Question about 2000-2001 QB Situation here

[SmootSmack]

The Jeff George signing was a bigger mess than it ever needed to be. And this was during my peak years with the team (not exactly with the team, but close to them) so I watched this all go down up close and personal.

The first problem was the chaos that was the ownership transition following The Squire's death. If there was some stability in the ownership group, we likely would have been able to lock up Trent Green for a long-term contract. Yet, we couldn't because of the ownership mess..but somehow were able to trade multiple high round picks for Brad Johnson.

Then it was decided, rightly I believe to sign a veteran QB to back up Brad Johnson who had been injury prone with a broken leg, broken thumb, and herniated disc over the course of just two years. Unfortunately, Snyder decided to go after the biggest, most polarizing figure out there in Jeff George. But it was supposed to be a one year deal (two years really, with the team option to get out after one year) that was pretty low in terms of cost. But George's agent played Snyder like the football rookie that he was (as well as Joe Mendes) and convinced the Redskins George's services were in high demand (though they likely never were) and the team had to up its offer. So we ended up with a 4 year $19 million deal for George.

Then, Marty came along and started cutting much of the fat. And he had a QB in mind he wanted to bring on board and that QB also wanted to come to the Redskins (Doug Flutie). But his hands were tied with George's contract, even though they got George to reduce his contract it still wasn't enough. So he thought well maybe this can work out with George, but after two games it was obvious it wouldn't. So he figured well, Tony Banks just got cut he's a veteran than can hold the team together while we develop the QB we just drafted (Sage Rosenfels).

So it was a total mess, but not like McNabb.

To me, Jeff George getting sacked at the end of the 2000 season by Ebenezar Ekuban and then being dragged around on the field while none of his teammates did anything was the perfect metaphor for the culture of the Redskins during that era.