Joe Gibbs, former Redskins head coach:

“He’s very, very good on offense. If you take a look at him, the running game has been outstanding. They have a certain way of approaching the run game with the stretch play and he’s taken running back after running back and been successful running the ball. Very creative, lots of waggles and bootlegs. He does a great job coaching the quarterbacks.”

Mark Schlereth, former Redskins offensive linemen who played under Shanny in Denver:

“Credibility. He’s a championship-caliber coach. He’s a great football coach. … That’s something that’s been lacking in Washington. Who’s running the show? There won’t be any questions now who’s running the show.”...

"He went to an AFC Championship Game with Jake Plummer as the starting quarterback. That’s what people should know. He went to the playoffs with Gus Frerotte, Brian Griese, with Jake Plummer. He had six different thousand-yard rushers. What caught up to Mike was a bad string of poor free agent choices and poor draft picks.”

Clinton Portis, Redskins running back:

"I think [Shanahan] would be the perfect guy for the job. I think coach Shanahan is one of those guys who you either going to play for or you're going to be gone. It's not going to be any in-between, you're not going to, like the situations we have now, where people didn't know where they stood, or who's getting in trouble. I think coach Shanahan will [stop] that. You either going to do what you're supposed to be doing or you're not going to be here. It's that simple."

London Fletcher, Redskins middle linebacker:

"I think it's great. Being able to add a two-time Super Bowl-winning head coach, it's phenomenal. He commands respect from the players right away. ... He instantly becomes the face of the franchise."

DeAngelo Hall, Redskins cornerback:

"I think we needed a guy in here who people are going to respect off of his name alone and Mike Shanahan is that guy. You already knew he was going to come in here with a great scheme, a great mind because he's a great coach. You know he's a great leader. But to have that name, Mike Shanahan, associated with the Redskins is big for us, it's big for the fans, and it's just great news."

Chris Cooley, Redskins tight end:

"I'm not really surprised. Everyone knew it was coming. I think my first reaction is that I still feel for Jim Zorn. The guy worked hard, wanted to win but it just didn't come together. ... Moving forward, I'm excited to be a part of Mike Shanahan's and Bruce Allen's team. I think with that combination, it's a new vision, a new direction, which is good at this point...He's done great in the past. They run the ball extremely well. I remember looking at film and there was lots of play-action, lot of formations. It was an intelligent offense. He has the opportunity, with Fred [Davis] and I, to do a ton of different stuff."

Andre Carter, Redskins defensive end:

"It's definitely a start. You're talking about a man who's been to two Super Bowls, so he knows what it takes to build chemistry in an organization and have everyone start moving in the right direction. So I think this is a great hire. It's an honor to be working with Mike Shanahan."

It's the honeymoon period and everyone -- even Clinton Portis -- is saying all the right things.

"The status quo is not acceptable." "I felt it was necessary to not waste a moment of time to begin building this team into a winner."

Redskins GM Bruce Allen on the firing of HC Jim Zorn

Alexander Ovechkin seems pretty defiant on any talk of changing the way he approaches his game.  That is not surprising.  That is Alex Ovechkin.

"It's not a bad injury.   I thought it was going to be worse, but thank God I can walk, I can skate. Of course, it's a little bit sore, but it's not that serious."

"Why do I have to listen to somebody who say, 'Hey, you have to change your game, and somebody going to kill you.  Well, nobody going to kill me. I just play my game and I just enjoy my time and I enjoy my life. It's me, and it is what it is.   I play risky.   I won't try and hit and make some people get hurt, but people sometimes turn right away and I don't have time to realize and stop. What can you do? You can do nothing." ALEXANDER OVECHKIN

DCPSR Commentary:

Looking over the video again several times today, I simply do not see any evidence that Ovechkin's knee to knee hit on Tim Gleasen was intentional.  It looks completely like Alex was heading for a hit, Glesasen moved, and knees collided.

That being said, Ovechkin is reckless at times, plays overly aggressive, and spends all energy on the ice.  Most of the time, that is not a bad thing.  But, the issue here is, there have been 2 game misconducts doled out to Alex in the last 3 games.  Frustration?  Maybe.  But Alex needs to realize that is overly aggressive style does injure others and can injure him.  I am actually surprised he has not been seriously injured yet.

Listening to your coaches Alex is not always a bad thing to do.  Listening to a critique of your play style and heeding the advice is a sign of growth and maturity.