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Redskins coach Joe Gibbs (right) is back working his magic with Washington, just as he did in the 1980s and early 1990s. |
TAMPA, Fla.--The world finally believes
That faith has paid off in a remarkable season that isn't over yet. And Gibbs is the best thing
The Redskins will cross the continent Saturday to play top-seeded Seattle without two injured linemen (Randy Thomas and Renaldo Wynn). Another critical player, Shawn Springs, hopes to return from a groin injury--one of the worst possible setbacks for a cornerback.
Their most gifted player, Sean Taylor, could be suspended and
Combine those factors with the Seahawks being rested, playing at home and motivated
Instead, no one anywhere is discounting the Redskins' chances. And it's not because of Portis or Mark Brunell or Santana Moss
It's because of Gibbs, along with Gregg Williams and the men who coach for them.
"Up here, you don't win with Xs
Well, he's half right. Defensively, the Redskins have won with strategy rather than stars. (Granted, getting defensive tackles Cornelius Griffin and Joe Salave'a healthy again has meant more than most people will ever know.)
Williams benched Arrington early in the season without a significant drop-off. The Redskins did miss Taylor after he was ejected in Saturday's 17-10 victory at Tampa, but his absence wasn't fatal. Williams and his aides have succeeded largely with interchangeable parts.
On the offensive side, Gibbs (as always) has managed to exploit the talents of his star players. But more importantly, he has gotten a largely unremarkable, perennially underachieving team to trust him.
That's the biggest victory of all.
"We're desperate," said 43-year-old guard Ray Brown, whose next loss will be his last.
Brown spent the 1991 season on injured reserve when the Redskins last won the Super Bowl. He later started for Washington during the lean post-Gibbs years, then played for good teams in San Francisco and bad ones in Detroit without returning to the championship game.
Now this is Brown's last chance to start a Super Bowl.
"I hate how the opportunity arose," he said, referring to Thomas' broken leg three weeks ago. "But I want to make the most of it.
"I don't want to go home and spend all my time with the wife," he added with a wry smile. "She'll be constantly telling me where to go and what to do. So I'm a very motivated player."
All kidding aside, Brown is not alone.
Gibbs is a deeply religious man, and the Bible defines faith as "the promise of things unseen." Not every Redskin shares his coach's beliefs, but they all believe in him.
Most haven't had a sniff of the playoffs (at least not in D.C.). Gibbs' playoff track record (now 17-5) got the attention of players like Arrington who are starved for success--and who may not get another chance to do it with this team.
Gibbs deserves credit for the record-setting seasons enjoyed by Moss and Portis. But he and his aides also have gotten far more out of Brunell than anyone could have imagined (although the well may be running dry). They've plugged in a 43-year-old guard (Brown) for an injured one (Thomas) who was playing at a Pro Bowl level--and kept winning.
Six weeks ago, sitting at 5-6 with virtually no playoff hopes, the Redskins could have tuned out their coach. Instead, they bonded and became the NFC's hottest team--and one that has a puncher's chance in Seattle.
It's not quite a loaves-and-fishes project, but Gibbs certainly has made the whole greater than the sum of the parts. His greatest challenge yet awaits Saturday. Few are betting against him.
To reach STEVE DeSHAZO:
Email: sdeshazo@freelancestar.com
