Gregg Williams should be the next Redskins coach.
It’s fine owner Dan Snyder is looking around for once, even interviewing Tennessee defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz. For once, Snyder’s not throwing money at the biggest name available, though he would if Bill Cowher would take it. Since the former Pittsburgh coach doesn’t seem to be positioning to become the first $10 million coach, Snyder is showing some of the new-found patience taught by the outgoing Joe Gibbs.
It comes down to one thing — who can lead this team to the 2008 playoffs? Williams may be the only one.
Williams’ biggest plus is continuity. This team can return to the playoffs given improved health and maintaining its chemistry. Change the offense and the whole thing crumbles. That means keeping Williams, who keeps offensive playcaller Al Saunders, which keeps free agent quarterback Todd Collins.
If the Redskins were 5-11 and needed to rebuild, then going outside the organization would be possible. Former Hog Russ Grimm is a natural choice, especially if Snyder is finally working off the A list. But the Redskins might have been a 12-4 team last season if not for late mistakes. They can win 10 games next year.
That is, if the organization plays the offseason smart. The salary cap needs $21 million of trimming and reworking the roster by a new coaching staff means major changes. Keeping the same coaches keeps the team on course.
Promoting Williams isn’t like defensive coordinator Richie Petitbon following Gibbs in 1993. Williams has been a head coach. Sure, his stint in Buffalo was mediocre, but Williams entered with severe salary cap problems that forced an overhaul. Sometimes, an organization is poised for failure. (See Turner, Norv — the mid-1990s.)
Williams was a little overbearing in the past, but the 2006 collapse humbled him and Sean Taylor’s recent death did so even more. Williams might have learned from failing to incorporate LaVar Arrington and Adam Archuleta into this defense. Now his defense works to the talent’s strength. That flexibility shows Williams is ready for another chance at running a team.
Williams would also likely keep Saunders and his staff intact since they’re under contract for another year anyway. Saunders finally showed what he can do in the final month when unshackled. Williams doesn’t have the past ties to quarterback Jason Campbell, but at least the latter would stay in a system he knows. Collins would also likely return to give the Redskins options.
Snyder must interview a minority candidate, and you never know if someone wows the owner. Grimm seemed Pittsburgh’s new coach until Mike Tomlin grabbed the job with a late interview. But, Cowher’s rejection seems to have led the Redskins down the hall for their next coach. It’s too bad Williams doesn’t have the same leverage as Cowher to get a GM, too.
Rick Snider has covered local sports since 1978. Contact him at [email protected].
