Redskins’ fans brace for Snyder’s next storyline

By Hugo Guzman  |   Thursday, February 28, 2008  |  Comments( 0 )

Washington Redskins
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A couple of things happened this week that are uncommon from a sports publicity standpoint in Washington D.C. The NHL's Capitals and NBA's Wizards made bigger news than the NFL's Redskins.

Of course, credit should be given where credit is due; the Caps and Wiz deserve some for a change. When it comes to sports news in the nation's capital, every team takes a backseat to the beloved Redskins, even during football's offseason. But for three days this week, the Redskins deservedly played second fiddle.

It all started on Tuesday when a Wizards story was featured on the front page of the Washington Post's sports section. Thanks to DeShawn Stephenson's career-high 33 points, the Wiz won on the road in New Orleans. In the meantime, the Redskins were literally shut out by the paper, without a single word printed about the team.

One day later, the Capitals made a colorful splash on the front page after a trade-deadline maneuver that improved their chances of making the postseason. This time, the Redskins made it in the paper, but they were left with a blurb on page four.

Can you imagine the reaction by Redskins owner Daniel Snyder when he noticed this? He probably stormed down the hall to scold members of his media team. And if there are employment openings next week on the Redskins' Web site, you'll know why.

I don't wish to insult the owner any more than he already has been. But it is stunning when his team goes silent. It is also frustrating when he attempts to make headlines when there is little to report.

The one person comparable to Snyder in his heyday was New York Yankees owner George Steinbrenner. If the New York Mets dared to make local news, George was on the phone in a heartbeat, trying to one-up them. The same can be said of the Yankees' continuing efforts to outspend the Boston Red Sox.

Steinbrenner and Snyder have succeeded at keeping the media's attention. Money talks and they're both full of it. But every dog has its day and for a brief moment, the Capitals and Wizards relished in it.

The Caps captured some newfound fame when they proudly announced the acquisition of three players, including goaltender Cristobal Huet from Montreal and forward Sergei Fedorov from Columbus. The news was huge for Washington fans because Huet is among the conference's top goalies and Fedorov won three Stanley Cups when he previously played in Detroit.

Snyder feebly countered the Capitals' news with what was largely regarded as a foregone conclusion. He cut Brandon Lloyd. Although it served as breaking news for Redskins.com, the release was picked up late by a number of media organizations.

In dismissing the unproductive and embattled receiver, Snyder acknowledged what amounted to be an expensive mistake. The former San Francisco 49er never lived up to his hype, labored in Joe Gibbs' doghouse and was put out to pasture after breaking his collarbone in November. In two tumultuous years with the Redskins, Lloyd totaled 25 catches for a meager 378 yards and no touchdowns. Snyder should be ashamed of the output because Lloyd cost the team third- and fourth-round draft picks in 2006.

On Thursday, the Post unveiled what normally would be big news for the Redskins. Apparently, Snyder is working hard to reinvent himself and ordered Vinny Cerrato to spread the word. The team's executive vice president did his best to put the spin on Snyder's plans, but his story was hard to believe. Cerrato reportedly said the Redskins will be passive in free agency and will instead focus on developing the young talent that is already on the team.

Snyder probably thought this bombshell would snare back the spotlight from Washington's other franchises, but it failed to do so. Instead, the Wizards revealed bad news about forward Caron Butler, who will miss the rest of the season with a torn labrum in his hip. The announcement made the front page of the Post sports page, along with Georgetown basketball and a feel-good story about Nationals first baseman Nick Johnson, who is making his return to the diamond after a severe leg injury. Meanwhile, the Redskins were demoted again to page eight.

Snyder's newfound patience will be tested on Friday, when the free-agent and trade markets open in earnest. And no matter what he chooses to do, the news will be all over Saturday's Post.

It is no secret that Snyder covets a tall, elite receiver to take pressure off young quarterback Jason Campbell and his bevy of miniature wideouts. But he probably will have to send a Brinks truck to New England to wrestle away Randy Moss.

So get your popcorn ready because free-agent signing time is "prime time" for Daniel Snyder. He may try to change his self-image by shelling out big bucks for one guy instead of five. But we'll believe it when we see it. Until then, there's a weekend of work to do, then the draft, training camp and the preseason.

So don't be fooled by the Wiz and Caps or by the brand-new ballpark of the hometown Nats. At the beginning and end of each day, there's only one team in town that demands front-page center. It's a place of entitlement that Redskins fans are used to. And as long as Snyder owns the team, it's a place where he believes they belong.
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About Hugo Guzman

Co-founder of RealFootball365.com. Born in Argentina, of Dominican descent, living in Hoboken, but from Miami through and ...
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