More proof that everybody but Highlights Magazine is writing about the Redskins: Now, even the military/industrial complex is going after Dan Snyder. Military.com, a website for the forces, ran a story “Redskins Owner Dan Snyder Doesn’t Want You to Support the Troops in His Stadium.”
The piece takes a photo of a poster taken by FedExField security guards before the Eagles/Skins game that says “Hi to my huband in Afghanistan,” and runs with it. The Great Dan Steinberg made that poster famous after fishing it out of the trash near the stadium entrance.
To be fair, Snyder has shown support for our National Defense. Well, he put out a Commemorative Sept. 11 Redskins hat that had a red-white-and-blue Pentagon stitched on to the side in 2005.
And he sold that hat for only $23.99. Plus shipping. And he kept the money. But still. Bottom line: When Military.com lowers the boom on you, something’s gotta give.
And everybody’s favorite magazine geared toward an audience of corporate counsel people, Corporate Counsel magazine, also jumps in this week with “Not Exactly a Banner Season for the Washington Redskins.“
The publication interviews new Redskins COO and total BS’er David Donovan about the new policies at FedExField prohibiting signs and banning interviews in the parking lot, and he was also asked about fans at the Eagles game having to remove their t-shirts if the message on the garments was anti-Snyder.
“We’re not trying to limit what anyone wants to say or chant or wear,” Donovan told Corporate Counsel.
Wow. Thus continues Donovan’s awe-inspiring streak of just saying stuff so dishonest that not even he could believe it.
(AFTER THE JUMP: Not even Corporate Counsel magazine can stomach David Donovan’s whoppers? David Donovan and Dan Snyder, adrenaline rush buddies? How does a Redskins win compare to a class action lawsuit? Skins are only the third-worst team in the NFL? Bono had a hand in Cooley’s wounding? D.C. United coach bails?)
Though you’d think a trade publication would be a kind audience, the tone of the Corporate Counsel piece clearly shows the writer had little trust in what Donovan was spewing about the rules changes, as the story contains clauses like “Donovan can’t account for the discrepancy,” and “Donovan remains vague.”
“Donovan remains full of crap” is the gist of the piece, basically.
Bottom line: When Corporate Counsel magazine lowers the boom on you, something’s gotta give.
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The Web site of DC law firm Wilmer Hale has a big write up of David Donovan’s path to the Redskins.
The highlight for me was an anecdote about Donovan’s first game as Redskins general counsel. That came in the comeback game in Dallas in 2005 that featured two Mark Brunell/Santana Moss bombs, and gave the team easily its biggest win in the Dan Snyder era.
Donovan was in the visiting owners box with Dan Snyder. When the Skins came back, the story goes, “the two men enjoyed the rush of adrenaline,” and Snyder “grabbed Donovan by his jacket” and yelled “This beats asbestos lawsuits, doesn’t it?”
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Everybody agrees this year’s Redskins are bottom feeders. The Sagarin poll now puts the Skins as the 30th best team in the NFL. The only squads ranked lower are Tampa Bay and St. Louis, the only teams Washington has beaten this season. The two teams just above the Skins in the poll are Detroit (29) and Kansas City (28), each of whom beat Washington for their only victories.
The Redskins schedule thus far, says Sagarin, ranks as the easiest in the league.
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Redskins fans have thrown out an interesting theory about the injury: Bono broke Chris Cooley’s leg! Had Dan Snyder not thrown a midseason concert at FedExField, the theory goes, the field would have been in finer shape and Cooley’s foot wouldn’t have hit whatever caused it to roll over.
The turf at FedEx during the Eagles game sure did look faded and sandy, nearly a month after the U2 concert there drew 80,000 or so. (Watch the sand fly off everybody’s feet here during DeShawn Jackson‘s long run for a TD.)
As for motive: I was at a U2 show in 1987 at the Redskins former home, RFK Stadium, where Bono separated his shoulder during a fall. Hmmm.
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DC United Coach Tom Soehn won’t be coming back. United just put out a press release saying it was all Soehn’s decision to leave the team when his contract runs out after this season.
The release:
Tom Soehn removes name from consideration for Head Coach of D.C. United
Process for finding United’s next head coach will begin immediately
Washington, D.C. (November 3, 2009) – D.C. United announced today Head Coach Tom Soehn has removed his name from consideration for United’s head coaching position ahead of his contract expiring at the end of the calendar year. Soehn served the Black-and-Red as an assistant from 2004-2006, before leading the club to two major trophies, a Supporters’ Shield in 2007 and a U.S. Open Cup in 2008, in three seasons as head coach. The process for finding United’s next head coach will begin immediately.
“Tommy has done an outstanding job at D.C. United, first as an assistant and then as our head coach,” said United President and CEO Kevin Payne. “Over the past three seasons, Tommy has faced greater challenges than any other Major League Soccer coach. His record in all competitions this season was outstanding and he should not be judged on the basis of missing the MLS Cup Playoffs. Tommy is a fine young coach and I know we will face him in the future in MLS play. I wish him all of the luck in the world.”
Soehn was named Head Coach of D.C. United on December 21, 2006. The Black-and-Red won the 2007 Supporters’ Shield and the 2008 U.S. Open Cup under his guidance. In all competitions, Soehn posted a career mark of 55-48-31. United was 36-30-24 in League play in his three seasons at the helm.
“My family and I have spent a lot of time in reaching this very difficult decision,” said Soehn. “I’ve been fortunate to spend the last six seasons with this organization. I’d like to thank the staff and fans for their support throughout my tenure. In particular, I’d like to thank Kevin Payne, Dave Kasper, Chad Ashton, Mark Simpson, Francisco Tobar, Brian Goodstein, David Brauzer and the entire technical staff. When you’re in this business, the experiences you face together forge special bonds and friendships that will always remain. My appreciation also extends to the players. We accomplished a lot together since I arrived in 2004 and I thank them for their dedication and wish them the best in the seasons ahead.”
Soehn joined Peter Nowak’s coaching staff prior to the 2004 campaign. In three seasons as an assistant coach, United won two major titles, the 2004 MLS Cup and the 2006 Supporters’ Shield.
“I want to thank Tommy for his six years of great service at D.C. United,” said United General Manager Dave Kasper. “He is a terrific friend and colleague, and he played a major role in the club winning four trophies during his time here. He is a bright young coach who has a big career ahead of him. I wish him continued success with his next coaching position and his family the best of luck always.”
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