Redskins owner Daniel M. Snyder said on Saturday that the hiring of head coach Mike Shanahan and general manager Bruce Allen has "restored our confidence" this offseason following a disappointing 4-12 campaign last year.
Snyder spoke with reporters following the dedication of a newly refurbished football field at the Edgewood Department of Parks and Recreation Center in Washington, D.C.
Snyder was asked how he has adjusted to working with Allen and Shanahan.
"It has been great," Snyder said of the offseason. "We're still go-getting and doing a lot of stuff. It has been fantastic. Bruce has been fun to work with and so has Coach Shanahan. Getting [Donovan] McNabb has been very exciting for us. We're getting things going.
"You can feel the energy and excitement from Mike and Bruce...We have a lot of confidence. It has restored our confidence."
Snyder said a culture change at Redskins Park was necessary.
"We were 4-12 and going in the wrong direction and all of the changes have put us in the right direction," he said. "I think obviously with the pedigree and the success of the people I've brought in, you can tell we're going in the right direction and we're excited about it."
Regarding the Redskins' acquisition of McNabb, one of the NFL's top quarterbacks and an 11-year veteran formerly with the Philadelphia Eagles, Snyder said he was most impressed with his leadership skills.
"You talk about what he brings on the field, it's what he brings off the field for me," Snyder said. "It's his leadership ability that stands out above everything."
Snyder had strong words when asked about the absence of defenisve lineman Albert Haynesworth, who has opted to stay away from the Redskins' off-season workouts and first two mini-camps.
Haynesworth has told team officials he prefers to work out with a personal trainer at his home in Tennessee.
"Yeah, I'm disappointed he's not here," Snyder said. "Absolutely. We're expecting our players to lead by example. We're expecting our players to understand that they're Redskins and they need to be here."
