Gibbs says that Springs didn't look 100% during practice, but Springs said he hasn't felt this good in 4 years. Meanwhile Smoot (although he got better as the game went on) and Rogers struggled during the game and Springs stayed on the sidelines on most plays. What gives?
Redskins Notebook Springs's Reserve Role Takes Some by Surprise
By Jason La Canfora Washington Post Staff Writer Tuesday, September 11, 2007; Page E06
Cornerback Shawn Springs has the highest base salary of any Redskin (nearly $5 million), said he feels as healthy as he has in years and is the most accomplished of Washington's defensive backs, yet with the game in the balance Sunday, he stood on the sidelines watching. Springs was the third defensive back in the season-opening victory, with Fred Smoot and Carlos Rogers playing in the base package, a move that surprised some veteran players.
Coach Joe Gibbs said that during practice last week the coaches thought that Springs was not as explosive as normal, not quite 100 percent, but said the team's "concern" with Springs was not related to his sports hernia from last year or any particular injury. Springs said he feels great, and he was not listed on an injury report."We were kind of worried a little bit the week before about him from a health standpoint," Gibbs said. "Certainly, I am sure he will start this year but we feel like we're real solid at corner and we've got three guys there who have started a bunch."
Gibbs said that Springs was not breaking full speed as he normally would and was "holding up a little bit," although he practiced fully. "I felt better going into that game Sunday than I have in four years," Springs said. "I don't know what Coach Gibbs is talking about." Springs, who rebuffed requests for him to slash his salary in the offseason, said that he is not anticipating a quick change to his starting status. "Start? I doubt it," Springs said. "Usually when you start the season off like that, that's probably the way it is."
Springs said that he is okay with his role, and was not shocked to be on the bench, though privately some players said that the coaches did not clarify the starting situation with the corners until game day, and did not speak with them to clarify their status. Springs laughed that off.
"Man, with my salary this year I'm not trippin,' " he said.
Awww no.. Please dont be the "redskin way" of dealing with certain players.. "Staff" isn't communicating well with______ (fill in blank with Lavar, Arch, Springs). We need Shawn to play and play well!
Sounds as if they are trying to light a fire under his behind, but he's not feeling the heat. He's just kicking back and collecting the paychecks. That's the wrong approach for a player on a Gibbs team. He won't be here next year if he doesn't get on the same page with the coaches.
Andre Carter wrote:Damn man, you know your football.
JSPB22 wrote:Sounds as if they are trying to light a fire under his behind, but he's not feeling the heat. He's just kicking back and collecting the paychecks. That's the wrong approach for a player on a Gibbs team. He won't be here next year if he doesn't get on the same page with the coaches.
He really wasn't supposed to be here this year, but he called the Skins' bluff and won big. I still think that he'll contribute, but I agree with you that it doesn't look like he's the right man for the job. We definitely won't be seeing him around next year.
Coach Joe Gibbs said that during practice last week the coaches thought that Springs was not as explosive as normal, not quite 100 percent, but said the team's "concern" with Springs was not related to his sports hernia from last year or any particular injury.
Excuse me Shawn, I speak Gibbs. He said, "get your butt motivated, or you will be riding the pines."
Andre Carter wrote:Damn man, you know your football.
Coach Joe Gibbs said that during practice last week the coaches thought that Springs was not as explosive as normal, not quite 100 percent, but said the team's "concern" with Springs was not related to his sports hernia from last year or any particular injury.
Excuse me Shawn, I speak Gibbs. He said, "get your butt motivated, or you will be riding the pines."
He did something to get into GW's dog house and once a player gets in there his time on the team is very limited!
Gibbs needs to jerk a knot into GW and get him under control. This benching your best player at a position just because he made you mad for some reason is so childish. It is one of GW's biggest faults.
Of course this is all speculation but it smells like the same type of fecal matter that has been spread about in the past.
"Dovie'andi se tovya sagain"
(It is time to roll the dice) Tai'shar Manetheren
"Duty is heavier than a Mountain, Death is lighter than a feather" Tai'shar Malkier
JSPB22 wrote:Sounds as if they are trying to light a fire under his behind, but he's not feeling the heat. He's just kicking back and collecting the paychecks. That's the wrong approach for a player on a Gibbs team. He won't be here next year if he doesn't get on the same page with the coaches.
The thing is, he doesn't care. Their threats to him aren't going to do jack.
-They're still going to play him.
-Shawn said on the post game interview that he didn't mind cus his body felt great.
-He's still collecting a check.
-He won't have any issue finding a team to pick him up next year. He said in an interview that he was glad that other teams wanted him, he was flattered.
By his attitude all off season, you think he even cares that he's getting nickel packages? Keeps him safe and sound to shop around in the near future. He's getting paid whether he's sitting or on the field. Obviously, to me, anyway, he doesn't care about the team or he would have a different attitude. He's got more T.O. syndrome than team pride to me.....
JSPB22 wrote:Sounds as if they are trying to light a fire under his behind, but he's not feeling the heat. He's just kicking back and collecting the paychecks. That's the wrong approach for a player on a Gibbs team. He won't be here next year if he doesn't get on the same page with the coaches.
He really wasn't supposed to be here this year, but he called the Skins' bluff and won big. I still think that he'll contribute, but I agree with you that it doesn't look like he's the right man for the job. We definitely won't be seeing him around next year.
I'm not going to make a judgment one way or the other about this situation until I learn more. I've seen nothing that makes me question either Springs' motivation or his preparation, and he's certainly not bashing his team. It's not like this sfaff hasn't made some poor personnel decisions in the past, and I think GW is susceptible to pettiness at times.
I worry about how this team handles its players sometimes.. and with the way Green threw on us on sunday ( his numbers would of been better if not for the drops) I definetly would like to see Springs starting on mon. night
-- SPRINGS STATUS
Shawn Springs did not start Sunday's game, leaving some to wonder whether the veteran cornerback has a new role in the Redskins' defense.
Joe Gibbs said the team was worried about Springs "from a health standpoint."
Coaches felt that Springs was not 100 percent healthy despite participating in last week's practice, Gibbs said.
Gibbs would not specify Springs' status, but he did say that it wasn't related to last year's injuries or conditioning.
"I just think there were concerns about him being able to break 100 percent," Gibbs said.
Addressing Springs' role, Gibbs said: "I'm sure he will start this year. We feel like we're real solid there at corner. We have three guys there who started a bunch. We feel like we have three starters there."
Fred Smoot and Carlos Rogers were the two starting cornerbacks on the first defensive snap, but Springs did see substantial action. He recorded three tackles and a fumble recovery.
In another thread, 1niksder brought up an interesting point about the D in the Miami game. He said the reason why we may not have seen many blitzes or other unique defensive schemes is because the team may have been saving them for Philly this week. Perhaps Gibbs, knowing Springs' age and injury history, might've wanted to rest him for the Philly game? Certainly plausible.
Well, the Philthy game does mean more to the team. I guess its possible. But I dunno. Id think they'd want him in their, if for nothing else jus to get the dust off. He didn't play in preseason. I hope we do see him start at Philthy though. I WANT TO WIN! 2-0 MAN thats where we want to be.
PS Is Philthy's WRs any good this year?? I know they don't have Stallworth anymore. Maybe we don't have to worry so much about Philthy.
Mursilis wrote:In another thread, 1niksder brought up an interesting point about the D in the Miami game. He said the reason why we may not have seen many blitzes or other unique defensive schemes is because the team may have been saving them for Philly this week. Perhaps Gibbs, knowing Springs' age and injury history, might've wanted to rest him for the Philly game? Certainly plausible.
Then they should have told him. Springs said that he was told on game day of the demotion and wasn't told why.
"Dovie'andi se tovya sagain"
(It is time to roll the dice) Tai'shar Manetheren
"Duty is heavier than a Mountain, Death is lighter than a feather" Tai'shar Malkier
It don't seem like an attude (or T.O.) thing to me. He said he's 100% and don't know why they are not starting him. That sounds to me that he wished he knew why and that he wants to start.
What deception? Springs has been nursing a hamstring injury since training camp. JG and GW would probably like to make sure he isn't going to be out for half of the season by aggravating the injury. I think they are smart enough to know they need Springs healthy all season ... if not, they'll know when they review the game film.
