Saunders to call offensive plays for Redskins

ANT7088 · Post by **ANT7088** » Sun Jan 22, 2006 5:48 pm

For the first time in his Hall of Fame coaching career, Joe Gibbs will turn over the offense and play-calling to someone else, ESPN's Chris Mortensen has learned.

New offensive coordinator Al Saunders, who, like Gibbs, has ties to former NFL offensive guru Don Coryell, will take over those duties for the 2006 season.

While Gibbs will remain actively involved in game planning and offensive strategy, team sources say Gibbs will embrace more of a CEO/GM mentality and turn his attention even more to the personnel side -- such as the big decisions as to whether to trade backup quarterback Patrick Ramsey and keep linebacker Lavar Arrington.

The Redskins offense finished 11th in the league but faded toward the end of the season and during the playoffs because of a knee injury that slowed down quarterback Mark Brunell and injuries to receivers on the other side of wide receiver Santana Moss.

Saunders was a natural fit because he learned the system of Gibbs and Coryell in San Diego as an assistant coach from 1983 through 1985. Saunders became the Chargers head coach from 1986 through 1988, where he compiled a 17-22 record.

Saunders ran one of the NFL's hottest offenses with the Chiefs. Kansas City finished first in the league averaging 387 yards a game in 2005. They averaged 25.2 points a game. In his five seasons as Kansas City's offensive coordinator, the Chiefs never ranked lower than No. 5 in the NFL in total offense, and were No. 1 each of the last two seasons.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2301861

die cowboys die · Post by **die cowboys die** » Sun Jan 22, 2006 6:05 pm

yayyyyyyyyyyy

skinpride1 · Post by **skinpride1** » Sun Jan 22, 2006 6:10 pm

I thought that Mr.burns was doing the play calls and Gibbs would key in for a go, or no go, on the call?

Smithian · Post by **Smithian** » Sun Jan 22, 2006 7:00 pm

skinpride1 wrote:I thought that Mr.burns was doing the play calls and Gibbs would key in for a go, or no go, on the call?

You are right.

Reading what Chris Mortensen says about his son down at Arkansas makes me realize Chris often gets caught with his pants down around his legs.

EA7649 · Post by **EA7649** » Sun Jan 22, 2006 7:32 pm

if were payn him 2 mil a year he better be calln the plays!

skinsRin · Post by **skinsRin** » Sun Jan 22, 2006 8:00 pm

very nice, this is good news!

dnpmakkah · Post by **dnpmakkah** » Sun Jan 22, 2006 8:54 pm

I wonder if when Gibbs is ready to step down from coaching that maybe either Greg Williams or Saunders will become our new coach while Gibbs himself possibly moving into the General Manager position at that time.

Wouldn't that be awesome.

notwhy26 · Post by **notwhy26** » Sun Jan 22, 2006 9:06 pm

so what happens to Joe Bugel and Don Breaux ? I'm really happy about the move but still ?

skinsRin · Post by **skinsRin** » Sun Jan 22, 2006 9:29 pm

dnpmakkah wrote:I wonder if when Gibbs is ready to step down from coaching that maybe either Greg Williams or Saunders will become our new coach while Gibbs himself possibly moving into the General Manager position at that time.

Wouldn't that be awesome.

Thats still 3 years away, but if all goes well it will be GW job. Saunders will go somewhere else and be a HC.

frankcal20 · Post by **frankcal20** » Mon Jan 23, 2006 12:15 am

I doubt it. I think that Gibbs is building an empire here.

gay4pacman · Post by **gay4pacman** » Mon Jan 23, 2006 12:19 am

the empire has been built...this is a braintrust that has never been assembled in the nfl's history

skinsfano28 · Post by **skinsfano28** » Mon Jan 23, 2006 1:37 am

Joe Bugel is still the assitant head coach of offense and don breaux is still the qb coach...they are keeping every assistant from this year in place, noone is losing a job or anything like that, they are simply adjusting to accomodate al saunders, whose official title should be "assistant head coach--play caller"