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As I said earlier this week, we can't simply reserve our complaints about the current debacle surrounding our team for weeks when we lose. However, during Dallas Week, we can tone it down slightly so that the focus of the week remains firmly where it should be--on the reviled Cowgirls.
I had a great opportunity to interview Joe Theismann at a recent event at Fed Ex Field. The event was a Health Awareness program for veterans, sponsored in part by GlaxoSmithKline. In the beginning of the interview, I gave Joe a chance to speak about both the event itself as well as how he came to be a part of it. I had the opportunity to mingle around with some of the veterans' groups that had set up booths, and I have to tell you it was great to talk to so many folks who are doing so much to help both our current troops as well as former members of the military. I'd like to say a special thank you to the folks at Cohn & Wolfe for coordinating this interview with Hogs Haven and Joe Theismann. Video after the jump...
Now, before you watch the video, keep in mind, I barely call myself a writer, much less a TV personality. I threw myself on the proverbial grenade of public scrutiny to get some answers out of Joe. So for all of you aspiring TV folks, feel free to use this video and its many flaws as a lesson on what not to do when conducting an interview. That said, it was a ton of fun, and I think I ultimately did get a few good thoughts out of the very polished, and very careful quarterback.
Since I was standing in the Redskins locker room, the last thing I wanted to do was pointedly ask Joe a question that would rile him or be considered tactless. I mean, I didn't expect the guy to stand there and bash the team. But I still had to address the biggest issue on all of our minds--was Vinny at fault and should he be fired. Joe let me off the hook big-time by sifting through what he called my "political correctness". I must say I am a little shocked that he doesn't think Vinny is completely to blame.
I was also a bit discouraged to hear that he had no name to give me as a guy on this roster who is a potential candidate to step up and be the leader on this team that Chris Samuels has always been. His answer was very honest though, and extremely telling of the uncertainty surrounding the future of this team. When I asked him about offensive philosophy, I was actually trying to get Joe to break down a scheme or a system that he thought would work. What I got though was pretty clear: Theismann does not appear to think Cerrato and Snyder hired a guy who brought a system that fit the players already on the roster. Isn't it interesting that we are saying things like, "Zorn didn't pan out?" I mean, they brought a guy in who is a West Coast offense guy and hand him a team that is built on the power running game. And it is Zorn's fault? (I know...I already took a beating last week for suggesting Zorn should be given more time, but at least on this point we could possibly have some agreement.)
I'll let it go at that today. I am getting very fired up for the upcoming game against the loathsome Cowgirls. A win over that team goes a very long way in this town. It would ease a lot of the pain associated with the treatment of the greatest fans in the world. We intend to continue to hold these guys responsible and will do our best to continue to put questions to the folks who can help us get answers. As Joe said at the end, patience is the key. Not just in terms of waiting for the players to click and play well, but also in terms of our efforts to get through to the team to try and get this thing turned around.