Reaching the playoffs might be the worst thing for Washington Redskins owner Dan Snyder. Then he can’t go offseason shopping.
Everyone knows there are five Super Bowl coaches available come January. Mike Shanahan is most rumored to come to Washington, among NFL sources. Bill Cowher, Tony Dungy, Jon Gruden and Mike Holmgren could be lured elsewhere because Snyder’s money doesn’t buy everyone anymore.
But if the Redskins make the playoffs — and there’s a fair chance they may — then Snyder has to keep Jim Zorn and Jason Campbell. Who lets a playoff coach and quarterback go? Pittsburgh let a Super Bowl passer move on, but the Steelers know how to build, not rebuild as the Redskins perpetually do.
This sure smells of 1999 when Snyder wanted to immediately replace coach Norv Turner and quarterback Brad Johnson upon buying the team. However, Snyder didn’t gain control until after June 1 when owners can block the hiring of assistant coaches and Pittsburgh wouldn’t release Jim Haslett.
The Redskins won their only NFC East title under Snyder that year given he couldn’t meddle. Turner stayed another 11 months while Haslett built a playoff team in New Orleans. Meanwhile, Snyder couldn’t immediately replace Johnson so he signed Jeff George, who finally replaced Johnson when Turner was fired.
This is a watershed season for Snyder, Zorn and Campbell as Washington opens at the New York Giants on Sunday. Snyder’s image, already shaky among fans, was torched by recent reports of the team selling tickets to brokers and suing deadbeat fans. He can’t take any more hits without fans and corporations holding back some financial support.
Zorn shows the makings of a good head coach, but it takes time. He has this season, otherwise, it’s back to the assistant ranks. Campbell is a free agent in 2010 and a big year could mean tens of millions of dollars while a bad year relegates him to career backup.
As Ben Franklin said, “We must hang together, gentlemen, else, we shall most assuredly hang separately.” Then again, what would Poor Richard think of a postage system that can’t survive on 44-cent stamps?
Washington needs a good start to avoid the death watch from beginning before October. The Redskins may not beat the Giants, but playing Detroit, St. Louis, Kansas City and Tampa Bay should mean a 4-2 start.
Otherwise, Snyder is partying like it’s 1999.
Rick Snider has covered local sports since 1978. Read more at TheRickSniderReport.com or
e-mail [email protected].
