Gibbs can't retire just yet

[MTRedskinsFan]

It's funny that outside of the Warpath there is little belief (based on the evidence) that Gibbs is a big positive force for this team. The truth is that because of the staff structure it's very hard to know who is responsible for what, which is often evident on gameday. That said, I think the structure needs to change significantly for next season. Maybe that means Gibbs retires as I've suggested. Maybe it means Saunders goes instead. I don't really know the answer at this point, but what I do know is that whatever was tried this year was a flop. The only reason we lost the game by 5 pts today instead of 30 is because the ball was put in JC's hands. It doesn't take the "genius" of Gibbs and/or Saunders to simply put the f'n ball into the hands of the qb. Their combined genius is what we saw through most of the season up to the Eagles game: conservative, predictable, out-of-sync playcalling.

Anyway, I understand how some folks don't want Gibbs to leave, and I understand how other folks think Saunders is more important. What seems obvious to me is that things haven't worked out so well when the two have tried to put their heads together for the offensive strategy. Millions of dollars to a couple of offensive-minded coaches and the best results come when they finally just let the qb (who is awesome) run the show? Call it overcoaching, call it overcomplication, call it whatever, but the scheme Gibbs/Saunders envisioned, and what they stuck w/ through the first half of the season, is a dud and I hope to hell they don't try it again next season.

[hurrykaine]

Originally Posted by MTRedskinsFan

It's funny that outside of the Warpath there is little belief (based on the evidence) that Gibbs is a big positive force for this team. The truth is that because of the staff structure it's very hard to know who is responsible for what, which is often evident on gameday. That said, I think the structure needs to change significantly for next season. Maybe that means Gibbs retires as I've suggested. Maybe it means Saunders goes instead. I don't really know the answer at this point, but what I do know is that whatever was tried this year was a flop. The only reason we lost the game by 5 pts today instead of 30 is because the ball was put in JC's hands. It doesn't take the "genius" of Gibbs and/or Saunders to simply put the f'n ball into the hands of the qb. Their combined genius is what we saw through most of the season up to the Eagles game: conservative, predictable, out-of-sync playcalling.

Anyway, I understand how some folks don't want Gibbs to leave, and I understand how other folks think Saunders is more important. What seems obvious to me is that things haven't worked out so well when the two have tried to put their heads together for the offensive strategy. Millions of dollars to a couple of offensive-minded coaches and the best results come when they finally just let the qb (who is awesome) run the show? Call it overcoaching, call it overcomplication, call it whatever, but the scheme Gibbs/Saunders envisioned, and what they stuck w/ through the first half of the season, is a dud and I hope to hell they don't try it again next season.

I know this started out as a positive "why we need Gibbs thread" instead of the usual "Gibbs must go" thread that emerges after a loss.

IMO, Gibbs is a positive influence on the team to the extent that he commands player respect and gets the players to believe in what we're doing. Almost any other coach, and our bunch would've mailed it in for the season.

Gibbs has also assembled a coaching staff that couldn't possibly be assembled without his presence. Should Gibbs be gone next year, would Saunders stay? Not sure, unless he was offered the head coaching job. Bugel would almost certainly retire as well. I think Saunders staying on next year is critical to our success, given Campbell's familiarity and comfort executing the offense.

If Saunders staying is dependent upon Gibbs staying, then I'm all for Gibbs staying. Gibbs without Saunders would be useless.

[MTRedskinsFan]

Originally Posted by hurrykaine

I know this started out as a positive "why we need Gibbs thread" instead of the usual "Gibbs must go" thread that emerges after a loss.

IMO, Gibbs is a positive influence on the team to the extent that he commands player respect and gets the players to believe in what we're doing. Almost any other coach, and our bunch would've mailed it in for the season.

Gibbs has also assembled a coaching staff that couldn't possibly be assembled without his presence. Should Gibbs be gone next year, would Saunders stay? Not sure, unless he was offered the head coaching job. Bugel would almost certainly retire as well. I think Saunders staying on next year is critical to our success, given Campbell's familiarity and comfort executing the offense.

If Saunders staying is dependent upon Gibbs staying, then I'm all for Gibbs staying. Gibbs without Saunders would be useless.

I don't follow your logic here for a couple of reasons. When Gibbs brought in GW it was understood he was in line next for the main job. Why would Saunders agree to come in, knowing that, and then leave when he actually has the opportunity to run the offense w/o any outside influence (assuming Gibbs leaves)? That makes no sense. If anything Saunders stock has fallen some and he would like to prove he can create the kind of production everyone witnessed back in KC.

Second, the offense has looked "confused" until they put the ball in JC's hands. A lot of folks blame the confusion on the fact that Gibbs/Saunders were trying to somehow compromise in the gameplan - Saunders might call the plays but then Gibbs would admit in a press conference that he regularly influences the playcalling. Result: lack of cohesion, gameplan constantly was out of sync. So my argument is let one guy or the other do the friggin job w/o the confusion. Again, some guys think Gibbs should take control, I've long thought Saunders should take control. But is sounds like you're making the argument that they go best together. Didn't the first half of the season prove otherwise?

[hurrykaine]

Originally Posted by MTRedskinsFan

[/B]

I don't follow your logic here for a couple of reasons. When Gibbs brought in GW it was understood he was in line next for the main job. Why would Saunders agree to come in, knowing that, and then leave when he actually has the opportunity to run the offense w/o any outside influence (assuming Gibbs leaves)? That makes no sense. If anything Saunders stock has fallen some and he would like to prove he can create the kind of production everyone witnessed back in KC.

Second, the offense has looked "confused" until they put the ball in JC's hands. A lot of folks blame the confusion on the fact that Gibbs/Saunders were trying to somehow compromise in the gameplan - Saunders might call the plays but then Gibbs would admit in a press conference that he regularly influences the playcalling. Result: lack of cohesion, gameplan constantly was out of sync. So my argument is let one guy or the other do the friggin job w/o the confusion. Again, some guys think Gibbs should take control, I've long thought Saunders should take control. But is sounds like you're making the argument that they go best together. Didn't the first half of the season prove otherwise?

Would Saunders stay on in a scenario where Greg Williams was head coach? If he does, great. However, we would lose Bugel and then we'd have to hunt for a new O-line coach. If Gibbs leaving does not jeopardize offensive continuity in any way, then I'm all for him retiring.

I am not advocating that Gibbs and Saunders collaboratively run the offense - that has been and would be disastrous as you point out. Would be great if we could have a cardboard cut-out of Gibbs on the sideline to keep coaching egos in check and turn over 4th and 1 type decisions to Saunders.