Tag: Joe Gibbs

Dan Quinn wants Commanders to be ‘explosive and physical’

Quinn discusses Joe Gibbs and looks forward to coaching Jon Allen and Daron Payne.

Dan Quinn knows fellow NFL players and coaches can become life-long friends.

Friday, while a guest on the “Kevin Sheehan Show” (The Team 980), Quinn spoke of “this connection you have with them going through it together. A guy there is hurt, battling, going through it; those are really cool moments where you see what somebody is made of.”

He talked of how, in NFL football, “they get pushed to the absolute limit. When you put it all out there and be willing to step all the way out there to the edge, that is not easy. When you are in that environment, you do get closer and connected. If you really stay tight, that bond is not changing in three months or three years or thirty years. You can slip back into that conversation knowing, ‘hey man, we did it together, walked through it together’. There is a respect that comes through those moments that you never lose.”

Sheehan inquired if Dan had reached out to the franchise’s most successful coach Joe Gibbs, before taking this job. Quinn shared that he had actually visited with Gibbs prior to his taking the Atlanta Falcons job. “The reason I had asked to meet with him was because he had the most unique background of having much success with different quarterbacks. I really wanted to find out why.”

Indeed Gibbs remains the only NFL coach to win three Super Bowls with three different starting quarterbacks (Joe Theismann, Doug Williams, Mark Rypien. In addition, none of the three will ever be a Hall of Famer.

“I wanted to find out what were some of the important things to him at the time. I didn’t meet with him this time, but it was certainly nice to get a call from him after I was already here.”

When Sheehan asked Quinn what he was learning about the Commanders’ current roster, Quinn responded, “Certainly defensive tackle, that is the strength. Those two (Jonathan Allen, Daron Payne) are tough to block in a lot of ways…I can’t wait to coach both of them honestly.”

Quinn expressed that over the next two weeks, all the coaches will be looking at the film of the Commanders and evaluating, what are the best skills of the players and in what ways they can be most utilized.

The new sheriff is going to be making his message clear to his staff and then players. He conveyed to Sheehan what he is looking for the identity of this team to become, “You want to be explosive and physical. That is what you keep looking for. Is it demonstrated on tape?”

WATCH: New Commanders coach Dan Quinn calls Joe Gibbs

Dan Quinn showing love to Coach Gibbs.

Hall of Fame coach Joe Gibbs is the most important person in the Washington NFL franchise’s 92-year history. Gibbs brought the franchise its three Super Bowl championships — with three different quarterbacks — and he came back for a second stint 20 years ago and took Washington to the playoffs twice in four seasons.

Every coach is measured against Gibbs, and no one measures up. Gibbs comes to at least one Washington game each season and has developed a close relationship with new owner Josh Harris.

On Monday, the Commanders introduced their new coach, Dan Quinn. Unfortunately, Gibbs wasn’t in attendance in Ashburn, but that didn’t stop Quinn from calling the legendary coach.

Gibbs has impacted every life he’s touched over the years. And when Quinn was head coach of the Falcons, Gibbs impacted his life, too, something he never forgot.

Andy Reid applauds Chiefs’ mental toughness through long seasons

#Chiefs head coach Andy Reid applauded his team’s mental toughness through long seasons after Kansas City’s win over the #Ravens.

The familiar sound of the Kansas City Chiefs as AFC champions heading into a Super Bowl will never get old for the team’s many fans in Western Missouri. Experiencing this level of success is nearly impossible to keep up in today’s rapidly moving free-agency and trade market.

Chiefs head coach Andy Reid has devoted over 25 years to his craft and has seen almost everything in the league. He appreciates his player’s efforts annually, from rookie mini camps to this point. He explained the grind to reporters in his postgame press conference on Sunday.

“It’s tough the back-to-back-to-back seasons, that’s a tough thing,” Reid explained. “We played a lot of football games, and you’ve got to work through that. You [have] got to work through that mentally; that’s not an easy thing. So, I’m so happy for the guys and how they handled that.

“When it came time to put the hammer down, they put the hammer down, which was important. The best part is we’re not done; we’ve got another game, and you love the seasons to carry on as long as they can possibly carry on. We’re there, and now we gotta get right back at it. And start grinding for whoever wins us this game here.”

Since the 2018 season, the first with Mahomes as the starter, the Chiefs have played in the AFC Championship game and will now appear in their fourth Super Bowl. Reid acknowledges the toll playing late into seasons can have on a veteran team and understands the target on his players’ backs as they still overcome it and succeed.

“What you get is everybody’s best shot. So every week, you’re gonna get the best shot,” Reid said. “There are no games off for that stuff. Not in the NFL anyway, but they’re no games off. There’s no light opponent. You’ve got to bring it every week. So, again, to be in this position, that tells you a little bit something about the mental makeup of this football team.”

Reid is tied for third in most Super Bowl appearances for a head coach. He can join Joe Gibbs, Chuck Noll, Bill Walsh, and Bill Belichick as the only head coaches with three rings if the Chiefs are victorious in Super Bowl LVIII.

Former Washington linebacker Antonio Pierce is the new head coach of the Raiders

Pierce began his career with Washington and was an excellent linebacker before he was allowed to walk in 2005.

The Las Vegas Raiders made it official on Friday: They were hiring interim coach Antonio Pierce as the franchise’s new head coach.

Pierce, 45, began the 2023 NFL season as the Raiders’ linebackers coach but was promoted to interim coach when the team fired Josh McDaniels. Pierce did an outstanding job, leading the Raiders to a 5-4 record with some impressive victories, including a Christmas Day win over the Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium.

Several Las Vegas players, including stars like defensive end Maxx Crosby and wide receiver Davante Adams, made it clear to everyone the players wanted Pierce back.

It’s been quite the journey for Pierce. An undrafted free agent out of Arizona in 2001, he signed with the then-Washington Redskins as an undrafted free agent. It was Marty Schottenheimer who identified Pierce. He started eight games as a rookie and was a key member of Washington’s special-teams units.

It was the 2004 season in which Pierce had his breakout year. Under the legendary Joe Gibbs and new defensive coordinator Gregg Williams, Pierce started all 16 games as Washington’s middle linebacker. He was the linchpin on the NFL’s No. 3 defense that season. It was the perfect time for Pierce to enter free agency, too.

Antonio Pierce #58 of the Washington Redskins. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)

He wanted to return, and the team seemed to want him to return. Unfortunately, the team lowballed Pierce, allowing him to hit free agency and enjoy a terrific five-year run with the Giants before he retired in 2010.

Pierce started a TV career after retiring but instead pivoted to coaching. He began as a high school coach in California before accepting a position as linebackers coach under Herm Edwards at Arizona State. After two years as a linebackers coach, he was co-defensive coordinator for one season before moving into the role alone in 2021.

In 2022, Pierce accepted his first NFL coaching position with the Raiders.

It’s been an incredible journey for Pierce, who earned the job with his results and outstanding leadership.

Congratulations to the former Washington linebacker.

Can the Commanders next head coach break the losing cycle?

Can Washington’s next head coach produce a winner?

The Washington Commanders are moving on, looking for a new head coach soon, perhaps in the next couple of weeks.

Ron Rivera’s firing reminded all Washington fans that Rivera, in his four seasons (2020-23), did not achieve a single winning season. By not having a winning season for Washington, Rivera joined Jim Zorn, Steve Spurrier, and Marty Schottenheimer as coaches under Dan Snyder, who did not post a winning record.

Zorn (2008-09) was 12-20,  as was Spurrier (2002-03) 12-20, with Schottenheimer finishing 8-8 in his lone season in Washington (2001).

Achieving winning seasons has been difficult in Washington since Dan Snyder took over the ownership. But it has been done.

Norv Turner in Snyder’s first season (1999) led Washington to a 10-6 record and the NFC East title. But Turner did not survive the next season, being fired during an 8-8 season. It’s often forgotten that Turner had two other winning seasons prior to Snyder’s arrival. His team won in 1996 (9-7) and 1997 (8-7-1).

The next winning season in Washington was 2005 when Joe Jackson Gibbs felt so bad for the franchise’s struggles he risked his own reputation and came back to coach the Redskins for four seasons. Gibbs also added a winning season in his last NFL coaching year (2007) when Washington was 9-7 and a Wild Card team. His 2005 team was the last Washington team to win a playoff game.

Mike Shanahan’s team got hot down the stretch, winning their last seven games and finishing 10-6 in 2012. It was Shanahan’s (2010-13) only winning season in Washington, as Robert Griffin refused to run the same offense and proceeded to never develop as a pocket passer in the NFL. By 2015, Washington was attempting to trade Griffin and had no takers.

Jay Gruden (2014-19) actually had two winning seasons, while Kirk Cousins was the quarterback in Burgundy and Gold. Washington was 9-7 in 2015 and 8-7-1 in 2016. Washington has not had a winning season since Gruden was the head coach and Cousins the starting quarterback.

Finally, let the record display that Joe Gibbs (1981-92) was 124-60 under Jack Kent Cooke. Then in the playoffs Gibbs coached in 5 NFC championship games, 4 Super Bowls and won three of those Super Bowls.

Here’s to hoping the next Washington coach has a winning record.

Commanders must get 3 positions right this offseason

Washington must get three positions right this offseason.

It is no secret the Washington Commanders are going for a complete renovation this offseason.

There will be many players released and not invited back for 2024. There will be a new draft class and several new free agents signed to join the Commanders.

Josh Harris is going to hire the franchise’s next general manager any day now. Whomever he is, he will become the first Washington general manager to possess authentic general manager power since Charley Casserly was Washington’s general manager (1989-99).

Then Harris and the new general manager will embark on hiring the team’s next head coach. He will follow Ron Rivera, who failed to achieve a single winning season in his four seasons as Commanders’ head coach.

Quick question: which is most important, your general manager, your head coach, or your starting quarterback? Before you reply, consider the answer might just be “yes.” As important as a general manager and head coach are, today’s NFL might also require you to have a winning quarterback as well.

Which makes the accomplishment of Joe Jackson Gibbs even more significant. Gibbs won three Super Bowl championships for the Burgundy and Gold, and his quarterbacks for those championship seasons were Joe Theismann, Doug Williams and Mark Rypien. Three guys who will never be in the Hall of Fame, and only one was an NFL-leading quarterback (Theismann in 1983), and that team did not win a Super Bowl, though they did play in Super Bowl XVIII, falling to the Raiders.

An NFL team’s starting quarterback can mean so much to your franchise. For instance, the last time Washington had a winning season, Kirk Cousins was the starter. Washington’s last two winning seasons 2015 (9-7) and 2016 (8-7-1), it was Cousins leading the team.

Cousins was criticized heavily by much of the fan base in those days. Yet, how many winning seasons has Washington achieved since Cousins’ departure? Not a single one.

The Commanders will need to land a quality quarterback this offseason as well.

LOOK: The top images from the Commanders’ season-ending loss to Cowboys

The best photos from Sunday’s game between the Commanders and Cowboys.

The Washington Commanders’ 2023 season is mercifully over. The Commanders dropped their eighth consecutive game on Sunday, falling 38-10 to the Cowboys in front of mostly Dallas fans at FedEx Field.

The Cowboys won the NFC East title and the No. 2 seed in the playoffs. What did Washington win? The Commanders clinched the No. 2 overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft after finishing the 2023 season 4-13.

Dallas quarterback Dak Prescott rarely missed on Sunday, completing 31 of his 36 attempts for 279 yards and four touchdowns. Meanwhile, Washington’s offense struggled again, turning the ball over three times in defeat.

In some good news — other than landing the No. 2 pick — Washington wide receiver Terry McLaurin set a franchise record by eclipsing the 1,000-yard receiving mark. McLaurin became the first player in team history with four straight seasons of 1,000 yards receiving or more.

Here are some of the best images from Sunday’s game between the Cowboys and Commanders, in which legendary former head coach Joe Gibbs made an appearance.

Is this Washington team one of the worst in franchise history?

We look at some of the worst seasons in franchise history over the last 30 years. Which is the worst?

The 2023 season has sadly turned into one of the more disappointing seasons in Washington NFL history since the NFL merger.

Some may ask if this team is one of the worst teams in modern franchise history? There have certainly been other Washington teams that could be considered to be some of the worst teams in franchise history.

Yet, sadly this team losing as it has the last two weeks (45-10, 45-15) can’t help us wonder if this team will lose the remainder of their games, finishing the season at 4-13.

2013

The 2013 team first comes to mind. That team was awful on offense and defense. They were 29th in scoring offense and 30th in scoring defense. They did conclude the season, losing their last eight games, finishing 3-13. That coaching staff was loaded (Mike Shanahan, Kyle Shanahan, Sean McVay, Matt LaFleur, Mike McDaniel), but the team entirely unraveled largely due to Daniel Snyder and Robert Griffin.

2019

The 2019 team began the season losing their first five games, and head coach Jay Gruden was fired. That team struggled terribly at quarterback, and the offense was dead last in scoring. That team also finished 3-13, earned the second overall draft selection, and chose Chase Young in the 2020 NFL draft.

2009

Jim Zorn’s second and final season as head coach was with the 2009 team. The defense was actually 18th in scoring defense but 26th in scoring offense. The final two home games were the worst of the season. Against the Giants, Zorn attempted the Swinging Gate to end a half as Washington fell embarrassingly 45-12. The following week, they were shut out by Dallas 17-0. That team finished 4-12.

1994

The 1994 team was Norv Turner’s first as an NFL head coach. Though they had the 13th-scoring offense, they were the 28th-scoring defense, finishing 3-13. This team started three quarterbacks (Heath Shuler, Gus Frerotte and John Friesz). The team had a five-game losing streak and another 7-game losing streak.

1993

1993 was a shockingly horrible season. Joe Gibbs had retired following the 1992 season in which there was a road playoff win at Minnesota. Richie Petitbon, Gibb’s long-time defensive coordinator, became Gibbs’s successor. Washington actually defeated Dallas 35-16, opening Monday Night Football, but then lost six straight. Being so spoiled by the Joe Gibbs teams, this season for me might have been the worst because it was so shocking to see the franchise play so poorly, and have such a bad team.

 

 

LOOK: The best images from Commanders vs. Dolphins in Week 13

We look back at some of the best images from Week 13.

Sunday was an ugly day for the Washington Commanders. The Miami Dolphins came to FedEx Field and destroyed the Commanders 45-15 in a game where the score could’ve been much worse. Miami head coach Mike McDaniel essentially didn’t even try to score in the game’s final 20 minutes and still managed to score another touchdown.

FedEx Field was sold out for the sixth time this season and, unsurprisingly, was packed full of Miami fans. There were some legends on hand in Landover representing each team.

Pro Football Hall of Fame head coach Joe Gibbs, the most revered figure in Washington’s over 90 years as an NFL franchise, was on the field before the game. Legendary former Dolphins quarterback Dan Marino was also present.

Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill put on a show, catching two long touchdown passes and finished with 157 receiving yards.

We look back at some of the best images from Sunday’s game.

Legendary Washington coach Joe Gibbs turns 83

The legendary Joe Gibbs turned 83 on Saturday. We look back at his wonderful career.

Washington Redskins football history was forever changed on Jan. 13, 1981.

On that day, the Redskins announced the hiring of the San Diego Chargers offensive coordinator. He was a man who had never yet been a football head coach at any level.

Yet, Joe Jackson Gibbs was prepared and ready for the challenge of being an NFL head coach.

Saturday, Gibbs had another birthday, his 83rd. Nov. 25, 1940, Joe Gibbs was born in Mocksville, N.C.

Jack Kent Cooke, then owner of the Redskins, had never talked previously with Gibbs prior to their interview, which was reported to have lasted 3 and 1/2 hours.

Gibbs got off to a slow start losing his first five NFL games. Once he figured out his personnel’s strengths and weaknesses, Gibbs led a turnaround that saw Washington win 8 of its final 11 games in 1981.

He proceeded to then lead Washington to a Super Bowl championship (1982), another NFC championship and trip to the Super Bowl (1983), and a third consecutive divisional championship (1984).

In 1985, Gibbs lost Joe Theismann to his career-ending injury, but Washington still finished 10-6. A trip to the NFC championship game followed in 1986, and his second Super Bowl victory in Super Bowl XXII (1987 season).

Gibbs experienced his only losing season in 1988 (7-9) but recovered well with a 10-6 in 1989 and another 10-6 with a road playoff win at Philadelphia (20-6) which resulted in Eagles head coach Buddy Ryan being fired.

The greatest Redskins team of all time followed in 1991 when Gibbs’ team was 14-2 and won all three playoff games going away (24-7, 41-10, 37-24). Super Bowl XXVI capped the 1991 season as Washington led Buffalo 37-10 before winning 37-24.

After the 1992 season (9-7) and a road playoff win at Minnesota, Gibbs “retired” from coaching. Following 12 years away from the NFL, Gibbs felt empathy for the franchise struggling as it was and returned to Washington in 2004.

After a 6-10 2004 season, Washington, in 2005, finished 10-6 and won a road playoff game in Tampa. His worst season came in 2006 (5-11), and then a 9-7 team that lost at Seattle in the playoffs marked his final season (2007).

Gibbs enjoys a significant unmatched accomplishment in NFL history. The vast majority of coaches who won multiple Super Bowls did so with the same quarterback. Bill Parcells won two with Phil Simms and Jeff Hostetler. George Seifert won with Joe Montana, then Steve Young.

But Gibbs is the only coach in NFL history to have won three Super Bowls with three different quarterbacks. In addition, each of those quarterbacks, Joe Theismann, Doug Williams and Mark Rypien, will never be in the Hall of Fame.

Conclusion? Joe Gibbs adapted his offenses to his personnel and won was a unit that was well-coached.

It’s sad to see people age, and Coach Joe is 83. Commanders Wire wishes Coach Joe a Happy 83rd Birthday and thanks him for his voluminous accomplishments, for bringing such joy to the fan base, and honor and success to the organization.