On the other hand, I think it's fair to challenge Sarge in one respect. There are times when I wonder whether Sarge would take more glee in more Snyder failure than he would in seeing him turn things around? I hope I'm wrong on that front, but I can't blame anyone for wondering likewise. That may be an unfair assumption, but it's not unreasonable given the obsessively negative focus on all-things Snyder.
Obviously I’m not speaking for Sarge, but since I have been accused (if that’s not too strong of a word) of exactly the same thing on my ex-board, here is my take:
I have come to the conclusion that Snyder not only hasn’t learned anything in his 10 years as an owner, but that he is incapable of learning anything. As evidence I submit the following:
1. His discussion of Mike Shanahan with John Lynch in front of both Zorn and an entire Redskins contingent. You can bet that this got back to the assistant coaches and the players, undermining Zorn’s authority.
2. The very public offseason pursuit of Cutler and Sanchez that certainly undermined Campbell ’s leadership position.
3. Stripping the play calling duties from Zorn and the handing of them to a consultant in what virtually everybody in the league believed was a convoluted approach.
4. The banning of signs at FedEx stadium. It didn’t take a genius to see how that decision would go over with fans.
5. And finally the publicly disclosed interviewing of one of Zorn’s assistants for the head coach position during the season when Zorn still held the position.
The above were all actions from the last year and were not instigated by a rookie owner but one with 10 years experience. Regardless of what you think of Zorn and Campbell, the actions related to them undercut their authority, along with Snyder bypassing the chain of command, and that is not conducive to the concept of team.
From that perspective, I view the hiring of Allen and Shanahan not as some light turning on in his head, but simply more Snyder flaying about that is really not that much different than the hiring of Shotty and Gibbs. Maybe it will work out and maybe it won’t, but remember, Shanahan was 24-24 his last three years in Denver, the ultimate in NFL mediocrity. If the Shanahan experiment doesn’t work, we are still left with Snyder.
So while I will never root for the Redskins to lose, if we are going to lose anyway, there is certainly some pleasure to be taken in knowing that the ultimate cause for us losing is also suffering and that if it goes on long enough, maybe he will eventually get tired of it and sell the team. In some ways, it is like losing a meaningless late season game. I would never root for the Skins to lose but would take some solace from the improved draft position.
But If somehow Snyder lucks into a Superbowl winning team, I would head to the sports bar restroom before the Lombardi ceremony so I wouldn’t be left with the sour taste in my mouth of watching Snyder accept it.