Top 10 Dumbest Moves by Dan Snyder
This needs no introduction the title explains it all, please let me know if I missed any other dumb moves I'm sure there's plenty more out there.
Honorable mention:
-2010: After seeing more Ovechkin, Strasburg, John Wall jerseys and even more DC United apparel than Redskins apparel at Fed Ex field, Dan Snyder decides to ban all Washington sports apparel, besides Redskins apparel to be worn at Fed Ex field to promote more of a “team spirit atmosphere.”
- 2002 Signs Jeremiah Trotter: This was this year’s big signing as Danny and company Eagles linebacker Jeremiah Trotter to a 7 year $35.5 million dollar contract. Trotter only played 2 out of the 7 year contract before heading back to Philly. Stats as a Redskin: 150 solo tackles, 2 interceptions and just 1.5 sacks
- 1999 Hires Vinny Cerrato as VP of Football Operations: Ok I know some are going to say this should be in the top 10, but I’m like FIFA I like controversy, jk, but let’s take a look at this Cerrato and Snyder were basically butt buddies and the only reason why Cerrato was hired by Danny boy was because Danny knew that he could make all the moves he wanted with Cerrato as the VP. The one main thing Cerrato can be solely responsible for is for trading away draft picks and not so great drafts at times.
10. 2004 Trades Champ Bailey for Clinton Portis: Still not sure if this trade was by Danny or if Joe Gibbs initiated this trade to get his 2000 version of John Riggins. Here is where the biggest problem with this trade lied; Champ Bailey is a shutdown, once in a lifetime cornerback. He was mentored by one of the best in Darrell Green and offenses never throw his way because the ball will most likely end up in his hands. At the time of the trade, Clinton Portis had produced in Denver as he rushed for 3,099 yards and 29 touchdowns in 2 seasons as a Bronco. Thing is, a good running back is easy to come by the draft, something that Snyder and company don’t know about, and a shutdown corner like Champ Bailey is not easy to come by. Snyder and or Gibbs could have easily picked up a RB through Snyder’s favorite market free agency or by drafting a running back and kept Champ Bailey.
9. Near Future: After getting cut from the Washington Wizards Dan Snyder decides to give Gilbert Arenas a 6 year 30 million contract to play PR and WR for the Redskins. Plan backfires when Gilbert shows up at Albert Haynesworth’s house jokingly pointing a gun at his head for not showing up to minicamp and OTA’s.
8. 2009 Bans signs being brought into Fed Ex Field: The 2009 season was the breaking point for Redskins fans with Dan Snyder. Fans had it before with Daniel Snyder, but after a 19-14 loss to the Detroit Lions, who had loss the 19 previous games, this was loss that broke Redskins fans backs. After this loss back at Fed Ex Field, it did not take much for fans to start booing their beloved team and signs such saying sell the team and others popped up. Since those signs were hurting Danny feelings he decided to not let signs be brought into Fed Ex ticking off Redskins fans even more.
7. 2009 Signs Albert Haynesworth: Dan Snyder signs Haynesworth to the largest D tackle contract in history at $100 million over 7 years. As we speak right now the plan is backfiring. Haynesworth is the ONLY Redskin that did not show up to minicamp and to OTA’s this whole off season. Why? Because in a 3-4 defense poor little Haynesworth is not going to have great stats since his job will be to clog up both A gaps. O so now Haynesworth is worried about stats, yea sure cause 4 sacks and 38 tackles (Solo and Assist) last season was a lot. Haynesworth is exactly what I thought he would be a fat lazy piece of shit!!! In his 8 year career he has never played a full 16 game season. Haynesworth is a perfect Nose Tackle for a 3-4, he has the size to clog both of those A gaps, but he’d rather just remain busy in the Tennessee woods with his yacht and monster truck instead being with the team and being in shape for once. Yea sure this guy is definitely worth $100 million.
6. 2009 Sues fans for dropping season tickets: Surprisingly enough this one is not made up, yes good old Danny boy attempted to do this. In a tough economy some Redskins fans had get out of their season ticket plans because they couldn’t afford it anymore, including a 72 year old woman close to bankruptcy. What did Snyder do? Sue them even the 72 year old woman. If you didn’t think all Snyder cared about was making money you should think that now. Who does something like this, not even George Steinbrenner sued fans for dropping season tickets when they moved to the new stadium. Snyder just cares about how much money and could not give two shits about the fans who waste their hard earned money to watch a below average franchise. Obviously this didn’t go through, but you have to be a money hogging whore to try to attempt something like this, what does Snyder need the money for anyway? He’s already a billionaire. Maybe it’s because of Snyder there are so many Cowgirls fans in the DC area, and who can blame them.
5. 2001 Firing Marty Schottenheimer: After one 8-8 season Snyder decides to fire Marty Schottenheimer, why? Because Snyder wanted full control of his team he wanted to be the coach and Marty was not having any of that he even fired Snyder’s buddy Vinny Cerrato as the VP of football operations that firing proved to be another reason for the firing as Snyder hired Cerrato back the next season. 8-8 is not a bad season and does not lead to a firing, after this it was obvious that Snyder and Cerrato were going to run things with the Skins weather it was good or bad, but mostly bad.
4. 2006 Off Season: Signs Adam Archuletta, Antwaan Randle El, TJ Duckett and Brand Loyld: Ah yes one of the greatest spending sprees by Dan Snyder, the 2006 free agent class, the only thing that is keeping this from being in the top 3 is that Danny boy did sign Andre Carter for a 6 year $30 million contract. Carter has lived up to his contract as he has only missed 2 games in a Redskins uniform, mmmmm sounds a lot different than another defensive linemen for the Skins cough cough, anyways Carter’s stat line as Redskins is 31.5 sacks and 162 tackles in 6 years.
Now to the bad part about this free agent class, let’s start with Adam Archuletta, Snyder signed Adam Archuletta to a 6 year $30 million contract making him the highest paid safety in NFL history. Let’s just say that his performance on the field did not live up to his contract, Archuletta had 0 INTERCETPIONS yes 0 , just 49 tackles and started a whopping 7 games so much for $30 million and after the 2006 season Archuletta left DC for the windy city, so much for 6 years.
Next Antwaan Randle El, Randle El was signed to a 7 year $31 million contract. This was a classic Dan Snyder signing as Randle El had been a key player to the Pittsburgh Steelers Super Bowl while he was a key to the Steelers, Randle was expected to be a #2 receiver in DC, but he didn’t turn into that in DC as teams continued to double Santana Moss and Randle El did not produce when given the opportunity at WR or PR. Randle El finished is sting in DC with 186 receptions for 2,202 yards 8 receiving touchdowns and 2 passing touchdowns. Randle El slowed in age during his final 2 years in DC and definitely was not worth $31 million. Rundle El this year will be back in Pittsburgh playing for the Steelers.
Brandon Lloyd was traded to the Redskins from the San Francisco 49ers and in return the niners received a 3rd round draft pick in the 06 draft and a 4th round pick in the 07 month, trading away draft picks something Danny boy is known for. Whatever made Snyder like Lloyd we’ll never know, then again we’ll never know about half the moves he makes anyways, Lloyd put average numbers in San Fran with 1,510 receiving yards and 13 touchdowns. When he came to DC, his production dropped and went Joe Gibb’s dog house right way as he only started 13 games in 2 years. Lloyd stats as a Redskin were a whopping 25 receptions for 379 and an astounding 0 touchdowns. Once again a major waste of draft picks.
Continuing with the theme of wasted draft picks, TJ Duckett, in a 3 team trade the Redskins gave up another draft pick to the Denver Broncos while the Broncos sent Ashley Lelie to the Atlanta Falcons and the Falcons sent RB TJ Duckett to the Redskins. The Skins then signed Duckett to a 2 year $1.36 million contract. Duckett only spent one year with the Skins with 38 carries for 132 yards and 2 touchdowns, all career lows for Duckett.
3. 2002 Hiring of Steve Spurrier: After going 122-27-1 and winning a national championship at the University of Florida , Steve Spurrier was hired as the head coach of the Redskins after Marty Schottenheimer was fired as head coach. This hiring had disaster written all over from the start, Spurrier to decided to sign players that he had been successful with him in college, he signed former Heisman winner Danny Wuerffel and Shane Matthews both who had both been nothing more than backup QBs in the NFL. Then he signed 6 former Florida WR and the results of the Florida alumni teams 12-20 in 2 season and 2 finishes in 3rd place in the division after the 2003 season, Spurrier realized that he belonged at the College level and went on to coach at South Carolina.
2. 2000 Off season: Signs Deion Sanders, Jeff George and Bruce Smith, after being on bad snap away from the NFC Championship game, the season earlier, Dan Snyder thought that all he had to do was just add a few players and the Skins would win their 4th Super Bowl and many experts thought that the Redskins would be Super Bowl contenders. Haha the 2000 season was far cry from that as the Redskins went 8-8 and the team 45 miles to the north won the Super Bowl. Here’s who Danny boy signed to some outrageous contracts.
From the hated Dallas Cowgirls I mean Cowboys, Deion Sanders was signed to a 7 year $56 million contract after spending 5 seasons in Dallas. Primetime had 4 interceptions, 38 tackles and 0 punt or kick return TD’s. Best part of all was that he played only 1 out the 7 years of his contract. After that season Deion retired then came back in 2004 with the Baltimore Ravens.
Jeff George signs on as backup QB for $18 million over 4 years. Talking about being paid to do nothing; over the 2 years he was in DC George only started in 7 games passing for 1,556 yards, 7 Touchdowns and 9 Interceptions. George would then be a backup in Minnesota before hanging up the cleats.
Bruce Smith, after 15 years as Buffalo Bills, Smith left Buffalo to come to DC as he signed a 5 year $25 million contract. Now stat wise, Smith had an ok stint in DC as he compiled 29 sacks and 137 tackles in 4 years. But I’m sure Danny could have found a much younger D-end through the draft, then again Danny and company have no idea what the draft is. Snyder would then continue to sign washed up free agents, a strategy that has not worked at all.
1. 1999 Becoming owner of the Washington Redskins: Since Dan Snyder has become owner of the Washington Redskins; the Skins have compiled a record or 80-96, 6 coaches in 10 years and numerous starting QB’s. Doesn’t sound like a winning formula at all and hasn’t been, signing big name free agents has not worked at all. In fact any player that has made the pro bowl on their pervious team has not made the pro bowl as a Redskin, only 1 player has done that Santana Moss. Not only has Snyder not given results on the field, he has shown that he could not care about the fans at all, going to a game at Fed Ex Field is one the biggest pain in the you know whats ever. I remember as a little boy being able to take the metro to the Landover metro station then take a free bus over to the stadium. Since Snyder took over that hasn’t been available, why? Because all Snyder cares about is making money, he doesn’t care about the fans. The only way to get to a Skins game at Fed Ex is pay $100 + for a parking pass, pay $20 to walk 2 miles to the stadium or pay $40 to park 2 miles away and take a shuttle bus, wow Snyder you sure are making a killing you fucking ass hole. To be a good owner Snyder just has to look right down the road to Ted Leonsis who isn’t afraid to answer questions to the media, takes fans questions on radio shows and even greets fans at the door before games. Has Snyder done any of this HELL NO!!!! Snyder has now made a laughing stock out of a once proud organization and he doesn’t even seem to care that the Redskins are now the butt of every one’s jokes why? Once again because he’s making money and that’s all he cares about. Snyder claimed at the end of the 2009 season that he will change his ways, so far I haven’t seen a change by the signings of Larry Johnson and Willie Parker and part of me thinks that they only reason why the Skins traded for McNabb was because Snyder knew he would get at least one primetime game this year.
TOP 10 DC SPORTS MOMENTS FROM LAST DECADE
Honorable Mention:
Note: Honorable mention is in no order.
2008 Capitals defeat Hurricanes at home to clinch a playoff birth and the southeast division, first playoff birth since 2003. Ovechkin wins first MVP award with 65 goals, 47 assists and 112 points. Caps in the quarterfinals 4-3 to Philly.
2001 Maryland Terrapins win ACC conference: After a decade of losing in the 90's, going 55-88 from 1987-2000, first year head coach Ralph "The Fridge" Friedgen guided the Terps to a 10-2 season and an Orange Bowl berth were they lost to the Florida Gators 56-23.
2004 Finally a Win Over FSU: Maryland snapped a 14 game losing streak to the Seminoles and beat a top 10 for the first time since 1990. This was the only highlight of the season with a 5-6 record
10.2005 Baseball returns to DC: After 34 years without baseball, MLB decides to relocate the Montreal Expos to Washington, the Expos are renamed the Nationals. The Nats would play at RFK for 3 years before moving into a new ball park. Nationals win the first game at RFK against Arizona 5-3.
9. 2005 Maryland vs Duke: With College Gameday in College Park, for the first time for either football or basketball, John Gilchrist had 19 points for the Terps and JJ Redick fouled out in overtime which the crowd went wild over. Maryland won in overtime 99-92
8. 2006 Redskins vs Cowgirls blocked field goal: At Fed Ex,game is tied 19-19, after Redskins kicker Nick Novak missed a 49 yard field goal the Cowboys drive into field goal rage kicker Mike Vanderjagt attempts a 35 yard field goal with 6 seconds left. Safety Troy Vincent blocks the field goals Safety Sean Taylor (RIP Man) picks up the ball returns it to the Cowboys 44 yard line. During the play Kyle Kosier grabs Taylor's facemask. The refs call the 15 yard variety of the facemask penalty giving the Redskins one untimed down. Nick Novak makes a 47 yard field goals giving the Redskins a 22-19 victory.
7. 2008 Nationals vs Braves: Ryan Zimmerman hits walk off homerun vs the Atlanta Braves in the first regular season game at Nationals Park.
6. 2005 Wizards vs Bulls Game 4 Eastern Conference Quarterfinals: In a Nationally televised game on ABC in prime time Maryland product Juan Dixon drops 35 points in a 106 99 win for the Wizards. Wizards go on to win series 4-2 then get swept by the Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference Semifinals.
5. 2009 Capitals vs Penguins Eastern Conference Semi Finals Game 2 Dueling hat tricks: Alex Ovechkin and Sidney Crosby both score 3 goals. Crosby during the press conference says "I asked the ref to ask the fans to stop throwing hats on the ice (after Ovies hat trick goal)." We all know how we feel about that. Caps win the game 4-3, go up 2-0 in the series but lose series in seven games. That's why there is another Caps moment ahead of this one.
4. 2009 Capitals vs Rangers Game 7 Eastern Conference Quarterfinals: Sergei Fedorov scores game winning and series clinching goal with 5 minutes left. Win first playoff series since the 1998 playoffs, the year they were swept by the Red Wings in the Cup finals. Ovechkin wins second MVP in a row with 56 goals, 54 assists and 110 points.
3. 2006 Cinderella, 11th seeded George Mason Makes Final Four: After a regular season record of 22-6, a school record, the Patriots led by Jim Larranaga received an at large bid to the big dance as the 11th seed in the Washington DC region. Led by seniors Jai Lewis, Lamar Butler, and sophomore center Will Thomas. The Patriots beat Michigan State, final four team from the previous year, 75 65 in the first round, but the Green and Gold were not near finished yet as they then beat the defending national champion North Carolina Tar Heels 65-60. In the sweet 16, it was Wichita St next to fall to the hands of George Mason 63-55. Next up was the top seeded UConn Huskies again, in front of a home town crowd at the Verizon Center the George Mason Patriots defeated top seeded UConn 86 84 in overtime earning the school's first final four berth and becoming the lowest seed to reach the final four. The clock then struck midnight on the Pats in Indianapolis as they fell to the Florida Gators 73-58.
2. 2005 Monday Night Miracle in Dallas: I'll admit it, I went to sleep at the end of the 3rd quarter, yes me the Redskins diehard gave up on my team and little did I know while I was dreaming about the good old days of the Skins, a comeback was taking place in Irving, Texas. The Redskins had not won a game at Texas Stadium since 1995 and it looked like another long plane ride back to Ashburn for the burgundy and gold. The offense had been dead for the whole game and Dallas had dominated the whole game and with 3:55 remaining and 4th and 15 from Dallas' 40 yard line for quarterback Mark Brunell, there was no hope at all. Then, lo and behold Brunell let the ball fly and next was wide out Santana Moss catching the pass in the end zone for the Redskins first touchdown of the 2005 season. Next with 2:44 remaining 1st and 10 from the Skins 30 Brunell drops back and throws a 70 yard bomb to Santana Moss again for a touchdown the Redskins had grabbed a 14 to 13 one point lead with little time remaining. Then on the Cowboys last possession Sean Taylor laid the lumber on the Cowboys RB on 4th down sealing the win. Joe Gibbs in his second year back from retirement was drenched in Gatorade after the win.
Note: This includes both the Monday Night Miracle and moment #9 on this list
1. 2002 Maryland National Champions: After a heartbreaking loss to Duke in last year's Final Four, the Maryland Terrapins were on a mission to get back to the Final Four during the 2001-2002 season. Led by Juan Dixon and Steve Blake the Terps went 25-3 during the regular season. Despite a loss to NC State in the ACC tournament, the Terps still received a one seed in the NCAA tournament in the east region. The Terps cruised through most of the tournament with the closest of margin of victory being 8 in a win over UConn. In the national semi finals the Terps started out slow against the Kansas Jayhawks, but wound up beating rock chalk 97-88. In the national championship against Indiana as Maryland won 64 52 and Juan Dixon was named most outstanding player. The championship was the first for Maryland Basketball either men's or woman's and would be the only championship for any won last decade for any of the DC major sports teams (Redskins, Capitals, Wizards, Nationals, College Football and College men's basketball).
