Here's the open letter that's posted on the Mervis Diamond website:
Dear Dan Snyder,
We, the 1,798 signatories of this Redskins Petition make the following declaration: We will not stand idly by as you destroy our beloved team. We feel it is imperative to band together and make our voice heard. This wiki-style "open letter" is meant to reflect our common concerns and ideas on how we can turn our team around:
Call a news conference as soon as possible and take responsibility for the atrocious state of the team. Please hire a General Manager and let him hire the coach. The coach should then hire his own staff instead of the front office. Also make yourself available to the press. Watch from the owners' box and please don't make a mockery out of our beloved team.1. Due to the fact you have hired an outsider to be the Redskins play caller and at the same time undermined your head coach and offensive coordinator you have not only shamed the coaching staff but the team and fans as well.
2. An experienced, or rising, competent professional from a winning organization that has a winning track record really should be employed as general manager and given authority and time.
3. As an owner it is ideal to separate yourself from the day to day management of the team. Your worries should be limited to similar duties like those of the other owners.
4. The Redskins must treat their players, employees and fans with respect. That includes not suing fans who can no longer afford season tickets due to the current economic situation. Team reputation is not only dependent on how the organization treats everyone, and everyone deserves at least a fair opportunity to succeed.
5. The offensive line needs be addressed immediately. Hiring a new play caller is not the solution. The solution is to obtain better offensive linemen who can actually protect the quarterback as well as executing plays.
6. Stop banning the media and other people speaking the truth about the organization from the press box, Fed Ex Field and the Ashburn, VA training center.
7. Please rehire Frank Herzog and fire Larry "Homer" Michaels. The fans honestly do not like him and only tolerate him to hear Sonny and Sam.
8. The only time "Hail To The Redskins" should be played is after we score. Playing the song during commercial breaks to get the crowd going is embarrassing.
9. Please follow the blue print laid down in New Orleans, Atlanta, and New York. We ask that you please not follow what Dallas is doing.
10. Please stop destroying Redskin traditions. Every Redskins fan has two favorite teams: The Redskins and whoever is playing Dallas. That's the way it's always been.
11. Stop making a mockery out of every home game with 15 different drive and hit of the game promotions. An occasional replay would be extremely welcome. Even more welcome would be showing the scores from other games in play at the same time. We like to know when Dallas, Philadelphia and the New York Giants are losing.
12. Parking prices are ridiculous and among the highest in the NFL. Lowering the cost of parking during the recession would help improve your image in fans' eyes. Likewise, the cost of concessions is out of control, even by professional sporting event standards. Be considerate of your fans in tight economic times. There cannot be sell out crowds without them.
13. Please consider re-signing Greg Williams and make him the head coach like you were supposed to after Gibbs re-retired. If you tell someone you're going to make them head coach when the current one retires then keep your word!
14. Give Joe Bugel something to work with. Six Offensive Linemen doesn't cut it for a 16 game season and possible playoff run. More importantly, please make sure they are quality players still in their prime or rookies who are trainable and have a lot potential.
15. Don't taunt the disgruntled fanbase. Having the cheerleaders dance to "Back in Black" the day the fans are expressing their frustration by wearing black clothes is sophomoric at best. Petty moves like this are one of the many reasons why there were so many empty seats on October 18, 2009.
16. Start growing a team from the draft. It's one of the best ways, along with open tryouts, to rebuild a winning team.
17. We need a dedicated, full time general manager. The owner and general manager should be two separate people and two separate jobs. Chris Polian would be an ideal candidate for General Manager. He is an up and coming star in the league not to mention an expert evaluator of talent. He certainly cannot be worse than Vinny Ceratto.
18. Considering bringing in Russ Grimm as head coach or even an assistant.
19. When it comes to business savvy, you are unmatched. You took a team and basically doubled it's net worth in under ten years which is remarkable. Unfortunately, you've lost and alienated the fan base in the process. It's beginning to look like you care more about profit and the bottom line than you do about the good of the team. On top of that, you have trouble owning up to your mistakes, and occasional inconsistent statements. Fans notice these behaviors, and take them to heart. Consider Ted Leonsis and the Capitals as an example of a profitable, but fan adored team in the Washington area. There is room for both success and community in our professional sports market.
20. It is most likely too late too win back the fans this season. If you consider the ideas on this list, maybe, just maybe, next year you'll be looked at in a better light.
21. Please don't be overly enticed by big name players in the off season. If you do happen to get one, please pay him reasonably.
22. No more independent contractor type players. We want long term team players in their prime so we don't have to rehire new ones every three years.
23. Off season solicitation for season tickets should be kept to a couple phone calls at most, especially when the only tickets for offer are club level seats. Again, be considerate of your fan base and their financial realities.
24. Allow more freedom of expression on redskins.com. Matt Terl and Larry Weisman, for example, are talented writers and observers of the game who should not be relegated to coverage of concession prices throughout the League. Their point of view should be valued within the organization, not stifled.
source: http://www.mervisdiamond.com/engagement-diamond
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