Gibbs' Offseason Thoughts

[SmootSmack]

I know some of you don't care what he has to say, figuring it's all just cliche-coach talk. That's fine, but for those that are interested I thought I'd share.

Gibbs gives overview of Redskins' plan - Sports - The Washington Times, America's Newspaper

"Speaking extensively for the first time since his end-of-season press conference on Jan. 1, Washington Redskins coach Joe Gibbs answered questions from two reporters for nearly 40 minutes this morning at his downtown hotel."

[CanadianSkin]

Thanks TAFKAS.

Hope you can post the whole article tomorrow. I think what he said is some good things. I love that CP is ready to rock next year. I think he is going to have a monster year.

[freddyg12]

I like what he said about Dock, it may have been code for "he's asked for a huge sum of $, but we hope his agent reduces that demand & we sign something next week."
I like what he said about AA as well, who knows maybe he'll have a decent year.

[skinsfan_nn]

Sounds good, looking foward to catching the entire interview tomorrow in the times. Great to hear something from THE MAN!

[MTK]

I liked this part the best, as usual he listens to his players and he's not afraid to change things up:

Delaying the start of on-field, off-season activities: "I felt like what we did last year made absolute sense. We started early; went Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays; and gave them long weekends. But what they kind of felt, and they are guys I trust, is that they would like to be more on their own from a conditioning standpoint further into the off-season. So we're going to do that. We'll probably start six [or] seven weeks later."

Starting training camp early: "Training camp ... will probably be different for us, too. It will probably come earlier."

[jbcjr14]

Six or seven weeks later in the offseason is HUGE! I think that will certainly pump up the troops and keep them fresh for later in the year.

[dmek25]

good read. and I'm not sold on A.A. sucking as bad as last season. I'm the guy who keeps saying great coaches don't forget how to coach. i think the same goes for players. not that A.A. is great, but he is alot better then he showed last season

[GMScud]

Originally Posted by dmek25

good read. and I'm not sold on A.A. sucking as bad as last season. I'm the guy who keeps saying great coaches don't forget how to coach. i think the same goes for players. not that A.A. is great, but he is alot better then he showed last season

A.A.'s problem is pretty simple- speed, or lack there of. He just isn't fast enough to cover the way we needed him to. He had the nickname "toast" before we ever made him the richest safety in league history.

I do love what Gibbs had to say about listening to the players regarding conditioning/training camp.

Does anyone else think it was a bad idea to cut Vincent? It may be a tad off topic, but I feel like we should cut Fauria, John Hall, David Patten, Kozlowski, maybe a a few others- but Vincent had become a leader, Taylor's play improved when he joined the team, and as the Prez of the NFLPA he was very respected, plus our secondary is so weak... I dunno, I just felt like we should have kept him around.

[JoeRedskin]

Vincent requested to be released. He was looking for more playing time. Once Prileaou returned, Vincent was not going to be the starter.

[GMScud]

Nevermind, I just found the other thread about releasing Vincent. I wasn't trying to turn this into a discussion about him. Sorry

[Longtimefan]

Originally Posted by dmek25

good read. and I'm not sold on A.A. sucking as bad as last season. I'm the guy who keeps saying great coaches don't forget how to coach. i think the same goes for players. not that A.A. is great, but he is alot better then he showed last season

I concur in your thought process. Many of the comments made about AA reminds me so much of all the derogatory things that were said about Brunell after his first season here, words came a little more kindly after his second year here, and I'm hoping the same will hold true for AA.

Three circumstances that could have affected his play will not be prevelant this season: Changing teams, pressure of a huge contract in a different City, and learning a new defense. I'm hoping he too is out to demonstrate that he's a better player than he showed last year. I'll be satisfied with him at least having that opportunity.

[GMScud]

Originally Posted by Longtimefan

I concur in your thought process. Many of the comments made about AA reminds me so much of all the derogatory things that were said about Brunell after his first season here, words came a little more kindly after his second year here, and I'm hoping the same will hold true for AA.

Three circumstances that could have affected his play will not be prevelant this season: Changing teams, pressure of a huge contract in a different City, and learning a new defense. I'm hoping he too is out to demonstrate that he's a better player than he showed last year. I'll be satisfied with him at least having that opportunity.

Don't get me wrong, I would LOVE A.A. to live up to expectations, but did anyone other than me notice how SLOW he always looked on the field?? I hope he spends the entire offseason with parachutes tied to his back and weight vests on. He needs to be faster. Period.

And Brunell was injured most of his first season here. A.A. was healthy and just flat out stunk.

[diehardskin2982]

do you think the effect of having a seperate coach for safeties and corners had an effect on his play namely steve jackson

[GMScud]

Originally Posted by diehardskin2982

do you think the effect of having a seperate coach for safeties and corners had an effect on his play namely steve jackson

I don't think so. It shouldn't. Unless they were telling him conflicting things, which at this level I doubt would happen. When A.A. played in St. Louis, the team played a pretty conservative style of D. Now he comes to GW's blitz heavy schemes. When we send all those LB's, it leaves the secondary exposed. That's when A.A. would get exploited speed-wise. And he took bad angles of pursuit in run support... I just don't think the guy is that good.

[Longtimefan]

Originally Posted by GMScud

Don't get me wrong, I would LOVE A.A. to live up to expectations, but did anyone other than me notice how SLOW he always looked on the field?? I hope he spends the entire offseason with parachutes tied to his back and weight vests on. He needs to be faster. Period.

And Brunell was injured most of his first season here. A.A. was healthy and just flat out stunk.

While AA has been highly critisized for his lack of speed, it should be noted that speed is not a major prerequisite for playing the position. We had two safeties play here who were two of the slowest players in the NFL when they played; In the names of Paul Krause & Mark Murphy, they both enjoyed great careers and were no faster than AA. As a matter of fact Krause went on to become an all-pro with Minnesota. Toughtness and recognition are more required from the safety position than is speed.

When Brunell was being rediculed no one was saying it was because he was hurt, word was he just plain sucked, along with many other adjectives. What followed after his first season goes to show opinions can change.