Is Gibbs Getting His Mojo Back?

[12thMan]

I really wanted to title this thread, "I'm So Happy For Joe Gibbs". Sounded kind of cheesey though. I'm obviously happy for the entire team and the roll they're on right now, but on a more personal level I'm most happy for Joe Gibbs.

For most of this year Joe Gibbs has been under intense scrutiny by the media and Redskins fans alike. Going into the Minnesota game, I just had the impression that Joe Gibbs was going to outcoach Ray Childress and company. Not to harp on the 12 man challenge too much, but I think that's a call we miss, say, just three months ago. To me, it's an indicator of how much the entire staff are now of like mind and are seeing and speaking the same thing.

Just to be clear about what I'm getting at here, I don't think this is just another "late season run" by the Redskins. I think this run we're on right now and the one we had a couple of years ago are different; similiar but different. Here's why I say that. Two seasons ago we were a relatively healthy team. Guys were banged up here and there, but nothing like this. Now you have guys like H.B. Blades, Reed Doughty, and Anthony Montgomery stepping up, just to name a few. Did I mention a guy name Todd Collins, by the way?

That year it was more like starters playing like, well, starters. This year, in typical Gibbs fashion, he's using various parts that are at his disposal to win. This was always a trademark of a Gibbs coached team. The coaching across the board seems to have stepped up too. You can see Stephon Heyer grow from week to week. The kid is solid, but you know Buges has him putting in some work. We're also getting milage out of guys like Randall Godfrey, Leigh Torrence, and new comer Anthony Mix.

The Vikings second half surge was a bit worisome as I was wondering if the Redskins were going to have the all too familiar second half collapse, but I think, or at least I hope, this team has grown beyond that identity flaw.

I say "Bring Joe Back" for an extension. Hey, that sounds like a great t-shirt!

[Beemnseven]

What's different from the second half collapses we saw earlier, is that the offense continues to put points on the board to keep them in safe winning range. Even with the defense playing lights out in the first half, I knew it would be tough to shut out the Vikings.

And I can't help but wonder what our prospects would be if Campbell were still at the helm knowing what a turnover machine he's been. Todd Collins should get heaps of praise for staying in the pocket under consistent pressure without getting rattled while delivering pinpoint passes downfield.

Gibbs is a magnificent motivator of men, without question. He gets credit for keeping the team focused, and preparing them to play. In different, more subtle ways, he is gradually showing glimpses of the coach he was in the Glory Years.

[12thMan]

Originally Posted by Beemnseven

What's different from the second half collapses we saw earlier, is that the offense continues to put points on the board to keep them in safe winning range. Even with the defense playing lights out in the first half, I knew it would be tough to shut out the Vikings.

And I can't help but wonder what our prospects would be if Campbell were still at the helm knowing what a turnover machine he's been. Todd Collins should get heaps of praise for staying in the pocket under consistent pressure without getting rattled while delivering pinpoint passes downfield.

Gibbs is a magnificent motivator of men, without question. He gets credit for keeping the team focused, and preparing them to play. In different, more subtle ways, he is gradually showing glimpses of the coach he was in the Glory Years.

I too have wondered how well the team would be doing if Campbell were at the helm right now. This run by Collins definitely puts a little "pressure" on him to play within his game once he returns.

[BleedBurgundy]

Originally Posted by Beemnseven

And I can't help but wonder what our prospects would be if Campbell were still at the helm knowing what a turnover machine he's been.

JC is not a turnover machine. He's played somewhat like a qb who's in his first full year of starting. This is not Patrick Ramsey we're talking about. That said, I think that the combination of him learning more and more of the playbook and seeing TC run the offense well will help him understand how to play.

[MTK]

Originally Posted by BleedBurgundy

JC is not a turnover machine. He's played somewhat like a qb who's in his first full year of starting. This is not Patrick Ramsey we're talking about. That said, I think that the combination of him learning more and more of the playbook and seeing TC run the offense well will help him understand how to play.

Agreed.

I think JC gave us exactly what we should have expected from a first year starter.

He's right on the edge, I think next year we'll start to see that breakthrough.

[skinsfan69]

Originally Posted by Mattyk72

Agreed.

I think JC gave us exactly what we should have expected from a first year starter.

He's right on the edge, I think next year we'll start to see that breakthrough.

Let's say Collins takes us to the playoffs, we win a game or two and he performs very well. I'm speculating but what the hell.

[Beemnseven]

Originally Posted by BleedBurgundy

JC is not a turnover machine. He's played somewhat like a qb who's in his first full year of starting. This is not Patrick Ramsey we're talking about. That said, I think that the combination of him learning more and more of the playbook and seeing TC run the offense well will help him understand how to play.

First year starting QB or not, he's responsible for 19 turnovers (11 picks, 8 fumbles lost) in 417 passing attempts. That's about a turnover every 22 passes.

Inexperienced or not, he's turning the ball over too much. And there is absolutely no doubt in my mind that there's no three game winning streak with him at quarterback.

[Redskin Warrior]

Originally Posted by Beemnseven

First year starting QB or not, he's responsible for 19 turnovers (11 picks, 8 fumbles lost) in 417 passing attempts. That's about a turnover every 22 passes.

Inexperienced or not, he's turning the ball over too much. And there is absolutely no doubt in my mind that there's no three game winning streak with him at quarterback.

Like I said in a previous thread the o-line is not allowing defenses to pressure TC at all. I still can't single out one week that Campbell has had protection like TC has the last three weeks.

[Beemnseven]

Originally Posted by Redskin Warrior

Like I said in a previous thread the o-line is not allowing defenses to pressure TC at all. I still can't single out one week that Campbell has had protection like TC has the last three weeks.

I'm not sure I agree with that. The problem for the O-line, up until the last game or two, has been run blocking. Pass protection has generally been good this year. And the fumbling problem has nothing to do with the offensive line. The coaches would agree that regardless of QB pressure, Jason has to protect the ball way better than he has.

Now, don't misunderstand ... I'm not trying to turn this into a bash Campbell routine. Clearly, he's the future of this franchise at quarterback -- not Todd Collins. In fact, Collins just might have more suitors around the league thanks to his recent performances. I think it just shows that Jason still has a long way to go.

[4mrusmc]

Originally Posted by Beemnseven

First year starting QB or not, he's responsible for 19 turnovers (11 picks, 8 fumbles lost) in 417 passing attempts. That's about a turnover every 22 passes.

Inexperienced or not, he's turning the ball over too much. And there is absolutely no doubt in my mind that there's no three game winning streak with him at quarterback.

Wow, nice job of validating a point. I thought he was turning the ball over too much also.

[memphisskin]

Gibbs has always accepted the blame when he makes a mistake and gives it up to the players when we win, that kind of accountability wins players over. I like the way they are winning games, but the formula under Collins is different than the formula under Campbell. It could be a factor of Campbell's inexperience and the lack of trust the coaching staff has in him, but maybe not. Collins trusts the offense more because he's been in it longer, Campbell will get there.

Beemnseven pointed out that Campbell has 19 turnovers and it sounds significant, but is it really? Well yes, when you play conservative football. But if we didn't play it so tight to the vest, if our playmakers played up to their signing bonuses then it wouldn't matter at all. Our tight end is leading the team in catches and td catches, which would be cool but even his numbers are below what they could be. Romo has 18 picks, Peyton has 14, so while Campbell's picks aren't stellar they aren't out of line, especially for a young qb.

[GTripp0012]

A great coach will continue to produce improvement in injured players. I have to imagine that Gibbs has been working closely with Campbell on the mental side of the game and that should we make it into the playoffs, a healthy Campbell would play his best football of the season.

[12thMan]

Originally Posted by GTripp0012

A great coach will continue to produce improvement in injured players. I have to imagine that Gibbs has been working closely with Campbell on the mental side of the game and that should we make it into the playoffs, a healthy Campbell would play his best football of the season.

That brings up an interesting question - maybe thread worthy at some point - should Campbell take back the team if healthy?

[SFREDSKIN]

Originally Posted by 12thMan

That brings up an interesting question - maybe thread worthy at some point - should Campbell take back the team if healthy?

No. You play Collins till he starts to mess up and then replace him. You have to stick with what's working, plus Campbell will probably be rusty from not having played in a few weeks. And the answer to this thread, Joe Gibbs has never lost his mojo.

[MTK]

I think we're seeing what this offense is truly capable of with someone at the helm who understands the full play book and isn't limited. That's nothing against Campbell, he's still learning, but right now Collins is the guy we need to roll with.