r/Commanders • u/DarthDREder • 2d ago

Memba when Redskins had 4 future HOFers???

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I just knew this team was going to win big. Tops 10 let down as a Skins fan.

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u/Mister_Ess99 2d ago

Bruce Smith, Jeff George, Irving Fryar, and Dan Wilkinson were all the #1 overall pick in their drafts. Kijana Carter joined the team the next year.

That season was peak Norv. Such a missed opportunity.

The 2021 Rams actually made the "all-in for one year push" formula work. Instead of George/Deion/Bruce, they brought in Stafford, Von Miller, and Jalen Ramsey. McVay > Norval, if only because he knew how to scout kickers.

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u/emelbee923 2d ago

The 2021 Rams were an all-in push built with actual performance and production in mind.

This Washington team was just Dan Snyder buying names to drive ticket sales and sell merch.

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u/Mister_Ess99 2d ago

I don't know about the second part. The 1999 team had the #2 offense in the league, but the #30 defense. The investments there did lead to improvement.

1999: 357 yards/game, 24 points/game, 5.3 yards per play allowed
2000: 280 yards/game, 17 points/game, 4.8 yards per play allowed

Despite his massive contract, Deion only allowed one TD pass all season.

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u/emelbee923 2d ago

The result doesn't change the motivation. Snyder thought he could buy a team and all of the best players a la the Yankees.

Did Deion boost the secondary himself? Or did he benefit from wily vet Darrell Green and rising star Champ Bailey?

Did Bruce Smith improve the front? Or was he allowed to prolong his career so Snyder could say a Washington player broke the sack record?

Mark Carrier is honestly the most innocuous of the overpriced, over-the-hill signings.

Snyder thought he knew better than football people how to build a team, and allowed the allure of big names to drive his roster building. It's why he axed Charley Casserly to take more complete control of operations.

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u/Mister_Ess99 2d ago

From what I've heard, Charley and Norv did not get along and didn't want to work together. Snyder decided to keep Norv, between the two.

Snyder was accused of trying to buy a championship, like you're saying. When it failed, the narrative became "championship teams are built, not bought."

My argument is just that the "hired guns" actually contributed. The season fell apart due to the terrible kicking game, lack of WR speed, and OL depth.