Sally J.'s latest is spot on

Notice what the caption says about Spurrier

No way. Not even close. Spurrier turned out to be a horrible NFL coach, but the hire itself was exciting and had every chance to work. NFL teams were falling over each other to hire Spurrier as a head coach. This isn't even in the same ballpark as the Mangini hire.I love Posnanski.

The Mangini hire was completely indefensible.

I can't speak for his college days but I would imagine most colleges have scoutes who go out to the high schools and evaluate the talent. Then they would report to him. I presume he had to finalize the college scholarships.

What exactly do you think NFL scouts do?

Once again why anyone takes the time to defend the Skins' FO or the its decision-makers is absolutely, positively beyond me. It's akin to Will Ferrell shouting "I drive a Dodge Stratus" on SNL...except there's exactly zero humor wrt the franchise.

To me, the problem with the Redskins is not the acquisition of talent. Vinny has done a reasonable job of putting capable players on the field.

The problem is that, once they are on the roster, players regularly underperform. I do not think that that is a problem which arises from Vinny. That is a problem with the team culture.

To me, the problem with the Redskins is not the acquisition of talent. Vinny has done a reasonable job of putting capable players on the field.

The problem is that, once they are on the roster, players regularly underperform. I do not think that that is a problem which arises from Vinny. That is a problem with the team culture.

You sound like Michael Wilbon, which is a compliment btw. Wilbon et al (including Sally) have often said the "culture" of the organization is dysfunctional. That's something that becomes really tough for someone on the outside to debate, but there have been plenty of signs to indicate that's true.

Case in point, let's look back at Zorn's hiring; it was reported that Snyder had said GW made disparaging remarks about Gibbs, that Spagnola said he was offered the job but the redskins denied the offer, and that Fassell was led to believe he might get the job. Add to that, Zorn was already hired as O coordinator & a Blache was on board as d coordinator.

Even if all of the above isn't true, how can an organization have so much drama out in the air over hiring a head coach? Is it true that not many coaches are interested in the job, and Zorn was about the only guy that would take it?

Reports such as these by reputable journalists (Adam Schefler (sp?)) lead me to believe that there is a negative work culture in this organization. Joe Gibbs' gift was to shield his players from it & get them to focus on football. I don't know if Zorn has that ability.

I will blame it on anything but the rain. The rain did NOTHING to me. NOOOOOOOOOOOOTHING!

Once again why anyone takes the time to defend the Skins' FO or the its decision-makers is absolutely, positively beyond me. It's akin to Will Ferrell shouting "I drive a Dodge Stratus" on SNL...except there's exactly zero humor wrt the franchise.I don't know, I guess it's those pesky facts that need to be brought to light every once in a while.

But for the record, I would like to see a true GM (I've mentioned Holmgren).

S.S. -- I think you're protesting too much.

All I'm saying is that any team's fans may have a reasonable expectation that an owner who doesn't know jack about football should leave the football side of his operation to professionals. He should exercise a little humility. He should hire a general manager with a proven track record, give him five years to succeed, and GET OUT OF THE WAY. Synder doesn't get this, because he sees the Redskins as his toy, and, by God, he'll play with it whenever he wants to. Fun for him, possibly, but a raised middle finger towards everyone else.

So we've been treated to a series of idiosyncratic signings based on Danny's judgment, e.g., Deion Sanders, Dana Stubblefield, the Old Ball Coach, and now Jim Zorn, DeAngelo Hall, the great wide receiver drafts of 2008, and probably Dana Stubblefield again in Albert Haynesworth.

Vinny Cerrato may have a good track record elsewhere, but in Washington, he hasn't done what a competent G.M. would have done, i.e., draft for depth on the offensive and defensive lines first, and build around that. Why hasn't he done that? Think what you want, but I think it has to do with the need for anyone on the Redskin payroll to humor Danny, which has meant surrender draft picks for high-priced free agents, or follow Danny's draft "strategy."

Sammy, it's unfair to cite the overall record of mediocrity since 1972. Sustained mediocrity set in only after Joe Gibbs left for the first time and JKC died. Snyder's advent has made things worse. Three playoff appearances and one playoff victory in twelve years amount to very little and shouldn't be excused. There's a real, fundamental problem with how this organization is run. I think it's the owner and his lack of a coherent FOOTBALL plan.

I will support a losing team for years if the organization has a plan for trying to get better, if it trusts professionals to develop such a plan, if it hires and fires players with a long-term strategy in mind. I support the Caps, Wizards, and Nationals, who are doing these things. Snyder isn't. I think he has to go before things get better. Meanwhile, for me, it's GO STEELERS!

I second Holmgren as GM, but would he want to work with Shanahan? Im actually a little bit pessimistic with a small side of optimism knowing that Shanahan might really be the future HC for this franchise, I just hope he can draft another Elway..........

S.S. -- I think you're protesting too much.

All I'm saying is that any team's fans may have a reasonable expectation that an owner who doesn't know jack about football should leave the football side of his operation to professionals. He should exercise a little humility. He should hire a general manager with a proven track record, give him five years to succeed, and GET OUT OF THE WAY. Synder doesn't get this, because he sees the Redskins as his toy, and, by God, he'll play with it whenever he wants to. Fun for him, possibly, but a raised middle finger towards everyone else.

So we've been treated to a series of idiosyncratic signings based on Danny's judgment, e.g., Deion Sanders, Dana Stubblefield, the Old Ball Coach, and now Jim Zorn, DeAngelo Hall, the great wide receiver drafts of 2008, and probably Dana Stubblefield again in Albert Haynesworth.

Vinny Cerrato may have a good track record elsewhere, but in Washington, he hasn't done what a competent G.M. would have done, i.e., draft for depth on the offensive and defensive lines first, and build around that. Why hasn't he done that? Think what you want, but I think it has to do with the need for anyone on the Redskin payroll to humor Danny, which has meant surrender draft picks for high-priced free agents, or follow Danny's draft "strategy."

Sammy, it's unfair to cite the overall record of mediocrity since 1972. Sustained mediocrity set in only after Joe Gibbs left for the first time and JKC died. Snyder's advent has made things worse. Three playoff appearances and one playoff victory in twelve years amount to very little and shouldn't be excused. There's a real, fundamental problem with how this organization is run. I think it's the owner and his lack of a coherent FOOTBALL plan.

I will support a losing team for years if the organization has a plan for trying to get better, if it trusts professionals to develop such a plan, if it hires and fires players with a long-term strategy in mind. I support the Caps, Wizards, and Nationals, who are doing these things. Snyder isn't. I think he has to go before things get better. Meanwhile, for me, it's GO STEELERS!

:doh:

:vomit:

Meanwhile, for me, it's GO STEELERS!Good luck with that. Remember, don't be a fan of the Skins again when things turn around under Snyder.