Shutdown Corner - NFL

After losing 27-17 at home to the Philadelphia Eagles last night, the Washington Redskins' $100 million man blasted his teammates for a lack of heart. Said Haynesworth, via the Associated Press:

"Urgency, heart, 'want-to,' whatever. I don't know. We're lacking a lot of stuff right now," the defensive tackle said. [...]

Asked if he delivered a postgame speech in the locker room, Haynesworth replied: "You can say but so much. You've got to actually 'want to.' So once we get to that point - where we 'want to' do something - then we'll do something. But if we just keep going our separate ways, then we'll just keep getting slaughtered like we have."

So it's an attitude issue. Let's stick with that for a minute. Do we believe in the "attitude reflects leadership" adage? Let's say we do.

What's the leadership situation with the 'Skins? Well, we've got an emasculated head coach, an offensive play-caller type whose play-calling duties were just given to a guy who had been with the team for about a week. Ownership could not have made it clearer that they do not support or like the current head coach, and he will be fired, at the latest, at the end of this miserable season. No one will be confusing him with William Wallace.

Above him, we've got an owner who is almost universally reviled, and whose greatest contribution to the franchise to this point has been ... I don't know, bringing Tom Cruise to a game? Redskins legends have been lining up to verbally tear him a new one recently. No one will be confusing him with General Patton.

If a change in attitude will only come from leadership, then the Redskins are probably screwed. Snyder has the respect of no one and is going nowhere, and Jim Zorn's been stripped of any authority he had. Frankly, it's hard to see where Jim Zorn has much of a reason to care.

As for Haynesworth, he hasn't been above the questions of urgency, heart want-to, and whatever this year, either. He's taken his own criticism for being out-of-shape and/or lazy.

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85 Comments

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  1. Frank Y
    1. Posted by Frank Y Tue Oct 27, 2009 6:00 am EDT

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    Haynesworth spent most of the first half - all that I could take of the game - on his stomach with Eagles running over him.
    Perhaps he might want to "lead by example".
  2. sam spade
    2. Posted by sam spade Tue Oct 27, 2009 6:49 am EDT

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    He decided on cash instead of winning. How can he talk? If he were still in Tennessee, he'd still be and the Titans would be winning. He got his 100 million; so he should shut up. This is what he signed up for.
  3. Max_Powers
    3. Posted by Max_Powers Tue Oct 27, 2009 7:49 am EDT

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    He was the only one in the 4th quarter still trying. I'm no fan of the player or team, but his efforts at the end of the game last night really stood out.
  4. Oliver Klosov
    4. Posted by Oliver Klosov Tue Oct 27, 2009 8:29 am EDT

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    Yeah ... he's an idiot - vs. signing a $100mil contract he could still be in Tenn... they are doing SO well.. how many games have they won???? Zorn sucks, but he isn't wearing a Cowboys jersey... YET... but, tune in next week.
    MJD - either take care of the spam in this place, or hire someone that will - you may be the laziest man in the world!!! As always, they SHOULD shut down this corner!!!
  5. Anrkist
    5. Posted by Anrkist Tue Oct 27, 2009 8:40 am EDT

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    Lack of testicular fortitude.
  6. JohnP
    6. Posted by JohnP Tue Oct 27, 2009 8:41 am EDT

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    As a lifelong Cowboys fan and long-time anti-Redskins zealot (hater is too strong a word), I find no satisfaction in the pathetic situation currently unfolding in Washington, or take relish in the dismal state of this once-proud franchise. The NFC East has been regarded in recent NFL history as the toughest in the league, and for good reason: Giants, Cowboys, Eagles and Redskins. Having the Skins teetering over the abyss like this may bring joy to many fans (particularly in Dallas, New York and Philly), but it saddens me to lose a worthy division opponent in this painfully self-inflicted manner. Little Danny Synder has done his best to dismantle the once-proud tradition of the Redskins, and destroy any hopes of restoring past glory. His revolving door of head coaches and free-spending ways on big names (typically past their prime) continue to backfire, and his overbearing arrogance and misguided intrusiveness only serve to further alienate Redskins fans, players and coaches alike. A franchise as dysfunctional as Cleveland? Yes, it's gotten that bad. And me, a Cowboys fan feeling sorry for the Skins? That's really bad. The pathetic treatment of Jim Zorn, then proclaiming his job safe till season's end are cases in point. Correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't Synder hire Jim Zorn in the first place? The man had zero head coaching experience, for crying out loud! A glaring failure to address needs (offensive line for one) in the draft and paying 100 million for an overrated defensive tackle (who can play great only when he feels like it) suggest ownership both ignorant and out of touch with reality. It's terribly unfair to blame Zorn and Jason Campbell for this mess. Synder continues to deflect criticism and accept responsibility. He's clueless and has managed to destroy much that the Redskins once stood for. At least our meglomanic owner Jerry Jones is trying to improve his team and its future (by signing Demarcus Ware and Tony Romo to long-term deals, and building a fabulous new stadium). This situation in DC simply stinks. We need a good Redskins team in the division for credibility, if nothing else. Perhaps better teams will gain little satisfaction in beating a team in such disarray. I'd rather the Cowboys beat a good Redskins team, than one that has already given up. Thank Danny Boy for the implosion. For all you hard-core Skins fans out there, you deserve much better, and I feel your pain. Perhaps a ticket boycott would help. I don't know. You guys need to run Synder and Vinny C outta town. Time for Danny Boyo to remove that silver spoon from his nether region and turn football operations over to someone competent. Anyway, I would like to see the "old" Redskins return to the field. This is simply awful to watch...
  7. Will
    7. Posted by Will Tue Oct 27, 2009 9:54 am EDT

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    My Skins are just down in the dumps because no one on the Lions, Panthers, or Chiefs sent them a 'thank you' card.
  8. Max_Powers
    8. Posted by Max_Powers Tue Oct 27, 2009 9:58 am EDT

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    @ JohnP,
    I feel the same way you do, being a Steelers fan and feeling sorry for the Browns. I want our rivalry back. The Ravens are douchenozzles from Baltimore and the Bungles are irrelevant even when they do decide to compete every 5 years or so. . .
  9. the truth
    9. Posted by the truth Tue Oct 27, 2009 10:40 am EDT

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    Post # 7 has it so right. I am also a cowboy fan. This season has been very disappointing. We cowboy fans have very little to cheer about. Our hated rivals (deadskins) are truly living up to that name. Thanks to their pitiful owner. I feel for the fans of the once proud readskins. Even when the cowboys went 1-15 we were not blown out of any games and we could look forward to playing the skins (our only win that season). Everyone knew we were rebuilding and under new leadership. They quickly righted the wrongs with the organization. In the Redskins case, the management has no clue. They continue to make the same mistakes year after year. Things done in the past has caught up with this organization and it will take several seasons to right this ship unless Synder comes to grip that he is not qualified to make football decisions and neither is Vinny. The ray of sunshine for Synder is that he can not be let go but Vinny can and should be (immediately). Take the rest of the season to find a GM. Let Zorn and crew stay until you have hired a real GM that can look over your roster and figure out how to fix this mess you and Vinny have created. That GM will bring in his Coach. Maybe the next Payton or even better a steady hand like a young Parcell/Gibbs/Jimmy Johnson. Hopefully not a recycled coach like a Cowher. History has shown a coach never does as well in his second stop as he did in his first. Only New England can say differently. So Redskin fans, find a way to make your owner change and be bold. The beast in the east are waiting for your return. Return to the glory days that every year someone from the NFC East represented the NFC in the Super Bowl and won. Only the Eagles are uncapable of winning it all as we have seen in their two trips to the big dance.
  10. Scott E
    10. Posted by Scott E Tue Oct 27, 2009 11:49 am EDT

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    The divisiveness on the team is driven from the top. Snyder overpays for a handful of players who are guaranteed playing time, so there is little incentive to compete hard for playing time. Because he needs a "yes-man" to run operations and be coaches, there is little leadership for players, especially when he emasculates the HC by taking away game control. The setup is that the overpaid players are the de facto leaders, whether they are good leaders or not.
  11. Reepicheep
    11. Posted by Reepicheep Tue Oct 27, 2009 12:47 pm EDT

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    Not sure what game y'all were watching, but Albert was busting his tail Monday night.
  12. alex
    12. Posted by alex Tue Oct 27, 2009 1:06 pm EDT

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    Tennessee should have paid him. Loyalty depends on who is going to pay the most.
  13. FairlyHonestBob
    13. Posted by FairlyHonestBob Tue Oct 27, 2009 1:08 pm EDT

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    I get intestinal fortitude whenever I watch the Raiders. Pepto Bismal usually takes care of it.
  14. LT
    14. Posted by LT Tue Oct 27, 2009 1:39 pm EDT

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    As long as the Redskins continue to reward guys who are coming off of big years that just happened to also be contract years, they will stink. Why bother trying when you've already had your payday?
  15. oo
    15. Posted by oo Tue Oct 27, 2009 2:03 pm EDT

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    How can Snyder, formerly an ultra-successful business owner, be such a complete, total, and unmitigated failure with this? He must have taken How to Run an NFL Team 101 from the Ford family.
  16. Hitman
    16. Posted by Hitman Tue Oct 27, 2009 2:22 pm EDT

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    Maybe Fat Albert should start stomping some heads - if nothing else, that should get his teammates attention. The only example he has set is how to take the money, being fat and lazy while showing up out of shape. I am surprised he took time out from eating to mouth off about his team. Blame Snyder all you want, but I don't think Snyder thought he was signing a $100 million doughboy.
  17. DICK SMOTHERS
    17. Posted by DICK SMOTHERS Tue Oct 27, 2009 2:25 pm EDT

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    Albert taintsworth from the washington foreskins.
  18. Da REAL Joe Cool
    18. Posted by Da REAL Joe Cool Tue Oct 27, 2009 2:28 pm EDT

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    They can really be called the DEADSKINS ! Pitiful !!
  19. Oliver Klosov
    19. Posted by Oliver Klosov Tue Oct 27, 2009 2:36 pm EDT

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    Alex... I know you are "loyal" to McD's as you continue to drop those fries, but if Burger King offered you another nickle and hour, you'd run across the parking lot like the 13yo girl that you are... $100mil vs. Loyalty ..... HAHAHAHA!!! Are you MJD's kid?? You are just as ignorant!!!
  20. rishbhat81
    20. Posted by rishbhat81 Tue Oct 27, 2009 3:03 pm EDT

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    snyder and cerrato are the problem, these two guys have shaped the attitude, they need to realize that it is them.
    Zorn isn't even the head coach, there was another coaching staff on the field put by Cerrato and Snyder. What kind of message does that send a "Team". Snyder is a failure and hes been failing for ten years. The Fans don't like you stop being involved in football operations , stick to marketing Danny
  21. chubby
    21. Posted by chubby Tue Oct 27, 2009 3:09 pm EDT

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    The Redskins resolve is fine. Their talent level is the problem. Think of the good offensive linemen (yeah, line-"men") they could have paid with the money they gave Haynesworth.
  22. ontheroadid
    22. Posted by ontheroadid Tue Oct 27, 2009 3:12 pm EDT

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    That game was abysmal, but having Haynesworth be the guy calling teammates out is not going to change anything. What an awful team. I was born in that area and have always been at least a casual fan, but how can you pledge any loyalty to them after what Danny and Vinny have done?
  23. morgino
    23. Posted by morgino Tue Oct 27, 2009 3:35 pm EDT

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    Funny that cowboys fans get no joy out of seeing them collapse. As a Charger fan I get great joy in watching the Raiders eat dick every week. However I think it's because their fans are the ultimate tools and the owner is a troll.

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