Four years ago, Joe Gibbs flew to Buffalo and persuaded Gregg Williams to sign a multiyear, multimillion dollar contract to assume full control of the Washington Redskins’ defense.
The long-term goal: Williams would succeed Gibbs.
Two years later, Gibbs jetted to Kansas City and persuaded Al Saunders to sign a multiyear, multimillion dollar contact and assume full control of the Redskins’ offense.
The long-term goal: Saunders would develop quarterback Jason Campbell into a reliable performer.
But in a week when Vinny Cerrato was made the front office’s point man (drawing snickers from the rest of the league), Jim Fassel was pursued and temporarily turned aside (ditto), the Redskins axed Williams and Saunders yesterday, replacing them with Seattle quarterbacks coach Jim Zorn and Redskins defensive line coach Greg Blache.
The Danny & Vinny Show has destroyed 66 percent of Gibbs’ master plan, which had the Williams-Saunders-Campbell trio leading the Redskins into the future — in a mere 18 days. The moves also have diminished Gibbs’ impact on the franchise.
When he returned to the NFL in January 2004, Gibbs wanted to win, but just as importantly, he aimed to stabilize a franchise that had defined “turbulent” since Snyder seized control of the team in 1999.
And during Coach Joe’s four seasons, the coaching staff remained largely intact (only one coach was fired) and in Week 1, 14 of their 22 starters were in at least their third season with the Redskins.
The win-loss record was below average (31-36, including playoffs), but at least the Redskins twice reached the playoffs, had young players in place at several key positions and had embraced a youth movement on defense.
Now, the Redskins will be partly starting over.
A third offensive system in four years could slow Campbell’s development. Some new wrinkles to the defense, even though Blache was on the Redskins staff, will require a transition, a theory that gets chucked if the Redskins opt for Giants defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo.
(Interlude: Yesterday’s news puts Fassel back in play. He was involved in the Zorn wooing earlier in the week, and like Gibbs, he’s offense-first so he would give the keys to Blache. Why would Spagnuolo be interested in the job since both of the coordinators are already on board?)
The past two-plus weeks not only ruined much of Coach Joe’s labor, it should torque him off. Why should he, now in the vague role of “special advisor” care what the Redskins do now, after his opinions were ignored?
The franchise is now back in the same state of disarray Gibbs encountered four years ago, only with somewhat better talent on the roster.
On Jan. 8, Snyder used the word “continuity.” Two assumptions were made: Williams would get the head coaching position, Saunders would continue as the offensive play-caller.
But clearly, the mix of Williams and Cerrato would have gone as well as peanut butter and potato chips.
Williams may not get another head coaching job after his four interviews turned into a pink slip.
For all his proclamations, Williams’ defenses with Washington were units that could stop teams (three top-10 finishes) but couldn’t create interceptions, sacks and touchdowns.
Blache has a difficult job.
The veterans have his respect, so that won’t be a problem. But they could be due for a step back in 2008 — Carlos Rogers and Rocky McIntosh sustained serious knee injuries, Phillip Daniels and Cornelius Griffin will be a year older, and it will be the first full season without Sean Taylor. Another hole has been created by Williams’ departure because it now will be shocking if cornerback Shawn Springs is back.
The biggest loss is Saunders.
Saunders came to the District with a sterling offensive reputation, but under his watch, the Redskins were 13th and 15th in yards and 20th and 18th in points.
Snyder turned sour on Saunders either late last season or midway through this season. But consider these facts: The franchise running back didn’t play half of 2006. The team went with essentially a rookie quarterback in Week 11 of 2006 and worked through the inevitable growing pains. The Redskins didn’t have a healthy Santana Moss or Antwaan Randle El until December 2007, and they lost the right side of the offensive line by Week 2.
The Redskins were an average offensive team this season despite their injuries. But Campbell showed flashes before being injured against Chicago, Chris Cooley was a Pro Bowl performer and Moss and Randle El returned to form down the stretch.
But now Campbell will spend March, April and May learning a new playbook instead of refining his on-field skills. Now the Redskins will have to deal with players who won’t be as willing to rework their contracts.
Earlier this week, when told of Cerrato’s promotion, an NFC executive couldn’t stop laughing.
“It gives the rest of us a better shot,” he said. “I’m sure the rest of the NFC East is breathing easier.”
They are today, too.
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