Willie Parker Trashes Redskins Lockeroom

[Longtimefan]

Originally Posted by SmootSmack

He'd probably know better than any of us what it was like. He doesn't say, of course, if he partied with the rest of them.

I don't interact directly with the current team anymore but I do know that there is a certain reputation around the league about the team..well I should say, was a certain reputation. I do believe it is changing. Most of the "abusers" are gone.

But the Redskins have had a seesaw culture (if that even makes sense). I was there during the Turner, Marty, and Spurrier years.

And I've talked about this before.

Norv-bless his heart he really tried, but he just couldn't command any respect. Mainly because he didn't try to earn it, so much as he tried to force it upon everyone without really proving he deserved it

Marty-took a while to earn people's respect, but he got it

Spurrier-he just wanted to coach football and there was no discipline at all during this time. 2002 was my favorite year covering the Redskins. Non-stop partying. I've mentioned here how I used to get phone calls from players during meetings...during their meetings, not mine. Heck, I used to plan parties for these guys "Come to Rod Gardner's Birthday Party...Live at the Ibex!"

Gibbs-Well, by now I was gone but by all accounts instant respect and accountability

Zorn-As I've heard it, very similar to Norv. But then what made it worse was Cerrato above him

Anyhow, I don't doubt what Parker was saying may have been true last spring. But I don't know if it is so much now

Parker uses the label as if it's an inherent trait exclusive to the Redskins. It could be safe to say there are other teams around the league that could bear the same title [to some degree] if sought out.

What bothers me is when players like Parker come through for no more than a cup of Coffee and leave with a wealty of criticism as if he really knows what goes on here on a consistent basis. He was not here long enough to know very much about the inner workings of the team.

It really irks me at times when players come here having nothing but good things to say and leave [in most cases not of their own volition] and have nothing but derogatory things to say when they leave. It's happened so many times before with Pierce, Sellers, Arrington and that's just to name a few.

[Swarley]

Originally Posted by Longtimefan

Parker uses the label as if it's an inherent trait exclusive to the Redskins. It could be safe to say there are other teams around the league that could bear the same title [to some degree] if sought out.

What bothers me is when players like Parker come through for no more than a cup of Coffee and leave with a wealty of criticism as if he really knows what goes on here on a consistent basis. He was not here long enough to know very much about the inner workings of the team.

It really irks me at times when players come here having nothing but good things to say and leave [in most cases not of their own volition] and have nothing but derogatory things to say when they leave. It's happened so many times before with Pierce, Sellers, Arrington and that's just to name a few.

My thoughts exactly!

I also loved Cooley's response, what a cool mf'er he is.

I don't dispute that our team has done its share of partying and has lost focus (a lot). I just dispute that WP is the person that should be talking, considering how long he was here and everything else we've heard on the contrary since Shanahan has been here.

IMO Willie was here for about 5 minutes, I doubt he had too much personal experience to go from.

[#56fanatic]

Isn't this a trend with all players that leave Redskins Park? They all have bad things to say about the organization. I have tended to believe the players when they leave. They really have no reason to lie, especially when it seems everysingle player seems to say the same thing. Basically no leadership, no commitment to winning, to much "me" stuff in the locker room. This goes back to when Mitchell was cut, Champ being traded (Classy player finally playing for a classy organization) i believe where his words during the Broncos press conference. Both Randel El and Willy Parker basically said the same thing, that this organization is focused on too much other stuff other than winning. I sure hope this regime brings a winning attitude and changes the culture around here. Right now, its only known for overpaying for overhyped players.

[CrustyRedskin]

OOOh ohhhhhhhhh what a feeeeeelin when they're dancin on the ceiling!! A redskins park! Moss kinda looks like Lionel Ritchie.

[SmootSmack]

I think saying "all players" is quite extreme hyperbole. I also think I'm not sure how Champ is defined (or defines himself) as a classy player. And I know that some of these concerns didn't begin with Snyder, lest anyone think so.

[hooskins]

Obviously he is a bit salty, but he isn't the first player to suggest this. Didn't a player from AZ say this too?

[MTK]

Culture change doesn't happen overnight. We had a lot of turnover last year and will have plenty more again this year. You can just see by the draft philosophy this year that a strong emphasis was placed on character and work ethic.

[NC_Skins]

Originally Posted by Mattyk

Culture change doesn't happen overnight. We had a lot of turnover last year and will have plenty more again this year. You can just see by the draft philosophy this year that a strong emphasis was placed on character and work ethic.

I agree with you Matty on that it doesn't change over night. However, I think what also needs to change is the mentality from Skins fans in general. Just because a person says something about your organization doesn't make him bitter or mad he got cut/traded/low balled, etc. It just means he's telling you what you don't get to see.


I found a picture that accurately describes many Skins fans.




I keep hearing over and over again how partying didn't affect the SKins back in the 80's, but Gibbs says otherwise. They got blown out in the Super Bowl largely in part because they were partying that whole week. I also don't recall a perfect (or near close to perfect) season either and to assume their partying didn't affect their W/L record as well is probably misguided.

Last years record:

Away: 4-4
Home: 2-6

Wonder why now we get shit on at home? Don't think that Eagle blowout was from kids partying that whole weekend? It's not all partying, but it certainly doesn't help things when you lack talent. Also, quite a few insiders have said exactly the same thing Smoot has said earlier in this thread. One in particular is close to the players and knows it's a ongoing thing for some of these guys.

[MonkFan4Life]

At the end of the interview one of the hosts says

"And whats real unfortunate is uh, part of Willie's skill set doesn't really lend itself to be a third down back because he really can't catch the football...(*giggle*)...Just cant !

Bum ass effer ! Keep making your youtube videos so teams can see that you still have it.

[tjmorgan]

Yep, it is the redskins fault that he sucks. All the partying kept him from making the team. Get real. He's just pissed that he got cut.

[NC_Skins]

Originally Posted by tjmorgan

Yep, it is the redskins fault that he sucks. All the partying kept him from making the team. Get real. He's just pissed that he got cut.

Did he say that was the reason that kept him from making the team? I think injuries have more than anything to do with it, which he acknowledge. So why are you raging about something he's never claimed. He's stating a fact, and you clearly are in denial.

[MTK]

Fans of any team are generally going to defend their team. That's not unique to the Skins. He may be speaking some truth, but at the same time he does come off sounding a little bitter.

[NC_Skins]

Originally Posted by Mattyk

Fans of any team are generally going to defend their team. That's not unique to the Skins. He may be speaking some truth, but at the same time he does come off sounding a little bitter.

I didn't mean to imply it's just Redskins fans, and I agree it's all fans across the board. However, I think it's time for fans (of all bad teams) to stop and look in the mirror. Especially us. We want to lash out at the guys who say these things, but lets stop and take a look. What teams out there are really talked negatively from the players perspective? Bengals? Raiders? Redskins? Hell, I've heard more crap about the Skins than I have the Lions. So maybe, just maybe, they are right and we are wrong. It's our players that is our problem, our culture, which we agree is changing and going to take time.

I listened to the interview again, and WP doesn't sound bitter one bit. He's simply answering the questions he's asked. We make it out to be like he called the press conference to rant about how bad the Skins are. Simply not the case here and to trash this dude? Had he been bitter, I think he would have been saying more things along the line of "I didn't get a fair shake", or "they did me wrong". You want bitter? Try Lavar Arrington. Now that is a bitter mofo..lol

I'll say it again, I'm happy we have a coach that is getting rid of the trash and the guys here to simply collect a check.

[skinsfan69]

yawn...

[Longtimefan]

I wouldn't expect anything less from Cooley.

Chris Cooley responds to Willie Parker - DC Sports Bog - The Washington Post