Must-Read Article on GW and the Defense

[NYCSkin]

Originally Posted by dall-assblows

i was thinking AA because he might be bitter about being benched.

No, he hasn't been here long enough. Plus this source in this article is a player who knows some history about this team the past few years...

[SouperMeister]

I hope the butt-chewing Gibbs gave on Wednesday extended to his entire coaching staff as well. It's time for Gibbs to stop being so hands off and make every coach accountable as well as players. Lastly, I hope he comes down hard on the mole feeding ESPN Magazine info.

[70Chip]

Originally Posted by NYCSkin

It sounded like a media savvy veteran. I also thought it was a secondary player. Therefore, I picked Springs...

Yeah. Could be. Springs as the source would give the whole thing a little more credibility. He shouldn't have any axes to grind so he would be more objective.

[Oakland Red]

This article has the ring of truth. It is sterling journalism if you ask me. The morale is most likely beyond repair. This is not to say that Williams isn't capable of being a good coach. It is to say that his arrogance has been his downfall, and if we want to move forward as a team, Williams has to go.

[Redskins_P]

Originally Posted by NYCSkin

It sounded like a media savvy veteran. I also thought it was a secondary player. Therefore, I picked Springs...

Exactly. Either Springs or Troy Vincent.

[Pocket$ $traight]

It sounds obvious that Jackson needs to go. They really need to streamline the coaching staff and light a fire under people.

I would also say that committing the entire offseason (FA picks and draft picks) to the D may be in order.

Well, if anyone can humble these egomaniacs, Gibbs can.

[VTSkins897]

i dont even know what to say. it's all extremely depressing.

[steveo395]

From this article, it sounds like Steve Jackson needs to be fired. He just stood there on the sideline and a player told him to coach his players and he didn't do anything. I don't know who needs to be fired or what needs to change, but I hope Gibbs does.

[MTK]

If any good comes from this disaster of a season, any inflated egos around Redskins Park had better be eliminated or guys will be gone, players and coaches alike.

I think Gibbs has grabbed the reins back this week, hopefully this will be a significant turning point in Gibbs 2.0.

[cpayne5]

To me, it sounds like a new player.

"Last year, the D-line started playing well when they straight started rushing the passer," the player said. "They could beat guys one on one and get in a rhythm and tee off. Now, we're trying to get too exotic, so we've got Cornelius Griffin doing exotic stuff, who doesn't rush on third down anymore basically. … All these stunts and games? The D-linemen are just saying, man, just let us go, just let us go."

Notice the use of "they" while speaking of last year and "we" when referring to this year.

[MTK]

Originally Posted by cpayne5

To me, it sounds like a new player.

Notice the use of "they" while speaking of last year and "we" when referring to this year.

Nice catch.

It's Archuleta all the way if you ask me. Can't say I really blame him if it is.

And I can't say he's wrong either, the D is clearly lacking that passion and fire they played with the last 2 years. Guys just don't fly to the ball and gang tackle like they used to.

[Pocket$ $traight]

Originally Posted by Mattyk72

Nice catch.

It's Archuleta all the way if you ask me. Can't say I really blame him if it is.

And I can't say he's wrong either, the D is clearly lacking that passion and fire they played with the last 2 years. Guys just don't fly to the ball and gang tackle like they used to.

Vincent is too smart to go to a columnist, plus he is a hero not a zero like Archuletta.

Archuletta has been a scapegoat but he sure did a good job of positioning himself for the role.

[Counter-Tre]

-sigh-

[MTK]

But I think it's only fair to point out the flipside of the article:

At the same time, Williams still has supporters in the organization, too. They say the players ripping him have axes to grind, that Williams isn't the one whiffing on tackles and botching coverages. They say it's horrendous that one angry, anonymous player won't go on the record with his complaints, and they point out Williams hasn't played with a full roster all season. For instance, Williams has had to operate much of the year without a healthy Shawn Springs, his best corner, and without safety Pierson Prioleau, who was going to start for Archuleta on opening night until he tore his ACL on the opening kickoff. It doesn't help, either, that linebackers Marshall and Holdman aren't tackling well (Marshall's coming off of shoulder surgery), and there are some defensive players who aren't afraid to point the finger at themselves.

"You can't argue with Gregg Williams because we were No. 3 and No. 9 [in total defense] in previous years, so you can't argue that he's not a good coach," defensive end Phillip Daniels told the Washington Post last week. "The thing for us to do as players is we've got to look at ourselves in the morning to say, 'What can I do to help this team?' Whether it means studying more or anything little, technique and stuff like that, we've got to do it all right for it to work. And right now I don't think all the guys are doing all their technique and studying as hard as they need to study."

[GREENSTHEMAN]

Originally Posted by mheisig

"Reeling Redskins awash in troubles"

This one is long, but a definite must-read for any Skins fan. Probably the most well-rounded analysis of the team I've read in a long time, and some pretty good inside information too.

If this guy is right it confirms a lot of my suspicions about GW and the defense. I think it's absolutely right on that our opponents have this defense figured out. Our blitzes get picked up every time like the offense knew it was coming, and our secondary is left all alone.

What's really scary is the detrimental effect on guys like Taylor. I've noticed his play seems to be going downhill this season and just chalked it up the defense being bad overall. It's a damn shame if a screwball scheme and bad coaching is what's ruining this guy.

Safeties and cornerbacks meeting separately and not being on the same page with calls is just asinine. This team has deep, deep problems if this article is for real.

Interesting article, I do agree that Gregg does think that his scheme is more successful than the players.