them on a teammate.

Arenas previously made light of the offense on his Twitter page (presently not deleted), and joked with players about having the guns.

Since realizing the severity of his actions, Arenas has changed his tone.

"I wanna say sorry if I pissed any body off by us havin fun...I'm sorry for anything u need to blame for for right now" - 7:45 PM Jan 5th from UberTwitter.

The Wizards fell tonight to the Cleveland Cavaliers, 121-98.

Game hightlights.


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NBA and Wizards Make A Statement
Gilbert Banner Taken Down At Verizon Center
Another Take On It: Chicken Truck And All

Wizards Come From Behind To Win!

Beat Philadelphia 76ers, 104-97 After Falling Behind By 18.


The Wizards needed that win. They needed the win to prove they can at least play as a team. They needed the win to prove that coach Flip Saunders' rant on the team last week wasn't totally in vain, and they needed the win take the concentration off the latest distraction (at least for a while) that has bought even more embarrassment to the organization. (As if the 11-21 record wasn't embarrassing enough).

Gil had 19 points, and 14 assists (a career high) against the Sixers, overshadowing the fact that Allen Iverson played in the game, after coming off another injury sustained early in his acquistion with the team that he calls home, for the second time. Antawn Jamison, the team's professional player, scored 32 points, 16 of those coming in the third quarter.

The still evolving, but continuing-to-show-flashes-of-talent, Nick Young scored an impressive 21 points.

Erasing an 18 point deficit at the start of the second half was encouraging.

Ride high on the wave of this win. For what now remains of the season, is uncertain.

Up next: The Wizards face the Cavs tonight in Cleveland, where Gilbert will celebrate his twenty-fourth birthday, hopefully a little wiser.

Happy birthday.

____________________________

Done Deal!

***This Just In!***

According to NFL Fanhouse Mike Shanahan inks deal with Redskins for $7 million a year, for five years.

Press conference to introduce new head coach of the Washington Redskins expected Wednesday (January 6, 2009).

All Female Boxing Returns

Fight Lady Wanda Bruce and Women In Support Together (WIST) invite you to their next all-female boxing event January 23rd in New Jersey.

The all-female events are gaining momemtum on the tails of several fights held at Rosecroft Raceway last year.

Follow the updates leading up to the event here, and at www.fightlady.org.

Check out our coverage here.

Why, Gilbert? Why?

We may never really know why Wizards' guard Gilbert Arenas bought guns into the locker room of the Verizon Center last December.

We may never really know if Gilbert Arenas and Javaris Crittendon were feuding over a gambling debt; or how much the debt really is (the latest reported amount is between $20,000 and $60,000).

We may never really know why Gilbert thought any part of this episode was funny, or "goofy".

We may really never know why Gilbert Arenas did what he did, but talk show host David Letterman provides a few clues. (At least 10 of them).

Watch the somewhat amusing, informative vid below.

TMZ Sports. More of the Same?

Last year TMZ (the infamous world-wide celeb stalkers) made claims that they would begin TMZ Sports - the spinoff to their already 'Celebs Don't Wanna Talk To You/ See, We're Ignoring Your Camera People/Get Outta My Face/We Hate You/Imma Do A Kanye West-Mike Tyson On Your A*$' television show and internet site that shows celebs in their worse light possible.

Continuing in that fashion, it looks like they've already got a few stories about athletes to start the New Year. Look what they've come up with so far.

Sports story number 1 | Sports story number 2 | Sports story number 3, and just added, the Mike Tyson-LAX video as Sports story number 4.

What other sports figures do you see making TMZ's world of stalked and spied on athletes this year?

Let's hope TMZ doesn't sway one way and report on the negative actions of athletes, as it appears they already have, but gets their cameras rolling and photographers capturing the positives in sports as well.

Yes, there really are positives.

p.s. Let's also hope the staffers at TMZ have good health coverage.

Out At Redskins Park: Bruce Allen Explains Zorn Firing

Talks of Rebuilding The Organization

Yesterday, newly hired Redskins' VP/GM Bruce Allen discussed the firing of Jim Zorn with members of the media.

As you know Zorn was fired Monday morning upon his return to the Redskins campus from San Diego after the Redskins' season ending loss to the Chargers.

Allen explained...

“Obviously this morning we made a decision to relieve Jim Zorn of his duties. When we came back, I talked to Jim in his office and notified him of such. He was disappointed but very professional. Over the last three weeks I have gotten to know him well, and felt that this was the right time to make that decision for the Redskins. Today starts our 2010 season – as I have discussed with our staff, the coaches, and our players here just a while ago. We have a direction that we want to go, and will go, starting today.”

While no decision on Zorn's replacement has been made at this time (Mike Shanahan sitings at Dulles Airport aside), Allen responded with the following regarding securing a candidate for the now available head coaching position of the Washington Redskins...

“I’m not going to get into that. I’m not going to discuss that because of privacy issues for them. I will say this - it’s real clear that we are going to be aggressive. What we are looking for in a head coach is somebody that can lead these men that we have in our locker room to levels that they haven’t played to before. What I asked of the players on the team, was a commitment that they hadn’t given before. We are going to try that type of person, who is a winner, passionate about the Redskins, and passionate about football.”

On if there will be a new head coach by week's end...
“I’m not going to put a time frame on it. We are going to get the right person. I’m a little bias maybe with coaches, but I think that the head coach in the NFL is the most demanding executive position in professional sports. He has to manage over 100 people, getting them to focus in one direction, for a common goal – which is to win. We are going to make the right selection before we get our person.”

If I could interject, here's the latest info on that.

Continuing...

Was firing Jim Zorn the right thing to do?
“It’s an evolving decision. The record speaks for itself. This morning whenever our plane arrived, Jim and I went back to his office and discussed it at that time. I’ve seen it work in different ways with different teams, but Jim and I had talked previously that, once a decision was made to please let him know. That’s what we did.”

What about the future of the existing Redskins assistant coaches?
“We met with them. Their position with the Redskins will be determined by the next head coach. Remember, this is a very volatile period in the NFL. Last year there were 11 coaching changes – that’s a third of the league. We want to be very considerate to their families and the issues. We are going to be in constant dialogue with them and keep them updated on the process.”

Now, what about them players? Who's still on the roster, Mr. Allen?
“It’s a little premature to talk about that. I really look forward to talking to our players in the next few weeks. I met with a few of them today. They are giving me a good message. They understand that it’s about hard work. The formula for success in the NFL hasn’t changed since Coach (George) Halas was coaching – teamwork, plus talent, equals success. The players are hungry. They’re unsatisfied. The fans are unsatisfied, and the organization is unsatisfied with the results. We do live in a results based business. That’s what makes it the best sport there is.”

That was yesterday's answer, and what a difference a day makes.

Looks like the Redskins are already making roster changes, bringing back most players that have a history with Burgundy and Gold.

Here's a list of the signees to future Redskins contracts: Anthony Alridge,RB (left) /Anthony Armstrong,WR /Doug Dutch,CB / Antoine Holmes, DT /Clint Oldenburg,OL /James Robinson, WR/J.D. Skolnitsky, DT /Lee Vickers, TE /Darrel Young, LB.

So, to review: Head coach? Check. Assistant coaches? check. Returning players? They're still working on it.

What we do know (according to Bruce Allen)...

“We have to build the foundation. We have to get the right disciplines in place in order for players to succeed in our environment. I believe that the coaches work hard. I believe the players work hard. We have to work in harmony. That’s why the statusquo has to end. We have to change the ways we have been doing business. The players are going to embrace it.”

Related
To build an organization from the ground up, should you just fire everyone and start anew? These guys did.

Fill In The Blank: Thanks For The ________!

The Redskins Say Goodbye to Jim Zorn.

Thanks for the memories, audibles, laughter, the 6-2, the 6-18, the worst franchise record since the Redskins' 1994 3-13 record...the list goes on and on.

On this day, Jim Zorn has been relieved of his coaching duties with the Washington Redskins.

Zorn, who for weeks and up to the last minute, denied (and didn't want to entertain) any rumors that he would see his last days as head coach for the Burgundy and Gold was told upon his return to DC after the team's 20-23 loss to the San Diego Chargers who played their second string players.

The second string!

Even the New York Giants won over Indianapolis when their coach made the horrid decision to put in their second string players! (To be fair, it wasn't coach Zorn's fault that balls were dropped, passes were over thrown, etc.)

Back to the subject at hand.

Jim Zorn thanks media and players for exciting times.


[My New Year wish. A job were I can perform at mediocre status and get paid millions a year to do so.]

Nonetheless, the Jim Zorn era has ended, and the quest to fill the head coaching position for the Washington Redskins is about to end as well.

In a statement earlier today, general manager Bruce Allen explained:

"The status quo is not acceptable," Allen said. "I felt it was necessary to not waste a moment of time building this team into a winner."

It will be an interesting January at Redskins Park in the quest to revamp, reorganize, and revitalize, the tore-up-from-the-floor-up Redskins organization.

Who's the next head coach? Will it be Jerry Gray? "Ask John."



Who's next to go? Players weigh in.



What's next for Jim Zorn?

“...I just have to press on, I have to push forward...I truly am having a great experience. It’s not fun, but it is a great experience. There are better days ahead...”

Thank you Jim Zorn. Here's wishing you better days, and good luck as you press on.

__________

What I find interesting.
I find it interesting that Vinny Cerrato's picture was still in the December 27th Redskins-Cowboys Gameday program even after Cerrato was fired on the 17th. At first I thought maybe they didn't have time to remove it before the program was printed, but then I saw Graham Gano's picture listed in the program with the rest of the Redskins roster. (Gano was hired on December 8th.)

Hopefully they won't make the mistake of listing Zorn as head coach in any future printed materials.

Ironic, Isn't It?

Just as Gilbert Arenas and Jarvis Crittenton are to face investigators today for their guns-in-the-locker room fiasco, we find teammate Andray Blatche wearing the infamous second amendment Gun Club T-shirt during a New Year's Eve party.

Arenas and Crittendon allegedly pulled guns on each other over a gambling debt.

Arenas stated he originally held his guns in a locked container (no bullets) inside his locker to keep them away from his kids, the third born just before Christmas. Arenas supposedly gave the guns to team security.

“Yes, I showed them to someone. I showed them to team security when I handed them to them and said give them to the police. Yes, I took them out of this locker room. I had to take them out to get them out of here to give to security.”

Question!

So, you take guns out of your house, away from YOUR children, but you bring them to the Verizon Center where hundreds of other people's children are?

Really? Or did you bring guns to the Verizon Center to get a little revenge for this?

Not saying it's true, I'm just asking.

___________________________________________

What's Gil got to say about it?


[Disclaimer: Andray Blatche has not been named in the Arenas/Crittenton gun investigation]