RedskinsVision
07-06-2004, 02:31 AM
http://www.usatoday.com/sports/football/nfl/redskins/home.htm
Joe Gibbs is one of the NFL's most successful coaches. But doesn't mean he's not paranoid.
Gibbs returns to the NFL determined to give Patriots coach Bill Belichick a run — not only for the Super Bowl trophy but also in the race to micromanage away distractions.
While Belichick's attempts in New England to make off-limits a large part of what the media normally would report, Gibbs closed minicamp practices after several stories referred to linebacker LaVar Arrington working at defensive end.
Never mind that Arrington spent the entire 2002 season as a third-down end and that Washington has no true D-ends of consequence to rush the passer. Gibbs is determined not to let anything that might be perceived as strategy reach the eyes and ears of opponents.
Training camp access remains a big concern of Washington-area media, but the first two weeks of camp apparently will be open in their entirety. Still, Gibbs is determined to maintain every possible advantage — for example, the fact that his offense hasn't been seen on tape since the early 1990s.
"They'll go back and look at Gregg (Williams') stuff on defense last year," Gibbs said of his defensive coordinator, the former Bills head coach. "They'll go back and look at our stuff, but that's eons ago. I think that we do have somewhat of an advantage. ... If we do have anything going for ourselves, it's going to be that first game or two."
The determination for secrecy extends to Gibbs' instructions to players. He doesn't want them blabbing proprietary information to friends around the league or leaving their notes on offensive and defensive plays on an airplane.
"In a lot of sports (your downfall is) giving away secrets at the Coke machine," Gibbs said. "Doing a lot of talking is going to give away stuff."
NOTES, QUOTES, ANECDOTES
—Nothing is expected to develop on the Adewale Ogunleye front until well into training camp. Washington, according a source, has offered a first-round pick for the Pro Bowl pass-rusher, a move coach Joe Gibbs has denied. The coach did concede that the team is always open to possibilities.
"I always look at it as, the odds of adding somebody are not very good at this point," Gibbs said. "Obviously if there's anybody who comes up who we think we have an interest in, we're going to be all over it. I think anytime you have a chance to add a player, you need to try to do it — if you can, if you think it's somebody who fits with you.
"I don't know of anybody in that category. If something came up, we're going to pursue it. But I always look at it as, 'From this point on, this is our football team.'"
Joe Gibbs is one of the NFL's most successful coaches. But doesn't mean he's not paranoid.
Gibbs returns to the NFL determined to give Patriots coach Bill Belichick a run — not only for the Super Bowl trophy but also in the race to micromanage away distractions.
While Belichick's attempts in New England to make off-limits a large part of what the media normally would report, Gibbs closed minicamp practices after several stories referred to linebacker LaVar Arrington working at defensive end.
Never mind that Arrington spent the entire 2002 season as a third-down end and that Washington has no true D-ends of consequence to rush the passer. Gibbs is determined not to let anything that might be perceived as strategy reach the eyes and ears of opponents.
Training camp access remains a big concern of Washington-area media, but the first two weeks of camp apparently will be open in their entirety. Still, Gibbs is determined to maintain every possible advantage — for example, the fact that his offense hasn't been seen on tape since the early 1990s.
"They'll go back and look at Gregg (Williams') stuff on defense last year," Gibbs said of his defensive coordinator, the former Bills head coach. "They'll go back and look at our stuff, but that's eons ago. I think that we do have somewhat of an advantage. ... If we do have anything going for ourselves, it's going to be that first game or two."
The determination for secrecy extends to Gibbs' instructions to players. He doesn't want them blabbing proprietary information to friends around the league or leaving their notes on offensive and defensive plays on an airplane.
"In a lot of sports (your downfall is) giving away secrets at the Coke machine," Gibbs said. "Doing a lot of talking is going to give away stuff."
NOTES, QUOTES, ANECDOTES
—Nothing is expected to develop on the Adewale Ogunleye front until well into training camp. Washington, according a source, has offered a first-round pick for the Pro Bowl pass-rusher, a move coach Joe Gibbs has denied. The coach did concede that the team is always open to possibilities.
"I always look at it as, the odds of adding somebody are not very good at this point," Gibbs said. "Obviously if there's anybody who comes up who we think we have an interest in, we're going to be all over it. I think anytime you have a chance to add a player, you need to try to do it — if you can, if you think it's somebody who fits with you.
"I don't know of anybody in that category. If something came up, we're going to pursue it. But I always look at it as, 'From this point on, this is our football team.'"