s Joe Gibbs on the way out? With four games remaining, it seems everything is in play.
Yes, I’m reversing my recent position there’s no way the Redskins coach leaves this offseason barring a total collapse. Well,the Redskins are indeed collapsing with four straight losses and three playoff contenders remaining. Sean Taylor’s death was jarring. This has been the toughest time in his career, Gibbs conceded.
I’m not saying Gibbs will or won’t leave. It seems that uncertain. However, Gibbs sounds like a man with retirement on his mind. While everyone considers life changes after a close friend or relative’s death, long-time Gibbs watchers were surprised by the tone of his remarks over spending more time with family. It seemed a little more personal, a little too true to dismiss.
“What happens to you during something like this — from the time Dan called me — probably makes you reflect on a lot of things for yourself personally,” said Gibbs following Taylor’s death on Nov. 27. “Where do you put your occupation? Where do you put your friends? Your family? Your kids? Your grandkids? And you realize life is so fragile. That for me is what I’m dealing with most of the time.”
Gibbs denied any exit strategies Tuesday. Next month is far away to someone who lives game to game. Still, the response seemed automatic. Quick and to another point.
“I haven’t even thought about that,” he said. “I think what I’m focused on is everything here, my job responsibility here, the coaching staff, the players, the staff, Dan, everybody, we’ve had four real bitter tough losses at the end of games and it’s hard to go through that. What we’re all focused on is some way to make a play, find a way to win a game.”
Gibbs’ second tenure has been the complete reverse of the first stretch. The team is headed for its third losing season in four years. He’s no longer untouchable from second-guessing by fans. The persistent timeout gaffes this year, including erroneously calling consecutive timeouts against Buffalo on Sunday, are alarming. Not knowing the defense was starting only 10 men against the Bills was eye-opening. It’s something that would have happened to Steve Spurrier.
There are a lot of little things that say these might be the final days of Gibbs. Failing to split the final four games would mean a 1-7 finish at best. Injuries and Taylor’s death are valid reasons why the playoff contender slipped so badly, but it’s still no fun being around Redskin Park. At 67, time becomes more precious and spending 100-hour work weeks while his family is in Charlotte, N.C., might seem pointless.
The only reason Gibbs stays would be to protect his legacy. Leaving with one year remaining on his contract concedes he couldn’t turnaround the team. However, he’s in the Hall of Fame and fans will remember the three Super Bowl championships more than these three losing seasons. Gibbs gets a pass on the second tenure. Maybe he’ll realize that.
Rick Snider has covered local sports since 1978. Contact him at [email protected].
