Is This Guy For Real?

[bedlamVR]

The backup situation is a concern but Gibbs bigest strength is adapting his system to whoever he has. If a standout back comes available then we may pick him up thats what teams do.

[EEich]

I'm putting words into his mouth and you're taking them out of his mouth. Go figure. I'm thinking he's trembling at the idea that he's like Portis to carry a heavy workload without a solid backup. He also said that he plans on keeping three quarterbacks all season, unlike one recent head coach. Joe likes to play it safe.

Originally Posted by Hogskin

I think he made that "tongue hanging out" comment in jest. We'll see.

[MTK]

I do think it's safe to say Gibbs will have his eye on the waiver wire for these final rounds of cuts for any surprises, only because of Bett's history of injuries. But then that means Rock, Simon and McCullough would all be out.

[joecrisp]

Wow, Lenny sure knows how to stir our pots, doesn't he?

Pasquarelli's assertion that Portis might not be a good fit are waaaaaaayyy off base. He's making this assumption based on misperceptions of Gibbs' past tendencies, as well as underestimating Gibbs' well-documented ability to adapt his system to the athletes he has available. It's impossible to draw any conclusions based on the preseason, because we've hardly seen Portis, and when he has played, it's been in a very scaled-down and basic version of the offense Gibbs will run this season. In fact, I would be inclined to say that most of the plays Gibbs has been running are more reflective of his original playbook, and that when he opens up his regular season package, there will be a pretty heavy infusion of new wrinkles tailored for the strengths of this group of players, in particular the runningbacks and quarterbacks.

Keep in mind, the media has been barred from watching practices since the public portion of training camp closed on August 11th, so any whispers Pasquarelli is hearing could only be referring to Portis' inability to adapt to the way Gibbs lines up his players for stretches-- which is the only portion of practice the media really gets to see, aside from a few special teams drills.

Now as far as the backups go, of course Gibbs and Cerrato will be watching the waiver wire for decent backups-- what good personnel department doesn't do that? There are question marks about the depth chart behind Portis, and Gibbs will certainly want to solidify that area before heading into the regular season. Why? Because Gibbs has consistently made good use of the depth at runningback, spelling the primary runner frequently, while plugging in specialty backs (Mitchell, Bryant, Riggs, etc) based on game situations. If there is a runningback available that offers an improvement in that area, Gibbs will certainly try to get him.

[Hogskin]

Originally Posted by joecrisp

In fact, I would be inclined to say that most of the plays Gibbs has been running are more reflective of his original playbook, and that when he opens up his regular season package, there will be a pretty heavy infusion of new wrinkles tailored for the strengths of this group of players, in particular the runningbacks and quarterbacks.

Very, very good point, Joe. Gibbs, more than anything, has always been a master of innovation and adjustments. He did it from game-to-game any time teams would come up with something to counter his latest offensive innovation, and on a few occassions, he did it even at halftime when neccessary. How is it that these so-called experts have not realized he will CERTAINLY do it after all these years away, and after he spent so much time in the film rooms studying the latest strategies and techniques of the NFL teams. His genius has not suddenly disappeared. Maybe not all of his latest innovations that are yet to be unleashed on his opponents will be successful, but he will keep working until he has plenty that ARE.

I also agree, they will have their eyes open for waiver wire surprises and for an opportunity at a good deal to improve the depth. One thing I have found interesting is that early on, Chad Morton was identified as the guy that would be the 3rd down back, and that recently we have not seen him in that role. Even his personnel decisions are cloaked in secrecy. No one outside the team knows the plan. I love it!!!! I can't wait to see what is unveiled next weekend.

[JWsleep]

Right on, JoeC. Proving once again you're a better journalist than Pasta-ass will ever be!

Look, I'll be honest, I didn't actually read the article. All I needed to see was Pastabelly's name, and I knew it was some anti-redskins BS designed to create "controversy" so he can have something to justify his worthless existence. Don't even waste your time with it!

[Beemnseven]

It just seems that some writers are especially anxious to be the first to break a story that Gibbs may have made a personnel error, or, are eager to concoct the notion that yet again, Dan Snyder has recklessly gobbled up a flavor of the month over-priced free agent that will put the team in "salary cap hell" for years to come.

Same ol' story. And it's getting really old.

[offiss]

Originally Posted by Beemnseven

Nobody's doubting Joe Gibbs, we're doubting Lenny Pasta!

This is simply one of the biggest misconceptions we keep hearing over and over. Gibbs prefers backs who can get the job done and don't fumble the ball -- regardless of their size.

He has used running backs of all different statures: Byner was an average sized back (about 220), Joe Washington, Timmy Smith (one amazing game or not) and Ricky Ervins were all little guys. Kelvin Bryant was lanky (6'2", 195), while Riggs, Rogers and Riggins were all above 235 -- so clearly, there was no favorite prototypical running back. Gibbs handed the ball to players at that position of practically every physical type.

Must have been a slow news day for Pastabelly.

Exactly, I personally thought at the time of Gibb's first tenure, that he would have been better suited with a fast back, rather than a big back, reason? There is a lot of big holes to run through in this offense, where the big back's would get through the line with little contact, and then carry LB's for 4 or 5 extra yard's, where a speedster could have picked up much more, or have taken it to the house, the big back's rarely did that, bottom line Portis is quicker, and faster, than any back Gibb's has ever had, including Joe Washington, who was more in the mold of Chad Morton, He is on the smallish side in stature, but Portis is put together, he can take quite a bit of punishment, remeber you can't hit what you can't catch, Tony Dorsett was probably a little smaller than Portis and he held up fairly well, I would say.

[BIGREDSKINFAN63]

like i said in the past,lenny pastabelly needs to take a box of exlax so he can clear up his very crowded mind.the only thing he's informative about is where his next meal is coming from.what a stroker.........