Why Doesn't "Gibbs' Football" Work for the Redskins?

[jsarno]

Originally Posted by SmootSmack

First of all, I'm not about to apologize for being a Gibbs' fan. People want to throw all that "You drink the Kool-Aid" "You think Gibbs can do no wrong" accusations they want. Do I think he's infallible? Of course not. But he was the centerpiece of the team during the 80's and the biggest reason I'm part of this site. If not for him, I'm probably not that big a fan. The Redskins were a huge part of my childhood. I have a lot of great memories thanks to the Redskins and Joe Gibbs. For those that grew up in my generation I'm sure you can relate. For those that didn't and don't care about Gibbs, understand what Gibbs means to us.

All that said, here's my question. Why is that people think Gibbs' style of football can't win in today's NFL?

It can win in the NFL, it's just not going to win consistantly because conservative plays no longer win games. In his day (and yes I am of that generation for all you that don't know), it was all about time of possession and running the ball and clock out. It's a pass happy NFL now.
I love Gibbs for what he did, and how he has changed the attitude in DC, but I want him to realize it's time to open up the offense.
With two of our best O linemen out, it's time to scrap the theory that 30 or more carries wins a ball game. It's the passing game we need embrace. Use the passing game to set up the run, not use the running game to set up the pass. I've played football at the collegiate level, and followed Redskins football, and NFL football for almost 30 years, the game is different than it used to be, and Gibbs has been extremely hesitant to roll with these changes.

"Gibbs' Football" permeates throughout the league. The single back sets you see all throughout the league, you can thank Joe Gibbs for that. The Steelers offense that won them a Super Bowl 2 years ago, and has them at 3-0 this year, you can thank Joe Gibbs for that. The Trips formations that the aforementioned Steelers and defending champion Colts use, you can thank Joe Gibbs for that. The multiple (2-3) tight end sets that arguably the two best teams in the NFL today (Cowboys and Patriots) use, you can thank Joe Gibbs for that.

1- no one is saying he was not innovative.
2- while he did revolutionize the NFL with certain plays (the counter trey was his too), you can't live off a few plays. None of those teams you mentioned rely on one thing. The Colts change things up on a regular basis.
One thing you mentioned was the Steelers, and they have come the closest to Gibbs football in recent memory. One problem is that when the run wasn't working, they threw the ball instead of insisting after 3 straight 3 and out's that it will work. I doubt anyone would care about "conservative" play calling if it was working.

These are all Joe Gibbs innovations. He's one of the most creative coaches the NFL has seen in the last 30 years and his impact is felt throughout the league.

Agreed, but that doesn't make him a winner on Gibbs part 2.

So why do people insist his way won't work in today's NFL? And I know it hasn't at a consisent level so far for the Redskins. But it does for others.

Why is that?

Like I said, I think it can work, but adjustments need to be made.
You have to ask yourself, if you did something for your boss and he didn't like it...then you did it again, and again, and again, and again...do you think he'll all of sudden like it, or do you think you better make some sort of adjustment to ensure satisfaction? Same applies here, Gibbs can keep insisting certain (what I call conservative) play calling will work every team we step out on the field.