Washington Redskins Have the NFL’s Coach and Offensive Rookie of the Year

The Washington Redskins (10-6) are NFC East division champions after defeating the Dallas Cowboys (8-8) Sunday night, 28-18.

It was rather odd seeing Redskins’ players sport their NFC East champion caps after the game. Especially since this is a team that started off 3-6. The Redskins became only the fourth team since 1990 to earn a playoff berth after opening the season 3-6. Washington is the first 3-6 team to do so since the 1996 Jacksonville Jaguars.

It was an improbable feat just seven weeks ago when the Carolina Panthers defeated Washington 21-13. That was a “smack in the face” for Washington, as they were defeated in front of more than 150 former players, coaches and staff in what was called a “homecoming game.” The alumni represented a combined 1,024 seasons with the team, 80 Super Bowls, 43 members of the 80 Greatest Redskins, 21 members of the Redskins Ring of Fame and nine Pro Football Hall of Famers. It was an extreme embarrassment for the team to lay an egg against the then, win-less Carolina Panthers.

Coach Mike Shanahan couldn’t have been more frustrated after that game. “I’m obviously very disappointed,” Shanahan said. “Anytime you have 150-plus alumni come back, you’d like to play one of your better games. I really thought going into the game that we were going to play and play one of our better games of the season and unfortunately, we didn’t.”

Then, Shanahan went on to say – “When you lose a game like that, now you’re playing to see who obviously is going to be on your football team for years to come. Now, we have a chance to evaluate players and see where we’re at. Obviously, we’re not out of it statistically. Now we find out what kind of character we have and how guys keep on fighting throughout the rest of the season.”

Was he calling out the team at that point? Could that have possibly been a tactic to motivate the Redskins? It would be naive to think so, because at that point the Redskins were playing with no passion. They didn’t have any fight.

It was one play, however, that could have sparked the Redskins season. It came on a 4th and 4 when the Redskins were down 21-6 against the Panthers – with 3:19 remaining in the game – someone had to make a play. Robert Griffin III dropped back and opted to scramble up the middle for an 8 yard gain – receiving a shot that sent him spinning like a helicopter. It was dangerous – but he risked his body like no other Redskin had done at that point. That play kept Washington’s drive alive and they were able to narrow Carolina’s lead by 8 points after an Evan Royster touchdown. But it wasn’t enough.

“No one is ever going to question the fight I have inside myself to be the greatest and to help lead this team to victory,” Griffin said post the game against Carolina. “It doesn’t matter what it is, I will make sure that I continue to help my team win games and it starts right after the bye.”

That was Robert Griffin III putting his team on blast. Anytime your Quarterback has to feel like he needs to literally fly for his team – that should increase the passion of a football team. That motivated the Redskins to return from the bye week red hot.

Seven weeks later, the Redskins are now NFC East champions for the first time since 1999. The victory was Head Coach Mike Shanahan’s 175th combined regular season and postseason win as an NFL head coach, pushing him past Mike Holmgren for sole possession of 11th all-time in NFL. Robert Griffin III concluded his rookie regular season campaign with team rookie records for completions (258), pass attempts (393), passing yards (3,200), passing touchdowns (20), completion percentage (65.6) and passer rating (102.4). He also holds team records for rushing attempts (120), rushing yards (815) and rushing touchdowns (seven) for a quarterback of any experience level.

Not to mention, the “other rookie” phenom Alfred Morris finished the regular season second in the NFL in rushing yards (1,613) and rushing touchdowns (13) this season behind Minnesota’s Adrian Peterson and Houston’s Arian Foster, respectively. This after his 200 yard – 3 touchdown performance on National Television Sunday night against the Dallas Cowboys. Morris slaughtered Clinton Portis’ single season Redskins’ rushing yardage record. He only needed 104 yards going into Sunday night’s game – he only decided to gain 200 – with Clinton Portis in the house.

When it comes down to offensive rookie of the year, it will be a close call. But one thing is for sure, Robert Griffin III and Alfred Morris should lead all nominees. Of course, Quarterbacks will receive more love than any other position, but we’re talking about two players that not only are in the top 3 statistically among rookies – but the entire football league. The Seattle Seahawks rookie QB Russell Wilson – who the Redskins will face in the first round of the playoffs – is good, but Griffin finished with a higher passer rating than Wilson. Not to mention, Robert Griffin III went through the season without having a single multiple interception game. That is unheard of by a rookie.

The only running backs that had a better season than Alfred Morris was Adrian Peterson and Arian Foster. You would never know that, however, by looking at the 2013 Pro Bowl Roster that doesn’t include Morris.

Andrew Luck’s 18 interceptions should, alone, keep him from winning offensive rookie player of the year with the Indianapolis Colts. And while Russell Wilson is definitely in the conversation – he’s still a QB that inherited a playoff football team. Plus, it wasn’t until the Seahawks’ head coach studied the offense Mike and Kyle Shanahan created for Robert Griffin III that Russell Wilson really started to post major numbers.

The Shanahans deserve a ton of credit. Mike Shanahan inherited a football team with no depth, identity or direction. He totally flipped the roster in 3 off-seasons, two of which included a weird uncapped off-season and a lockout. Not to mention, the Redskins had an 18 million cap hit last off-season and still managed to add quality players. Those limitations were not enough to stop Mike Shanahan – the general manager, from creating what is now a playoff caliber football team.

Mike Shanahan turned a major fail in Donvan McNabb into an excellent draft pick – Alfred Morris, after receiving a 6th round pick from the Vikings  in return for McNabb. Mike Shanahan and the Washington Redskins could also be the root for three coach/staff firing decisions this season. The Baltimore Ravens fired offensive coordinator Cam Cameron earlier this month, after losing to the Washington Redskins. GM Gene Smith of the Jacksonville Jaguars was fired Monday, and the root to that decision could have been trading up in the 2011 draft with the Redskins for QB Blaine Gabbert. The Redskins opted to draft OLB Ryan Kerrigan and obviously got the better end of that trade. The Browns also fired GM Tom Heckert, who is a pretty good general manager, but failed to make a trade with the Rams in the off-season to draft Robert Griffin III. Not to mention, the Browns also missed out on signing two current Redskins – Pierre Garcon and Josua Morgan.

Mike Shanahan has reshaped this franchise and the entire coaching staff has been exceptional through this seven game winning streak. Mike Shanahan, without a doubt, should be considered for coach of the year. Sure the Colts have Bruce Arians – but he was a interim coach and the team was clearly motivated by HC Chuck Pagano’s battle with leukemia.

Mike Shanahan has put together three solid drafts and has silenced the pundits that criticized him on not  listening to his players and adjusting the scheme to fit their strengths. When it’s all said and done, Mike Shanahan should be the NFL’s coach of the year and Robert Griffin III offensive rookie of the year. The Redskins have laid the misconceptions to rest. All the criticism has ceased. It can all be attributed to Mike Shanahan, the general manager, revamping a roster and creating a team that now has  an identity, high character and a will to win.