The label followed him around, whether he liked it or not.
Redskins coach Joe Gibbs didn’t view himself as an offensive genius in the 1980s. He was the gym teacher made good, outworking all those other smart guys. Like that Parcells guy in New York; or that Landry guy in Dallas, the one with the hat.
Yet, Gibbs prided himself in that offense.
He didn’t tinker with the defense – and still doesn’t. He loved putting together gameplans. He loved the late-night sparring sessions, with and without the candy bars, and the stories that accompanied them; he loved being in charge of the play-calling.
But he had also shown an ability to adjust, whether it was at halftime or during a game. Sometimes, even during losing streaks. In his first season, back in 1981, the Redskins struggled to execute his pass-oriented offense en route to an 0-5 start. He scrapped it, became more reliant upon John Riggins and a year later won a Super Bowl.
So it should have been no surprise that Gibbs made the most stunning adjustment of all this offseason: He benched himself. Kansas City’s Al Saunders, considered a top offensive mind, was hired as an associate head coach for offense, a fancy way of calling him the new offensive coordinator.
Which makes this training camp — Gibbs’ third since his return and 15th overall – and season, an unusual one.
“It’s different, yeah you could say that,” Gibbs said. “I look at each year as a real learning experience. We made a lot of changes here because we’re trying to get better. If you sit still, you’re asking for trouble. We’ve reorganized what I do in some ways; we’re looking to be aggressive to solve problems.”
Perhaps the change was inevitable, given the offensive struggles of 2004 and 2005 postseason. To recap those two playoffs games: two touchdowns, 409 yards and 20 first downs. That’s combined.
Gibbs’ reputation as an offensive mastermind took a hit. But he didn’t get elected to the Hall of Fame solely on offense. He’s shrewd, too.
Enter Saunders.
Having Saunders run the offensive meetings has allowed Gibbs to focus on other matters. He also sits in on the occasional defensive or special teams meeting.
The move has energized the team.
“Guys are enthusiastic,” quarterback Mark Brunell said. “They have really embraced [Saunders]. He’s one of our best offseason acquisitions without a doubt.”
Gibbs agreed.
“My goal is to gradually work myself out of a job,” he said. “Get the best assistants I can; get the best players I can; and go on automatic pilot and have someone wake me up every now and then when they want to know if we should go for a field goal.”
Though it may be hard for Redskins fans not to have Gibbs calling the plays, or running the offense, it’s not that way for the players.
“It’s not odd,” Brunell said last month. “He’s still in our meetings and still up front and talking to us. It’s not like he’s doing nothing. He’s working. He’s coaching. Everyone has so much respect for the guy. He’s an incredible, incredible man.”
Gibbs, unburdened by some of the pressures, may now stay fresher for the entire season. In the past two, he’s appeared worn down by season’s end. He turns 66 in November and though his diabetes is under control, it’s an issue he must always confront.
Still, this is his squad. It’s his legacy that’s affected. It’s his fanny that gets tarred and feathered after ugly losses. So he’ll still call the shots. During one interview, Saunders intimated those late-night stories would end.
Think again.
“The stories are still there,” Gibbs said. “I get to tell stories. I’m the head coach.”
Looking back
The return: Jan. 8, 2004
He’s ba-a-ack. A surreal experience at Redskins Park and the biggest press conference there since, well, Gibbs left. Ex-players helped pack the overcrowded auditorium and extra speakers were stationed in the hallway; fans lined up outside the building. Gibbs returned sanity, and hope, to Washington.
First Act: 2004 season
Reality quickly set in as Washington lost four of its first five games of the 2004 season amid high expectations. Gibbs’ offense, high-powered in the past, lacked punch and was criticized as too predictable. They finished 6-10 and with many questions about the Hall-of-Fame coach.
Second Act: 2005 season
The Redskins were 5-6 after 11 games last season and many wondered if Gibbs could ever recapture his old magic. The answer: yes. The Redskins, playing tough and smart — trademarks of previous Gibbs teams — won six straight games to
finish the regular season and beat Tampa Bay in the playoffs before losing in the second round at Seattle.
