Quote:
Originally Posted by djnemo65
It's a well-reasoned, well-written article, even though I don't necessarily agree with all of it.
While Sherrif is absolutely correct that this question doesn't need to be pondered until after the season - hell, the Skins could win out and go to the Superbowl and then we would view things very differently - the main indictment of the article, that Gibbs 2.0 is lacking something on a tactical level, unfortunately has to be seriously considered.
The mark of a great coach in this league is doing less with more - think what Crennel is doing, or Herm Edwards, or Gruden in Tampa this year. Either the Skins aren't as talented as we think or they aren't extracting the most from the talent they have; either way, Gibbs is accountable for that.
I have yet to have seen a game in this second tenure where I felt our offense was superior on a purely strategic level. Sure there have been moments in 2005 where we overpowered people with what was probably superior talent, but when have we had a win where we beat a better team just by being better prepared than them? Where is that signature upset? This weekend was a chance to show, even if we can't beat the Pats, we can play with them and we were utterly humiliated. Not only was their talent superior but we weren't prepared and didn't adjust to anything they were doing.
Did anyone hear Doc's interview of Campbell this week on his radio show? SportsTalk 980 - Washington, DC. I was stunned by the ferocity with which Doc hammered Jason, even though I had to agree with him, particularily when Doc questioned him on their strategy for attacking Asante Samuel. Why no adjustments? Why no change in approach when the game was getting out of hand?
I'm still drinking the Kool-Aid, and I still think we are going to the playoffs. But the larger issue here, that we are not maximizing our talent and never out-strategizing our opponents, is unfortunately carrying a lot of merit.
4-3 is fine. 5-3 will be great. The playoffs will be exciting. But 3 1/2 years into a Superbowl rebuilding project, with unlimited resources and unlimited support, is that enough? |
DJ, I don't think I could have possibly summed up my sentiments any better than you did in your post. I think most of the so called Gibbs haters or bashers have a difficult team articulating exactly how they feel about the situation at hand. Think about it, the Redskins are 4-3 and could possilby control their own destiny. On one hand Gibbs is a legend and so many feel indebted to him, on the other hand, well, the team hasn't quite turned the corner as many have expected. And for various reasons, mind you.
But my fundamental frustration has been, is Gibbs doing more with less? While the talent is developing, while Jason is still growing as a quarterback, is Gibbs or the staff "ahead" of the team and requiring them to catch up in the meantime? Let's face it, in the NFL injuries are a reality not an excuse. This year the offensive line has been decimated, last year it was the secondary and an untimely injury to Portis. Next year, just as sure as we're sitting here, it will be some other key player or maybe two. Who knows?
Game after game, particularly the wins, I feel as though the Redskins actually have to outplay not just the opponent, but at times overcome the coaching itself. Somehow, it seems to me, this team has to rise to a certain level of competition to compensate for what they lack in savvy, ingenuity, cohesiveness, preparation and chemistry. If those things aren't there, then generally it's a nail biter or a flat out loss.