Shutdown Corner - NFL

Maybe it's not fair of me since I've never met the man, but when I think of Redskins owner Daniel Snyder, I think of a Napoleonic power-monger rampaging irrationally through Redskins park like a child denied a new toy. I picture him screaming, breaking things and crying while sitting in a corner and making emotional decrees that have nothing to do with rational, long-term thinking. That's just me. That's how I picture it.

Yesterday, though, Snyder went to a local high school  to announce a charitable project to renovate high school football fields in Maryland. After the ceremony, in which he was greeted cheerfully and politely, he stopped to talk to reporters.

Now witness Dan Snyder, live in his natural habitat, seeming like a real person: vulnerable, remorseful, and semi-responsible for his actions. It kind of feels like watching Planet Earth, where they've discovered something rarely seen by humans before.

See, if he was really like the person I envision in my head, when the marching band got close, he would've have turned around and screamed to the band director, "HEY! HEY! PIPE DOWN RIGHT NOW, OR I WILL HAVE EVERY SINGLE ONE OF YOUR BRASS INSTRUMENTS MELTED DOWN AND SCULPTED INTO A LIFESIZE STATUE OF JACK KENT COOKE, NUDE, SLOBBERING ON HIMSELF AND WEARING A DIAPER. Ahem. I'm sorry miss, you were saying?"

It was smooth of him to avoid the topic of the ban on signs, but that's easily overlooked in the bigger picture. He was almost like a real human being here. One that's destroying a franchise, sure, but still real, and at least sorry about it. I think that's a big step for him.

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  1. #1++++ Fan
    1. Posted by #1++++ Fan Wed Nov 04, 2009 2:42 pm EST

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    Slow down now, my friend, and continue to be rational. Do you think perhaps this was a moment specially crafted by the Skins PR folks? Just might be possible ole Dan thinks more than you do.
  2. Anton
    2. Posted by Anton Wed Nov 04, 2009 2:51 pm EST

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    I still don't like this guy. I'd take the crypt keeper Al Davis over Snyder. Need to fire him and the GM.
  3. lee
    3. Posted by lee Wed Nov 04, 2009 3:04 pm EST

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    Here is a peice of work for the football fan.First you take away the play calling from the coach,then you take the signs away from the Fans,who by the way support you your money hungry ass.And now your telling the media and anyone else that will listen that your team let everyone down.If i played for you this would be my last season.How can you blame anyone else for your mistakes,you ass clown.Hire a GM then you have someone to lay the blame on.But as far as i can see you need to take a long hard look at yourself.This is your doing.Looks like you took a crap and fell back in it.Now your looking to place the blame on the players and coachs.Your an [profane].Do the right thing by the fans,you jackoff.
  4. darrells
    4. Posted by darrells Wed Nov 04, 2009 3:15 pm EST

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    Grt off the man back , Damn what the hell do you people want from now , if you dont like the redskins dont look at them , there are a lot of teams out here that sicks , what about the player they are not doing there jobs no one has step up , JC is not the QB for this team Jim said it in so many words ..It his team you dont think he wants to win . He has all the money he needed . He know how to make money you can never take that away from him so just sit back and hope this get better if not then find a team you like for this year ,And the reak redskins fans well see you next year.
  5. darrells
    5. Posted by darrells Wed Nov 04, 2009 3:15 pm EST

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    Grt off the man back , Damn what the hell do you people want from now , if you dont like the redskins dont look at them , there are a lot of teams out here that sicks , what about the player they are not doing there jobs no one has step up , JC is not the QB for this team Jim said it in so many words ..It his team you dont think he wants to win . He has all the money he needed . He know how to make money you can never take that away from him so just sit back and hope this get better if not then find a team you like for this year ,And the reak redskins fans well see you next year.
  6. joe
    6. Posted by joe Wed Nov 04, 2009 3:29 pm EST

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    Yea slow down! His PR people probably told him to look depress about it to make it look like he too care$. BUT remember, actions speak louder then words. Until I see a new GM with complete control to hire a good head coach without Snyder interfering, then and only then will I start thinking that he cares sincerely about the Skins and not so much first about his $$$
  7. Anton
    7. Posted by Anton Wed Nov 04, 2009 3:30 pm EST

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    #5 - from what I could get out of that comment, it has nothing to do with the Redskins or whether people like the team or not, it has to do with Snyder and how he is destroying the team. It is amazing how you people get your panties bunched up when someone is being critical of another person. Snyder could commit murder and some idiot will comment "haters, leave him alone."
  8. BrianB
    8. Posted by BrianB Wed Nov 04, 2009 3:35 pm EST

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    As a Skins fan, I actually do believe Snyder wants to win. I just don't think he has a clue how to do it. He tosses money every which way but does so in the manner a 13 year old fan might. He's like Steinbrenner without Brian Cashman around to help out.
    The real culprit, to me, is Vinny Cerrato. It's his job to make the team good. It's Snyder's job to give him the money to do so. One of these men is doing their primary function well. The other needs to be run out of town.
  9. joe
    9. Posted by joe Wed Nov 04, 2009 3:41 pm EST

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    Hey all posters- Real Redskin fans, Daniel Synder paid off the comments from "Darrells" above. I have an inside source on it.!!!! Just like Synder tries to control everyone else with his $$$$
    This owner has to go. We real redskins fans know what it was like to have a great owner in the past. So we have a right to complain about the current ownership anytime we feel like it if our team isn't winning like it should! We don't just find another team and go with it. You're obviously not a real football fan "Darrells" to say just find another team. Redskin fans its in their heart and soul. Redskin fans just don't sit back and hope this gets better! as you comment above. What kind of fan are you!!!. "Darrells, You are not a real Redkins fan from way back in the 60's through today are you? Your comment for us Redskin fans to sit back and hope or find another team is a comment that a non-football fan would say as if its nothing in our hearts to just pick another team. "Get-ata-here-U-phony-fan!!!
  10. Buck N
    10. Posted by Buck N Wed Nov 04, 2009 4:12 pm EST

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    Redskins will finish the year 2-14.
    This saddens me.
  11. The Boss
    11. Posted by The Boss Wed Nov 04, 2009 4:13 pm EST

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    Synder is a joke! He wants to be Jerry Jones but he never will be.
    Hey Redskins yall stink get use to it.
  12. Hitman
    12. Posted by Hitman Wed Nov 04, 2009 4:26 pm EST

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    Just another used car salesman.
  13. david t
    13. Posted by david t Wed Nov 04, 2009 4:30 pm EST

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    Personally, I HATE the redskins, cause I'm a cowboys fan and that's what we do. Seriously though, ever since this guy bought the team, all they have done is lose, lose and, now, lose miserably. Sounds to me like Dan Snyder is the one who let everyone down. Fire him. Lol.
    PEACE OUT
    P.S. You guys up there in D.C. really should change the team nickname, it really is offensive to native americans.
  14. slick4
    14. Posted by slick4 Wed Nov 04, 2009 4:47 pm EST

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    Him and his buddy are still a** holes that know nothing about putting a football team together. They think what's going on now ain't got nothing to do with them, it's just bad luck. Nothing is going to change until they are both gone, he hasn't the sence to hire anyone that knows football and to get out of their way.
  15. Stars
    15. Posted by Stars Wed Nov 04, 2009 4:51 pm EST

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    If he really cared, he would change the Racists name.
  16. Stars
    16. Posted by Stars Wed Nov 04, 2009 4:51 pm EST

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    If he really cared, he would change the Racists name.
  17. Bob
    17. Posted by Bob Wed Nov 04, 2009 5:12 pm EST

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    #15 and #16, who is the racists? How many people are we talkin about here? Dan Snyder or the entire organization going back 80 years?
    #13, I'm Native American and have been a Redskins fan my whole life. Most of us agree the nickname is in honor of us not a slander. Get off the coalition bandwagon and don't speak for others when it is not your place.
    #7, I agree, what the hell was he trying to say? Sometimes I wish people that don't speak English should at least try. If you are going to come to America at least make an effort to become educated. If you were born here and speak like that, you should be ashamed to show your face in public. Just zip it an we'll all be happy.
    Gotta love people who blame the system for giving them something free and then they can't use it!!!
  18. Tim
    18. Posted by Tim Wed Nov 04, 2009 5:13 pm EST

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    Vinnie needs to go - first. New GM new scout team. Then the GM needs to hire a head coach. The new head coach needs to bring his people in. The head office should never dictate a head coaches staff.
    Next - they need to get the players off these weekly talk shows. Run your mouth on the field and back it up. If you wanna do radio or tv take up a new career. Too many showboats at Redskins Park. Still a Skins fan, but c'mon - Vinnies gotta go.
    I can well imagine they will never get a great headcoach in there with the current approach, especially after Zorn's treatment. Maybe Zorn was promoted to head coach after the real canidates gave Vinny and Danny a polite hell-no.
    Synder is willing to pay - and I do believe his a loyal fan. He just needs to get rid of that suck butt Vinny, do what he does best (make money) and let the coach be a coach. With his crew - not Vinney and Dannys crew.
    To the players - enjoy the money and good times - when they get a real GM / HC (with his crew) the party will end. And hopefully, so will Dan's player pampering.
    and BTW - I hate the C-Boys. As far as the nickname goes - americans (not native type) have always been offensive and callous to native americans and screwed them over every which way possible at every opportunity - why change after all these years of malice, hatred and indifference? But that's a different story and much bigger (and uglier) than a football team.
  19. love4guitars
    19. Posted by love4guitars Wed Nov 04, 2009 5:39 pm EST

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    Sorry, ruining one of the cornerstone teams as well as one of the finest franchises in ALL of sports is just unforgiveable! He is not fit to carry Jack Kent Cooks jockstrap,,,ewwwww.. Sorry, I got off track for a sec, Tarring and feathering might not actually help the team win but it would sure go a long way to making folks feel better about the whole situation!
  20. Stars
    20. Posted by Stars Wed Nov 04, 2009 7:02 pm EST

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    #17, you claim to be "Native American". I have no objection to your opinion. This is a place where we are free to express our opinions. However, do not presume to speak for all of us. You seem to think that "most" of "us" do not find the term offensive. I am curious where you get this notion. What is most? 90%? 75%? 51%? Or are you just making it up? I use the term "Racists" instead of Washington's other offensive name. That 80 year organization you are so proud of is an embarrassment to all people. If you cannot understand that, then you are as brainwashed as many other Americans who have grown up in a heavily racist propagandized society. Part of (a heavy part of) that problem belongs to sports teams such as that Washington team.
    As for honor, do a little research into the origins of the name. You might think twice about how honorable it is.
  21. Oliver Klosov
    21. Posted by Oliver Klosov Wed Nov 04, 2009 10:48 pm EST

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    Yeah, ol' midget boy cares so much about the Redskin fans that he's ordered the security goons to take any signs that have a negative connotation from those he "cares" so much about... the munchkin should be ashamed for the ticket prices, no parking, over-priced food/drink and his constant tinkering with something he has no clue about... a football team.
    Until he sits in his box and shuts his mouth.. and gets rid of Vinnie The Moron, this team will continue to suck, and he will continue to be compared to such idiots as Matt Millen, Isiah "Thompson", et al.... JKC is spinning in his grave!!!
  22. Legal Eagle
    22. Posted by Legal Eagle Thu Nov 05, 2009 7:42 am EST

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    Nope, Not buying it. If Dan Snyder was sorry, he wouldn't have spent the off-season trying to blame everything wrong in the organization on Jason Campbell, he wouldn't have emasculated Jim Zorn, he wouldn't have had signs ripped down, etc. Dan Snyder is a great business mind, but he shouldn't be involved with on the field decisions, he isn't Jerry Jones. He should hire the right GM and Coach and let them run the operations for 2 to 3 years, and then review the performance and then run it for another 2-3 years, then another review, etc. like most organizations do. Instead, Snyder is a little tyrant, regardless of this little human showing, that demands that the ship is ran his way and is shocked that since he is an armchair QB he doesn't know what he is doing.
  23. Antonio S
    23. Posted by Antonio S Thu Nov 05, 2009 9:24 am EST

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    Keep up the good work Mr Snyder. LOL
  24. FairlyHonestBob
    24. Posted by FairlyHonestBob Thu Nov 05, 2009 11:30 am EST

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    Typical Yahoo video quality. That was like watching an old 'Max Headroom' bit.

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Shutdown Corner is an NFL blog edited by Matthew J. Darnell. Email him, and follow him on Twitter.

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