Snyder strengthened grip during Spurrier era

This is part four of Commanders Wire looking at the rocky ownership of the NFL Washington franchise under Daniel Snyder.

After Snyder had gone the route of an established long-time veteran NFL coach in Marty Schottenheimer (2001 season), Snyder turned to someone with no NFL coaching experience, Steve Spurrier, who was 122-27-1 during 12 successful seasons for the Florida Gators.

Spurrier had led Florida to their first SEC title, won four consecutive SEC titles (1993-96), including a national championship. Known for his sense of humor and one-liners, the ‘ole Ball Coach voiced at his press conference, “I read where (Saints coach) Jim Haslett gets to work at 4:30 in the morning, and it doesn’t seem to do any good.”

The VP of Player Personnel became a focus of attention. You see, when Snyder had moved out GM Charley Casserly in 1999, he had hired Vinny Cerrato for the role. But then Schottenheimer had fired him, bringing in John Schneider in 2001. Snyder raised more than a few eyebrows when he now fired Schneider and rehired Cerrato. It was later revealed that Snyder had unambiguously requested Schottenheimer to fire Schneider.

Schottenheimer and Schneider gone, Snyder had attempted to lure back once very successful Redskins GM Bobby Beathard. However, Beathard rejected the reported $500,000 annual offer. Snyder again settled for the overmatched Cerrato.

Spurrier was the third coach for Snyder in four seasons. But the very day Spurrier was announced,  Joe Theismann, never shy to speak his mind expressed, “The coaching change was not about Schottenheimer or Spurrier. It was about Snyder regaining control of his football team. With Schottenheimer, Snyder realized he had no input. Now he has it again.” Never had Theismann been so precisely correct.

The team was unsettled all season as Spurrier needed to play three quarterbacks in 2002 (Patrick Ramsey, 2-3), Shane Matthews, 3-4) Danny Wuerffel, 2-2). He also had three different kickers (James Tuthill, Jose Cortez, Brett Conway) and two punters (Bryan Barker, Craig Jarrett).

Yet there were highs like when Washington jumped on Peyton Manning and the Colts 20-0, holding on for a 26-21 win on SNF. They had also won at the Titans 31-14 and at the Seahawks 14-3 — all impressive wins.

Yet the lows were quite low, raising further suspicions. There was an ugly MNF home 37-7 loss to the Eagles. They were hammered at Green Bay 30-9 and embarrassed at Jacksonville 26-7. On Thanksgiving Day they led Dallas…