Change has come, and that name is Shanahan

It's been a few months, but the Redskins -- and I along with them -- are getting back into action.

The team opened spring workouts on Monday, learning new offensive and defensive schemes, and meeting new coaches.

But before we go there, though, let's take a look back at this offseason so far.

If you'll kindly remember the last time we saw the 'Skins, they were finishing up yet another disappointing season, led by first-year coach Jim Zorn.

Well, Zorn was ousted. Another NFL legend took charge of the Redskins, this one named Mike Shanahan.

And Shanahan wanted change. Boy, did he bring it.

Goodbye to old favorites like Fred Smoot and Cornelius Griffin. Goodbye to running backs Ladell Betts and Rock Cartwright, as well as receiver Antwaan Randle El. Goodbye to many other old friends.

"A day of change," new Redskins personnel guru Bruce Allen called it. I'd call it as a house cleaning. And by God, it was sorely needed -- out with old, past-their-prime talent.

And free agency brought its usual excitement for Redskins fans. Except this March was not like the recent others. There was no big Albert Haynesworth-like signing. No Julius Peppers. No LaDainian Tomlinson.

The Redskins wanted to focus on their offensive line. They took a look at Packers OT Chad Clifton, but he re-signed with Green Bay. They took a look at OT Tony Pashos, but he signed with Cleveland. They re-signed Mike Williams, the mammoth tackle-turned-guard.

Yet no free agent signings. No Willie Parker, who visited. No Larry Foote, who visited. No Casey Wiegmann, who visited.

What in the name of Dan Snyder is going on here? Usually, when Washington wants someone, they get him. And guys going in and out of Redskins Park without a deal is not the norm.

But the Redskins eventually signed Artis Hicks, the former Minnesota guard/tackle who cleared holes for Adrian Peterson. The team also signed Larry Johnson, a 30-year-old past-his-prime running back.

Personnel changes aren't the only changes in Ashburn. The team will be switching from a 4-3 defensive scheme to a 3-4 scheme, meaning instead of four defensive linemen and three linebackers, there will be three defensive linemen and four linebackers.

Offensively, the addition of Johnson creates questions at running back. Mainly, how are Clinton Portis and Johnson going to interact? Both have been known to have explosive personalities. Can they make it through an entire season together, sharing carries?

Despite heavy criticism, Jason Campbell continues to look like the starting quarterback of next year's team. Shanahan's system is usually very QB-friendly. If Campbell is going to have success, he'll have it under Shanahan. And the team seems committed to rebuilding an offensive line that was dreadful last season.

Up next for the Redskins is the draft. Something I'll write about later this week.