A fresh approach using an old formula is the only way the Washington Redskins will succeed again.
It’s the “Jack Kent Cooke System for Success” sans a little poodle named Coco and a wife that drove through Georgetown late nights with a gentleman friend on the car hood.
By God, it’s a capital idea, the Squire would say. Something one of his favorite 14th century philosophers would espouse or a phrase by Cooke’s beloved author F. Scott Fitzgerald in “The Great Gatsby.” If the late Redskins owner could repeat his favorite line of “Let me tell you something,” it would be:
Snyder absolutely must step aside on all football matters » Surely marketing the team and other business interests can fill Snyder’s day. Cooke kept his office in Middleburg. Snyder would be smart to return to Bethesda and receive regular phone updates.
Invest in the future, not the past » This has been Snyder’s fatal flaw, overpaying for the success of others when the best part of a player or coach was already spent.
Quit chasing big names and find the next great young personnel person in the league to be the general manager » Get a Scott Pioli, not some worn out has-been. Ask other owners who they would hire that’s not on the board.
Let your new GM hire the coach » If it’s Jon Gruden — fine. But there’s nothing wrong with trying the next hot assistant. Russ Grimm would be a brilliant move. The former Hog now is a proven candidate in Arizona and a fan favorite in Washington. Grimm would rekindle some of that Camelot feel of the Joe Gibbs era to defuse the Burgundy Revolution.
Certainly, it’s not easy finding these people. It’s as hit and miss as first-round picks. Snyder’s not the only owner to fire coaches regularly. But take a chance and give them a chance.
Invest in the draft » No more trading picks for stopgap players who are gone before the selection is even made. In fact, trade veterans for picks. In an uncapped 2010 season, there’s a chance to unload veterans for picks without salary cap concerns.
Spend as much as you can on free agents with 30 as the age limit » This is a one-time buying spree, much like 1986 when the USFL folded and the Redskins gained Doug Williams and Ricky Sanders.
The formula is truly simple — hire great managers to independently run the company, support them and enjoy the benefits. If it fails in four years, elect, I mean hire someone else.
This treadmill approach Snyder has used over the last decade isn’t working. Follow the ways of the Squire. It sure worked well for him.
Rick Snider has covered local sports since 1978. Read more at TheRickSniderReport.com or e-mail [email protected].
