Mike Shanahan is starting a new phase in his career, taking the helm of the Washington Redskins after a year away from coaching. The two-time Super Bowl winner with the Denver Broncos joined ESPN Chicago to talk about the upcoming football season.
To listen to Mike Shanahan on ESPN Chicago, go to Sports Radio Interviews.
Washington Redskins head coach Mike Shanahan says the NFL does a good job of making small changes every year.
What does Shanahan think of the new playoffs overtime rule?
Shanahan: Well, number one, over the years being in these meetings, if the commissioner and the owners really believe a rule is in the best interest of the league, they’re going to get it passed. A lot of times they’ll table it until May, if they don’t feel something is going to go through that they really want.
This is a situation that I felt they were very up front about, knew the commissioner wanted it, there was a number of owners that wanted it, and they just put it through a little bit earlier than they normally do.
Is he in favor of the new rule?
Shanahan: Yeah, I don’t mind it. I don’t think there is a perfect way to solve this problem that we have. I was looking forward to doing something. I didn’t know, exactly, what was the best situation. I think this is a good start for the league.
Would Shanahan like the new overtime rule added for the regular season, too?
Shanahan: I would like it for the regular season as well as the playoffs. Some people just want it just for the playoffs because they don’t want the additional snaps added to the game, because of injury. The way I look at it, if you use it through the playoffs, you might as well use it during the regular season, but either way I think it’s a good first step.
Are coaches more apt to kick off in overtime under the new rule, or will coaches still always want the football?
Shanahan: I think it could go either way. A lot depends on the wind, what type of defense you have, what type of offense. Obviously, if you score, you score a touchdown, the game is over with. So I think, ultimately, with a good offense, you believe you can score and end the game right then and there.
Also depends on your field goal kicker and how good he is. So I think there are some variables in there that could go either way.
Are there any other changes he would like to see the owners vote on and pass?
Shanahan: I’ve been doing this, been in these meetings for a number of years and what I think they try and do is upgrade the game every year. The competition committee, number of people on that, they hear different recommendations from different organizations, and every year they’ll bring up about ten different new things, if it’s rule interpretation, if it’s changing of rules. I think that’s the reason our game keeps on getting better as we do change little things every year.
How did Shanahan spend the year off from football?
Shanahan: One thing, I think, if you want to stay in this game, or you want to be good in any profession, you better be constantly learning. But it was something that I’ve never had the opportunity to do in a long time, 25 years. I actually had a chance to go to a couple of pro camps and see how they did things. Two organizations that have been very successful over the years and that was a good experience for me to see how different people do things at Pittsburgh and New England.
Then I went back to my stomping grounds when I coached ’80-’83 for the Florida Gators. I went out there to watch their practice. Obviously, with them winning a couple national championships, I wanted to see how Urban [Meyer] was running his practices and hadn’t had a chance to see a college practice for a number of years, so that was quite interesting.
Does he think Tim Tebow’s skill set will play in the NFL?
Shanahan: I just think Tim Tebow is a winner. He is going to make it. In fact, worked him out on Saturday. You’re talking about a great kid. He’s going to find a way to get it done.
I just think he just brings so many tangibles to the table that he’s going to find a way to do it and I think that he can do it in a number of different ways. He can run that Wildcat. I think regardless what offense you’re running, he will spend the time that is necessary to work at it and eventually get it done.
What does Shanahan think about the Bears acquiring Jay Cutler?
Shanahan: First off, I’m a Jay Cutler fan. I can just talk about what Jay Cutler did for Mike Shanahan, not exactly his experience in Chicago.
But Pro Bowl player, had a good supporting cast around him, a worker, very smart, handles himself like you want. I thought he was just getting better and better.
Obviously, there are going to be some road blocks for every quarterback in the league and he’s going through a tough situation right now, but my opinion is he’ll work through it and Chicago will be very proud to have him as their quarterback.
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Mike Shanahan is starting a new phase in his career, taking the helm of the Washington Redskins after a year away from coaching. The two-time Super Bowl winner with the Denver Broncos joined ESPN Chicago to talk about the upcoming football season.
To listen to Mike Shanahan on ESPN Chicago, go to Sports Radio Interviews.
Washington Redskins head coach Mike Shanahan says the NFL does a good job of making small changes every year.
What does Shanahan think of the new playoffs overtime rule?
Shanahan: Well, number one, over the years being in these meetings, if the commissioner and the owners really believe a rule is in the best interest of the league, they’re going to get it passed. A lot of times they’ll table it until May, if they don’t feel something is going to go through that they really want.
This is a situation that I felt they were very up front about, knew the commissioner wanted it, there was a number of owners that wanted it, and they just put it through a little bit earlier than they normally do.
Is he in favor of the new rule?
Shanahan: Yeah, I don’t mind it. I don’t think there is a perfect way to solve this problem that we have. I was looking forward to doing something. I didn’t know, exactly, what was the best situation. I think this is a good start for the league.
Would Shanahan like the new overtime rule added for the regular season, too?
Shanahan: I would like it for the regular season as well as the playoffs. Some people just want it just for the playoffs because they don’t want the additional snaps added to the game, because of injury. The way I look at it, if you use it through the playoffs, you might as well use it during the regular season, but either way I think it’s a good first step.
Are coaches more apt to kick off in overtime under the new rule, or will coaches still always want the football?
Shanahan: I think it could go either way. A lot depends on the wind, what type of defense you have, what type of offense. Obviously, if you score, you score a touchdown, the game is over with. So I think, ultimately, with a good offense, you believe you can score and end the game right then and there.
Also depends on your field goal kicker and how good he is. So I think there are some variables in there that could go either way.
Are there any other changes he would like to see the owners vote on and pass?
Shanahan: I’ve been doing this, been in these meetings for a number of years and what I think they try and do is upgrade the game every year. The competition committee, number of people on that, they hear different recommendations from different organizations, and every year they’ll bring up about ten different new things, if it’s rule interpretation, if it’s changing of rules. I think that’s the reason our game keeps on getting better as we do change little things every year.
How did Shanahan spend the year off from football?
Shanahan: One thing, I think, if you want to stay in this game, or you want to be good in any profession, you better be constantly learning. But it was something that I’ve never had the opportunity to do in a long time, 25 years. I actually had a chance to go to a couple of pro camps and see how they did things. Two organizations that have been very successful over the years and that was a good experience for me to see how different people do things at Pittsburgh and New England.
Then I went back to my stomping grounds when I coached ’80-’83 for the Florida Gators. I went out there to watch their practice. Obviously, with them winning a couple national championships, I wanted to see how Urban [Meyer] was running his practices and hadn’t had a chance to see a college practice for a number of years, so that was quite interesting.
Does he think Tim Tebow’s skill set will play in the NFL?
Shanahan: I just think Tim Tebow is a winner. He is going to make it. In fact, worked him out on Saturday. You’re talking about a great kid. He’s going to find a way to get it done.
I just think he just brings so many tangibles to the table that he’s going to find a way to do it and I think that he can do it in a number of different ways. He can run that Wildcat. I think regardless what offense you’re running, he will spend the time that is necessary to work at it and eventually get it done.
What does Shanahan think about the Bears acquiring Jay Cutler?
Shanahan: First off, I’m a Jay Cutler fan. I can just talk about what Jay Cutler did for Mike Shanahan, not exactly his experience in Chicago.
But Pro Bowl player, had a good supporting cast around him, a worker, very smart, handles himself like you want. I thought he was just getting better and better.
Obviously, there are going to be some road blocks for every quarterback in the league and he’s going through a tough situation right now, but my opinion is he’ll work through it and Chicago will be very proud to have him as their quarterback.
More from SRI
Bruce Pearl compares Evan Turner to Kobe Bryant
Oklahoma City Thunder general manager Sam Presti talks about his team
