VA Pilot:Spurrier and Snyder have created a laughingstock

[TK]

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Spurrier and Snyder have created a laughingstock

The Virginian-Pilot

© November 4, 2003

A thoughtful reader e-mailed the paper Monday, suggesting a line of inquiry we may want to pursue.

“Can Steve Spurrier be charged with attempted homicide of Patrick Ramsey?’’ the e-mailer asked.

“Can Dan Snyder be indicted ... as a conspirator?”

It’s true that what Spurrier and Snyder have teamed up to do to the Redskins is almost criminal. Don’t think so? Wait until Spurrier’s next news conference is shown on Court TV.

Spurrier and Snyder would be mincemeat before Judge Judy. Putting them on the docket would be like watching Ramsey try to stay on his feet in the pocket. Ugly, in other words.

A Washington lawyer might be able to get them a reduced sentence, but as co-conspirators in the demise of a franchise, Spurrier and Snyder are clearly guilty of one thing: They’ve created a laughingstock.

The Redskins are a team “that fumbles and stumbles and bumbles around,” Sonny Jurgensen, a potential witness for the prosecution, said on radio after Sunday’s loss to the Cowboys, the Skins’ fourth defeat in a row.

The thing is, as bad as they’ve been, the Redskins are not the NFL’s biggest disappointment. The 2-6 Steelers, of whom much was expected, are. Or perhaps that designation falls to the Bucs, the defending Super Bowl champions who idle at 4-4.

The Redskins are not even the worst team. San Diego, Jacksonville, Atlanta, Oakland and Detroit vie for that dubious achievement.

The Skins are something else, something entirely unique. The way they play, the way they lose while squandering opportunity and talent, has turned them into a punch line, an object of ridicule on national TV.

“This looks like a group,” Fox analyst Troy Aikman was saying during the Skins-Cowboys game, “that does not spend a lot of time during the course of the week preparing for what they’re going to see on Sunday.”

There’s your indictment.

Remember all those free agents Snyder brought in this year? All the money he spent? Snyder believes you can spend your way out of any problem.

The owner who wants everybody to know how smart and involved he is has been paying $5 million a year for a coach who is being accused of not having his team ready to play.

“Time after time, game after game,” said Cris Collinsworth, Aikman’s partner in the booth, “the Redskins beat themselves. This is an offense that has people out of place. They don’t know what they’re doing.”

Imagine Collinsworth coming down from his soapbox to testify in a trial.

“Watch the pathetic pass rush of the Washington Redskins. I mean, this is absolutely horrible.”

Horrible? Mr. Collinsworth. Please explain to the jury what you mean.

“You could put high school guys out there and rush the passer better than that.”

Those are Collinsworth’s actual words spoken during Sunday’s game. All that’s missing in print is the tone of disgust. But what about the original charge that Spurrier’s offense, which features high school-style pass blocking, is getting Ramsey almost killed?

“They’re in disarray,” said Collinsworth. Next, picture Aikman on the stand.

“They’re setting Ramsey up to fail. He’s got no chance. He’s getting hit every time he goes back.”

In the face of so much evidence, what kind of defense would Spurrier present? Would his lawyer recommend he simply take a knee? Or would Spurrier step forward, visor in hand, and tell the court why he and Snyder thought it was such a swell idea to let Stephen Davis go?

If so, we could expect Judge Judy to produce a verdict before the first commercial.

To paraphrase a line from another case, if Ramsey takes one more hit, you must not acquit.

Reach Bob Molinaro at 446-2373 or at bmolinar@pilotonline.com