Marcus from College Park
*This is another FAN SUBMISSION from Marcus in College Park. He is a consistent contributor to The Sports Column, as well as 106.7 the Fan in Washington D.C.*
Mike Shanahan, Coach, De Facto General Manager, and Captain of Washington’s Burgundy and Gold Flagship, took another torpedo this week, this time to the rudder. Shanahan now stands in the wheelhouse in Ashburn, aimlessly spinning that big ships wheel with no effect to set a winning Heading or Course. The Shanahan Ship in Ashburn, which was already taking on water, is now adrift.
The latest blast to the fantail of The Shanahan comes in the form of a franchise wide collapse of composure, civility, professionalism and brains during (and then the days following) Sunday’s game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Starting with DeAngelo Hall’s epic and profane tirade at the Officials; we’ve now been treated to same game audio of Captain Shanahan’s profanity laced berating of an Official, while the Official is asking Shanahan “do you want the flag now?” Then finally telling the Skipper twice, “You’re out of control!”; well said, that says it all, the Shanahan is sailing “Out Of Control”.
So what would be the most logical course of damage control following this latest explosion, “No Comment,” right? Not for the little Capitan’ of the Shanahan and his Cabin Boys. Mike, DeAngelo and several shipmates spent the days following the game, firing broadsides at the Officials and rationalizing their own pathetic, unprofessional conduct. Is one to conclude that the Officiating Community will allow Washington a free pass to attack their profession, defend their vulgar behavior and take no internal disciplinary action? Of course not! For a ship that needs all the help it can get just to stay afloat, this latest blunder to alienate the Referees (and NFL in general), could be the telling blow to the Shanahan and
it’s sailors.
The Shanahan has already taken two torpedoes amidships; both the Defense and Special Teams have
Courtesy: Getty Images
blasted big holes below the waterline of this sinking vessel. The Shanahan is dangerously low on fuel as well, having no first round picks until 2015 and less 18 million in salary cap room next season. Lest you think that the young Second Mate, Kyle Shanahan can rescue this “Flying Dutchman,” remember he has his own self-control and anger issues and has already been disciplined by the Admiralty. With the Command of the Shanahan seemingly on the verge of a “Captain Blye” like mental breakdown, should we expect a mutiny of the crew in the locker room? With this ship, that is affirmative.
So now we have the image of red-faced, Mike and Kyle Shanahan, water rising around their ankles on the Command Bridge, defiant and rigid, watching as the bow of the Shanahan shudders and disappear into an ocean of failure.
One wonders, how long the diminutive Commodore Snyder (imagine him in a gold trimmed sailing cap, blue blazer, red tie, Ray Bans) can take the vision of his “Pride of the Fleet” slowly sinking into the sea of another losing season before relieving Captain Shanahan of his command?
Marcus,
Creative writing: Yes
Accurate: No
The ship isn’t sinking because it hasn’t even been commissioned yet. It’s still in the Navy yard waiting some final key parts and once installed, inspected, and the crew trained on how to use them appropriately, then The Shanahan will set sail.
Sinking ship..yes, but true, as in the three years of the Mike Shanahan, Coach, De Facto General Manager, and Captain of Washington’s Burgundy and Gold Flagship, has only brought (don’t quote me, but close enough) 13 games as Captain of the crew USS bounty.
Keep those articles coming Marcus from CP!
I would have to agree it seems like a sinking ship but also seems like the arrow is moving up due to they are building some depth, getting younger and talented. If you remove Shanahan then you almost take a step back with the progress of RG3 and probably a new defensive scheme which has been built and not worked as 3-4.