Thank You - An Open Letter

Originally Posted by Schneed10

Amidst all the excitement, the Redskins buzz on the airways, the cheers by the fans, the positive press from national media, amidst high hopes and the praise for new coach Jim Zorn; amidst all of that I just wanted to stop and smell the roses while we sit here at 4-1, and say thank you to the man most responsible for the Redskins' success this season...

Joe Gibbs.

This is in no way to take away from the job Jim Zorn has done/is doing, and in no way to take away from the sound decisions Vinny Cerrato has made since taking the reins as the football boss. It is because of Jim Zorn that our offensive schemes are creative, balanced and unpredictable. It is largely because of Jim Zorn's tutelage that Jason Campbell has taken his game to the next level, winning four out of five tough games without committing a single turnover. It is because of Vinny Cerrato that rookie Chris Horton now mans the safety spot, generating four takeaways for the Redskins through five games. Jim Zorn and Vinny Cerrato have been a success thus far, and we're all excited for what's to come with them at the helm.

But as I watch Clinton Portis put up nearly 150 yards on the Eagles in Philly, I can't help but think of the day Joe Gibbs traded for him. As I watch Shawn Springs shut down Terrell Owens in Dallas, I can't help but think of the day Joe Gibbs flew on Redskins One to sign him as a free agent. As I watch Chris Cooley (who Gibbs traded up to acquire in the 2004 draft) catch a TD pass against the Eagles from Antwaan Randle-El (who Gibbs acquired as a free agent in 2006) I can't help but think of Joe. And especially as I watch Jason Campbell develop into a star QB, making key plays on third down to move the chains and ice games, I think back to the day Gibbs traded three picks to jump up and take him 25th overall.

Marcus Washington. Cornelius Griffin. Rocky McIntosh. LaRon Landry. London Fletcher. Carlos Rogers. Fred Smoot. Casey Rabach. Santana Moss. In addition to the players mentioned above, these guys all have three things in common:

- They're 4-1.
- We love them.
- Joe Gibbs acquired them.

Joe Gibbs built the foundation of this team, but more than that, he restored the pride and character in this team.

How can this team still keep fighting hard every week despite the constant turnover amongst the coaching staff over the years? The change in offensive systems? The departure of star defensive coordinators? How can this team keep fighting hard when they're down 14 on the road to the Eagles? Lesser men would have quit when down 14 on the road against the Eagles. But these are not lesser men, they are Joe Gibbs' men. They were guided first hand by the steadiness of their great coach who picked them up after tragically losing a star teammate and guided them to a December push for a playoff berth. They saw what it meant to come together, to appreciate one another, to demand hard work and commitment from one another.

Far be it for a Redskin fan to draw comparisons to the hated Cowboys, but when Bill Parcells left the Cowboys he left them with a foundation that allowed Wade Phillips to guide them to a 13-3 record. Likewise, Joe Gibbs has left Jim Zorn with a young franchise QB in the making, an experienced and cohesive offensive line, a star running back, a star tight end, and a playmaking wide receiver. He left a defense in capable hands by building a deep coaching staff and who retained players and schemes that have been successful in the past. The only difference between these Redskins and those Cowboys? A better man built these Redskins, and a better coach is taking the reins of these Redskins. And hopefully, results will be better than a divisional round loss at home.

Whatever is in store for the Redskins this season, whether a playoff berth, a division championship, a conference championship, or a Super Bowl victory, Joe Gibbs deserves much praise. Without his work we wouldn't be 4-1 today. He's left his fingerprints all over Zorn's team. Make no mistake, this is Zorn's team now, and the excitement surrounding him is justified. But without you, Joe, we are nothing.

Thank you for all you've done. Your tenure was a resounding success - you've given this team the chance to do something special. Even if you're no longer part of the Redskins, you've left your mark. So enjoy your retirement, and root alongside us for your Redskins to do something special this year.

Hail.

Originally Posted by skinsnut

Schneed hits a BULLEYE!

Imagine a west coast offense in the last 2 weeks without the Gibbs Power Rushing game to run out the clock...thats right....its called the Eagles.
What a wicked combo.

Gibbs' players, Running Game Defense and Character, plus the passing attack that Campbell excelled in when he was in college.

I really believe that was the missing link Gibbs was looking for when he hired Saunders.
Imagine if he hired Zorn instead.

This team never quits, and never takes anything for granted and yes...they still "fight their guts out" even when they are "staying medium"

Thank you Joe Gibbs....outside of the last 4 games, you have been the only real anchor to the team since the early 70s....thanks for bringing respect back to DC!!

Originally Posted by Schneed10

Amidst all the excitement, the Redskins buzz on the airways, the cheers by the fans, the positive press from national media, amidst high hopes and the praise for new coach Jim Zorn; amidst all of that I just wanted to stop and smell the roses while we sit here at 4-1, and say thank you to the man most responsible for the Redskins' success this season...

Joe Gibbs.

This is in no way to take away from the job Jim Zorn has done/is doing, and in no way to take away from the sound decisions Vinny Cerrato has made since taking the reins as the football boss. It is because of Jim Zorn that our offensive schemes are creative, balanced and unpredictable. It is largely because of Jim Zorn's tutelage that Jason Campbell has taken his game to the next level, winning four out of five tough games without committing a single turnover. It is because of Vinny Cerrato that rookie Chris Horton now mans the safety spot, generating four takeaways for the Redskins through five games. Jim Zorn and Vinny Cerrato have been a success thus far, and we're all excited for what's to come with them at the helm.

But as I watch Clinton Portis put up nearly 150 yards on the Eagles in Philly, I can't help but think of the day Joe Gibbs traded for him. As I watch Shawn Springs shut down Terrell Owens in Dallas, I can't help but think of the day Joe Gibbs flew on Redskins One to sign him as a free agent. As I watch Chris Cooley (who Gibbs traded up to acquire in the 2004 draft) catch a TD pass against the Eagles from Antwaan Randle-El (who Gibbs acquired as a free agent in 2006) I can't help but think of Joe. And especially as I watch Jason Campbell develop into a star QB, making key plays on third down to move the chains and ice games, I think back to the day Gibbs traded three picks to jump up and take him 25th overall.

Marcus Washington. Cornelius Griffin. Rocky McIntosh. LaRon Landry. London Fletcher. Carlos Rogers. Fred Smoot. Casey Rabach. Santana Moss. In addition to the players mentioned above, these guys all have three things in common:

- They're 4-1.
- We love them.
- Joe Gibbs acquired them.

Joe Gibbs built the foundation of this team, but more than that, he restored the pride and character in this team.

How can this team still keep fighting hard every week despite the constant turnover amongst the coaching staff over the years? The change in offensive systems? The departure of star defensive coordinators? How can this team keep fighting hard when they're down 14 on the road to the Eagles? Lesser men would have quit when down 14 on the road against the Eagles. But these are not lesser men, they are Joe Gibbs' men. They were guided first hand by the steadiness of their great coach who picked them up after tragically losing a star teammate and guided them to a December push for a playoff berth. They saw what it meant to come together, to appreciate one another, to demand hard work and commitment from one another.

Far be it for a Redskin fan to draw comparisons to the hated Cowboys, but when Bill Parcells left the Cowboys he left them with a foundation that allowed Wade Phillips to guide them to a 13-3 record. Likewise, Joe Gibbs has left Jim Zorn with a young franchise QB in the making, an experienced and cohesive offensive line, a star running back, a star tight end, and a playmaking wide receiver. He left a defense in capable hands by building a deep coaching staff and who retained players and schemes that have been successful in the past. The only difference between these Redskins and those Cowboys? A better man built these Redskins, and a better coach is taking the reins of these Redskins. And hopefully, results will be better than a divisional round loss at home.

Whatever is in store for the Redskins this season, whether a playoff berth, a division championship, a conference championship, or a Super Bowl victory, Joe Gibbs deserves much praise. Without his work we wouldn't be 4-1 today. He's left his fingerprints all over Zorn's team. Make no mistake, this is Zorn's team now, and the excitement surrounding him is justified. But without you, Joe, we are nothing.

Thank you for all you've done. Your tenure was a resounding success - you've given this team the chance to do something special. Even if you're no longer part of the Redskins, you've left your mark. So enjoy your retirement, and root alongside us for your Redskins to do something special this year.

Hail.