Controversial thread: More evidence that Snyder is a GREAT owner.

[Art]

Dan Snyder proved once again this week just how good he is as our owner. Coles was a productive, popular player for our football team. We invested a lot of money into him. The move was a GOOD move. Reasonably, the trade we made for Moss was a BAD trade. We all know this.

There were positive aspects, to be sure. But, this was not a trade of relative equals. It was not a trade we received good value back for. We took a massive hit. We took a lessening in player production and ability. And we did this because Snyder's football people told him it needed to be done.

To accomplish what THEY need to accomplish, Coles couldn't be part of the equation once he asked not to be. Snyder's football people went to him and explained that they would either wish to release him or receive SOME value in return, causing us to swallow a massive cap hit, and Snyder didn't do what an owner could reasonably have done.

He didn't say, "Tough."

He could have. He could have told his football people they were crazy. That he didn't want to eat an additional $6 million against the cap because he didn't believe the philosophy Gibbs was bringing him.

He MAY have said, "I hope you know what you're doing and this had better work." But, he listened to his football people and allowed them to do what they wished. Even if what they wished, on paper, isn't a move most would make if JUST looking at the parameters of the deals involved.

Snyder didn't have an ego that indicated since he helped bring Coles in, this staff had to live with his player. He didn't undermine the staff. Gibbs said to Coles, "You can go," and Coles got to go. Gibbs is in charge. The owner is enabling that.

And, this trade is further evidence of Snyder's emergence as a very fine owner.

If the move fails and Moss sucks, certainly people here will scream that Cerrato is an idiot and Snyder is a fool, and they will continue to miss just how good a job Snyder does in deferring to his football people for these types of decisions. If the decision fails, it's on his football people.

He's doing what they tell him they need to do to win.

If he has the right guys to win, he'll be a reason why, because of how he gives his people the ability to craft their own plan.

[China]

Well, someone will find something bad too say about Snyder regardless what some of us believe or know. Such as "Snyder is an enabler!" (said in a derogatory tone of voice as if he is enabling an alcohol or narcotics addiction)

[iheartskins]

Originally posted by China
Well, someone will find something bad too say about Snyder regardless what some of us believe or know. Such as "Snyder is an enabler!" (said in a derogatory tone of voice as if he is enabling an alcohol or narcotics addiction)

And to play the contrarian, someone will always manage to say something positive about him no matter the merits of his decisions.

Is he a good owner? A lot of people would say yes. Can reasonable minds differ about just how good of an owner he is: absolutely.

[herrmag]

In my opinion, it's an owner's job to listen to his football people. I don't get recognition at work for simply doing my job, so I think you are giving him too much credit. However, I'm glad that he is listening to his football people, and it shows that he is maturing as an owner. Maybe he'll begin to drift to the background and be less of a public presence. That would certainly do wonders for his image, and the image of the Redskins as a whole.

[China]

Originally posted by iheartskins


And to play the contrarian, someone will always manage to say something positive about him no matter the merits of his decisions.

Is he a good owner? A lot of people would say yes. Can reasonable minds differ about just how good of an owner he is: absolutely.

I think Art's point is that the decisions he may be getting criticized for are not necessarily his, but those of Gibbs and Co.

Certainly, reasonable people can disagree on the extent of his quality as a owner.

[TheDane]

This sounds like it could be the truth. Snyder took his medicine for making a high-priced move that made some sense in 2003, but doesn't make sense now. He didn't let his ego get in the way of his coach's desire.

However, I would add that I don't think Snyder would have taken much convincing to do this. Look at the negative facts on Coles:

(1) Bad attitude
(2) Risk surrounding toe
(3) Big contract

In fact, this move approximates what a good businessman would do when evaluating risk-return in a declining-return scenario: cut your losses, endure pain now, restructure your business so it's stronger in the long term. Snyder knows business - don't forget that - so this argument is logical to him.

Remember also that Moss was Snyder's man from the get-go, so I don't think he's rending garments and crying woe-is-me now that Moss is on our team.

[fansince62]

art.....your sense of humor just made my day!!!!!

[GangstaSkinz]

Coach didn't want him to be a Skin
Fans didn't want him to be a Skin
Coles didn't want to be a Skin.
Jets didn't want Coles to be a Skin.

Seems to work out well for everyone but the bank.

[tr1]

It would be a killer if we had an "Abe Pollen" owning the Redskins....it would just be ugly.

But I think this move was easy for Snyder, simply because, I suspect, the Coaches AND medical staff were saying that toe wouldn't hold up....time to try and get something for him if he isn't going to get the operation....otherwise, you pay anyways and he sits out with the nagging injury.

This was not a bad deal.

[iheartskins]

Originally posted by China


I think Art's point is that the decisions he may be getting criticized for are not necessarily his, but those of Gibbs and Co.

Certainly, reasonable people can disagree on the extent of his quality as a owner.

I don't disagree with your analysis of Art's point. My only contention was that fact based criticism of his quality should be tolerated and not derided as "stupid" or "hating" etc.

[jrfriedm]

Great post Art

I couldn't agree with you more. It is true, that in the beggining Snyder tried to buy a Super Bowl, but he quickly learned that just can't be done. So then tried to get the best coach available, and do every thing possable to give that coach every thing they wanted/needed, and he has done a great job of that. It's now time for the coaches and their hand picked players to go out and perform like they paid for.

[GSF]

Originally posted by iheartskins


And to play the contrarian, someone will always manage to say something positive about him no matter the merits of his decisions.

Is he a good owner? A lot of people would say yes. Can reasonable minds differ about just how good of an owner he is: absolutely.

What can you reasonably say that Snyder has done bad in the last 3 seasons? Nothing really.

It's obvious Snyder has learned from his mistakes. I think he's evolved into a fine owner, and will be considered one of the best when he and Joe win a superbowl together.

[Art]

Originally posted by iheartskins


I don't disagree with your analysis of Art's point. My only contention was that fact based criticism of his quality should be tolerated and not derided as "stupid" or "hating" etc.

Thoughtful criticism based in fact should be tolerated. But, almost all criticism of Snyder lacks fact and thought and should be exposed for the stupidity it is. Reasonably, one can find actual negatives that are factual in nature and tell all of the known story as to reasons NOT to like Snyder.

This move, though, is a perfect example of a move that will ultimately be one fans BLAME Snyder for -- saying he doesn't know football and should stay out of things most likely -- if it doesn't work out, where if it does, people will fawn over Gibbs. No one will actually BLAME Gibbs if it fails.

[Art]

Originally posted by fansince62
art.....your sense of humor just made my day!!!!!

Your level of ignorance on THIS subject continues to make mine.

[FLSKINSFAN]

I know this thread is about Snyder, but I just want to add one more thing to the Coles-Moss trade. For this team to be successful, Coles could not have come back, You absolutely can't have him on you're team next year. This is the type of move you see Bill Belichick make. Take the cap hit, and get rid of a locker room cancer. If we are going to have any success this year, Coles would have to be gone from this team one way or another. I'm happy we were able to get Moss.

Good move by Gibbs, and thank you Dan for agreeing.