Cox News:Spurrier: From Stevie Wonder to Stevie Blunder

[TK]

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Spurrier: From Stevie Wonder to Stevie Blunder

By GREG STODA / Cox News Service

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. ‹ There are a whole bunch of ways to describe the trouble Steve Spurrier is in these days as head coach of the Washington Redskins.

Here's mine: Ron Zook has better job security at the University of Florida.

Who woulda thunk such a thing a little more than a month ago?

On the Saturday night of Oct. 4, the Gators were coming off that afternoon's home loss to Ole Miss and reeling at 3-3 in Zook's second season as successor to Spurrier as Keeper of the Swamp.

On that same Saturday night, the Redskins were bunked in Philadelphia with a 3-1 record going into the next afternoon's game against the Eagles in Spurrier's second NFL season.

But look at 'em now.

It's all about the Happy Zooker in Gatorland, because Florida hasn't lost since the Ole Miss debacle with victories against LSU, Arkansas and Georgia.

Spurrier, meanwhile, has turned from Stevie Wonder into Stevie Blunder, because a Washington loss to Philadelphia sent the Redskins tumbling into a four-game losing streak that might well be a work still in progress, what with Seattle, Carolina and Miami next on the assignment sheet.

There ain't no Vanderbilts in the NFL.

That was the refrain Spurrier heard when he decided to take his pass-happy Fun 'n Gun, Throw 'n Go offense to the pros figuring he could draw up ballplays that would work there just as well as they did on campus.

Oops.

The 'Skins went 7-9 in Spurrier's debut season.

And it's the Gators who get Vandy this weekend.

Things have gotten so bad in D.C. that there are rumors Redskins owner Daniel Snyder, who lured Spurrier with a five-year, $25 million deal, is considering buying his way out of the deal at the end of the season.

The lead story on the Thursday night's 6 o'clock "Sports Center" was Spurrier.

It was thought Spurrier's desire to be a coach and nothing but a coach ‹ no more recruiting, no more chicken dinners with boosters ‹ would fit with the egotistical Snyder's style. Apparently, though, a lack of trust and respect and confidence has seeped into the organization, poisoning almost every level of relationship among players, coaches and front office.

Everyone might be able to get through such nastiness in a winning situation, but that's not where the Redskins are. Where they are is in last place in the NFC East.

Moreover, it seems, NFL head coaches have figured out the way to beat Spurrier's offense is to blitz, blitz and blitz some more. Last weekend, Bill Parcells was sending Cowboys at Washington quarterback Patrick Ramsey from everyhere but the hole in the Texas Stadium roof in Dallas' 21-14 victory that was much more lopsided than the score indicates.

Ramsey was battered on four sacks and a slew of other hits. He doesn't get great protection, throws more often off short drops than into deep patterns and his receivers ‹ Laveranues Coles, Rod Gardner, Darnerien McCants and Patrick Johnson ‹ aren't scary.

Spurrier, who recently was quoted as having said becoming "NFL-ized" isn't for him, might not have to worry about that much longer.

Unless you think these words attributed to Snyder are supportive: "My coach is my coach."

It has been Spurrier's publicly stated intention to give the pro job three years to work, if the decision is left up to him. One of his closest friends said Spurrier has told him the same thing.

But neither would that friend be surprised if, in the end, Spurrier "would lick his wounds" and see what comes next.

"Who knows?" he said. "College coaching has been good to him and he's been good to college coaching."

Let the speculation begin.

Here, then, are my five places ‹ pro and college ‹ where Spurrier could land if Snyder boots him and opportunity presents itself:

Atlanta Falcons. He'd have Michael Vick as a quarterback, which wouldn't be a bad start.

Texas Longhorns. The Orangebloods have to be plenty tired of Mack Brown's act ... not to mention what Spurrier disciple Bob Stoops hath wrought up Oklahoma way.

North Carolina Tar Heels. A downtrodden program with great facilities and gobs of money and, hey, look what he did at Duke once upon a time.

Miami Dolphins. He'd wouldn't make the same mistake with Ricky Williams that he made with Davis, so maybe he'd chase the rights for quarterback Drew Henson and go from there.

Somewhere in the SEC that isn't Zookerville. Nah. Couldn't happen. Right?

Greg Stoda writes for The Palm Beach Post.

[Storm]

Stevie Wonder is blind isnt he? I would keep that nickname.

[TheKurp]

Atlanta doesn't make any sense. Spurrier abhors allowing his QB to roll out of the pocket. You think Vick would be any good strictly as a pocket passer?