Shutdown Corner - NFL

I apologize, Redskins fans. I'm really not trying to pile on your team here, but the shots at owner Dan Snyder just keep coming, and they're landing too squarely to ignore. This time, it's John Riggins's turn, and he's going for the jugular.

"This is almost a hostage situation. This franchise has been taken hostage by someone who has the mindset of a child. Because everything revolves around them, and it's going to be difficult until that mental adjustment is made; that adjustment in personality. But that's going to be a lot of sessions on the couch with somebody."

If you missed some of the earlier festivities from Kick Daniel Snyder Where It Hurts Week, check out these comments from John Kent Cooke, and these from Steve Largent. The last 48 hours have had to be pretty tough for Dan Snyder.

One odd little thing about the situation in Washington is that Jim Zorn's become almost sort of a martyr now. If Snyder had fired him two weeks ago, public sentiment would've been, "Good, that guy's a loser. Wait until the off-season when we get some big name coach in here!"

But by waiting, and then bringing in Sherm Lewis to take away his playcalling duties (or, as Riggo describes the process, "castrating Zorn, one teste at a time"), Snyder's turned Zorn into a sympathetic figure. Over the last week or so, it really feels like the hatred has shifted significantly from Zorn to Snyder. 

Riggo did it in his radio spot, and Largent and the host of he show in Seattle did it yesterday: The feeling for Zorn right now is sympathy. The feeling for Snyder seems to be universal, intense contempt.

Gracias, The Huddle.

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  1. melvin h
    1. Posted by melvin h Thu Oct 22, 2009 10:41 am EDT

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    is about time i have no problem with what riggins is saying
  2. Robert C
    2. Posted by Robert C Thu Oct 22, 2009 11:07 am EDT

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    Face it, if the Troll loved this team as much as he claims to, we as fans would not be going thru this...
  3. Phil M
    3. Posted by Phil M Thu Oct 22, 2009 11:07 am EDT

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    Daniel Snyder, like Jerry Jones and Al Davis, thinks he knows best how to run his organization. They do though, they know how to turn a profit. The problem is that in the NFL profit isn't what your paying customers want, they want WINS.
    Profit does not equal wins...
  4. Will
    4. Posted by Will Thu Oct 22, 2009 11:09 am EDT

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    "If Snyder had fired him two weeks ago, public sentiment would've been, "Good, that guy's a loser. Wait until the off-season when we get some big name coach in here!" "
    Nope. We the fans have known for years that there is a deeper rooted problem that is called Snyderrato. We know we can't get rid of Snyder, so we hope, scream, yell and write to fire Cerrato. We knew before Zorn was HC that the front office was going to make it hard on any coach. Zorn hasn't been able to overcome the personnel problems, but who could? We won't know what he could do with a decent roster.
  5. Brett P
    5. Posted by Brett P Thu Oct 22, 2009 11:15 am EDT

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    I love Riggo!!! He is spot on about Snyder. A little too tough on Zornie, though....
  6. RMB
    6. Posted by RMB Thu Oct 22, 2009 11:34 am EDT

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    Zorn is NOT the problem. He might be the savior. What Zorn has done is put a spotlight on what the problems are with this team: No depth at Offensive line and no QB. Too Many players who cannot play and too many overpaid Premadonnas.
    This is ALL of Cerratos mess. He pushed to hire a WCO( West Coast Offense) coach and he pretty much blew an entire draft in order to draft receivers for that system (has anyone mentioned we could have picked up at least 2 offensive linemen with those pick??). The problem has Cerratos fingerprints all over it. When Gibbs retired, he left a team that had just went to the playoffs, and rather than keep continuity and hire the man Gibbs picked for the job, he hires a coach with a totally different offensive system. So this is Cerratos mess and he is the one who needs to accept the blame.
    Fans are now fed up with management and you cannot ever give away tickets. I will bet you that unless Cerrato is fired, alot of fed up season ticket holders will not be renewing next year.
  7. sam spade
    7. Posted by sam spade Thu Oct 22, 2009 11:44 am EDT

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    If you could show this guy in his Mohawk or any of the other outrageous things that Riggins has said or done; you'd know that these comments are the comments of an old fool who does not remember his past transgressions.
  8. Joey
    8. Posted by Joey Thu Oct 22, 2009 11:55 am EDT

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    I don't have a lot of good things to say about Zorn, but I do sympathize with what he has to deal with. I mean let's be honest, manditory castration was the requirement from day one for Zorn.The real problem is you won't see Vinny fired UNTIL the season ticket holders start dropping like flies, which will be a slow and painful process.
  9. killianskid34
    9. Posted by killianskid34 Thu Oct 22, 2009 11:55 am EDT

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    Yo Sam Spade: you must be Snyder's gardener or something. Only someone associated with Snyder at this point would use the old Snyderist approach: trash the messenger. Everyone has seen that for what it is...that is, everyone except you. Snyder is evil, and you are taking blood money every time you prune his shrubs.
  10. Scott E
    10. Posted by Scott E Thu Oct 22, 2009 11:59 am EDT

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    Check Monday night to see if the boy has taken Riggo out of the Ring of Fame at Fedex. Just like him to do it.
  11. Scott E
    11. Posted by Scott E Thu Oct 22, 2009 12:03 pm EDT

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    Keep piling on, MJD. Only by continuous exposure will we finally be rid of this blight.
  12. FairlyHonestBob
    12. Posted by FairlyHonestBob Thu Oct 22, 2009 12:04 pm EDT

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    Nice school girl OMG photo. I heard the whole rant on the Rome show the other day. Pretty harsh. Riggins was a hard nosed player who usually took about three defenders to stop. He would have had a tough time putting up with the Snyder circus today.
  13. recatejr
    13. Posted by recatejr Thu Oct 22, 2009 12:04 pm EDT

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    sam spade huh? is that you danny boy? or my vinny bada bing cerrato? Riggins is at least being honest and up front whereas Snyder and Cerrato are silent while Rome burns. Riggo is a colorful figure who doesnt claim to be a coach or GM but he (and ALL of DC) knows when the wagon is comin off the track as well as losing all the wheels. Riggins is a Hall of Fame running back and successful commentator who is a legend in DC and he is not alone as the elder legend of the team, Sonny Jurgensen is saying the same things and everyone I know believes the two boys are ruining a once proud franchise one day at a time. So, the next time you are inclined to call someone a fool, start in the mirror.
  14. Larry
    14. Posted by Larry Thu Oct 22, 2009 12:10 pm EDT

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    Jock sniffing nerd, pure and simple.
  15. smutsboy
    15. Posted by smutsboy Thu Oct 22, 2009 12:13 pm EDT

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    Riggo said many truths, as did John Kent Cooke and Steve Largent.
    Snyder deserves to face the truth, one ex-NFL'er at a time.
  16. love4guitars
    16. Posted by love4guitars Thu Oct 22, 2009 12:29 pm EDT

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    Make Riggo the GM!!!! Hell, why not Head Coach too? Thanks for saying what NEEDS to be said so badly!!!
  17. AJAX
    17. Posted by AJAX Thu Oct 22, 2009 12:48 pm EDT

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    Dan Snyder is an awful Owner. He has one option to win back SOME of the hate, and that is to fire his long time pal Vinnie Cerrato as GM. Cerrato is the worst GM ever. If Dan Fired Cerrato and brought in a real GM it would calm down some of the contempt. some.
  18. Josh D
    18. Posted by Josh D Thu Oct 22, 2009 12:49 pm EDT

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    Snyder has to get it sooner or later, right? I mean he's clearly been hated for a decade, but its never been this bad. Just think of how much of a non-factor the Skins are, and how much they are still making headlines b/c of how much of a joke they've become. Once he tries to get a Cowher, Shannahan or Holmgren and they all demand control of the personnel, he has to realize that he has to give it up right? RIGHT???? FOR THE LOVE OF GOD, PLEASE!
    Hail Ineptitude!
  19. Steve
    19. Posted by Steve Thu Oct 22, 2009 1:09 pm EDT

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    Truth: Fan rebellion is the only language Danzo the Clown will ever understand. And yet, how sad is this: Born and raised in DC - right in town, near the zoo... living in NYC for over a decade... watched the village idiot win the lottery by acquiring our beloved Redskins... now watching the jerk blow apart a cherished franchise... yet I STILL can't get myself to like the Giants or Jets! When will I learn? Can someone help me with a spark of optimism? Please? I'm grinding my teeth down to the nubs with every Cowboys, Giants & Eagles win.
  20. BJ
    20. Posted by BJ Thu Oct 22, 2009 1:12 pm EDT

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    If d.snyder wants to play football guru let him buy a fantasy team and when he screws that up he will just hurt himself and not redskin fans or the NFL.
  21. big robb
    21. Posted by big robb Thu Oct 22, 2009 1:21 pm EDT

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    Dear riggo, you forgot to physically kick this fellow in the 'nads, or at least hoist the small joker by the petard up a barbed or concertina wired pole!
  22. eric cartman
    22. Posted by eric cartman Thu Oct 22, 2009 1:31 pm EDT

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    snyder..listen to riggins..listen to jurgenson..get zorn out..now..just that picture is enough to fire him on..
  23. sam spade
    23. Posted by sam spade Thu Oct 22, 2009 1:48 pm EDT

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    You're as much as fool as Riggens. I don't support or like Dan Snyder. I wish he would sell the team so that Redskins fan and the proud franchise it is; can return to greatness. However, if you are not old enough to remember this fool; I just reminded you. If you get a chance to see some old NFL Films work of him; you'll see what i mean. John Riggens is a goof ball. it's only in recent years that people have forgotten his transgression. How old are you guys? Were any of you born before 1972?
  24. Y.U.I. Otta
    24. Posted by Y.U.I. Otta Thu Oct 22, 2009 1:55 pm EDT

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    Riggins is dead right.
  25. Donald S
    25. Posted by Donald S Thu Oct 22, 2009 1:57 pm EDT

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    The buck starts at the top fire vinny and then yourself.

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