ttr77 Posted October 3, 2009 Share Posted October 3, 2009 There is no more popular pro sports owner in Washington than Ted Leonsis today and, miracle of miracles, it has nothing to do with his competition. He isn't embraced for his blow-kisses-to-the-crowd showmanship. Or because he spent his money wisely -- though that has helped. Leonsis is not unanimously liked because he lucked into the most thrill-seeking hockey player in two decades and presided over a playoff team the past two years -- both of which the chairman and majority owner of the Washington Capitals did. It's simpler than that. In somewhat of a novel concept four years ago, Ted Leonsis told the truth. He didn't sell hope. He sold hell, telling an angry and dwindling fan base that the Caps needed to be really bad before they got very good again. Season ticket holders found out, in fact, in a brutally honest letter written by Leonsis. "Of course it was a gamble, because we had a team with brand-name players that fans thought they loved but in hindsight were just familiar to them," Leonsis said. "I said, 'You're going to hate this plan. This is a very hard message for you to internalize. But if you are patient with us, this is the only way we're going to compete for the Cup.' " Click link for rest... http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/10/02/AR2009100204624.html And this is my problem with the Skins ownership. Every year we are told that this team is THIS close to winning...when they have been an average-at-best team for over a decade. Do you think Dan would ever be willing to focus on building a young team that can have sustainable success, and ADMIT it beforehand? I'm aware that hockey and football have a lot of differences - especially in having a minor league system - but the concept of starting young players and watching them grow can be done in ANY sport. The Skins continue to bury their young player on the depth chart all because we are told that the team can win big with playing the vets. By the time the young guys are actually playing, they are likely in Year 3 of their rookie contract and it's about to expire. As Leonsis stated in the article: "It is very sobering and painful when you look in the mirror and don't like what you see," Leonsis said. "It's easier to go down the 'We're-one-player-away' path. But when you come to that clarity, 'Can this team win a championship?' And if your answer is, 'No,' then you have to do something." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dockeryfan Posted October 3, 2009 Share Posted October 3, 2009 I don't think Snyder is capable of looking in the mirror and not liking what he sees. He strikes me as the kid that always believed he was good looking because his mommy told him over and over. Little bit of a break with reality. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redskins59 Posted October 3, 2009 Share Posted October 3, 2009 This isn't happening with Snyder at the helm, period. As GM stated, Snyder makes all the splashy hires. That simply doesn't work. You need to draft players and allow them to grow. And if the team is good enough to get to the playoffs every single year, only then should you spice it up with blockbuster free agent signings. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WSHRedskins3ATLBraves3 Posted October 3, 2009 Share Posted October 3, 2009 The problem is Snyder will never buy into this (or at least he never has). He'll continue to try to patch together teams to try to get another 10-6 season with a wild card berth. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ACW Posted October 3, 2009 Share Posted October 3, 2009 Good piece. The bad thing is it now makes is basically impossible for non season tix holders to go to a game; those prices have gone up too Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CrypticVillain Posted October 3, 2009 Share Posted October 3, 2009 Anybody ever get lost driving in DC. You think you know what street your going to, so it is going to be a 10 minute drive and everything is going to be easy. Then the street you was about to turn on was a one way so you have to turn down the next street. But the street starts to slant so it is not going in the order it was at first. Then you go on a roundabout and missed the exit you was suppose to take. So now instead of a 10 minute drive, it turned into like a 35 minute drive......:doh: That is what the Redskins did after having good season in 1999 and 2005. Instead of finding SOMEONE WHO KNEW where they was going. We are trusting the driver of our car (Snyder) and he is just confused as anybody. Now instead of being a contending team we are again the laughing stock of the league. We turned a two year project into a 5 year nightmare. Ted Leonsis asked for help. He knew what he was doing was going to get him lost. So he stopped, thought about where he was going, asked for directions, and let his passengers know that they will be in for a bumpy ride, but the destination will be worth it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
20April1980 Posted October 3, 2009 Share Posted October 3, 2009 This is what Marty was going to do. Only move Snyder has ever made that truly made me angry was firing Marty. Nothing surprises me anymore with this FO. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redskins Diehard Posted October 3, 2009 Share Posted October 3, 2009 This continuous comparison between Leonsis and Snyder is getting so old. So let the Redskins "blow" up their team and start over...using the draft. Does anyone really think the Skins should aim for the number 1 overall pick in the draft over consecutive years? What kind of player in the NFL can completely turn around a team and dominate a game like Ovie can? I love the Caps and think they have the best shot at bringing a championship to DC. But building a hockey team and building a football team are 2 different things. And while excitement is high around DC right now for the Caps....lets not forget that they have one the football equivalent of 1 playoff game so far(equating a hockey series with a football game). And it won't be long before some real decisions will have to be made about holding the nucleus of this great young team together. We'll see how long they stay together with the cap down the line. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ttr77 Posted October 3, 2009 Author Share Posted October 3, 2009 This continuous comparison between Leonsis and Snyder is getting so old. And this is why I stated that this is not a comparison between football and hockey. Its a question about whether an owner is able to admit that things aren't working, and drastically change philosophies while admitting doing so, even if it means a couple of down years. This is true in football, hockey, basketball, your local restaurant, the pottery store on the corner, or ANY type of business. When things aren't working, sometimes its wise to admit it to your customers while making the changes to fix it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Riggo-toni Posted October 3, 2009 Share Posted October 3, 2009 This is what Marty was going to do. Only move Snyder has ever made that truly made me angry was firing Marty. Nothing surprises me anymore with this FO. Only move Syder made that made me truly angry was hiring that loser in the first place. What makes you think Schotferbrains would've turned the team around given what a putrid job he did w/ personnel? I'd rather have Cerrato with all his flaws run a draft than Schothead. Rod Gardner ring a bell? Mario Monds? Cutting Larry Centers? Giving big contracts to Donnell Bennett and Kevin Lockett? Passing over Trent Dilfer to sign Tony Banks?:chair: How about Jimmy Raye calling for a handoff to KJ Carter on 3rd and 8? How about Marty going 4-12 his second season in SD, despite LT having a career year? or his 1st season in SD's 2nd half collapse (which bears strong resemblance to Zorn's 1st year here). How about being given the absolute best roster in the NFL, and still not being able to win a playoff game? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ACW Posted October 3, 2009 Share Posted October 3, 2009 This continuous comparison between Leonsis and Snyder is getting so old. So let the Redskins "blow" up their team and start over...using the draft.It'd be nice if they actually DID that. And sure, getting Ovi was a godsend, but even without that, we've mainly built our team through the draft and haven't blown are money on free agents (Nylander being an exception; Fedorov and Kozlov worked out). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redskins Diehard Posted October 3, 2009 Share Posted October 3, 2009 And this is why I stated that this is not a comparison between football and hockey. Its a question about whether an owner is able to admit that things aren't working, and drastically change philosophies while admitting doing so, even if it means a couple of down years.This is true in football, hockey, basketball, your local restaurant, the pottery store on the corner, or ANY type of business. When things aren't working, sometimes its wise to admit it to your customers while making the changes to fix it. You don't think going from Spurrier to Gibbs was a drastic change in philosophies? Or going from Gibbs to Zorn was a drastic change in philosophies? Is your issue with what Snyder does or how he does it? Everyone talks about the big name free agent "failures". Nobody talks about London Fletcher. Everyone talks about letting home grown talent getting away. Nobody talks about locking up Chris Cooley or getting Dockery back at a much more reasonable price. I think he has changed his philosophy plenty of times. In fact, I think in the case of Snyder everyone says he actually has changed his philosophy too many times. He can't win...until he wins. (And gives away free beer at home games. And fixes the traffic on the beltway) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redskins Diehard Posted October 3, 2009 Share Posted October 3, 2009 It'd be nice if they actually DID that. And sure, getting Ovi was a godsend, but even without that, we've mainly built our team through the draft and haven't blown are money on free agents (Nylander being an exception; Fedorov and Kozlov worked out). You can't do that in football. That is the point. Who is the one player that came out this year in the draft and will have the impact on their team that Ovi had on his team? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
@DCGoldPants Posted October 3, 2009 Share Posted October 3, 2009 I don't think its getting old at all. I think it should be looked at yearly to show how franchises in different sports can go in different directions. Its not about aiming for the 1st overall pick. Its about looking at your franchise and doing what's needed for the long run. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redskins Diehard Posted October 3, 2009 Share Posted October 3, 2009 Its also about getting a little lucky...or unlucky. Caps finish with the third worst record. Win the draft lottery and end up with the first overall pick being one of the best since Gretzky. They don't win the lottery and they get Cam Barker. Do you think history turns out the same? Defensive secondary of Taylor and Landry....defensive secondary of Doughty and Landry. Which defense is better? Leonsis took a risk and it turned out great. He deserves credit for a winning team and more importantly and exciting team. Not all of that was skill. And...they haven't won anything yet. The realities of the 2 sports, and the 2 leagues is just too different to say "Leonsis blew up the team and now has a winner....Snyder should be doing the same" The Lerners have taken the same approach as Leonsis and got the pitcher of a generation this year in the draft. I wonder if they will be contending for a title next year...or the year after. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thirtyfive2seven Posted October 3, 2009 Share Posted October 3, 2009 I wish Danny would wake up and hire a real GM so we could build a team from scratch but that ain't going to happen. How many of you would be comfortable with VINNY with all the draft picks starting over from ground zero? Picture this as an expansion team. Would you want Vinny and Danny calling the shots? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZEPHEAD Posted October 3, 2009 Share Posted October 3, 2009 Only move Syder made that made me truly angry was hiring that loser in the first place. What makes you think Schotferbrains would've turned the team around given what a putrid job he did w/ personnel? I'd rather have Cerrato with all his flaws run a draft than Schothead. Rod Gardner ring a bell? Mario Monds? Cutting Larry Centers? Giving big contracts to Donnell Bennett and Kevin Lockett? Passing over Trent Dilfer to sign Tony Banks?:chair:How about Jimmy Raye calling for a handoff to KJ Carter on 3rd and 8? How about Marty going 4-12 his second season in SD, despite LT having a career year? or his 1st season in SD's 2nd half collapse (which bears strong resemblance to Zorn's 1st year here). How about being given the absolute best roster in the NFL, and still not being able to win a playoff game? He started out 0-5 and then went 8-3 with Tony Banks at QB. TONY BANKS!!!!! He got us under the Cap. He treated every player the same and the primadonnas on those teams hated it. Marty knew it was hard work and dedication that won. Marty was fired 2 years to soon. As the Chargers coach was it his fault that they had the Pats beat and his WR allowed the Pats to take the ball from him? Was it his fault that Byner fumbled at the goal line against the Broncos? The roster he had was terrible. He had Tony Banks and Jeff George as QBs. Stephen Davis as RB (Good, Marty likes to run the ball, but his backup was Carter. WR were Westbrook and Gardner. Bruce Smith led the team with 5 sacks then cam Marco Coleman with 4.5, Kenard Lang with 4 and Big Daddy with 4. Marty had this team going in the right direction and Snyder pulled it out from under us and brought in the Ole Ball Coach. Thatb set us back again. Spurrier wasn't gonna say anything to Snyder. Marty knew what had to be done and Snyder hated it. Another stupid, stupid move among many stupid, stupid moves from Snyder Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ouvan59 Posted October 3, 2009 Share Posted October 3, 2009 You can't do that in football. That is the point. Who is the one player that came out this year in the draft and will have the impact on their team that Ovi had on his team? Nobody. Plus people forget that Caps fans were ready to run Leonsis out on a rail. They didn't just accept it because he told the truth. The reason Leonsis is loved is because it eventually worked and a lot of that had to do with them lucking into Ovechkin. Now, they did make a lot of really good moves along the way but just telling the truth isn't going to make you loved. Winning makes you loved. JKC was a flaming arsehole but we won so his "eccentricities" were overlooked and he is still beloved today. But Leonsis also does a tremendous job connecting with fans and the media and that goes a long way. But make no mistake, if the Caps were still losing he would be lumped in with our other "crappy owners". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scruffylookin Posted October 3, 2009 Share Posted October 3, 2009 He started out 0-5 and then went 8-3 with Tony Banks at QB. TONY BANKS!!!!! He got us under the Cap. He treated every player the same and the primadonnas on those teams hated it. Marty knew it was hard work and dedication that won. Marty was fired 2 years to soon. As the Chargers coach was it his fault that they had the Pats beat and his WR allowed the Pats to take the ball from him? Was it his fault that Byner fumbled at the goal line against the Broncos?The roster he had was terrible. He had Tony Banks and Jeff George as QBs. Stephen Davis as RB (Good, Marty likes to run the ball, but his backup was Carter. WR were Westbrook and Gardner. Bruce Smith led the team with 5 sacks then cam Marco Coleman with 4.5, Kenard Lang with 4 and Big Daddy with 4. Marty had this team going in the right direction and Snyder pulled it out from under us and brought in the Ole Ball Coach. Thatb set us back again. Spurrier wasn't gonna say anything to Snyder. Marty knew what had to be done and Snyder hated it. Another stupid, stupid move among many stupid, stupid moves from Snyder Absolutely correct. There is zero doubt, none, nadda, zippy that the Redskins would have been a more successful franchise these last 7 seasons if we kept Marty and let him continue to mold this franchise than the crap (yes senstive types this includes Gibbslite) we've been fed. Rod Gardner appeared like a pretty damn good pick at the time. He was progressing nicely until Gibbs got here. And for all the crap Rod Gardner gets, he still was a better receiver than anyone we've brought in here since Marty not named Lavernanues Coles or Santana Moss. Goof on Rod and Marty's pick of him all you want, I'll take Gardner over Patton/Lloyd/ARE/Thomas/Kelly combined. Fred Smoot was a great pick. Rookie free agents Ifeanyi Ohalete wasn't too bad nor was Kenny Watson (the guy who outplayed 2nd round pick Ladell Betts in 2002) and don't forget Antonio Pierce was a Marty find. That of course doesn't mean we would have been a Super Bowl team necessarily, Marty does have a snakebit history. But we would have been a hell of alot better than being left with Snyder, Gibbs and Cerrato running the franchise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FlaSk1nsfan Posted October 3, 2009 Share Posted October 3, 2009 There is no more popular pro sports owner in Washington than Ted Leonsis today and, miracle of miracles, it has nothing to do with his competition.He isn't embraced for his blow-kisses-to-the-crowd showmanship. Or because he spent his money wisely -- though that has helped. Leonsis is not unanimously liked because he lucked into the most thrill-seeking hockey player in two decades and presided over a playoff team the past two years -- both of which the chairman and majority owner of the Washington Capitals did. It's simpler than that. In somewhat of a novel concept four years ago, Ted Leonsis told the truth. He didn't sell hope. He sold hell, telling an angry and dwindling fan base that the Caps needed to be really bad before they got very good again. Season ticket holders found out, in fact, in a brutally honest letter written by Leonsis. "Of course it was a gamble, because we had a team with brand-name players that fans thought they loved but in hindsight were just familiar to them," Leonsis said. "I said, 'You're going to hate this plan. This is a very hard message for you to internalize. But if you are patient with us, this is the only way we're going to compete for the Cup.' " Click link for rest... http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/10/02/AR2009100204624.html And this is my problem with the Skins ownership. Every year we are told that this team is THIS close to winning...when they have been an average-at-best team for over a decade. Do you think Dan would ever be willing to focus on building a young team that can have sustainable success, and ADMIT it beforehand? I'm aware that hockey and football have a lot of differences - especially in having a minor league system - but the concept of starting young players and watching them grow can be done in ANY sport. The Skins continue to bury their young player on the depth chart all because we are told that the team can win big with playing the vets. By the time the young guys are actually playing, they are likely in Year 3 of their rookie contract and it's about to expire. As Leonsis stated in the article: "It is very sobering and painful when you look in the mirror and don't like what you see," Leonsis said. "It's easier to go down the 'We're-one-player-away' path. But when you come to that clarity, 'Can this team win a championship?' And if your answer is, 'No,' then you have to do something." GREAT TOPIC!!! I am a HUGE caps fan. May like them as much as the skins if that is possible cause as much as I hate the skins I love them 10 times more and thats a lot considering how much I hate them right now. I was up in arms when Ted did the purge. But the diff is he has always been a great owner and good to the fans. So I trusted him when he asked and realized I could be a fan of a team that wins but cant ever get to the next level or a team that wins and will get to the next level. The product we have now is great. Yes they still need a few more pieces to complete the puzzle and thats a good D but they will get there and I know well have a cup in DC in the next 6 years or less. Danny has been a scum bag from day one so who knows. He is too ego driven to admit he was wrong or change anything. So sad as it is I have accepted our team sucks, will always suck and isnt worth a **** until Danny dies, or sells the team. Funny thing is the most dangerous thing to Dannys fan base isnt the skins losing, it will be the caps winning. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Warhead36 Posted October 3, 2009 Share Posted October 3, 2009 Good article. I think Skins fans would be okay with a total rebuild. With the cap possibly going away in 2010 it would be a great time to purge the roster of overpaid vets and start from scratch. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redskins Diehard Posted October 3, 2009 Share Posted October 3, 2009 So who is ready to pat the Lerners on the back for doing the same thing with the Nationals? Build through the draft(selecting the best pitcher in memory) Ignoring high priced free agents Developing a farm system And telling the fans we are going to stink for a while while we rebuild. They have taken the same approach as the Caps. Are we ready to say that is the way to run a franchise? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GOSKINS350 Posted October 3, 2009 Share Posted October 3, 2009 GREAT TOPIC!!! I am a HUGE caps fan. May like them as much as the skins if that is possible cause as much as I hate the skins I love them 10 times more and thats a lot considering how much I hate them right now. This comment just blew my mind. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZEPHEAD Posted October 3, 2009 Share Posted October 3, 2009 Nobody. Plus people forget that Caps fans were ready to run Leonsis out on a rail. They didn't just accept it because he told the truth. The reason Leonsis is loved is because it eventually worked and a lot of that had to do with them lucking into Ovechkin. Now, they did make a lot of really good moves along the way but just telling the truth isn't going to make you loved. Winning makes you loved. JKC was a flaming arsehole but we won so his "eccentricities" were overlooked and he is still beloved today. But Leonsis also does a tremendous job connecting with fans and the media and that goes a long way. But make no mistake, if the Caps were still losing he would be lumped in with our other "crappy owners". I've been a fan of the Caps since 1981. I've been a season ticket holder for 7 years. I was there when there were 6 thousand fans in the seats. I was there when we would be over run at home by Flyer fans, Sabre fans, Pens fans and Ranger fans. We got angery with Ted (who e-mails and talks with fans all the time) when he tried to buy a championship with the Jagr and Lang signings. Fans told him to do it the Red wings way, through the draft. Build the farm team He learned. The one thing we love about Ted is, he learned from his mistakes. He blew it up and told us he was going to blow it up. JKC might have been a flaming arsehole, but he turned the team over to football people. He only got involved when Gibbs and Beathard couldn't agree. Ted ended up doing the same thing and with McPhee. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZEPHEAD Posted October 3, 2009 Share Posted October 3, 2009 So who is ready to pat the Lerners on the back for doing the same thing with the Nationals? Build through the draft(selecting the best pitcher in memory) Ignoring high priced free agents Developing a farm system And telling the fans we are going to stink for a while while we rebuild. They have taken the same approach as the Caps. Are we ready to say that is the way to run a franchise? When you blow it up, it takes time. Yes, the best way to run a franchise that has farm teams i.e. baseball and hockey is to build up the farm teams, those players enventually come to the pro team and then add the little pieces of need through free agency. In football you build the O-Line and D-Line. Not one starter on the Skins D-Line was drafted by them. They completely ignore the O-Line. Snyders way of building a team has NOT worked, but he continues to do it his way. The O-Line going into this year was old and banged up and what happens, Randy goes down. was that a shocker? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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