The Washington Redskins are not in a good place right now, and it could lead to major changes from the front office on down should it continue.
"When you look at this franchise, it's tough to know where to pin your hope," wrote ESPN's Redskins reporter John Keim. "On the owner who has never seen one of his teams post winning records in consecutive seasons? On the general manager who has never been the main person in charge of constructing a football team? On the coach who is now 3-7 in his first season after a 27-7 loss to previously one-win Tampa Bay? On the quarterback who once upon a time looked like the future of the game but now, two years later, there's doubt about him even being the future of this franchise."
"Those just happen to be the five most important parts of a franchise. And, in each case, there's zero proof to suggest that they can be successful in their jobs."
Is Robert Griffin III the long-term answer at quarterback? He was sacked six times Sunday and looked lost for much of the game. Much of that had to do with Washington's porous offensive line. But Griffin is now 1-8 in his last nine starts.
"But the problem is that Washington needs to see more consistency from Griffin."
Consistency is not a familiar commodity in Washington.
Under Snyder, the Redskins have had eight head coaches in 15 years. The New England Patriots (three Super Bowl wins, five appearances in that span) have had one coach. The New York Giants (two Super Bowl wins, three appearances) have had two.
Under Snyder, the Redskins have started 16 different quarterbacks in 15 years. The Patriots have started three. The Giants have started six, but Eli Manning hasn't missed a game since taking over mid-season in 2004.
Under Snyder, the Redskins are just 108-151 since 1999.
The most successful franchises in recent memory are all built on stability. They build through the draft and establish successful systems with little turnover at the quarterback position. The Redskins have been the antithesis of stability since Snyder took over. A traveling circus isn't just an appropriate metaphor for the franchise because of the side show unprofessionalism that has bogged it down for years, but also because of the seemingly aimless movement from one direction to another Washington has engaged in. The team has no continuity, and its win-loss record over the last decade and a half reflects that.
"Can you trust Bruce Allen, the general manager, and owner Dan Snyder to enter the off-season with the necessary blueprint to turn it around? If you do, based on what? Yes, we've again reached the point where this is again under debate...Do they have the right people in the right spots to make the turnaround complete? The answer might scare them."