Greg Blache Defends Daniel Snyder

Former Redskins player John Riggins has been increasingly critical of current Redskins owner Dan Snyder over the course of the 2009 season. Most recently he took to Showtime's Inside the NFL to air his grievances against Snyder and the Redskins.

Redskins defensive coordinator Greg Blache, who apparently is an ardent Snyder supporter, took some serious issue with Riggins and his constant criticism. So serious an issue, in fact, that the Redskins sent out an incredibly lengthy press release courtesy of Blache early Thursday afternoon.

Some highlights:

- On why he felt compelled to defend Snyder -- "This is a man I've known for six years, since I've been here. And in the six years, I've never seen John Riggins here. I met him once at the Beach Blitz down in Virginia Beach – never seen him in the building. So, to hear such a vicious criticism of somebody I consider not just my employer, but a good friend, bothered me."

- On whether or not Snyder has a "dark heart" -- "The problem is the fans don't get to know Mr. Snyder like we do. They get an impression from things that are written and from things that people say. Let me just tell you something, for a person that's been here for six years, that's gone to him for things that I needed in my family - there's times he's come to me when he's heard about issues in my family and offered his assistance – is unsurpassed. He's one of the most generous, kind individuals you'll ever meet.

"My wife and I are involved in Hospice and there've been countless times he's come and helped us with issues and stuff with Hospice. To see that and get the feeling that that's what everyone on the outside is hearing about this person, I decided it was time to come and set the record straight. It's enough. It really is. We've had criticisms from people outside the building saying who Dan Snyder is and who is isn't. They don't know Dan Snyder and that's the problem."

- And, more on why Blache felt compelled to defend Snyder so adamantly -- "I just felt like it was time for somebody to come and throw a little truth out there. We keep hearing these other sides, these other factions, and to be quite candid, the third side – the truth – is that this person, all he wants to do is win. That's all he wants to do. He will spend his money, he will spend his time, he wants to win, he is here for the people, for the fans, for the Washington Redskins. Nobody pains more when we are unsuccessful than Dan Snyder. There is nobody that cares more about the fans than Dan Snyder. There is nobody that wants to win here, more than Dan Snyder. I just think that its time to put out there, for you guys to understand, that everything that is wrong with this organization is not Dan Snyder."

So, to sum things up, Blache really feels like Snyder -- his boss, mind you -- isn't getting a fair shake in the eyes of the fans and the general public. Hearing Riggins' constant public scrutinizing of Snyder seemed to have struck a chord with Blache, so he decided to send out an 800-word press release in defense of the maligned owner.

So, is Snyder really the humanitarian Blache makes him out to be, or is Blache just trying to ensure he keeps his job for the rest of the his life?

As with most discussions like this, the answer probably lies somewhere in the middle.