So much for Joe Gibbs coming back next season with Jason Campbell as his starting quarterback. After Gibbs' performance on Monday, neither of those former certainties seem certain.
The coach was as evasive as could be Monday when discussing his future with the Washington Redskins. Gibbs declined to say whether he would return for the final year of his contract -- or even if he wanted to return -- and said the matter would hinge on talks with owner Dan Snyder.
"Everybody's situation will be taken into context here -- including mine, and my future here and all that," Gibbs said. "We're going to start on it hot and heavy tonight."
Gibbs dropped a clue or two along the way that indicated he would be back, but he clearly left the door open that this might be the end.
Regardless, his noncommittal approach will only serve to create what he had hoped to avoid -- intense speculation over whether the 67-year-old Hall of Famer will coach again.
"I don't have anything else to add on what I've already said," said Gibbs, growing weary of the line of questioning near the end of his 30-minute news conference. Trying to lighten the mood, he laughed and added: "We're going to revisit that about 25 times."
Gibbs is 31-36, including 1-2 in the playoffs, since he emerged from NFL retirement and his NASCAR career to sign a five-year, $27.5 million contract in 2004. He had always maintained that he "intends" to fulfill the contract.
That scenario seemed more certain after the Redskins won their final four games this season to make the playoffs, putting Gibbs closer to completing his goal of getting the team back to the Super Bowl.
Last month, Gibbs said he would be open to discussing a contract extension so that he would not return next season as a lame-duck coach.
An official within the league, speaking on condition of anonymity because no negotiations had yet to take place, told The Associated Press on Sunday that Snyder was prepared to offer such an extension. Extensions would also be in order for Gibbs' assistants to keep them from leaving for other teams.
But Gibbs stayed away from such talk Monday, and it seemed poignant that he had made a quick trip to North Carolina over the previous 24 hours to visit his family, including a grandson who has leukemia. Gibbs this season also had to deal with the loss of safety Sean Taylor, who was shot and killed in Miami in late November.
"It was THE toughest for me," Gibbs said. "When you go through a season like that, for a while it's kind of hard to re-grasp reality."
Still, when asked if he was backing off his previous statements that he "intends" to return, he said: "I don't think I'm backing off of it."
The man must be completely and utterly exhausted. At my age, one has few heroes... Gibbs is mine.
I get a lump in my throat when I consider what this great man has been through this year. Whatever he decides to do is just fine with me.
I just thank him for this tremendously spirited team of blue collar workers. And, I thank him for not tossing it in 5 weeks ago, for digging in, for pushing, and leading this team to an impossible post-season appearance. I thank him for showing once again that character means something.
Thank you, Joe.
"That's a clown question, bro" - - - - - - - - - - Bryce Harper, DC Statesman "But Oz never did give nothing to the Tin Man That he didn't, didn't already have" - - - - - - - - - - Dewey Bunnell, America
What's this about not being sold on Jason as QB in 08? JLac said that Campbell should ask for a trade in his blog. WHAT???????
That's complete garbage. I didn't hear the press conference. Somebody please explain what Gibbs said?
AND we have two QB's under contract next year. Jason and Mark B. Collins is a free agent and not a lock to return. And Jason is our future.
I hate junk like this. Maybe I'm too sensitive and letting the press stir the pot. But that sounds crazy.
why would jason be promised anything. if jason campbell is the type of player i think he is...he is going to bust his butt to make sure that he earns the starting quarterback job. no player should be given a starting position. as far as gibbs, i listened to the press conference and he sounded very iffy. if he is waffling on it then it is probably best for him to move up to the front office and get a new HC
Gnome wrote:What's this about not being sold on Jason as QB in 08? JLac said that Campbell should ask for a trade in his blog. WHAT??????? That's complete garbage. I didn't hear the press conference. Somebody please explain what Gibbs said?
AND we have two QB's under contract next year. Jason and Mark B. Collins is a free agent and not a lock to return. And Jason is our future.
I hate junk like this. Maybe I'm too sensitive and letting the press stir the pot. But that sounds crazy.
Gibbs isn't going to publicly commit to a starter until he determines if he himself is coming back next season. You also wouldn't have CP saying that Campbell is the starter and Moss saying that this is Jason's team if there was any real doubt as to who the starter is going to be in 2008.
Last edited by CanesSkins26 on Mon Jan 07, 2008 11:08 pm, edited 1 time in total.
I really would like Gibbs to stay with the Redskins has long as he can. However, just by looking at this situation it might be in the best interest for Gibbs to step away.
I watched the interview live. Joe looked very tired. There will be changes in relation to certain players. There might be changes in the Front Office.
Daniel Snyder has defined incompetence, failure and greed to true Washington Redskins fans for over a decade and a half. Stay away from football operations !!!
After a season like that I wouldn't fault Joe for stepping away. I mean we suffered through the season, the injuries, and Sean's death. He had all of that at a much more intense level than we did, plus his grandson's lukemia. Add to that that Joe is coming up on 70 years old. I couldn't fault that man for calling it quits.
But, I really, really hope that he doesn't. This team latched onto something at the end there. And with a healthier team, seven draft picks and one or two free agents this team could go deep in the playoffs! I'd hate to rock the boat now.
But what ever Joe wishes he would certainly have my blessing and thanks.
You know... don't always rely on and believe what every writer puts out there.
Extending Himself
By Thomas Boswell Tuesday, January 8, 2008; Page E01
Joe Gibbs not only wants to stay as Redskins coach next season, he wants a contract extension from owner Daniel Snyder. But he can't come right out and say it because they haven't had time to sit down and actually negotiate it.
No sane coach, not even one who's already in the Hall of Fame, goes public -- saying, in effect, "Boss, how about another year, another $5 million or more" -- until the deal is actually done. You don't step on a billionaire's prerogatives, even if you've been his hero since he was a boy.
So, yesterday a cautious, noncommittal Gibbs paid Snyder a dozen compliments and then said that, as far as his contract status was concerned, they would try to "get things wrapped up as quick as we can. . . . We will be doing that starting this evening and going forward. . . . When we have something hashed out, we'll let you know."
Before the week is out, Gibbs and Snyder will probably share a big hug and announce that Gibbs will be in town longer than fans ever hoped. That, at least, is the most likely culmination for the machinations at Redskins Park at the moment.
SkinsFreak wrote:You know... don't always rely on and believe what every writer puts out there.
Extending Himself
By Thomas Boswell Tuesday, January 8, 2008; Page E01
Joe Gibbs not only wants to stay as Redskins coach next season, he wants a contract extension from owner Daniel Snyder. But he can't come right out and say it because they haven't had time to sit down and actually negotiate it.
No sane coach, not even one who's already in the Hall of Fame, goes public -- saying, in effect, "Boss, how about another year, another $5 million or more" -- until the deal is actually done. You don't step on a billionaire's prerogatives, even if you've been his hero since he was a boy.
So, yesterday a cautious, noncommittal Gibbs paid Snyder a dozen compliments and then said that, as far as his contract status was concerned, they would try to "get things wrapped up as quick as we can. . . . We will be doing that starting this evening and going forward. . . . When we have something hashed out, we'll let you know."
Before the week is out, Gibbs and Snyder will probably share a big hug and announce that Gibbs will be in town longer than fans ever hoped. That, at least, is the most likely culmination for the machinations at Redskins Park at the moment.
That is exactly what I was thinking as I read both the articles and some of the posts - there is no doubt in my mind that Gibbs intends to be back here especially after what happened after Nov 27.
I understand what RiC was implying and would only add that Gibbs does not let on much to what is really going on especially through the DC press.
I do think there will be changes here BUT I am sure that Gibbs, Williams and Saunders will be a part of this team this season. I also would expect that Gibbs will be a part of this team for a few more years Hopefully that is all clarified soon.
Until recently, Snyder & Allen have made a lot of really bad decisions - nobody with any sense believes this franchise will get better under their guidance Snyder's W/L record = 45% (80-96) - Snyder/Allen = 41% (59-84-1)
If he does step away, we all agree he put in work. There was no other coach that can pull a miracle like performance out of a team that's physically and emotionally hurt. We all agree to that.
But, if he calls it quits, all his moves, getting Al here, getting GW here.. It seems it all leads to him taking a step back. I can't imagine a better successor than any of the two I just mentioned. We are on the verge of greatness, simple tweaks here and there and we'll be right up there.
#21 (36) This IS and will always be the High watermark where all new DB's are measured.
Hopefully that is all clarified soon.
