Pay no attention to the $100 million behemoth behind the curtain. Dan Snyder is a changed man. Or so he says.
These aren't the same high-dollar Skins. Oh no. He's learned his lessons from the decade of high-priced failure after high-priced failure.
(And given their release of another high-priced failure last night, it's apparent that it's something he's learned in the last 18 hours.)
Snyder, like a puppy that poops where it isn't supposed to, has learned from his mistakes. He's grown as an owner. Now he knows where to poop.
So what'd he learn, and why is the Haynesworth signing different?
He tells USA Today: "We've learned our lesson. This is not the old ways at all. This is what I should have done a long time ago. He's a very young man. I've learned that you don't do a seven-year contract with a player that's 33. You do it when he's 27. That's the big difference."
Got that? No more signing washed-up veterans to high-dollar contracts. Just big bucks to younger guys with questionable attitudes. That makes perfect sense.
Oh, but he's learned other lessons. Get this. Apparently (and shhhh! this is probably proprietary knowledge that Vinny didn't want him leaking), different positions get paid different dollar amounts.
"If you look at the Reggie Whites and Warren Sapps, the dominating D-tackle is probably a harder find than the pass rushers on the edge."
Shocking!
Rather than snarking, Skins fans should probably take some solace in that their owner's finally starting to mature a bit.
At this pace, they might even be a well-run organization in another 12 to 15 seasons.
Chris Needham used to write Capitol Punishment. He's awaiting a $100 million contract offer from somebody. Anybody, really.
