I've been a Redskins fan for over 30 years. It started with a Pat Fischer football card from what I think was the very first pack of football cards I ever purchased - 1976 if I'm not mistaken. Still have that card to this day. I liked the uniform, the logo, the colors. Pat had a neat look on his face - and it appeared he was chasing down someone. I don't know - for some reason that lone football card grabbed my attention and I became an instant fan of the Redskins at the age of 8.
Enjoyed the 'Skins successful Joe Gibbs run through the 80's and early 90's. We all thought his return in 2004 signaled a return to greatness for this team - finally. We suffered through several lean years - Gus Frerotte as the starting QB? Please.
Somehow I knew upon hearing the news a couple weeks ago that Gibbs was retiring might lead to more problems for the 'Skins. I was right. If you haven't heard already, Gregg Williams and Al Saunders were let go earlier today. Williams had interviewed for the head coaching vacancy but did not get the position. So Dan Snyder, in his infinite wisdom, fires both Williams and Saunders. He promoted some guy I've never heard of to replace Williams as defensive coordinator, and hires former Seahawks QB Jim Zorn as the new offensive coordinator. I just beat my head on the table and made a fist. This is like replacing a Lincoln Continental with a Ford Escort. Don't get me wrong. I'm sure Zorn and Greg Blache (had to look up his name) will do fine - in fact I was a fan of Zorn's - way back when he was the QB for Seattle. But this looks like a step backward for the staff of the Redskins. Williams had the entire defense playing extremely well all year long, and that despite the death of Sean Taylor. The offense struggled a bit early on, but played much better during the end of season winning streak. Saunders deserves some credit for that. I fear Snyder has once again made a significant blunder by firing both of them.
Dan Snyder may be a fanastic business man, and I know he has millions of dollars, but he is NOT a good football owner and he is an even worse GM. He is the owner of my favorite team and I can live with that. But I am tired of his poor decisions and mistakes in running the organization. His ego is getting in the way of success and progression for this team. It's time for Dan to admit he needs help - and put money into a decent GM. And let the GM run the show. Imagine if he had hired Bill Parcells as the GM? I predict within 2 years the Dolphins will be a playoff contender thanks to Parcells. The Redskins? They will finish 3-13 and Snyder will fire both Zorn and Blache. And so the cycle will start all over again, no thanks to Snyder.
And my 1976 Pat Fischer card? I'll take it out of the box and examine it. It will make me smile. It will always make me smile no matter what the Redskins record is, and no matter what other bizarre and ridiculous moves Dan Snyder makes.
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