Seeing red

In-sta-bil-i-ty -- lack of physical, moral or emotional stability.

As I looked in my Webster's dictionary for this term's definition, I couldn't help but notice a picture of Redskins owner Daniel Snyder, who in the past three years has become the epitome of what instability has become.

He strolled into town as if he was going to be Marshall Dillon, by spending his $800 million to buy this storied franchise and turn it into a laughingstock (which is pretty common in the nation's capital) in just three years.

He felt as if he could spend his millions and turn this team into Dallas East, turning respected coaches into his puppets and paying hired guns (see: Sanders, Deion) to win games on the field and look good doing it.

However, when it matters most, this team has not looked good at all among their NFL peers, and now with the recent happenings in DC it may be a while until that happens again.

Let's take a recap of what has happened since he's first arrived here on his $800 million dollar horse.

He had a fallout from day one with former coach Norv Turner, even to the point it may have cost the team some wins in 2000.

After a playoff appearance and a proven quarterback in Brad Johnson, he had to bring in "his man" Jeff George, as well as guys like Sanders, Bruce Smith and Mark Carrier, who promptly led this team to an 8-8 record and the true definition of "money for nothing."

Turner was fired and interim manager Terry Robiskie didn't last for long either.

Frustrated that this team lacked discipline, Snyder lured a man who would fit that bill perfectly, Marty Schottenheimer.

Schottenheimer previously said that he wouldn't coach for a man like Snyder (funny how four years and ten million dollars can make a man quickly change his mind).

He was second among active coaches in victories and had a talented roster that fit his style of a run oriented offense and controlling defense.

So much so that he got rid of running back Larry Centers and got into a public feud with George, who he got rid of after the second game of the year. It was one of the personnel moves that Schottenheimer made that Snyder didn't agree with.

The rumors began to swirl even more when the team started off 0-5, and his gung ho ways of dealing with the veterans in training camp began to rub the wrong way with the fans, media and, most importantly, Snyder.

However, he insisted that they stick with his plan, and they would be ok.

They quickly turned things around and all of a sudden were 5-5 and in the midst of the playoff hunt. But then losses to division rivals Philadelphia and Dallas eliminated the 'Skins and they finished with an 8-8 season.

Snyder stated there were "irreconcilable differences" with Schottenheimer that led to his dismissal.

I believe these differences were in part due to Snyder's impatience with this team developing the kind of offense that the fanboys prefer.

The team was adjusting to Schottenheimer's style of run-first offense, which might have gotten them in the playoffs if Snyder allowed him to run this team the way he wanted to.

I would be remiss if I didn't take it from both points of view.

First, from Schottenheimer's perspective, he did bring a discipline that was sorely missing from the days of "Never Nervous Norv."

He brought a winning pedigree and he had a foolproof system, which is to have a ball-controlling offense and a good defense.

It might have taken a while to adjust, but he proved his point and got the team rolling in the right direction with some more seasoning.

From Snyder's viewpoint, this was the same man who said he couldn't work for him, which I believe might have come back to haunt Schottenheimer for saying those words.

Schottenheimer also was not one to win big in the postseason, going 5-13.

In addition, he also made some questionable personnel moves that Snyder didn't agree with, and his refusal to give up his GM post, which he shouldn't have had to begin with, was another sticking point for his release.

Also, this is his team and he can do what he wants, although it may not always be a good thing.

Now after all the drama he has put this team through, he has finally got the man he's coveted for so long, former University of Florida coach Steve Spurrier, whom Snyder tried to lure a year ago before settling on Schottenheimer.

This was the equivalent of wanting steak, but getting stuck with hamburger, only to realize he can still get the steak all along.

Is this a great country or what?

This is what Snyder saw in the man many refer to as "Steve Superior," an offensive genius who has no preference for who takes care of defense, personnel or any other of those matters.

In other words Danny Boy got his puppet, errrr, man and now must live and die by it.

With a five year contract in place, Snyder can probably live by this decision.

Snyder wants this to become St. Louis East, but with the talent he has now, that's not going to happen.

What's Spurrier going to do with the "Fun 'n Gun" offense he installed at Florida on this team, make CB Champ Bailey the fourth receiver?

Will he have to lure Gary Clark and Art Monk out of retirement?

What about the QB? Does anyone in their right mind think Kent Graham or Tony Banks can even throw the ball ten yards down the field, much less 40, the way Spurrier prefers, where every play he draws up ends up scoring six?

What about the veterans, will they want to deal with a college coach who's antics for chucking his visor and getting up in the players' faces?

My hunch is a resounding no, and Spurrier also is going to have to wake up to the realities of the NFL.

There is no territorial advantage here, and you also don't control these players' futures the way you did at UF. Then there is this thing called a draft, where you have to build and take time to win, something your owner knows nothing about.

For this team to win, Spurrier will have to realize what he has already: a great running back in Stephen Davis and a veteran led defense that can get the job done.

While Schottenheimer was steadfast in not wanting to draft a QB in April, Spurrier will probably want someone that he feels can run this team in his image.

Might I suggest Oregon's Joey Harrington.

If he's anything like his impetuous owner, he may want to swing a deal for Drew Bledsoe, who the Patriots might foolishly let go (side note: Tom Brady is a one-year wonder, you heard it here first).

Many of the Redskin players realize that instability is commonplace in today's NFL and must live with the changes, even if some don't like what's going on.

Finally, the onus falls on Snyder to produce.

It may have taken some time, but he has gone down a tumultuous path to have his view of stability, and the only stability we may have for years to come is a string of futility and outbursts at postgame conferences.

When that happens, Danny Boy, what will you do? Oh, what will you do.