I try to pause and take of my burgundy and gold glasses at times, because they might be affecting my perspective...
As much as I love the Redskins, It's not a 'Washington Redskins, right or wrong' kind of love. Most of my 38 years, since I reached a level of consciousness, I've been a diehard 'skins fan, and I firmly believe that this Snyder Era marks one of the most humiliating and embarrasing runs in franchise history, that has only recently taken a positive turn - 100% thanks to Joe Gibbs, and absolutely nothing to do with any great change on the part of Daniel Snyder. It's a far cry from the organization I fell in love with under the reign of 'The Squire'. To understand my opinions, you have to know from where I draw them. I had the good fortune to begin my fandom at the age of about 6, in 1974. I went through some pretty lean years through the 70's, and heard about leaner ones from my Dad and his friends, who we attended the games with, all of whom had season tickets since 1937 and had seen it all, from Edward Bennett Williams and Griffith Stadium forward. I had the ultimate good fortune of witnessing the hiring of one Joe Gibbs by Jack Kent Cooke, and watching the Organization transform itself during that reign into one of the best, and classiest organizations in the NFL, respected across the League. The Squire and Gibbs, during that first run, always took care of business on the field, and always played to the most important part of the fan base, the blue collar fan, day in, day out. This entire organization, under Daniel Snyder, has regressed in many ways, from what it was when Cooke and Gibbs ran the show through the 80's.
As for Snyder and his influence on the decisions the Redskins make, I have only this to base my opinion: I grew up about 5 miles away from Daniel Snyder, and went to a rival High School during roughly the same time as him. I've continued to live here to this day. (Rockville, MD), where I'm heavily involved in the business, political and residential community. Since he took the team over, and started all this foolishness that's contributed to the demise of my once-proud franchise that I continue to support, I have made plenty of effort to contact folks I know from that era, and contact others through them, all of whom either went to school with him, knew him then, and/or continue to know him personally, as well as members of the administration, team and coaching staff to get an insight on this fellow. Rather than form a biased, uneducated opinion of him, I have taken it upon myself to educate myself about him, as I just can't bear someone that much ill will without at least basing it on some sound reasearch. Based on what I've learned about Daniel Snyder the individual, HE WAS A TOOL THEN, AND HE'S A TOOL NOW!!!Make no mistake, he has his fingers in every decision that the organization makes, including those made by legendary and loveable icon Coach Joe Gibbs (all honor to his name). Now, that's not necessarily wrong; after all, he's the Owner. It's just since the time he came on board, he's rubbed plenty of respected people within the organization the wrong way, and handled many personal relationship issues with people horribly, and right from the start of his Ownership regime, he made some absolutely atrocious decisions no Owner who claims to have been a fan of the team since childhood would make, both related to personnel, and in his business dealings with the fan base. No one who has followed the team with any honest clarity in the past 10 years can deny that up until the hiring of Gibbs, the franchise was viewed as a laughingstock across the League, and rightly so. I'm a VERY proud fan, and that infuriated me, and still does. I'm happy to say that I'm not the only one who doesn't care for him, among those circles. As a matter of fact, I'm finding myself in some pretty good company!!!
It may appear that he's starting to 'get it', but I think this is almost entirely due to Gibbs' presence, more than any actual 'moment of enlightenment' on his part, so I continue to hold him accountable. He's still far from a 'Man Of The People', however, which I view as one of his biggest faults. I will expand on that later when I have more time, but suffice it to say, in my opinion, he has thrown the true, blue collar fan under the bus since he took over the franchise. Time after time, he continues to stick it to the folks who are probably the most passionate members of the fan base. The one's who now can't afford to go to the games, and spend their money in the sports bars surrounding the Capital Beltway every weekend during football season. Those who's butts should be in seats cheering the team on in person, instead of the 'see and be seen' festival that thinks it's a football game, that only recently changed when they went on that mini-run at the end of last year. The kind of fans that wouldn't be caught dead in a cigar lounge watching the game on TV while AT THE STADIUM, or remain in the beer courts in the concourse trying to get laid well into the 4th quarter, rather than screaming their lungs out and making life hell on the other team's QB. Thanks to Daniel Snyder, that's exactly what the once feared most devastating homefield advantage in the NFL has become. I know, because I was there when in it's heyday, I'm still there now, and it ain't a shadow of what it once was. Congratulations, Chiefs!!! Wear your crown well!!!
This whole Arrington situation is, at it's core, a direct result of the relationship forged between 'then rookie owner' Daniel Snyder and 'then rookie player' Levar Arrington from the moment he was drafted by the Redskins. It wasn't a healthy relationship, for the good of the team, from the start. An Owner and an active player can NEVER have a relationship like Snyder strove to forge between them, without it affecting the team in a negative way. The blame for that lies entirely with Snyder. Lines have to be drawn and there has to be some degree of separation between Ownership and active players. It was a relationship that was in place well before the return of Gibbs, and which, over time, began to deteriorate publicly to the detriment of all parties involved, until it was something that couldn't be ignored or pushed under the rug. Lately, it had the potential to negatively impact the teams' focus and, with it, some chance for progressive success leading ultimately to a Super Bowl.
Of course it was Gibbs' decision to let him go! From a certain perspective, although risky, it was a wise one, that only a Coach of Gibbs caliber could have the sack to make. Gibbs knows as well as anyone how fleeting is the chance to win a Super Bowl, and what kind of sacrifices must be made to achieve that goal. Given the situation, it was, sadly the only correct thing to do. He did the only thing he could to ensure that the current team had the best chance it could to take advantage of a legitimate opportunity for success. Eliminate the problem, re-establish the focus, and move forward.
'Gibbs decision', God bless him, was absolutely a logical and necessary thing to do for the Good Of The Redskins for one reason, and one reason alone: The whole soap opera drama that this thing became was a Grade A # 1 Prime Quality DISTRACTION. It consumed the Fan Base, the Media, Ownership, Management, Coaches, and Players. This team is close, real close, to winning the ultimate prize, and it's window of opportunity is relatively small. They need to focus every possible part of themselves on that goal. The best way to put the kibosh on a distraction is to remove it, and press on. Gibbs is legendary for keeping his teams focused on the ultimate goal. No player or the situation surrounding that player, no matter how good (or bad) of a player, or person, he is, can be bigger than the team or distract it from it's goals, especially when it's ultimate goal, a Championship, is a legitimate possibility.
Are they a better team without LeVar the player? I'd say yes, and no, depending on the perspective. From a personnel standpoint, I'd say 'no'. There are going to be plenty of folks eating crow this season regarding his talent as a player. Outside of maybe Sean Taylor and Marcus Washington, there isn't a player on the defense that has even close to the individual talent and game-changing ability Arrington possesses.
I can't get over how obtuse some of the blinded Redskins fans I encounter are, in regards to this. On plenty of occaisions during practice weeks and pregame warmups this season, when coaches and players were made aware of the fact that they might not have to deal with Levar playing all the snaps on defense, they were absolutely shocked, suprised and positively exuberant! What part of that don't people understand?
The Giants will gladly take the plays he occaisionally 'misses' on in return for the absolute terror he has the ability to strike in opposing offenses. When healthy playing his game, he is one of the few defensive atheletes these days that actually has to be 'game planned' for. The man is a weapon, a beast, who has to be accounted for when he's on the field. One early devastating play by a quality defender like this can effect the mindset of an offensive coordinator and a quarterback for the rest of the game.
I'm going to GUARANTEE that, if healthy, Levar's presence on the Giants is going to bring the 'Big Blue Wrecking Crew' moniker back to that defense. Get ready for some good times, Giants fans. I envy you for that.
Are they a more focused team with a better chance to win a Super Bowl without the distractions the 'Levar situation' brings to the table? I'd say, undoubtably, 'yes'...
? Correct me if I'm wrong, but if he drew a NOLLE PROSEQUI (sp?), which basically means 'case dismissed', on the Aggravated Assault with a Firearm charge, is this not pretty much over and done with, and he's home free?
Oh, and don't forget, the modern NFL game has passed Joe Gibbs by and he should just return to NASCAR before he "sullies his Hall of Fame legacy".
