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 Danielssaying 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.”

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