Tag: Mike Shanahan

Robert Griffin applauds the Commanders’ GM Adam Peters

Robert Griffin III with some good analysis on the Commanders this time, concerning Adam Peters and the No. 2 pick.

Robert Griffin III believes his being the second overall pick by Washington in 2012 is impacting the decisions the Commanders will make in Thursday night’s draft.

Griffin, the 2011 Heisman Trophy winner at Baylor, was chosen second overall by Washington in the 2012 draft, in which Washington traded three first-round selections (2012, 2013, 2014) and a second-round pick (2012).

A guest on the “Rich Eisen Show” Tuesday, Griffin saw his choice as analogous to Jayden Daniels for Washington Thursday night.

“Where did Adam Peters come from?” asked Griffin. He came from San Francisco. What did San Francisco just deal with two years ago? They had a highly drafted quarterback in the first round, and they had the last pick in the draft, which they used to pick Brock Purdy.”

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Now, Trey Lance, in all fairness to him, didn’t get a chance to play because he was hurt and didn’t get a chance to show that he could be that guy. But Brock Purdy was the last choice in the draft, was a guy’s guy. The whole team gravitated towards him. And I feel like Adam Peters was just trying to get a sense, which one of these quarterbacks do the guys gravitate towards?”

Griffin said that outside of Caleb Williams, the other quarterbacks are all athletic and very similar in ability. Griffin expressed that because there previously was such criticism of Washington, people still automatically wondered what they were doing last week, having all four quarterbacks in at once for a group activity.

“I would say, Rich, the highlights are on the film, but the character isn’t. The organization in Washington is just trying to find the right character guys to build a team around, and I actually applaud them for that. Because character is not really something the team has been associated with for the past twenty years.”

“So, I want fans to understand. If you create a negative environment for a guy like Jayden Daniels coming in, it’s only going to breed more negativity once he’s drafted.”

“I hope they just give these guys a clean slate, whoever Washington decides to take. It’s their decision; it’s who they believe in. I want that for them. The situation with me and Kirk Cousins in Washington in 2012 was a situation where the owner and the head coach were fighting against each other.”

“You don’t want that to be repeated. So, whoever they believe in, go draft that guy…I just believe, Rich, that Jayden is the best guy for them.”

Aside from Griffin presenting that he was a victim in 2012, this was actually his best interview regarding Washington in some time.

New Commanders’ D-Line coach Darryl Tapp ready to work with Daron Payne, Jonathan Allen

Tapp is ready to help Payne and Allen return to form in 2024.

Darryl Tapp played 12 seasons in the NFL after an All-American career at Virginia Tech. Now, Tapp is coming home.

Tapp, a Chesapeake, Virginia native, was hired last week as the Washington Commanders’ new defensive line coach under Dan Quinn. Tapp, who grew up rooting for the then-Redskins, played for Washington in 2013 under Mike Shanahan.

Tapp began his coaching career in 2018, one year after his playing career ended, at Central Michigan. He quickly moved up the ranks, going to Vanderbilt in 2019, before returning to his alma mater in 2020 as Virginia Tech’s co-defensive line coach.

However, in 2021, Tapp received the opportunity of a lifetime to head to the 49ers as Kyle Shanahan’s assistant defensive line coach.

As a part of Quinn’s much heralded coaching staff that perfectly blends youth and experience, Tapp is charged with leading Washington’s defensive line room. In doing so, he has the opportunity to coach arguably the NFL’s top defensive tackle duo, Daron Payne and Jonathan Allen.

That opportunity is not lost on Tapp.

“It’s exciting to be around them. I’ve always been an admirer of the game that those guys put on film, like true animals out there,” Tapp said this week on “Grant and Danny” of 106.7 The Fan, courtesy of Lou DiPietro of Audacy.

“We’re going to do our best — me, Dan (Quinn), (defensive coordinator) Joe Whitt, and my assistant (assistant DL coach) Sharrif Floyd — to put those guys in the best position to make plays. Whatever vision of a player that they want to be that’s in their head, we’ll do our very best to help them meet that vision. That’s where our mindset is, and that’s what we’re trying to get accomplished.”

This is not only an opportunity for Tapp but also for Payne, Allen and some of Washington’s young defensive linemen. The 2023 season was a down one for Payne and Allen, but they remain a centerpiece for Washington’s defense, something Quinn has mentioned in more than one of his interviews since landing the job.

 

Commanders hire Anthony Lynn offensive run game coordinator

A big hire for Dan Quinn.

Another day, another big Dan Quinn hire for the Washington Commanders.

On Wednesday morning, Adam Schefter reported the Commanders were hiring veteran NFL coach Anthony Lynn as the offensive run game coordinator.

The team has not officially announced the coaching hires, so some coaches’ titles aren’t yet known. Schefter says Lynn will be the run game coordinator for new offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury. The Commanders have yet to name a running backs coach, so Lynn could also fill that role.

Lynn, 55, is a former head coach for the Los Angeles Chargers. In four years with the Chargers, Lynn had a record of 34-33, which includes a 1-1 postseason record.

A former NFL running back, Lynn began coaching in 2000 under former Washington coach Mike Shanahan with the Broncos. Lynn’s final three seasons as a player came under Shanahan.

He’s been the running backs coach for numerous NFL teams and had a stint as the offensive coordinator for the Lions in 2021.

Lynn spent the past two seasons with the 49ers as an assistant head coach/running backs coach under Shanahan’s son, Kyle.

Lynn is praised for his leadership and his work in the running game. With Kingsbury’s expertise in the passing game, this looks to be another excellent hire for Quinn and the Commanders.

Who is Mike Shanahan, Kyle Shanahan’s dad? Get to know the former NFL head coach

Kyle Shanahan wouldn’t be a great coach without his father.

Kyle Shanahan is renowned for being a gifted offensive mind. His playcalling at the helm of the San Francisco 49ers is often regarded as the NFL’s best and is a big reason why San Francisco won its second NFC title in five seasons.

But the San Francisco head coach probably never gets to this Sunday’s Super Bowl stage without his dad, Mike Shanahan, who you’ll likely hear a lot about during CBS’s broadcast.

Here’s what you need to know about the elder Shanahan, who ironically has a lot of similar pro football connections to his son.

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Mike Shanahan first rose to real prominence in the NFL as the 49ers’ offensive coordinator. He was the maestro behind the scenes of Steve Young’s offense during the 49ers’ last Super Bowl win in 1994. That dynamite coaching job eventually led Shanahan to Colorado, where he led the Denver Broncos to back-to-back championships in 1997 and 1998.

Shanahan would stay on in that role until his ouster in 2008. After a two-year hiatus, he took the helm of the Washington Commanders from 2010 to 2013. Here, he brought his son along with him as Washington’s offensive coordinator. Mike Shanahan never officially retired but has not coached in the NFL since 2013. Meanwhile, Kyle Shanahan took that initial Washington role and eventually parlayed it into success with the Atlanta Falcons (insert 28-3 jokes here) before heading to the Bay Area to channel his father.

Needless to say, Kyle Shanahan would not, once again, be on the edge of Super Bowl glory if not for his legendary NFL coaching dad.

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Which Broncos will make the Hall of Fame next after Randy Gradishar?

Who’s next after Randy Gradishar? The Broncos have more candidates who are worthy of the Hall of Fame.

Denver Broncos great Randy Gradishar was announced as a member of the 2024 Pro Football Hall of Fame class on Thursday evening, a long overdue honor. He joins a growing list of former Broncos who have reached Canton.

So, who’s next?

Super Bowl 50 MVP Von Miller should be a first-ballot lock, but he’s still an active player with the Buffalo Bills. A player has to be retired for five full seasons before they can be elected to the Hall of Fame and Miller’s current contract runs through the 2027 season.

Even if Miller retires before his contract expires, the pass rusher is at least six years away from the Hall of Fame, assuming he plans to play in 2024.

The most logical prospect among eligible candidates is former coach Mike Shanahan, who won two Super Bowls in Denver and has an impressive coaching tree that’s still impacting the NFL today. Shanahan should already be in the Hall of Fame — perhaps 2025 will be the year he finally gets in.

Here’s a list of 10 former Broncos who deserve to join Gradishar in Canton in the coming years.

List of Broncos coaches since their last Super Bowl win

The Broncos are on their fifth coach since Gary Kubiak’s Super Bowl win, and their ninth coach since Mike Shanahan’s back-to-back titles.

The Pittsburgh Steelers have had just three head coaches since 1969: Chuck Noll (’69-’91), Bill Cowher (’92-’06) and Mike Tomlin (’07-present). During that same period, the Denver Broncos have had 16 head coaches (including three interim coaches).

The Steelers are an anomaly — most NFL teams would love to have that kind of continuity at head coach, but finding the right man for the job is a difficult task at the highest level of football.

Denver found the perfect candidate in 2015 when they hired Gary Kubiak. He immediately won a Super Bowl in his first season with the team, but he stepped down just one season later for health reasons.

Since then, the Broncos have had five new coaches (including one interim coach). Sean Payton is the latest man to hold the job, and fans in Denver will hope he keeps the role longer than his predecessors.

Kubiak was the team’s fourth coach after Mike Shanahan won back-to-back Super Bowls. Payton will now aim to follow up in his footsteps and become the team’s third coach to win a title.

Mike Shanahan’s impressive coaching tree continues to bear fruit

Mike Shanahan’s coaching staff in Washington included Kyle Shanahan, Sean McVay, Matt LaFleur, Mike McDaniel and Raheem Morris, now all HCs.

Mike Shanahan’s coaching tree continues to branch out, and each branch is bearing fruit.

As has been well documented, Shanahan built an impressive coaching staff in Washington in 2013 that included Kyle Shanahan, Sean McVay, Matt LaFleur, Mike McDaniel and Raheem Morris.

Kyle Shanahan, Mike’s son, was Washington’s offensive coordinator in 2013. The younger Shanahan is now the head coach of the San Francisco 49ers and he has reached his second Super Bowl since 2019. The 49ers have also made the NFC championship game in four of the last five seasons.

Matt Lafleur (Washington’s quarterbacks coach in 2013) has served as the Green Bay Packers’ head coach since 2019. He has reached the playoffs four times in his first five seasons, including two appearances in the NFC title game.

Sean McVay (Washington’s former tight ends coach) has been the Los Angeles Rams’ head coach since 2017. He has made the playoffs five times in seven seasons and won Super Bowl LVI in 2021.

Mike McDaniel (Washington’s wide receivers coach in 2013) has served as the Miami Dolphins’ head coach since 2022. Miami has qualified for the playoffs in each of McDaniel’s first two seasons.

Raheem Morris (Washington’s former defensive backs coach) was hired by the Atlanta Falcons as their head coach this offseason.

A sixth assistant coach from Shanahan’s tree, Bobby Slowik, was also a head coach candidate this offseason, but he will remain an offensive coordinator with the Houston Texans in 2024. Slowik was a defensive assistant with Washington in 2013.

And before Shanahan went to Washington, his coaching staff with the Denver Broncos included Gary Kubiak, who later won a Super Bowl as head coach with the Broncos in 2015.

Shanahan won three Super Bowls, including two titles as head coach in Denver. Shanahan’s final season as a head coach did not go well in Washington as his team went 3-13, but elements of his offense are still seen across the NFL today and his coaching tree continues to have success.

Shanahan has been repeatedly passed over by Hall of Fame voters in the coach/contributor category. He should already be in the Hall of Fame. Here’s a quick list of Shanahan’s assistants who went on to become head coaches.

Will Raheem Morris return to coach the Commanders?

Raheem Morris should be a serious contender to be Washington’s next head coach.

One of the potential candidates for Washington’s head coaching job has coached here in the DMV previously.

Morris spent time as the defensive backs coach for the Redskins in the 2012, 2013 and 2014 seasons.

During that 2012 season, Washington won the NFC East (10-6) as Alfred Morris rushed for 1,613 yards and quarterback Robert Griffin added 815 more yards on the ground.

That 2012 coaching staff included HC Mike Shanahan, OC Kyle Shanahan, DC Jim Haslett, OL Chris Foerster, QB Matt LaFleur, OA Mike McDaniel, TE Sean McVay, DB Raheem Morris, LB Bob Slowik, and DA Bobby Slowik.

Shanahan, LaFleur, McDaniel and McVay have all not only succeeded in the NFL as position coaches and coordinators, but also as head coaches. Slowik is succeeding in his first year as an offensive coordinator in Houston with rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud.

Morris, on the other hand, had the misfortune of being offered the head coaching job of the Tampa Bay Bucs earlier in 2009. Morris had been a position coach (DB) in the NFL, but not yet an NFL coordinator. Having been with the Bucs 2002-05 and again in 2007-08, Bucs ownership saw potential in Morris.

The Bucs ownership had experienced a tough time with Jon Gruden’s personality. He was so strong-willed, so controlling. Jon was much different than his brother, Jay. He was a bully, verbally lashing out often at many.

Ownership determined they could not go that route again, so they intentionally hired someone much less experienced, who had not yet developed any power in the NFL, someone they could control and manage much easier.

Morris was young and could not refuse the offer. But he was too quickly moved up to head coach, though he had not yet been an NFL coordinator. Ownership was overreacting to the problems they experienced with Jon Gruden.

Morris lasted three seasons, 2009-11, as the Bucs head coach before they moved on. Since that time, Morris, however, has gained very valuable experience as an NFL position coach, coordinator, and assistant head coach with the Falcons and Rams. For good reason, he has been employed in the NFL every season since 2007.

Morris was not yet ready to be a head coach that first time, but it was also 2009. Morris today has had the necessary experience, has done well, and has built his reputation as an NFL teacher, leader, and communicator.

Raheem Morris will again be an NFL head coach soon, and he is much more prepared for the task.

Might Morris be the next head coach of the Commanders?

Jay Gruden: Kirk Cousins was a better player than Robert Griffin III

Is this even a question anymore?

It’s amazing that Robert Griffin III hasn’t taken a snap for the Washington NFL franchise since Dec. 28, 2014, yet here we are on Jan. 18, 2024, still discussing his four years with the franchise.

But that’s what Griffin wants.

So, why are we here this time around?

During the wild-card game between the Buccaneers and Eagles on Monday night, former Washington head coach Jay Gruden made the following observation while watching Philadelphia quarterback Jalen Hurts.

This is where Griffin enters the chat.

They went back and forth one more time each, but you get the point. It’s still not Griffin’s fault. First, it was Mike and Kyle Shanahan’s fault. Then it was Gruden and Sean McVay’s fault. Later, it was Dan Snyder’s fault. Remember, Snyder was Griffin’s biggest enabler during his four seasons in Washington.

Gruden appeared to be having more fun with the interaction, and as he often does, took a lighthearted approach to the back-and-forth with his former quarterback.

In an appearance on “Grant and Danny” on 106.7 The Fan on Wednesday, Gruden joked about his popularity in Washington while discussing his interaction with Griffin.

Gruden also discussed his time with Griffin and Kirk Cousins, most notably why Griffin’s stint with Washington ended.

“When you’re coaching football, you have to play the best player in your building at every position, not just quarterback, and it wasn’t just me who made that decision; it was everybody in the building,” Gruden said, via Lou DiPietro of Audacy.

“Everybody was on board that Kirk and Colt (McCoy) were better fits for what we were trying to do, and maybe (Griffin) lost a step with the zone reads; those can dry out from time to time, and after the zone reads, what are you gonna do? You’re gonna have to throw the ball in third-and-5 or third-and-8, throw the ball to come back and win when you’re down by two touchdowns. That just wasn’t what he was good at, at that time; other guys were better than him, and that was the only reason we made the change.”

What Gruden said here is true. Do you think McVay — one of the NFL’s best coaches — wanted to play Griffin over Cousins? This man was trying to land a head coaching job. He wanted the best player under center, whether it was Griffin, Cousins, Colt McCoy, Babe Laufenberg or Heath Shuler.

Gruden then made these final comments. Some will call them controversial. Some will call Gruden names, but he’s just being honest, which can be too much for some to hear.

“I think everybody could see that, and you can look at it now. … I mean, Kirk was, and is, just a better passer, a better player, and he’s proven that,” Gruden said. “He’s made a lot of money playing quarterback, and I think we made the right decision … but I don’t know, I could be wrong.”

He’s not wrong. And no matter how many want to rehash Griffin’s four seasons and look for scapegoats, well, just follow the money. Kirk’s made a lot of money — and he’s about to cash in again.

Griffin gave Washington fans one of the best years of this generation. The 2012 season was special for many reasons. No one should ever forget Griffin’s role in that season. At the same time, no one should forget the role the Shanahans, Alfred Morris and others played in the franchise’s success that season.

A portion of Washington’s fan base hates every former coach except Joe Gibbs. But if you look at Snyder’s nearly 25-year tenure as owner, Gibbs (version two) and Gruden enjoyed the most success despite almost impossible working conditions at times.

Since his coaching career ended, Gruden has proved to be an excellent analyst. As far as the Griffin or Brian Mitchell stuff, Gruden didn’t start either situation.

And about Cousins, he’s faced his fair share of criticism over the years, but he was playing like a top-10 NFL quarterback this season before an injury ruined his and Minnesota’s season.

Can the Commanders next head coach break the losing cycle?

Can Washington’s next head coach produce a winner?

The Washington Commanders are moving on, looking for a new head coach soon, perhaps in the next couple of weeks.

Ron Rivera’s firing reminded all Washington fans that Rivera, in his four seasons (2020-23), did not achieve a single winning season. By not having a winning season for Washington, Rivera joined Jim Zorn, Steve Spurrier, and Marty Schottenheimer as coaches under Dan Snyder, who did not post a winning record.

Zorn (2008-09) was 12-20,  as was Spurrier (2002-03) 12-20, with Schottenheimer finishing 8-8 in his lone season in Washington (2001).

Achieving winning seasons has been difficult in Washington since Dan Snyder took over the ownership. But it has been done.

Norv Turner in Snyder’s first season (1999) led Washington to a 10-6 record and the NFC East title. But Turner did not survive the next season, being fired during an 8-8 season. It’s often forgotten that Turner had two other winning seasons prior to Snyder’s arrival. His team won in 1996 (9-7) and 1997 (8-7-1).

The next winning season in Washington was 2005 when Joe Jackson Gibbs felt so bad for the franchise’s struggles he risked his own reputation and came back to coach the Redskins for four seasons. Gibbs also added a winning season in his last NFL coaching year (2007) when Washington was 9-7 and a Wild Card team. His 2005 team was the last Washington team to win a playoff game.

Mike Shanahan’s team got hot down the stretch, winning their last seven games and finishing 10-6 in 2012. It was Shanahan’s (2010-13) only winning season in Washington, as Robert Griffin refused to run the same offense and proceeded to never develop as a pocket passer in the NFL. By 2015, Washington was attempting to trade Griffin and had no takers.

Jay Gruden (2014-19) actually had two winning seasons, while Kirk Cousins was the quarterback in Burgundy and Gold. Washington was 9-7 in 2015 and 8-7-1 in 2016. Washington has not had a winning season since Gruden was the head coach and Cousins the starting quarterback.

Finally, let the record display that Joe Gibbs (1981-92) was 124-60 under Jack Kent Cooke. Then in the playoffs Gibbs coached in 5 NFC championship games, 4 Super Bowls and won three of those Super Bowls.

Here’s to hoping the next Washington coach has a winning record.