Saunders, Williams under pressure in 2007

By Connor Byrne  |   Thursday, December 14, 2006  |  Comments( 5 )

Washington Redskins
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On Tuesday, Washington Redskins head coach Joe Gibbs made manifest that his two chief assistants, Al Saunders and Gregg Williams, would return next season. Although the announcement didn't necessarily come as a surprise, it still left many of the team's fans angry.

"We've got the people here we want to do it with. We've got people here we've got confidence in. ... It does include Gregg and Al," Gibbs intimated.

Both Saunders and Williams entered the season with plenty of hype on their respective sides of the ball.

Saunders, the offensive play-caller, signed a big-time deal with Washington in the off-season to take over the 'O', which fared well for over a decade under the tutelage of Gibbs. However, in a move that proved unfortunate for the Redskins this year, Gibbs decided it would be best to defer to Saunders, who did a brilliant job with the Kansas City Chiefs' offense between 2001-2005. Saunders' offense in Washington has been a complete bust, however.

Despite entering D.C. with much fanfare, Saunders has guided the group to a lackluster 25th overall ranking in points scored and 19th position in total yardage. None of the players ever seemed to buy into what Saunders preached. It all began during the preseason for quarterback Mark Brunell and Co., who failed to fully comprehend Saunders' highly publicized 700-page playbook.

Williams, meanwhile, became the toast of the town just under a year ago. His defense was brilliant in the postseason, strangling the life out of the Buccaneers' offense in the first round of the playoffs, then containing Seattle's high-powered attack in a second-round defeat. Because of the defense's success last year, many were expecting a repeat this season. However, high-profile signings of defensive end Andre Carter and safety Adam Archuleta didn't work out at all, leaving the Redskins with a combined $60 million in disappointing contracts. The loss of on-field leader and outside linebacker LaVar Arrington didn't help, either, even though he was in Gibbs' and Williams' respective doghouses.

Williams, who signed a three-year, $8 million deal last year to remain in Washington, has guided the unit to a terrible 24th ranking in points allowed this year. Being 23rd out of 32 in yardage surrendered hasn't exactly endeared the high-paid Williams to Redskins fans.

When the 4-9 Redskins line up on opening day next season, there will immediately be pressure on their two main assistants. Gibbs made this bed by retaining the duo for 2007, so he'll have to lie in it if neither improve. For Washington to have any chance at competing next year, though, its two play-callers had better pick up their respective paces. Otherwise, the team will be in a similar position come this time next year.

--Connor J. Byrne can be reached at cbyrne@realfootball365.com.

Get more on the Washington Redskins at RealFootball365.com.
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