Gibbs Tells Redskins to Work Out or Else
Posted: Mon Jan 03, 2005 11:30 pm
Gibbs Tells Redskins to Work Out or Else
Updated: Monday, Jan. 3, 2005 - 6:55 PM
By JOSEPH WHITE
AP Sports Writer
ASHBURN, Va. (AP) - Joe Gibbs laid down the law to his players Monday, a day after the end of his worst season as an NFL coach. His message: Show up for every single offseason workout, meeting and practice _ or else.
"We can't afford to go through another year without making some real serious improvements," the Hall of Fame coach said.
A few weeks ago, there were rumors Gibbs, a 64-year-old diabetic, might step down because of health reasons. Instead, he appeared ready to shift into a higher gear, starting with a weeklong evaluation of every player on the roster in preparation for another big-spending round of free agency.
At times, his voice had a defiant edge, as if he were determined to live up to the expectations his legacy created for him. The next six months, he said, will be "the most important part" of his return to coaching after 12 years away.
"A lot of people say, `Hey, 6-10, how can you be excited about this?' " Gibbs said. "I'm excited about the offseason, and I'm excited about the way that we can improve our team. I'm excited about our defense. I'm excited because we did not have the production we wanted to on offense, but I think that's something we can fix."
Gibbs took full responsibility for an offense that ranked 30th and scored more than 21 points just twice all season. The Redskins went nowhere despite having the most expensive roster and highest-paid coaching staff in NFL history.
Gibbs admitted he might have been rusty at times, and it showed in his spotty clock management and in game plans that often appeared outdated. He cited progress made toward the end of the year _ the Redskins won three of their last five _ but said he's willing to overhaul his offensive schemes.
"We need to take a real long hard look at everything on offense," Gibbs said. "We'll just take every single part of it and go through it and try to make a good decision on it. Were people frustrated? Yeah. I was."
Gibbs was also quick to defend himself. He defended last season's high-priced shopping spree by listing every player the Redskins obtained via free agency, draft or trade. Only tight end Walter Rasby and linebacker Mike Barrow went in his negative column, while his roll call of positives included quarterback Mark Brunell _ benched nine weeks into the season _ and running back Clinton Portis, a $50.5 million signing who proved an awkward fit in Gibbs' offense. To Gibbs' credit, the list also included standouts Cornelius Griffin, Shawn Springs, James Thrash, Sean Taylor and Chris
ey.
"I challenge you to take that group right there and go through the league and find somebody else that did that good," Gibbs said.
Gibbs challenged his players to match his work ethic, saying he expects 100 percent attendance during offseason programs that are officially deemed "voluntary." He said anyone who skips is making a statement.
"If they make that statement, then we're going to act accordingly," Gibbs said. "I'm not going to be counting on somebody's who's not around here.
"One thing I like to tell the players: You need to organize your life. If I make a lot of money playing football, I'm going to hire somebody to do my account work. I'm going to hire somebody to go live with my sister. Spend $50,000 and protect your million dollars. Come up here and work."
Gibbs said he believes he has assembled what he frequently refers to as a "core group" of strong character players around which he can build a winning team. This offseason won't be as aggressive as last year's, but he said he has "substantial" money to spend while maneuvering under the salary cap.
Players who might not return include Rod Gardner, an erratic receiver who isn't strong in the locker room and who will be entering the final year of his contract. Barrow, who didn't play a down because of a knee injury, is expendable unless the team is unable to re-sign pending free agent Antonio Pierce. Negotiations have stalled with the other notable free agent, cornerback Fred Smoot.
Kick returner Chad Morton's future is uncertain because of a knee injury and the late emergence of Antonio Brown.
Offensive upgrades are needed at guard, center and receiver. Gibbs has already declared next year's starter at quarterback will be Patrick Ramsey, who showed slow but steady improvement toward the end of the season.
The defense? How to figure a unit that lost LaVar Arrington, Matt Bowen, Phillip Daniels and Barrow for much or all of the season could possibly finish ranked No. 3? The Redskins' MVP this season was actually an MVC: assistant coach Gregg Williams, who proved a good defensive scheme is more important than a lineup of big-name stars.
Gibbs' greatest accomplishment this season was to keep the players united. There was little bickering on this struggling team, and players were optimistic as they left Redskins Park.
"This was a losing-record team," Pierce said. "But not a losing team."
http://www.wtopnews.com/index.php?sid=156001&nid=120
Updated: Monday, Jan. 3, 2005 - 6:55 PM
By JOSEPH WHITE
AP Sports Writer
ASHBURN, Va. (AP) - Joe Gibbs laid down the law to his players Monday, a day after the end of his worst season as an NFL coach. His message: Show up for every single offseason workout, meeting and practice _ or else.
"We can't afford to go through another year without making some real serious improvements," the Hall of Fame coach said.
A few weeks ago, there were rumors Gibbs, a 64-year-old diabetic, might step down because of health reasons. Instead, he appeared ready to shift into a higher gear, starting with a weeklong evaluation of every player on the roster in preparation for another big-spending round of free agency.
At times, his voice had a defiant edge, as if he were determined to live up to the expectations his legacy created for him. The next six months, he said, will be "the most important part" of his return to coaching after 12 years away.
"A lot of people say, `Hey, 6-10, how can you be excited about this?' " Gibbs said. "I'm excited about the offseason, and I'm excited about the way that we can improve our team. I'm excited about our defense. I'm excited because we did not have the production we wanted to on offense, but I think that's something we can fix."
Gibbs took full responsibility for an offense that ranked 30th and scored more than 21 points just twice all season. The Redskins went nowhere despite having the most expensive roster and highest-paid coaching staff in NFL history.
Gibbs admitted he might have been rusty at times, and it showed in his spotty clock management and in game plans that often appeared outdated. He cited progress made toward the end of the year _ the Redskins won three of their last five _ but said he's willing to overhaul his offensive schemes.
"We need to take a real long hard look at everything on offense," Gibbs said. "We'll just take every single part of it and go through it and try to make a good decision on it. Were people frustrated? Yeah. I was."
Gibbs was also quick to defend himself. He defended last season's high-priced shopping spree by listing every player the Redskins obtained via free agency, draft or trade. Only tight end Walter Rasby and linebacker Mike Barrow went in his negative column, while his roll call of positives included quarterback Mark Brunell _ benched nine weeks into the season _ and running back Clinton Portis, a $50.5 million signing who proved an awkward fit in Gibbs' offense. To Gibbs' credit, the list also included standouts Cornelius Griffin, Shawn Springs, James Thrash, Sean Taylor and Chris
ey.
"I challenge you to take that group right there and go through the league and find somebody else that did that good," Gibbs said.
Gibbs challenged his players to match his work ethic, saying he expects 100 percent attendance during offseason programs that are officially deemed "voluntary." He said anyone who skips is making a statement.
"If they make that statement, then we're going to act accordingly," Gibbs said. "I'm not going to be counting on somebody's who's not around here.
"One thing I like to tell the players: You need to organize your life. If I make a lot of money playing football, I'm going to hire somebody to do my account work. I'm going to hire somebody to go live with my sister. Spend $50,000 and protect your million dollars. Come up here and work."
Gibbs said he believes he has assembled what he frequently refers to as a "core group" of strong character players around which he can build a winning team. This offseason won't be as aggressive as last year's, but he said he has "substantial" money to spend while maneuvering under the salary cap.
Players who might not return include Rod Gardner, an erratic receiver who isn't strong in the locker room and who will be entering the final year of his contract. Barrow, who didn't play a down because of a knee injury, is expendable unless the team is unable to re-sign pending free agent Antonio Pierce. Negotiations have stalled with the other notable free agent, cornerback Fred Smoot.
Kick returner Chad Morton's future is uncertain because of a knee injury and the late emergence of Antonio Brown.
Offensive upgrades are needed at guard, center and receiver. Gibbs has already declared next year's starter at quarterback will be Patrick Ramsey, who showed slow but steady improvement toward the end of the season.
The defense? How to figure a unit that lost LaVar Arrington, Matt Bowen, Phillip Daniels and Barrow for much or all of the season could possibly finish ranked No. 3? The Redskins' MVP this season was actually an MVC: assistant coach Gregg Williams, who proved a good defensive scheme is more important than a lineup of big-name stars.
Gibbs' greatest accomplishment this season was to keep the players united. There was little bickering on this struggling team, and players were optimistic as they left Redskins Park.
"This was a losing-record team," Pierce said. "But not a losing team."
http://www.wtopnews.com/index.php?sid=156001&nid=120
