Perhaps the most telling statistic about Washington coach Joe Gibbs is his success over the years running the football. Under Coach Joe, the Redskins are 119-19 when they rush the ball 30-plus times, 1-23 with 20 or less.
Now let’s recap the last two weeks. The Redskins rushed 20 times in the 27-10 loss at Dallas and 41 times for 234 yards and three touchdowns in the 31-15 victory over Houston on Sunday.
Gibbs must have told incoming offensive guru Al Saunders to forget all that misdirection nonsense with squiggly lines downfield against Houston. This is the NFC East, where smashmouth football wins. Maybe Saunders could score regularly in the Heartland by passing, but it’s a real man’s game back East.
Gibbs is the only coach to win Super Bowls with three different quarterbacks, but it was always about the running game. Give Gibbs one great runner to revolve the offense around and the Redskins would grind opponents into submission with long drives like the four 10-plus play possessions against Houston that led to a 17-minute time of possession advantage.
Notice the Redskins defense wasn’t quite as bad against Houston? It was only on the field 21 minutes, 33 seconds.
The Redskins championship teams all ran more than they passed. In fact, in eight seasons under Gibbs when rushing more than passing, the Redskins were 86-34 and reached the playoffs six of eight seasons while missing the 1985 postseason despite a 10-6 mark.
However, in the six seasons Washington passed more than ran, the Redskins were 54-42 and missed the playoff three times with two losing records.
See where I’m going? Run good. Pass bad.
Another commonality among great Redskins teams under Gibbs was multiple threats. The three trophy winners all posted three top receivers as well as a great runner. Ironically, Gibbs is seldom credited with also winning each title with a different runner. Indeed, only six players were on all three titlists: four Hogs, wide receiver Art Monk and linebacker Monte Coleman.
The Redskins rediscovered balance against Houston. Eight players caught passes. Six ran the ball. The Texans two-stepped on their heels.
The Redskins have four good receivers, two strong tight ends and two top runners. It’s time that 700-page playbook was tapered to them.
“You’ve got the talent … use it,” Portis said. “Now [opponents] know you have to cover everybody because we will go to everybody.”
Chicks dig the long ball, but it’s running backs that win games. The only title Jeff George ever earned was “Coach Killer” despite the greatest throws you ever saw in practice.
Portis’ return was welcomed not because he’s one of the NFL’s top runners, but because he makes everything else around him work. He can rip a seam for 20 yards, but also take a short pass 74 like he did against Houston. Andoften overlooked is Portis’ excellent pass blocking to keep Brunell productive.
Gibbs may have surrendered the play calling, but there is no avoiding a trend that has won 100 games more than lost. If the Redskins hope to make the playoffs, Gibbs needs only to remember the Houston victory as a blueprint: diverse offense and a reliance on Portis.
After all, it has garnered three trophies already.
Rick Snider has covered local sports for 28 years. Contact him at [email protected].
