Riggins comments about Joe Gibbs

More of what Riggo said: "I'm wondering if he's starting to say 'Gosh . . . is this the right decision I wanted to make here?' And I think it's translating into his offense because they don't seem to be forceful. Is this a trend or is this just something that's going to work its way out as the season goes on?"

Gibbs said, "I'd have to ask John what he meant by that."

Just two weeks ago, Riggins was talking about this team being a "lock" for the playoffs. Sounds like he's just trying to draw attention to himself and his show. I think the comments are completely out of line after just two games

George Michael (the sports anchor, not the dude from WHAM!) responds: (http://www.webvisionsinc.com/skinsbandwagon/documents/georgemichael.rm)

*you'll need real player to view this*

Special thanks to WeWantDallas (http://www.mindspring.com/~dissident/skinsmemories.html) for providing the video (hope you don't mind that I jacked this from your site)

Thanks Smoot. There is another side to this that I really like and it's how passionate George got about this. I feel the same way he does. Joe Gibbs has two games under his belt and is still adjusting. His team is still adjusting. What an assanine thing to say. However, it is nice to see fans passionate about the skins again. Could you imagine anybody tearing up with anger over a comment about Spurrier?

Keep us posted about what happens when these two confront each other.....

Riggins never sold out. Maybe it's not too late to get a stipend from Snyder!?

It's funny, I've heard people say George Michael is washed up, but he seems to still have the same fiery loyalty to the Redskins and Joe Gibbs that he always has. It was just as big a deal for me to bump into Michael at Redskins Park as it was when I bumped into Sonny, Sam and Frank. Michael has always been an icon of the Redskins experience to me, and you can see why in that video. The guy loves it just as much as we do.

As for Riggo's comments, he's never shied away from controversy, and I think in some ways, it echoes some latent fears that exist in many Redskins fans' minds, even if they don't want to admit it. I think many of us, including myself, are so steadfast in our support for Gibbs that we don't want to acknowledge the possibility that Gibbs could falter. Even the hint of that possibility or something similar stirs up an immediate and passionate response from the Redskins faithful. I certainly think that's what Riggo was trying to do when he made these comments-- that's his job, after all-- and it certainly seems to be working. Now some fans will want to listen to Riggo's show, whether they agree with him or not, just to see if he will make more controversial comments. And that's the whole point. They talk so people will listen.

Personally, I agree wholeheartedly with everything Michael said, and while Michael definitely comes off as an unabashed Gibbs supporter, everything he said is accurate from what I've seen of Gibbs since the first March minicamps. Gibbs is giving all of himself to this effort, to the point where some observers are concerned that he could be risking his health. Riggo's comments are simply idle speculation, and have no basis in fact.

Well said Joe.
Riggo is jealous. Don't get me wrong I love Riggo, but In Gibbs I trust. Riggo is pulling out all the stops this election year!

Pretty tasteless comments by Riggo in my opinion. Especially after what he's been through with Gibbs.

I'm all for having an opinion and being free to voice it, but sometimes it seems that Riggo just pops off once in a while to start some controversy and ruffle some feathers.

It's week 3 for crying out loud. Everyone needs to calm the F down and give this some time. Gibbs is not a miracle worker, he wasn't going to come in to Redskins Park, wave his magic wand and everything is ok. I like it when Gibbs says he's starting over, because he truly is.

A new staff, new players, there's going to be an adjustment period. Let's give him and the team time to sort things through.

Now on top of everything the team is starting to get hit with the injury bug.

I think a lot of fans and the media is suffering from very unrealistic expectations.

Riggo is a gruff, bitter guy. asking for his autograph once at a baseball game he almost scoffed at me. at what hes bitter about, i can only speculate but i cant imagine it being Gibbs. sounds like he's just stretching for relevance (Sirius Radio y'know? why not a real commentator, coach or front office job..) and letting his sparkling personality ooze through.

You know if it weren't for Joe Gibbs, no one would even remember John Riggins except that he was some football guy who wore a mohawk. Riggins, most know, was retired for a year when Gibbs went to Kansas to convince him to come back to the Redskins in Gibbs' first year.

Riggins' comments are foolish, bizarre, and unjust - and soon to be forgotten.

Riggins has been my favorite Redskin as a player AND otherwise. But I am EXTREMELY disappointed in this tacky crap. Reminds me of JIM BROWN!!

But, Shane, in the interest of accuracy, Riggins DID have back-to-back 1000-yard seasons prior to his first "retirement". He had been here 4 years total, and established himself as much more than the Mohawk freak. Then he held out for a year, after which Gibbs arrived here and traveled to Kansas, because the Redskins really needed him back. Then the "I'm bored, I'm broke, I'm back" incident occurred.