Gibbs Post-Game: Redskins vs. Bucs
September 12, 2004
On the game in general:
"We're absolutely thrilled. I don't know when we've fought any harder. It was a hard fought game, and I give a big thumbs up to Tampa Bay. I think both teams laid it out there as best they could. It was physical. It was hard fought back and forth. And I am really proud of the way our guys bounced back and we wound up getting a victory. It was so hard fought, and we didn't think we had won it until it was over."
On the franchise's 500th win
"It was a big win for the Redskins organization. I didn't really think about that fact that this was the 500th win until someone mentioned it after the game. But it's big for the organization."
On his first game back and what it meant to him:
"I had all the emotions going before the game. I was with my wife Pat (Gibbs) yesterday and she said, I don't know when you've ever wanted one like this.' For me personally it was a big deal. I told the players that hopefully now all the attention will be on them. They made all the great plays today, and they deserve the credit."
On RB #26 Clinton Portis:
"I think he is a tough guy. He really has the team's interest at heart. And I think he is going to be a heck of a Redskin. One of the best things about Clinton is his enthusiasm on the sidelines. He is bright-eyed, jumping in your face saying RUN THIS', so I say Okay, we'll run it.'"
On the defense:
"I can't talk enough about the defense. Today was a great effort. They kept us in the game. They made big plays, got turnovers and sacks."
On the fumble and QB #8 Mark Brunell's attitude:
"When things all of the sudden go bad like that, that's where Mark Brunell came right back and was into the ballgame all the way. That would shake a normal person up. He's been there before and has seen a lot. It looked like it was all falling apart, but I think Brunell got back in there and brought us back together during a tough third quarter."
On the defensive effort and the defensive coaching staff:
"What can you say about Gregg Williams? I can't take any credit for the defense, all I do is walk down there and scream 'STOP EM.' I get a lot of the credit and don't deserve it. That whole staff deserves all the credit. I admire those guys a lot. They set their own time schedules. We meet as a staff, but they do their own thing. They do everything they can to help us."
On the center snaps and fumbles:
"We're spending some time on that. We use wet balls at practice. We are trying to do everything we can. I will have to take a look at the film. I think once, we stepped on someone's foot. Another time, I think the guard went the wrong way and we'll have to see if he hit the ball at all. But it's concerning. You can't win ball games with that happening all year."
On things that the team needs to improve on:
"Obviously, the fumble exchange on offense. I think special teams had some problems on coverage. We haven't been real good covering kickoffs and I think that's a real problem for us."
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