Monday Night Countdown
ESPN's Chris Mortensen looks at where the Redskins go from here.
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Monday Night Countdown
ESPN's Chris Mortensen thinks Norv Turner's coaching career will continue.
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Dan Patrick Show
Mort analyzes the Redskins' coaching situation.
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Who'll put up with Snyder's shenanigans now?

This is all you need to know about Daniel Snyder: He considered hiring Pepper Rodgers as the interim coach of the Washington Redskins. Honest. Now, Snyder has hired Rodgers as vice president of football operations.

Norv Turner
Norv Turner leaves FedEx Field one last time as Redskins' coach Sunday. Owner Daniel Snyder fired Turner on Monday.

I have nothing against Rodgers. Good guy. He used to be a coach. He's made me laugh on many occasions. He just made me laugh again.

Oh, if you're a Redskins fan, you should laugh till you cry.

I guess the best thing that could happen to Snyder -- and this is a real possibility -- is that all those big-name coaches he has his sights set on will not even return his phone call. Two of those men have already told me just that.

He could do worse than to end up with Terry Robiskie as Norv Turner's successor. Robiskie was named the interim coach when Turner was dismissed Monday after Washington's 9-7 loss to the New York Giants.

Robiskie is more than qualified. He has been an NFL assistant for 19 years. He's been an offensive coordinator with the Raiders. He has had his share of success. He has "leader" written all over him.

Some might call him fiery, some might call him rough around the edges. Either way, Robiskie is strong enough for the job. He gives no quarter. He certainly spoke his mind to Snyder when he learned that the owner was toying with the idea of letting Rodgers coach the team.

Robiskie had the title of "passing game coordinator" for the Redskins, but he was also the receivers coach. He is the guy who more than once put a rebellious Michael Westbrook in his place. You might remember him getting in the face of an angry Albert Connell on the sidelines in Philadelphia. Robiskie, a loyal sort, was putting Connell in his place after the player vented at Turner.

Snyder will shoot for the moon -- and why not? Names like Bill Parcells, Marty Schottenheimer, Dick Vermeil and Steve Spurrier already have been floated.

His realistic choice is Miami's Butch Davis. Rodgers has been the contact between Snyder and Davis during the season. Davis is a candidate for the Houston Texans' expansion job and he can remain at Miami for good money. Or he can take a chance on Snyder and the Redskins.

Normally, it would be a terrific job. The Redskins are one of the five-star franchises of the NFL. Snyder has proven he will pay money to acquire players, if necessary.

However, most NFL coaches and personnel men believe Snyder is living in a bit of a dream world if he really thought the Redskins were the best team in the league, even on paper. But this is a buyer-beware deal for any coach.

The defense has been superb, but can anybody really bank on Bruce Smith, Deion Sanders and Darrell Green to be anywhere near star status in 2001?

The offense has been a myth. Oh, it was just good enough when training camp opened. But injuries to two Pro Bowl-caliber linemen, center Cory Raymer and guard Tre Johnson, proved as troublesome as Norv Turner feared. Then there was the injury to Westbrook, combined with the most recent injuries to quarterback Brad Johnson and running back Stephen Davis, that made this offense most suspect.

When the Redskins introduced their starting offense before Sunday's game, you heard names like Mark Fischer (center), Jay Leeuwenburg (guard), Irving Fryar and James Thrash (receivers) -- come on, is that a Super Bowl team?

Daniel Snyder
It looks like $100 million won't buy a title for Redskins owner Daniel Snyder, right.

But the greatest miscalculation by Snyder and his so-called $100-million payroll was his blatant ignorance of the kicking game. Snyder insisted that Turner wait on injured kicker Brett Conway through most of the preseason before it became evident that he would never come back.

They fooled around with guys like Michael Husted, Kris Heppner and Eddie Murray.

Just as Turner pointed out Monday at his farewell press conference, had the Redskins kicked three field goals between 31 and 44 yards this year, Washington might be standing with a 10-3 record, or at worst 9-4.

Snyder apparently bought into the myth that his team was so powerful that it wouldn't need a real kicker. Joe Nedney was available twice, after the Raiders released him just before the season and again on Oct. 2 when the Broncos let him go after Jason Elam got healthy. Nedney was 8-for-10 with the Broncos; he is 22-for-23 with the Carolina Panthers, including 18 straight since he missed on Oct. 8.

It's funny, but a source familiar with Nedney suggested that while Snyder may have been able to sign him the first time around, the kicker may have chosen the Panthers over the Redskins anyway. Why? Snyder's shenanigans, that's why.

Nevertheless, the Redskins are 7-6 with three games remaining against the Cowboys, Steelers and Cardinals. They have a shot to win all three and finish 10-6. Firing Turner and hiring Robiskie probably gives the team its best chance to sweep because speculation over Turner's status would have been an enormous distraction.

As for Turner, don't feel sorry for him. Snyder must honor the final year of his contract at $1 million. He won't have to answer or take the silliest suggestions from the owner.

Turner was doing fine when I spoke to him twice, before and after the firing. He planned to open a bottle of fine wine Monday night with his wife Nancy; no doubt to celebrate, reflect and project his own bright future.

     

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