ASHBURN — Mike Shanahan remained optimistic, even if the record doesn’t warrant such a view. The Redskins went from six wins a year ago to five wins this season. Yet the coach insists the Redskins remain headed in the right direction. And to a point, his players agree.
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They just want to see something different next season: wins.
“You are what you are. [At] 5-11, you can say all the right things, but it’s results driven,” running back Tim Hightower said.
Said linebacker Lorenzo Alexander: “We did bring in good pieces, but I need to see us as a team perform better at a high level consistently before I start believing it’s going to be better. I’ve said that every year, ‘It’s going to be better, it’s going to be better.’ After a while it gets tiring. Just show up or shut up at some point.”
The Redskins ended year two under Shanahan with a 34-10 loss to Philadelphia. Injuries took a toll as a team that entered the season with little depth had it tested more than it could afford.
| Notes |
| » Linebacker Brian Orakpo suffered a strained left pectoral and underwent an MRI on Monday to determine the severity of the injury. However, coach Mike Shanahan said he did not know the results of the MRI late Monday afternoon. |
| » Shanahan said receiver Leonard Hankerson should be fully recovered from the torn labrum in his right hip by April 1, allowing him to participate in offseason workouts. Shanahan said Hankerson only needs “rest and treatment.” Hankerson did not undergo surgery. |
| » Safety LaRon Landry still has not made up his mind about having surgery on his Achilles, Shanahan said. A foot specialist recommended to Landry three weeks ago that he undergo surgery, but the pending free agent wanted to get more opinions. |
| » Right tackle Sean Locklear tweeted about the last team meeting: “Worst exit meeting ever! No coaches, no front office, just physical’s and goodbye to teammates! We did just spend 5 [months] together, WOW!” To which Shanahan said, with strong sarcasm, “I apologize Sean. It’ll never happen again … at least not with me.” Shanahan did not address the team, instead letting a small group of Navy SEALs and one Marine talk as part of an NFL-mandated session. |
“Every time you have a loss, it’s like somebody sticks a knife in you,” Shanahan said.
The offense, in terms of rankings, wasn’t much different than last year. In 2010, they were 18th in yards and 25th in points. This season, they ended 16th in yards and 26th in points. The defense, though, went from 31st in yards to 13th. However, they remained 21st in points allowed (23.6 in 2010; 22.9 in 2011).
In any case, they seem to have improved their front seven.
“It does feel different,” defensive end Adam Carriker said. “We have one less win, but you can see the team getting better. We have more talent and guys who fit the scheme a lot better.”
Said Shanahan: “I knew it wasn’t going to happen overnight. … But I like what we have on our team. That gives you a chance to do something special.”
Turning to the offseason, Shan?ahan said re-signing free agent London Fletcher is a priority. He’s one of seven starters who are unrestricted free agents, along with Carriker, Hightower, tight end Fred Davis, safety LaRon Landry, quarterback Rex Grossman and center Will Montgomery.
“I’d love to have him back, and hopefully he’ll be back and part of our organization for years to come,” Shanahan said of Fletcher.
The Redskins likely will look at all options when it comes to quarterback, including whether to re-sign Grossman.
“I don’t know anything right now,” Grossman said. “I’m just going to work at it like I’m the starter somewhere and figure out a way to improve.”
Shanahan said he will evaluate his coaching staff over the next couple weeks to see whether any changes must be made. That’s a change from a year ago, when he said the day after the season ended there would be no changes. But special teams coach Danny Smith appears to be safe despite his group having allowed five blocked kicks this season. No other team allowed more than three; 31 kickers attempted at least 20 field goals this season, and 17 didn’t have any blocked.
“Danny’s done a great job if you take a look at his body of work,” Shan?ahan said. “We’re inexperienced [on special teams]. We’ve got to get better in that area.”
