Gibbs vs. Spurrier -- stats about even?

[LRT]

Originally Posted by skinsguy

I will always believe that a strong work ethic from a coach and the ability to surround yourself with the right coaching staff is what tells the tale when it comes to who's a good coach and who isn't. ...

I will tell you this, if I had my choice between the other coaches who have coached this team, besides Gibbs, I would pick Marty Schottenhiemer.

I agree. Look at the coaches who followed Gibbs. Richie Pettibon never really had a chance to get his feet under him, which was surprising since his hiring was a promotion and he came in knowing the system and the players. Norv Turner never really seemed to have the fire and determination it takes to win in the NFL and his teams seemed to reflect his own personality. Decent but no grit. Spurier, like I said before, may be a good college coach, but his whole approach was just too laid back, too soft for the NFL.

Of the whole bunch, Schottenhiemer was the only one who tried to instill discipline, determination and consistency in the Skins. And, for that reason, his firing stands as Synder's biggest mistake.

If anyone wants to play "what if" imagine what might have been if Schottenhiemer had come back for a second year to build on the strong finish of his first season. And what might have been in a third year? Who might we have drafted? Where might we have been?

The only bright side to Schottenhiemer's firing, I think, is that it ultimately led to Gibbs coming back.