The Commanders’ coaching staff is built out, the coordinators have spoken, and it’s time to go to work. There’s a lot of optimism…but if you ask John Feinstein, maybe too much?
“The staff is important but the players are more important,” Feinstein said Friday during his weekly visit with The Junkies. “I heard Joe Whitt’s press conference, and listening to the radio, you’d think the Commanders just won the Super Bowl. But, we know from the Dan Snyder era that you don't win championships in February or March; you have to go out and get players, and they also have a lot of holes to fill. I think they’ll be better at quarterback, but yeah, check back with me in September.”
Which made the guys remember Feinstein’s book about a model organization in the Ravens, and a ‘fun’ reminder of the Snyder era.
“The defensive coordinator was Mike Nolan, who had been with Washington when the famous story when Dan Snyder said he wanted variety in the defense, and then when they lost the Cowboys, he sent Nolan a package of Tutti Frutti ice cream with a note saying this is what I like,” Feinstein said. “When I wrote that in the book, I tried to get a comment from the team, and I got a note that Vinny Cerrato the one who sent the ice cream – and my response was at least I know what Cerrato does all day!”
Feinstein was NOT a fan of Cerrato, who he called a ‘stooge’ multiple times, and said, “I’m a nice guy, too, but I wouldn't make much of an NFL general manager!”
Speaking of DC sports leaders under the microscope, John also gave his thoughts on the state of Monumental’s proposed move to NoVa:
“My current read hasn't changed, I still don't think they're gonna end up moving there,” Feinstein said. “Something will happen, either with legislation or with the cost in the community. I think in the end, Ted Leonsis is gonna realize that this move will ultimately be one they shouldn't make. The teams belong in downtown DC, and this whole myth that he's trying to sell that the DMV is all one city, we all know it's not. Virginia and Maryland are different than the District; they're all geographically in the same area, but they're not the same, they're very different places, and downtown DC needs the arena and the teams.”
Feinstein referenced Barry Svrluga’s column saying everyone is a loser in this whole situation right now, and JP posited that no matter how much money DC offered, this move is about expansion and footprint.
“It might be, but how much space is there in Alexandria? Location, location, location,” Feinstein said. “I don't know Jim Van Stone, but I assume he’s a good PR guy and he's paid money to do that sort of spin on the media and the public. That’s what's going to be the spin until and unless it's decided that they're not going to go, and if they do go? Mea Culpa.”
Take a listen above to the entire Feinstein Friday segment, which touches on Caitlin Clark’s record, Tiger Woods’ struggles, and more.