http://views.washingtonpost.com/theleague/panelists/ 15 Smart takes from players, coaches, and people in the know about NFL news. en Copyright 2009 Fri, 06 Nov 2009 11:06:07 -0500 http://www.movabletype.org/?v=4.2-en http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Having played with John Riggins in the 80's I can tell you that he is a fabulous self-promoter. What he said about Daniel Snyder on Showtime's "Inside the NFL" about him being a "bad guy" and having a "dark heart" is just that - self promotion. And Riggo will freely admit that. He may be a Hall of Famer but he needs to stay relevant and grow his business, and you can't blame him for that. I won three Super Bowls with the Washington Redskins, but I walk down the street today and the kids don't recognize me. Good, bad or indifferent he's doing what he thinks he needs to do to stay on the front page. So is there any truth to what he's saying? Of course. If there wasn't people would dismiss his comments as crazy or, worse still, ignore them. Let's face it though, the Redskins aren't http://views.washingtonpost.com/theleague/panelists/2009/11/john-riggins-dan-snyder-greg-mann.html http://views.washingtonpost.com/theleague/panelists/2009/11/john-riggins-dan-snyder-greg-mann.html Washington Redskins Fri, 06 Nov 2009 11:06:07 -0500 I make my living from burrowing into the slimy little corners of ridiculous local sports soap operas, and even I'm sick of this one. Literally every day there's something new to write about that has absolutely nothing to do with the men in tight clothes who throw around the weirdly shaped ball and then occasionally hug each other. You almost don't need to watch the football games to cover this team. This week's arc went from Dan Snyder's apology on Tuesday to John Riggins's outburst on Wednesday to Greg Blache's return-from-the-silent-void on Thursday. And in the interest of closing this week's loop of madness, I guess I should tell you that Vinny Cerrato took to the airwaves on his radio show Friday morning to defend his boss from Riggins's charges of having a dark heart. Riggins certainly rubbed at least a few fans the wrong way by turning this into http://views.washingtonpost.com/theleague/panelists/2009/11/john-riggins-dan-snyder-greg-cerrato-steinberg.html http://views.washingtonpost.com/theleague/panelists/2009/11/john-riggins-dan-snyder-greg-cerrato-steinberg.html Zach Leibowitz Fri, 06 Nov 2009 09:24:12 -0500 John Riggins is not going to ruin his legacy by criticizing Redskins Owner Dan Snyder, no matter how personal the attacks become. Snyder's popularity is as low as it has ever been and, the chances are, a great proportion of the team's fanbase consider him to be as evil as Riggins suggests. Riggins has certainly done and said enough outlandish things in the past to destroy his good name dozens of times and people have never cared before. They'd smile, they'd shake their heads and they'd say "oh there goes Riggo again." This has always been his charm: saying something crazy and getting away with it. The fact is no one should take what Riggins says about the current Redskins seriously. He simply doesn't know. He was a great football player and a bright man with a wonderful understanding of the game, but he doesn't have firsthand understanding of what http://views.washingtonpost.com/theleague/panelists/2009/11/john-riggins-dan-snyder-greg-carpenter.html http://views.washingtonpost.com/theleague/panelists/2009/11/john-riggins-dan-snyder-greg-carpenter.html Washington Redskins Fri, 06 Nov 2009 00:58:00 -0500 A lot has been made about John Riggins's incendiary comments on "Inside the NFL" after the Hall of Famer said Dan Snyder, the owner of the Washington Redskins, was a "bad guy" and his "heart is dark." The question if Riggins crossed the line is pretty much moot, because he left that checkpoint in his rear view mirror years ago. Remember this is the guy who passed out at the National Press Club dinner after telling a supreme court justice to "loosen up." As for Riggins' recent comments, Redskins defensive coordinator Greg Blache didn't take kindly to them and broke his self-imposed media silence with an impromptu news conference at Redskins Park during which he defended his owner. "In the six years [I've been with the Redskins], I've never seen John Riggins here," Blache said. "Never seen him in the building. So to hear such a vicious criticism of somebody http://views.washingtonpost.com/theleague/panelists/2009/11/john-riggins-dan-snyder-greg-wang.html http://views.washingtonpost.com/theleague/panelists/2009/11/john-riggins-dan-snyder-greg-wang.html Washington Redskins Fri, 06 Nov 2009 00:57:29 -0500 This hurts John Riggins' legacy. Oh, sure, the truly rabid will hold him up as the voice of the disenchanted fan. But when Riggo goes into "bad guy" and "this person's heart is dark," and doesn't explain personal, heavy insult like that against Snyder, he runs the risk of alienating the on-the-fence person who always wondered why the most popular player in franchise history seems to be so emotionally wounded. I mean, until he explains exactly why he feels that way, it's just out there in the ether. And at some point, when it gets that personal. http://views.washingtonpost.com/theleague/panelists/2009/11/john-riggins-dan-snyder-greg-wise.html http://views.washingtonpost.com/theleague/panelists/2009/11/john-riggins-dan-snyder-greg-wise.html Washington Redskins Fri, 06 Nov 2009 00:48:13 -0500 I don't have to listen to John Riggins to dislike Daniel Snyder. I just have to remember when he bought the Redskins a decade ago and started firing people who had been with the franchise for years. Why? Because he could. So when Riggins says Snyder has a "dark heart,'' I don't think back to Riggo's various transgressions, like his inebriated: "Loosen up, Sandy, baby" to Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor. I just think of an insecure 33-year-old NFL owner who had to show some loyal low- and middle-level employees who was the boss. OK, Snyder has matured to the extent that we all do in a decade. But he's still feuding with Redskins season-ticket holders. He still runs a stadium that is one of the least pleasant to visit in the NFL. And, worst for his fans, he still can't figure out how to put together a winner. http://views.washingtonpost.com/theleague/panelists/2009/11/john-riggins-dan-snyder-greg-goldberg.html http://views.washingtonpost.com/theleague/panelists/2009/11/john-riggins-dan-snyder-greg-goldberg.html Washington Redskins Fri, 06 Nov 2009 00:44:17 -0500 I have a few comments to make about John Riggins' "Inside the NFL" interview, and only a few. 1) Before we all get too worked up about this, since when does anyone care what John Riggins has to say about anything? And I mean ANYTHING. Oh, that's right, it was when he made drunken and disrespectful comments to Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor. I believe his exact quote was, "Loosen up, Sandy, baby." 2) Quick, name the last time John Riggins said something meaningful or insightful about anything. And I mean ANYTHING. Go ahead, I can wait. And, "Loosen up, Sandy, baby" doesn't count as meaningful or insightful. 3) The fact that someone racked up a large number of rushing yards (largely because of the otherworldly offensive line in front of him) doesn't mean that we should listen to what he says or that we should trust him. Exhibit http://views.washingtonpost.com/theleague/panelists/2009/11/john-riggins-dan-snyder-greg-kun.html http://views.washingtonpost.com/theleague/panelists/2009/11/john-riggins-dan-snyder-greg-kun.html Washington Redskins Fri, 06 Nov 2009 00:40:59 -0500 Why would anyone be surprised to hear John Riggins rip into Redskins team owner Daniel Snyder on Showtime's weekly NFL anthology show? Do we need to be reminded about all manner of previous verbal Riggo drill classics, as in: "I'm bored, I'm broke and I'm back," after ending a season-long holdout in the early 1980s. "Loosen up Sandy, baby," directed at Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor at a memorable banquet (he may not remember himself, for all the obvious reasons). "Ronald Reagan may be the president, but I'm the king," not long after scoring the clinching fourth-quarter touchdown against the Miami Dolphins in Super Bowl XVII. Riggins has been ripping into Snyder and his Redskins Park minions all season, which is certainly his right as a paid pundit on various local media outlets, as well as his hilarious YouTube contributions. He's paid for his opinions, and anyone who has http://views.washingtonpost.com/theleague/panelists/2009/11/john-riggins-dan-snyder-greg-shapiro.html http://views.washingtonpost.com/theleague/panelists/2009/11/john-riggins-dan-snyder-greg-shapiro.html Washington Redskins Fri, 06 Nov 2009 00:32:17 -0500 http://views.washingtonpost.com/theleague/panelists/2009/11/john-riggins-dan-snyder-greg-reader-poll.html http://views.washingtonpost.com/theleague/panelists/2009/11/john-riggins-dan-snyder-greg-reader-poll.html Washington Redskins Fri, 06 Nov 2009 00:01:06 -0500 Time to speculate which current division leaders are most likely to miss the playoffs. Locks: New Orleans: With a current three game lead over Atlanta (who they just beat), Drew Brees and co. have greater expectations than just making the playoffs. Minnesota: The Vikings have a three game lead over Chicago and Green Bay. Even if Favre starts to fall apart after a fast start like last year, Minnesota only needs to win four of their last eight games to make the playoffs (remaining schedule is 28-29). Indianapolis: With a tough schedule coming up, the Colts are still a lock for at least 12 plus wins as long as Peyton Manning stays healthy. New England: With Tom Brady looking more confident as the season goes along, the Patriots have a great shot at not only making the playoffs, but making another Super Bowl. In very good shape: Denver: With a http://views.washingtonpost.com/theleague/panelists/2009/11/eagles-bengals-cardinals-broncos-playoffs-moroney.html http://views.washingtonpost.com/theleague/panelists/2009/11/eagles-bengals-cardinals-broncos-playoffs-moroney.html Cincinnati Bengals Thu, 05 Nov 2009 09:32:36 -0500 The defending NFC Champion Arizona Cardinals are the only team above .500 in what is probably the least intimidating division football. The Cardinals are also the current division leader least likely to make the playoffs. Based on 10,001 simulations of the rest of the NFL season conducted by WhatIfSports.com, the Arizona Cardinals will finish 9-7. So will the San Francisco 49ers. However, San Francisco is already 3-0 in the division and is currently favored to win its Week 14 home game against the Cardinals (63.1% of the time and by an average score of 23-17). Arizona has been tremendously inconsistent in 2009, most notably in the last two weeks where the Cardinals went to New York to beat the Giants, yet were dominated by the Panthers at home. 9-7 will not earn a wild card spot in the NFC, where we project Green Bay and Philadelphia to make the postseason http://views.washingtonpost.com/theleague/panelists/2009/11/eagles-bengals-cardinals-broncos-playoffs-bessier.html http://views.washingtonpost.com/theleague/panelists/2009/11/eagles-bengals-cardinals-broncos-playoffs-bessier.html Arizona Cardinals Wed, 04 Nov 2009 18:14:38 -0500 Who knew that an errant last-ditch throw by Kyle Orton in his Denver debut would have lasting implications for several franchises? A rogue tipped ball can sway the perception and outcome of a season as much as months, even years of work can. For the Bengals, the Immaculate Deflection to Brandon Stokley that ended with a video game-esque maneuver may very well define the Broncos' destiny. Conversely, it may fatefully define the Bengals' fortunes as well. The truly suspect division leaders in the league right now are Cincinnati and Arizona. The enigmatic Cardinals are uniquely imbalanced on both sides of the ball but have just one challenger for the division crown in the still maturing 49ers. The sad annual truism in the NFC West is that 9 wins likely nets you the division, and the Cardinals seem to be in the best position to reach that lofty perch. The Bengals, http://views.washingtonpost.com/theleague/panelists/2009/11/eagles-bengals-cardinals-broncos-playoffs-mccormick.html http://views.washingtonpost.com/theleague/panelists/2009/11/eagles-bengals-cardinals-broncos-playoffs-mccormick.html Arizona Cardinals Wed, 04 Nov 2009 16:53:03 -0500 With the New England Patriots, Denver Broncos, Cincinnati Bengals, Indianapolis Colts, New Orleans Saints, Philadelphia Eagles, Arizona Cardinals, and Minnesota Vikings all leading their respective divisions, that question of who won't make the playoffs is challenge. Five of these teams played in last year's post season, and one played in the Super Bowl. Will any of these teams even miss the post season? Yes, and you may be surprised who. Beginning in the AFC, you have to believe the Patriots will come off their bye and finish the second half of the season strong as Tom Brady's comfort level grows. They may have some difficult games left on their schedule, but they are capable of beating anyone and will undoubtedly win more than they will lose when it comes to those big games. The Colts should be considered in the same category and the fact that they currently sit at http://views.washingtonpost.com/theleague/panelists/2009/11/eagles-bengals-cardinals-broncos-playoffs-degiorgio.html http://views.washingtonpost.com/theleague/panelists/2009/11/eagles-bengals-cardinals-broncos-playoffs-degiorgio.html Arizona Cardinals Wed, 04 Nov 2009 15:14:21 -0500 Let's all go back to November 23 of last year shall we? That's the day when the New York Jets crushed the then-undefeated Titans 34-13 in Tennessee to conjure up MVP-talk for Brett Favre and Super Bowl visions for the J-E-T-S, Jets, Jets, Jets! After that, I remember getting lambasted by Jets fans on The Scores Report because I had deemed the Jets "pretenders" in my midseason power rankings. (Just in case women and children may be reading this, I'll refrain from sharing what these lovely individuals said about me, my personal hygiene and all the wonderful things they wanted me to suffer from.) Then something happened. Somewhere along the line, Brett suffered a biceps injury and the once 8-3 Jets (a lock to make the playoffs) went spiraling downward. They lost at home to the Broncos the next week and were soundly defeated by the 49ers in San Francisco http://views.washingtonpost.com/theleague/panelists/2009/11/eagles-bengals-cardinals-broncos-playoffs-stalter.html http://views.washingtonpost.com/theleague/panelists/2009/11/eagles-bengals-cardinals-broncos-playoffs-stalter.html Minnesota Vikings Wed, 04 Nov 2009 11:30:40 -0500 The Cincinnati Bengals lead the AFC North at 5-2 with wins over division rivals Pittsburgh and Baltimore, but that particular pedestal is a bit shaky right now. They've lost sackmaster Antwan Odom for the season, the Steelers are rounding into fighting shape with Troy Polamalu back in the lineup, and the Ravens, might be the best 4-3 team we've seen in a while -- they just whacked the previously undefeated Broncos. In past years, the Bengals have been a team with a great deal of talent and an equal amount of drama. It remains to be seen whether they'll be able to show what they did when they face the Steelers and Ravens again (by the way - those rematches comprise their next two games). If they do, they'll have pole position all the way, but it may be more than they're capable of. http://views.washingtonpost.com/theleague/panelists/2009/11/eagles-bengals-cardinals-broncos-playoffs-farrar.html http://views.washingtonpost.com/theleague/panelists/2009/11/eagles-bengals-cardinals-broncos-playoffs-farrar.html Cincinnati Bengals Wed, 04 Nov 2009 11:21:42 -0500