NFL: Capital Control
Lofty expectations left the Washington Redskins feeling lousy after last season. Could they help themselves in this years draft?
By Jason Markman
The question coming into the 2001 NFL draft in Washington was simple: Who is running the show? Is it new Coach Marty Schottenheimer or is it powerful Owner Daniel Snyder? After day one, the question was unsolved. After day two, the scales are tipped toward the coach. According to a source we spoke with, the situation is still unsettled and could cause trouble in Washington during the coming season.
“There is still a power struggle here,” said the source, which spoke with Fanstop.com on condition of anonymity. “It was evident on Saturday and it boiled over. Dan didn’t say anything on Sunday, but it was clear that the first pick upset him on Saturday and the second pick upset Marty. Honestly, I don’t know if it will be a problem, but there is some tension.”
According to the source, the trouble began with the Redskins 15th overall selection in the first round. Snyder was apparently lobbying hard for the Redskins to take Miami wide receiver Santana Moss. However, Schottenheimer overruled the owner by taking Clemson wide out Rod Gardner. Apparently, this upset Snyder, as he felt the relationship was going to be more mutual.
“He believed that Santana was a better fit,” the source stated. “They debated it out and Marty then stated that they were taking Gardner. Daniel didn’t say anything, but you could see on his face that he was disappointed. He really wants to have some football control.”
The return to that power by Snyder came with the Redskins second round pick. Character questions had kept Mississippi State cornerback Fred Smoot sliding down the draft boards of many teams. Snyder selected the cornerback with the Redskins 45th pick, overruling Schottenheimer who wanted to work on the Redskins defensive line. According to the source, this upset the new coach.
“Marty wanted to go defensive line with that pick badly,” he said. “Daniel made it no secret that is Fred was there in the second round, he was going to take him. When it got to our pick, Marty looked at Daniel and Daniel said we are taking Smoot. Marty kind of rolled his eyes. There was just an uneasy feeling in the room when the pick was announced.”
Nothing happened on day two to strengthen the relationship of the pair. For Redskins fans, the uneasiness has to bring back scenes of last year, when Schottenheimer said he could never work for Snyder. The question has to be coming now; can the two survive the year together?
The question coming into the 2001 NFL draft in Washington was simple: Who is running the show? Is it new Coach Marty Schottenheimer or is it powerful Owner Daniel Snyder? After day one, the question was unsolved. After day two, the scales are tipped toward the coach. According to a source we spoke with, the situation is still unsettled and could cause trouble in Washington during the coming season.
“There is still a power struggle here,” said the source, which spoke with Fanstop.com on condition of anonymity. “It was evident on Saturday and it boiled over. Dan didn’t say anything on Sunday, but it was clear that the first pick upset him on Saturday and the second pick upset Marty. Honestly, I don’t know if it will be a problem, but there is some tension.”
According to the source, the trouble began with the Redskins 15th overall selection in the first round. Snyder was apparently lobbying hard for the Redskins to take Miami wide receiver Santana Moss. However, Schottenheimer overruled the owner by taking Clemson wide out Rod Gardner. Apparently, this upset Snyder, as he felt the relationship was going to be more mutual.
“He believed that Santana was a better fit,” the source stated. “They debated it out and Marty then stated that they were taking Gardner. Daniel didn’t say anything, but you could see on his face that he was disappointed. He really wants to have some football control.”
The return to that power by Snyder came with the Redskins second round pick. Character questions had kept Mississippi State cornerback Fred Smoot sliding down the draft boards of many teams. Snyder selected the cornerback with the Redskins 45th pick, overruling Schottenheimer who wanted to work on the Redskins defensive line. According to the source, this upset the new coach.
“Marty wanted to go defensive line with that pick badly,” he said. “Daniel made it no secret that is Fred was there in the second round, he was going to take him. When it got to our pick, Marty looked at Daniel and Daniel said we are taking Smoot. Marty kind of rolled his eyes. There was just an uneasy feeling in the room when the pick was announced.”
Nothing happened on day two to strengthen the relationship of the pair. For Redskins fans, the uneasiness has to bring back scenes of last year, when Schottenheimer said he could never work for Snyder. The question has to be coming now; can the two survive the year together?
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