Tag: Joe Gibbs

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.

Former Washington TE Doc Walker calls Commanders ‘a crap show’

Walker saying what Commanders’ fans know all too well. “A crap show.”

“It’s really not easy covering this crap up. You basically have the assignment of covering for a crap show.”

That’s how Rick “Doc” Walker opened his appearance on the “Chris Russell Show” on Thursday, over on Team 980. Walker spent all three hours with Russell on Thursday’s program.

Walker continued, “That’s the way it is. And it’s been worse. You’ve been here quite a long time, as I have done this quite a long time, and it makes you really remember the good times.”

Walker a former tight end, played for the Redskins 1980-1985. In his seasons with Washington. the Redskins were 6-10 in 1980, 8-8 in 1981, Super Bowl Champs in 1982, NFC Champs in 1983, NFC East Champs for a third consecutive year in 1984 and 10-6 in 1985.

The remainder of the Joe Gibbs (1.0) era saw the Redskins finish 12-4 and lose the NFC Championship game, Super Bowl Champs (1987), 7-9 Gibbs’ only losing season in 1988, 10-6 in 1989, 10-6 in 1990 winning a road playoff game, Super Bowl Champs in 1991 and 9-7 winners of a road playoff game in 1992.

Walker was reminding Russell and all of the football fans listening to 980, “There is no guarantee you will ever experience it again, but I sure hope so. Because I miss it, and it does make me remember the good times and the great moments we experienced through this ball club.”

“But there is no guarantee that will ever happen again.”

Russell replied that he has been covering and reporting on the team for 14 years and has been fooled more than once, thinking surely the team was going to break through and be good again.

Walker talked of how he thought, “there is no way we are losing to the Giants,” but he, like all the rest of us, was again disappointed by the Commanders.

He suggested that perhaps Sam Howell is not going to be able to fix this problem of holding onto the ball too long. Then he quickly transitioned to how Giants DC Wink Martindale was ahead of Commanders OC Eric Bieniemy last Sunday.

Walker expressed his frustration that Martindale repeatedly showed early he was calling for blitzers and pressure, but the Commanders offensive coaches and players seemed to have no answers.

Russell pointed out that Bieniemy talked of their making adjustments but asked Walker, wasn’t Bieniemy late with the adjustments? To which Walker unhesitatingly declared yes, because the entire first half the offense was being overmatched by the Giants’ execution of the Martindale attack on Howell.

 

When the Washington Commanders were last 3-0

Remember the Monday Night Miracle?

Well, of course, the “Commanders” have never been 3-0.

Neither was the “Washington Football Team” 3-0 in its brief two-year run (2020-21).

The 2011 Redskins were 2-0 after opening the season with home wins over the Giants (28-14) and Cardinals (22-21). However, they traveled to Dallas in Week 3 and lost 18-16 after leading 16-9 in the third quarter.

The following week, the 2011 team defeated the Rams 17-10, only then to lose six consecutive games, finishing the season with a very disappointing 5-11 record.

The 2007 Joe Gibbs (2.0) team was 2-0 but lost in Week 3 at home to the Giants 24-17. They finished 9-7, earning a Wild Card playoff birth before losing in the first round in Seattle 35-14.

We have to go back to the 2005 team as the last Washington team to begin an NFL season 3-0. Joe Gibbs was in his second season in his second term as head coach. Patrick Ramsey started at quarterback in the opener but struggled against the Bears, yet Washington defeated Chicago 9-7.

Mark Brunell and the Redskins offense was literally non-existent for over three quarters in their Week 2 Monday Night game at Dallas. Trailing 13-0, Brunell connected with Santana Moss from 39 yards, and it was 13-7 with 3:46 remaining.

On their next possession, Brunell and Moss again made sweet music, this time from 70 yards, and the Redskins stole the game from the Cowboys 14-13.

Their third game found Washington traveling to Seattle. The Seahawks scored in the last two minutes to force overtime. But Nick Novak’s 39-yard field goal provided the Redskins the road win and their last 3-0 start to date.

Will this year’s Commanders team make it to 3-0? They are at home Sunday at FedEx. There is increased fan support in the DMV since the ownership has been transferred from Daniel Snyder to the Josh Harris group. It is an announced sell-out. However, there will no doubt be many Bills fans in attendance.

Sam Howell has had his struggles, but he has also made several big plays in the first two wins of this season. The fan base is increasingly excited that Howell is showing signs he might develop into a long-term answer at quarterback.

The defense will have to rise to the occasion. They yielded 33 points to the winless Broncos last week, while the Bills destroyed the Raiders 38-10. Josh Allen enjoyed a career game, completing 31 of 37 passing attempts for three touchdowns and no interceptions and a 124.5 passer rating.

The Commanders have defeated the Cardinals and Broncos, who are a combined 0-4. After Sunday’s game against the Bills, we will have a much better gauge monitoring the Commanders.

Highlights from the first day of Commanders/Ravens joint practice

Some of the top highlights from the first day of joint practices between the Commanders and Ravens.

The Washington Commanders’ first day of joint practice with the Baltimore Ravens will best be remembered for the multiple brawls. Fortunately, nothing got out of hand as things were settled quickly, and the teams got in some good work.

It was a good day for Washington’s offense, particularly quarterback Sam Howell. Howell shined in 11-on-11 work with his accuracy and decision-making.

New Washington owner Josh Harris was in attendance for the first day of practice with the Ravens, and legendary Washington coach Joe Gibbs joined him.

Here is a collection of some of the top videos and photos from the Commanders’ first day of joint practice with the Ravens.

PHOTOS: Images from the Commanders press conference and pep rally

Some of the best images from Friday’s events at FedEx Field.

The Josh Harris era kicked off Friday, and what a day it was for Washington fans.

Harris and some of his ownership partners, Mitchell Rales, Magic Johnson, David Blitzer and Mark Ein, were at FedEx Field for his introductory press conference. Also joining Harris was his wife, mother and five children.

Harris spoke of how much this opportunity means to him. He’s excited; he’s stressed, but he’s ready to get to work. So is Johnson. So is Rales. So are Ron Rivera, Jason Wright, Terry McLaurin and Jonathan Allen.

The energy at FedEx Field was something the franchise hasn’t seen since at least 2012, during Robert Griffin III’s magical rookie season.

After the press conference, the new owners, Rivera, Wright, McLaurin, Allen, Joe Gibbs and others, went to the training camp pep rally — also at FedEx Field. The atmosphere was electric as Harris mingled with fans, Magic Johnson danced and Coach Gibbs said the Washington franchise and fans were the best in the world.

Here are some of the top photos from Friday’s festivities.

Jonathan Allen: ‘I’ve waited 7 years to see the fan base like this’

Jonathan Allen was impressed by Commanders fans.

Washington Commanders defensive tackle Jonathan Allen is one of the longest-tenured players on the team. Entering his seventh NFL season, Allen came to Washington accustomed to winning and competing for championships.

While Allen has done his part on the field, success hasn’t always followed the Commanders. And during Allen’s time with Washington, fan support has eroded. Part of it was due to the team’s lack of success on the field, but much of it was because of former owner Daniel Snyder.

Snyder is gone now, and the ownership group led by Josh Harris is in. Allen, along with Terry McLaurin, were among the Commanders players and legends present at Harris’ introductory press conference Friday. After the presser, the new owners, Allen, McLaurin and some of the franchise’s legends attended the training camp pep rally at FedEx Field.

The crowd was wild — in a good way — as Harris was high-fiving fans. Legendary coach Joe Gibbs spoke, and so did Harris’ partner, NBA legend Magic Johnson.

Allen and McLaurin did, too. Allen took notice of the crowd, and he was impressed.

“I’ve waited seven years to see the fan base like this,” Allen said.

Allen wasn’t criticizing the fans. He was impressed. Remember, it was Allen — on more than one occasion — who has bought tickets for fans and given them away to encourage Washington fans to attend FedEx Field and support the Commanders.

What an incredible two days for the Washington Commanders.