A Redskin revival

By Hugo Guzman  |   Monday, January 30, 2006  |  Comments( 0 )

Washington Redskins
Got something to say?

Sign Up and be the first to comment on this article!
When young and brash Daniel Snyder purchased the Washington Redskins in 1999, he believed that big-name players would bring big-time results. He also believed an ole' ball coach from the college ranks could return the team to glory. He had it all wrong of course. It just took a pair of miserable seasons to figure it out.

So, how did Snyder turn an also-ran into a contender? He started by smartening up. First, he did what good businessmen do when they are struggling. He re-evaluated his business model and committed himself to change. He then searched for a coach that was willing to do the same.

Snyder's way of thinking began to improve when he took a look around. The most successful teams were not winning with the most talented players or with recycled former stars. Instead, they were winning with experienced coaches, proven assistants and players that fit well into a team-oriented system.

Before their love-hate relationship with Terrell Owens, the Philadelphia Eagles won as a team, with three straight title-game appearances under Coach Andy Reid. Meanwhile, Bill Belichick defied free agency and salary cap odds, to accumulate Super Bowl rings in New England. Those teams had a lot in common. They both had experienced head coaches that relied heavily on their assistants. And they both frowned on individualism.

After failing with Steve Spurrier, Snyder's hiring of Marty Schottenheimer appeared to be a good move, but the veteran coach turned out to be too stubborn and controlling for his own good. Realizing his mistake, Snyder wielded his ax and looked for a coach who was open to suggestion and more willing to delegate.

In January of 2004, he found that man in Joe Gibbs. The Hall of Fame former Redskins coach had the itch to return to the game, after 11 successful years as a NASCAR owner. And once Gibbs got re-acquainted with the NFL, he looked for ways to re-invent himself. In NASCAR, he learned the importance of sharing responsibility and figured it would serve him well in the modern-day NFL. Fortunately for Snyder, Gibbs had it right.

The Redskins return to respectability has been aided by an unselfish Gibbs. In addition to offering his assistants more autonomy, he has welcomed their input. He even altered his playbook to include the shotgun, a formation Gibbs never used when he led Washington to three Super Bowl titles in the 1980s and early 90s.

Some of Gibbs assistants came to Washington as highly regarded instructors, while others have a history of getting the most out of their players. On offense, the Redskins lacked fire power and consistency, but the old guard from Gibbs' first era found ways to win.

While Joe Bugel and Don Breaux were up to their old tricks, Gregg Williams solidified his place among the defensive elite. His second season in command of an unheralded defense was so impressive, Snyder opened up his wallet to retain Williams for three more years.

Meanwhile, Washington's revival continues to evolve with the signing of Al Saunders as Associate Head Coach. In yet another example of Gibbs willingness to do what it takes, he agreed to give up his offensive authority and his play-calling, to a man he believes is better fit for the job. Once again, Gibbs got it right.

Although passing the torch will be difficult, Gibbs is prepared to live with it. Saunders was the architect of two of the league's most explosive offenses in St. Louis and Kansas City. And defenses are different than the ones Gibbs dominated more than a decade ago.

Today's defensive strategies are more elaborate. Formations and coverage vary and they include blitz schemes that can grind offenses to a halt. While Gibbs was busy winning NASCAR titles, Saunders was studying defenses and outwitting them regularly. A decade later, he has a Super Bowl ring of his own to prove it.

The acquisition of Saunders is also clever because of Gibbs' prior relationship with him. Back in the late 1970s and early 80s, the two men were assistants in San Diego to Don Coryell. Therefore, Gibbs is familiar with Saunders aerial attack, as well as his reliance on the run to wear down defenses. But while many of their formations are alike, Saunders should make a world of difference, with an offense that is unpredictable and far less conservative.

Moving forward, there is still work to be done. Beginning with this year's college draft (April 29-30), Gibbs will attempt to find men of character and heart to fit the Redskins style. Coach Saunders could use a playmaker or two. And safety insurance would be useful, in case Sean Taylor serves jail time for his character failure.

It will then be up to Gibbs and Snyder to determine who comes and who goes in free agency. The Skins could save $6.5 million if they cut LaVar Arrington loose before July 15. If they believe the linebacker is worth keeping, they'll have to unleash a total of $12 million.

In the meantime, Washington fans will wait anxiously, to see what's in store for 2006. The Washington Redskins may continue to lack in star quality. But they'll be a force to be reckoned with, thanks to an owner's maturity, a coach's unselfishness and an impressive new business plan.
Got something to say?

Sign Up and be the first to comment on this article! (0)

About Hugo Guzman

Trying to bring an objective approach to NFL analysis.
read more
Article Tools Share!   |  RSS  |  Bleacher Report About Bleacher Report