Generational thing

I think this was more the case during his first season here, when many of us younger pups were more critical in questioning what the Skins were doing on offense.

At this point, 3 years in, I think most would agree Gibbs has to stand on the merits of his current team.

Well of course I'm from the old school Gibbs and know what he is capable of. I don't limit myself to just what we see on the field, but more of what Gibbs has done from the ground up. I'm disappointed that this time around, the Redskins haven't turned into the dominating team it once was under Gibbs. However, I have to keep in mind just how horribly out of control this team was in when Spurrier left it.

I do honestly believe we should focus on what Gibbs is doing for the team now, and not what he has done for us in the past. However, we also should keep in mind that Joe Gibbs is the reason why the majority of us are Redskins fans. He has been the only coach to lead this team to glory three times within a decade. I believe his '91 team would take care of this New England team. I just hope his '07 team can find some way of doing it as well.

Let me add that any other coach would have gotten crushed and probably fired after last season's disappointment. I think Skins fans were pretty gracious in blaming everything on Archuletta instead.

Wow! This is maybe the most well-reasoned thread discussion since I became a member. Great post from Soupermeister, freddyg and djnemo65.

Here's my one question: if Gibbs excelled at building a dominant O-line in his first tenure, why have we lacked that in this go around? Last year saw a pretty good O-line (because there were no injuries), but you can't really say the line has been totally dominant during Gibbs' second tenure.

Wow! This is maybe the most well-reasoned thread discussion since I became a member. Great post from Soupermeister, freddyg and djnemo65.

Here's my one question: if Gibbs excelled at building a dominant O-line in his first tenure, why have we lacked that in this go around? Last year saw a pretty good O-line (because there were no injuries), but you can't really say the line has been totally dominant during Gibbs' second tenure.


Because before free agency

1. 17 rounds in the NFL draft
2. Once drafted, a player was dedicated to that team until he retired, was traded, or cut.
3. Roster size wasn't limited to 53 (You could have 70+; in other words a huge ass practice squad= more depth)
4. No Salary Cap (Washington was the second highest paid franchise in the 80's behind SF)
5. 28 NFL teams opposed to 32. (More talent to spread out over less teams)

Gibbs is a Hall of Fame coach. He knows football. He didn't forget it, and he never will. I don't believe people who say, "the game has passed him by." I don't think that's possible, unless he has become senile -- which he is not.

Nobody should question whether Gibbs can do it. I'm not saying he's beyond questioning, but to question his ability is ridiculous. Question his decisions, but don't question his ability.

I give Gibbs A LOT of leeway, and I didn't get to experience much of his success during his first tenure with the Skins. The reason I give Gibbs leeway is that he has already proven himself. He knows football. There's passing, rushing, defense, and special teams. Guess what? That hasn't changed since '91.

People who say the game has changed too much are making the argument that somebody (Gibbs) who proved he knew more than most about football, now knows nothing. You really believe the game has changed that much? Whatever.

When Gibbs came back to Washington the team was in shambles. Poor decisions were made every year since he left, and that affected the team. You can't undo those decisions, and you can't fix them overnight. It takes time. He's had to fix over 10 years worth of poor decisions, and I think he's done quite well doing that in just 3 years.

I definitely give Gibbs more slack than I would other coaches--I saw what he did before, and how he did it. I'm not adverse to criticizing him, but he gets the benefit of the doubt with me--I feel like he earned it here the first time round.

That being said, things need to pick up on the offensive side of the ball, and the FO must learn from the AA/Lloyd debacles. Drafting and a more moderate, focused FA approach is warranted.

(Note: if we get pounded in NE, that is not to be taken as a sign that Gibbs should go! Everyone is getting smacked by them. But I think the playoffs are a must this year.)

I totally disagree. Im 35 years old and I watched Gibbs 1.0 every single week. What we have now is Gibbs relying totally on GW for any and all Defensive decisions. Then, once we have a lead, Gibbs influences the playcalling by going into turtle mode with run, run, run, punt. In addition, I cannot remember clock management issues in Gibbs 1.0, and it seems like poor game management decisions are a weekly occurrence in Gibbs 2.0.
If you watched Gibbs 1.0 you should remember he left all his Defensive decisions to a better D-Coordinator than GW, Richie Pettibone. I also wouldn't be sure it is Gibbs' influence on the playcalling, it could be all Saunders, the Chiefs were pretty run heavy under him. As for clock management and halftime adjustments being poor, it is baffling to us all why they continue to be a problem.
My belief is; Saunders should go, Gibbs should take back the playcalling and the Skins need to hire a GM. IMO Gibbs is too loyal & kind hearted to make some of the calculated & cold-hearted decisions that are necessary in the era of Free Agency & Salary Cap. In the pre-Salary Cap days all Gibbs had to do was convince JKC to spend, and he spent.

If you watched Gibbs 1.0 you should remember he left all his Defensive decisions to a better D-Coordinator than GW, Richie Pettibone. I also wouldn't be sure it is Gibbs' influence on the playcalling, it could be all Saunders, the Chiefs were pretty run heavy under him. As for clock management and halftime adjustments being poor, it is baffling to us all why they continue to be a problem.
My belief is; Saunders should go, Gibbs should take back the playcalling and the Skins need to hire a GM. IMO Gibbs is too loyal & kind hearted to make some of the calculated & cold-hearted decisions that are necessary in the era of Free Agency & Salary Cap. In the pre-Salary Cap days all Gibbs had to do was convince JKC to spend, and he spent.

You could have a lot right here but you're wish is unlikely to come true. Gibbs more likely to be gone w/ Saunders sticking around (or they both go). Any other coach in the league would have been forced out at this pt (or earlier) for the inconsistent, generally piss-poor performance in WA. Snyder can't do it to Gibbs because of the old general's rep. but you damn well know any other coach would have been shitcanned by now.

Gibbs is ready to retire, and I think when/if Saunders really takes over the offense will produce more. Gibbs has heavily influenced the offense's strategy - he's even admitted it, which is a slip I think - and kept things ultra conservative. IMO Gibbs is going conservative to protect JC, but it's a huge mistake. The result, which I've said is pretty friggin obvious, is that our guys haven't really bought into the gameplan. There's little spark among the offense. For one thing, they all know the ball won't get spread around much - Portis, Portis, Moss, Sellers, Portis, Betts, ARE, Betts, Portis, Portis, Cooley. Come on! There's not much to get excited about here unless you're CP I swear he's hurt or depressed or something.

Well I go all the way back to George Allen, and no one here criticises Gibbs more than I.