Welcome New Owner Josh Harris

[Dan T.]

50 Cent first pitch

 

 

[Warhead36]

9 hours ago, Dan T. said:

I’ve seen lots of first pitches. And yeah, many are bad - really bad.  50 Cent, former DC mayor Anthony Williams are two all-time Epic Awful pitches for example. 
 

I called Josh’s “not great.”  And it wasn’t. It was a pop fly. 
 

George W. Bush had a great first pitch at Yankee Stadium before the first game played after 9/11.  He knew the symbolic enormity of the moment - getting America back to some semblance of normality.  He knew the whole country - the whole world - would be watching.   So he went to the cages pregame and practiced. He wasn’t going to **** it up in front of millions.

 

But I’m a huge Josh Harris fan, so I’ll award him a solid C Plus for lobbing it over the plate.

 

 

 

Bush played baseball. 
 

I think people are underestimating how difficult it is to throw a baseball accurately at that distance if you dont have experience doing it. 

[Koolblue13]

You just bought the formerly top team in the premier sport on the planet and named your financial group HOG. 

 

Who cares. Nationals suck ass anyway

[lavar1156]

 

[Skinsinparadise]

 

[Dan T.]

10 hours ago, Warhead36 said:

Bush played baseball. 
 

I think people are underestimating how difficult it is to throw a baseball accurately at that distance if you dont have experience doing it. 

All I’m saying is play catch with someone for 20 minutes or so before the game from 60 feet 6 inches apart. Then the “pitch” won’t embarrass you when it’s time to do it before a crowd. 

[Skinsinparadise]

 

[Skinsinparadise]

 

 

[Skinsinparadise]

 

[Skinsinparadise]

Wrong thread 

Edited September 24, 2023 by Skinsinparadise

[CjSuAvE22]

Please fire everyone I’m so sick of winning lucky and being trounced by good teams, hire a gm and let him/her pick the coach.

[Skinsinparadise]

I started posting about this in the Forbes thread but it belongs better here.

 

I get those who don't like change and preach continuity.  But sometimes you got to rip the bandaid off and take chances.  For example, I wasn't sure about Mike McDaniel.  He struck me a bit weird and a boom-bust type coach.  I wanted to see that movie play out.  But its played out enogh for me now.  Look what he's doing in Miami.    High ceiling coach, clearly.   Like McVay he's apparently also really good at hiring top assistant coaches.

 

That team's FO approach is to step on the gas, carpe diem.  They aren't a slow build team.  If an interesting player is available in a trade or from a release, they also seem at least in conversation.  They aren't satisfied with what's in house but constantly look to improve. 

 

The Dolphins are a good analogy IMO to this team because I know from talking to my fair share of Dolphin fan friends, their team has been on a similar ride to this team forever.  They've mostly danced with medicore to bad.

 

They fired Flores and took a lot of heat for it.   And heck he had more success with them than Rivera ever had.  10-6, 9-8.  They gave him 3 seasons.    They shot higher.  It's OK to do.  McDaniel didn't dump Tua, he improved him and stepped on the gas.

 

And yeah their offensive line was ironically an issue for that team for years.  They've made their weakness at least OK.

 

 

 

 

 

Dolphins learned from last season, added depth to offensive line

• 
  Marcel Louis-Jacques, ESPNMay 21, 2023, 06:00 AM ET

MIAMI — Death, federal taxes and conversations about the Miami Dolphins' offensive line. Such are the unavoidable realities for a South Florida sports fan.

An unstable position group has plagued an already unstable franchise over the past decade -- particularly over the past five seasons, which have produced more offensive line coaches (six) than Pro Bowlers (one). This offseason got off to a familiar start, with the Dolphins firing and hiring yet another position coach, but the Dolphins hope the cycle ends here.

 

Last season, Miami added Pro Bowl left tackle Terron Armstead and center Connor Williams to its starting lineup, leading to a slight uptick in productivity. Any improvement was hamstrung, however, by injuries to right tackle Austin Jackson and left guard Liam Eichenberg. The Dolphins were forced to plug and play linemen throughout the season, resulting in the ninth-worst pass block win rate in the NFL.

 

...Dolphins made several signings that have improved their offensive line as a whole over the past few months. Former first-round picks Isaiah Wynn and Cedric Ogbuehi should push Jackson for the starting right tackle job and give the Dolphins a viable backup should Armstead miss any time.

Dan Feeney has starting experience at offensive guard and could replace Eichenberg if he's injured or ineffective.

[method man]

10 minutes ago, Skinsinparadise said:

I started posting about this in the Forbes thread but it belongs better here.

 

I get those who don't like change and preach continuity.  But sometimes you got to rip the bandaid off and take chances.  For example, I wasn't sure about Mike McDaniel.  He struck me a bit weird and a boom-bust type coach.  I wanted to see that movie play out.  But its played out enogh for me now.  Look what he's doing in Miami.    High ceiling coach, clearly.   Like McVay he's apparently also really good at hiring top assistant coaches.

 

That team's FO approach is to step on the gas, carpe diem.  They aren't a slow build team.  If an interesting player is available in a trade or from a release, they also seem at least in conversation.  They aren't satisfied with what's in house but constantly look to improve. 

 

The Dolphins are a good analogy IMO to this team because I know from talking to my fair share of Dolphin fan friends, their team has been on a similar ride to this team forever.  They've mostly danced with medicore to bad.

 

They fired Flores and took a lot of heat for it.   And heck he had more success with them than Rivera ever had.  10-6, 9-8.  They gave him 3 seasons.    They shot higher.  It's OK to do.  McDaniel didn't dump Tua, he improved him and stepped on the gas.

 

And yeah their offensive line was ironically an issue for that team for years.  They've made their weakness at least OK.

 

 

 

 

 

Dolphins learned from last season, added depth to offensive line

• 
  Marcel Louis-Jacques, ESPNMay 21, 2023, 06:00 AM ET

MIAMI — Death, federal taxes and conversations about the Miami Dolphins' offensive line. Such are the unavoidable realities for a South Florida sports fan.

An unstable position group has plagued an already unstable franchise over the past decade -- particularly over the past five seasons, which have produced more offensive line coaches (six) than Pro Bowlers (one). This offseason got off to a familiar start, with the Dolphins firing and hiring yet another position coach, but the Dolphins hope the cycle ends here.

 

Last season, Miami added Pro Bowl left tackle Terron Armstead and center Connor Williams to its starting lineup, leading to a slight uptick in productivity. Any improvement was hamstrung, however, by injuries to right tackle Austin Jackson and left guard Liam Eichenberg. The Dolphins were forced to plug and play linemen throughout the season, resulting in the ninth-worst pass block win rate in the NFL.

 

...Dolphins made several signings that have improved their offensive line as a whole over the past few months. Former first-round picks Isaiah Wynn and Cedric Ogbuehi should push Jackson for the starting right tackle job and give the Dolphins a viable backup should Armstead miss any time.

Dan Feeney has starting experience at offensive guard and could replace Eichenberg if he's injured or ineffective.

The key move there was signing a multi Pro Bowl veteran LT to a reasonable contract in FA without having to give up any draft compensation. That rarely happens.

This OL has depth and better depth this year than it has in previous years. The issue is that the backups are comparable players to the starters (ex Paul vs Charles) or better (Lucas vs Wylie)

 

[Skinsinparadise]

3 minutes ago, method man said:

The key move there was signing a multi Pro Bowl veteran LT to a reasonable contract in FA without having to give up any draft compensation. That rarely happens.

This OL has depth and better depth this year than it has in previous years. The issue is that the backups are comparable players to the starters (ex Paul vs Charles) or better (Lucas vs Wylie)

 

 

We got better depth at center.  Not sure about guard.  IMO its about even as to depth from last year.  I was high on Chris Paul but I got the vibe towards the end of camp that they weren't so high on him so he's an unknown for me so I don't know that he's better than Schweitzer. 

[method man]

2 minutes ago, Skinsinparadise said:

 

We got better depth at center.  Not sure about guard.  IMO its about even as to depth from last year.  I was high on Chris Paul but I got the vibe towards the end of camp that they weren't so high on him so he's an unknown for me so I don't know that he's better than Schweitzer. 

This year, you also have Stromberg as another backup guard option. The depth is also better because you have more position flex among all the players. I strongly believe Leno/Wylie/Gates/Cosmi/Lucas is the best OL they can roll out there, at least for pass pro. However, Ron is going to avoid doing that as long as possible because doing so would admit incompetence as the FO head. 
 

Separate point is if the 2023 offseason is an audition for Ron as head of personnel, it is going poorly:

 

FA Signings:

Wylie - bust

Barton - bust

Gates - neutral

Brissett - neutral

Note: Abdullah Anderson has been the best FA signing relative to value

 

Draft:

Forbes - no brainer they should have taken Gonzalez

Martin - can’t get on the field; probably should have taken Mauch

Note: Zero contribution from other picks outside of special teams

[Conn]

I was maybe the biggest Mike McDaniel guy here when he was having some early struggles with Miami, glad to see you coming around on him (and his quirky personality) @Skinsinparadise, that was one of our bigger disagreements last year lol. Definitely seems to be the real deal. 

[Skinsinparadise]

17 minutes ago, Conn said:

I was maybe the biggest Mike McDaniel guy here when he was having some early struggles with Miami, glad to see you coming around on him (and his quirky personality) @Skinsinparadise, that was one of our bigger disagreements last year lol. Definitely seems to be the real deal. 

 

I remember.  My point then is strange dudes like him are typically boom-bust.   I wasn't saying bust or boom then.  It felt 50-50.  I was saying I don't know but I wasn't on the bandwagon.  I needed some more sample to land on a position.   In year 1 he was hot and cold, same record as Flores the year before.    But now with the larger sample, its clear he's boom.

 

Clearly they are just getting better.  My larger point is I like the team's mindset.  Not just McDanilel but their FO.  They have a step on the gas go for kill mindset that this team lacks.  They want a SB.  This FO seems to operate like their top goal is a high floor.    And I've ironically seen the Dolphins for years operate just like this team.  But they've changed.  I probably talk more football with a Dolphins friend of mine more than anyone and I live in Florida.  So I have a vibe about that team for years.

 

It's sort a little bit about my take about Bieniemy too.  Some are really high on him and talked about elevating him to HC before he even called a play.  Some were saying I told you so after game 1 and game 3 that he's overrated.  Some say he's the dude after that 2nd half explosion against Denver.    I lean optimistic about Bieineimy but I got to see more sample to laud him.  So far I am more into the narrative about Bieineimy than I am about the play calling.  I am not saying those planting a flag on Bieineimy are wrong.  It's just for me I lean optimistic but i have a hard time planting a flag just yet.

 

On McDaniel, it felt similar to me. The narrative around him was awesome and cool.  But 9-8, with winniing steaks, losing streaks.  I wasn't sold on him or unsold.  But yeah you were sold.  And your gut and takes on him are looking right.  For me sometimes I'll dive in with an early take but sometimes I hesitate when I can see a narrative in my mind go either way.   McDaniel in my mind was boom-bust and bust was just as in play as boom.   But I land on boom now.

Edited September 25, 2023 by Skinsinparadise

[Warhead36]

The mindset of the league is shifting because the mindset of the players is shifting. The best coaches now are younger, more player friendly, kinda more dorky in nature but are smart and can communicate effectively. Guys like Nick Sirianni, Mike McDaniel, etc. Even Gannon in Arizona, everyone was trashing him for that bus driver speech or whatever, but his guys are playing their butts off for him and he's maximizing an awful roster. Even the better older coaches like Tomlin, Reid and Carroll are shifting to this kind of attitude(Carroll kinda sorda always had it).

 

The hard nosed tough minded dinosaurs are being phased out.

[WilberMarshall]

When are they gonna fire Jason Wright? 

[Conn]

11 minutes ago, WilberMarshall said:

When are they gonna fire Jason Wright? 

After the season with the rest of the front office once they get their own people in. No reason to get rid of him sooner. He has literally nothing to do with the football side and he’s helping transition Harris & Co.’s team on all the business stuff he’s been flailing about with for two years. He’ll be gone soon enough, but there’s no reason to even think about him (as a fan). The weird fixation on irrelevant business side figureheads could only happen under Snyder’s Washington reign of terror lol, most fans of other teams don’t even know who their business VP’s are or anything like that. 

[Warhead36]

17 minutes ago, Conn said:

After the season with the rest of the front office once they get their own people in. No reason to get rid of him sooner. He has literally nothing to do with the football side and he’s helping transition Harris & Co.’s team on all the business stuff he’s been flailing about with for two years. He’ll be gone soon enough, but there’s no reason to even think about him (as a fan). The weird fixation on irrelevant business side figureheads could only happen under Snyder’s Washington reign of terror lol, most fans of other teams don’t even know who their business VP’s are or anything like that. 

Yeah I honestly could not care less about Jason Wright.

[Sacks 'n' Stuff]

Just found this. Haven’t watched it yet.

[profusion]

Didn't know if this was posted yet. Excellent article today from ESPN. It feels like we got the right guy for the job.

 

https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/38491279/why-washington-commanders-6-billion-bidding-war-was-one-josh-harris-had-win

 

[DWinzit]

14 hours ago, Conn said:

After the season with the rest of the front office once they get their own people in. No reason to get rid of him sooner. He has literally nothing to do with the football side and he’s helping transition Harris & Co.’s team on all the business stuff he’s been flailing about with for two years. He’ll be gone soon enough, but there’s no reason to even think about him (as a fan). The weird fixation on irrelevant business side figureheads could only happen under Snyder’s Washington reign of terror lol, most fans of other teams don’t even know who their business VP’s are or anything like that. 

Yup, bring in the street sweeper and clean house, please rid us of all things Dan!

[Skinsinparadise]

35 minutes ago, profusion said:

Didn't know if this was posted yet. Excellent article today from ESPN. It feels like we got the right guy for the job.

 

https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/38491279/why-washington-commanders-6-billion-bidding-war-was-one-josh-harris-had-win

 

 

Some more

 

Harris is one of the most powerful men in sports, owning three teams worth roughly $10.3 billion across three major North American sports. During the nine-month-long bidding process for the Commanders, Harris admits he nearly walked away a half dozen times but never could. He knew how much the fan base had endured the past two decades because he endured it too. He'd also learned hard lessons in his first decade in the sports world -- and couldn't repeat them.

This was a $6 billion bidding war he had to win.

The Commanders are Harris' hometown team. And he knows that being out in front, where people can see him, is just the beginning.

 

"It's not something that I really relish or want to do," Harris says. "I'm more famous than I ever thought I would be. I have a family. I have five kids. I want them to have as normal of a life as they can.

"But on the other hand, I realized when I did this that I have a responsibility to the city, and part of that is understanding that the city wants to know who I am as a person. How do I make decisions? What do I stand for?"

 

This is why he's on the box between Buck and Aikman, shaking hands even when there's no shake to be had.

Yes, it's time to talk about the handshake. Buck asks a question. Harris answers it. Only Buck is also holding his hands out. Harris sees Buck's outstretched hand and goes in for the shake.

 

It misses. A total misread. A nightmare scenario on national television, but they both keep talking. Buck pulls his hand back quickly. Aikman smiles. And everyone on social media instantly starts clipping off the awkward clip, which goes viral by the time Harris leaves the booth and starts downloading with Commanders president Jason Wright and public relations specialist Dave Sholler.

 

The interview went well, Sholler tells him. Except for, well, the missed connection.

Harris, wearing Commanders burgundy, looks down at Sholler's screen and watches the handshake that wasn't.

Nobody likes going viral for something like this. But Harris has seen enough in his 12 years as an owner of the Philadelphia 76ers to know a little humility goes a long way.

He laughs and asks to see it again.

"What are you going to do?" Harris says. "Thought he was going for the shake."

 

...As an investor, Harris has a reputation as a monster workaholic. Eighty-, 90-hour weeks. Phone calls until 2 a.m., then back at it by 5 or 6 a.m. with calls on the way to and from the gym. He doesn't golf or fish or travel the way men of his station usually do. He works.

But no amount of work and analysis could solve the kinds of issues that have come up during his time as owner of the Sixers. There have been personality conflicts, holdouts, mental health issues, philosophical differences on team building, even a high-profile burner account scandal.

 

"In sports, I've learned you need to get under the hood because everything plays out publicly and it can destroy momentum," he says. "I want to make sure Joel Embiid is feeling good and he's taken care of. I'm talking to him and making sure that I'm getting his point of view in terms of some of these decisions. What's important to a coach? What's important to a GM? And also not making decisions too quickly. You have to learn all that."

The public nature of sports ownership -- the need he feels to be more forward-facing with the Commanders -- has been the toughest learning curve.

 

"In sports, when your mother says act as if you're going to read about it on the front page of the paper, that's really true, literally," he says. "So how you act, even if it might make sense to do one thing financially, maybe you have to do another thing because it's your responsibility to the people who work in the organization and the city. Or it'll play out in public in the wrong way."

That's why he has been so public since taking over the Commanders. Right away he and minority owner Mitch Rales started scheduling lunches with groups of 10-12 players to build relationships.

 

"I have their [phone] numbers, I'm able to talk to them. And that's just really different to be able to have more of a personal relationship," says wide receiver Terry McLaurin. "And we have some guys in there who are not afraid to ask the tough questions, but also give our honest opinions. Mostly [Harris and Rales] were just asking about how they can improve. From the locker room, the training staff, the game-day experience, how our families are treated. A lot of things, they just seem little, but they add up."

 

There are bigger things Harris wants to tackle in the future, too. The team's stadium and practice facility are both in need of upgrades. There are hundreds of organizational and staffing issues to evaluate in the next few years. Not to mention a beleaguered fan base that's desperately hoping he is more than just not Dan Snyder.

 

It is a massive undertaking.

"Josh, he's been humbled," Rubin says. "He realizes this is harder than people think. He knows how to go in, listen, learn.

"This is not about an investment. This is about a chance. I had financial success in business and now I have a chance to buy my team I grew up with. And yes, he is going to make it a much better business. But his dream is to hold up a f---ing trophy and bring a Super Bowl to the region."