Seven Steps to Redskins Renewal

[JDALY27]

Hey, What's up guys! I'm new to the site and just signed up today. I've been a die hard skins fan for quite some time. Tough dealing with all these Giants fans in New York.

I have watched every game this year. Reason why we are losing:

1) Gibbs is a Hall of Fame Coach who decided to not call plays for the fist time in his NFL career?? (not a good move in my mind)

2) Defense looks completely soft. Carlos Rogers has been awful. Springs injury put CB depth or lack of under the radar. Why cut Walt Harris?? Why let safety go to Steelers. That guy was Sean Taylor's best friend on the team. I love Taylor but he's not where he should be after 3 years.

3) Play Calling. We beat Atlanta if we run the ball after we stop them on 4th down. We beat Philly if we run 4 straight time on the 3 yard line. We beat Tampa Bay if Williams does not call an all out blitz where Rogers gets smoked.

Hey AL!!! When in doubt, run the ball and run some more. Our offensive line has started every game this year and are by far our bright spot.

I love Gibbs but he needs to do some soul searching and get this thing right!

GO SKINS!!!!!

[SmootSmack]

Originally Posted by ArtMonkDrillz

Yeah, it's hard to trust him when he's contradicted himself so many times since he's been back. They made a guy like AA the highest paid player in league history at his position but he can't even crack the 3rd string and we're supposed to have faith that they can accurately evaluate anyone?
That might be too big a leap of faith for me at this point.

Is Archuleta the only move he made? Did you mistrust him when we got Portis, Taylor, Cooley, Washington, Moss and jetissoned guys like McCants, Bowen, Gardner?

I mean yeah he's made mistakes. And chances are he will again. But it's not as if it's one bad move after another and I don't know anyone can say he can't be trusted or can't evaluate anyone

[BrunellMVP?]

Originally Posted by hail_2_da_skins

There have been a lot of posts about the Redskins sucking. I came up with seven simple steps that if followed, will help Redskin fans to deal our current situation. Follow these simple steps and the remainder of the season won't seem that bad.

Seven Steps to Redskin Renewal

1. Admit that the 2006 Washington Redskins will not make the playoffs.

2. Admit that the 2006 Washington Redskins are not that good.

3. Admit that the 2006 Washington Redskin organization has not put the team in the best position to win football games.

4. Accept that for the remainder of the season, the 2006 Washington Redskins are in a rebuilding mode.

5. Accept that for the remainder of the season, the fans should expect improvement, not necessarily wins.

6. Accept that for the remainder of the season, Jason Campbell at times will look like a rookie.

7. Trust that Joe Gibbs and his staff will access the team's strengths and weaknesses and adjust in the offseason accordingly.

Seems to me you have some contradictions in here...more specifically,
3. Admit that the 2006 Washington Redskin organization has not put the team in the best position to win football games. and 7. Trust that Joe Gibbs and his staff will access the team's strengths and weaknesses and adjust in the offseason accordingly.

While we must trust them for the sake of continuity, i am VERY skeptical of their ability to work together- well, at this point. seems to me that this is the case study for the too many chiefs argument.

[MTK]

Originally Posted by JDALY27

Hey, What's up guys! I'm new to the site and just signed up today. I've been a die hard skins fan for quite some time. Tough dealing with all these Giants fans in New York.

I have watched every game this year. Reason why we are losing:

1) Gibbs is a Hall of Fame Coach who decided to not call plays for the fist time in his NFL career?? (not a good move in my mind)

2) Defense looks completely soft. Carlos Rogers has been awful. Springs injury put CB depth or lack of under the radar. Why cut Walt Harris?? Why let safety go to Steelers. That guy was Sean Taylor's best friend on the team. I love Taylor but he's not where he should be after 3 years.

3) Play Calling. We beat Atlanta if we run the ball after we stop them on 4th down. We beat Philly if we run 4 straight time on the 3 yard line. We beat Tampa Bay if Williams does not call an all out blitz where Rogers gets smoked.

Hey AL!!! When in doubt, run the ball and run some more. Our offensive line has started every game this year and are by far our bright spot.

I love Gibbs but he needs to do some soul searching and get this thing right!

GO SKINS!!!!!

Welcome! Where are you located in NY?

[dgack]

Originally Posted by ArtMonkDrillz

Yeah, it's hard to trust him when he's contradicted himself so many times since he's been back. They made a guy like AA the highest paid player in league history at his position but he can't even crack the 3rd string and we're supposed to have faith that they can accurately evaluate anyone?
That might be too big a leap of faith for me at this point.

I wanted to say something about this -- which is, one of the problems with blaming (or praising) Gibbs for every decision, is that, like it or not, it's very probable that a lot of those decisions were made fairly independently by guys who he has delegated a lot of authority to. When Grilliamss decided he wanted Arch Deluxe and wanted to drop a ton of cash on him, Joe ultimately had to sign off on the deal, but what it likely came down to was him saying, "do I trust and believe in this guy (Grilliamss)?" and "Does what he's saying seem so wrong that I can't allow it to happen?"

When you're a leader in a management organization like the Skins, you learn pretty quick that micromanagement and looking over the shoulders of your subordinates is a huge mistake (and a waste of time). It sabotages them, they resent it, and ultimately it just kills any leadership development. What you do is bring in good, smart people you believe in, and you let them do their thing. If they need help, you give it, and if they screw up, you gotta let them know. But you also know you can't go countermanding their instructions or you essentially undermine their leadership entirely.

I firmly believe Joe is going to have a lot to say to both Saunders and Grilliamss in the offseason, and he may very well be less willing to sign off on things they ask for, sight unseen. They probably lost a little bit of his trust, and should have to earn it back. But I also know that as a leader who wants his people to succeed, Joe is not necessarily the cause of all of this mess.

He's accountable for it, but I'm not so sure he's responsible for it. There's a big difference.

[JDALY27]

Originally Posted by Mattyk72

Welcome! Where are you located in NY?

Work in Manhattan.

[JDALY27]

Originally Posted by dgack

I wanted to say something about this -- which is, one of the problems with blaming (or praising) Gibbs for every decision, is that, like it or not, it's very probable that a lot of those decisions were made fairly independently by guys who he has delegated a lot of authority to. When Grilliamss decided he wanted Arch Deluxe and wanted to drop a ton of cash on him, Joe ultimately had to sign off on the deal, but what it likely came down to was him saying, "do I trust and believe in this guy (Grilliamss)?" and "Does what he's saying seem so wrong that I can't allow it to happen?"

When you're a leader in a management organization like the Skins, you learn pretty quick that micromanagement and looking over the shoulders of your subordinates is a huge mistake (and a waste of time). It sabotages them, they resent it, and ultimately it just kills any leadership development. What you do is bring in good, smart people you believe in, and you let them do their thing. If they need help, you give it, and if they screw up, you gotta let them know. But you also know you can't go countermanding their instructions or you essentially undermine their leadership entirely.

I firmly believe Joe is going to have a lot to say to both Saunders and Grilliamss in the offseason, and he may very well be less willing to sign off on things they ask for, sight unseen. They probably lost a little bit of his trust, and should have to earn it back. But I also know that as a leader who wants his people to succeed, Joe is not necessarily the cause of all of this mess.

He's accountable for it, but I'm not so sure he's responsible for it. There's a big difference.

Good points but you're just guessing. Noone knows how it goes down on the inside. Drafting Sean Taylor over Winslow lead me to beleive you're right about personel moves by G. Williams over Gibbs. That was year 1 though. Interesting to see where they go in this draft coming up.....

[hail_2_da_skins]

Originally Posted by BrunellMVP?

Seems to me you have some contradictions in here...more specifically,
3. Admit that the 2006 Washington Redskin organization has not put the team in the best position to win football games. and 7. Trust that Joe Gibbs and his staff will access the team's strengths and weaknesses and adjust in the offseason accordingly.

While we must trust them for the sake of continuity, i am VERY skeptical of their ability to work together- well, at this point. seems to me that this is the case study for the too many chiefs argument.

I wouldn't say that these two are contradictory. I think we can say that the organization made mistakes this year and did not put the team in a good position to win games but at year's end, they can access where the team stands and adjust accordingly. As fans, we have to trust that they know what they are doing.

[skinsfan69]

Originally Posted by TAFKAS

Is Archuleta the only move he made? Did you mistrust him when we got Portis, Taylor, Cooley, Washington, Moss and jetissoned guys like McCants, Bowen, Gardner?

I mean yeah he's made mistakes. And chances are he will again. But it's not as if it's one bad move after another and I don't know anyone can say he can't be trusted or can't evaluate anyone

Those were good moves. Especially Cooley. But anyone can go get a bunch of FA's if you have an owner that will spend for bonuses. It doesn't take a brillant FO person to get FA's. And if you ask me the jury is still out on Taylor. He really must improve on coverage and being a more disiplined player. But the bad moves are so bad that it's not even funny. They are just horrible moves. The Duckett move was the last straw for me. How does someone who is away from it for 11 years all of a sudden come in off the street and have complete control over personel? Makes no sense. Just coach the team. He's having a hard enough time doing that. Dick Vermeil didn't get full control when he came back. And he was at least doing broadcasting. But where are the 3rd and 4th round gems? Where are Marcus Colston's? Where are the Demarcus Ware's? This is what Bobby B. was so good at. Bottom line is hire a GM and make that person have complete control over personel and leave Gibbs to coaching.

[skinsfan69]

Originally Posted by hail_2_da_skins

I wouldn't say that these two are contradictory. I think we can say that the organization made mistakes this year and did not put the team in a good position to win games but at year's end, they can access where the team stands and adjust accordingly. As fans, we have to trust that they know what they are doing.

I won't trust them until a legit proven GM comes in here. I'm not forking over anymore $for season tickets until I see something done. I'm not coming out to the stadium anymore and watch them loose to Tenn. at home. Under Snyder we have made the playoffs once. 99 does not count cause Casserly set that team up. So if he really wants to win he is going to have to bring in someone who really knows how to do it.

[SmootSmack]

Originally Posted by skinsfan69

Those were good moves. Especially Cooley. But anyone can go get a bunch of FA's if you have an owner that will spend for bonuses. It doesn't take a brillant FO person to get FA's. And if you ask me the jury is still out on Taylor. He really must improve on coverage and being a more disiplined player. But the bad moves are so bad that it's not even funny. They are just horrible moves. The Duckett move was the last straw for me. How does someone who is away from it for 11 years all of a sudden come in off the street and have complete control over personel? Makes no sense. Just coach the team. He's having a hard enough time doing that. Dick Vermeil didn't get full control when he came back. And he was at least doing broadcasting. But where are the 3rd and 4th round gems? Where are Marcus Colston's? Where are the Demarcus Ware's? This is what Bobby B. was so good at. Bottom line is hire a GM and make that person have complete control over personel and leave Gibbs to coaching.

Well, just about every team passed on Colston over and over again. And Ware wasn't exactly a midround steal. He was a first round pick.

But really, the most interesting point you bring up is Duckett. Because I think this is one case where Gibbs the coach is at fault, not Gibbs the President. The move to get Duckett was good. A young, powerful back who has proven he can play in the league and could spell Portis and be insurance should Betts test the market (which of course didn't happen)

For whatever reason though, Duckett barely saw the field but I really don't think Gibbs the President traded for him thinking Gibbs the Player had no place for him on the field.

[skinsfan69]

Originally Posted by TAFKAS

Well, just about every team passed on Colston over and over again. And Ware wasn't exactly a midround steal. He was a first round pick.

But really, the most interesting point you bring up is Duckett. Because I think this is one case where Gibbs the coach is at fault, not Gibbs the President. The move to get Duckett was good. A young, powerful back who has proven he can play in the league and could spell Portis and be insurance should Betts test the market (which of course didn't happen)

For whatever reason though, Duckett barely saw the field but I really don't think Gibbs the President traded for him thinking Gibbs the Player had no place for him on the field.

Sorry but giving up a 3rd rounder for him is just absurd. When you have injuries back-ups come in and perform. You see it all around the league. Devry Henderson sure played well in place of Horn on Sun didn't he? Plus they could have used Sellers as a big back. He was running very well during the preseason. If you wanted to bring in Duckett fine. Bring him in after the season is over and get him for nothing. Plus, (and this is the big thing for me) Duckett does not play teams. If you are a back-up YOU MUST play teams. He is just not a versitile enough player that could justify a 3rd round pick. If we draft someone in the 3rd round chances are that player is going to play teams. Right? PLUS if Gibbs looked at the film he would have saw that Rock C. could run if needed. So that move was just a waste.

[GTripp0012]

Originally Posted by skinsfan69

Sorry but giving up a 3rd rounder for him is just absurd. When you have injuries back-ups come in and perform. You see it all around the league. Devry Henderson sure played well in place of Horn on Sun didn't he? Plus they could have used Sellers as a big back. He was running very well during the preseason. If you wanted to bring in Duckett fine. Bring him in after the season is over and get him for nothing. Plus, (and this is the big thing for me) Duckett does not play teams. If you are a back-up YOU MUST play teams. He is just not a versitile enough player that could justify a 3rd round pick. If we draft someone in the 3rd round chances are that player is going to play teams. Right? PLUS if Gibbs looked at the film he would have saw that Rock C. could run if needed. So that move was just a waste.

I agree that the Duckett move was a bad move, but only because the back acquired was the wrong guy.

TAF's point is that Coach Joe Gibbs noticed a need for a quality running back, so he pulled the trigger on Duckett. But it was Team President Joe Gibbs who made the mistake. Some simple film study would have shown that Duckett doesn't run like a big back. He's timid, tiptoes, takes forever to get from the I to the line, and is best in open space. We already had Ladell Betts and Rock Cartwright who are both probably better runners than Duckett. And the 3rd was probably far too much to send for him. I think Gibbs was willing to pay for a name that defenses would respect if Portis couldn't play, but a 3rd could have bought a much better player than Duckett, a borderline bust.

Coach Gibbs was trying to fill a need. Someone should have been there to point out that Duckett wasn't going to fill our need.

Luckily for us, Betts stepped up and filled the need, so the only thing we are out is a 3rd round pick.

[SmootSmack]

I'm not even sure what my point was anymore. Basically, good move to go after another back (though I agree Sellers should have gotten more of a chance) but bad move in the use of the move

[GTripp0012]

Originally Posted by TAFKAS

I'm not even sure what my point was anymore. Basically, good move to go after another back (though I agree Sellers should have gotten more of a chance) but bad move in the use of the move

I think if you are attributing the necessity for the move to Portis' injury, I think that is a fair point. Sellers doesn't have the rep that would make D's respect the run if Portis had to be IRed before the season. But TJ Duckett? That's the problem. Michael Bennett was available, as was Thomas Jones. TJ Duckett just isn't a good power back.