Deron Snyder

SNYDER: Calvin Johnson, Johnny Manziel each ending careers on their own terms

Johnson, one of the best wide receivers since entering the league in 2007, appears ready to retire because of a variety of injuries. Manziel's self-destructive behavior hasn't allowed him anywhere near his prime.

February 1, 2016

SNYDER: Rob Manfred’s next priority should be addressing the DH rule

Manfred has been quick to tweak the sport during his first year as commissioner, implementing initiatives when necessary, and the role of the designated hitter in the National League will likely be part of CBA talks.

January 27, 2016

SNYDER: Loss to Michigan State exposes glaring weaknesses for Maryland

Although most top-10 teams can expect a few rough spells during the course of the season, Maryland's loss to Michigan State on Saturday played to the nagging questions about the team's overall toughness.

January 25, 2016

SNYDER: If there’s a perfect sport to rig, it would have to be tennis

Bettors wager more than $7 billion annually on tennis, according to one estimate, and if some player wanted a piece of that action, he or she wouldn't have to worry about someone else getting in the way.

January 20, 2016

SNYDER: Two-point gamble would have served Packers better than playing for tie

Coaches always prefer to play it safe when it comes to making outside-the-box decisions, but had the Packers went for the two-point conversion following their late touchdown, who knows where they'd be?

January 18, 2016

SNYDER: Rams’ move to Los Angeles shows just how willing cities are to lure NFL

St. Louis went to bed on Tuesday night as a scorned lover after the Rams were permitted to flee to Los Angeles, returning to the city of their roots and costing their adopted home a franchise for a second time.

January 13, 2016

SNYDER: NCAA’s greatest interest is driving revenue, keeping money from athletes

Monday's College Football Playoff championship game between Alabama and Clemson served as a reminder of a level of excess in Division I athletics that nearly always skips the students participating in athletics.

January 11, 2016

SNYDER: Washington’s ride ends, but its journey is just beginning

An overachieving season has led to plenty of thoughts about the future, especially considering general manager Scot McCloughan and coach Jay Gruden finally appear to have their team heading in the right direction.

January 10, 2016

SNYDER: Amazingly, this worst-to-first team still has room to grow

Finishing last one year doesn't prevent a team from finishing first the next. Several teams have pulled it off in recent seasons, with Washington's five-win turnaround equaling what it pulled off in 2012.

January 6, 2016

SNYDER: Kirk Cousins’ success should have never been seen as impossible

Cousins was seen by many as little more than a backup who couldn't handle a starting role, but after he was handed that responsibility this season, he has clearly been exemplary.

January 4, 2016

SNYDER: Jay Gruden can’t rest starters, treat game against Cowboys as exhibition

There may be some temptation for Gruden to let his team coast into the playoffs with its starters on the sidelines, but there are only so many players who can sit. Plus, beating the Cowboys is an incentive to win.

December 30, 2015

SNYDER: Peyton Manning saga shows public opinion rules in case-by-case basis

The general public tends to believe Manning when he vehemently denied he took performance-enhancing substances. What makes Manning's denials more credible than others who have used them in the past?

December 28, 2015

SNYDER: Howard’s James Daniel III embracing role as nation’s top scorer

Daniel, a junior, is averaging 28.4 points per game this season for the Bison, who recruited him three years ago to anchor their rebuilding project. So far, Daniel and Howard have embraced that challenge.

December 23, 2015

SNYDER: The NFL must prioritize player safety, regardless of the offender’s stardom

Odell Beckham Jr. is one of the league's youngest, most marketable stars, but the Giants' wide receiver, suspended on Monday for his antics a day earlier, should have been scrutinized more closely by officials.

December 21, 2015

SNYDER: Kirk Cousins’ progression has been as steady as the rest of his offense

Cousins figured he'd have a smashmouth running game to turn to when passing yards were hard to come by, but he soon found that wouldn't be the case, giving him additional responsibility.

December 20, 2015

SNYDER: Serena Williams’ choice as ‘Sportsperson of Year’ worthy of respect

Williams has been criticized for the pose that appears on the cover of Sports Illustrated's annual "Sportsperson of the Year" issue, but it's clear she has deserved the attention that comes with the honor.

December 16, 2015

SNYDER: Warriors’ exuberance during winning streak leaves us wanting more

The Warriors' season-opening winning streak, which ended at 24 games on Saturday, brought a sense of excitement to arenas around the country. Golden State embraced the challenge, enjoying the spotlight.

December 14, 2015

SNYDER: When players speak their minds, it gives us something to talk about

Most athletes choose to stick to the script when it comes to their comments, which is why it catches us off-guard when players such as Adrian Peterson and Ezekiel Elliott point fingers and direct blame after a loss.

December 9, 2015

SNYDER: Dallas, Washington show how crowded — and miserable — it is at the top

The snoozer-turned-barnburner between the longtime rivals showed that the NFC East is rife with mediocre teams, one of which will have to win the division and claim a playoff berth.

December 8, 2015

SNYDER: The time has come to take Cam Newton seriously as the MVP

Despite being the quarterback of the Panthers, who are undefeated through their first 12 games, Newton hasn't been involved in the discussion for NFL MVP. It's time to acknowledge that he's arrived.

December 7, 2015