My boss can be a real tool-bag at times, but he's no fool. If you take some kind of problem to him (usually thinly veiled bitching) he will give you his full attention. When you finish your explanation he always asks a variation of a very simple question “So what are you going to do about it?” When he asks this he expects you to have an answer. We've all learned to have your stuff together before even go to him. It saves everyone time and effort.
We all know this team has issues. The product on the field is sub-par. The game experience is sub-par as well. So if you were in charge, what would you do about it?
If I were to suddenly find myself the owner of the Redskins starting today what would I do?
The first thing, the
very first thing I would do as owner is to tell the fans, the media and everyone that the team has many problem areas that need to be fixed and that I, as owner, accept responsibility and will allow myself to be held accountable for what happens in terms of what the plan is, who and why personnel hired to implement that plan are hired in the first place and let them know that I recognize that the problems are not quick-fix type problems but that I will, in terms of making the Redskins a winning football team try to find the best people available to implement it.
Second, I would tell the fans and media alike that the Redskins are implementing a long-term strategy of making a team with too many aging players younger, that the concept of band-aid fixes with high-priced FAs is no longer operative, that the scouting department will be monitored for performance in advising on draft picks but that I as owner will delegate those responsibilities, again, to the most highly skilled people in the area I can find. Bruce Allen as GM will stay and he and Shanahan will have those responsibilities.
In short-I would try to quell the uncertainty and confusion that the fans feel by letting them know that 1.) A plan is in place, and, 2.) neither they or the media will be kept in the dark when it comes to the direction the team is going.
I would communicate, in other words.
For the time being, I would keep most, if not all, of the coaching staff due to the lateness in the season and the disruptive effect sudden changes might make. During the off-season a complete analysis would be done to determine the best way this strategy could be implemented. This would be a joint effort involving the entire FO and coaching staff. I, as owner, would not be personally involved except to observe and make sure the basic concept, that of having a strategy and adhering to it, is followed.
The suggestions already listed for enhancing the on-field experience are very good and I would implement some type of fan-feedback system for suggestions and complaints that would allow fan input to be part of the equation and there would be communication with the fans letting them know that their voices are being heard and taken seriously
I haven't yet formulated too many more detailed particulars but I think the most important thing is that there needs to be a sense of "coherence"-that there is some type of organized thinking taking place and not a willy-nilly "OMG, what are we gonna do now?" which I perceive as the biggest problem with the Redskins franchise.
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