Jim Williams » A Nation under siege
By: Jim Williams
Examiner Sports Columnist
10/18/09 12:48 AM EDT
As the voice of Redskins Nation, Larry Michael tries to address, inform and calm an entire fanbase from his anchor desk in Ashbrun, Va. Each weekday, at 6 & 10:30 p.m. on Comcast SportsNet, he tries to keep up beat and tackle problems that face the team.
It is easy job when the team is doing well, but when things are headed in the wrong direction it might just be the toughest job in Washington sports.
Michael’s job is to be the calm in the eye of the storm while at the same time keeping those passionate Redskins fans hopeful. It is no simple task and he is often unfairly attacked by bloggers, local media and in general by people who seem to enjoy having fun at Michael’s expense.
But twice a day there is Michael attempting to show fans what it is like behind the scenes at Redskins Park. He as the voice of Redskins Nation is doing what he loves to do and that is talk Redskins football plain and simple.
The show features Redskins observers like Rick “Doc” Walker and former USA Today NFL columnist Larry Weisman who are now part of the Redskins broadcast team. Both men offer their views on the team without being muted or censored with observations that are sometimes pro Redskins and other times questioning the job done by players, coaches and management.
If you are looking for a show bashing the team then don’t watch Redskins Nation. It is a show for the fan that wants to believe and needs a reason why. These shows air in Baltimore, Philadelphia, New York, and Pittsburgh to name a few cities and, yes, they play to the fans – that is why the teams produce them.
If fans want a chance to question the team’s actions on and off the field there are plenty of sports talk options to do that. All offer bright and articulate hosts who present their own views. So fans really have a choice where and how they get their Redskins news.
While I am in a defense mode, let me say that CSN anchor Chick Hernandez does a fine job of handling the weekly Jim Zorn Show seen Monday’s at 5:45pm. Having produced over dozen NFL and college coaches shows I feel for both Hernandez and Zorn. Each week Hernandez has to address the topic of the coach’s job security or his anemic offense. Trust me when I tell you that is very uncomfortable but Hernandez handles the job with class and sensitivity knowing the man he is setting next to would rather be talking about a big win.
In the out of the blue category ...
Former Redskins GM and CBS analyst Charley Casserly told the panel on WPL on CSN this week, “I would advise Dan Snyder not to talk to the press till after the season. Owners should keep a low profile during the season there are plenty of other people who can do their talking for them.”
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