From NFLPlayers.com

[Griff]

With Gibbs, Redskins May Finally Be Getting It Right

ASHBURN, Va. -- Joe Gibbs, he of the folksy demeanor and out-of-the-blue cackles, also has a distinct look he usually keeps tucked away in reserve, a sudden flash of steely-eyed bemusement that can deliver chills to its recipient. Those who have seen it, and among them are members of three Super Bowl champions and two NASCAR title outfits, don't soon forget it.

One of Gibbs' stock car aces, the fiery Tony Stewart, once said that when Gibbs gave him ''the look,'' he knew whatever beef he had immediately was rendered moot. Former Gibbs player Joe Theismann recalled similar sentiments, saying ''the look'' told him Gibbs knew exactly what he was doing.

The Washington Redskins have a distinct look, as well, and they unabashedly break it out about this time every year. It's a look of nervous-but-nonetheless-proud accomplishment that accompanies their annual roster overhaul, with intriguing-name additions that, ultimately, do little to alter the once-dominant franchise's losing ways.

But with Gibbs again as their coach, the look at least has credibility.

So there the Redskins were again Wednesday, the first day of free agency, officially welcoming veteran quarterback Mark Brunell to the fold, with running back Clinton Portis in the building undergoing a deal-completing physical and a few other folks either freshly signed or ready to sign.

Giddy talk around the nation's capital surrounding Gibbs' return to the team he led to those three Super Bowl titles is tempered by debates about some moves. For example, the wisdom of bidding farewell to cornerback Champ Bailey in the Portis swap has been questioned as well as the acquisition of Brunell that rankled would-be incumbent starting QB Patrick Ramsey. Brunell, the accomplished veteran from the Jacksonville Jaguars, said all the right things Wednesday about competing for the starting spot.

But does he expect to start? ''Yes,'' Brunell said emphatically, almost flashing ''the look.''

Later, he introduced himself to linebacker LaVar Arrington, who briefly embraced him and wished him well. But Arrington has his own problems. The three-time Pro Bowl linebacker claims the Redskins cheated him out of $6.5 million, saying he agreed to a nine-year, $74.5 million deal in November, not a nine-year, $68 million deal. ''It was a mishap,'' Arrington said Wednesday. ''We need to fix it.'' The Redskins call the allegation ''ridiculous.'' It could go to arbitration.

Arrington's defensive unit has lost, among others, Bailey and linebacker Jessie Armstead but gained defensive linemen Phillip Daniels and Cornelius Griffin and may be closing in on cornerback Shawn Springs.

They all bring decent credentials, though not as splashy as those of Deion Sanders, Bruce Smith and, for that matter, Steve Spurrier. But they're the players Gibbs wants -- for a variety of reasons, chief among them the financial realities of today's NFL, a league that's vastly different from the one he left in 1992. Yet at last month's scouting combine, Gibbs indicated he was highly intrigued by the league's salary cap structure.

''I kind of look at it as a challenge and something that I'm diving into,'' he said. ''I think I'm picking up on it pretty quickly.''

Though few others did, Gibbs knew the Bailey-Portis deal was being hammered out, along with several other deals.

''The Redskins have made some moves in the past (few) years that some people wondered about, and they probably will now,'' former Dallas Cowboys personnel ace Gil Brandt said at the combine. ''But what's different is Joe Gibbs. Don't tell me he can't (work through) the cap. He can and he will, and the most important thing is that he knows talent. That's what's going to make the real difference.''

Skip Wood

USA Today

03/04/2004

[RabidFan]

Im at a loss for words...but Gil was the only real complementing person in that article.

[DUSTINMFOX]

Good read...I too noticed "the look" while watching the press conference yesterday. When the reporters asked Brunell about Ramsey, the cameras panned to Gibbs and he had "the look." You could tell he doesn't want the media messing with his family's (teams) comraderie.

[arkowi]

That Gibbs stone cold stare does kick ass. I love how he has a "folksy demeanor and out-of-the-blue cackles" now...You know once the season gets here its gonna kick in and he ain't gonna be taking $hit from nobody! I love it! Get em' Joe!