Washington Recent Events: Name, Rookie Camp, Front Office and More

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May 24, 2024

by David Earl

Name Controversy Again?

First of all, pump the brakes on any form of a name controversy at this time just because Dan Quinn wore a non-licensed league shirt paying homage to the organization’s Redskins history. Outside of not being licensed, there was no harm putting the feathers on the logo, but leave it up to Mike Florio to create unnecessary negative attention. While I refuse to link his work since you can google the articles, but one aspect of the name “Redskins” itself is grossly mischaracterized by him and other journalists. Yes, as pointed out by Kevin Gover, there was a time when the reference to bloody scalps attached to the Redskin word had become derogatory. However, as many words of entomology grew and changed so did the word “Redskins”, unfortunately. Let’s also be clear that the original Spencer Phips Proclamation of 1755 had no correlation or mention of Bloody Redskin Scalps. In fact, the proclamation simply stated that the scalps of males and females was a Native American custom in attacks on enemies. While it is not justified by any means to scalp any Native Americans, it was, at that time, more commonplace within that environment.

With that said and having some Native American groups that do subscribe to that time as a horrific time, that also should not eliminate the voices of Native American groups who are proud of the name “Redskins”. The first use of the word “Redskins” was in a letter written by three Chiefs of Piankashaws to Lt. Col. John Wilkins where translations into English came out as “Redskins” when “Red Man” might have been the proper name from the Native Americans. Ives Goddard does an exhaustive paper on this, title, I Am Red Skin, which should not be dismissed. The point is that the Native Americans utilized the differentiating detail of skin color to separate themselves from the Europeans which then was adopted, without malicious intent, by the Europeans. This was during a time of tension and negotiations as the Native Americans were attempting to protect their lands. Reading Goddard’s research work and doing HONEST studying on the origins of the name “Redskins”, you’ll find far less derogatory implications than you might expect.

As far as the mascot / logo, the rendition of the logo was from a Blackfoot artist of Chief Two Guns White Calf from the Blackfoot Tribe in Montana. This was the talking point of Senator Daines speaking on behalf of the Blackfoot Nation. Of course, people like Mike Florio took the point that the Senator overstepped his boundaries by demanding the name “Redskins” to return even though Daines specifically said he was NOT pushing for the name to return. Daines was speaking about honoring the organization’s past and preserving what many Native Americans, in this case the Blackfeet Nation of Montana, feel is a symbol of pride. This logo was the aspect of the organization they felt was stripped away especially since the depiction appears very accurate, unlike the caricature logo the Cleveland Indians had for decades. Many took great pride and admiration in the representation of a great Native American historical figure on the side of an NFL team helmet.

I have already gone into more detail than I should have, but the point has been made. What does this all mean? Most likely nothing and the current brand will remain until further notice but there is some hope among fans like myself. The minute hope is that this ownership could have a dialogue with these Native American groups in hopes of bringing back the logo under a name like “Warriors”, thereby creating an entity that would honor the past, appease many old-time Redskin fans, and bring about the education of Native American culture that seems to be forgotten more and more every year. Trust me, I get the “just move on” fans as well as the rational fans speaking to how Josh Harris has zero obligation to do anything of this sort. The sentiment is heard and very well understood by most fans. I am a fan no matter what but the ever so dim and dying light of hope ahead will remain until it has been completely extinguished.

Meet the Front Office Additions

General Manager Adam Peters has been very busy recently in his efforts to reconfigure the football operations side of the front office. This was expected, as making major staff changes before the draft would be unprecedented and illogical. Since the draft, Peters was busy adding to a staff that already had Eugene Shen and Lance Newmark in place with more lower scout-level changes sure to follow. When Peters’ flight to Detroit for Ben Johnson seemed like a waste since Johnson declined the interview, he still ended up coming away with Newmark and Brandon Sonsa. Sonsa was much later, but it almost seemed like Quinn was always the top guy while Newmark and Sonsa were the real targets from the Lions front office. I realize that this is pure speculation, but it still makes me wonder what Peters was truly thinking. Let’s look at Washington’s top front office personnel from now on after Adam Peters.

Assistant GM Lance Newman: He was a member of the Lions organization.  He joined the club’s scouting staff in 1999 and served various roles over 25 years. The former Senior Director of Player Personnel of the Lions was integral in building a perennial mediocre roster into a championship contender as he oversaw both the college and pro scouting operations. The most notable draft class coming in 2023 included RB Jahmry Gibbs, LB Jack Campbell, TE Sam LaPorta, and DB Brian Branch, all high-level starting players who comprise the very foundation of the Lions’ team. That was not only impressive, but also an unusual result from a single draft.

Senior Vice President of Football Operations Brandon Sosna: He was the chief contract negotiator for the Lions and oversaw the team’s salary cap numbers. The most recent extension was done for Jared Goff in order to give plenty of cap flexibility in the 2026 season. With Goff’s base salary of $55M comprising nearly 80% of his total $69M cap hit, the Lions will have an opportunity to create ample cap room by converting much of that into a signing bonus or voided years beyond the contract’s life. While there are pluses to this, the overall contract details, according to Over The Cap, “the big mistake for the Lions here is not getting a fifth season.” This will potentially hinder the flexibility of moving money from the year 2026 and beyond as well. In contrast, the contracts Sosna negotiated with WR Amon-Ra St. Brown and RT Penei Sewell extend their deals out to a total of 5 years thus presenting much more maneuverability.

Senior Vice President of Strategy Eugene Shen: Shea worked the analytical operations of multiple teams, including Miami and Baltimore. In coaching analytics, he devised game strategies and developed the most probable / best play call corresponding to a particular moment in a game. An example is the determination of the best time in the game and position on the field to go for it on 4th down. Among other details, Shen also applied analytics to player evaluations based on the reports from area scouts, which is used to potentially influence the draft board as a whole or a particular position group.

Senior Vice President of Initiatives Dave Gardi: He was an employee of the NFL league offices for 21 years, performing duties in labor relations and football administration. He will now handle many roles for the team such as game management, officiating trends, and league protocol plus health and safety management for the team. According to the team site, “Gardi advised clubs on matters related to the NFL Collective Bargaining Agreement, including players contracts, salary cap, club discipline, League policies, and workers compensation.”

Director Player Personnel David Blackburn: i He was with the Baltimore Ravens for 16 years, and he worked his way from area scout to a promotion in 2022 as Director of College Scouting. He will replace Eris Stokes and brings a wealth of knowledge to the department. Under the Ravens’ front office, led by Eric DeCosta, he has been part of an organization that continues to turn up productive players even deep into the draft. His primary responsibility is vital in the player evaluation.  Blackburn will compile all the area scouts’ information while possibly soliciting scouts from outside the organization at times. This will go a long way in aiding Adam Peters in constructing a big board for draft day plus determining which players are the best fits for the team philosophy. Considering Blackburn’s time in Baltimore and the fact that he was a part of the process leading up to draft day for 16 years in a highly successful organization, there shouldn’t be any doubt just how valuable he will be for Adam Peters.

Training Camp Quick Hit

There is not much you can get out of players running around in shorts and a helmet during this time of the offseason. Until the hitting begins, what Washington and the fans won’t know yet is just how effective the offensive and defensive lines will look. Even the secondary won’t showcase anything in great detail, but Jayden Daniels is all the focus for obvious reasons. “He’s intentional in everything he does, which I like,” offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury said after practice. “That’s what we had heard about him coming up, and that’s what he’s been since he’s been here.” This was Kingsbury’s initial reaction to Daniels in camp thus far. What has Daniels shown thus far?

Daniels is very methodical and process-oriented in everything he does on the field. He consistently shows a compacted throwing motion combined with a very quick (no windmill-type motion) release. Daniels shows not only a nice touch pass downfield, which we all knew he had, but his placement and velocity have been excellent in the shorter routes. The coaching staff, especially Quinn, and the team have taken notice of Daniels’ work ethic as well as his early command of the offense. There certainly is an energy within the organization that has not existed in a long time, in my opinion, more than 2012 with Robert Griffin III. While Griffin was a Dan Snyder selection creating some levels of resentment within the coaching staff and fans, the Daniels pick was collaborative. From the top of the organization down to the coaching staff, Daniels was undoubtedly “the guy” for the future of the franchise. Even considering that fans somewhat split on rookie quarterbacks before the draft, the majority of the fans have truly aligned with Daniels as the future. Of course, time will determine the success of this pick but this new era is certainly starting off on the right foot. When was the last time we all could say that?