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Doc Walker Tells Vinny How to Run His House


Knows that Shawn Springs is not dead. (2002 TWP photo by Tracy Woodward.)

At least one member of the Redskins defense was irritated with Shawn Springs's OTA absence last month, with Phillip Daniels saying this to reporters:

"If there's no reason [for his absence] and I'm here, then be here, be a leader...He's not here to help us right now. ... He gotta deal with the way people perceive him. I can only say to him, 'Get here. Be involved with this.' "

The team's party line has been significantly less concerned, while the media people seeking something to talk about in late June have been significantly more concerned. Luckily, we can all find middle ground, as in this borderline uncomfortable exchange between Doc Walker and Vinny Cerrato during an on-air interview this week.

Doc Walker: "Now you've got to help me with this one, because when I hear that you guys have not heard from a player that you are signed to and paying millions of dollars to, I find that almost impossible for me to grasp. Now shed some light on this. You have not had any contact with...do you even know if Shawn Springs is alive?"

Vinny Cerrato: "Yeah, you know what, because I know he's in town and he works out with the boxing guy, and he was out in Arizona. I mean, it's no different than he did last year. I mean, Doc, you know why it doesn't really, it was the same thing he did last year. And you know what, and if I'm Shawn, I would do the same thing I did the year before. He had a great year, he didn't miss any time, was healthy the whole year. So, I mean, I expected him to go back to Arizona and do all those things, and he never talked to anybody last year either....You know, he's a mature guy. When he shows up, he's going to be in as good a shape as anybody on the football team."

Doc: "That I don't doubt, but I just found it interesting throughout OTA's when people said they haven't heard from a guy you're paying, somebody--again, I could be wrong--but it just seems like you ought to be able to make a phone call. Either the player should be able to call you or you ought to be able to call the player. I just find that unacceptable. But that's just me."

[Both men attempt to speak.]

Doc [Louder now]: No, I'm just saying, when that comes out, to me, it's not what you're looking for. You can say a guy's out training somewhere, but you can make a phone call. Somebody ought to be, either you to him, or him to you.

[Pause.]

Vinny [Admitting defeat]: Yeah. That's, that's probably true, Doc.

Doc [Victorious]: Yeah.

Vinny [Trying to recover]: But you know what, uh, he'll be in great shape when he shows up, and, uh, you know....

Doc [Pitying]: "Ok. I'm not gonna tell you how to run your house."

By Dan Steinberg |  June 26, 2008; 2:24 PM ET  | Category:  Redskins
Previous: D.C. Approval Rating: Ernie Grunfeld | Next: Dmitri Young Used to be Svelte


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Comments

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Stein - It's clearly a "manhood issue"

Posted by: Brian | June 26, 2008 2:28 PM

Vinny didn't have it in him to toss a GFY Doc's way

Posted by: Rashad | June 26, 2008 2:29 PM

In related news, Steinberg stated earlier this morning that he has not heard from videographer Johnny Skidmarks since Monday morning. Skidmarks has not been in contact with Blog staff since then and the staff continues to cover his duties. Word has it he is down in North Carolina working on his video and camera skills but the Blog crew is not pleased

Posted by: Fushezzi | June 26, 2008 2:33 PM

Where is Doc Walker's "D.C.'s Approval Rating" Dan?

Posted by: JoeBlazin | June 26, 2008 2:43 PM

88.

Posted by: Eddie C | June 26, 2008 2:55 PM

Thats what Vinny gets for coming into the locker room with that weak stuff

Posted by: CRitch | June 26, 2008 3:00 PM

But what about me?

Posted by: THE MONGOOSE | June 26, 2008 3:21 PM

No question but that Shawn Springs is the Skins top CB. Phillip Daniels, on the other hand, is one member of a defensive line that many Skins fans argue needs some oomph.

That said, if Doc Walker DID tell Vinny how to run his house, I would hope he would say something like no warmer than 66 degrees in the winter and no colder than 80 degrees in the summer.

Springs is still just pissed about being asked to take a pay cut when everyone else was getting extensions and raises. Passive aggression. Simple case of agree to disagree. No rough housing, no one getting hurt. Voluntary remains voluntary ... everyone continues to hold their breath for the new Head Coach "adjusting" to the position.

Key bogline: " ... the media people seeking something to talk about in late June have been significantly more concerned ..."

Posted by: dcsween | June 26, 2008 3:28 PM

I love being a Redskins Insider and all, but give it a rest. A.I. was way ahead of his time: "We're talking about practice..."

Posted by: WaPoLiveFan16 | June 26, 2008 3:40 PM

A rest?!?! Where talking about giving it a rest?!?!

Posted by: dcsween | June 26, 2008 3:42 PM

I was referring to the media drowning us in stupid, who missed what reports.

Steinz...you should never rest!

Posted by: WaPoLiveFan16 | June 26, 2008 3:43 PM

When does Danny officially take over 980? That might be the last we hear from Doc on this station.

Posted by: getemdoc | June 26, 2008 3:53 PM

I thought these OTA's weren't mandatory. So why the outcry when guys don't show. If you want them to be mandatory, then make them mandatory.

Posted by: bowiemd1 | June 26, 2008 4:20 PM

Mandatory or voluntary, I think it's just the way the Skins handled the situation. Why not just say "hey we've contact Shawn. He is training hard, like he did last year, in location X and y"? Instead of claiming to have had no contact with him. Pick up the damn phone and call your employee.

Posted by: Bart | June 26, 2008 4:23 PM

I wish DOC was running the house.

Posted by: Rando IN LA | June 26, 2008 4:25 PM

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