MJZiggy
10-12-2007, 12:08 PM
http://wtop.com/?nid=119&sid=1265891
By JOSEPH WHITE
AP Sports Writer
ASHBURN, Va. - When Joe Gibbs made the surprising decision to give his players the week off during the bye, he also made a prediction.
"I'm sure there ain't going to be anybody who reminds me of it if we play well against Detroit," he said.
Reporters rarely shirk from such an easy dare. Sure enough, when Gibbs opened the floor for questions this week at his regular news conference, he was promptly reminded that, yes, he gave the team a long break during the bye, and indeed they did play well in a 34-3 win over the Lions.
"I appreciate that," Gibbs responded before letting out a laugh. "As a coach, when you lose ball games, the first thing that runs through your mind, to be honest with you, is all the things I'm going to have to answer. For everything you did do, you are hanging on going, 'I hope this works out all right.' In that case, I appreciate our players responding and doing a good job."
"The bad news," the coach added later, "is we've got to go to Lambeau Field now."
The truth is, even many of the pessimists predicted the Redskins would be exactly where they are right now - 3-1 - because of a soft early schedule. They did upset the form chart by upsetting Philadelphia on the road in Week 2, but then they quickly compensated by losing at home the following week to the New York Giants.
Now comes the brutal stretch. Five of the next seven are on the road, starting with Sunday's game against the Green Bay Packers. There also are upcoming trips to New England and Dallas, both currently undefeated. The Redskins should know whether they're for real come Thanksgiving.
There's more, blah, blah, blah, but I like the part about the tough part being at Lambeau...
By JOSEPH WHITE
AP Sports Writer
ASHBURN, Va. - When Joe Gibbs made the surprising decision to give his players the week off during the bye, he also made a prediction.
"I'm sure there ain't going to be anybody who reminds me of it if we play well against Detroit," he said.
Reporters rarely shirk from such an easy dare. Sure enough, when Gibbs opened the floor for questions this week at his regular news conference, he was promptly reminded that, yes, he gave the team a long break during the bye, and indeed they did play well in a 34-3 win over the Lions.
"I appreciate that," Gibbs responded before letting out a laugh. "As a coach, when you lose ball games, the first thing that runs through your mind, to be honest with you, is all the things I'm going to have to answer. For everything you did do, you are hanging on going, 'I hope this works out all right.' In that case, I appreciate our players responding and doing a good job."
"The bad news," the coach added later, "is we've got to go to Lambeau Field now."
The truth is, even many of the pessimists predicted the Redskins would be exactly where they are right now - 3-1 - because of a soft early schedule. They did upset the form chart by upsetting Philadelphia on the road in Week 2, but then they quickly compensated by losing at home the following week to the New York Giants.
Now comes the brutal stretch. Five of the next seven are on the road, starting with Sunday's game against the Green Bay Packers. There also are upcoming trips to New England and Dallas, both currently undefeated. The Redskins should know whether they're for real come Thanksgiving.
There's more, blah, blah, blah, but I like the part about the tough part being at Lambeau...