The evaluations started with a meeting between the ownerand the coach. They’ll last for several weeks as the entire organization sorts through the mess of a disappointing season. And nothing might be learned for some time.
But there is one thing Joe Gibbs already knows.
“I was brought here to win football games and 5-11 is not getting it done,” he said. “For me, it was the toughest five months of my professional career. … This year was a big step back.”
A giant step back is more like it. But now begins the task of finding out why they finished with such a poor record, in a season where they anticipated a second-straight playoff berth — and more. In a weak NFC, the Redskins posted a 3-9 record in conference games.
Gibbs remained vague on several topics such as his coaching staff and what changes will be made. They have not had discussions about adding coaches.
“We’ll go forward with our guys,” he said. “We feel good about them.”
And, as far as hiring a general manager, it’s among the many things Gibbs said has been, and will be, discussed with owner Dan Snyder. But Gibbs, who has defended their personnel moves over the past three years, repeated a line he has used often when that topic is addressed.
“There’s not anything we don’t talk about,” Gibbs said, “to see if there’s any way we can do a better job.
“The season got off to an awful start. We want to take a long, hard look at [why that happened].”
The same is true of other topics, such as the offseason workouts. Numerous players have grumbled about the desire to work out elsewhere in the offseason, with some saying they felt burned out a month before the season ended. But Gibbs said last month he preferred having them work out here.
Also, Gibbs said, as of “right now”, he plans on safety Adam Archuleta returning. He said Archuleta did not ask for his release or a trade during his exit meeting. In the past, Gibbs has gotten rid of players who want out, such as receiver Laveranues Coles.
Gibbs also said he liked how the team finished, even though they were only 2-5 under quarterback Jason Campbell. And he said he’s not about to regret the timing of two things: the quarterback switch and the shift in offensive philosophy, both of which occurred in late November.
“We weren’t successful,” Gibbs said. “I can’t say if I’d have done this or that it would have changed everything. You just can’t live in that world.”
Redskins Notes
» The Redskins’ 2007 home opponents are: Dallas, the New York Giants, Philadelphia, Chicago, Detroit, Buffalo, Miami and Arizona. Their road opponents, in addition to the NFC East teams, are: Minnesota, Green Bay, New England, the New York Jets and Tampa Bay.
The dates for the games will be decided in early spring.
» The Redskins have the sixth pick in the April draft, behind Oakland, Detroit, Cleveland, Tampa Bay and Arizona. The Browns and Bucs shared the same record and their opponents had the same winning percentage so a coin flip will determine who picks third and who picks fourth. Washington has a first, fifth, sixth and seventh round picks available. The Redskins traded the second-rounder to move up and select Rocky McIntosh last year; they traded the third-rounder to Denver for T.J. Duckett and the fourth rounder was swapped as part of the Brandon Lloyd deal.
» Redskins quarterback Mark Brunell will undergo shoulder surgery during the offseason. Brunell, who will count around $4 million against the salary cap next season, likely will be asked to restructure his contract. But a source close to him said he would like to return. Also, defensive end Phillip Daniels will undergo surgery on both of his ankles today and will have wrist surgery in two weeks.
» After having five top-10 defenses in the past six years, the defense plummeted to 31st, their worst ranking ever. They were 27th in the league in points allowed, their worst ranking since they were 28th in 1998. Washington allowed an NFL-high 55 pass plays of 20 yards or more and 16 of 40 yards or more.
