Jerry Gray takes over Media Duties from Blache

Maybe this is just blache getting his way, he's always said he didn't want to tallk to the press. But the timing is funny, a day after sherman lewis comes in. Obviously, we've noticed it here & speculated some reasons, I'm sure the media will follow up likewise.

It puts Gray in a bad position, he'll have to answer a lot of questions about blache & sherm lewis.

Honestly, I like Blache's personality and really enjoyed listening to him talk on Thursdays, so i'm hoping its option 4. Like, GMScud, i previously was hoping Grey would take over from Blache at some point, but i'm not so sure any more.

All I know is that whoever is responsible for our defensive backs giving 15+ yard cushions on every play needs to be demoted or fired.

As to option 3, its a worst-case scenario for me. As sick as I am of Zorn and as much as I want him out ASAP, the logical part of my brain knows our chances of attracting someone other than Gruden or Fassel after the seasons over deteriorate dramatically if Zorn's fired mid-season. I mean, why on Earth would a respectable HC come here if we fired our previous coach after somewhere between 19 and 22 games? IMO, the only way Snyder can convince Cowher (HC) and Shottenheimer (GM) (my #1 choice to replace Zorn/Cerrato) is to convince them that he's really changed. Firing Zorn midseason certainly wouldnt accomplish that goal. Remember, the only reason Zorn got the job was because no one else (other than Fassel) wanted it.

Gray could also be promoted to interim head coach if Zorn is canned at the bye. He's been closer to being a HC candidate that Blache ever has.

As to the 'we can't fire Zorn mid-season and hope to get a respectable HC' logic, it's bs. One of the big boys (Holmgren, Shanahan, Cowher) will come because Snyder won't big time them like he did with small potatoes Fassel, Mariucci, Zorn or one of the other first time head coach candidates he interviewed. If one of the big fish said, I'll come but it has to be my way, Snyder will acquiesce. He's done it twice already (Schotty, Gibbs) and would do it again for the right guy. I don't think he will go to the length he did previously with Schottenheimer and give one man complete and ultimate power, but Shanahan and Holmgren may not want that, rather they'd want to name their own GM/Personnel Director which Snyder will agree to.

Gray could also be promoted to interim head coach if Zorn is canned at the bye. He's been closer to being a HC candidate that Blache ever has.

Was just about to say the exact same thing. Though I think Blache was very close to being named 49ers coach a few years back and then I think they shocked everyone and hired Dennis Erickson. But yeah I could absolutely see Gray being the head coach (interim head coach)

As to the 'we can't fire Zorn mid-season and hope to get a respectable HC' logic, it's bs. One of the big boys (Holmgren, Shanahan, Cowher) will come because Snyder won't big time them like he did with small potatoes Fassel, Mariucci, Zorn or one of the other first time head coach candidates he interviewed. If one of the big fish said, I'll come but it has to be my way, Snyder will acquiesce. He's done it twice already (Schotty, Gibbs) and would do it again for the right guy. I don't think he will go to the length he did previously with Schottenheimer and give one man complete and ultimate power, but Shanahan and Holmgren may not want that, rather they'd want to name their own GM/Personnel Director which Snyder will agree to.

Talked to some people close to the NFL at lunch today, they still believe Shanahan is the guy. Gruden might be an option in Dallas

I read it, but interpretted it differently. I interpretted it as indicating that because the league was aware that Gray would be made a coordinator soon, that they allowed the change now. Otherwise, I don't see how the league would make this sort of exception here. I guess it would depend on the leagues motivation for having that rule. If theyre primarily concerned with having an "experienced" individual speak with the media, then I can understand it. If its to give potential Head Coaching candidates some media exposure, I understand it. If its to ensure that the media has access to an individual who can answer questions reguarding the entire offensive or defensive units performanc, then I dont. Grey deals with defensive backs. Thats it.Well said. Too many times here people have posted and quoted from articles without actually reading the entire thing, and that always bugs me.

More importantly, like freddyg12 just said, the timing of this is really interesting. One day we bring in a guy who could, most of us assume, take over the reigns of the offense for Zorn fairly quickly. And then the next day the guy who many assume would make the most sense to be the interim coach should Zorn get canned dumps of his "non-football essential" roles onto an assistant who could, most would also assume, take over the D pretty quickly.
Neat.

Talked to some people close to the NFL at lunch today, they still believe Shanahan is the guy. Gruden might be an option in Dallas

He just makes too much sense for it to not happen with Shanahan. I can see him co-existing with Snyder (perhaps even teaching him some things from his experiences with Bowlen) than him co-existing with Jerrah down in Dallas.

My guess is Blache is a big grump and would rather focus his time on more important things.

I'd like to believe that this is in fact the explanation, and this was my initial thought, but the scenario is simply altogether too weird. Ordinarily, I would think that a coordinator or other member of a team or coaching staff proclaiming that he is no longer talking to the media would be a reaction grounded in a brief fit of frustration, with the possibility wide open for a change of heart. But the fact that the team has gone so far as to communicate with league officials to get permission to excuse Blache seems to imply something more complex than a mere grump reaction.

I would be ok, very ok, with Blache falling on the sword and retiring, but I think the episode with Matich early on just showed that he wasn't really in the mindset this year to deal with the media.

Well said. Too many times here people have posted and quoted from articles without actually reading the entire thing, and that always bugs me.

More importantly, like freddyg12 just said, the timing of this is really interesting. One day we bring in a guy who could, most of us assume, take over the reigns of the offense for Zorn fairly quickly. And then the next day the guy who many assume would make the most sense to be the interim coach should Zorn get canned dumps of his "non-football essential" roles onto an assistant who could, most would also assume, take over the D pretty quickly.
Neat.

The problem with this train of thought, from my perspective, is the one thing a HC has to do ad nauseum is discuss things with the media. Blache, while ok with that as a DC, would not do well when confronted with the whole scope of Redskins media. I think that Blache is just tired of the whole media circus, his unit is doing what it should, even Tripp lost his ax ;), and Blache doesn't want to deal with questions that have nothing to do with his unit.

I would be ok, very ok, with Blache falling on the sword and retiring, but I think the episode with Matich early on just showed that he wasn't really in the mindset this year to deal with the media.

Effing Matich needs to watch where he's going in the damn parking lot. Nearly wrecked my car.

I dont mind blatche and I really don't like this. Blatche just leaving isn't going to solve a ton of things IMO.

I am also not sure Blatche would just tell the Skins he doesnt wnat to talk to the media. The dude has pride, and even though he hates talking the media, I am sure he wouldn't just run away from it.



This and the Sherm thing. Man I am not too excited about either move.