Commanders Post at The Warpath - View Single Post

joecrisp · 11-04-2004, 02:14 PM

Hey guys, sorry I haven't been around much this week. I broke my right ring finger playing flag football on Monday night, so it's been kind of hard to post anything, since my typing skills are somewhat hindered for the time being.

As far as the attacks on Joe Gibbs, I obviously strongly disagree with the assertions that Gibbs is no longer a capable coach. But it's good to have a few voices in the forum that keep the perspective balanced, and provide fuel for healthy debate. There are plenty of younger guys on this board that were a little too young to fully experience the first Gibbs era. Heck, I was pretty young myself when Joe Gibbs began his Redskins coaching career, but by the last 4 or 5 years of his first tenure, I had a pretty good understanding of the qualities that made Joe Gibbs a championship coach and ultimately, a Hall of Famer.

As time wore on throughout the dismal years following Gibbs' retirement, like many mournful fans, I often revisited my fond memories of the Gibbs era, and studied the differences between Gibbs and the procession of coaches that have tried and failed to re-create the attitude, environment and culture of winning that Gibbs established over the course of his 12 seasons with the Redskins. The failures of the past 12 years have set in bold relief the prominent characteristics of perseverance, determination, dedication, strength of will, and an unwavering devotion to a winning philosophy that defined Gibbs' coaching career, as well as those of fellow Hall of Famers like Lombardi, Noll and Walsh-- alongside which Gibbs' bust resides in Canton.

It's important to note that all of those qualities are indicative of overcoming adversity, opposition, resistance, controversy, indecisiveness, weakness and failure. Thus, when these qualities are conferred upon someone, it's a reference not only to the greatness of their achievement, but also a testament to the great adversity which they conquered along the way. Joe Gibbs' enshrinement among the gods of football is a tribute to the trials and tribulations that he endured along the path to greatness. The true measure of a man is how far he ascends from where he began. Joe Gibbs began at 0-5. And thus, at 2-5, he begins again.

There will be more struggles and losses and controversies along the way. Joe Gibbs' devotion to Mark Brunell is but the first sign of his resolution to endure such suffering on the path to success, to persevere in what he believes is right, despite the shadow of doubt and controversy that looms over him. Perhaps Gibbs made the wrong decision, maybe he chose the wrong path. But it's clear that he is willing to stand by his decision and suffer the consequences, and navigate through this course of opposition and adversity. It's a journey that will test the will of those around him, but ultimately, will forge the character of this team in the likeness of its coach...

...Judging by where that likeness resides, I'd say this team is bound for good things-- no matter how bumpy the ride might be right now.

11-04-2004, 02:14 PM	#83
joecrisp The Starter Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Charlottesville, VA Age: 50 Posts: 1,501	Hey guys, sorry I haven't been around much this week. I broke my right ring finger playing flag football on Monday night, so it's been kind of hard to post anything, since my typing skills are somewhat hindered for the time being. As far as the attacks on Joe Gibbs, I obviously strongly disagree with the assertions that Gibbs is no longer a capable coach. But it's good to have a few voices in the forum that keep the perspective balanced, and provide fuel for healthy debate. There are plenty of younger guys on this board that were a little too young to fully experience the first Gibbs era. Heck, I was pretty young myself when Joe Gibbs began his Redskins coaching career, but by the last 4 or 5 years of his first tenure, I had a pretty good understanding of the qualities that made Joe Gibbs a championship coach and ultimately, a Hall of Famer. As time wore on throughout the dismal years following Gibbs' retirement, like many mournful fans, I often revisited my fond memories of the Gibbs era, and studied the differences between Gibbs and the procession of coaches that have tried and failed to re-create the attitude, environment and culture of winning that Gibbs established over the course of his 12 seasons with the Redskins. The failures of the past 12 years have set in bold relief the prominent characteristics of perseverance, determination, dedication, strength of will, and an unwavering devotion to a winning philosophy that defined Gibbs' coaching career, as well as those of fellow Hall of Famers like Lombardi, Noll and Walsh-- alongside which Gibbs' bust resides in Canton. It's important to note that all of those qualities are indicative of overcoming adversity, opposition, resistance, controversy, indecisiveness, weakness and failure. Thus, when these qualities are conferred upon someone, it's a reference not only to the greatness of their achievement, but also a testament to the great adversity which they conquered along the way. Joe Gibbs' enshrinement among the gods of football is a tribute to the trials and tribulations that he endured along the path to greatness. The true measure of a man is how far he ascends from where he began. Joe Gibbs began at 0-5. And thus, at 2-5, he begins again. There will be more struggles and losses and controversies along the way. Joe Gibbs' devotion to Mark Brunell is but the first sign of his resolution to endure such suffering on the path to success, to persevere in what he believes is right, despite the shadow of doubt and controversy that looms over him. Perhaps Gibbs made the wrong decision, maybe he chose the wrong path. But it's clear that he is willing to stand by his decision and suffer the consequences, and navigate through this course of opposition and adversity. It's a journey that will test the will of those around him, but ultimately, will forge the character of this team in the likeness of its coach... ...Judging by where that likeness resides, I'd say this team is bound for good things-- no matter how bumpy the ride might be right now.