ESPN SPORTSCENTER: JUST ANNOUNCED

[RedKingGold]

Washington Post is reporting that Joe Gibbs is in "very serious" considerations for the Washington Redskins Job

Wow

[Ksyrup]

When they win the Super Bowl, will Snyder allow him to do doughnuts in the endzone?

[GrantDawg]

Hey! I thought the Falcons would have dibs on him. He is on the board here.

[Fonzie]

Interesting. Anybody know how old Gibbs is?

[Peregrine]

That would be a pretty bold move. I like the idea, actually, considering the other coaches they'd be likely to get at this point.

[General Mike]

Originally posted by Fonzie
Interesting. Anybody know how old Gibbs is?

He turned 63 on November 25.

[Franklinnoble]

From washingtonpost.com:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A60572-2004Jan6.html



Gibbs Considering Return to Redskins

By Mark Maske and Leonard Shapiro
Washington Post Staff Writers
Tuesday, January 6, 2004; 11:00 PM

Joe Gibbs, the legendary coach who led the Washington Redskins to three Super Bowl titles in the 1980s and early '90s, is in serious discussions with the team about returning to be its head coach, sources with connections to Gibbs said tonight.

Gibbs has told associates in his latest sports endeavor, NASCAR, that he could return to football as the Redskins' coach, sources said.

The Redskins have been looking for a coach since Steve Spurrier resigned last week. Owner Daniel Snyder and vice president of football operations Vinny Cerrato have interviewed three candidates -- former New York Giants coach Jim Fassel, former Minnesota Vikings coach Dennis Green and Seattle Seahawks defensive coordinator Ray Rhodes.

Rhodes interviewed with Snyder and Cerrato in the D.C. area today. But a source close to Fassel said tonight that he did not believe Fassel would be hired by the Redskins because the club was planning a major surprise. He added that he believed Gibbs's return would be the surprise.

Gibbs coached the Redskins between 1981 and '92 and led them to Super Bowl victories following the 1982, '87 and 91 seasons. He resigned from the Redskins following the 1992 season and has not coached since. He now is a minority owner with the Atlanta Falcons and would have to sell his small interest in that franchise to return to the sideline with the Redskins. He has turned over the vast majority of ownership of his NASCAR racing teams to his sons. He could not be reached for comment tonight.

© 2004 The Washington Post Company



If this is true, I'm gonna need a whole lot of kleenex.

[FBPro]

Originally posted by GrantDawg
Hey! I thought the Falcons would have dibs on him. He is on the board here.

I was thinking the same thing.....

[Franklinnoble]

Read above... he'd have to sell his interest in the team first.

If Danny Snyder can talk Joe Gibbs out of retirement and hire him back as the Redskins head coach, I'll never have another bad thing to say about him.

Alas, part of me thinks this is all a cruel tease...

[Tasan]

Originally posted by GrantDawg
Hey! I thought the Falcons would have dibs on him. He is on the board here.

Dibs on Gibbs?








I give up.

[Peregrine]

If Danny Snyder can talk Joe Gibbs out of retirement and hire him back as the Redskins head coach, I'll never have another bad thing to say about him.

Pretty much the same way I feel Franklin. And I bet he can do it, Gibbs has got to be just as sick of the Redskins coaching carousel as anyone else. That gives him a motivation to come back and give coaching a shot. Assuming Snyder stays off his back, of course...

[Wasabiak]

"He has turned over the vast majority of ownership of his NASCAR racing teams to his sons. He could not be reached for comment tonight."

Well, now i don't have to worry about picking Bobby Labonte or Tony Stewart in my fantasy Nascar leagues this year. His kids, i suspect, will run that racing outfit into the ground.

But, being the Dale, jr. fan that i am, it's all good news.

[Draft Dodger]

I've always felt Gibbs was somewhat overrated, but he certainly would be an improvement over the last few guys that the Skins had

[Logan]

I always heard he was REALLY into NASCAR and couldn't possibly be lured out.

And I also would have thought that he's made enough money from it that he wouldn't be influenced by Snyder's cash.

Unless he's doing it for the pure thrill of coaching again...who the hell does that these days anyway?

[Subby]

Originally posted by Draft Dodger
I've always felt Gibbs was somewhat overrated, but he certainly would be an improvement over the last few guys that the Skins had
Are you on a late night crack binge again?

Gibbs won 3 Superbowls with 3 different QBs...

If anything, he is underrated.

[Suicane75]

There would have to be some sort of hands off rule on Snyder for Gibbs to agree to come back, I can't imagine he'd want Snyder to be anywhere near the football operations of the team.

[detroit_fan]

Anyone who can win a super bowl with Doug Williams is a coaching god!

[Axxon]

Originally posted by detroit_fan
Anyone who can win a super bowl with Doug Williams is a coaching god!

I'm guessing you never saw Doug play then.

[detroit_fan]

I did a bunch of times. When he won the super bowl he was a shell of the player he was.

[Chief Rum]

Originally posted by Franklinnoble
If this is true, I'm gonna need a whole lot of kleenex.

You know, I think Gibbs is a hell of a coach, but I must admit to having difficulty grasping what attractiveness a heterosexual male would see in the man.

CR

[Axxon]

Originally posted by detroit_fan
I did a bunch of times. When he won the super bowl he was a shell of the player he was.

So, it isn't a statement about Doug but about the older Doug? The statement didn't read that way and while I'd agree to a point, the older Doug played within his capability better than the young Doug did. I think that's exactly why he was so good for that quarter.

[JAG]

And if that's not enough for Skins fans, let's throw this one out too:

http://www.washingtontimes.com/sports/20040106-115408-9659r.htm

Redskins talk with Johnson

By Jody Foldesy
THE WASHINGTON TIMES

The Washington Redskins have discussed their vacant job with the biggest jewel among unemployed NFL coaches — former Dallas Cowboys and Miami Dolphins coach Jimmy Johnson.
The odds of a Johnson-Redskins union appear long, given Johnson's stated satisfaction with retirement and the league-wide perception of Washington's opening as anything but an optimal situation.
However, the fact that two NFL sources said Washington has sought out Johnson in recent days was a strong indication that the club has begun to assemble a Plan B in its coaching search.
One NFL source said the Redskins also had begun inquiring about the credentials of Pittsburgh Steelers offensive line coach Russ Grimm, a former Hog whose connection to Washington's glory years could energize an increasingly apathetic fan base.
...
Clearly the most coveted candidate would be Johnson, but his repeated comments about wanting to stay retired have left him, in the eyes of many around the league, off the market. It is believed the Redskins would need to make a massive offer to Johnson and sign over a significant amount of organizational power to land him.
Johnson won Super Bowls with the Cowboys following the 1992 and 1993 seasons and left a roster to Barry Switzer that captured another after the 1995 season. In nine seasons with the Cowboys and Dolphins, he went 80-64. He left Miami as coach and general manager after the 1999 season in a surprise retirement.
Johnson could not be reached for comment. Last month he told Sports Illustrated's Peter King that he had no intention of returning to coaching.
"Money's not going to do it," Johnson said. "Obviously, I wouldn't consider anything unless it was extremely high dollars. But having said that, I cannot imagine any possible scenario that would make me consider going back to coaching."
Grimm is a former Hog who helped Washington win its three Super Bowl titles as a player and served as an assistant coach on the Redskins' only playoff team of the past decade.
It remains unclear how well suited Grimm would be for a head coaching position, given that he has yet to be even an offensive coordinator. But Grimm developed an extremely tight-knit unit during his tenure as offensive line coach in Washington, and he helped the Redskins reach the divisional round of the playoffs in 1999.

[cthomer5000]

Originally posted by detroit_fan
Anyone who can win a super bowl with Doug Williams is a coaching god!

I think if you insert Mark Rypien this is a more powerful statement.

I thought Gibbs was a very, very good coach. Completely adapted to the personnel around him, and 3 titles with 3 different QB's is damn impressive.

It would be a very interesting return.

[JAG]

According to CBS Sportsline, the Gibbs signing is now a done deal.

EDITED to provide the link:

hzzp://cbs.sportsline.com/nfl/story/6985695

replace zz with tt.

[Fritz]

this is a mistake

[QuikSand]

A DC radio station had reported that Gibbs has already hired Gregg Williams (late of Buffalo) as DC for the Redskins. Fascinating.

[Peregrine]

Well they're moving fast, as always. I'll give Snyder credit, when he wants something done, it gets done fast. Williams should be a solid DC for the team, but probably will be gone after a season or so.

[Ksyrup]

Gibbs hasn't coached in over a decade and a lot has changed in the NFL since the early 90's. Even Jimmy Johnson had difficulties adjudting to the salary cap era, and he was only out of Dallas a couple of years. I wonder if Gibbs has kept up with NFL players and personnel like he needs to. I think this would only work if he was primarily the head coach, but I can't see him wanting to come back without more control than that.

I don't know. This has the potential to blow up. Then again, he'll at least know how to run his first training camp practice, which will be an improvement over Spurrier...

[Samdari]

Originally posted by Ksyrup
This has the potential to blow up.

Is there a head coaching hire by Snyder that statement could not be made about?

If the answer is obviously no (as I think it is) why is Gibbs worse than anyone else?

[corbes]

Originally posted by JAG
According to CBS Sportsline, the Gibbs signing is now a done deal.

EDITED to provide the link:

hzzp://cbs.sportsline.com/nfl/story/6985695

replace zz with tt.

From that story:

Dan Snyder wanted to make "a big splash".

He's such a little kid. Go to the pool and practice your cannonballs or something.

[JAG]

Originally posted by Ksyrup
Gibbs hasn't coached in over a decade and a lot has changed in the NFL since the early 90's.

That's true, but they did also say that about Vermeil. I think his biggest problem will be getting adequate personnel, but I doubt coaching will continue to be the biggest problem on this team now.

[rkmsuf]

Originally posted by Ksyrup
Gibbs hasn't coached in over a decade and a lot has changed in the NFL since the early 90's. Even Jimmy Johnson had difficulties adjudting to the salary cap era, and he was only out of Dallas a couple of years. I wonder if Gibbs has kept up with NFL players and personnel like he needs to. I think this would only work if he was primarily the head coach, but I can't see him wanting to come back without more control than that.

I don't know. This has the potential to blow up. Then again, he'll at least know how to run his first training camp practice, which will be an improvement over Spurrier...

The word is he has kept his NFL ties. Whether that means he's followed the talent is another thing. Gibbs is a successful leader at whatever he has done(football, nascar) so I'd expect him to do a good job provided Snyder stays out of his face. At least Gibbs will have the nads to tell little Danny to shove it...

[Ksyrup]

Hey, I'm all for it. Bring back the senior citizens! Vermeil, McKeon, hell, who's going to make Sparky Anderson an offer he can't refuse?

What's Richie Pettibone doing these days, anyway?

[rkmsuf]

Marv Levy has even been bantered around...

[Ksyrup]

I know. All of these names floating around, it's enough to give a young man prostate cancer.

[HornedFrog Purple]

someone should give Subby a call and make sure he is all right :)

[Subby]

What a great day to be a Redskins fan.

[Wasabiak]

Originally posted by Subby
Are you on a late night crack binge again?

Gibbs won 3 Superbowls with 3 different QBs...

If anything, he is underrated.

Agreed. Plus, he went over to Nascar and won 2 championships with 2 different drivers. All the guy does is win, and i suspect he'll do that same w/ the Redskins again.

[rkmsuf]

When he calls over Ramsey during a timeout and tries to give him four fresh tires and top off the fuel you'll know he's losing it...

[mckerney]

Originally posted by Franklinnoble
Read above... he'd have to sell his interest in the team first.

If Danny Snyder can talk Joe Gibbs out of retirement and hire him back as the Redskins head coach, I'll never have another bad thing to say about him.

Alas, part of me thinks this is all a cruel tease...

So now that Snyder has talked Gibbs out of retirement, you've given up saying bad things about him. Why did you give up something that so fun, yet so easy at the same time.

[mckerney]

Originally posted by Ksyrup
This has the potential to blow up.

Maybe, but I'm more interested in seeing the potential blow up in the Al Davis/Denny Green relationship if Denny ends up going to Oakland.

[kcchief19]

If he wins a Super Bowl with Pat Ramsey at quarterback, he may very well be a god.

This scenario feels very similar to the Vermeil reentry into coaching. That was proving to be a miserable failure until he, Marshall Faulk, Kurt Warner, Mike Martz and Al Saunders all met at the same point in the universe.

I think Gibbs will need some similar magic, especially if Dan Snyder continues to make personnel moves behind his coaches' back.

As for "making a splash," that was the exact same logic Hell Atlantic gave for signing A-Rod to a $30 million contract in 2010 in the RWBL. :)

[Subby]

I can't wait to hear the details of this, but I can't imagine Gibbs would come back unless it was 100% on his own terms.

I haven't verified the Gregg Williams hire, but that would be a major coup, imo...

The 'Skins have some serious talent - Parcells and Reid have said as much. With some additions on the D-line this could be a playoff team next season.

[Buccaneer]

Well I'll be darned. Coach Gibbs has always been my very favorite coach of all time.

[HornedFrog Purple]

Gibbs, Parcells, Reid and Coughlin

Smashmouth is back baby.

[cthomer5000]

Originally posted by HornedFrog Purple
Gibbs, Parcells, Reid and Coughlin

Smashmouth is back baby.

It really is a renaissance in the NFC East.

[cthomer5000]

Originally posted by Buccaneer
Well I'll be darned. Coach Gibbs has always been my very favorite coach of all time.

I selected him as my coach when we did that all-time fantasy team thingie... I think he's incredibly underrated.

[John Galt]

Originally posted by Subby
I can't wait to hear the details of this, but I can't imagine Gibbs would come back unless it was 100% on his own terms.

I haven't verified the Gregg Williams hire, but that would be a major coup, imo...

The 'Skins have some serious talent - Parcells and Reid have said as much. With some additions on the D-line this could be a playoff team next season.

The Williams hire is the part that I think is most questionable. Williams was a 46 D guy when he was with the Titans. Like all 46 defenses, they put together one great season with great personnel and a lot of luck. At Buffalo, he slowly abandoned his high risk ways, but his defenses always sucked. This isn't Ray Rhodes we are talking about (a great DC wherever he has been and a decent head coach). Williams was a below average DC with one great year to his resume and a horrible head coach. I just don't know if he should be the one to put together the Redskins D.

As for Gibbs, who knows?

[cthomer5000]

Originally posted by John Galt
At Buffalo, he slowly abandoned his high risk ways, but his defenses always sucked.

haven't they been like top 3 in defense since he's been there?

[Subby]

Originally posted by John Galt
At Buffalo, he slowly abandoned his high risk ways, but his defenses always sucked.

John, baby...

In 2003, Buffalo led the AFC in fewest yards allowed per game (269.6) and were third in the AFC in points allowed per game (17.4).

That looks pretty good to me.

[cthomer5000]

dola,

I think you're way off here John

2003 Buffalo Defense
#2 in total yards per game (269.6)
#8 in rushing yards per game (100.4)
#2 in passing yards per game (169.2)
#5 in points per game (17.4)

[Subby]

Buffalo's defense <b>was</b> marginal in 2002, but I would say that was more a function of personel than anything else...

[John Galt]

I'm sorry, "sucked" was inaccurate. I was trying to refer to the D's lack of turnovers and sacks (something his defenses at Tenn. produced). I don't have the stats available, but I'm pretty sure my memory is right on that part. I hadn't looked at the total yardage this year (my conclusions about Williams were reached before this year began), but that is reason for more optimism.

[Ksyrup]

Originally posted by mckerney
Maybe, but I'm more interested in seeing the potential blow up in the Al Davis/Denny Green relationship if Denny ends up going to Oakland.

I have absolutely no info on the Raiders' job or the Cardinals' job, but something tells me Green is going to end up in Arizona (or maybe Atlanta). Maybe Davis will decide he can't go with a yes man this time around and will take someone like Green, but I remember reading a Pasquarelli column from before Callahan was hired, and he said that Davis' job search MO is to bring in a bunch of people he has no intention of hiring just to get ideas out of them about his team, and then bring in the guy he knew he wanted from the beginning. Now, in this case, I don't know who that would be. And just for the fun of it, I'd like to see Green and Davis try to co-exist. But something tells me he's getting a job, just not that one.

[JAG]

Consider that Buffalo's defense forced the LEAST amount of turnovers in the league...32nd of 32...in 2002 and 2003. I wanted to find their ranking on sacks, but I wasn't able to. I think those stats along with scoring and 3rd down defense tell the real story of how dominating a defense more than yards allowed per game.

Buffalo didn't have much of an offense this year and that does skew some of their defensive ratings. It was a difficult defense to move the ball against, but it appears it didn't make many game-changing plays.

[rkmsuf]

Originally posted by Subby
John, baby...

In 2003, Buffalo led the AFC in fewest yards allowed per game (269.6) and were third in the AFC in points allowed per game (17.4).

That looks pretty good to me.

Behind the numbers was a multitude of suckitude...

[RedKingGold]

I heard that Snyder's next move was to hire a voodoo priest and resurrect the spirit of Sonny Jergunson and have it possess control over Patrick Ramsey's body.

Just speculation though

[RawIsDan]

Originally posted by HornedFrog Purple
Gibbs, Parcells, Reid and Coughlin

Smashmouth is back baby.

Yeah, if they can work around the salary cap and today's players, the East will be the beast once more. Ahh the good ol' days.

[Ksyrup]

From an article on ESPN.com:

"I'm guessing Gibbs will bring old buddy Joe Bugel back as his assistant head coach, and I bet he'll bring Russ Grimm back from Pittsburgh and groom him to be his successor. He'll also probably hire former Bills coach Gregg Williams as his defensive coordinator, and I bet he'll work smoothly with Snyder's personnel director, Vinny Cerrato (Vinny's mentor is Lou Holtz; he's been around legends before)."

[corbes]

Reid is hardly smashmouth, but you do make your point.

[Subby]

Originally posted by RedKingGold
I heard that Snyder's next move was to hire a voodoo priest and resurrect the spirit of Sonny Jergunson and have it possess control over Patrick Ramsey's body.

Just speculation though
Sonny Jurgensen is alive and well and shagging your mother...

[spleen1015]

Isn't Sonny still the Redskins' radio guy?

[Ksyrup]

Only when he's not shagging FOFC posters' mothers.

[ScottVib]

Tony Kornheiser's saying that Bugel is back on the staff now.

[Subby]

Originally posted by corbes
Reid is hardly smashmouth, but you do make your point.
But he looks like he could do smashmouth.

[Franklinnoble]

I'm a lifelong Redskins fan who grew up in suburban Maryland watching the great Gibbs teams of the 80's and early 90's.

I had to wear a diaper to work today, because I haven't stopped pissing myself since I heard the news. :D

If only Spurrier hadn't ditched Stephen Davis last year...

[Ksyrup]

Originally posted by Franklinnoble
If only Spurrier hadn't ditched Stephen Davis last year...

Yep. That's the first thing I thought of when I read the news this morning. The article on ESPN.com that I quoted from compared Trung Canidate to Joe Washington.

[spleen1015]

I will forever root for any team playing against Spurrier.

I'm kicking myself because I thought Spurrier would make something of this team.

[rkmsuf]

Originally posted by spleen1015
I will forever root for any team playing against Spurrier.

I'm kicking myself because I thought Spurrier would make something of this team.

Very Pitinoesque...

[Subby]

Originally posted by Ksyrup
Yep. That's the first thing I thought of when I read the news this morning. The article on ESPN.com that I quoted from compared Trung Canidate to Joe Washington.
I actually think Ladell Betts could fill the big back role very nicely while Chad Morton has proven to be a great scatback...

The personnel is there on offense...the team just needs to build the defensive line.

[Havok]

WOOT!!!

The master has returned............ Fear the Skins!

[spleen1015]

Any of you Skins fans know of any good fan sites for the team?

[Kodos]

I'd like to have Shula back in Miami...

[Subby]

hxxp://www.hailredskins.com/

[spleen1015]

Originally posted by Subby
hxxp://www.hailredskins.com/

Thanks, Subby.

My enthusiasm for the 'Skins has sky rocketed today.

[cthomer5000]

Originally posted by Kodos
I'd like to have Shula back in Miami...

your wish is my command:

Meet the new coach of the Miami Dolphins:

Dave Shula!

[Kodos]

NOOOOOOOOooooooo!

[HornedFrog Purple]

Originally posted by spleen1015
Thanks, Subby.

My enthusiasm for the 'Skins has sky rocketed today.

Heck so has mine and the Redskins are my natural born enemy. Together with the Giants we will put Philly back where they belong. :D

[JAG]

Originally posted by cthomer5000
your wish is my command:

Meet the new coach of the Miami Dolphins:

Dave Shula!

LOL

[corbes]

From Tom Friend, on ESPN:

"I found it amusing how people say that Spurrier came to the NFL to see if his Fun 'N Gun would work and then quit when he realized it wouldn't. What a loser! Gibbs came to the Redskins in 1981 with the same reputation as a gun-slinging coach, straight from the Air Coryell Chargers. But after an 0-5 start, he looked at his roster and adjusted, became a run-first offense behind Riggins. He didn't quit, he didn't run off to play golf. It took guts to do what change everything, but Joe Gibbs is no dummy."

Ouch.

[Subby]

This move didn't happen overnight. I am guessing it has been in the works for some time and that Spurrier's "exit" was carefully orchestrated.

[Ksyrup]

Originally posted by Subby
This move didn't happen overnight. I am guessing it has been in the works for some time and that Spurrier's "exit" was carefully orchestrated.

I'm sure you're right. And the moral of the story is, if you know who your next head coach is going to be, keep it a really, really big secret so you can get at least one unsuspecting minority candidate to interview with you, so you can avoid a really, really big fine.

[ScottVib]

5 Year Deal, probably part ownership as a part of the deal when he retires (all that was reported was that he has an agreement to stay on with the club after he retires).

Bugel is supposed to be the assistant Head Coach
Williams the D-Coordinator


God, I hate DC area sports talk radio, 6 straight hours of Gibbs hiring coverage from 1-7pm. They started with all but cannonizing Gibbs.

[ScottVib]

dola,

I don't think the Redskins were trying to "secretly" dupe Rhodes into interviewing. I think they were working on Gibbs, but at the same time, covering their rears just in case Gibbs decided he was happy running his NASCAR team.

I'm not completely sold on the moves by the Skins, but I'm a Redskins hater. We'll see what happens next season and this will certainly perk up a lot of my co-workers.

[rkmsuf]

How long before the Redskin #32 is hurling around your local oval?

[Franklinnoble]

Originally posted by ScottVib
.... I'm a Redskins hater.


Great. Now I can't ever buy a .400 studios product with a clear conscience.

What? Are you a Ravens fan or something? Billy Kilmer shag your mother? You must not be a native...

;)

[Subby]

7 hours of Redskins talk on SportsTalk 980AM sounds like heaven to me, Scott :)

I am sure Czaban has already had several minor heart attacks.

[JAG]

The Sports Reporters may not be so entertaining now that they won't be bashing everything the Skins do.

[QuikSand]

They (the DC sports radio guys) have abandoned their regular programming for a day-long slobber-a-thon. It's actually quite amusing, in a pathetic kind of way.

[cthomer5000]

while I got DC's attention... has anyone down there listened to Ron & Fez on WJFK? I think they're on evenings...

I was so sad to see them leave my station here, as they were a genuinely funny show.

[RedKingGold]

John Riggins,........anyone, anyone?

[rkmsuf]

Originally posted by RedKingGold
John Riggins,........anyone, anyone?

That guy couldn't run through a hole the size of Kansas at this point...

[Subby]

Gibbs will serve as president as well as head coach of the Redskins, team sources tell Mortensen. Gibbs will have final say of what players make the roster. However, draft choices, trades and free agent signings will be mutually decided by Gibbs, vice president of football operations Vinny Cerrato and owner Daniel Snyder, sources tell Mortensen.

[ScottVib]

Originally posted by Franklinnoble
Great. Now I can't ever buy a .400 studios product with a clear conscience.

What? Are you a Ravens fan or something? Billy Kilmer shag your mother? You must not be a native...

;)

Not a native. I'm a Giants fan (yes I know they sucked this year). If it helps dirty your conscience Joe Stallings is a big Redskins fan.

Originally posted by Subby
7 hours of Redskins talk on SportsTalk 980AM sounds like heaven to me, Scott

I am sure Czaban has already had several minor heart attacks.

They may not have been minor.. their giving him and Andy Pollin 3 hours to recover... actually they wheeled out John Thompson an hour early. With Thompson getting pissed should anyone doubt that Gibbs will be successful. Czaban and Pollin had been gushing about Gibbs and talking how when they get the schedule they know they'll be looking at it and thinking the Skins will be 14-2.

In other news...

Gibbs will reportedly also be named Team President and has a say on player personnell, but Vinny Cerrato will remain on the staff too.

Tim Krumrie and Jerry Gray will be on the defensive staff as well


I look at it this way. Gibbs is a hell of a coach and this was the one move Danny could have made to get the heat off of him, and have people singing his praises. For Gibbs, to me this is a no win situation. Gibbs is already looked upon as a God. If he wins Super Bowls again, he can't be elevated any higher, he's in the Hall of Fame and already revered here. If he stumbles he potentially hurts his legacy. The biggest benefit I see for Gibbs is he trades his share of the Atlanta Falcons for an eventually share of the NFL's most valuable franchise.

With the hype and expectations that will be here, there will be almost no way that Gibbs can live up to them in season one, IMO. I think he'll do ok, but I don't think it will happen right away.

BTW Snyder released an offical comment confirming Gibbs selection the press conference is tomorrow at 2pm.

[cuervo72]

Originally posted by Subby
7 hours of Redskins talk on SportsTalk 980AM sounds like heaven to me, Scott :)


Even Coach John Thompson?

[cuervo72]

Originally posted by cthomer5000
while I got DC's attention... has anyone down there listened to Ron & Fez on WJFK? I think they're on evenings...

I was so sad to see them leave my station here, as they were a genuinely funny show.

Dola - haven't really, though I do listen to Don & Mike (who were so ungraciously run out of NYC) on JFK (and WOYK, Hanover).

[Peregrine]

7 hours of Redskins talk on SportsTalk 980AM sounds like heaven to me, Scott

I sure wouldn't mind hearing some Gibbs talk, I am super excited about this move, and about the staff of Skins vets he is putting together. This is going to be an incredible thing to watch. :D :D

[Subby]

Scott - I agree this is an almost no-win situation for Gibbs - which just makes his desire to come back all the more impressive. And what is a legacy anyway? Is it someone else's perception of something or someone? If that is the case I am fairly certain that Gibbs could care less.

It sounds like Cerratto is still head of player personnel, with Gibbs getting input and Snyder "breaking ties." The key distinction here is that Gibbs has final say on who makes his team - something that Spurrier did not have...

You think the players are going to go behind the head coaches back and whine to the owner now? I just wish Bruce Smith was going for the record THIS season so that Gibbs could cut him for being a whiney little me-fist prick.

[cthomer5000]

Originally posted by cuervo72
Dola - haven't really, though I do listen to Don & Mike (who were so ungraciously run out of NYC) on JFK (and WOYK, Hanover).

Well, Don and Mike completely sucked, so it was their fault. Everyone here hated them, staff, listeners, other on-air talent (including the big moneymakers).

I'm sure they're doing better in other markets.

Ron & Fez are much, much less "shock" radio, and are just comedy. They'll talk sports, movies, entertainment, news, etc... and just be funny as hell about it.

[rkmsuf]

Originally posted by Subby


You think the players are going to go behind the head coaches back and whine to the owner now? I just wish Bruce Smith was going for the record THIS season so that Gibbs could cut him for being a whiney little me-fist prick.

Bruce Smith should have been required to pay the Redskins instead of draw a salary for his sorry body of work this season...

[JAG]

I think the Skins underachieved so mightily and the coaching was so poor that the Skins should well be able to compete for a playoff spot next year and should finish with a winning record.

Their biggest problem in the long run (2+ yrs) will be some huge cap numbers by a small number of people on the team (Arrington, Samuels, Coles, Jansen, their 5th overall pick this year, and likely Bailey) and a goodly number of expensive positions needing help (DT, DE, RB)

By the way, since Cerratto is basically a 'yes man', Snyder still has the final say in personnel. For those who remember, did Gibbs ever have input (sole or joint) into personnel matters?

[Franklinnoble]

Beathard and Gibbs used to disagree a lot... that's one of the reasons Charley Casserly ended up at GM.

Not sure how he'll get along with Cerrato, but he's so highly respected, I really doubt Vinny or Danny are going to disagree with him much at all.

[ScottVib]

Originally posted by Subby
Scott - I agree this is an almost no-win situation for Gibbs - which just makes his desire to come back all the more impressive. And what is a legacy anyway? Is it someone else's perception of something or someone? If that is the case I am fairly certain that Gibbs could care less.

It sounds like Cerratto is still head of player personnel, with Gibbs getting input and Snyder "breaking ties." The key distinction here is that Gibbs has final say on who makes his team - something that Spurrier did not have...

You think the players are going to go behind the head coaches back and whine to the owner now? I just wish Bruce Smith was going for the record THIS season so that Gibbs could cut him for being a whiney little me-fist prick.

Agree with everything you said here Subby. I really wish they would have cut Smith or better yet, "de-activated" him when he was one sack short of the record. The fault here has to be shared by Snyder for the way he undermined any chance of Spurrier being taken seriously by the team.

For all that everyone said about Spurrier being Snyder's guy, he didn't act like it. Going around Spurrier in dealing with Bruce Smith, cutting Wuerffel (while I agree Wuerffel should have been cut, you've got to respect your coaches decision if he's truly your guy), etc, undermined any chance that Spurrier had of being taken seriously by the team. The last thing you can do if you expect someone to be successful, is undermine their credibility and that was what Snyder did here (and has in the past as well).

Fortunately Gibbs is enough of a legend that if Snyder is as big of a fan as he claims to be, Snyder should defer to him... but if he doesn't stop cutting his coaches legs out from under him, things won't change.

That divisional title flag hangs in Fedex despite Daniel Snyder, not because of anything he's done, if he's smart and backs out of the football decisions maybe Gibbs will get him another flag, or if the stars align a ring; but if Snyder can't wise up and defer to those who know what they are doing.... well the DC area is getting pretty used to 5-11...

[Ksyrup]

Originally posted by rkmsuf
Bruce Smith should have been required to pay the Redskins instead of draw a salary for his sorry body of work this season...

Is it just me, or was his narrow-minded purpose of staying around just for the sack record completely glossed over by the media?

[ScottVib]

Originally posted by Ksyrup
Is it just me, or was his narrow-minded purpose of staying around just for the sack record completely glossed over by the media?

Not by Czaban and Pollin up here in DC (they do 5-7pm show on the local sportstalk channel here). They ripped Bruce Smith every chance they got.

But nationally it was definitely glossed over.

[rkmsuf]

Originally posted by Ksyrup
Is it just me, or was his narrow-minded purpose of staying around just for the sack record completely glossed over by the media?

Never got a mention but neither did the record for the most part. The circus over at Primetime gave him a clap or two but that's about it.

I guess it evened out...

[Subby]

Scott - I think Snyder was able to cut Spurrier's legs out from under him because Spurrier did not have final say with respect to his roster. Since Gibbs has total control over the roster there won't be that kind of behavior...

[Franklinnoble]

Good article from cnnsi.com:

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2004/writers/don_banks/01/07/joe.gibbs.return/index.html


Gibbs' return makes sense on the basic level: love of the game


The news is altogether stunning, but then again, it really isn't. Why would Joe Gibbs end his 11-year retirement from the NFL and return to the floundering Washington franchise that he led to three Super Bowl titles in the span of a decade?

A number of reasons pop to mind, almost all of which strike you as reasonable:

For one, Gibbs is suddenly cast in the rather appealing role of the white knight who is riding in to rescue the franchise at its hour of need. Who hasn't wanted to play savior at least once in their life? And who better to rebuild the moribund Redskins than the man who built them up in the first place? Maybe the only thing better than accomplishing great things is accomplishing them twice, proving that the first time was no fluke.

As much as anyone anywhere, Gibbs has a keen sense of Redskins history and an appreciation for Washington's rich tradition in the NFL. He genuinely loves this team, loves what it means to its community, and loves what he and former owner Jack Kent Cooke built together. It must have pained Gibbs to the core to see the Redskins continue to crumble under the entirely unsteady hand of owner Daniel Snyder.

Under Cooke, Gibbs put his heart and soul into making the Redskins one of the league's flagship franchises. He desperately hopes to see that legacy live on, and must have figured that if you want to see a job done right, sometimes you really do have to do it yourself.

Lord knows you can't trust Steve Spurrier to handle it.

After all, Gibbs is the most revered figure in Redskins history. He led the team in its glory era, making the playoffs eight times and going to the Super Bowl four times in 12 years from 1981-92. You can't tell the Redskins story without starting with the Joe Gibbs story. Everything else is just sub-plot and background.

Since Gibbs retired after the 1992 season, he has watched as the once-proud Redskins were practically run into ground, accumulating 10 non-playoff finishes in the 11 non-Gibbs seasons. Richie Petitbon, Norv Turner, Terry Robiskie, Marty Schottenheimer and Spurrier have all tried to recapture the Gibbs magic, and all have failed. Some miserably.

I can't blame Gibbs for believing he could step in tomorrow and do better than his predecessors, even after 11 years out of the game. Yes, the NFL world has turned over a couple times since he quit to enter NASCAR ownership. Free agency and the salary cap have made runs like the Redskins' under Gibbs darn near impossible to repeat. But Gibbs is still as shrewd and intelligent as any NFL head coach, and he probably figures it won't take him all that long to learn the league's new math.

Secondly, there is the financial windfall that comes with being the Redskins head coach these days. Let's face it, Gibbs has never struck anyone as a slave to the almighty dollar. But he left NFL coaching long before the really big money hit and guys like Spurrier and Steve Mariucci started commanding $5 million annually. At his peak earning power, Gibbs was probably pulling down no more than $1 million to $1.2 million per season in Washington.

By all accounts, Gibbs had done fine for himself in NASCAR ownership, but three years back in the NFL at Washington's going rate for head coaches ought to just about put the finishing touches on the Gibbs family nest egg. Spurrier was so unhappy and fed up in Washington that he walked away from the last $15 million that Snyder owed him. But you can't fault Gibbs for being drawn to the kind of payday he never could have dreamed was possible in his earlier NFL coaching career.

Gibbs, 63, undeniably had to be influenced by recent events in the coaching profession. I mean, in today's rip-it-up-and-start-over world of professional sports, it's so up-to-minute to go all retro in hiring a coach. Gibbs saw Dick Vermeil get out of the NFL business for 14 years and still be able to climb back in and have success in St. Louis, and later Kansas City. He watched as Bill Parcells made like a yo-yo, bouncing in and out of the league, ending retirements, and winning all the while.

And, hey, if baseball's Jack McKeon can light up the ultimate victory cigar after all these years, who's to say anyone is too old to get the job done?

After 11 years out of the NFL wars, Gibbs has his batteries recharged, his health back in order, and his family's blessing to return to the scene of his greatest triumph. He is said to want his grandchildren to know that he was famous for something other than his NASCAR ownership, and eager to involve his family in his surprise second act in Washington.

Brace yourself, Redskins fans, but the old gang is about to get together again.

Gibbs' old Redskins offensive line coach, Joe Bugel, will be his new offensive line coach. Bugel was on the radio in Arizona on Wednesday morning telling the story of a phone call he got at 1:45 a.m. that day.

It was Gibbs, jacked to the ceiling, with just one comment: "What are you doing sleeping? We've got work to do.''

Bugel went off Wednesday afternoon and got himself a fresh haircut, because he's preparing to hop a flight to Washington and go to work once again for Gibbs.

Said Bugel's wife Wednesday: "[Gibbs] told Joe, 'We're going home.' It's almost too good for any of us to believe.''

For Gibbs, even after all these years, home is still on a football field. He no doubt missed what every ex-coach and ex-player misses when they leave the arena in which they made their name: The thrill of the competition. The quest for the prize. His role in NASCAR probably filled some of that need in Gibbs, but obviously not all of it. Once a football coach, always a football coach. At least in some form.

Parcells has spoken eloquently of this part of the game's allure upon returning from his numerous retirements. There is no replacement for what coaches give up when they walk away from football. After living for Sunday afternoons in the fall, it's hard to find anything that faintly resembles the rush of satisfaction that victory brings, or the depths of despair that defeat inspires.

Said one veteran league insider Wednesday: "You can understand it, why he came back. For most of us, there's nothing like that feeling on Sundays. Our favorite sound in the world is the sound of the utter silence in a stadium when you win on the road. It doesn't get any better than that. I'm guessing he just missed it.''

It's a darn good guess. There's altogether too much noise in NASCAR. Gibbs probably wanted to hear that silence again before he called it a career. So, another go-round in Washington and the NFL it is. Let's hope for his sake that he's ready to take the ride once more.

[ScottVib]

New Sportstalk 980 bumpers hype Gibbs hiring as:

"This is the Redskins return to glory...."

[rkmsuf]

Originally posted by ScottVib
New Sportstalk 980 bumpers hype Gibbs hiring as:

"This is the Redskins return to glory...."

Whoa nellie...let me tell ya about a poootential letdown...

[Ksyrup]

Originally posted by Subby
Scott - I think Snyder was able to cut Spurrier's legs out from under him because Spurrier did not have final say with respect to his roster. Since Gibbs has total control over the roster there won't be that kind of behavior...

Even if contractually he had the ability to do it, he'd be a fool to try it with someone like Gibbs. Spurrier could have ahd all the control in the world, but it wouldn't have changed the outcome. Here, he messes around and everybody automatically assumes that had he not screwed it up, Gibbs would have been a huge success like the first time.

[Axxon]

Originally posted by cthomer5000
while I got DC's attention... has anyone down there listened to Ron & Fez on WJFK? I think they're on evenings...

I was so sad to see them leave my station here, as they were a genuinely funny show.

I remember when it was the Ron and Ron show in Tampa. Fez was just the trusty sidekick back then. Theirs was the funniest radio show I've ever listened too bar none. I'm sure they're still great.

I haven't had the pleasure of hearing the show since the Ron's had their split though.

[edit to add anectdote]

My favorite Ron and Ron moment was when there was this huge uproar in New York as there was a virgin Mary sighting in a taco or something and people were flocking there in droves.

The gang decided to call someone who lived in the neighborhood. They got this woman on the phone and asked her how she felt having the virgin Mary as a neighbor and this woman dropped an f-bomb of almost biblical proportions on them. Needless to say, she wasn't happy with the situation at all.

Her diatiribe was stunning and for almost thirty seconds after she stopped there was dead air.

Finally Fez says "Gee, imagine if a black guy had moved in."

[Subby]

Originally posted by Ronnie Dobbs2
Cerrato I'm not so sure. He's a real arse.
Well, according to the arrangement, the only thing Cerratto will call Gibbs is "boss".

I wonder what happens to that nitwit Pepper Rodgers...

[JAG]

Just had a thought. Yes the Redskins played the opener last year against the Jets, but how about this to open next year's regular season:

Dallas Cowboys vs. Washington Redskins

How many ways can you hype up this game? Long time rivalry, Gibbs' first game in 11 years, Gibbs vs. Parcells...this one would be big. Get all the Cowboys lovers and haters to watch, plus the entire Washington D.C. area glued to the set, and you've got a viewing bonanza.

[OldGiants]

Is Dan Snyder expecting a player strike next season? Because that's what Joe Gibbs needs to win the Super Bowl.

Seriously, I loathe the Foreskins, but I like and admire Gibbs. I can't imagine why he is doing this. What does he get out of this? I thought his early retirement was yet another example of his brilliant timing--getting out before his weaknesses were exposed.

Gibbs is a good coach, not great. He had superb timing to keep his team together while his main rivals let the player strife rip their squads apart. His offensive strategies were quickly and decisively countered by Parcells, Walsh and Ditka/Ryan. He's yet to score a single point off a Parcells team in a playoff game, for example.

He's 63, out of football for 10+ years, not even announcing. He's a NASCAR owner for crying out loud!

He is doomed, doomed and while I while will be chortling all season long at the Washington zoo, it does sadden me to see Gibbs cheapen his legacy (inflated as it is) with a team that, as others have already pointed out, is the opposite of any personel he'd want.

A sad day for the NFL, a sad day for the nice guy Joe Gibbs.

[Subby]

Whatever. Typical anti-Redskins pablum from someone who should be worrying about the maniac his team just hired :)

[jamesUMD]

OldGiants,
You are amusing to say the least. I, in fact think that is fear that I smell. Big deal! So he has not been telecasting games. By that same logic, Neon Deion Sanders might really be capable of being a head coach, I mean he's been telecasting for a few years right? Gibbs has been a winner everywhere he has gone so what makes you think this will be any different?

Tom Coughlin=Dictator=Mutiny=Sadness!!!!!

"He got out so that his weaknesses were not exsposed"
Nice theory, but this is not the X-files, so present the evidence. Oh yeah you have nothing to support this, forgot. I would address this further but his track record speaks for itself so there's no need to!

[Franklinnoble]

Originally posted by OldGiants
Is Dan Snyder expecting a player strike next season? Because that's what Joe Gibbs needs to win the Super Bowl.

Seriously, I loathe the Foreskins, but I like and admire Gibbs. I can't imagine why he is doing this. What does he get out of this? I thought his early retirement was yet another example of his brilliant timing--getting out before his weaknesses were exposed.

Gibbs is a good coach, not great. He had superb timing to keep his team together while his main rivals let the player strife rip their squads apart. His offensive strategies were quickly and decisively countered by Parcells, Walsh and Ditka/Ryan. He's yet to score a single point off a Parcells team in a playoff game, for example.

He's 63, out of football for 10+ years, not even announcing. He's a NASCAR owner for crying out loud!

He is doomed, doomed and while I while will be chortling all season long at the Washington zoo, it does sadden me to see Gibbs cheapen his legacy (inflated as it is) with a team that, as others have already pointed out, is the opposite of any personel he'd want.

A sad day for the NFL, a sad day for the nice guy Joe Gibbs.

That's right... just keep hatin'...

I'd be angry, too, if the most recognizable guy in my organization was Jeremy Shockey.

We'll talk again about a year from now.

[Wasabiak]

Originally posted by OldGiants
Is Dan Snyder expecting a player strike next season? Because that's what Joe Gibbs needs to win the Super Bowl.

Seriously, I loathe the Foreskins, but I like and admire Gibbs. I can't imagine why he is doing this. What does he get out of this? I thought his early retirement was yet another example of his brilliant timing--getting out before his weaknesses were exposed.

Gibbs is a good coach, not great. He had superb timing to keep his team together while his main rivals let the player strife rip their squads apart. His offensive strategies were quickly and decisively countered by Parcells, Walsh and Ditka/Ryan. He's yet to score a single point off a Parcells team in a playoff game, for example.

He's 63, out of football for 10+ years, not even announcing. He's a NASCAR owner for crying out loud!

He is doomed, doomed and while I while will be chortling all season long at the Washington zoo, it does sadden me to see Gibbs cheapen his legacy (inflated as it is) with a team that, as others have already pointed out, is the opposite of any personel he'd want.

A sad day for the NFL, a sad day for the nice guy Joe Gibbs.

Who is this clown? And what is the garbage spewing from his/her keyboard?

Gibbs has won at everything he has ever done. He could coach the damn US Curling team to a championship. You know why? Because he knows people. He surrounds himself with winners, people that know how to win and people that DO win. It doesn't matter if it's football players, coaches, drivers, crew chiefs, etc. It just doesn't matter me boy. He knows people. That's what it's all about.

[Peregrine]

Great point, Wasabiak. People forget that when Gibbs started his racing crew, people had the same doubts, saying he didn't know the sport, he didn't have technical expertise, etc. He's put together an excellent winning organization by finding winners and surrounding himself with them. He'll do the same with the Redskins. I like the moves he's made already with Williams as DC, the poor performance he's had with Buffalo shouldn't make people forget how good he was as DC with the Titans.

[Subby]

Thank God Danny acted quickly.

<a href="http://www.atlantafalcons.com/team/005/179/">From Atlantafalcons.com</a>:

Falcons issue statement on Joe Gibbs

January 7, 2004

Following the hiring of Joe Gibbs as the new head coach of the Washington Redskins on Wednesday, the Falcons issued the following statement:

"Joe Gibbs approached us several weeks ago, stating his desire to consider getting back into coaching. He had an interest in Atlanta, and we had a number of conversations with Joe regarding the head coach position.

When the opportunity at the Redskins came up, Joe told us he couldn’t turn his back on the history, fans, loyalties and relationships built over time in Washington. While we understand his feelings, we are disappointed that he didn’t continue his talks with us.

Joe will sell back his minority ownership position in the Falcons and resign his board seat.

In the meantime, we are continuing to interview candidates for our head coach position and will select the best person for our club."

[Ksyrup]

Originally posted by Ksyrup
I'm sure you're right. And the moral of the story is, if you know who your next head coach is going to be, keep it a really, really big secret so you can get at least one unsuspecting minority candidate to interview with you, so you can avoid a really, really big fine.

I just wanted to follow up on this point, because I think this double-standard is really bullshit. Apparently, the difference between the league caring about whether a team goes through a true interview process and the league fining a team/executive for failing to do so, is just like I said above - keeping your intentions a secret. According to Pasquarelli's article (which reads somewhat like OldGiants' comments, btw):

"And then, of course, there is the matter of ownership. Some credit to Snyder, who began the courtship of Gibbs on New Year's Eve at a tiny airfield in Concord, N.C. When we got an anonymous tip that Redskins One was parked there -- sorry, Dan, it's a private jet and not a Stealth bomber -- team officials responded to the query by insisting the imperial owner was "on business."

Yep, monkey business, with one of The Daniel's minority partners, a buddy of Gibbs for many years, brokering the deal. All the posturing afterwards -- the trip to the West Coast, the interviews with three other candidates, questioning media acquaintances about what the best age is for a head coach -- was little more than a diversion. Long before Tuesday, when word began to leak that the Redskins little man was up to something big, we all should have seen the light."

Now, is what the Redskins did really any worse than what the Lions did when they hired Mariucci? The only difference is, Millen opened his big, fat mouth and expressed an interest in Mooch, so it was well known that if they could agree to a contract, no one else need apply - which made it impossible for him to find a minority candidate willing to play the stooge just so he could comply with the NFL's interview rule. Here, the Redskins knew precisely what they were doing before they interviewed any other candidates, but they went through with it just for show - and interviewed a minority candidate solely to comply with that rule.

I just think that rule is complete, utter crap, and these two situations highlight exactly what is wrong with the rule.

[Fritz]

if you weren't on my ignor list, I would call you a fanboy

[OldGiants]

A realistic view of Joe Gibbs' career:

He institutes his system, goes 14-2 and reaches the SB where the Raiders expose how weak his system really is and pound the Foreskins into the ground. Things look bleak in Foreskin land, but...

Bob's your uncle! There's a player strike. The other teams go into dissarray and Gibbs rallies the troops to a SB win.

Next Bill Parcells overcomes Gibbs head start in DC and in the quintessential 'statement game' in all NFL history watches the giants so completely butt-whip the fat, stupid "Hogs" that Gibb's prize possession, his QB, lies wrecked and ruined on the field, his leg and career smashed. Some protection scheme, Joe.

Things look bleak in Foreskinville, but Bob's your Uncle! Another player strike. Parcells puts the Giants in disarray, as do most other teams. Charlie Casserly goes out and signs the best available dreck and the Foreskins get there second SB.

Next season, back to reality and the Foreskins do well and not much more. The Giants go on to win a real SB, Parcells, Walsh retire and Gibbs sneaks in his legitmate win.

Gibbs is a very nice man, much nicer than Parcells, but no where near the coach he's made out to be.

AS to Coughlin, shrug. The only team he'll beat will be the Foreskins.

And do check out what the English expression "Bob's your uncle" means before you morons respond.

[OldGiants]

Originally posted by Subby
someone who should be worrying about the maniac his team just hired :)

Ture, too true. The Eagles and Cowboys will be cruising for the next few years, I'm afraid.

[Butter]

It's nice to see that the Redskins fans haven't set themselves up for more disappointment or anything.... Sheesh.

[Subby]

And the <a href="http://www.ajc.com/falcons/content/sports/falcons/0104/08falgibbs.html">full Journal article</a>.

Gibbs' loyalty to Redskins slowed Blank's pursuit

By MATT WINKELJOHN
Atlanta Journal-Constitution Staff Writer

With the shocking news Wednesday that Falcons minority owner Joe Gibbs will become the Redskins head coach for a second time, some Falcons fans screamed an obvious question. How in the world did owner Arthur Blank and president/general manager Rich McKay let him get away?

Gibbs, 63, is in the NFL Hall of Fame after a 12-year stint with Washington from 1981-92 that produced a 140-65 record, 11 winning seasons, eight playoff appearances, four Super Bowl berths and three world titles. And he's been a minority owner of the Falcons - a partner of Blank's -- for nearly two years.

The answer is that Blank and McKay tried to get Gibbs - who's run a NASCAR team for most of his "retirement" from the NFL since he left Washington after the 1992 season -- to become the Falcons' next head coach.

Just not very hard.

"Joe called me a number of weeks ago, and I had actually chatted with him . . . periodically about what was going on," Blank said. "When I was talking to Dan [Reeves, about firing him Dec. 10], I told [Gibbs] about it, and he said he was thinking potentially about going back into coaching for a lot of reasons.

"That was the first time. He hadn't made up his mind, but he was thinking about it pretty strongly. I wasn't really prepared for that."

It didn't take long for Blank to get ready, though.

"I . . . talked to him about over the next couple of weeks about it, and told him we obviously had a process we had to go through [in interviewing potential candidates]," Blank said, referring to NFL hiring guidelines which among other things mandate an interview with at least one minority candidate. "I told him we'd talk to him at a time that was appropriate."

By the "appropriate" time, however, Steve Spurrier had resigned as the Redskins coach. So when Blank and McKay met with Gibbs for about eight hours one day last week, the opening in Washington prompted Gibbs to change his body language, and his intent was clear.

"I told him it's an honor to talk with you, and it would be an honor to work with you and win football games," said McKay, who was 8 when Gibbs first babysat him during his tenture as the Bucs' offensive coordinator under McKay's late father, innaurgual Tampa Bay coach John McKay.

"But by the same token I respect Joe and his sense of loyalty and I think that's how he's gotten it done. His sense of loyalty to the Redskins was overwhelming."

Blank got the same read, and did not put on a hard sell.

"At the right time, we got back together and talked some more and he's certainly somebody that we would have talked further with," Blank said. "But it was pretty clear to me that once the opportunity in Washington came available, it was kind of like in the movie the Lion King, when Simba goes back home and saves the land, or like Lord of the Rings with the king going back and killing all the bad guys.

"So, with 12 years of history and commitment to the franchise, and its fans and to a community, and he has fans up there and what have you, I just felt that in talking with him that it was a very compelling fact to him."

Blank, who came to know Gibbs through The Home Depot's sponsorship of his racing team when Blank was still CEO at Home Depot, would not go into much detail on the reasons Gibbs wants to get back into coaching.

Gibbs was reknown as a workaholic, and for spending many nights on a cot at team headquarters. "His reasons are the right reasons," Blank said. "He's a very competitive guy, he loves football, his racing team is being run by his oldest son [J.D.], and it's my feeling that he wants to see if he can climb that mountain again. It was pretty clear to me that that was what his passion was."

Gibbs, whose career postseason record of 16-5 gives him the third-best playoff winning percentage (.762) in NFL history, offered only simple comments Wednesday, those on his racing team's website.

"The desire to coach has always been with me, even after being away from the game for 11 years," he said. "After speaking with my wife Pat, we both agreed it would be a thrill to go back. I appreciate [Redskins owner] Daniel Snyder giving the opportunity to coach again."

Sources close to Gibbs said Wednesday that his youngest son, Coy, 32, who finished 14th on the Busch racing circuit last season while driving for his father's team, wants to get into to coaching. He played football at Stanford, but has no background as a coach.

Coy Gibbs has said publicly that he feels he got into racing too late to make a successful jump to the Nextel circuit, which is the top of the line in stock car racing.

It is unclear whether Coy will be on Gibbs' staff in Washington, but the same source said it's virtually certain that former Redskins general manager Bobby Beathard, currently Blank's senior advisor, will not return to Washington. He plans to retire from the NFL once and for all after working with the Falcons through the April draft.

By league rules, Gibbs will have to divest his 1.67 percent stake in the Falcons. He and fellow minority owners John Imlay and John Williams - all three men are friends of Blank - paid a combined $27 million for a combined 5 percent of the team in early 2002.

Falcons officials, meanwhile, are known to have interviewed six candidates for their head coaching vacancy. They are defensive coordinators Lovie Smith, 45, of the Rams, Jim Mora Jr., 42, of the 49ers, Tim Lewis, 42, formerly of the Steelers, Romeo Crennel, 56, of the Patriots, and Atlanta's Wade Phillips, who served as interim coach after Reeves was fired.

The team also interviewed Steelers offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey, 42.

Blank met with Mora Wednesday, ostensibly because he was not able to participate in Mora's official interview Dec. 30.

Also, although a Falcons official called Lewis Wednesday, shortly after he was fired by Pittsburgh coach Bill Cowher, to cancel a trip Lewis was to make to Atlanta today, McKay called Lewis again Thursday. He told Lewis, whose defense was ranked No. 1 in the NFL in 2001, No. 5 in 2002, and No. 9 this season, that the door to his candidacy was not completely closed.

The Falcons may also have tried to determine if LSU coach Nick Saban would be interested in interviewing for the job.

"We are coming to the end of the interview process," said McKay, who would not comment specifically in any way about candidates. "That's all I can tell you."

[Ksyrup]

Nice Lion King reference. I'll be sure to read this article to my daughter tonight.

[Subby]

Ksyrup - While your points are well taken about a terrible system, I think that Snyder was legitimately interviewing head coaching candidates in the event that Gibbs didn't work out. They met with Fassel for two days. They had long meetings with Denny Green AND Ray Rhodes.

There is a huge difference between this situation and the Lion's - and I don't think Millen did anything wrong in that case either.

[Ksyrup]

Originally posted by Subby
Ksyrup - While your points are well taken about a terrible system, I think that Snyder was legitimately interviewing head coaching candidates in the event that Gibbs didn't work out. They met with Fassel for two days. They had long meetings with Denny Green AND Ray Rhodes.

There is a huge difference between this situation and the Lion's - and I don't think Millen did anything wrong in that case either.

Everything I've read suggests otherwise. At first, I thought they had to coax him out of retirement, but it sounds like, from this most recent article, that he had decided to get back into coaching well before Spurrier resigned.

Now, I agree that they had to keep their options open just in case they couldn't come to terms - and I think the Lions probably had to do the same - but I think they, like the Lions, knew who they wanted before the other interviews started.

I don't think the differences are that great. However, I guess my problem is more with the Lions not being cut some slack given the circumstances, and then the Redskins getting a free pass under very similar circumstances.

Ultimately, it all comes back to Millen being stupid. Which comes as no surprise.

[Subby]

Old Giants - your assertions about Gibbs just don't stand up to the facts. You cannot argue with the following numbers:

- 4 Super Bowl appearances in 12 seasons with 3 wins.

- 16-5 career playoff record (3rd highest winning % in the playoffs ever).

- 7 playoff appearances in 12 seasons with 10-6 records in two of the seasons WAS didn't make the playoffs.

- 124-60 record in 12 seasons.

You keep harping on strike-shortened seasons, as if that somehow denigrates his accomplishments. In '82 the season was shortened to 9 games - but the team still managed to win 4 straight games in the playoffs, outscoring their opponents 110-48.

In the other strike-shortened season (shortened by all of one game) WAS went 11-4 and beat a tough CHI team in the NFC Championship game (Gibbs was 4-1 in conference title games, btw).

You made some ridiculous point in one of your earlier posts that Gibbs' teams have never scored on Parcell's teams in the playoffs. In 12 seasons Washington faced New York all of one time - losing 17-0 in an NFC title game. One game does not a reputation make or break. Against the other great teams of the 80s and 90s, the 49ers and Bears, the Gibbs and the Skins were 3-3 in the playoffs.

So, again, your arguments just don't stack up against the numbers. Gibbs was/is one of the three greatest NFL head coaches of the past 20 years, right alongside Walsh and Parcells. And Gibbs never had a Montana or LT...

[Franklinnoble]

Originally posted by OldGiants
A realistic view of Joe Gibbs' career:



I'm gonna rebut this - because you don't have the facts straight, and, quite frankly, you're coming across as a jealous and petulant Redskins hater (or Dan Snyder hater... or both... whatever).


He institutes his system, goes 14-2 and reaches the SB where the Raiders expose how weak his system really is and pound the Foreskins into the ground. Things look bleak in Foreskin land, but...

Bob's your uncle! There's a player strike. The other teams go into dissarray and Gibbs rallies the troops to a SB win.


Wrong. Wrong. Wrong. Gibbs came on in '81, after being an assitant for the "Air Coryell" Chargers. His pass-happy scheme fails - the 'Skins start 0-5. He switches gears (something Spurrier could never do), and the Redskins finish 8-8.

After the strike-shortened '82 season, the Redskins win Super Bowl XVII over the Dolphins. Sure... take your shots at him for winning a "cheap" season... but every other team in the league played by the same rules that year, buddy.

After the '83 season (in which the 'Skins set all sorts of offensive records, most of which stood until the Kurt Warner Rams broke them just recently), the Redskins were embarassed by the Raiders in Super Bowl XVIII. Shit happens.


Next Bill Parcells overcomes Gibbs head start in DC and in the quintessential 'statement game' in all NFL history watches the giants so completely butt-whip the fat, stupid "Hogs" that Gibb's prize possession, his QB, lies wrecked and ruined on the field, his leg and career smashed. Some protection scheme, Joe.


For your information, dickhead, Gibbs called a Hail Mary on the play following Theismann's injury, and backup QB Jay Schroeder connected for a touchdown pass. The Redskins WON that game, 23-21. Nice statement, asswad.


Things look bleak in Foreskinville, but Bob's your Uncle! Another player strike. Parcells puts the Giants in disarray, as do most other teams. Charlie Casserly goes out and signs the best available dreck and the Foreskins get there second SB.


Get real. That strike meant 1 missed game. The Redskins, again, play by the same rules and on the same field as the rest of the NFL. Not to mention that Gibbs won the Super Bowl with HIS BACKUP QB. Jay Schroeder was the starter that year, and Doug Williams relieved him when he was injured and never gave the job back (Schroeder was eventually traded to the Raiders for Jim Lachey. Lachey was the LT that anchored the line for another 5 years - Schroeder did NOTHING after he left the 'Skins).


Next season, back to reality and the Foreskins do well and not much more. The Giants go on to win a real SB, Parcells, Walsh retire and Gibbs sneaks in his legitmate win.


Sneaks in a legitimate win?!? The Redskins dominated the league on both sides of the ball without a single superstar on the team. Mark Rypien won the MVP award, for crying out loud. If you can't call that great coaching, you need to cut back on the recreational drug use.


Gibbs is a very nice man, much nicer than Parcells, but no where near the coach he's made out to be.

AS to Coughlin, shrug. The only team he'll beat will be the Foreskins.

And do check out what the English expression "Bob's your uncle" means before you morons respond.

It must drive you insane to think about how your beloved, money-loving whore Parcells has gone on to three other teams, including the cross-town rival Jets and the divisional rival Cowboys, while your pathetic Giants have floundered without him. You've had a sniff of the Super Bowl since then (how 'bout those Ravens?), and you know damned well that no matter how good Coughlin is, the Redskins already have more talent than the Giants, and now have much better coaching.

Keep up the smack-talk. We'll see who gets the last laugh next season.

[Ksyrup]

Originally posted by Franklinnoble
the Redskins were embarassed by the Raiders in Super Bowl XVIII. Shit happens.

As a Denver Broncos fan, I wholeheartedly agree with this statement. :D

[OldGiants]

Subby, Gibbs is a good coach, no doubt. He did accomplish a lot, but the strike shortened stuff is true. The second strike was won because Casserly put together a 5-0 strike team that left NY out of the race. Nor were other teams at all prepared for a real season either year. The fact Gibbs won those games does not back up your argument, it supports mine. The games he won were walk-overs because all the teams were bickering and shells of themselves. He had no realistic competition those years. Again, he won because the other teams were not prepared, not because he had great teams.

Its to his credit that he hung in there and won, but let's not overstate what he accomplished when his opponents were not prepared.

And in what way is Gibbs being shoutout by Parcells in the playoffs ridiculous when its true? It may be overstating the case,but it is true. :)

3-3 in the playoffs versus the tough teams is hardly HOF performance, is it?

Again, I like gibbs and think he's a good coach. He's simply not nearly as great as Foreskin fans insist he is.

[Franklinnoble]

Originally posted by Ksyrup
As a Denver Broncos fan, I wholeheartedly agree with this statement. :D

I imagine you would... What goes around, comes around, in the NFL. The Redskins smacked the Dolphins in Super Bowl XVII, but that was after the Dolphins finished their perfect season by beating the Redskins 14-7 in Super Bowl VII.

Until the Broncos won the Super Bowl, the Raiders win in Super Bowl XVIII was the last time an AFC team won the title. It was a dubious distinction, and I was somehow happy that Elway and Co. got a chance to do it after we had pounded them ten years prior.

The Raiders meltdown last year and during the regular season this year was fun to watch - I think I might have finally gotten over seeing them beat us in '83.

[Subby]

Originally posted by OldGiants
Again, I like gibbs and think he's a good coach. He's simply not nearly as great as Foreskin fans insist he is.

Well, FWIW, your personal fat dashboard jesus begs to differ :)

"I said when he retired that Joe was the best coach I'd ever faced," Cowboys coach Bill Parcells said in a statement. "I have great respect for his ability. I don't think the time that he has spent away from the game will have any effect at all. Joe Gibbs and Tom Coughlin coming back to the league have just made the NFC a lot tougher."

[Ksyrup]

Originally posted by Franklinnoble
I imagine you would...

It's interesting when you look at those 3 SuperBowls. Denver led at halftime against the Giants, then blew it big time. Denver led against the Redskins after the 1st quarter, then blew it big time. Denver never should have gotten out of bed to play the 49'ers, then got blown out big time (I'm still ticked at Don Beebe for knocking that ball out of Leon Lett's hand, costing the Broncos the opportunity to move out of 1st place for most points allowed in a SB. I digress...). There was a measurable degradation in performance each time. Yet another reason why I intensely dislike Dan Reeves.

[OldGiants]

Yet another example of why Parcells was pig dung as a broadcaster. LOL

[rkmsuf]

The Tuna gave the defacto reponse considering they'll all be in the same division...

[Franklinnoble]

Originally posted by OldGiants
Subby, Gibbs is a good coach, no doubt. He did accomplish a lot, but the strike shortened stuff is true. The second strike was won because Casserly put together a 5-0 strike team that left NY out of the race. Nor were other teams at all prepared for a real season either year. The fact Gibbs won those games does not back up your argument, it supports mine. The games he won were walk-overs because all the teams were bickering and shells of themselves. He had no realistic competition those years. Again, he won because the other teams were not prepared, not because he had great teams.

Its to his credit that he hung in there and won, but let's not overstate what he accomplished when his opponents were not prepared.

And in what way is Gibbs being shoutout by Parcells in the playoffs ridiculous when its true? It may be overstating the case,but it is true. :)

3-3 in the playoffs versus the tough teams is hardly HOF performance, is it?

Again, I like gibbs and think he's a good coach. He's simply not nearly as great as Foreskin fans insist he is.

I've said it before, and I'll say it again.

It's not like the Redskins had ANY advantage over any other team in the NFL just because there was a strike. If they were better prepared than the rest of the league, that should be to their credit. Gibbs put together the rosters on both those teams. The "scab" teams he assembled were made up largely of the guys from his practice squad and players who had been to camp with the Redskins but had no real chance of playing in the NFL. They won because they were better coached. Plain and simple.

Bill Parcells didn't win 3 out of 4 Super Bowls with the Giants. Parcells didn't make the playoffs 8 out of 12 seasons. Parcells simply wasn't as good with the Giants as Gibbs was with the Redskins. Get over it.

[Subby]

Originally posted by rkmsuf
The Tuna gave the defacto reponse considering they'll all be in the same division...
Yeah - Tuna is the kind of coach that likes to give de facto responses to the media :D

[rkmsuf]

Originally posted by Subby
Yeah - Tuna is the kind of coach that likes to give de facto responses to the media :D

I would have loved if he came out and said something like "Yeah, that Gibbs can manage those hot wheels but he can't hold my jock as a fooball coach. We'll see him in September..."

[spleen1015]

For those guys in the DC area...

What are the sports radio stations around there that broadcast over the internet?

[Samdari]

Originally posted by OldGiants
Subby, Gibbs is a good coach, no doubt. He did accomplish a lot, but the strike shortened stuff is true. The second strike was won because Casserly put together a 5-0 strike team that left NY out of the race. Nor were other teams at all prepared for a real season either year. The fact Gibbs won those games does not back up your argument, it supports mine. The games he won were walk-overs because all the teams were bickering and shells of themselves. He had no realistic competition those years. Again, he won because the other teams were not prepared, not because he had great teams.

Its to his credit that he hung in there and won, but let's not overstate what he accomplished when his opponents were not prepared.

And in what way is Gibbs being shoutout by Parcells in the playoffs ridiculous when its true? It may be overstating the case,but it is true. :)

3-3 in the playoffs versus the tough teams is hardly HOF performance, is it?

Again, I like gibbs and think he's a good coach. He's simply not nearly as great as Foreskin fans insist he is.

God, Giant fans are good at distorting the truth. The first strike year every team played 9 games, all with their real players. The skins went 8-1 in those 9 games. You say Gibbs should get no credit because other teams were unprepared. That is moronic. Coaches jobs are to prepare their teams. If Gibbs' team won because it was most prepared (as you claim) then they won because of his good coaching.

In the second strike, 1987, they played 3 replacement games (The 1987 season was reduced from a 16-game season to 15 as the result of a 24-day players' strike. The strike was called by the NFLPA on Tuesday, September 22, following the New England at New York Jets game. Games scheduled for the third weekend were canceled but the games of weeks four, five, and six were played with replacement teams. Striking players returned for the seventh week of the season, October 25.). The redskins went 3-0 in those games, and 8-4 (a terrible record, Gibbs should be ashamed). Of course, the Giants (1-2 in strike games) only went 5-7 with their real players (0-3 before the strike), but they were clearly the better team. And the fact that Gibbs was able to have his real players ready for games around the strike is a testament to lack of coaching skills.

[Subby]

There is just one:

hxxp://www.sportstalk980.com/main.html

[Samdari]

DAMN YOU SUBBY!


EDIT: listen from 3-5 pm EST at your own risk. The John Thompson show is terrible. The fun guys are Pollin/Czaban at 5.

[spleen1015]

Thanks guys.

EDIT - Is that the same Steve Czaban that is on Fox Radio in the evenings?

[JAG]

Just wanted to second Samdari...btw. Gibbs press conference at 5pm today if you hadn't yet heard.

[Franklinnoble]

Initial follow-up on the press conf. from the Washington Post:

Gibbs: The Thrill of the Challenge Brought Me Back

Associated Press
Thursday, January 8, 2004; 6:03 PM

Joe Gibbs says the challenge of turning the Redskins into a contender again is what brought him out of retirement.

Gibbs told a packed, 50-minute news conference today at Redskins Park that he has no master plan or timetable for returning the team to the playoffs of the Super Bowl. He says his goal is to have his players work as hard as they can on every play.

Gibbs says he and owner Dan Snyder had intensive discussions over the past two weeks, going over every detail of the operation. He says they never discussed money until the last minute, because he knew he's be well taken care of. Gibbs' salary is reported to be about the same as his predecessor Steve Spurrier -- $5 million dollars a year.

Gibbs says he is still in the process of assembling his coaching staff. He says he and his assistants have never had any clearly defined roles -- everyone will work together.