Washington Redskins Blogs at THN

In this morning's edition of the Washington Times, David Elfin published a transcript of an interview he did with Washington Redskins owner Dan Snyder and a corresponding article. While I have issue with some of the things David Elfin writes and was unimpressed with the way he handled the inclusion of fan sites in the 2004 Mini Camp I was lucky enough to attend, this interview gives an interesting insight into how Dan Snyder views himself and the organization in its current state.

Now I've never been one to bash Dan Snyder. I don't think he is always right, and I may question specific decisions that he makes or the processes he employs to make them, but overall, I'm of the opinion that he generally makes them with the best intentions. That being said, there is a specific question and answer in this article that I do have a beef with:

Quote:

Q: How are you doing with your fans? A: All of our (suites and club seats) renewed last year. Our waiting list is over 200,000. You can sign up on the Web site. (Smiles.)

One of the main arguments that "Snyder Bashers" harp on is the way Snyder treats the fans. There was a blog on this very site after fan appreciation day two years ago about how the fans didn't feel very appreciated. Another followed shortly there after, regarding the apparent recycling of $300 jerseys. This comment seems to validate the opinion of those bashers on what we, as fans, mean to the Snyder regime.

Dan, you could have taken this opportunity to reach out to the fans. You could have talked about trying to put the best product out on the field that you can, you could have talked about the upcoming draft day party, or even the Beach Blitz, which I assume will take place in Virginia Beach again this season. Instead, you brought up how many seats you sold and how many people are waiting for seats.

I realize that money is the name of the game. The NFL is a business, first and foremost. I just wish it didn't have to be so evident that you see fans as dollar signs, rather than the lifeblood of this flagship franchise.

Dan Snyder is a Redskin fan through and through. He grew up watching Joe Gibbs. He brought the greatest Redskin coach ever to coach back to us... He opens his check book mercilessly for us! He does it for us! How could you say these blashempous things about Daniel Snyder!?!?! He loves us! It's not the W's that count... W's mean nothing, it's the sweat from his brow and his passion that matters. Lombardi's are nothing, neither is continuity or W's... It's effort and the fact that he's at least trying that makes us champions.

JF you are not a fan. Hand in your jacket and your card.


That being said, I am neither surprised nor alarmed. We've been saying this for years that he's pimping money from the fans. The worst team in the league has a better display unit at their stadium than we do... That says a lot since we're one of the wealthiest teams.

I just laugh at it all.

I'm just thankful that he granted an interview. True, it might not be as revealing as one would want, but, hadn't it been a while since he'd spoken to the media bout the team? (other than at Press conferences)

At least people can vehemently rip him or defend him, with more recent evidence.

Seriously guys, what did you expect him to say really? "Hey just check out the message boards, the fans love me here"?

Dan Snyder hatred has taken on a life of it's own. Many of the members of this board alone have made up their minds that nothing Snyder does will be good enough for them. Some have gone so far as to say "even if we win a Supoerbowl".

I'm relatively sure his mail is sorted in one of two ways. A small rubber-banded bundle from people who support him, and a fork-lifted pallette of hate-mail.

Now of the rubber-banded bundle you have to sort out the butt-kissers hoping for free tickets, or jerseys, etc., so really his only barometer is going to be ticket sales.

I'm not sure about CLL's comment about him displaying his unit at the game...I'm not sure how that helps us to be competetive, but I'm sure if he felt it would make a difference, he'd display his unit at every game.

You don't get to be a billionaire sports franchise owner by caring about other people. Usually you get there by stepping on other people. A large number of them. Old habits appear to be hard to break for both Snyder and for Redskins fans. We continue to pay the ever-increasing prices and Snyder continues to step on people.

I fully expect and accept that he feels that way. I just take exception that he actually admitted it. He's a PR master, yet he makes this kind of statement? He screwed up. I'm just acknowledging that he screwed up.

JansenFan wrote:

I fully expect and accept that he feels that way. I just take exception that he actually admitted it. He's a PR master, yet he makes this kind of statement? He screwed up. I'm just acknowledging that he screwed up.

I'll admit the "Piss On You Little People Waiting In Line To Witness My Kingdom" attitude was a screw-up. But unless those 200,000 Little People on the waiting list all remove their names at once, I doubt it will get Snyder's attention that he "misspoke".

Any chance Ted Leonsis could give Dan Snyder a few lessons on fan etiquette?

I know they have had dinner at each other's houses. I'm guessing that the very nature of their respective teams and leagues creates the neccessity for different approaches.

Bob 0119 wrote:

Seriously guys, what did you expect him to say really? "Hey just check out the message boards, the fans love me here"? Dan Snyder hatred has taken on a life of it's own. Many of the members of this board alone have made up their minds that nothing Snyder does will be good enough for them. Some have gone so far as to say "even if we win a Supoerbowl". I'm relatively sure his mail is sorted in one of two ways. A small rubber-banded bundle from people who support him, and a fork-lifted pallette of hate-mail. Now of the rubber-banded bundle you have to sort out the butt-kissers hoping for free tickets, or jerseys, etc., so really his only barometer is going to be ticket sales. I'm not sure about CLL's comment about him displaying his unit at the game...I'm not sure how that helps us to be competetive, but I'm sure if he felt it would make a difference, he'd display his unit at every game.

I agree. There's a difference between becoming a business mogul and a PR master. I don't really see Snyder as a PR master. He avoids the media and interviews like the plague. He's pretty good at interviewing other people, but not very good at being interviewed himself, in my opinion anyway.

He's a self made billionaire that was able to buy the highest valued and arguably one of the most storied NFL franchises at the age of 34. There's going to be some level of arrogance that comes along with that, it's only human nature.

I agree he could have answered that question differently. Every day, I rethink things I've said and wish I could have said something different. In the heat of the moment, during an interview that we all know he hates giving, he said something that could have been answered differently. It's easy for us to sit around and critique and criticize comments of others. We do that all the time, just listen to the current candidates for president.

Snyder may be cut throat, if you will, in other business adventures, that's the way of the business world in a capitalist society, just ask Trump. But I don't believe Snyder is trying to screw over Redskins fans. His prices are comparable to other stadium prices, I know, I've seen many of them. Just as you or I would do, I genuinely believe he is trying to do his best with this organization.

Has he made some mistakes? Absolutely, as he readily admits that in this interview. But at least he takes the blame, admits mistake, is contrite and makes strides to learn from his mistakes. Not many billionaires in his position would have the disposition to do that.

He mucked up a bit with that comment, but I don't think malice, insult or blind arrogance was intended. Yes, he could have said something different, but we all wish we could have said something different from time to time. I believe the interview itself, was an effort to reach the fans with some level of explanation and to show them he cares about this organization. Whether or not you believe him is certainly your prerogative. For most of us, it's about the uniform and the Burgundy & Gold, not necessarily about a specific player, coach, GM or owner, we have no control over that. To me, it doesn't matter who owns the team, I will love them just the same.

I don't think he needs PR, he told us how he really felt. That's all there is too it. He's not Hillary Clinton, he didn't misspeak. When asked how he is doing with the fans, he said that he's packing the stadium. Fans = money. No mention of appreciation, thanks, gratitude, improvement... Nothing, nada.

It just is what it is.

Dan Snyder:

"Let me start with the free agency. We're always going to be active."

"We're never going to change our philosophy of being aggressive whether it's through trades of draft picks or players."

"H.B. Blades is our fourth linebacker, and we thought we'd be better off with adding another linebacker in the draft than in free agency."

"The backups generally come after the draft."

"We always use our cap space. We'll use it. We'll see what happens in the availability of trades. Our phones are always open. I think we're going to be active."

Be prepared for business as usual at Redskins Park.

GSPODS wrote:

Be prepared for business as usual at Redskins Park.

I'm still waiting. When do you think this "business as usual" will start? We've got to unload all of these draft picks pretty soon, right? Otherwise we'll be forced to draft a bunch of "no-talent" rookies instead of picking up pro-bowlers through the trades. Guess they better hurry. Cincy won't hold on to CJ forever.

Bob 0119 wrote:

GSPODS wrote: Be prepared for business as usual at Redskins Park. I'm still waiting. When do you think this "business as usual" will start? We've got to unload all of these draft picks pretty soon, right? Otherwise we'll be forced to draft a bunch of "no-talent" rookies instead of picking up pro-bowlers through the trades. Guess they better hurry. Cincy won't hold on to CJ forever.

I posted a rumor from Buffalo in another thread that they are not convinced that any of the wide receivers in this draft are worth the #11 pick. I'm not saying it's a definite but I also won't be surprised to hear "The Buffalo Bills have traded the 11th pick in the draft to the Washington Redskins for the 21st pick and (and package deal here)."

I don't expect the Redskins to unload all of their draft picks but I do suspect they will try to move up to guarantee they get "their man." The Redskins know they won't be keeping nine draft selections on the final roster. I'd guess that Vinny would be looking at keeping the second and third round selections but not necessarily the fifth, sixth and seventh round selections.

This is more of a gut feeling than it is based upon anything else. Let's just say that my Spidey Sense is tingling. If the Skins are after the names we think they are after in the first round, I think they'll almost have to move up from #21. I've also noticed that the Skins have been scheduling visits with some prospects who aren't likely to be there at #21, in addition to some who may or may not be there at #21.

I don't see the Redskins trading the farm for Chad Johnson or Anquan Boldin or any other single free agent. Although either would certainly solve the receiver issue, they don't play multiple positions. They would be paying in more ways than cash to make those types of deals.

Maybe they'll prove me wrong and actually stay at #21 and keep all of their draft picks as they are. But I won't believe it until I actually see it.

Bob 0119 wrote:

GSPODS wrote: Be prepared for business as usual at Redskins Park. I'm still waiting. When do you think this "business as usual" will start? We've got to unload all of these draft picks pretty soon, right? Otherwise we'll be forced to draft a bunch of "no-talent" rookies instead of picking up pro-bowlers through the trades. Guess they better hurry. Cincy won't hold on to CJ forever.

Right about now.

GSPODS wrote:

Bob 0119 wrote: GSPODS wrote: Be prepared for business as usual at Redskins Park. I'm still waiting. When do you think this "business as usual" will start? We've got to unload all of these draft picks pretty soon, right? Otherwise we'll be forced to draft a bunch of "no-talent" rookies instead of picking up pro-bowlers through the trades. Guess they better hurry. Cincy won't hold on to CJ forever. Right about now.

Funk show brother check it out now

I thought it was funk soul brother.

JansenFan wrote:

I thought it was funk soul brother.

There are actual lyrics and then there are the words I hear/sing ... they can be quite different

Fios wrote:

JansenFan wrote: I thought it was funk soul brother. There are actual lyrics and then there are the words I hear/sing ... they can be quite different

You have no ears. How can you hear anything?

JansenFan wrote:

I fully expect and accept that he feels that way. I just take exception that he actually admitted it. He's a PR master, yet he makes this kind of statement? He screwed up. I'm just acknowledging that he screwed up.

I think "the Danny" realized his mistake and is now trying to make up for it.

I am at a loss for words after seeing this, and that doesn't happen much.

they had that last season, i had a picture of it on my phone bc I am involved in creating the stadium and campus parking policy for ODU Football, which starts in 2009.

honestly, dan snyder sickens me. after reading john feinstein's account of his interactions with coaches and the media (off the record conversations that somehow end up on the record...) i have lost a lot of respect for danny. what respect i have left for him is that which is required to be a fan, as he does spend money (not always the right way) and brings in a great coach (joe) or solid/good coach (marty) every couple of years. beyond that, in any sense regarding the welfare of the fans instead of the depth of their pocket books, he can jump in a lake.

skinsfano28 wrote:

they had that last season, i had a picture of it on my phone bc I am involved in creating the stadium and campus parking policy for ODU Football, which starts in 2009. honestly, dan snyder sickens me. after reading john feinstein's account of his interactions with coaches and the media (off the record conversations that somehow end up on the record...) i have lost a lot of respect for danny. what respect i have left for him is that which is required to be a fan, as he does spend money (not always the right way) and brings in a great coach (joe) or solid/good coach (marty) every couple of years. beyond that, in any sense regarding the welfare of the fans instead of the depth of their pocket books, he can jump in a lake.

thank you. we agree 100%.

Your Name

Your Comment