2007 Redskins Coaching Staff

[12thMan]

Let's discuss the coaching staff for a bit, and what we expect to see different this year.

For the record, I was critical of both Joe Gibbs and Gregg Williams last year, so I don't really want to re-hash what went wrong and who didn't do what. But this is an open forum, so speak your mind, I guess.

It will be interesting to see how Joe Gibbs and Al Saunders have worked out the kinks in the offense; specifically the play calling and how Portis and Betts will be used, respectively. Will Joe just step in to call the third and short, the fourth and inches? Who prepares the gameplan, Joe or AL?

On defense, from what we hear, Gregg Williams has simplified things a bit on defense...particularly to fit Sean Taylor's style of play. Will we see more blitzing? Less cover two and more man to man? I'm just curious about these things?

I think if we can get this team prepared to play on Sundays, we'll be suprised at how far we can go into the playoffs.

One more thing, I'm not so convinced that our defensive line is as bad as most of us made it out to be last year. I think Gregg Blache will do a good job there too.

[skins009]

I think at the top we got some brillant coaches. I just think we got to many cook's in the kitchen. If I was in charge I would trip the coaching staffing down by at least 30%. The perfect example of this is how we have a Corner and a safeties coach??? That is stupid those two positions need to be on the same page and have one voice instructing them. THe problem with having Jerry Gray and Steven Jackson(who are both good coaches) is that they could be telling their players different things, that causes confusion.

[firstdown]

Originally Posted by skins009

I think at the top we got some brillant coaches. I just think we got to many cook's in the kitchen. If I was in charge I would trip the coaching staffing down by at least 30%. The perfect example of this is how we have a Corner and a safeties coach??? That is stupid those two positions need to be on the same page and have one voice instructing them. THe problem with having Jerry Gray and Steven Jackson(who are both good coaches) is that they could be telling their players different things, that causes confusion.

Having a large coaching staff is nothing new for a Gibbs team. I was watching something last year about Gibbs first run here and he had just as large coaching staff then. I think having a Corner and Safties coach last year hurt but they have adressed and acknowledged that there where some problems there last year.

[skins009]

I feel the need to mention how lucky we are to have Al Saunders. I think you'll see the benefit of this innovator this year. If you study his offense in KC it was the most fundamentally sound offense in the entire NFL. I would even argue it was more sound than Mike Marz's version at St. Louis becaue Saunders system was more physical in the run game. The system specializes in the two things every offense should want to be good at. Running the ball and throwing the ball DEEP.

[Krills]

I'm being positive about this upcoming season as well, but I always am this time of year. As far as the defense, I do think we will see a lot more blitzing and that's because we will playing more man on the outside. Freddy Smoot is a man specialist along with Springs, so as long as their healthy, we should be in good shape. Sean Taylor will just float in the middle and be the ball hawk that we know he is. You should expect to see a lot less tackles for Taylor this year because Landry will pick it up in the dept, but that is what we want. Hopefully that will lead to a bunch more big plays for Taylor this year. As far as the D-line, I trust the coaches assessment that they are comfortable with the guys we have. I feel pretty good about the Offense also. Every time I hear an Al Saunders interview, the more and more I like him. I think our run game will be great again and I think we really have a good quarterback in the making in Campbell. If Brandon Lloyd can set up this year, that will be big. And as long as we get it done along the line of scrimmage (which is definitely a question mark as of now), I know we have the talent to keep up with anyone in the league.

[dmek25]

i think people around here are expecting way too much out of Smoot. remember, he ended up a reserve the latter part of last season. and 12th, another good thread. i see alot more adjustments being made on both sides of the ball. remember in Gibbs first go round, the skins were absolutely the best at making half time adjustments. this is something i haven't seen from Gibbs II

[Krills]

Originally Posted by dmek25

i think people around here are expecting way too much out of Smoot. remember, he ended up a reserve the latter part of last season. and 12th, another good thread. i see alot more adjustments being made on both sides of the ball. remember in Gibbs first go round, the skins were absolutely the best at making half time adjustments. this is something i haven't seen from Gibbs II

I think Minnesota just tried to use him the wrong way, which is in zone. I hate to say this, but it's like how we tried to use Adam Achuleta in coverage. It just doesn't fit. You'll see, Smoot will play a lot and well this year.

[dmek25]

Originally Posted by Krills

I think Minnesota just tried to use him the wrong way, which is in zone. I hate to say this, but it's like how we tried to use Adam Achuleta in coverage. It just doesn't fit. You'll see, Smoot will play a lot and well this year.

i think it was last year when the vikings tried to have smoot cover steve smith one on one. smith ended up with a monster game, and smoot ended up on the bench

[12thMan]

Originally Posted by dmek25

i think people around here are expecting way too much out of Smoot. remember, he ended up a reserve the latter part of last season. and 12th, another good thread. i see alot more adjustments being made on both sides of the ball. remember in Gibbs first go round, the skins were absolutely the best at making half time adjustments. this is something i haven't seen from Gibbs II

I agree with you on Smooty. He's not going to ge the next Champ Bailey, but he'll probably be an upgrade over Rumph, Wright and the others who have stepped in.

[RobH4413]

Originally Posted by 12thMan

I agree with you on Smooty. He's not going to ge the next Champ Bailey, but he'll probably be an upgrade over Rumph, Wright and the others who have stepped in.

Couldn't agree more here.

I definitely think he was a good signing, but I don't think he's a superstar. One thing that makes him such a great signing is that he adds an element to our defense that we desperately need; turnovers.

When Smoot was here,, he was an interception machine. I see him leading the team in interceptions once again, if only because everyone else will drop all the other opportunities.

But back to the coaching staff.

I really expect our defense to pull a 180. GW is the kind of coach that doesn't feel good about having a bad season. He's got a chip on his shoulder now, and drafted another phenomenal athlete at a very important position in his system.

The blitzes will come back. The dreaded 3rd and 17 will be a turnover, and not a first down. I'm very optimistic about the defense.

The offense scares me. Hopefully we found our diamond in the rough with the new guy Heyer from Maryland, although that's probably a stretch. I'm really nervous about the line, and if we lose anyone, it could mean all of those weapons would be useless.

[12thMan]

Originally Posted by RobH4413

Couldn't agree more here.

I definitely think he was a good signing, but I don't think he's a superstar. One thing that makes him such a great signing is that he adds an element to our defense that we desperately need; turnovers.

When Smoot was here,, he was an interception machine. I see him leading the team in interceptions once again, if only because everyone else will drop all the other opportunities.

But back to the coaching staff.

I really expect our defense to pull a 180. GW is the kind of coach that doesn't feel good about having a bad season. He's got a chip on his shoulder now, and drafted another phenomenal athlete at a very important position in his system.

The blitzes will come back. The dreaded 3rd and 17 will be a turnover, and not a first down. I'm very optimistic about the defense.

The offense scares me. Hopefully we found our diamond in the rough with the new guy Heyer from Maryland, although that's probably a stretch. I'm really nervous about the line, and if we lose anyone, it could mean all of those weapons would be useless.

You know as far as depth along the line, I really don't think we're all that much behind the norm in the NFL. What I mean is, what team really has a bench full of starting material linemen? If everyone had great back-ups, wouldn't some of them be starting elsewhere?

Although you never want to see your main guys go down, you just have to roll with it and expect guys to earn their keeps when called upon. Wade did it last year, and someone else will have to this year if called upon.

[Monkeydad]

Anyone have a full list of our coaching staff? If so, please post it in a smaller font so we won't have to scroll a lot.

[wilsowilso]

There are no bad soldiers only bad officers.

Unless of course you pay half of the soldiers a ten million dollar signing bonus.

I think the coaches seem to have a good feel for the team this year and we could see a huge improvement, but make no mistake the Redskins of last year were the highest paid team in league history and therefore the biggest bunch of underachieving bums in the NFL. Period. Well we did have too many injuries to key players so I shouldn't be so harsh.

[12thMan]

Originally Posted by wilsowilso

There are no bad soldiers only bad officers.

Unless of course you pay half of the soldiers a ten million dollar signing bonus.

I think the coaches seem to have a good feel for the team this year and we could see a huge improvement, but make no mistake the Redskins of last year were the highest paid team in league history and therefore the biggest bunch of underachieving bums in the NFL. Period. Well we did have too many injuries to key players so I shouldn't be so harsh.

You know, I buy the injuries story up to a point. I look at a team like Green Bay last year, they got crushed by injuries and still almost backed into the playoffs. Same with the Pats.

[backrow]

Originally Posted by 12thMan

You know, I buy the injuries story up to a point. I look at a team like Green Bay last year, they got crushed by injuries and still almost backed into the playoffs. Same with the Pats.

GB & NE utilize the Draft almost exclusively.

Our coaching staff is among the best in the NFL. Great coaching does not overcome critical injuries, however, (CP, SM), and mediocre FA signings, (AA).