Riggo's Rag » J Howard Giddings

Latest on the looming lock-out

J Howard Giddings — Wed, 02 Mar 2011 22:36:37 +0000

With the lock-out deadline staring us in the face this week, anything could still happen. Since the pro-union judge issued an injunction preventing the owners from being paid several billion bucks by the TV networks during a lock-out, the dispute could turn as ugly judiciously as it was publicly before the recent talks with the federal mediator occured. Or, the owners and the union could agree to extend the league’s lock-out deadline, thereby giving themselves more time to work out a new collective bargaining agreement (CBA). Or, they could agree to operate under the same arrangement as last year. Right now, the possibilities are several. Soon that won’t be the case.

Once the lock-out starts, furlough notices will be distributed to front-office staffs and coaches of every NFL team. I don’t believe head coaches will be affected any more than star players will feel any pain. Even if they do, you can bet deals will be cut after the lock-out ends to ensure the elite players recoup their losses. It’s the position coaches and second-tier players who stand to lose the most. Hopefully, all of these folks stashed away a rainy day fund that will cover them throughout the summer.

The operative questions are ’How will the League respond to the judge’s injunction?’, and ‘Will the owners lose in court as badly as some predict they will?’ At the very least, the playing field is now level between the two parties. Speaking of questions, one has to wonder if the Redskins might be interested in Carson Palmer. I seriously doubt trading McNabb straight up for him would satisfy Cincinnati, as the Bengals will likely want a # 1 pick in this year’s draft as part of the package.

This morning I heard John Clayton say he believes the lock-out will commence as scheduled, but will not last into September. Let’s hope he’s right, because the ‘Skins need to succeed in both the draft and the free agent market in order to compete in the East.

Redskins could easily be much more competitive

J Howard Giddings — Wed, 02 Mar 2011 00:09:59 +0000

When Mike Shanahan took over the reigns of the Washington Redskins, you can bet he had reason to believe the team could be competitive sooner than later. He is, after all, very competitive. And, he’s also a meticulous planner. The man hates to lose and loves to scheme. Besides, he stated publicly that he expected the [...]

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Dear Mr. Snyder – Please sell the Redskins

J Howard Giddings — Fri, 04 Feb 2011 14:52:09 +0000

Since Dan Snyder took over the Washington Redskins, he has made move after move that, no matter how well-intentioned, has brought shame to what once was a great organization. It’s clearly not a great organization anymore.

I’m not going to recount the stupid free agent signings, mistreatment of a good head coach and then of a very good defensive coordinator, selling of general admission tickets to other teams’ fans while the hometown waiting list for those seats grew and grew, or other faux pas that comprise his body of work. I don’t have to – we all know what we loyal Redskins fans have endured. Besides, I think Mike Shanahan is turning all of that, except for ticketgate, around. Then again, I’ll judge that in 2012 when the Redskins should be very competitive.

Can you imagine not wanting your team to win the Super Bowl, especially after being starved for back-to-back winning records? I couldn’t until this week. But now? Well, I can’t fathom watching Dan Snyder gauk in front of the cameras as the team he’s run into the ground wins in spite of his best efforts. For me to say this, something gut-wrenching has to have taken place. I’ve been a ‘Skins fan all my life. My family has season tickets. I fly into town to go to games at great expense. I’ve never once thought about switching teams – not once. I still haven’t, but I am incredibly embarrassed and angry.

Read the Washington Post’s latest article on Dan Snyder’s fued with The City Paper. Then, read the comments posted by readers. You’ll see that, despite the obvious fact everyone has a right to protect his or her reputation, Mr. Snyder’s bullying tactics toward Creative Loafing (The City Paper’s parent) and the ridiculously inflamatory letter supporting him from the Simon Weisenthal Center have hardened negative public perceptions of the Redskins’ owner on a scale that can’t be denied or rolled back.

Dan Snyder is a marketing genius. He needs to hire another marketing genius to dig out from the public relations grave he’s dug for himself. Better yet, if he truly loves the team in which he has invested so much, he should sell it.