I don't think there's really room to disagree on the issues you raise John--this is "beyond a reasonable doubt" territory.
Let's take your Haynesworth analogy a little farther--
Not only does hiring big name free agents solve the "small gaps preventing us from getting to the next level," they provide very clear revenue sources as people will flock to buy the new Haynesworth jersey (in authentic, replica and/or t-shirt--don't forget the game worn ones at $1000 a pop) and the bundle of other Haynesworth paraphernalia.
Now compare this to the merchandise sales that would be made by signing good back-up offensive lineman, a good nickel back or back-up SS or FS. The volume of sales would be peanuts in comparison to the revenue derived from a Haynesworth-like acquisition.
So yes, I'll agree that Snyder is willing to spend money on free agents--but I think he does it with a very conscious eye toward what these players will return not only on the field but what they'll return from vendor, online, etc. sales of merchandise.
Which really comes back to the fundamental problem--the big difference between Snyder and other owners (aside from the Jerry Joneses of the NFL) is that Snyder looks for return on investment not just from good play on the field but return on investment in spite of good play on the field--or really, without regard for good play on the field.
Snyder is basically good at hedging his financial bets. That is, he'll do great if the Redskins do really well, but he'll also do really well in the event the Redskins are mediocre as he has diversity in his income sources and isn't solely reliant on ticket sales.
I just don't think Snyder adequately took into account the fact that ultimately there's a negative correlation between poor performance and strong revenues.
I'm sure he's discovered this negative correlation and I imagine he's adjusting his revenue models right now. For this reason, I tend to agree with bulldog that a big change will be made in the front office this off season to reflect the fact that revenues have declined (finally!) as a result of poor on-field performance.
And this comes back to why it's taken so long for this change in the front office to be made (assuming it is in fact made)...
I'd argue that we really have only ourselves--i.e., the "hard-core" Redskins fan base--to blame. We're the ones that kept providing the revenue--whether in the form of clicking on ads on Redskins.com, buying the Haynesworth or Deion Sanders jerseys or buying season tickets--all without allowing ourselves to be dissuaded by the pervasive mediocrity of the last 15 years.
To change the 'Skins, perhaps we should temporary deny our ancient Redskins instincts and, with apologies to Leary, turn off, tune out and drop out of Redskins mania.
Only by denying this beast may we slay it.