Deron Snyder
Articles by Deron Snyder
SNYDER: No denying Redskins’ place among NFL’s dregs
There really should be no doubt after last-place finishes in seven of the last 10 seasons, including five in the last six. But acceptance is difficult for diehards, who always look for glimmers of hope and reasons to refute the obvious. Published October 13, 2014
SNYDER: Nationals’ October failures hurt even more
What they could have done will provide no solace. What they would have done will offer no relief. What they should have done will ease no pain. They will keep coming back to what they actually did, losing the National League Division Series for the second time in three seasons. And they will hurt all over again. Published October 8, 2014
SNYDER: LeBron James, Cavs following Spurs’ blueprint could mesmerize NBA
Everyone raved about the beauty of Gregg Popovich's offense as it sliced and diced James' Miami Heat in the NBA Finals last season. In scooping David Blatt from Europe and installing him as head coach — before anyone knew for certain that LeBron was headed back — the Cavs took a step toward spreading that style of play. Published October 6, 2014
SNYDER: Nationals’ cruel postseason education continues against Giants
The cusp of victory has become an unwelcome pattern for the home team. The Nats were one pitch away from knotting the NLDS against the Giants, just like they were one pitch away from advancing to the National League Championship Series against the Cardinals. Published October 5, 2014
SNYDER: Pondering Buck Showalter’s work, Nats’ status as favorites and more
It's difficult to comprehend the job Buck Showalter has done to keep Baltimore on track. Having won AL Manager of the Year in 1994 and 2004, he's due again. Published October 1, 2014
SNYDER: A window into Florida community that produced Sean Taylor’s killers
The Redskins safety was shot during a botched burglary attempt by some Fort Myers thugs nearly seven years ago and died the next day. "Fort Myers scoundrels" is the way journalist Amy Shipley described the killers in the documentary, "Sean Taylor: A Football Life," which aired last week on NFL Network. She's absolutely correct. Published September 29, 2014
SNYDER: NFL’s Thursday night money grab does no favors to participants
"Thursday Night Football" still draws monster ratings. So who cares what it looks like? Who cares about player safety/performance after a three-day recovery period? Published September 24, 2014
SNYDER: Great expectations a good thing for Nationals as playoffs approach
Two postseason trips in three years is no small feat for most teams, so these rides are to be savored no matter the final outcome. At this point, the Nats are trying to emulate two thorns-in-the-side, St. Louis and Atlanta. Published September 22, 2014
SNYDER: All-consuming NFL can’t get out of its own way
Our inability to look away from football is nothing new. But the last few months have been different. We might have thought the NFL was maxed out, but it has attracted a slew of new eyeballs as women, non-fans, politicians, news producers and corporate executives turn toward the league. What they see isn't pretty. Published September 17, 2014
SNYDER: Jay Gruden’s Robert Griffin III dilemma: Tough to hide face of franchise
Not that Gruden has anything but best wishes for Griffin, but life would be a lot easier if RG3 was ruled out for the season. Published September 15, 2014
SNYDER: Kirk Cousins fans, your wish has been granted
If every defense plays as well as Jacksonville, the Hall of Fame is in Cousins' future and RG3 will have to resurrect his career elsewhere. Published September 14, 2014
SNYDER: For HBCUs, Classics are traditions to be savored
The practice of pitting black colleges against powerhouses has its benefits, namely in the large checks that are cashed. A more pleasant tradition resumes Saturday at RFK Stadium, when Howard faces Morehouse College for the fourth consecutive year in the AT&T Nation's Football Classic. Published September 10, 2014
SNYDER: Redskins’ undisputed early grade: needs improvement
The beauty of Week 1 in the NFL is you usually can see whatever you choose — good or bad — to reinforce your thoughts entering the season. Ammunition exists for pessimists and optimists alike. Published September 8, 2014
SNYDER: NFL fans ready to move on from preseason penalties, Johnny Manziel
It's not that I crave additional coverage of Cleveland's much-ballyhooed backup QB. There's already been more than enough for no good reason. Johnny Football has morphed into Johnny Ad Nauseam. But that's not as sickening as the ticky-tacky penalties officials called on seemingly every pass attempt in August. Published September 3, 2014
SNYDER: Robert Griffin III still finding place in QB class of 2012
Can RG3 keep up? Can he recapture the magic? Can he retain his job? Russell Wilson and Nick Foles (and to a lesser extent, Washington backup Kirk Cousins) have become significant subplots to the RG3 drama that fascinated the country from the beginning and has grown ever since. Published September 3, 2014
SNYDER: Ray McDonald’s stupidity gives Roger Goodell convenient outlet for outrage
McDonald is a knucklehead if he put his hands on his fiancée at all, but doubly so for positioning himself to be a guinea pig after Ray Rice's incident led to heightened awareness. Published September 1, 2014
SNYDER: Will latest preventable heatstroke death of a football player spur change?
Every measure should be in place to prevent heat-related illness. How much trouble and expense is involved in having a tub of ice water on the sideline? The National Athletic Trainers' Association says victims who are submerged within 30 minutes of collapsing have a 100 percent survival rate. Published August 27, 2014
SNYDER: Mo’ne Davis, Jackie Robinson West head back to reality after LLWS
Plaudits for JRW and Mo'ne are well-deserved. But they're also part of a larger problem — the overemphasis, glorification and commercialization of youth sports. The line between's child's play and big business hasn't been blurred, it has been obliterated. Published August 25, 2014
SNYDER: With guaranteed scholarships, Maryland champions education for athletes
The national conversation rarely includes any sports outside of football and basketball. But Maryland has gone all-in on all of them. Not just the revenue producers, but also the other 16 sports (six for men, 10 for women) that athletic director Kevin Anderson shepherds. Published August 20, 2014
SNYDER: Notre Dame academic scandal blame should start at top
Disgraceful behavior tends to trickle down. Some athletes won't take their academics seriously if the school doesn't. And if the school doesn't, regular students won't, either. The message becomes clear to everyone on campus: The most important thing is helping athletes retain their eligibility, not receive an education. Published August 18, 2014
