This is why Gibbs is a HOF coach

[Paintrain]

I got a huge grin on my face when I read this article, hell I wanted to suit up and go to OTAs myself!

From ESPN:
Gibbs challenged his players to match his work ethic, saying he expects 100 percent attendance during offseason programs that are officially deemed "voluntary." He said anyone who skips is making a statement.

"If they make that statement, then we're going to act accordingly," Gibbs said. "I'm not going to be counting on somebody's who's not around here.

"One thing I like to tell the players: You need to organize your life. If I make a lot of money playing football, I'm going to hire somebody to do my account work. I'm going to hire somebody to go live with my sister. Spend $50,000 and protect your million dollars. Come up here and work."

Here's the link to the whole story. http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/wire?...nfl&id=1960816

[MTK]

Nobody can deny he has an incredible worth ethic. If he doesn't get things turned around it won't be for a lack of effort that's for damn sure. The way the team fought and battled all year is a direct reflection of him.

This part of that article says it all:

Gibbs' greatest accomplishment this season was to keep the players united. There was little bickering on this struggling team, and players were optimistic as they left Redskins Park.

"This was a losing-record team," Pierce said. "But not a losing team."

[SkinsRock]

Originally Posted by Mattyk72

Nobody can deny he has an incredible worth ethic. If he doesn't get things turned around it won't be for a lack of effort that's for damn sure. The way the team fought and battled all year is a direct reflection of him.

This part of that article says it all:

Gibbs' greatest accomplishment this season was to keep the players united. There was little bickering on this struggling team, and players were optimistic as they left Redskins Park.

"This was a losing-record team," Pierce said. "But not a losing team."

That's why I can't stand it when the local media and other people harp on the negative things, and not that this season was really all about building a foundation of a team, which Gibbs did, even through all the adversity. Yeah there are things that need to be fixed or adjusted, but like many have pointed out, a few plays here and there, or about 5 more points a game, and the Skins are in the playoffs with a winning record. Gibbs and the coaches now have all offseason to focus on how to score more points. I think they can do it. And the players that show that prove that they have truly bought into his philosophy and work ethic will reap the benefits.
I don't know about anyone else, but to me, as dissapointing as it was, this year's 6-10 finish actually feels better than Spurrier's 7-9 in 2002....probably more the way they finished it. This team is really a team for the first time in years.

[Daseal]

Uhm, the media in my opinion was very kind to him. At least the DC media. It could have been much worse, not to mention the media concentrates on the negative side of everything. I think that statement is good, but I thought the NFL had rules against statements like that. Perhaps I'm wrong.

[Paintrain]

Originally Posted by Daseal

Uhm, the media in my opinion was very kind to him. At least the DC media. It could have been much worse, not to mention the media concentrates on the negative side of everything. I think that statement is good, but I thought the NFL had rules against statements like that. Perhaps I'm wrong.

Expected to attend and required to attend are different.. A fine line indeed, but different. I think the only time the league gets involved is if the teams are holding more than is allowed or when they have them hitting..

[sportscurmudgeon]

Daseal:

You are absolutely right. The DC media has been very kind and gentle with Joe Gibbs this year.

Now that he has made his statement, we'll have to see if he follows through with the implied threat there. Some of the high paid players on this team are not attendees at the voluntary team events (100% of the time).

[cpayne5]

Originally Posted by Daseal

...not to mention the media concentrates on the negative side of everything.

This is one post I can't forget.

[SKINSnCANES]

yea guys like Parcells are assholes because they had to deal with the NY media all the time. It definitly keeps you on your toes. Bottom line though, skins playesr left optimistic, knowing they will succeed. Giants players left saying there is a problem with the team and that they arent happy with the coach.

[Daseal]

Just because they focus on the negative side of things doesn't make them less true.

[Dirtbag]

Just curious -- does anyone have any idea which Redskin players have skipped these workouts in the past? I doubt that Gibbs would ever let that info become public, but I'm just wondering if anyone's heard rumors.

[irish]

Why are these workouts called voluntary if attendance is made mandatory by the coach? I gotta imagine the NFL players union would have something to say about these 'mandatory' workouts

[BIGREDSKINFAN63]

that's the difference between a pro coach who lives at the office and gives 100% to win,and a college coach who wants to make his next tee time,or get home to eat supper by 6pm,and wonders why the team can't win.

[LongTimeSkinsFan]

BigRedskinFan63: Any college coach we know in particular?

[EEich]

Face it... the media has the right and responsibility to be negative at times. The team had a bad season, and the media would not be depicting the team accurately if they were blowing sunshine up our butts all the time. But in the end... the media knows what we want to read and the bottom line is that we want to read that there is hope for this team.

[MTK]

The team finished 6-10, most of the criticism is deserved.

I say fire away while you can, it just gives Gibbs more motivation to succeed.