Johnson Takes Shot at Snyder

Brad Johnson figures his days with the Washington Redskins are over.

So on Wednesday the quarterback who lost his starting job to Jeff George took some early parting shots at Dan Snyder and renewed the debate over whether the owner is too meddlesome in player decisions.

As the rest of the team adjusted to a pared-down daily routine and simpler offensive scheme under interim Coach Terry Robiskie, Johnson said upper management--not Robiskie--has made the decision to start George the rest of the season.

“I think that decision’s made from up top. . . . I think it’s obvious,” Johnson said. “I think Jeff’s going to be the starter the rest of the way out. In case something happens with him, then I’ll be ready to go. Otherwise, I’m just going to finish strong up here and deal with my situation in the off-season.”

Robiskie, speaking after his first practice as coach, did not dispute Johnson’s statement. He said the decision to go with George was made in talks among the coaches and Snyder--and he defended Snyder’s right to have such input.

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Another one or two of those lopsided losses by the Cleveland Browns and Coach Chris Palmer could be in danger of losing his job.

With the Browns having been outscored, 92-7, and embarrassed the last two weeks in losses to the Baltimore Ravens and Jacksonville Jaguars, there is growing speculation that if his team doesn’t play competitively in its final two games, Palmer may not be back for his third season in Cleveland.

“I don’t think about that a lot,” Palmer said. “All I’m trying to worry about is getting the team better. Those decisions are made by other people, so I have no control over that.”

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Chris Warren’s surly days with the Dallas Cowboys are over. The running back was released, three days after being benched early in a 27-7 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Warren was pulled after dropping the first two passes thrown to him, the second of which was snagged by cornerback Brian Kelly and returned for a touchdown. Warren then exchanged words with coaches and spent the rest of the game sulking on the bench.

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A federal jury in Mobile, Ala., convicted former NFL player Sherman Williams on charges of conspiracy and attempting to possess marijuana in a multistate operation. . . . Running back Thurman Thomas of the Miami Dolphins underwent reconstructive surgery to repair a knee injury that ended his season after nine games. Team physician John Uribe repaired the anterior cruciate ligament. Thomas, 34, has said he’s undecided about whether to retire.