Joe Gibbs: 3 Receiver Pioneer

Interesting read:

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2005/writers/andrew_perloff/06/23/perloff.multiple.receivers/index.html

Actually Gibbs had experimented with a 4 WR set early on, he would move then RB terry metcalf into the slot and use him as a 4th WR, Gibbs was as inovative as any coach in history.

makes you wonder what happened last year...

What happened last year is simple. Gibbs returned to the game after over a decade away from the game. Plenty of things changed and he wasn't ready for all those changes, and there just wasn't enough time for him to properly adjust. It's nearly impossible to make wholesale changes in the middle of a season, so the changes he did make were small and not very noticeable.

Also, because of his resume, people's expectation levels were through the roof. It was unfair to think he could walk in after 12 years away and just pick right up where he left off. We all got swept up by the hype, and who can blame us?

It's funny because last night in my leadership class we were discussing organizational change, and I couldn't help but relate it to the Redskins in my mind.

We talked about how difficult it is to make major changes in companies, and how hard it is to change culture and attitudes. These kind of things take time, and often things need to get worse before they can get better. Trust is built when times are tough and you see how your leaders react and guide you out of those tough times.

Last year we definitely had our share of tough times. But what was telling was how the team kept fighting right to the very end. That's a direct reflection of Gibbs and his staff in my opinion. In past years we saw the team pack it in when the season was lost, not last year though.

I think we're already seeing the benefits. The team atmosphere was definitely on display during minicamp. The coaches and players seem more relaxed and more confident. The players are buying into what the coaches are selling them.

Despite the negatives of this offseason, I think the team circles the wagons everytime there's a negative headline and they have that 'us against the world' mentality. The players saw loud and clear last year that when times get tough the coaches just keep plugging away and they aren't giving up.

Personally I can't wait for this year, this is when the next Gibbs era truely begins.

That's a good motivational speech there. I like it. I completely agree too. The worse things started looking, the better the D seemed to start looking AND the offense even started putting up more points.

What happened last year is simple. Gibbs returned to the game after over a decade away from the game. Plenty of things changed and he wasn't ready for all those changes, and there just wasn't enough time for him to properly adjust. It's nearly impossible to make wholesale changes in the middle of a season, so the changes he did make were small and not very noticeable.

Also, because of his resume, people's expectation levels were through the roof. It was unfair to think he could walk in after 12 years away and just pick right up where he left off. We all got swept up by the hype, and who can blame us?

It's funny because last night in my leadership class we were discussing organizational change, and I couldn't help but relate it to the Redskins in my mind.

We talked about how difficult it is to make major changes in companies, and how hard it is to change culture and attitudes. These kind of things take time, and often things need to get worse before they can get better. Trust is built when times are tough and you see how your leaders react and guide you out of those tough times.

Last year we definitely had our share of tough times. But what was telling was how the team kept fighting right to the very end. That's a direct reflection of Gibbs and his staff in my opinion. In past years we saw the team pack it in when the season was lost, not last year though.


The players saw loud and clear last year that when times get tough the coaches just keep plugging away and they aren't giving up.




WoW! That, Matty, my friend is the best assessment of last year's team and record that I've seen anywhere! I was all ready to throw both the baby and the bathwater out, myself! j/k!

I was here for all of HOF Coach Gibbs I, and now v.II!

I work for the Government! Trust me, I know how hard it is to change!

He didn't have a driver (QB) telling him it acted "loose" in the corners, or, the drive train was making more noise than usual, and the car was pulling too much!

The transition to Football was an adjustment, all over again! Coaches do not get immediate feedback! He had to make adjustments by feel! QBs cannot talk back to the Coach, after the play is called! Coaches work long hours in preparation, only to realize during the game, that the other team's coach is doing exactly the same thing! It's a conspiracy, I tell you! 32 other teams are against us! Compound that with not knowing individual team members capabilities (Betts)! Or, over-estimating capabilities (Brunnell). Compound that with injuries to Jansen, Arrington, Smoot, and various others during the year! We would have given any other Head coach hired the benefit of the doubt prior to last year, but this was supposed to be HOF Coach Gibbs!

Blame it on a little Rust!


Having said that, we all expect better this year. Just how much better depends on both our team, and all of our opponents!

What happened last year is simple. Gibbs returned to the game after over a decade away from the game. Plenty of things changed and he wasn't ready for all those changes, and there just wasn't enough time for him to properly adjust. It's nearly impossible to make wholesale changes in the middle of a season, so the changes he did make were small and not very noticeable.

Also, because of his resume, people's expectation levels were through the roof. It was unfair to think he could walk in after 12 years away and just pick right up where he left off. We all got swept up by the hype, and who can blame us?

It's funny because last night in my leadership class we were discussing organizational change, and I couldn't help but relate it to the Redskins in my mind.

We talked about how difficult it is to make major changes in companies, and how hard it is to change culture and attitudes. These kind of things take time, and often things need to get worse before they can get better. Trust is built when times are tough and you see how your leaders react and guide you out of those tough times.

Last year we definitely had our share of tough times. But what was telling was how the team kept fighting right to the very end. That's a direct reflection of Gibbs and his staff in my opinion. In past years we saw the team pack it in when the season was lost, not last year though.

I think we're already seeing the benefits. The team atmosphere was definitely on display during minicamp. The coaches and players seem more relaxed and more confident. The players are buying into what the coaches are selling them.

Despite the negatives of this offseason, I think the team circles the wagons everytime there's a negative headline and they have that 'us against the world' mentality. The players saw loud and clear last year that when times get tough the coaches just keep plugging away and they aren't giving up.

Personally I can't wait for this year, this is when the next Gibbs era truely begins.


Very nice job with that Matty!