Daniel Snyder Blew His Chances With Mike Shanahan Weeks Ago

When the going gets tough for the Washington Redskins, Daniel Snyder wants to fire somebody, especially coach Jim Zorn who is 20 games in to the job.

There's something familiar about that.

Oh yeah! Al Davis fired Shanahan as coach of the Los Angeles Raiders in 1989. Shanahan coached the Raiders for 20 games. Davis released him after a 1-3 start in his second year as coach.

Queue the Twilight Zone music.

Snyder has shown adolescent fury at coach Jim Zorn for the last three weeks, disdaining the man he said was a steal of a coaching prospect just last year.

So Shanahan must have felt a pang of familiarity when approached by Snyder's people.

News accounts say that Shanahan rejected Washington's overtures because of timing and low odds of fixing the Redskins this season.

But, would Shanahan want to work for Davis, or anyone like him, again?

Shanahan will have his choice of five or six coaching positions if he wants. So don't look for a parking space with his name on it at Redskin Park anytime soon.

You would think a smart guy would try to rally the troops before shooting the general, if only to show that he's the type of owner who has his coach's back in adversity. You know, the kind of guy you want to work for. 

Snyder had difficulty finding someone to coach the Redskins last year. Backstabbing Jim Zorn, whatever his opinion of his coaching abilities, won't make recruiting Zorn's replacement easier.

That's right, Mr. Snyder. The next guy is going to want more money and firmer guarantees. It will cost you a fortune.