Tag: Dan Snyder

Albert Haynesworth trashes former Washington players, defends Dan Snyder

Unbelievable.

When you thought you’d never hear the name Albert Haynesworth associated with the Washington NFL franchise again, he opens his mouth.

OutKick posted an interview this week where Clay Travis interviews Haynesworth — who last played for Washington in 2010 — and asks him about his time in Washington, specifically playing for former owner Daniel Snyder, who foolishly gave Haynesworth a seven-year, $100 million contract.

That contract will forever be remembered as one of the worst in NFL history.

Not surprisingly, Haynesworth defends Snyder, calling him “super cool, and “not an a-hole.” Haynesworth said he would talk to Snyder at least once a week, and they were “super close.” Haynesworth likened Snyder to a “billionaire fantasy football,” who loved the Redskins but didn’t know a lot about football.

Let’s quickly review Haynesworth’s two-year stint in Washington. He played for two different coaching staffs, causing problems for each, complaining about the defensive schemes. Jim Zorn didn’t have the clout to stand up to Haynesworth — Mike Shanahan did.

And Shanahan became a hero to Washington fans by ridding the franchise of Haynesworth two seasons into that ridiculous contract. Washington traded Haynesworth to the New England Patriots in the summer of 2011 for a fifth-round pick.

He lasted four months in New England.

If Haynesworth’s comments about Snyder weren’t enough to enrage Washington fans, it was his comments about three former standout players: Cornerback DeAngelo Hall, running back Clinton Portis and tight end Chris Cooley.

He called all three former players “a joke” and said that they represented what “that team represented back then,” which was “trash.” He reiterated the trash statement again before the interview ended.

Hall, Portis and Cooley were some of Washington’s best players, along with Santana Moss, Sean Taylor, Chris Samuels, Trent Williams and Ryan Kerrigan over the last 20 years of Snyder’s ownership, and popular with fans.

You almost have to ask yourself, did this really happen?

Yes, it did.

We’ll leave you with Al Galdi’s response to Haynesworth, which is how every Washington fan “fondly” remembers him.

 

Commanders sold the fewest tickets in the NFL in 2022

But business is looking up.

The fall of the Washington Commanders under former owner Daniel Snyder has been well documented. Snyder inherited a top-five NFL franchise in 1999 with a waiting list for season tickets.

In recent years, Washington, which once led the league in attendance, was dead last. Snyder had run off a large portion of what was once one of the most passionate fan bases in all of sports.

Fortunately for Washington fans, Snyder is gone. The NFL approved Snyder’s sale of the Commanders to a group led by Josh Harris for $6.05 billion last month.

With Snyder gone, fans are coming back in droves. Last Saturday, an estimated 10,000 fans showed up in Ashburn for a training camp practice, reminiscent of the old days. And Washington’s Week 1 game against Arizona is trending toward selling out.

Therefore, business is looking up for the Commanders.

According to Kurt Badenhausen of Sportico, Washington was last in the NFL in tickets sold in 2022, generating $64 million in net revenue, which ranked 28th in the NFL. Yet, Harris’ group paid a record price for a pro sports franchise. That not only shows the value of an NFL franchise but also Washington’s potential.

In previous years, home games at FedEx Field often saw more opposing fans than Washington fans. The Commanders certainly hope that trend changes under Harris.

 

Peter King compares Commanders’ fans returning to camp to ‘Field of Dreams’

After 24 long years, Washington fans are excited again.

It’s been a celebratory two weeks for fans of the Washington Commanders. When Josh Harris replaced Dan Snyder as owner of the Commanders two weeks ago, there were parties and celebrations. Harris even called into one of those celebrations to buy everyone in attendance a beer.

When the Commanders opened training camp last week, some wondered if the same passion would follow. It was clear from the first two open practices of training camp that fans were on board with the new regime. Fans packed the new bleachers, and Washington superfan Kevin Durant even made an appearance.

Nicki Jhabvala of The Washington Post showed a side-by-side picture from precisely one year before at the exact location.

Things really turned up on Saturday for the NFL’s “Back Together Saturday,” as 10,000 fans made it to Ashburn. The players were pumped. Head coach Ron Rivera was thrilled.

Legendary NFL writer Peter King of NBC Sports likened fans returning to training camp post-Snyder to the classic movie, “Field of Dreams” in his latest Football Morning in America column.

I think watching the fans streaming into Washington training camp is reminiscent of the final moments in “Field of Dreams,” with the cars lined up in Dyersville, Iowa to recapture what they loved so much and what they thought was lost forever. Good luck to the Josh Harris group in making the team what I remember from the late eighties and early nineties. Games at RFK Stadium were almost religious revivals. The ground shook and the press box swayed with the game on the line in the fourth quarter of so many of those games. May it happen again.

King covered a lot of games during Washington’s glory years from RFK Stadium. Recapturing that past glory seems much more attainable in the post-Snyder era.

The Commanders are back on the practice field Tuesday, and it is open to fans.

 

Commanders limited partner Mark Ein talks team’s name

Ein acknowledges the name is an issue people are passionate about.

The last thing some Washington fans want to contemplate is another name change. Since July 2020, the storied NFL franchise has undergone three name changes before settling on the “Commanders” in Feb. 2022.

To say the name is divisive would be an understatement. There is a large segment of the fan base who hate the name. Some believe it feels like an expansion team with the name and uniforms. Others feel like it’s the last stench of former owner Dan Snyder. Finally, some are just thrilled Snyder is gone and want to focus on football — not another name change.

No one is wrong.

The talk about the name has increased in recent weeks, with new ownership mentioning “Redskins” on multiple occasions. Even head coach Ron Rivera was asked about so many recent mentions of the old name. Majority owner Josh Harris has been asked about the name, simply saying, it doesn’t matter what he thinks about it; it matters what the fans think.

As Adam Schefter told Harris on his podcast,” They don’t like the name.”

Then there was limited partner Magic Johnson saying “everything is on the table,” during an appearance on the TODAY Show.

Many believe that Johnson and Harris not shutting down talk of the name means they are considering another rebranding — just not anytime soon.

Since taking over so close to the season, Harris and his partners have made it clear that the 2023 season, fan experience and improving FedEx Field were the top priorities. There are also talks for a new stadium. It’s a busy time for Harris, Mitchell Rales, Johnson, David Blitzer and Mark Ein.

Speaking of Ein, Harris’ lifelong friend — and minority partner — he was a recent guest on “The Kevin Sheehan Show” on Team 980.

Sheehan asked Ein about the name change Monday.

“We live here, so we know it’s been an issue that people are really passionate about, and it’s been out there for quite a while,” Ein said per Lou DiPietro of Audacy. “It feels like it’s accelerated a bit since we took over, but it’s complicated. We have a lot of other things in the short-term that we want to focus and deliver on.”

Again, Ein didn’t shut down the talk of a name change but made no promises. That’s exactly how he should handle it. Washington’s new owners do understand the divisive nature of the name. Whether or not it will change again is an issue for down the road. One thing is certain; if there is a name change, it’s not going to be anytime soon.

It’s all about the 2023 NFL season. Then, as Magic Johnson said, “Everything is on the table.”

Ron Rivera appreciates the fan support

Washington’s head coach acknowledges what’s been a difficult last few years for the fans.

From the moment Washington Commanders head coach Ron Rivera met with the media Tuesday before training camp, it was clear he was excited. It wasn’t the typical training camp excitement every NFL coach feels this time of year.

After a group led by Josh Harris purchased the Commanders from Dan Snyder, everything changed for the Washington NFL franchise — and Rivera. The head coach no longer had to discuss past scandals, ownership, and other non-football things every time he met with the media.

For once, the fourth-year Washington coach could focus on football. That made Rivera happy.

“I said, every time I came in and had to answer your questions that weren’t football related, what would it be like just talk football?” Rivera said. “That’s what is exciting about it for me personally.”

After four practices, the last three of which were open for fans, Rivera spoke to the media after Saturday’s practice. There were 10,000 fans in attendance for Day 4 of training camp.

“Well, in light of the past three seasons, it was truly incredible,” Rivera said Saturday. “It’s truly amazing and exciting. I mean, first of all, I really appreciate, we really appreciate the fans. First and foremost, I know it’s always been there. They’ve always been there, and they’ve always been supportive, especially when we’ve been out in the community and stuff. But lately, now with the way things are, with the opportunity for them to come out here and knowing that this is where we are at training camp, to see them come out in force today, that was excellent. That was outstanding. Our players really appreciate it. I know our ownership appreciates the renewed interest and stuff, and I’m really appreciative of it.”

On the field Saturday, Rivera took the microphone to acknowledge the fans, offering a similar message.

Fans can debate Rivera as a coach, and rightfully so. But it’s also fair to acknowledge what he’s faced over four years. The man also battled cancer while he was coaching his first season. He deserves a chance to coach this team without the distractions of previous ownership.

Business has picked up since the Commanders sale

Some good news for the Commanders on the business front recently.

Remember the awkward moment earlier this year when Washington Commanders team president Jason Wright said the team would benefit financially when the Snyder family sold the team? This was when Dan and Tanya Snyder still owned the team.

Specifically, Wright said the Commanders would receive a “significant boost.”

Wright didn’t mean it as a slight to the Snyders; he even noted that they understood a sale would benefit the franchise. Wright knew — and so did everyone else — that once you remove Snyder from the franchise, some fans would return.

The biggest question was how many fans would return.

Snyder had spent 24 years destroying a loyal and passionate fan base. Some fans would stay away until he was gone, while some would never return.

Last week, the NFL officially approved Josh Harris as the new owner. Since that time, Harris has been treated as a hero.

On Thursday, fans packed Ashburn on the first open training camp practice. It was a far cry from one year ago. But has Washington already benefitted financially from the sale?

At Harris’ introductory press conference, Wright said that the Week 1 opener at FedEx Field was almost sold out. According to Matthew Paras of The Washington Times, since Snyder and Harris reached an agreement in the spring, the Commanders have 4,143 new season ticket holders. That’s a pretty considerable jump considering where Washington has been in recent years.

In addition to season tickets, total ticketing and suite revenue has already exceeded 2022. Even more impressive, since Harris took over officially last week, Paras noted that “the Commanders are selling tickets at a rate of eight-to-10 times higher than their normal daily average.”

The truth is Washington would’ve seen an increase regardless of who purchased the team. But Harris is local; he’s an experienced professional sports team owner, hugely successful, and, most importantly, relatable.

Imagine if the Commanders have a successful season.

6 stories from around the NFL that you might have missed

At this time of year it can be easy for some headlines to slip past even the most dedicated fans.

The NFL news cycle has gotten very busy over the last few days as teams report to training camp. At this time of year it can be easy for some headlines to slip past even the most dedicated fans.

With that in mind, here are six stories from around the league that you might have missed.

The Commanders finally having seats during training camp is fans’ first taste of an owner doing the bare minimum

Josh Harris is already clearing the lowest bar set by Dan Snyder.

Dan Snyder was such a terrible owner for the Washington Commanders on and off the field that it’s almost impossible to fathom all the improvements they can make now that he’s gone. New owner Josh Harris is a lifelong fan of the team and will probably make more of an effort to help the organization by default.

You can see it already in how Washington plans to accommodate its fans during the start of this year’s training camp. On Monday, the Commanders unveiled their brand new bleachers — meaning, seating — for fans coming to training camp in Ashburn, Virginia.

Dearest reader that is not a misprint. The bleachers are new because the Commanders haven’t provided this kind of seating for their fans in camp in over two decades. Snyder was such a malcontent he barely cared about keeping his franchise’s loyal supporters comfortable when they actually came to watch the team during the summer.

Just take a gander at this copy from June 12 via the team’s public relations department:

“Commanders Training Camp will have a new look this season with a 2,000-seat bleacher viewing area constructed on the practice fields to accommodate fans from across the region. Fans also are welcome to bring blankets and lawn chairs to set up adjacent to the practice fields as in years past.”

Don’t you just love how seats for fans are treated as this grand revelation? Frankly, talking about fans finally having the ability to get comfortable might be even funnier.

In case there was any doubt — I do not know why there would be — the bar Snyder left behind as Washington’s owner is three inches tall, at best. When seats and tangible fan comfort are a massive development, it’ll take no time sanding over what little he accomplished.

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Daron Payne makes big donation to his high school athletic program

Payne had his jersey retired and also spoke on the new era in Washington.

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Since Washington Commanders defensive tackle Daron Payne signed a four-year, $90 million extension in March, he’s been giving back. We know of Payne’s generosity with his family, particularly his mother, but the star defender recently went home to his old high school.

Payne played high school at Shades Valley High in Irondale, Alabama. Multiple professional athletes played for the Shades Valley Mounties, but perhaps none more successful than Payne. So just before Payne was scheduled to report to Washington’s training camp this week, his alma mater had him back for a special moment.

The Mounties were retiring Payne’s No. 94. These types of festitivies often happen during football season, but Payne will be occupied in the fall for foreseeable future.

In turn, Payne wanted to give back to his high school. Payne donated $100K to Shades Valley’s athletic department.

Payne spoke after the ceremony, looking back fondly to his time at Shades Valley.

As far as professional news, the Commanders were officially sold from Dan Snyder to a group led by Josh Harris for a record $6.05 billion. Payne was asked if this meant there was a new era of Washington football.

“I hope so,” Payne said via Nick Alvarez of AL.com. “I hope we got a bunch of winning coming ahead. We got some good dudes coming in. I hope they come in with some great changes. I know we got a lot of good players this year and I feel like we got a good squad, I’m excited,” Payne said.

The Commanders open training camp Wednesday in Ashburn.

 

4-Down Territory: Training camp stories, rookies, and stars in new homes

In this week’s “4-Down Territory,” Doug Farrar and Kyle Madson get you ready for training camp!

In this week’s “4-Down Territory,” Kyle Madson of Niners Wire and Doug Farrar of Touchdown Wire get into a few important items as NFL teams prepare for training camp… and sooner than you may think, the 2023 NFL season!

  1. What will be the most fascinating training camp story?
  2. Which training camp narrative already has our guys burnt out?
  3. Which late-round rookies might surprise as potential starters; and
  4. Which people in new homes will do the most for their new teams?

You can watch this week’s episode of “4-Down Territory” right here.

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