It’s one thing to challenge the way Dan Snyder runs this organization, but aren’t you’re taking things to a whole different level when you start making it that personal?

Isn’t there an obligation to provide some sort of answer, or at least some type of rationalization, if you’re going to make that kind of defamatory remark?

Is taking a ‘I might know something that you don’t, but can’t tell you’ kind of stance really good enough given the weight of the comments?

At no time did Riggins provide any type of ‘reason’ for why Dan Snyder had a ‘black heart.’ He talked about things that might make him a bad football owner, and in Riggins’ opinion, a bad business person, but at no time did he offer anything that would qualify rationalizing such an assassination of character.

I’m on record as saying that I think this franchise needs wholesale changes from top to bottom, but I don’t profess to know Dan Snyder well enough to judge his character.

I see no evidence that John Riggins has any such knowledge either.

I’m not saying that he doesn’t, but no evidence has been provided.

What I am saying is that, in my opinion, leaving so much to speculation wreaks of sensationalism.

Big John always did like to cast the spotlight firmly on to himself, is this anything more than an extension of that?

Or is his crossing a line, a pre-meditated strategic maneuver? A bold stroke to try and draw the General out on to the battlefield?

For me, the thing about sensationalism, is that if I see it as such… it tends to taint my judgment, and desensitize me to anything further that person says. So I hope that Riggins will keep that in mind, because I know I’m not alone in feeling that way.

Riggins: “That is my take on it….I speak for the fans because these are the people that paid my salary for all these years. They are the ones that need to know that this is a bad guy.”

If he truly wants to act as an agent of the people, then he should think about the weight of that responsibility. This particular fan that he is speaking for, happens to think that open-ended innuendo, accusations, and attacks on character, only serve to exacerbate the problem. There are plenty of real issues to address, and letting personal animosities cloud the monumental task at hand, will serve only as an unneeded distraction.

So John are you speaking for the people, or are you speaking for yourself? If John truly wants the fuel behind a Redskin Revolution to be Diesel, then in my opinion, you have to learn the difference between speaking for Redskin fans because you share some common views, and speaking for Redskin fans because you have facilitated finding out what they really think.

“Linus! You’ve got to lose the blanket! Oh yeah!”

There is one thing that the Redskins have plenty of… and that is retired great running backs who have an opinion. Riggins has joined the pig pile, along with B. Mitch. There seems to be a bit of a competition to see who can contribute the wittiest commentary. That would definitely have to be Riggo… B. Mitch seems to have the bigger bite, though.

I had intended to add some commentary about Chris Samuels… but there’s so much of it, that it seems redundant. I’m very concerned about the state of his health. I’d love to see him back on the field, but it’s much more important that he make the right call for his long term health. Best wishes, big guy.

One thing is clear. If Samuels is down for the season, this team is in very deep trouble. Heyer is a moderately effective pass blocker, but he really has no business starting on the Left side. His ability to run block has never been demonstrated. I can’t imagine how the team will be able to get any semblance of a running game going again… plus, I have a feeling that we are going to lose a lot of Chris Cooley as a receiver, due to a need to keep him in for pass pro. Not good.

We have one last game against a winless team… I have no illusions about it. We cannot count on our offense to score. Our defense must provide excellent field position, and force 3 and outs all game long. That is our best bet to finish with a victory. Realistically, we are about to head into the meat of the schedule. I’m not holding my breath.  Frankly, the outlook is pretty cloudy…

Might as well ride the rest of the year with Zorn, at this point. What would be the point of hiring a caretaker coach? Do this right, this time, Mr. Snyder. Find, and turn the team over to a competent football mind.

There are those who are saying that you are turning into Raider Al. I don’t see it. While lately, the results have been the same, Al had 3 Lombardi Trophies in his case that came under his watch. Al has history. His mind may be fixated on outdated team building philosophies, but at least his philosophies once bore fruit.

Mr. Snyder, it should be abundantly clear to you at this point, neither you, nor your adviser, are able to assemble the organization, the coaches, and the complete package of players needed to ever compete for a Lombardi trophy. Many fans and others have voiced concerns over the potential of exactly this situation you find yourself in with the Offensive Line (I’m ashamed to admit that I was not one of them). They repeatedly warned of the dangers that would result from our lack of depth.

You will, instead, whittle away decades of fan loyalty, the historical and fiscal value of your team… as well as your own credibility as an owner deserving of any respect. The players themselves will see increasing issues with dissatisfaction, fractures in their relationships with each other, and tumbling morale. A losers mind-set will slowly take root. If you want to see what it looks like, there are plenty of examples in the league… Detroit… Cleveland… Oakland… How long has it taken teams like the Jets, Saints, and Cardinals to recover from long term leadership failures?

Hire a GM… Now.  then let him decide what to do with Zorn and Vinnie.

Once that’s done… go to Barbados… for a while. A long while.

Just leave the checkbook… please.

Don’t forget!  B. Mitch Uncensored on Friday, as he previews the KC game. It’s usually on at 1:00PM. To listen live on Friday, call 712-432-8220, and use id 5154.

You can bet he’ll have plenty to say about the line situation, as well as his opinion about what Mr Snyder should consider.  Also, watch for a reminder thread from Brian on Friday morning on THN’s Hogwash forum on our message board.

HTTR…   The ‘mudge

When I think back on my youth as a Washington Redskins fan, I always think first of the Hogs. Joe Gibbs swore by this mantra. He won three Super Bowls by dominating the line of scrimmage, quarterback or running back be damned. John Riggins? Great running back, for sure. His stiff arm of McNeal and trundle down the sideline for the clincher will always be his, but the execution of 70-chip in Super Bowl XVII took all 11 guys.

In Super Bowl XXII, Timmy Smith set a Super Bowl rushing record. Was it because he was such a dominant running back that no Bronco could stop him? No. He had a good game, but the level of success he achieved fell squarely on the shoulders of the Hogs.

Then, in one of the most dominant seasons of any offensive line ever, the Hogs gave up 9 sacks all season long, allowing Mark Rypien, the posse and an excellent committee of running backs to lead our Washington Redskins to their third Super Bowl victory.

Now, here we are in 2009. The offensive line has become an afterthought. Its the position that seems to be the last priority on a team that used to identify itself by its ability to tell the defense where the ball was going and still execute the play. Its the position the Redskins seem content to plug anyone into, so long as it doesn’t interfere with drafting and signing skill players.

I will be the first to admit that I am not a General Manager, nor a scout. What I do know, however, is that there are very few teams in this league that could be consistently successful with the level of line play the Redskins have had in recent years. The Redskins have aging starters, little in the way of experienced depth and no reason for fans to believe that this will change any time soon.

This is a team with a lot of deficiencies, but the game is won and lost in the trenches, and I sincerely hope that this owner and front office start thinking about ways to address this, before they draft another young quarterback and ruin them in the way they have ruined players like Patrick Ramsey and Jason Campbell.