The owner
For the past couple of weeks in Washington, Redskins coach Jim Zorn has been under fire. The names of his possible replacements are well known in NFL circles — Shanahan, Gruden, Holmgren, Cowher.
Big-name coaches for an owner, Daniel Snyder, who likes the big names, the big moves and the big splashes he always creates on the eve of free agency and in the coaching market.
I was part of two during my tenure in D.C. with Steve Spurrier and the move that will always be looked upon as Snyder’s best — the return of Hall of Fame coach Joe Gibbs from retirement and away from the garages of NASCAR.
But lately, it’s Snyder who is coming under fire. And surprisingly, it’s coming from his own players.
Sure, we can always say that Snyder is under fire from the media because we all know there isn’t an owner, other than Cowboys top man Jerry Jones, who’s subject to more media criticism than Snyder. But for his own players to come out and challenge ownership and the front office?
That I never saw. Yes, there’s always talk in the locker room among players about what “we” need to get better, but no one challenged the owner from what I saw.
You see, ‘Skins players like Snyder — a lot. I played for him, and whenever I’m asked about him, I always respond positively. He paid me to play football, just as he’s playing the 53 guys on the active roster this season. Does he overpay for players? Of course, but he treats them well, and as powerful as he looks in those blue suits and expensive overcoats on the field during warmups, he’s actually a good guy — and a guy who’s willing to pay whatever it takes to bring a winner to D.C.
But, this is where the issue now lies.
The players’ reactions
First it was corner Carlos Rogers, a first-round pick of Snyder’s who questioned the team’s personnel moves, saying that the issues start with “ownership.” And now it’s DeAngelo Hall, who prefaced his comments by saying that it was up to the players to do their jobs on the field, but in reality, they just don’t have the personnel to get it done.
And Hall was one of those “big splashes” re-signed by Snyder this offseason. Must be tough to hear those words down the hall from the owner’s office when your big-name guy is doing exactly what Rogers had already done — calling out Snyder.
Because Dan is the personnel man, despite the efforts of his right-hand man Vinny Cerrato. He has the final say, and if his own players — the ones he selected — are saying it starts at the top, how can we not say that this organization is becoming dysfunctional? How can we say they’re going to win?
And just today, another story and another request — from the locker room — this time asking for some public support from the owner’s box for head coach Jim Zorn. Yet another example of the players taking a stand against Snyder and the suits in D.C. My take? The players are telling the owner to jump on the train or get out of the way.
I’ll be honest because I hate seeing it happen there. I will always be biased toward that organization and toward Dan. I played for a number of teams in the league, but I still view myself as a Redskin of sorts. But right now, can it be fixed without Snyder relinquishing some of his power?
Time to yield some power
And that’s what I’m really asking you, Mr. Snyder, because that’s what I’m hearing from Redskins fans. And now you’re hearing it from me, one of your former players.
So what’s it going to be? The players — your hand-picked players — are throwing you under the bus to the Washington media. You play the Chiefs this week, another winless team and a game your club should win.
But does it matter, or are we already looking ahead to the next coach, the next big free agent, like a Julius Peppers, to come in and grab headlines? Or will you let go of some of that power and build a chain of command, one that includes yourself, a GM and coach, someone who has the real power when it comes to roster decisions?
You see, there’s nothing wrong with Dan’s passion for this franchise, and I could never question it after seeing it firsthand. He loves to win, and you can see the disgust on his face in the locker room after a loss. It means something to him – and it means everything.
But to complete that, to run this team and build it into a winner, it’s time for Dan to open his door to other options — and start winning for real.
Follow me on Twitter: MattBowen41
Snyder is one of the most successful owners when it comes to the bank accounts, but he needs to hire a quality GM and just sign the checks.
How about this? What if the Skins went out and traded for T.O.? Nothing's been mentioned about it but what's not to like? A no. 1 reciever who knows the division and could help an aneamic offense. Either that or go and try to get Stephen Jackson from St. Louis (it'd be expensive, but if any team could do it...). I don't think the skins can't be fixed at this point, they just need to jump start the offense.
Completely, 100% agreed. Can somebody who can get through to Snyder please schedule some type of Intervention ceremony and get him to understand that he's hurting himself - and all of us. He needs to understand that HE has a problem.
I can imagine seeing Snyder some years from now if he listens to your advice and changes. "Hi, I'm Dan Snyder and I'm a former shopaholic whose meddling kept his team from winning. I've been sober for five seasons now."
I know Dan has been succesful in the money aspects of the franchise, but the philosophy for making money should be simple:
If you build it (the team), they ($$$$) will come.
Get out of the way Dan.
It's not just his players who are throwing him under the bus -- the Washington Post seems to be going after him with a fury, first for his lawsuits against season ticket holders who fell on hard times and now for the team's lousy record. When the reporters who cover the team start driving this message, players will follow.
SOunds like you're giving Cerrato a pass, though. At best, he's an enabler. Snyder won't accept someone like Parcells, who will tell the owner to stay the hell out of the football operation -- he needs someone to educate him and make him feel part of things.
Where has the glory gone in D.C? How about Danny's pockets?
We need a GM, not an owner who views this team like a game of Monopoly. I won't question his passion, as Matt wrote, but I am passionate too--does that mean I get to draft players for the Skins this April?
The Skins are becoming the Raiders. Brutal.
Matt -
Admitted long time Packer fan and Brett Favre fan here - I do not believe the two are mutually exclusive though many others do which is fine with me - everyone is entitled to their opinion. Based on your thoughts I was wondering if this article represents your general view on how appropriate it is for players to have their voices heard on a professional team? Owner Daniel Snyder wields all the power at Washington - that is clear. Look where it currently has them. In Green Bay, Ted Thompson yields all the power and where has it got them? The answer to date is a below .500 record of which the vast majority of the wins are attributable to when Favre was still the quarterback. Favre asked Thompson to resign both Mike Wahle and Marco Rivera, and if not both at least one of them, and Ted Thompson said no (approx. 4 years ago) and the O-Line has faltered ever since. Favre also asked to have Randy Moss signed and Ted Thompson said no and Moss went to the Patriots and has performed well during his time there. Is it time for Ted Thompson to open his door to other options (i.e. free agency, trades - possibly a veteran or two) and start winning for real in Green Bay? When are we going to see an objective article on Ted Thompson's performance from one of the NFP writers? The NFP site is usually very interesting and informative but sometimes too politically correct but I read it every day - thanks.
this is 100% accurate, honest, and level headed.
Matt, great article, made all the more powerful because you at one time had your paychecks signed by the man. The fact that players feel it's bad enough to risk their livelihoods should be enough to get through to The Danny, but I'm afraid the only thing that's going to force his hand is when the dollars start to dry up. That's why it's important for fans to get on the anti-Snyder bandwagon. Wear black to the games. Don't buy concessions at the stadium. Hit Snyder in the pocketbook and maybe, just maybe he'll listen.
No. Nope. Nada. Nyet. Negative. Nawl. We like things just the way they are in D.C.
Signed,
The Rest of the NFC East
I've lived in the DC suburbs all of my life, and not once have I ever heard someone claim "Snyder is a good guy." In fact, I almost took a job @ Snyder Communications in the 90s (the company he founded and sold when he bought the Redskins), and even then, he had a reputation as an a-hole.
Bowen, you lost a little credibility with that one.
Matt, I appreciate that you did not jump on the hate Snyder bandwagon. He has made mistakes, but plenty of teams run by "football men" have had their share of problems. Look at the Packers. Their O line is every bit as messed up as the Skins.
Snyder has more than his share of blunders, but when Joe Gibbs was running the team, he made huge mistakes in personnel, starting with the Mark Brunell trade and contract and most prominently, the Portis trade. Jason Campbell? Gibbs' pick. I love Joe Gibbs, but the point is even highly experienced football men make mistakes. To lay it all on Snyder is unfair.
The team foolishly failed to address its O line problems in the last two drafts and free agency. I highly doubt the offense with the current skill players would be doing much if they had the Jets or Vikes line however.
Very good article, thanks. Completely, 100% agreed. Can somebody who can get through to Snyder please schedule some type of Intervention ceremony and get him to understand that he's hurting himself - and all of us. He needs to understand that HE has a problem.
@Michael 1970-
Sounds like you are the one who just lost some cred because you "heard" that Danny Boy was a prick. I would take the player's word over some guy who told you at the grocery store.
Snyder and Vinny are the worst duo and the NFL! Both do not have any idea how to own/run a team. Vinny needs to be kicked to the curb and the true BUM needs to stay the way from football operations. If not the Skins worth will decline like the rest of his other companies!!!!!
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Oct 15, 2009
01:57 PM
10000000% agreed.