Smoot Poll

[Shane]

The entire key to the resurgence of the Redskins defense has been the same ethic that defined all of Joe Gibbs' past teams - that players play as a team with a vibrant spirit of unity. Anyone as the players point out can make a play at any time. It makes it exciting for everyone. They were all hyped to try to get the #1 defense ranking for example - a team goal. Gregg Williams said that the players were almost disappointed the other night when the final defensive meeting of the year ended - they wanted it to continue! That is the spirit that informed all of Joe Gibbs' teams and what made them great.

So prostrating yourself to try to re-sign a player who may ask for too much money, who isn't thinking of the team first - that doesn't fly in Redskin land under Joe Gibbs. That's why they traded Champ Bailey. And if Smoot wants to demand excessive money, really we let him go, no question. Gregg Williams says he would be happy to start Wilds, he thinks so highly of him, and Rufus Brown is a player as well, and Walt Harris is at the least very solid.

Mark Maske said the other night on Channel 5 that he thinks Smoot will be re-signed. Perhaps Maske thinks that Smoot is playing games with public negotiating by being pessimistic about re-signing. He has earned a solid paycheck, but not a bank breaking one.

[Redskins_P]

Originally Posted by Shane

The entire key to the resurgence of the Redskins defense has been the same ethic that defined all of Joe Gibbs' past teams - that players play as a team with a vibrant spirit of unity. Anyone as the players point out can make a play at any time. It makes it exciting for everyone. They were all hyped to try to get the #1 defense ranking for example - a team goal. Gregg Williams said that the players were almost disappointed the other night when the final defensive meeting of the year ended - they wanted it to continue! That is the spirit that informed all of Joe Gibbs' teams and what made them great.

So prostrating yourself to try to re-sign a player who may ask for too much money, who isn't thinking of the team first - that doesn't fly in Redskin land under Joe Gibbs. That's why they traded Champ Bailey. And if Smoot wants to demand excessive money, really we let him go, no question. Gregg Williams says he would be happy to start Wilds, he thinks so highly of him, and Rufus Brown is a player as well, and Walt Harris is at the least very solid.

Mark Maske said the other night on Channel 5 that he thinks Smoot will be re-signed. Perhaps Maske thinks that Smoot is playing games with public negotiating by being pessimistic about re-signing. He has earned a solid paycheck, but not a bank breaking one.

Nice post Shane. I agree w/ everything you said.

[azskinsfan2]

I hope we do re-sign Smoot but not for Champ money. I'll just have to get a Pierce jersey, (whether Smoot stays or not). We didn't lose a step against the Vikings without Fred and I think the defense will be top notch next season too. Pierce was a huge part of that, he was the leader of the D. And from what he has said, he expects to be back next season. That's a true Skin!!!!

[Beemnseven]

Originally Posted by Shane

The entire key to the resurgence of the Redskins defense has been the same ethic that defined all of Joe Gibbs' past teams - that players play as a team with a vibrant spirit of unity.

Why didn't that work with the offense?

[Indyskin]

Hello fellow 'Skins fans. I am currently a subscriber to the Warpath newspaper and I figured I would jump aboard. It has hard to find Redskins fans where I live (Indianapolis), so I am excited to be around fellow fans for once in a long time.

As far as the Smoot situation, I can honestly say that I wouldn't miss him if he leaves. Smoot plays with heart and provides positive energy to the defense, but he doesn't command the type of money that he desires. He is not and will never be a "shut-down corner" and IMO there are only a very few players, if any, that can claim such a description. If I'm not mistaken, wasn't it Springs (when healthy) who drew the assignments to cover the oppositions #1 receiver, leaving Smoot to handle the #2? If he leaves, we will be ok. The physical Walt Harris is a solid replacement to play the other side with Springs. Plus with the advent of Sean Taylor, it is going to take pressure of of the corners anyway. Smoot needs to get off his "Deion Sanders wannabe" horse, and get back to earth and realize the type of player he really is.

[MTK]

Originally Posted by Indyskin

Hello fellow 'Skins fans. I am currently a subscriber to the Warpath newspaper and I figured I would jump aboard. It has hard to find Redskins fans where I live (Indianapolis), so I am excited to be around fellow fans for once in a long time.

As far as the Smoot situation, I can honestly say that I wouldn't miss him if he leaves. Smoot plays with heart and provides positive energy to the defense, but he doesn't command the type of money that he desires. He is not and will never be a "shut-down corner" and IMO there are only a very few players, if any, that can claim such a description. If I'm not mistaken, wasn't it Springs (when healthy) who drew the assignments to cover the oppositions #1 receiver, leaving Smoot to handle the #2? If he leaves, we will be ok. The physical Walt Harris is a solid replacement to play the other side with Springs. Plus with the advent of Sean Taylor, it is going to take pressure of of the corners anyway. Smoot needs to get off his "Deion Sanders wannabe" horse, and get back to earth and realize the type of player he really is.

welcome to the board!

[Indyskin]

Originally Posted by Mattyk72

welcome to the board!

\

Thanks!!

[Shane]

Originally Posted by Beemnseven

Why didn't that work with the offense?

That's a good question.

The first reason is personnel difficulties I think. Pass protection difficulties. Quarterback challenges. The total changeover in systems from Spurrier's to Gibbs'. Challenges adapting the offense to fit Portis' style. Challenges related to Gibbs' long period out of the league. Receivers who don't get open, drop balls, and if they do catch it get tackled quickly. Injuries to Jansen and Coles' continuing injury problem

I think the same spirit is there on the offense but its complicated by all these problems. The defense has had injuries but we have unbelievable depth on defense so it hasn't hurt us.

Plus you have the fact that Gibbs has not only been the head coach and leader of the offense, but also became the defacto general manager and buck stops here organization leader. That is a lot to take on out of the blue. This organization has needed an entire overhaul and the burden of it all was squarely on Gibbs' shoulders, when the personnel side should have been mainly coordinated by a solid general manager. Gibbs had some learning to do in this area because he has never been a general manager.

I think it is starting to work, and we will see that showing up next season in a clear way. Great things are in store for Redskins fans with Joe Gibbs at the helm, in my opinion.