Al Saunders on the way out?

[freddyg12]

Originally Posted by Mattyk72

I won't be surprised if Saunders gets dumped especially if GW takes over. Let's face it, other than the 4 game streak his offense was disappointing to say the least.

I thought the O was farily good at the end of 06. Saunders had convinced Gibbs & Buges that zone blocking was the way to go, Betts was running through major holes & JC was looking good considering it was his first stint as a starter.

Yes, the O has been a major disappointment at times, mainly in the lack of scoring despite big yardage #s. This is more a factor of JC's development, see the stats from the Dallas & Tampa games. HE threw for major yardage but ended the games w/picks.

I would hope that Al gets a chance to at least state his case & explain the working relationship w/Gibbs. It would seem best for JC et al if he stays IMO.

[MTK]

For the record I'm not advocating for Saunders to be fired, I can just understand the rationale behind the decision if it ends up going that way.

[afredskins06]

I think Al should stick here for at least another year to see how the offense clicks.

[freddyg12]

Originally Posted by Mattyk72

For the record I'm not advocating for Saunders to be fired, I can just understand the rationale behind the decision if it ends up going that way.

Understood Matty. Per one of the coaching threads of last week, we discussed Snyder's self-proclaimed newfound "patience." This will be another decision that will test it.

One way to look at it is that he will be patient w/AS & let the offense develop as JC does, i.e. keeping Al around.
Another way to look at it is his "patience" will allow him to let a new head coach mold the team as he chooses & get a new OC, even if it takes time & sacrifices continuity for the upcoming season.

[GTripp0012]

Originally Posted by Mattyk72

For the record I'm not advocating for Saunders to be fired, I can just understand the rationale behind the decision if it ends up going that way.

Well, the rationale that "we thought we could find someone better" does it for me.

I'm really not picky on who coaches the team, so long as we get him the best possible players.

[HOGTIMUS PRIME]

Originally Posted by GMScud

Apparently the Danny is very disappointed with the offense since Al came in. It's hard to judge Al too hard because of the flux in the QB position and injuries. Not to mention the conflicting philosophies with Gibbs (which still makes me wonder why Al was hired to begin with). I think if he sticks around he MUST have autonomy as far as all play calling is concerned. I personally don't want to see him go. If the Danny is all about continuity and JC being the franchise QB, then stick with Al.

Danny is the same guy who stated if it ain't broke don't fix it when it comes to hiring a GM, unfortunately he believes 1 win in the playoffs in 4 years is a huge success, couple that with Saunders to run an offense with incompetent QB's that his GM system has provided and there you have it, Saunders proved what he is capable of doing the second he was able to get a smart QB on the field, Brunell, or Campbell I don't believe have the head for his offense. I have a bad feeling we are going to go big time backwards next season, especially if Saunders is let loose. GW I don't beleive is much of a head coach and I think he will get the job in the end.

[JLee9718]

I'd like to see Saunders stay, but I think Joe Bugel, Don Breaux, Rennie Simmons, and Jack Burns probably should go. I read the article in the Washington Post that said they would like to stay, but the new coach should choose his own assistants. If Willams gets the job, they'll probably stay, but their loyalty is with Joe Gibbs. I like those guys, but we need new ideas, especially on blocking schemes. If the Giants can win two playoff games with Eli, then we need manor changes. So I'd give Saunders one more year to produce. He did a fairly good job until Seattle came along, but the offensive line just didn't give the QB any help in that game.

[70Chip]

No one will ever accuse me of being an Advocate for Al Saunders (although I do create alliteration without even meaning to sometimes) , but I think that if he wants to stay and if Williams (or whoever) doesn't object then he should stay. Why? First, it improves the chances that we keep Collins. I think that if Saunders leaves, Collins is as good as gone. We need him here as either The Man or as an Uber-Backup. Second, Jason Campbell seems to have a positive relationship with Al. I'm not convinced that Al's system is the best for Jason's skill set, but I would hate to start over only to find out that he's even less suited to some new system. If keeping Al proves impossible, then I say promote Lazor and try to maintain as much continuity in the offense as possible.