Sports

Ex-Skins Coach Mike Shanahan Discusses RG3, Snyder on Radio

Published

11 years ago

February 19, 2015

In this Sunday, Dec. 28, 2014 file photo, Washington Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III (10) passes the ball during the first half of an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys in Landover, Md. Former Redskins head coach Mike Shanahan says things went downhill for him in Washington because Robert Griffin III and team owner Dan Snyder both wanted the quarterback to become a dropback passer, Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2015. (AP Photo/Richard Lipski, File)

HOWARD FENDRICH, AP Pro Football Writer

WASHINGTON (AP) — Thought the dysfunction among former Washington Redskins head coach Mike Shanahan, quarterback Robert Griffin III and team owner Dan Snyder was a topic of the past? Think again.

Shanahan was interviewed on D.C. radio station ESPN980’s “The Sports Fix” show for more than an hour Wednesday, dishing mostly about Griffin and Snyder — and what the coach called both men’s desire for RG3 to become a dropback passer — but also about Donovan McNabb, Albert Haynesworth and other topics.

In Shanahan’s telling, a disagreement over the direction the team’s offense would take — and whether Griffin was ready to be a classic pocket QB — led to the breakdown of their working relationship.

“I knew my time was short-lived with that type of mindset,” said Shanahan, who was fired after the 2013 season, with a year left on his contract.

Griffin was the 2012 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year, but he tore up his knee in a playoff loss to the Seattle Seahawks. According to Shanahan, two days after that season’s Super Bowl, Griffin met with him and described “what plays were acceptable and unacceptable.”

“That term ‘unacceptable’ is used by Dan, the owner, quite often, so I (had) a little bit of a smile when I heard some of these complaints. The bottom line is he wanted to throw more, run less. … He wanted to be more of a dropback, Aaron Rodgers-type guy,” said Shanahan, who coached the Denver Broncos to two Super Bowl titles in the 1990s with John Elway at QB.

“I went and talked to Dan. I said, ‘Hey, Dan … for a quarterback to come to me, a veteran coach, and share these things, No. 1, he can’t be the sharpest guy, to do something like that, or he’s got to … feel very good about the owner backing him up. And since you have been telling me from Day 1 he’s a dropback quarterback … this is an extension of you,'” Shanahan continued. “He said it wasn’t.”

Shanahan wound up benching Griffin at the end of the 2013 season. Griffin also lost his starting job last season under Shanahan’s successor as Washington’s head coach, Jay Gruden.

Shanahan spoke on the radio at about the same time Wednesday that Gruden was declaring at the NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis that Griffin will head into next season as the Redskins’ starting quarterback.

Griffin did not immediately respond to a request for reaction to Shanahan’s interview; a Redskins spokesman said Snyder wouldn’t comment.

Among other subjects touched on by Shanahan:

— After Griffin hurt his knee in the first half of the playoff game against the Seahawks: “Both the doctor and Robert said he was perfectly fine.” Griffin stayed in until wrenching the knee again and needing offseason surgery.

— When Peyton Manning was a free agent before eventually joining the Broncos, “We were talking to Peyton at that time. That was a strong consideration.”

— If the Redskins’ salary-cap penalties had been announced sooner, the team probably would not have made the trade to acquire Griffin.

— His evaluation of Griffin coming out of college as a Heisman Trophy winner: “Loved his arm strength. He had velocity. He had spin on the ball. You could tell how competitive a guy he was.”

— The unprecedented trade with the St. Louis Rams that allowed Washington to draft Griffin with the No. 2 overall pick: “I did not feel good about giving up two No. 1s and a No. 2.”

— The deal that brought McNabb over from NFC East rival Philadelphia: Team official Bruce Allen “orchestrated the trade” and Snyder “was the guy who really wanted Donovan the most.”

___

Follow Howard Fendrich on Twitter at http://twitter.com/HowardFendrich

___

Online:

AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and AP NFL Twitter feed: www.twitter.com/AP_NFL

Oakland Post

Posts by Oakland Post

Up Next

Hometown Eager to Celebrate Super Bowl Hero Malcolm Butler

Don't Miss

Knicks’ Anthony to Have Season-Ending Left Knee Surgery

Oakland Post

Click to comment

Alameda County

Seth Curry Makes Impressive Debut with the Golden State Warriors

Seth looked comfortable in his new uniform, seamlessly fitting into the Warriors’ offensive and defensive system. He finished the night with an impressive 14 points, becoming one of the team’s top scorers for the game. Seth’s points came in a variety of ways – floaters, spot-up three-pointers, mid-range jumpers, and a handful of aggressive drives that kept the Oklahoma City Thunder defense on its heels.

Published

2 days ago

December 4, 2025

Oakland Post

Seth Curry is a point guard on the GSW team.Photo courtesy of the Golden State Warriors.

By Y’Anad Burrell

Tuesday night was anything but ordinary for fans in San Francisco as Seth Curry made his highly anticipated debut as a new member of the Golden State Warriors. Seth didn’t disappoint, delivering a performance that not only showcased his scoring ability but also demonstrated his added value to the team.

At 35, the 12-year NBA veteran on Monday signed a contract to play with the Warriors for the rest of the season.

One of the most memorable moments of the evening came before Seth even scored his first points. As he checked into the game, the Chase Center erupted into applause, with fans rising to their feet to give the newest Warrior a standing ovation.

The crowd’s reaction was a testament not only to Seth’s reputation as a sharpshooter but also to the excitement he brings to the Warriors. It was clear that fans quickly embraced Seth as one of their own, eager to see what he could bring to the team’s championship aspirations.

Warriors’ superstar Steph Curry – Seth’s brother – did not play due to an injury. One could only imagine what it would be like if the Curry brothers were on the court together. Magic in the making.

Seth’s debut proved to be a turning point for the Warriors. Not only did he contribute on the scoreboard, but he also brought a sense of confidence and composure to the floor.

While their loss last night, OKC 124 – GSW 112, Seth’s impact was a game-changer and there’s more yet to come. Beyond statistics, it was clear that Seth’s presence elevated the team’s performance, giving the Warriors a new force as they look to make a deep playoff run.

Oakland Post

Posts by Oakland Post

Barbara Lee

WNBA’s Golden State Valkyries Kick Off Season with Community Programs in Oakland

“The Golden State Valkyries are more than a team—they’re a movement,” said Oakland Interim-Mayor Kevin Jenkins. “Their touchdown in Oakland marks a new era of opportunity, inspiration, and equity in sports. This partnership reflects our city’s deep commitment to uplifting women, investing in youth, and building a community where every dream has a place to grow. We’re proud to welcome the Valkyries to The Town.”

Published

7 months ago

May 18, 2025

Oakland Post

The Valkyries came to Oakland City Hall with a “Hoopbus.” Present were (from left to right): City Councilmembers Noel Gallo, Rebecca Kaplan, Zac Unger and Rowena Brown; Oakland Mayor-elect Barbara Lee, Valkyries President Jess Smith, a Valkyries team representative and Deputy Mayor LaNiece Jones. Photo courtesy Rebecca Kaplan’s office.

Team installs new nets at playgrounds, holds flag-raisings at City Halls in Oakland and S.F.

Special to The Post

The Golden State Valkyries brought the excitement of their inaugural season to every corner of the Bay Area with a full slate of community celebrations leading up to their historic home-opener against the Los Angeles Sparks at the Chase Center in San Francisco on Friday.

The week featured flag-raising ceremonies at city halls in Oakland and San Francisco, three “Violet Net” installation days at Oakland parks to encourage basketball play, fun “Hoopbus” takeovers at multiple schools presented by Kaiser Permanente, and player appearances.

In total, 90 violet nets were installed on 45 basketball courts across 34 public parks throughout Oakland this week. A list of the parks receiving violet nets can be found at Valkyries.com.

About the Golden State Valkyries

The Golden State Valkyries, the WNBA affiliate of the seven-time NBA Champion Golden State Warriors, were announced as the 13th WNBA franchise on Oct. 5, 2023. According to Norse mythology, Valkyries are a host of warrior women who are fearless and unwavering – flying through air and sea alike.

This brand is Golden State’s modern interpretation of Valkyries: strong, bold, and fierce. Tipping off during the 2025 WNBA season, the team is headquartered in Oakland and will play home games at Chase Center in San Francisco. For Golden State Valkyries’ assets, including team logos, visit valkyries.com.

Oakland Post

Posts by Oakland Post

Activism

McClymonds High Names School Gym for Star Graduate, Basketball Legend Bill Russell

William “Bill” Felton Russell was born on Feb. 12, 1934, and died on July 31, 2022. He achieved fame as a U.S. professional basketball player who played center for the Boston Celtics of the National Basketball Association (NBA) from 1956 to 1969. He was the centerpiece of the Celtics dynasty that won 11 NBA championships during his 13-year career.

Published

10 months ago

February 18, 2025

Oakland Post

Bill Russell and Brian McGhee in McClymonds High School Gym, 2011. Photo courtesy of Brian McGhee.

By Ken Epstein

West Oakland’s McClymonds High School, “the School of Champions,” this week named the school’s gymnasium in honor of one of its most famous graduates, basketball legend Bill Russell (class of ’52).

Russell is widely known as one of the greatest basketball players of all time. In 2011, he received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the country’s highest civil honor, from President Barack Obama for Russell’s contributions to basketball and the Civil Rights Movement.

The McClymonds’ naming ceremony was held on Wednesday, the same day as Russell’s birthday. Oakland leader Bill Patterson, a longtime friend of Russell’s, was scheduled to cut the ribbon at the reopening of the gym, which had been closed for several months for renovation. Russell’s daughter Karen was scheduled to attend the ribbon cutting.

Russell’s name and signature are now printed on the gymnasium floor.

Patterson was working at DeFremery Park when he met Russell. “I befriended him as a boy and during his years at University of San Francisco” said Patterson. “We stayed friends for the rest of his life.”

Said McClymonds Principal Darielle Davis, herself a McClymonds graduate, “We are excited to honor Bill Russell for his sports accolades and because he broke color barriers. He is part of our legacy, and legacy is really important at McClymonds.”

Brian McGhee, community schools manager at McClymonds and former football player at UC Berkeley, said that Russell meant a lot to him and others at the school. “He was a beacon of light and hope for West Oakland,” he said. “He did a lot for sports and for civil rights.”

Starting in 2018, Ben “Coach” Tapscott worked with Patterson and other McClymonds grads, community members, and former coaches to encourage the Oakland Board of Education to endorse the naming of the school gym, which finally happened recently.

“We worked hard to make this happen,” said Tapscott. “He’s an important part of McClymond’s history, along with a lot of other famous graduates,” he said.