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Washington quarterback Kirk Cousins is still benefiting from his work with offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan, which is one reason the Rams would be smart to go after Shanahan, now offensive coordinator of the Falcons. (AP Photo/Richard Lipski)
Kirk Cousins didn’t get much playing time as a rookie quarterback with Washington in 2012.
As a lowly fourth-round pick playing for a team that just invested three first-round draft picks to move in position to draft Robert Griffin III second overall, he was destined to be a sideline mainstay.
Especially with RG3 on his way to a Rookie of the Year season while pushing Washington to the playoffs,
As professionally frustrating as that season might have been, it wasn’t a total waste for Cousins, who eventually supplanted RG3 and now has Washington on the brink of the playoffs.
In fact, the insight he gained observing then Washington offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan provided a class study in game-planning and play-calling. The lessons from which Cousins still marvels at to this day.
Albeit from afar now that Shanahan has moved on to the Atlanta Falcons.
Which brings us to the Rams and their coaching search, which kicks into high gear next week when they finally get to sit down with current NFL assistant coaches for interviews.
Shanahan sits among the top of potential candidates for the Rams, and for good reason.
In need of vision, imagination, a proven track record of developing, fine tuning and pushing multiple quarterbacks and teams to high-level offensive plateaus, Shanahan checks off almost all the boxes the Rams should be mindful of as they prepare to make one of the most important decisions in franchise history.
Just listen to what Cousins had to say about his former coach last year ahead of a Washington-Atlanta showdown.
“When you look at creativity and the ability to not be predictable, I was on the Redskins with Kyle, knew the system and didn’t know what was coming,” Cousins said. “I don’t mean to say he was pulling stuff out of left field. The ability to be thinking of the next play and being a step ahead, I think there’s a level of having the innate ability to do it that requires a quick mind. Kyle has that.”
It’s something Cousins immediately realized.
“I remember our very first game against the Saints, when Robert Griffin and I were rookies,” he explained. “I remember calling my dad after the game and saying, ‘I cannot believe how well-called that game was.’ They kept the Saints on their toes the whole game. They had no idea what was coming next. All of it was positive plays that put (Griffin) and the offense in a good situation to be successful. So, that was kind of my first taste of how good of a play-caller Kyle really was.”
If you’re the Rams, this should leave your ears ringing.
Even though it only scratches the surface of why the 37-year-old Shanahan makes so much sense for them.
As we’ve all seen this year, the Rams are in desperate need of an offensive overhaul as they try to grow and prosper around rookie quarterback Jared Goff.
From scheme to talent to play calling, to position development , nothing short of a complete renovation is required.
Short of prying a proven head coach away from his present job, the Rams will look to current coordinators for their next head coach. Almost undoubtedly one with an offensive track record.
Shanahan and Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels are the two most popular names, but while McDaniels’ resume is limited to working with Tom Brady and a complete nosedive in his two years as head coach of the Denver Broncos, Shanahan brings a wide-ranging resume that includes successful coordinator stops with Houston, Washington and now Atlanta.
In fact, RGIII, Texans quarterback Matt Schaub, and the Falcons’ Matt Ryan have all had their best seasons working under Shanahan, who also oversaw strong running games at all three stops.
You can argue McDaniels is simply the product of working with Patriots coach Bill Belichick and Brady.
But with Shanahan, you’re talking about someone whose scheme, system and expertise have consistently resulted in top-10 offenses. It’s an attack based on a quick-strike, rhythm passing game that can get aggressive downfield in a hurry by spreading the ball around with boot-leg action quarterback roll-outs and a wide-zone run game grandfathered to him by zone-blocking guru Alex Gibbs, the offensive line coach under Shanahan’s father, Mike, during their time with the Denver Broncos.
The result being a balanced attack everywhere Shanahan has laid down roots.
It’s a resume that’s rightfully grabbed the attention of the Rams, who desperately need someone to bring out in Goff and young running back Todd Gurley everything they have to offer.
But also re-tool and develop an offensive line and overhaul a wide receiver group that presently strikes fear in no one.
That isn’t to say Shanahan will work immediate miracles if he’s hired.
But with a body of work like that, he’s exactly what the Rams should be focused on.
And if it means his father joining him in some capacity, preferably in a position that impacts personnel, all the better.
After all, with the Rams in need of a talent infusion along the offensive line and at wide receiver, you could do worse than Mike Shanahan calling those shots. And with his son making the transition from assistant to head coach, he wouldn’t be a bad confidante to have nearby.
The Rams figure to touch base with a number of candidates over the next few weeks.
But from this vantage point, Kyle Shanahan is well qualified.
Bonsignore: Here's why Kyle Shanahan should be high on Rams' coaching search list
