Jimmy Johnson rips the Redskins

Fox Sports TV football analyst Jimmy Johnson tore Dan Snyder and the Redskins a new one today, calling into question just about everything the team has done for years.

“When analyzing a team, you have to look at the positive and
negative. Head Coach Jim Zorn, he’s not good enough to do the work that
lies ahead. That’s a negative. The scouting department, they’re
trucking around the country doing their job, but no one in the D.C.
office is trusting their work. That’s a negative. Salary cap situation.
Well, that’s a negative.

“The team is bloated with high-priced vets.
So, how ’bout the team’s veterans? While experienced players are often
valuable, if they have too many miles on their cleats, then it’s a
negative. Clinton Portis is towards the end of his career, and DeAngelo
Hall‘s contract was a big mistake. Albert Haynesworth is a phenomenal player, but he came to Washington as slightly damaged, but very expensive goods.

“On the other side, how about young, up and coming players? Hmmmm. Can’t think of any. Say it with me now: That’s a negative. Then there’s the quarterback. Jason Campbell is not championship material. Hey, check this out: Neg-a-tivo.
Since the roster isn’t where it should be, the Redskins need extra
draft picks to rebuild. However, they don’t have any right now. That’s
a negative.

“To get any marks in the positive column there has to be a drastic
philosophy change. I would put every coach and player on notice. In the
next three months, EVERYONE is fighting for their jobs.
Realize that a great 53-man roster is what wins championship, not five
or six high-priced stars. Dan Snyder builds his team like it’s fantasy
football, and that’s a big negative. The Redskins need a GM who can
prevent Snyder from making decisions, while letting Snyder think
he’s involved. Who can work that magic? I don’t know. Hey Washington,
you didn’t want to listen to me six years ago. Can you hear me now?”

A certain type of Redskins fan — the dumb kind — is going to dismiss what Johnson says because he used to coach the Cowboys and Redskins fans hate the Cowboys [I know I do]. But Johnson is on to something here. Okay, I think he’s wrong about Jason Campbell [and Michael Strahan quickly came to Campbell's defense], but he’s right that the decision-making in Washington’s front office is dreadful.

If you’re one of those people who refuses to believe Dan Snyder is involved in personnel decisions despite credible accounts to confirm it, you must still confront the fact that Dan Snyder hired Jim Zorn, hired Sherman Lewis and hired Vinny Cerrato. Whether you prefer to assign blame to Snyder’s hirelings or not, what’s happening to the Redskins now is a direct result of decisions made either by Snyder and his hirelings or hirelings that should be fired, but are not, for one reason or another. Snyder is either making these decisions or he’s employing and protecting the people who are making these decisions.

The Washington Redskins are a mess. And, ultimately, Dan Snyder is the source of the problems. Someone else, someone qualified, needs to be making these decisions. The Redskins need massive change in the front office. Unfortunately, they routinely get massive change to the coaching staff and the player roster — but never the front office. As I have written before, the players and coaches come and go, but two things remain constant: Dan Snyder and mediocrity [or worse].

[Emphasis added.] Read it.