ST. LOUIS (AP) -Al Saunders wants the Washington Redskins to win the rest of their games. Except for the next one, of course.
The St. Louis Rams’ offensive coordinator takes great pride in the Redskins’ rise to prominence heading into Sunday’s game against his old team, having helped out in the building process the last two seasons. No hard feelings about getting fired last January, either, after Joe Gibbs decided to retire for the second time.
“To see them having success is like your own children having success,” Saunders said. “There’s a time when you move on, but I’m excited for those guys. I just hope they don’t put it all together on Sunday.”
Although the Redskins (4-1) are running a West Coast-style passing offense under new coach Jim Zorn, they’ve retained most elements of the running game from when Saunders was their offensive coordinator. Washington upset the Eagles on the road last week and are considered one of the NFC’s top teams.
Saunders said. “We went through so much last year with Sean Taylor’s death and having to win the last four games to get into the playoffs, and now it’s all coming to fruition for them.”
Saunders felt no sense of disappointment that he wasn’t interviewed for the head coaching vacancy that was filled by Jim Zorn, saying if any assistant was going to get the job it should have been defensive coordinator Gregg Williams. Since landing with the Rams (0-4), Saunders has said several times that he went to Washington only for the opportunity to work under Gibbs.
Far from feeling jilted, Saunders predicts ultimate success soon for the Redskins and the man who showed him the door.
“Dan Snyder will win a Super Bowl eventually,” Saunders said. “They will win it all, because the only thing he wants to do is win. He’ll do anything he can financially to help that franchise.”
Summing up his two years in Washington, Saunders said it was “great.”
The 61-year-old Saunders was an NFL head coach from 1986-88 with the San Diego Chargers, and at this stage of his career would rather teach than take on the overseer role the head coaching job often requires. He maintains it never crossed his mind that he might be considered for the Redskins or Rams openings.
head coach, you don’t coach anymore. You spend so much time with the media, so much time with ownership, so much time with personnel, so much time with issues inside and outside the building.”
The Rams chose defensive coordinator Jim Haslett, a head coach for the second time who inherited a team that’s been an NFL doormat for a while now. They’ve been outscored 147-43, and have lost 17 of their last 20.
“I’m where I was when I came here, and that’s why I came here,” Saunders said. “I’m excited for Jim, he wants to be a head coach. That’s what’s important for him, and I’m hoping to help get him a long-term contract here.”
In the meantime, Rams players will benefit from Saunders’ perennially upbeat personality. Under Scott Linehan, the coordinators spoke to the media the day after games, and Saunders always found something positive to say no matter how severe the drubbing.
“When you look at the four games we’ve played offensively, you say ‘This guy is nuts,”’ Saunders said. “We’re still a little fragile, they’re still thinking about last year and that we just can’t get over the hump. Well, eventually he will.”
Players believe in Saunders, and that’s a start.
“Coach Saunders makes sure we don’t dwell on the things we’re doing bad, and he also points out how close we are to being a 30-35 point a game team,” running back Steven Jackson said. “The thing I like most about him is he makes sure he continues to make us chase the carrot, always gives you a goal to shoot for.”
Add A Comment