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McCloughan’s approach to Redskins’ offseason is anything but complacent McCloughan’s approach to Redskins’ offseason is anything but complacent
(35 minutes later)
MOBILE, Ala. — Burned by year after year of broken promises and mirages of success, Washington Redskins fans find themselves holding their collective breath this offseason. MOBILE, Ala. — Burned by year after year of broken promises and mirages of success, Washington Redskins fans may find themselves holding their collective breath this offseason.
Their team pulled off a surprise run to the NFC East title and made a playoff appearance. During the 2015 season, several fresh-faced contributors emerged, and questions in key areas were answered. But because of the past, they can’t help but wonder if this year’s success is legitimate. Their team pulled off a surprise run to the NFC East title and made a playoff appearance. During the 2015 season, several fresh-faced contributors emerged and questions in key areas were answered. But because of the past, they can’t help but wonder if this year’s success will be long lasting.
Just three years ago, Robert Griffin III took the team on a magical playoff run, but it came crashing down the following year as Washington won just three games and Mike Shanahan got fired. Griffin’s job security dangled by a thread, then snapped completely this season as Kirk Cousins replaced him as the apparent answer. Three years ago, Robert Griffin III took the team on a magical playoff run, but it came crashing down the following year as Washington won just three games and then-coach Mike Shanahan was fired. Griffin’s job security dangled by a thread, then snapped completely this season as Kirk Cousins replaced him as the apparent answer at quarterback.
So, what will differentiate this past season’s series of strides from the unsustainable success of 2012, or those double-digit-loss flops that followed playoff appearances in 1999 and 2005 as well? The man calling the shots, and the approach he is taking to ensure that the Redskins truly grow into a perennial contender rather than a flash-in-the-pan outfit. [Redskins are hoping to sign Cousins to long-term deal]
Both Mike Shanahan and Bruce Allen — the men at the helm during the 2012 NFC East run — admitted following the 3-13 campaign in 2013 that they probably overestimated the strength of their roster. Complacency killed them. So, what will be different about this past season’s strides from the unsustainable success of 2012, or those double-digit-loss flops that followed playoff appearances in 1999 and 2005 as well? The answer may be the man calling the shots and the approach he is taking to ensure that the Redskins truly grow into a perennial contender rather than a flash-in-the-pan outfit.
Both Mike Shanahan and Bruce Allen — the men at the helm during the 2012 NFC East run — said following the 3-13 campaign in 2013 that they probably overestimated the strength of their roster.
In the words of Allen at the time, “We probably were too satisfied, saying we should just bring back the team and we’ll be fine instead of being hungry and staying hungry.”In the words of Allen at the time, “We probably were too satisfied, saying we should just bring back the team and we’ll be fine instead of being hungry and staying hungry.”
Scot McCloughan — hired one year ago and charged with pulling off a legitimate reclamation project — won’t make the same foolish mistake. Scot McCloughan — hired one year ago and charged with pulling off a reclamation project — won’t make the same foolish mistake.
Asked on Wednesday afternoon if he would avoid that pitfall, the Redskins’ general manager interrupted the question, blurting, “I’m never satisfied.”Asked on Wednesday afternoon if he would avoid that pitfall, the Redskins’ general manager interrupted the question, blurting, “I’m never satisfied.”
He continued, “Not in this league. It can change in one play. Injuries, a trade, anything can happen. I’m always striving forward, and everyone in that building is. . . . We know we have to get better. Getting into the playoffs, winning the division was great. Don’t get me wrong. But we know we have a long ways to go. Long ways.”He continued, “Not in this league. It can change in one play. Injuries, a trade, anything can happen. I’m always striving forward, and everyone in that building is. . . . We know we have to get better. Getting into the playoffs, winning the division was great. Don’t get me wrong. But we know we have a long ways to go. Long ways.”
McCloughan made the statement minutes after studying prospects during the North team’s practice at the Senior Bowl, and before scouring the South team practice for more.McCloughan made the statement minutes after studying prospects during the North team’s practice at the Senior Bowl, and before scouring the South team practice for more.
Indeed, the Redskins do have a long way to go. If the remaining weeks of playoff football have reflected anything, it’s the discrepancy between Redskins good and legitimate good. The play of the Carolina Panthers, Arizona Cardinals, Denver Broncos, New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks have shown that the Redskins need to become more physical and imposing on defense, more consistent and well-rounded on offense, and stronger depth-wise on every unit. Indeed, the Redskins do have a long way to go. If the playoffs have reflected anything, it’s the discrepancy between Redskins good and legitimate good. The play of the Carolina Panthers, Arizona Cardinals, Denver Broncos, New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks has shown that the Redskins need to become more physical and imposing on defense, more consistent and well-rounded on offense and stronger depth-wise on every unit.
McCloughan knows this. And so, he kicks off his second offseason in Washington with the goal of continuing to build.McCloughan knows this. And so, he kicks off his second offseason in Washington with the goal of continuing to build.
Players, media and fans alike said following the completion of the season that in 2015, McCloughan, Jay Gruden & Co. had laid a foundation for success. McCloughan disagrees. They have started doing so, but the foundation remains incomplete. Players, media and fans said following the completion of the season that in 2015, McCloughan, Coach Jay Gruden and the players have laid a foundation for success. McCloughan disagrees. They have started doing so, but the foundation remains incomplete.
“You have to add youth each year, but not just youth, football players,” he said. “I know I keep reiterating on it, but high-character football players that are tough guys. That understands that it’s about the sum of parts, not the individual.” “You have to add youth each year, but not just youth, football players,” he said. “I know I keep reiterating on it, but high-character football players that are tough guys. [Players who] understand that it’s about the sum of parts, not the individual.”
He echoed those sentiments minutes later, saying, “We just need to add legit football guys that understand it’s about the Redskins, it’s not about themselves. You’re going to come in here and this is what we’re going to be, and you’re going to be in or out, one way or the other.”He echoed those sentiments minutes later, saying, “We just need to add legit football guys that understand it’s about the Redskins, it’s not about themselves. You’re going to come in here and this is what we’re going to be, and you’re going to be in or out, one way or the other.”
McCloughan declined tick off a list of the Redskins’ biggest needs, because he doesn’t believe that they’re dead set at any position. McCloughan declined to list the Redskins’ biggest needs, because he doesn’t believe that they’re dead set at any position.
Cousins, in the minds of Redskins’ brass, established himself as the long-term solution at quarterback. But because he remains unsigned for 2016, McCloughan closely studied all of the quarterbacks at the Senior Bowl, just as he has the underclassmen coming out this year.Cousins, in the minds of Redskins’ brass, established himself as the long-term solution at quarterback. But because he remains unsigned for 2016, McCloughan closely studied all of the quarterbacks at the Senior Bowl, just as he has the underclassmen coming out this year.
The team has added promising defensive backs in the past two drafts and free agency. But McCloughan said, “we’re always trying to get better at corner.” The team has added promising defensive backs in the past two drafts and free agency. But “we’re always trying to get better at corner,” McCloughan said.
McCloughan last offseason attempted to spark culture change by acquiring players with winning mind-sets – signing veterans like Terrance Knighton, Dashon Goldson, Ricky Jean Francois and Chris Culliver. But not even those were good enough. He saw those additions as Band-Aid moves. McCloughan last offseason attempted to spark culture change by acquiring players with winning mind-sets.
He signed veterans Terrance Knighton, Dashon Goldson, Ricky Jean Francois and Chris Culliver. But not even those were good enough. He saw those additions as Band-Aid moves.
“Going forward, we’re always going to try and find leaders,” McCloughan said. “But the big thing for me is we need to draft those guys and build them in our own culture.”“Going forward, we’re always going to try and find leaders,” McCloughan said. “But the big thing for me is we need to draft those guys and build them in our own culture.”
McCloughan made it clear that his offseason priorities — along with continuing to strengthen the culture and overall depth — include fixing the underperforming rushing attack and solving the inconsistency of the run defense.McCloughan made it clear that his offseason priorities — along with continuing to strengthen the culture and overall depth — include fixing the underperforming rushing attack and solving the inconsistency of the run defense.
But goal No. 1 consists of continuing to acquire more building blocks in the draft regardless of position.But goal No. 1 consists of continuing to acquire more building blocks in the draft regardless of position.
“You’ve got to build a foundation, and we’ve started that,” he said. “And it started before I got here. I mean, look how Spencer Long did this year; look how Morgan Moses did. These guys were already here, and they were draft picks, you know? Jordan Reed. So I just need to make sure me and my staff keep adding to it.”“You’ve got to build a foundation, and we’ve started that,” he said. “And it started before I got here. I mean, look how Spencer Long did this year; look how Morgan Moses did. These guys were already here, and they were draft picks, you know? Jordan Reed. So I just need to make sure me and my staff keep adding to it.”