Guest Gichin13 Posted October 10, 2005 Share Posted October 10, 2005 As I sit here reading, posting on Lavar threads, and feeling a bit frustrated that Lavar is sitting (but also understanding the contrary view), I am hit again by a basic truth about Joe Gibbs. Gibbs' teams were always defined by character over talent. His teams had good players. He occasionally bent a bit more with talented players' behavior (Riggins and Manley come to mind) ... but his teams did not overpower anyone with their talent. They won on character, determination, and brains, not overpowering talent. Examples? Let's take Art Monk. Monk is literally about the same size as me (I actually stood next to him talking a couple months ago). He was not really fast. He just outworked everyone, took the hits, made the smart plays. Riggins, the sole HOF player so far. Three yards and a cloud of dust. Not exactly the sexy talented Walter Payton or Tony Dorsett style back. Not Franco Harris. Instead, workmanlike and utterly consistent is a better description. Same could obviously be said of Ernest Byner, Gerald Riggs, et c. Gary Clark was about the closest thing Gibbs ever had to the super talented diva style player ... and even Clark was a player defined by equal measures of grit and pure skill. On defense, the closest to superstar talent we had was D. Green, but he was truly low key on the character scale. We were Monte Coleman and Rich Milot, not LT. Dave Butz. Daryl Grant. Meat and potatoes on both sides of the ball. Gibbs' teams then were defined at start and end by the offensive line play and solid D. Not sexy headline diva style players, but they sure won games. Now we see a superstart talent sitting on the bench purportedly for not fitting in and doing the little things. We see a defensive coordinator picking a no-name low salary guy over the highest paid defensive player. And, based on history, this is not surprising. We are staying in tough games on the road until literally the final snap (witness Denver and Dallas games) precisely because this fits into Gibbs style and history. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TD_washingtonredskins Posted October 10, 2005 Share Posted October 10, 2005 Good post. I like the direction of this team... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leonard Washington Posted October 10, 2005 Share Posted October 10, 2005 i like "wins over bullish:a gibbs tradition" better. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moz Wanted Posted October 10, 2005 Share Posted October 10, 2005 how tall r u? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WilberMarshall58 Posted October 10, 2005 Share Posted October 10, 2005 You seem to forget about Dexter Manley, the best defensive player on those 80's teams. Gibbs is a hypocrite like every other coach. He'll play a bad character guy if the guy will help him win. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FBChick Posted October 10, 2005 Share Posted October 10, 2005 You seem to forget about Dexter Manley, the best defensive player on those 80's teams. Gibbs is a hypocrite like every other coach. He'll play a bad character guy if the guy will help him win. Actually it's character on the field and in the locker room that Gibbs more refers to when he speak about character. Riggins was awful once he stepped away from Redskins Park. But on the field, in practice and in the locker room he was all heart and character. Manley fits in that role, up until his addiction finally started to take it's toll on the team.. he was then gotten rid of Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skinsfanno9 Posted October 10, 2005 Share Posted October 10, 2005 Gibbs has TOTALLY turned the attitude of this team around. No where is this more evident than the 4th quarter. Previously, when the going got tough, we'd lay down and quit. Now we fight till the very last breath. This attitude change has resulted in three wins that would not have been possible previously. This will only get better I think. The change will be a trend towards reduced mistakes and improved consistency. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TD_washingtonredskins Posted October 10, 2005 Share Posted October 10, 2005 Gibbs has TOTALLY turned the attitude of this team around. No where is this more evident than the 4th quarter. Previously, when the going got tough, we'd lay down and quit. Now we fight till the very last breath. This attitude change has resulted in three wins that would not have been possible previously. I would say the personnel Gibbs brought in has helped that too. Brunell is a positive guy who, I think, brings a calming influence to the huddle. Same thing with Patten. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oldfan Posted October 10, 2005 Share Posted October 10, 2005 I don't look for subtle reasons to explain why some teams win and others lose. Usually, it is about how much talent you have and how well it's used. In his first tour of duty, Joe Gibbs came in with an innovative H-back offense and the Counter Trey. His fresh, sound scheme gave him a strategic edge. Then, there was Bobby Beathard's 1981 Draft of Mark May, Russ Grimm, Dexter Manley, Charlie Brown, Clint Didier and Joe Jacoby to add to the talent that was already here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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