We're back with another weekly mailbag post. You can submit your questions to me directly on twitter, or in the comments below.
@UkRedskin1 @HogsHaven how much influence will RG3 have on MS extension or on who will be the next head coach? #redskins #mailbag
— jeff ferrell (@jferrell81) November 1, 2013
This question has been a big talking point the past couple of days. We had a post earlier today looking at what ESPN980's Chris Russell had to say about the relationship between Robert Griffin III and owner Dan Synder. It makes for a very interesting read.
My view on the situation is that the quarterback shouldn't have an influence on the coaching situation. I'll draw a parallel to the English Premier League over here in the UK. Former Manchester United Manager Sir Alex Ferguson had a golden rule that he never broke over his 26 years of managing the most successful club in English football. No player, no matter how good, is bigger than the club. The manager, or head coach, must keep control of the locker room to be successful. The moment a player steps out of line, the coach has to be able to assert his authority, or he would lose the locker room.
Ferguson famously took on some of the biggest names in Man Utd history; David Beckham, Roy Keane, Ruud Van Nistelrooy, among others, and won every confrontation. If the player thought they were bigger than the club or the manager, Ferguson would sell them on and replace them.
Now I'm not suggesting that Mike Shanahan should go and trade Robert Griffin III. But he definitely needs to reassert his authority and re-establish control of the locker room. Shanahan needs to make it clear to Dan Synder that he was hired to be the coach, not to allow players to go over the top of him.
I don't see Synder and Griffin having a good relationship as a problem, far from it. But if Griffin has the influence over Synder to get a coach fired and replaced with a guy he prefers, as a second year 23 year-old quarterback with plenty still to prove, then that is a disastrous problem.
@UkRedskin1 @HogsHaven Where do you see Bacarri Rambo fitting into the secondary the rest of the season after Denver?
— Dan Henderson (@DAMUMAD) November 1, 2013
I broke down Rambo's performance earlier this week and was impressed with how he's improved during his time on the sidelines. I said in that post that I felt he earned himself more snaps this week, but he'll be on a short leash. Washington can't overreact to one good or bad performance. With Brandon Meriweather back from suspension and Reed Doughty hopeful of a return from his concussion, I can see Rambo relegated back to the bench, but seeing a fair number of snaps against San Diego.
He's the only true free safety on the roster, so being allowed time on the field to develop would be ideal for the Redskins; but they can't afford for him to be making fundamental mistakes on a consistent basis as he was in the opening couple of games this season. Hopefully he can continue to build on the performance he put in last week, which could allow him to win back the starting job down the line.
@UkRedskin1 @HogsHaven With the great season that DeAngelo Hall is having, do you think the redskins will throw big money at him next year?
— Stuart Cullen (@DiscoCullen) November 1, 2013
Hall is having as good a season as he's had during his time in Washington. He's done fantastically well against some very tough match ups in Calvin Johnson, Dez Bryant, Brandon Marshall and Demaryius Thomas. He's also stepping up as a leader in the secondary, something which is desperately needed for Washington right now.
But that being said, I can't see the Redskins throwing big money at him. He'll be 30 going into free agency next year, and giving a 30-year-old a big contract is always risky. It's always slightly worrying to see a guy step up to a much higher standard than normal in a contract year. It'd be nice to think that Hall has just matured and found his home in DC, but being Redskins fans, we know about players that suddenly drop in performance after a big pay day. Now Hall has already had one big contract from the Redskins, and Washington should definitely be interested in re-signing him, but it has to be at the right price. It will be interesting to see just how much interest Hall receives in free agency, because I don't foresee the Redskins getting into a bidding war for his services.
That'll do it for this week's mailbag. Remember to leave your questions for next week in the comments below or directly to me on twitter.