5 quick questions with Rick Snider

by Ed Valentine on Sep 11, 2009 12:00 PM EDT in News Comment 27 comments

by Pablo Martinez Monsivais - AP

Albert Haynesworth

I know did a chat earlier this week with Hogs Haven, SB Nation's Washington Redskins blog. With the Redskins heading to the Meadowlands this weekend, though, I could not pass up one more opportunity.

Rick Snider is a sports columnist for the DC Examiner and one of the founders of Warpath Confidential, which covers the Redskins. Rick has been covering professional sports in the D.C. area for almost 30 years. More importantly, to me, we have known each other since we attended the University of Maryland and worked together at the Maryland Independent a lifetime ago.

I fired a few questions at Rick this week. I hope you enjoy our little back-and-forth.

Big Blue View: If Brandon Jacobs runs into Albert Haynesworth with a full head of steam, what happens?

Rick Snider: Jacobs gets belly bumped back to the stone age. This is going to happen at least once, and it's the greatest part of football. Haynesworth says they all fall the same no matter the size. The guy has an edge. I wouldn't want him tackling me.

BBV: Will Jim Zorn make it as an NFL head coach? Why?

RS: I doubt it, but not because he can't do the job. I think he's really turning into a good one, but nobody gets enough time at Redskinsland. If they don't make the playoffs, and I doubt they do, then Zorn is probably gone. And given he wasn't even a coordinator before, no one will hire him as a head coach right away. They'll see this time as one of those Al Davis experiments. Zorn could get an OC job and maybe another chance in a few years. He is a terrific guy and a solid football man.

BBV: Do the Redskins have enough offense to be a serious playoff contender?

RS: Yes, if Jason Campbell plays well. They have a Pro Bowl running back in Clinton Portis, Pro Bowl fullback in Mike Sellers and Pro Bowl tight end in Chris Cooley and a fine receiver in Santana Moss. Watch for second-year receiver Malcolm Kelly. If Campbell has time, the offense is good enough.

BBV: Daniel Snyder: One of the best owners in the NFL, or one of the worst?

RS: Depends on your criteria. In making money, Snyder is second only to Jerry Jones. On the football end, he's in the bottom third. We forget there are a lot of lousy owners.

BBV: Something different: Are the Washington Nationals the worst team in baseball history?

RS: No, they've already eclipsed the Mets mark for futility. In two years, the Nats will be a .500 team. Young pitching is coming.

Thanks, Rick. I do hope, though, that you are crying in your beer Sunday night.

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Comments

one thing to note

the Mets in ‘62 were an expansion team. The Nationals are technically a team that’s been around for years. There’s really no excuse for them to be this bad two years in a row.

by cjmulrain on Sep 11, 2009 12:23 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

another thing to keep in mind

the mets were continually trending up, leading to a World Series title in their 8th season. the nats have been continually trending down since their first season. so, maybe they will match the mets for ineptitude over the next few years

by hocke26 on Sep 11, 2009 1:04 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

What a contradiction

If they don’t make the playoffs, and I doubt they do…

Followed by:

Do the Redskins have enough offense to be a serious playoff contender?

RS: Yes, if Jason Campbell plays well.

So Rick Snider feels the Redskins are both a serious playoff contender, while also doubting they’ll make the playoffs? I’ll give him the benefit and read this as “I doubt Jason Campbell plays well enough for the Redskins to be a serious playoff contender.”

by rzor on Sep 11, 2009 1:20 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs

Those remarks together

remind me of a line I read yesterday. The skins will be the best last place team.

Rick may be saying they are a playoff team in a division where they can’t get into the playoffs. Basically they could have a good shot if they were in the NFC West

by Jaybat on Sep 11, 2009 3:42 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Freakin Haynesworh

I’m sick of this Albert Haynesworth talk. If Haynesworth tackles Jacobs behind the line yea, he’ll go down, as anyone would. But if Haynesworth is fighting at the line and happens to slide his block to the side and Jacobs hits him with a full head of steam, Haynesworth is going down, and hilarity will ensue. +3-5 yards for the Giants. Blubber everywhere.

You can’t discredit Jacobs power when running the football. I’m sorry, I don’t care who you are. I hope we see Haynesworth get trucked and so bad it’s youtube worthy. I’m sick of him talking smack about a player of Jacobs caliber. The man is not easy to tackle. Give credit where credits due.

by JRSu1 on Sep 11, 2009 1:48 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Belly Bumped back to the stone age?

You ever play Mike Tyson’s punch out and fight King Hippo? Where is the weakspot? Oh yea his tummy.

Haynesworth might get knocked out and lose his lunch taking a hit from Jacobs.

Ok I’m done.

by JRSu1 on Sep 11, 2009 1:51 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Guys, guys

Let’s not be silly. Haynesworth weighs 100 pounds more than Jacobs. A win for us would be if we move the pile. While it would make my season, I don’t see Fat Albert getting “trucked.” Now pardon me while I go pray to be wrong.

You play to win the game!

by Simms-McConkey on Sep 11, 2009 2:14 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Can't agree more

Although its unlikely, i really hope that being Haynseworth’ed enters the giant fan’s lexicon as has laron’d

I really mad that I’ll be missing the first game.

by Willgfass on Sep 11, 2009 9:55 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

If he is off balance just getting off a block. He will be “trucked.” The bigger they are the harder they fall. Of course if Haynesworth jumps on his back, stops him in the backfield he’ll go down. With some momentum though, the blubber will fly!

by JRSu1 on Sep 11, 2009 2:22 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I'll start getting worried ...

if the players start getting side-tracked by individual matchups, and not winning the game.

The smarter play for Jacobs (after all this talk) would be to give him the leg then cut it outside for a longer gainer. Less wear and tear on him, too. That is what Jacobs has to refine, having the defender not know play-to-play if he is going to run over or around him. They can’t help but brace for the impact (like Mike “statue” Jenkins – O.K. that was against Ward), and be left flat footed when Jacobs cuts around them.

by Shofner85 on Sep 11, 2009 2:24 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Haynesworth

What’s with all this Haynesworth V Jacobs talk? Let’s just run Jacobs the way we know will work. What side does LeRon Landry play?

by RolloT on Sep 11, 2009 3:14 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Nah

I don’t see Jacobs steamrolling Haynesworth. But if Brandon hits him with a full head of steam he may get the better of the collision.

by giant fan since 57 on Sep 11, 2009 3:36 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

The Washington Redskins ... Kings of Ifs

Every year their fans pull the same nonsense.

IF our QB doesn’t stink.

IF our defense plays well.

IF IF IF.

Campbell stinks, their offensive line stinks.

By the way, the Titans defense didn’t seem to miss Haynesworth all that much last night. The majority of the yards they gave up were in the hurry-up, and Fat Albert wouldn’t do anything to change that.

I’m glad the Redskins swooped in and signed him. It prevented the Giants from doing it.

Prediction: Haynesworth misses at least 3 games to injury.

by New York Sports Jerk on Sep 11, 2009 3:56 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

You're right

Titan’s D didn’t miss a beat. Both Ds looked strong last night and Troy P is just a joy to watch. Sorry that he got hurt.

by njgiant on Sep 11, 2009 4:11 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

If if if....

Every NFL team has if’s, even your high and mighty Giants have if’s. (IF Bradshaw can handle what Ward departed with, IF your defense won’t miss a beat without spags, IF your receivers can step up)

I don’t think anyone has put an “IF” on our defense.

Campbell is not a bad quarter back, it was our o-line breaking down last season and an inexperienced coach calling our plays that led to our 2-6 fallout. Not JC. We had 31 dropped passes in the second half of the season during that fallout, JC had less than 2 seconds after the snap before pressure was felt, defenses knew our line was injured and that Zorn’s gameplan didn’t involve taking chances downfiled (since our line couldn’t make that a capable thing to do for us) so they would stack the box.

As for the Titans, I’d re-watch that game if I were you. I saw them missing big Al quite a bit. They had to stack the box to get good pressure. When it was just a 4 man rush Ben had plenty of time to get rid of the ball.

There were times that it looked like they missed him but other times it didn’t.

Prediction: Jacobs misses 3 games due to injuries.

Fact: The NFL season has started and my boner still hasn’t gone down.

by travisjh86 on Sep 11, 2009 4:41 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Season started over 20 hours ago

Commercial clearly states to call your doctor if you have an erection that lasts longer than four hours.

by njgiant on Sep 11, 2009 4:53 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

+1

by JRSu1 on Sep 11, 2009 5:20 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

So...

…how is the Redskins offensive line any better this year?

You still have Chris Samuels protecting the blind side, trying to block Osi. Good luck.

And everyone knows Redskins fans are all impotent, so you’re obviously lying.

by New York Sports Jerk on Sep 11, 2009 5:22 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Ouch ...

Jerk’s got his game face on …

by Shofner85 on Sep 11, 2009 7:09 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yep he does..

Gotta love this kid!!..Just turned thirty..and crazy!!

by Bobbiblue on Sep 12, 2009 11:22 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

When you're right, you're right...

…am I right?

by New York Sports Jerk on Sep 13, 2009 7:24 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Prediction

Portis plays whole season but starts to suck half way through the season.

Bradshaw is a much better running back than Ward if you’ve ever watched him. The only thing I’m worried about is Bradshaw’s blocking skills, which from what I’ve seen weren’t too bad

by Willgfass on Sep 11, 2009 9:57 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Fact

that was way too much information

by bmanley620 on Sep 12, 2009 2:05 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Jacobs misses 3 games vs. Haynesworth missing 3 games...

who misses who more?

What the f$%k is the internet?

by FreeBradshaw on Sep 12, 2009 8:17 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hmmm...Lets see...

We have Jacobs 260..Running full tilt into Haynsworth…A) I doubt they’ll collide…B) If that were to happen by some chance, Jacobs wins C) If they do collide, Jacobs will run him over..It is basically a simple law of physics…If I am 307 lbs throwing off a block and back pedaling, and some 260 lb guy running full tilt at me..I’m going to feel like I got run over by a train.

by Bobbiblue on Sep 12, 2009 2:00 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Well, if we're talking physics ...

Maybe the real confrontation between Jacobs and Haynesworth won’t occur until a special Friday night home game on Dec. 21, 2012 when Jacobs meets Fat Al in the hole, collision ensues, black hole forms that ends life on the planet as we know it … the Mayans were right after all.

by Shofner85 on Sep 12, 2009 7:13 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs