Dan Snyder bashing

I have been a fan of the Redskins ever since I could walk (which, admittedly, has not been very long), but it is only recently that I have noticed such a strong bias in the national media against the Redskins. Why is this the case? Is this because of Dan Snyder? I feel like the national media has latched onto Danny Boy as the poster child for foolish ownership in a way they once did to Jerry Jones, and believe me, I hate that comparison. As a young owner with a lot of enthusiasm and money, Snyder has certainly made his share of mistakes, but I feel like as he gains more experience in the football world, this is the guy you want to have running your team. He's a guy who is not afraid to make a move if one needs to be made, and as the seasons have progressed, I think he's learned from his mistakes. If his instincts and football-sense continue to improve, and he develops some restraint, this is the kind of ownership I'd think you'd want. This year could be the year he finally gets out of the national media doghouse and gains their respect, if the moves he made pan out.

For those of you who have a larger breadth of experience: How long has the national media hated us? Why has it historically been the case? Why is Dan Snyder everyone's demon?

Dan came into the league thinking he could buy a Superbowl. Threw alot of money around on big name players. He overpaid on several contracts upsetting other owners by inflating the market.

Ya... he wanted to win and was willing to spend to do it... that's fine... but didn't surround himself with knowledgeable football people. He thought he could do it by himself.

Because he has made so many stuped moves in the past. And lets face it people like to bash one another, Synder is just an easy target. I've always asked myself why doesn't Synder just be like his predessor the great Mr. Cooke. Willing to spend money (which Synder is) but hiring the best guy in the business to run the show. (ie a G.M.)
As long as Synder is running the show the Redskins will always be at a disadvantage compared to the other teams in the league.

This isnt baseball, spending money isnt a good thing. Every team spends money, but there is a salary cap. There is also a thing called chemistry, which Snyder doesnt seem to understand. He gets in the way and makes rediculous decisions (RE: cutting Brian Mitchell and giving Deion an 8 year contract), and his ego is too big. We need a football mind running the show

This is a recurring theme here and probably in all Redskin chats. You either love Snyder or you hate him, just like all dynamic owners. Before Snyder there was Jerry Jones, before him Al Davis. The new kid on the block who is determined to do things his way, and the rest of the NFL establishment resents it.

I don't like that Snyder is so involved. I like that he's willing to spend to bring in players, but I think the process would be helped out tremendously by having a general manager so that we could mix in a few bargains and steals with the big ticket free agents we are going to bring in. So as an owner I don't have a real problem with Snyder, it is as the GM that I find fault with him. He's learning, but I think we would have been better off with a GM and coach.

The national media has been down on Snyder since 2000 when he brought in all those players that didn't necessarily mesh with Norv Turner's team.

This isnt baseball, spending money isnt a good thing. Every team spends money, but there is a salary cap. There is also a thing called chemistry, which Snyder doesnt seem to understand. He gets in the way and makes rediculous decisions (RE: cutting Brian Mitchell and giving Deion an 8 year contract), and his ego is too big. We need a football mind running the show

I couldn't agree more

I agree with all of the criticism of Snyder, and certainly think that you either love him or hate him. Personally, I hate many of the moves he has made, especially the lack of a GM, but I am not convinced that he hasn't learned at least some lessons after the last couple of seasons. Snyder may always have an "ego" as some of you have put it (which I'm not convinced is a bad thing, necessarily), but an ego has to eventually take a backseat to solid football decisions that result in winning seasons. Until Snyder delivers, we have every right to criticize.

Still, I don't by the "Snyder has challenged the football establishment, and this is why the national media looks on the Redskins with disdain" argument. ESPN is not "the football establishment." ESPN is a network that has loved Mark Cuban since he first came in, and he is certainly not part of "the basketball establishment." Maybe the reason much of the national media has turned on the Redskins is that Snyder has challenged the football establishment and not succeeded.

Whatever the reasoning, I'm sick and tired of reading articles/magazines that bash the Redskins, or hearing an analyst speak of the team with such contempt is own misplaced bias is clear. On a brighter note, I think this year has started to look a little more promising, as Gibbs brings with him an unparalleled respect from the media. I hope it continues.

Speaking of the media and Joe Gibbs, I was only 9 when he left, so maybe i didnt understand how respected he was, but I have been very surprised how much the media is no behind the redskins. It seems that while they have bashed the redskins for the last four years or so, many members of the media are now supporting us. I didnt realize that one man would have this influence on our image

Speaking of the media and Joe Gibbs, I was only 9 when he left, so maybe i didnt understand how respected he was, but I have been very surprised how much the media is no behind the redskins. It seems that while they have bashed the redskins for the last four years or so, many members of the media are now supporting us. I didnt realize that one man would have this influence on our image

Bergman - I was 9 too. Maybe this time around we'll appreciate it more, after having weathered the interim years...

I agree with all of the criticism of Snyder, and certainly think that you either love him or hate him. Personally, I hate many of the moves he has made, especially the lack of a GM, but I am not convinced that he hasn't learned at least some lessons after the last couple of seasons. Snyder may always have an "ego" as some of you have put it (which I'm not convinced is a bad thing, necessarily), but an ego has to eventually take a backseat to solid football decisions that result in winning seasons. Until Snyder delivers, we have every right to criticize.

Still, I don't by the "Snyder has challenged the football establishment, and this is why the national media looks on the Redskins with disdain" argument. ESPN is not "the football establishment." ESPN is a network that has loved Mark Cuban since he first came in, and he is certainly not part of "the basketball establishment." Maybe the reason much of the national media has turned on the Redskins is that Snyder has challenged the football establishment and not succeeded.

Whatever the reasoning, I'm sick and tired of reading articles/magazines that bash the Redskins, or hearing an analyst speak of the team with such contempt is own misplaced bias is clear. On a brighter note, I think this year has started to look a little more promising, as Gibbs brings with him an unparalleled respect from the media. I hope it continues.


Monk, I feel your pain. Len Paquarelli is probably the best at bashing Snyder, and whatever moves the Redskins make. And he has the right to. The Redskins haven't proved anything yet. Until that happens, expect the same treatment.

It pisses me off just as much...trust me. But until we come out and win some games and finally reach the playoffs again.....the bashing will continue. This year will we see if Gibbs can make Snyder and the Redskins organization earn some respect. I don't think theres anyone more qualified to take that roll than Gibbs.