The-Hogs.net - Washington Football Discussion, Redskins to Commanders Era

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."

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.

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.

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