Monday, October 01, 2001
Retired Deion rips Redskins
Says Schottenheimer is reason he didn't return to Washington
The Associated Press
NEW YORK — Deion Sanders called the Washington Redskins “a team in disarray” and said Sunday that coach Marty Schottenheimer was the reason he retired rather than return to the team.
Sanders, hired as a feature reporter and playoff contributor for CBS, questioned the desire of his old club.
“I was in a stage of my career where I didn't want to accept change,” he said. “I came in under the assumption that (ex-coach) Norv Turner was going to be in place. I didn't see a winning forecast in the future. (Owner) Dan Snyder allowed Schottenheimer to have control of the whole situation. ... Guys are not buying into his system.”
In a conference call from his home near Dallas, Sanders questioned the Redskins' release of quarterback Jeff George after just two games.
“That was a diversion to buy time,” he said. “He retained 23 of 53 players ... (from) the previous year. He got rid of trainers, the equipment managers — they're all gone. Ninety-five percent of the personnel are gone. It's a whole new atmosphere.
“When I played there last year, everybody was talking about chemistry. I don't see anybody talking about chemistry this year.”
Sanders said his retirement after 13 years in the NFL is permanent.
“I'm done,” he said. “I'm enjoying my kids. I'm enjoying fishing daily.”
CBS Sports president Sean McManus said Sanders would do six features for the network, as well as additional work for the playoffs.
“I plan to be me,” Sanders said of his approach to his new job. “They asked for Deion Sanders. I can't be anyone else.”
SUPER BOWL SITE:
The NFL is considering Giants Stadium for the Super Bowl as a way to help New York recover from the terrorist attacks.
But commissioner Paul Tagliabue said he still hopes to keep the championship game in New Orleans while playing a full season, and that East Rutherford is just one of several options. The NFL also is looking at Los Angeles, Tampa and Miami.
The idea of holding the title game at Giants Stadium on Feb.3 was proposed by New York Sen. Charles Schumer.
“It would be one way to help rebuild the city,” Tagliabue said Sunday. “But there would also be logistical problems and security problems.”
New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani said it would be “terrific” if the Super Bowl were at Giants Stadium.
“They should just decree that the Giants and the Jets are going to be in it and stop all this nonsense with all these other teams,” he said jokingly.
Tagliabue spent much of last week negotiating with the National Association of Auto Dealers, trying to switch dates with the group, which is scheduled to meet in New Orleans on Feb.3.
The Super Bowl had been scheduled for New Orleans on Jan.27, but the NFL wants to delay the playoffs a week because of the week it took off after the Sept.11 attacks in New York and Washington.
A switch with the auto dealers has hit a number of snags.
“They have a lot of exhibitors who already have reservations and tickets,” Tagliabue said.
Asked about reservations made by fans headed for the Super Bowl, he replied: “That's our problem. It's what we have to deal with.”
Tagliabue also said he is exploring the possibility of an accelerated playoff system that would keep the Super Bowl in New Orleans on the scheduled date.
RAIDER EJECTED:
Oakland linebacker Elijah Alexander was ejected from the Raiders' game against Seattle after he made a helmet-to-helmet hit on Seahawks quarterback Trent Dilfer.
The Seahawks said Dilfer suffered a concussion.
The Raiders were leading 38-0 when Alexander hit Dilfer shortly after the quarterback released a 54-yard pass to Darrell Jackson midway through the third quarter. Alexander removed his helmet on the field while protesting the call, then gave high-fives to several fans as he was escorted to the locker room.
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Retired Deion rips Redskins
