A Q&A with Warpath Confidential

by Ed Valentine on Dec 20, 2009 9:16 AM EST in News Comment 13 comments

via web.warpathconfidential.com A bonus for you. My pal Rick runs 'Warpath Girls' at Warpath Confidential. This is Erin, current Warpath Girl.

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Seems like I am awfully chatty these days. First Hogs Haven, then my weekly roundtable with Ernie Palladino. Now, I have a Q&A for you with my good friend and long-time Washington Redskins beat reporter Rick Snider.

Rick's work can be found at TheRickSniderReport and WarpathConfidential. He has covered Washington sports since 1978. Incidentally, Rick gave me my first real job in the newspaper industry. So, in a way, all of this is his fault.

Anyway, on with our little chat. By the way, my answers to Rick's questions can be found at Warpath.

Ed: The Redskins are playing much better the past few weeks than they did early in the season. Can you pinpoint what has changed?

Rick: It’s a few things. First, the three playcallers finally meshed. They also started calling a lot more three-step drops to beat the pass rush and run more north-south. Essentially, they’re negating a bad offensive line by getting the ball out quicker.

Ed: It's pretty much a given that Jim Zorn is out as head coach at the end of the season. Who takes over?

Rick: Mike Shanahan is the heavy favorite. Bruce Allen’s arrival pretty much seals it.

Ed: Finish this thought. The biggest problem with the Redskins organization is ...

Rick: The owner not letting others run the team. Oh wait, Dan Snyder just hired his first real GM. So, maybe that makes a big difference.

Ed: The last couple of years have not been pretty for the Redskins. There seems to be some optimism going forward, though. The Redskins could make the playoffs in 2010 if ...

Rick: The offensive line can be rebuilt and they have a decent quarterback, whomever that is.

Ed: Which team makes the playoffs this time around -- Giants or Cowboys?

Rick: Cowboys. No wait, Giants. Wow, this is a tough one. The Redskins could knock out either in the next two weeks. Given Dallas swoons in December, I’ll go with the Giants.

Ed: How does Vinny Cerrato’s departure impact the team?

Rick: It’s huge. Cerrato was not well liked inside Redskins Park or by fans. This eliminates a big negative factor while hiring Bruce Allen is a big upgrade. Fans love the son of George Allen is coming.

Thanks to Rick for taking the time. Whether or not you guys want to thank him for getting me into this whole business in the first place is up to you.

(E-mail Ed at bigblueview@gmail.com)

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Well, Ed..

Good exchange with Rick Snider..I have read his material over the years, and he is a class act..I at first thought Cerratos departure wouldn’t have much of a positive impact on the players, but the addition of Allen, and talks of Shanahan will no doubt have a huge motivational impact..They will want to put their talents and grit on full display..jobs could depend on it..So, our guys will be walking into a hornet’s nest tommorrow…that and the fact they will most likely want to play well for Zorn..
Two other points..If Rick got you in the business we all thank him because now we have you here..and he is one lucky SOB if he gets to run the “Warpath Girls”

by Bobbiblue on Dec 20, 2009 10:54 AM EST reply actions

+1

…as much as I hate that label, this game has all of the making of a “trap game” for us. If we don’t focus on our business and step up and make big plays, the season could end Monday night in Washington. They haven’t been playing bad ball lately, we’re on the road in the division, their red zone D vs. our red zone O concerns me, and with three games left and a new GM, some of these guys are playing for their jobs next year.

by Step up and make big plays on Dec 20, 2009 11:26 AM EST up reply actions

Doesn't a trap game mean we have to be confident going in?

Cowboys just won, we lost last game, we NEED to go 3-0 to make the playoffs.

This won’t be a trap game if we lose. We’ll lose if we truly do suck

Never assume skill at bouncing a ball makes you smarter than the guy who built the court.

When there's a WILL there's a WAY

by Willgfass on Dec 20, 2009 11:49 AM EST up reply actions

We absolutely do now..they have no choice..and it won't be easy beating Washington given the circumstances.

by Bobbiblue on Dec 20, 2009 12:33 PM EST up reply actions

Rick

gave me my first full-time journalism job. I was a sports-writer for a small newspaper called The Southern Maryland Independent. Back at the time I was still finishing school at the University of Maryland.

by Ed Valentine on Dec 20, 2009 12:00 PM EST up reply actions

That's a nice story, Ed..and it sounds like you have a good friendship there...He really does do a nice job

I don’t remember anything I ever read of his that was overly biased..He’s alot like Ernie..

by Bobbiblue on Dec 20, 2009 12:36 PM EST up reply actions

woof

that chick is beat.

Lets hope that when gut check time comes again the Mets will pass it with flying colors.

by kendynamo on Dec 20, 2009 11:51 AM EST reply actions

She has the look of a "Catwoman"..She could probably beat all of us up!!..lol..We should sic her on Tiger..Now that would be PPV material!

by Bobbiblue on Dec 20, 2009 12:38 PM EST up reply actions

That's a good lookin' dood.

"We were very much aware of that. There was a lot of phone call-type things going on in the room." -- Tom Coughlin

by Mr. Met on Dec 20, 2009 3:57 PM EST up reply actions

the powerful chin

really projects his strength

Lets hope that when gut check time comes again the Mets will pass it with flying colors.

by kendynamo on Dec 20, 2009 6:28 PM EST up reply actions

Is that Joe Namath?

by lboogie25 on Dec 21, 2009 10:53 AM EST up reply actions

Yeah, Ed!

I think we’re due an explanation on that one. You’ve done a great job of selecting some lovely ladies for these opposing-team Q&As…. were the beer goggles on late last night or something?

Note to self: Avoid DC area Hooters restaurants.

by TNYFBG on Dec 21, 2009 11:07 AM EST up reply actions