It’s been a tough year for Redskins’ fans. Seems like every year is tough for Redskins fans, and they do not hide their displeasure very well. Kevin Sheehan, a radio host on ESPN 980 here in DC took Redskins fans to task this week during an on-air rant. I cannot find the transcript, but the crux of his commentary went something like this:
It’s been a tough first 8 games this season, but for those fans out there calling for Shanahan’s head because he’s “lost the locker room” and “he hasn’t been the same guy we thought he’d be”, I say to you – did you forget the mess that he inherited here in Washington? Did you forget the dysfunction that permeated the organization? Vinnie, Zorn and Co. had run this proud franchise into the ground, and they did it over a 10 year span of time. The old guard mortgaged the future time and again, and left the cupboards bare. To expect that Shanahan could come in here and fix that dysfunction and change the culture of the organization overnight was pure folly, and has no basis in reality.
In fact, be careful what you wish for. The owner listens to the fans. The owner is impetuous, and he just might decide that you are right. What if he says, “I’ve made a mistake, and we need the old regime back.” Is that what you really want? We have got to be realistic, and allow Shanahan the opportunity to fix the 10 years of disastrous decision making, and the 10 years of thinking only about the next day, and never planning for the next year, or the year after that. Patience, people. It will take time, it will take work, and he will make mistakes. But in the same way that the organizational infrastructure and culture was chipped away at and turned into a laughingstock over a period of years, the rebuilding will take sustained effort and time. No, I am not saying we should wait indefinitely for results. What I am saying is that 8 games is far too soon to render final judgment on Shanahan, and to scream for a course correction.
I am not a Shanahan apologist. When he has made mistakes, I have called him out. Some of you were not in favor of hiring him in the first place, and you may have legitimate reasons. But if you are true fans, and Shanahan is here, you have to give him a chance to drain the swamp that he walked into. He'll have successes and failures, and we as fans will have to ride those ups and downs. It is the consequence of the disaster that was here before he arrived. So quit whining, prepare yourselves for the hard work that it will take to support this team while it first, plugs the leaks, and then starts the ship sailing in the right direction.
In fact, be careful what you wish for. The owner listens to the fans. The owner is impetuous, and he just might decide that you are right. What if he says, “I’ve made a mistake, and we need the old regime back.” Is that what you really want? We have got to be realistic, and allow Shanahan the opportunity to fix the 10 years of disastrous decision making, and the 10 years of thinking only about the next day, and never planning for the next year, or the year after that. Patience, people. It will take time, it will take work, and he will make mistakes. But in the same way that the organizational infrastructure and culture was chipped away at and turned into a laughingstock over a period of years, the rebuilding will take sustained effort and time. No, I am not saying we should wait indefinitely for results. What I am saying is that 8 games is far too soon to render final judgment on Shanahan, and to scream for a course correction.
I am not a Shanahan apologist. When he has made mistakes, I have called him out. Some of you were not in favor of hiring him in the first place, and you may have legitimate reasons. But if you are true fans, and Shanahan is here, you have to give him a chance to drain the swamp that he walked into. He'll have successes and failures, and we as fans will have to ride those ups and downs. It is the consequence of the disaster that was here before he arrived. So quit whining, prepare yourselves for the hard work that it will take to support this team while it first, plugs the leaks, and then starts the ship sailing in the right direction.
After hearing his passionate argument for patience, and taking ‘Skins fans to task for their fickle nature, I thought to myself, “This all sounds familiar." So, here is the same rant, but I made some substitutions:
- Obama = Shanahan
- Fans = Citizens
- Owner = Voters
- Vinnie, Zorn and Co. = Bush and the GOP majority
- 8 games = 2 years
Here's the new version:
It’s been a tough first 2 years this season, but for those citizens out there calling for Obama’s heads because he’s “lost the locker room” and “he hasn’t been the same guy we thought he’d be”, I say to you – did you forget the mess that he inherited? Did you forget the dysfunction that permeated the organization? Bush and the GOP majority had run this proud franchise into the ground, and they did it over a 10 year span of time. To expect that Obama could come in here and fix that dysfunction and change the culture of the organization overnight was pure folly, and has no basis in reality.
In fact, be careful what you wish for. The voters listens to the citizens. The owner is impetuous, and he just might decide that you are right. What if he says, “I’ve made a mistake, and we need the old regime back.” Is that what you really want? We have got to be realistic, and allow Obama the opportunity to fix the 10 years of disastrous decision making, and the 10 years of thinking only about the next day, and never planning for the next year, or the year after that. Patience, people. It will take time, it will take work, and he will make mistakes. But in the same way that the organizational infrastructure and culture was chipped away at and turned into a laughingstock over a period of years, the rebuilding will take sustained effort and time. No, I am not saying we should wait indefinitely for results. What I am saying is that 2 years is far too soon to render final judgment on Obama, and to scream for a course correction.
I am not an Obama apologist. When he has made mistakes, I have called him out. Some of you were not in favor of hiring him in the first place, and you may have legitimate reasons. But if you are true citizens, and Obama is here, you have to give him a chance to drain the swamp that he walked into. He'll have successes and failures, and we as citizens will have to ride those ups and downs. It is the consequence of the disaster that was here before he arrived. So quit your whining, prepare yourselves for the hard work that it will take to support this team while it first, plugs the leaks and then starts the ship sailing in the right direction.
Perhaps it is time that fans and citizens both take a deep breath and relax regarding these two Washington institutions. Things might actually work out. I know that would disappoint Cowboy fans (replace with "Republicans") who open cheer (replace with "obstruct") to bring about Shanahan's (replace with "Obama's") failure. Sometimes progress requires a patience, and the ability to take the long view.
Note: Skins win today in OT. Could this be a positive omen for the other team in town?
In fact, be careful what you wish for. The voters listens to the citizens. The owner is impetuous, and he just might decide that you are right. What if he says, “I’ve made a mistake, and we need the old regime back.” Is that what you really want? We have got to be realistic, and allow Obama the opportunity to fix the 10 years of disastrous decision making, and the 10 years of thinking only about the next day, and never planning for the next year, or the year after that. Patience, people. It will take time, it will take work, and he will make mistakes. But in the same way that the organizational infrastructure and culture was chipped away at and turned into a laughingstock over a period of years, the rebuilding will take sustained effort and time. No, I am not saying we should wait indefinitely for results. What I am saying is that 2 years is far too soon to render final judgment on Obama, and to scream for a course correction.
I am not an Obama apologist. When he has made mistakes, I have called him out. Some of you were not in favor of hiring him in the first place, and you may have legitimate reasons. But if you are true citizens, and Obama is here, you have to give him a chance to drain the swamp that he walked into. He'll have successes and failures, and we as citizens will have to ride those ups and downs. It is the consequence of the disaster that was here before he arrived. So quit your whining, prepare yourselves for the hard work that it will take to support this team while it first, plugs the leaks and then starts the ship sailing in the right direction.
Perhaps it is time that fans and citizens both take a deep breath and relax regarding these two Washington institutions. Things might actually work out. I know that would disappoint Cowboy fans (replace with "Republicans") who open cheer (replace with "obstruct") to bring about Shanahan's (replace with "Obama's") failure. Sometimes progress requires a patience, and the ability to take the long view.
Note: Skins win today in OT. Could this be a positive omen for the other team in town?
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