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The Washington Times Online Edition

Thom Loverro: Reuniting band isn’t right tune

Russ Grimm again is a semifinalist for election to the Pro Football Hall of Fame, and nothing would delight Washington Redskins fans more than an August trip to Canton to celebrate the induction of one of the legendary Hogs.

Nothing, except, that legendary Hog being named coach of the Redskins before his induction.

Speculation and hopeful anticipation abounds that one of the available Super Bowl coaches - Mike Shanahan, Mike Holmgren, Bill Cowher, Jon Gruden and Tony Dungy - will come to Washington in the offseason to lead the Redskins out of the abyss.

But some fans instead would rather see an old favorite make his return to Washington.

I don’t quite understand why so many believe Russ Grimm is the man to fix the Redskins’ problems.

Grimm, the offensive line coach for the Arizona Cardinals, has been considered for other head coaching jobs around the league - and always passed over.

Five years ago, he was a candidate for the job in Chicago that went to Lovie Smith.

Last winter, he reportedly was considered for the vacant New York Jets job that went to Rex Ryan.

Most notably, Grimm several years ago was said to be the leading candidate for the Pittsburgh Steelers job that ultimately went to Mike Tomlin.

And now, according to Charley Casserly, the former Redskins general manager and current football insider on “The NFL Today” on CBS, Grimm is a candidate for the Buffalo Bills job.

You have to wonder why Grimm keeps getting passed over. You have to wonder why Grimm, with no head coaching experience, would be preferable to a candidate like Shanahan, who over 16 NFL seasons compiled an impressive record of 244-146 and won two Super Bowls with the Denver Broncos.

The allure in some ways is understandable: Grimm was a big part of the Redskins’ glory years, a four-time Pro Bowl guard who played on teams that went to four Super Bowls and won three of them. It’s part of the “let’s get the band back together” feel-good theory.

So why not bring Charley Casserly back to serve as general manager for coach Russ Grimm?

Why not bring in Joe Jacoby, who spent this season as a volunteer assistant coach at Shenandoah University, as the offensive line coach?

Earnest Byner, who serves as the position coach to running back Chris Johnson for the Tennessee Titans, could return to Washington for a second stint in that spot for the Redskins.

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