WP: Mark Maske - Season Hinges on Gibbs, Ramsey

[RedskinsVision]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/06/13/AR2005061300659.html good article from Maske.

In order to believe the Washington Redskins will be better next season, it's necessary to believe two things -- that Joe Gibbs will be a far better coach than he was last season, and that Patrick Ramsey will provide the club with far better quarterbacking than it got last season.

Gibbs often looked overmatched last season in his return to the NFL, and perhaps that should have been expected after such a long layoff. But those who watched the magic that he performed in his first coaching go-around expected more, expected a seamless transition back to being the sideline virtuoso who won Super Bowls with three different quarterbacks. It didn't happen. His defensive coaching staff, full of people overqualified for their jobs who weren't relearning the way the pro game works, got the job done, but Gibbs and his contemporaries on his offensive coaching staff didn't. Right tackle Jon Jansen wasn't trying to be derogatory when he said during ESPN's draft coverage that the Redskins were running a 1992 offense last season, but it was telling.

The Redskins' trade of wide receiver Laveranues Coles in March came about because Gibbs had told his players that he'd try to accommodate any player who wanted out. The problem is, that's not a promise that a coach should be making under a salary-cap system. A team can't go around trading a player two seasons after giving him a $13 million signing bonus, whether the player wants out or not. In this case, the Redskins had to overpay left tackle Chris Samuels in a contract extension, lowering his impact against next season's salary cap, to help offset the cap hit created by Coles being traded to the New York Jets for wideout Santana Moss.

The Moss-for-Coles deal isn't as bad for the Redskins, cap implications aside, as some have made it out to be. Coles is a better player when both are healthy. But Coles never was the same player for the Redskins that he was before hurting his foot early in his first season with the club, and it's uncertain whether he ever will be the same player again, given that he has refused to undergo surgery for the injury. Moss might not be a true No. 1 receiver. But this version of Coles wasn't that either, so the Redskins really haven't lost much in that regard.

But the offense will click only if the Redskins can find a way to get some NFL-caliber play at quarterback, something they didn't get last season. By obtaining the 25th overall pick in the draft in a trade with Denver and using it on Auburn quarterback Jason Campbell, Gibbs sent Ramsey a message that he isn't confident that Ramsey is the long-term answer at quarterback for the club. Still, Gibbs desperately needs Ramsey to be the short-term solution.

Williams presumably will have back LaVar Arrington after the linebacker's injury-marred 2004 season. The question is whether Arrington will take the necessary steps to fit in. The Redskins were successful on defense last season because Williams's players trusted his system and did what they were told to do. They made sure they were where they were supposed to be, when they were supposed to be there. Playing with such structure and discipline never has been Arrington's forte, and he and Williams will have to try to find a way to coexist more harmoniously than Arrington and some of his previous defensive coaches did.

When Gibbs came back, Redskins followers had every reason to believe that he could turn around the franchise as quickly as Bill Parcells had gotten the Dallas Cowboys back into the playoffs. The re-learning curve proved to be quite a bit steeper for Gibbs, but his commitment to staying and seeing the job through appears unwavering, at least at this point. Gibbs said when he returned that the task in front of him was daunting, that he realized that what he had accomplished previously no longer mattered and he would have to prove himself all over again. It sounded like typical Gibbs-speak at the time, but maybe he knew better than anyone else just how hard this would be.

[redskin_rich]

Williams presumably will have back LaVar Arrington after the linebacker's injury-marred 2004 season. The question is whether Arrington will take the necessary steps to fit in. The Redskins were successful on defense last season because Williams's players trusted his system and did what they were told to do. They made sure they were where they were supposed to be, when they were supposed to be there. Playing with such structure and discipline never has been Arrington's forte, and he and Williams will have to try to find a way to coexist more harmoniously than Arrington and some of his previous defensive coaches did.
I agree with most of the article except for what I quoted above.
LaVar played his best when in a disciplined defense, like under Kurt Schottenheimer and Marvin Lewis. His worst season was in an undisciplined system under George Edwards.

[whistleandthumb]

My main problem with the Gibbs issue is that I think the expectations were so high, that when Gibbs didn't live up to them, it seemed THAT more horrible. So, now, coming into his second year, people are already skeptical because Gibbs didn't do amazing things last year, and that's a little unfair.

I agree that Gibbs looked overmatched last year, but Gibbs's greatest asset as a coach has always been his ability to adjust. I mean, during Era 1, teams would go into the locker room up 3 touchdowns on us, and we would come back out looking like a totally different team, going on to win the game.

Gibbs knows that he needs to adjust the offense, which is why we got the speed receivers, are moving to more zone blocking schemes, and installing the Shotgun offense. He's making the adjustments he thinks it will take for us to win. Hopefully, he's right.

[colkurtz]

This was a very good article. Maske is the best of the WP NFL writers. He didn't pull any punches, but it also doesn't have a nasty streak with the low blows you get from Lenny.

Gibbs was outcoached last season, but will get better. The fact that he will make changes [like the shotgun] show me that he can speed up to the present NFL speed. Hey, at least it won't take him 4 years like Marty Schottenheimer to adjust to the faster NFL defenses. My thought that if the Redskins offense doesn't make some significant improvments this season he will bring in a younger offensive coordinator.....

Ramsey will play better - the question is how much he will improve.....

[COUNCILMAN]

Maske says many of the things I have been saying but so far I haven't heard anyone throw out the typical comments I get like:

"Gibbs has THREE Superbowl rings, how many do you have"

"I trust Gibbs and his Superbowl rings a lot more than I trust you".

"Yea right, this guy is calling Gibbs stupid. He should be banned"

Maske says Gibbs can speed up to the NFL and proves it by adopting the shotgun. I said the same thing but I said Gibbs was slow in adapting and stubborn for not doing it last year. That made people mad....but its true. Maske may not use the word stubborn or slow...but its THERE...when he says that Gibbs can "speed up to the NFL". That means he was slow last year, but NOW he is speeding up. Same thing I have been saying and catching hell for.

However, the biggest difference between Maske and myself is that I have been positive about Ramsey and Maske and the article are very skeptical about Patrick.

Gibbs is indeed SPEEDING up to the NFL...or catching up. But so is Patrick. Remember, Gibbs chose the plays....Patrick just ran them. And now Patrick has a year to have learned them and get them down to the point where they will become second nature. Patrick and Gibbs both had some SPEEDING up to do...but now the Skins are ready to roll.

[dogfight6]

Coach Gibbs may have been a little behine the times but he didn't plan on his best o-lineman getting hurt, his so called best reciever to stub his toe or his second best to have stone hands { Brunell is his falt but no one is perfect.} Coach Gibbs did a respectable job for being completely out of football for so long. Ramsey is the key this year coach Gibbs will give him the time to do his job, it's up to him to do it.

[gibbs4pres]

Maske says many of the things I have been saying but so far I haven't heard anyone throw out the typical comments I get like:

"Gibbs has THREE Superbowl rings, how many do you have"

"I trust Gibbs and his Superbowl rings a lot more than I trust you".

"Yea right, this guy is calling Gibbs stupid. He should be banned".

1.That's because you're only the 3rd post or so.

Maske says Gibbs can speed up to the NFL and proves it by adopting the shotgun. I said the same thing but I said Gibbs was slow in adapting and stubborn for not doing it last year. That made people mad....but its true. Maske may not use the word stubborn or slow...but its THERE...when he says that Gibbs can "speed up to the NFL". That means he was slow last year, but NOW he is speeding up. Same thing I have been saying and catching hell for..


2. You also like to demean people because they think differently than you. You were catching hell for calling Gibbs stupid then attacking the person who sent the post.

However, the biggest difference between Maske and myself is that I have been positive about Ramsey and Maske and the article are very skeptical about Patrick.

Gibbs is indeed SPEEDING up to the NFL...or catching up. But so is Patrick. Remember, Gibbs chose the plays....Patrick just ran them. And now Patrick has a year to have learned them and get them down to the point where they will become second nature. Patrick and Gibbs both had some SPEEDING up to do...but now the Skins are ready to roll.


3. You are right, Gibbs is getting up to speed of the NFL & so is Ramsey. I too think Ramsey will have a much better year. IMHO the biggest difference between you an MM is you attack people for thier opinions. We all know what people saw about opinions..... :typeR2:

[Redskin-4-life]

I think we expected too much from Gibbs in the first place. How many people can leave a profession for 12 years, and come back in top form? He warn everyone not to expect too much. He had a year to learn and feel his way back into the NFL, and the team overall should be improved.

[smoak]

I agree with most of the article except for what I quoted above.
LaVar played his best when in a disciplined defense, like under Kurt Schottenheimer and Marvin Lewis. His worst season was in an undisciplined system under George Edwards.

Agreed. In fact it seemed to be every defensive players worst year.

[Chief Redskin]

I think the article was very accurate and telling of the Redskins struggles last year. I have a hard time putting as much blame on Coach Gibbs as the article did. I think the Redskins were in horrible shape from Spurrier and Gibbs walked into a bad situation. Since Gibbs took over we have seen some dramatic changes and I think this year will be a true test. Ramsey's inconsistent play really scares me, but what can we do at this point?

[gibbs4pres]

I think we expected too much from Gibbs in the first place. How many people can leave a profession for 12 years, and come back in top form? He warn everyone not to expect too much. He had a year to learn and feel his way back into the NFL, and the team overall should be improved.

I agree expectations were too high from most. I look back to his first tenure and his first season, it was a losing season. I think the NFL has become this now or never, "did you win the Super Bowl this year? Did he have a breakout season? NO!!!! Well, get rid of him, start over!" type thing. Funny, but I've always contributed that turn to when Jones fired Landry, and the way he did it. I don't think Gibbs thinks that way. I think it's more long term. Brunell is a perfect example. I may be the only one who is not that pissed about that deal. If I see him start making changes because the media or the fans want it that way, then I'll be worried. I see many great years ahead for us Skins fans. Gibbs shall lead the way.

[smoak]

I definitely do not put as much blame on Gibbs for the mental mistakes (Betts missing a block and not recover a fumble, Ramseys 23 INTs in the Giants game, Portis' idiotic fumbles). Can Gibbs do a better job? Absolutely, but I think the season hinges more on Ramsey who has to better than he was in '04.

[joethefan]

People fail to realize that coaches cannot turn almost 12 years of losing and dissapointment aeound in 1 season. It just doens't happen. Also half of the people on this board weren't around his first season when he had a bad record as well....So Gibbs will get things back in order but as people put on weight throughout the years...it doesn't take one year to drop it all, it takes as much time to get it off.....I'm in it for the long haul...not the so called 3 or 5 year plan...

[gibbs4pres]

People fail to realize that coaches cannot turn almost 12 years of losing and dissapointment aeound in 1 season. It just doens't happen. Also half of the people on this board weren't around his first season when he had a bad record as well....So Gibbs will get things back in order but as people put on weight throughout the years...it doesn't take one year to drop it all, it takes as much time to get it off.....I'm in it for the long haul...not the so called 3 or 5 year plan...

Here, Here! :typeR2:

[MoeRedskins]

My main problem with the Gibbs issue is that I think the expectations were so high, that when Gibbs didn't live up to them, it seemed THAT more horrible. So, now, coming into his second year, people are already skeptical because Gibbs didn't do amazing things last year, and that's a little unfair.

I would rather have them be skeptical of our team then go into the year like the Cowboys did last year expecting huge improvement over a 10-6 year. The article is right. All of our success hinges on Ramsey and Gibbs. But with Gibbs ability to adjust and his work ethic I doubt his coaching is going to keep us from being competitive. Really, it all falls on Patrick's shoulders.

[BurgundyAndGold]

I've always like Mark Maske, but this sounds like typical stuff that is just being condensed and rehashed. There are no real "revelations" here, just stuff we've been hearing or have concluded on our own. But I guess any news on our beloved franchise is better than none at all :)

[redwolf1218]

I've always like Mark Maske, but this sounds like typical stuff that is just being condensed and rehashed. There are no real "revelations" here, just stuff we've been hearing or have concluded on our own. But I guess any news on our beloved franchise is better than none at all :)
yep, blah blah blah, same old cliches. Gibbs was gone a long time, the defense was great, Lavar is back, Coles/Gardner are gone and Moss/Patten are here, somebody has to play like an NFL QB. I think they know we want some news, but we arent making the big splashes we have in the past few years, so they are writing the same things over and over at this point.

I picture Jamison from Spiderman yelling "write something about the 'Skins, i dont care what it is!"

[Curtisprc3]

Maske says many of the things I have been saying but so far I haven't heard anyone throw out the typical comments I get like:

"Gibbs has THREE Superbowl rings, how many do you have"

"I trust Gibbs and his Superbowl rings a lot more than I trust you".

"Yea right, this guy is calling Gibbs stupid. He should be banned"

Maske says Gibbs can speed up to the NFL and proves it by adopting the shotgun. I said the same thing but I said Gibbs was slow in adapting and stubborn for not doing it last year. That made people mad....but its true. Maske may not use the word stubborn or slow...but its THERE...when he says that Gibbs can "speed up to the NFL". That means he was slow last year, but NOW he is speeding up. Same thing I have been saying and catching hell for.

However, the biggest difference between Maske and myself is that I have been positive about Ramsey and Maske and the article are very skeptical about Patrick.

Gibbs is indeed SPEEDING up to the NFL...or catching up. But so is Patrick. Remember, Gibbs chose the plays....Patrick just ran them. And now Patrick has a year to have learned them and get them down to the point where they will become second nature. Patrick and Gibbs both had some SPEEDING up to do...but now the Skins are ready to roll.
Just because Maske says it does mean it's right! It's an opinion.

I tend to lean more toward the season depending on Ramsey more than Joe. The coach puts you into position to make plays, the players make them. That's what's needs to be consistent, they squandered too many chances last year. Protect the football, and games will be won!!!!!

[skins111111]

Quote{But the offense will click only if the Redskins can find a way to get some NFL-caliber play at quarterback, something they didn't get last season. By obtaining the 25th overall pick in the draft in a trade with Denver and using it on Auburn quarterback Jason Campbell, Gibbs sent Ramsey a message that he isn't confident that Ramsey is the long-term answer at quarterback for the club. Still, Gibbs desperately needs Ramsey to be the short-term solution-}Quote

If I'm not mistaken we have found a way to get NFL caliber play at QB...that would be by getting NFL caliber play from the O-Line and spreading the D with our new WR core.............RAM 2 year minimum

[bwparker]

Maske says Gibbs can speed up to the NFL and proves it by adopting the shotgun. I said the same thing but I said Gibbs was slow in adapting and stubborn for not doing it last year. That made people mad....but its true. Maske may not use the word stubborn or slow...but its THERE...when he says that Gibbs can "speed up to the NFL". That means he was slow last year, but NOW he is speeding up. Same thing I have been saying and catching hell for.


You make the case right there. How many times have people gone completely off topic just to tell you that its your "attitude" they don't like? People on this board want to respect your right to your opinion, but get frustrated with the way you present it. If you had said, "Gibbs had a rough year last year, but I think he can catch up with the NFL this year" people would have been more open to discussion. But you chose to say Gibbs was "slow and stubborn" and you rubbed people the wrong way.

You attract more bees with honey than with vinegar. If you want people to react more politely to you, put your claims in more polite and constructive terms. If you would rather stick to your guns and "call 'em like you see 'em", then be prepared for the community's backlash. :Peace:

[The Skinsinator]

Pretty accurate article all around. Gibbs and Ramsey had their flaws last season and they are definetely are biggest pieces in putting together a much improved team next year. What the media loves to forget is how close we were in so many games. I dont want to go into details because I get too angry. If Ramsey really cuts back on the mistakes the offense will be there. I expect the def to be there again.

[IMALILTEAPOT]

You make the case right there. How many times have people gone completely off topic just to tell you that its your "attitude" they don't like? People on this board want to respect your right to your opinion, but get frustrated with the way you present it. If you had said, "Gibbs had a rough year last year, but I think he can catch up with the NFL this year" people would have been more open to discussion. But you chose to say Gibbs was "slow and stubborn" and you rubbed people the wrong way.

You attract more bees with honey than with vinegar. If you want people to react more politely to you, put your claims in more polite and constructive terms. If you would rather stick to your guns and "call 'em like you see 'em", then be prepared for the community's backlash. :Peace:
exactly

[ppease]

Quote:
In order to believe the Washington Redskins will be better next season, it's necessary to believe two things -- that Joe Gibbs will be a far better coach than he was last season, and that Patrick Ramsey will provide the club with far better quarterbacking than it got last season.
End Quote.


In my opinion I think our lack of success last year was that our OL did not give our QB the protection necessary for the Redskins offense to have any deep pass threat. Without a deep pass threat the opponents defense could (and did) bunch up to stop the short and mid passes and that also made the running game less effective than what it could have been. I think this year our OL will be much better and that will make all the difference in our success as a team.

I admit that I am a loyal supporter of Joe Gibbs. What did the team do to improve? They improved the OL by getting a really good center. They also have faster receivers this year (I think). In my opinion this will allow the Redskins to have a real deep pass ability and that threat will cause the opponents defensive secondary and linebackers to stay back and play off the receivers and that will result in an overall improvement in our offensive production.

Joe Gibbs and Greg Williams had the team playing about as well as could be expected last year and we were in most games. Yes, I admit that Mark Brunnel couldn't get anything going and Joe Gibbs stood with him too long.

I think Patrick looked quite good because he was able to put more zip on the ball and thus complete the short pass even in tight coverage. Some thought our receivers dropped too many passes and some were critical of Patrick Ramsay for throwing the short pass too hard (causing the ball to bounce off our receiver into the hands of the defensive back). But with Patrick having to get the ball out quickly (because of the pass rush) and the defensive back and linebackers playing tight (because they didn't worry about any deep pass) Patrick always had to throw it quick and hard to get the pass to the receiver. With better pass defense and faster receivers I think the opponents defense will have to play differently this year.

I anticipate that the Redskins offense will become a "well oiled machine" that will keep the opponents defense off balance with a balanced mix of running, short, medium, and long passes with a few trick plays sprinkled in. With improved pass protection and faster receivers the deep pass threat will "stretch the field" and then Joe Gibbs will call every play in the book and I predict that we will all be praising Joe Gibbs.

I think Patrick Ramsay will gain confidence and poise as he knows that he has the protection from his OL to allow the play to develop and that he will have the time to check his second or third receiver. With a deep pass threat causing the defense to play off the receiver I think Patrick will have even more success on the short and medium passes. If Patrick can develop the timing as he works with our receivers (as the starter) he will be able to hit the long bomb.

As our passing game improves (especially the deep routes) I expect we will see more success in the running game. When the linebackers and secondary have to move backwards to cover our speedy receivers I expect Clinton Portis to really show what he is capable of (and that is to be into the secondary before the defense can get turned around).

This is how I see things for the Redskins this coming season.