Eagles Simon

I know this isn't the reason for the post but I just saw on espnradio on espn.com that their "experts" have the eagles starting 9-0 until they lose to the skins in week 11. they think we'll be 7-3 which I have no problem with but there is no way in hell that phili will start off with 9 straight wins. how do guys with these predictions get these jobs cuz I can spout out nonsense like this easily.

Do not underestimate the NFC East's teams, especially the iggles (or whatever they're to be called!). Until we put up some wins against these guys, we're in no real position to talk. Reid is an excellent coach, and he handles his players well. I do not doubt that they are the team to beat in our division, and that they are stronger than last year. TO is a sideshow, but it's one that Reid can handle. They won't beat themselves; we've got to beat them on the field.

Also, Parcells is a great coach (even though I hate him) and Coughlin will have the jints playing better ball, despite all the bitching. We've got our work cut out for us, with a new staff, new system, lots of new players, etc. 8-8/9-7 and in the wildcard hunt would be a great season.

The NFC east is a beast again, and I'm just glad we got Gibbs to lead us into battle. We're gonna need every ounce of his ability and leadership here. Knowing Gibbs, we'll get that, and more.

SkinsNCanes:

No offense, but in the NFL of 2004 and for the forseeable future, it means nothing "to be a Redskin" - unless the money is right. And if one of these guys is a free agent and can sign for more money elsewhere, he's gone. Case in point: Champ Bailey.

Will Gibbs make a difference? Of course he will. But the team will have to manage its cap in order to pay the players it wants to keep whatever anyone else in the league will pay them. No one is going to give the Skins a $5M "hometown/Joe Gibbs discount" on their contract. And Gibbs knows that!

some might though... didnt tillman take a 60% pay cut to stay put? something huge (like 20mill to 9mill) and then he took about a 99.99999999% pay cut after that :(, i realize most players aren't like that, but if the team is dedicated, if the team wins, and if the team is well liked and respected, you might be able to match bids and win consistantly or even underbid and still pick up the contracts.

Tillman was a rare bird though, very rare.

Still, I think it's possible to accomplish what Gibbs has in mind. Maybe not to the extent that it was back in the 80's, but I think what he wants to do is bring the Redskins organization back to where it previously was. A place where players want to come and play, and not just entirely for the money like it's been since Snyder took over. Obviously winning has a big part to do with attracting and retaining players. If the Redskins were a playoff team the last four years, I don't think players like Champ Bailey would have been so quick to take off.

I honestly think that if players really bond together and with Gibbs that they will do what it takes to keep the team together. I remember last year during a colts game Marvin Harrison went up to the camera and said "I'll take a paycut if that's what it takes to keep Peyton here." Which I loved to see some comradarie!

that was kewl of harrison and I love seeing certain players stick with a team their entire career even when more lucrative offers(money wise and championship oppurtunities) come along, like of course Darrell Green and probably my favorite baseball player of my lifetime thus far Tony Gwynn. Unfortunately we're gonna need some of our current guys to do this in the next few years and hopefully winning with gibbs will help persuade some players to do that.