Washington Redskins Owner Dan Snyder’s Blunders
October 13, 2009 by Rob · Leave a Comment
In Washington DC the Sports Talk Radio Stations, particularly 106.7 The Fan, callers all seem to be angry at one person Washington Redskins owner Dan Snyder. On the other station Sports Talk Radio 980, which is owned by Dan Snyder, Im not sure what the buzz is on that station regarding Snyder, but I bet you those calls are screened big time. I previously wrote a post that defended Dan Snyder and Washington Redskins front office management. How much is Dan Snyder involved? Is it really Snyder that is calling the shots or is it Vinny Cerrato. There is someone to blame. We wont know the truth because no on ever talks on the record about Snyder and management.
So I’ve decided to compile a list things that have happened since Dan Snyder has taken over the Washington Redskins. Call it the history of the Washington Redskins, the Dan Snyder era.
1999 – Snyder purchases the Redskins for $800 Million. Redskins make the playoffs.
1999 – Snyder fires Charlie Casserly after Casserly served 23 years with the Redskins, regarded as one of the NFL’s top executive and general managers at the time.
2000 – Three cash for clunkers are signed by the Redskins, Bruce Smith, Deion Sanders, and Mark Carrier. I consider all three as busts.
2000 – Drafts LaVar Arrington and Chris Samuels in the first round. Head coach Norv Turner is fired after going 7-6 in the month of December. Terry Robiskie is named interim coach.
2001 – Marty Schottenheimer hired as head coach. Redskins go 8-8. Schittenheimer is fired after the first season.
2002 – Steve Spurrier is hired as the head coach. Shane Matthews and Danny Wuerful are signed to fill the Quarterback slots, both are former University of Florida QBs who played under Spurrier. In that year Redskins draft Taylor Jacobs in the 2nd round, another University of Florida football player. Jacobs plays a total of 23 games for the Redskins in two seasons totaling 19 catches for 215 yards.
2002 – Redskins draft Patrick Ramsey with the 32nd overall pick.
2003 – Laveranues Coles signed as free agent.
2004 – Joe Gibbs hired as head coach.
2004 – Champ Bailey perhaps the top cornerback in the league at that moment for Clinton Portis.
2004 – Mark Brunell starts the season as the starting QB.
2004 – Sean Taylor and Chris Cooley drafted.
2005 – Laveraneus Coles traded to New York Jets for Santana Moss.
2005 – Free agent signings – Casey Rabach and David Patten.
2005 – Carlos Rogers drafted in first round.
2005 – Multiple draft picks traded away to draft Jason Campbell in the first round.
2006 – Al Saunders hired by Gibbs as an associate head coach.
2006 – Signs free agents – Adam Archuleta and Brandon Lloyd.
2007 – London Fletcher is signed as free agent.
2007 – Fred Smooth signs as a free agent.
2007 – LaRon Landry drafted in first round.
2008 – Joe Gibbs retires.
2008 – Gregg Williams and Al Saunders fired.
2008 – Jim Zorn hired as head coach.
Of all these headlines, you can say the there were a few success stories but not many. The drafting of LaVar Arrington, Chris Samuels, Chris Cooley, and Sean Taylor were good moves at the time. Arrington was released and is now tired. Although Arrington was considered a traitor for signing with the New York Giants, he is now respected in the community as a radio talk show host. Chris Samuels some say is overrated but he has made it to several pro bowls and is probably one of the longest tenured Redskins. Chris Cooley, the jury is still out. No one has questioned Cooley’s ability, although Cooley’s pass blocking ability has been questioned. Cooley remains a fan favorite. Sean Taylor, we don’t know how it would have gone for Taylor. Taylor could have bailed through free agency or stayed with the team. Other signings such as Santana Moss, Fred Smoot, Jason Campbell, Carlos Rogers, etc… are considered busts in my book. So I cant really defend Snyder, but was it really Snyder’s deep pocks and influence or was it a Vinny Cerato call. These are just a handful, Im sure I am missing more, blunders if you can call it that. Other questionable are the hiring of Pepper Rogers, Sherman Lewis, interviewing Jim Fassel with no intention of hiring him.
So far this week, there have been many rumblings about boycotting the Redskins:
John Feinstien of the Washington Post – Calls for Boycott
Petition for Diamond dealer Ronnie Mervis to buy the Redskins
Folks get over it. Dan Snyder is only 44, he will be the owner of the Washington Redskins for a while. Like a said before. Stay loyal and support your team. You hope that eventually something will go right for the team. Boycott if you have to. Stop buying jerseys, tail gating, attending games, etc… but you can still go to a bar or watch the game from you home and root for the team (in shame).
