The Chat House
Michael Wilbon
Washington Post Sports Columnist
Monday, September 13, 2004; 1:00 p.m. ET
Welcome to another edition of The Chat House where Post columnist Michael Wilbon talks about the latest in sports.
In their season-opening game, the Redskins under head coach Joe Gibbs edged out a 16-10 win over Tampa Bay. Can the legendary coach revive the team to a golden era?
What's the status of all of those other sports stories, like the start of college football? What is your reaction to the umpire's calls at the U.S. Open?
Join Wilbon online Monday, Sept. 13, at 1 p.m. ET to talk about all things sports.
Submit your questions and comments any time, before or during today's discussion.
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washingtonpost.com:
Welcome to another edition of Chat House with Michael Wilbon! We'll devote this hour to the NFL and the Redskins' season-opener. If you caught this past weekend's games, then chime in!
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Herndon, Va.:
Great game! Here are some minor quibbles: Does Joe Gibbs know about instant replay? Can the Skins special teams cover kickoffs? If you take out his first carry, Portis averaged an anemic 3 yards per carry. Anything I missed?
Michael Wilbon: Yeah, you apprently missed the whole point of the game.
Hello! You're apparently the fan of a team that's made the playoffs once in about 12 years, right?
So you want to quibble (you did say they were quibbles, I'll grant you) about Portis' yards per carry? Very few players roll of 7, 7, 8, 4, 9 in a series of carries. Most guys, when they go for 150 or thereabouts, have one huge run.
The GOOD news for you is that Portis, at only 208 pounds, is not only willing but apparently able to carry the rock 30 times in a game against an NFC team with a big-time defense.
Gibbs said he simply thought the spot was good (in regard to replay) and and didn't want to challenge it.
Note to everybody in Washington who roots for the Redskins: Don't miss the season having Tony-like anxiety attacks...Look at the big picture.
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New York, N.Y.:
Gibbs' first time around it took until the 6th game before the offense started working at all. How long do you think it will take this time?
Michael Wilbon: Half the offense worked yesterday. The offensive line, which collapsed under the weight of holding penalties, false starts and sacks last season, had no holding penalties, no false starts and allowed no sacks yesterday. So, how much more efficiency would you want out of the single most important unit on the field?
As for the other half, Brunell looked less than ordinary to tell you the truth. I'm wondering if he has any zip left in his arm...Hard to imagine Joe Gibbs with no really viable quarterback, and it's too early to jump to snap judgements on one game...but it's fair to wonder about Brunell, who didn't look great in the preseason either...
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Baltimore, Md.:
Hi Michael,
What do you think of coach Gibbs' decision on those two critical situations (fourth & one and the questionable fumble)? I know it wasnt "in the flos" of the game, as he said, but if it helps your team win, shouldnt you disrupt that flow?
Michael Wilbon: When you're ahead, playing at home, and pitching a shutout on defense, keep it convervative...This, remember, is not Spurrier. It's Gibbs. Joe Gibbs. A man who's great innovations were running plays off tackle and throwing a 6-yard pass to Art Monk. Don't look for a thrill-a-minute.
Joe did exactly what I thought he would do, which was kick. It never crossed my mind sitting in the press box that he would go for it, not with his team ahead of even. I asked Doug Williams the same thing (he's an exec. for the Bucs) and Doug felt the same way, and all he did was quarterback for Joe in a certain Super Bowl...
I guess there are those who prefer the Mike Martz model of coaching...I'm just not one of them.
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New York, NY:
Michael, Not being in the DC area I haven't been inundated with analysis of the game. I was wondering whether anyone asked Coach Gibbs why he did not challenge the spot on Mark Brunell's run near the goaline, or the incomplete pass to Rod Gardner that was close?
Michael Wilbon: Joe wasn't told by his eyes in the booth (his assistants) that the spot should be challenged until it was too late. And no head coach can see that mark at one end of the field. Rod Gardner's called would probably not have been overturned. He should have caught the ball and kept the drive alive.
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New York, NY:
How about Taylor?
Michael Wilbon: How about him? He's a rookie. The packages he plays in most frequently weren't not used because Tampa went to certain formations that Gregg Williams wanted to go blitz crazy in, and for that he wants certain guys on the field and that group didn't include Taylor. The last thing you want rookies in on in a career-opener is lots of complex blitzes, and the Redskins blitzed on approximately 55 of 70 plays...something close to that.
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Herndon, VA:
Hi Mike,
How would rate the size/scale of this victory over Tampa Bay (especially since during the last several games they have given the 'Skins quite a beating)? Do you think the Redskins are a different team than last year? What is your prediction for the 'Skins this year with the Great Gibbs back at the helm?
Thanks, and keep up the exciting commmentary!
Karen
Michael Wilbon: Yes, they're a different team. Coaching is the most important thing in the NFL. Just look at the teams, for the most part, which won yesterday. Look at the teams on the rise and it's no coincidence the coaches in those places are good to great. Meanwhile a team like New Orleans has big talent, but a coach (Jim Haslett) who simply cannot get it done...The stuff Gibbs believes in--protecting the quarterback, running the ball, not screwing up, tackling, precise route running--isn't necessarily sexy but it doesn't go out of style. Gibbs would have won 8 or 9 games with last year's team, in my opinion. and I think the Redskins will win 9 or 10 games this year, and I'll take the higher number if they beat the Giants at The Meadowlands this Sunday.
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Washington, DC:
For anyone who forgot, that game was classic Gibbs yesterday. I was at the game and, for the most part, the fans loved every call Gibbs made, but I heard some grumbiling when, for instance, they didn't go for it on 4th and 1 from the 2. This is what Gibbs does -- he makes conservative calls, his teams are level-headed, and he wins. Just a reminder.
Michael Wilbon: Thankfully, somebody out there gets it. I think you people fell in love with the Snyder-Spurrier mission to entertain and forgot the point. I guess it's been so long since you saw a victory of substance you don't know exactly how to react when you see it.
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New York, NY:
How do you see the 'Skins faring against the more "elite" teams in the NFC, i.e. the Eagles and the Vikings?
Michael Wilbon: Too early to tell, but good question...The Eagles are better. I don't think the Vikings are better...maybe not as good. But I can't wait for the Eagles game...good measuring stick.
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Norfolk VA:
What did you think of Gardner as the featured wide receiver? How long before Coles starts griping?
Michael Wilbon: Gardner dropped two passes, which might not keep him the featured receiver for long...Not sure he was "featured." It might just be the way the Bucs covered, and their weakest corner might have been on Gardner and not Coles...we'll see.
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Washington, DC:
Donovan McNabb and Terrell Owens looked fantastic yesterday. Do the Eagles have any glaring weaknesses, or is this their year for the Super Bowl?
Also, apparently Owens was nearly an hour late in reporting to the stadium yesterday. If Tom Coughlin were coaching the Eagles, would he make T.O. sit next week?
Michael Wilbon: Any of the last three seasons could have been the Eagles year to win it all...but they didn't. It's another year to seriously contend...They've got the best team in the NFC EAst...And I'm picking them to play in the Super Bowl, but I picked them last year, too.
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Springfield, Va.:
Looking forward to PTI tonight. Also looking forward to everyone's instant "Redskin Super Bowl Drive" comments. You picked them 10-6 on the Redskins Report on Friday night, realistically, how good is this team?
Michael Wilbon: You can't answer that kind of stuff in one game; anybody would be foolish to be definitive...I think they're as good as most teams in the NFC with the exception of the Panthers and Eagles...Most people would include St. Louis in there, but I wouldn't...Now, what happens depends on health, smarts, timeliness, and scheduling as to whether you win 7 or 10...The Giants game is critical. If they get off to a 2-0 start and come home to play an average-at-best Cowboys team on Monday Night, I like their chances to win 10...But as we all know, even the best teams are one or two key injuries away from going right in the toilet...No team is exempt from that. What do you think would happen if McNabb is out for the entire season? Not four or five games, but the whole season? Just like Vick missing most all of last season. Some personnel losses you just can't overcome...
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Seth -- NYC:
A lot of people are quick to prise the O-line but between the "big run" and the last drive, it didn't look like Portis had much daylight and Brunell was getting pressure (although he didn't get sacked). Is the O-line a strength or a weakness? I can't figure it out!
Michael Wilbon: You can't figure it out?
Did you have electricity in your house last year?
Was your TV working?
Did you watch the games?
No holding penalties, no false starts, no sacks, and the back ran for 148 yards...
Come again...
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Washington, D.C,:
Hi Mike,
If you caught the game this weekend between Virginia and North Carolina, you saw a Virginia program on the rise, and North Carolina continuing to sputter. Three years ago, when Groh and I believe Bunting also started at their respective programs, I thought North Carolina seemed to have a better foundation for success, even though Ronald Curry never delivered sufficient bang for his promised buck. Do you have any thoughts on the trajectories of the two programs?
Thanks.
Michael Wilbon: Great question!
And I've got to ask you a question: Does the name Steve Spurrier not pop into your head when think of what might help North Carolina football?
Groh, we already knew, is a really, really good coach. Just like most people knew Ralph Friedgen, based on what we saw at Maryland and Georgia Tech, would be a really, really good coach...Virginia and Maryland are teams that, under these two coaches, might be able to challenge Florida State and Miami every blue moon. Not every year, but every now and then. North Carolina...wow. If I'm the AD there, I'm calling The Ball Coach RIGHT THIS MINUTE!!
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Michael Wilbon: We'll ended with a note on the crowd at FedEx yesterday (which several of you have asked about). It was so lame to see a crowd that used to be touted as the best in pro football (which it never was; it was always behind Green Bay, Denver, Pittsburgh, Cleveland...for starters) doing The Wave in the fourth quarter of a tied game...They stink. And imagine, all the hype over this crowd. They should have been given a beach ball..The Wave? In the freakin' fourth quarter of a tied game or a three-point game with your team driving???
On that note, because I'm so exercised, I've got to go. Time to get ready for PTI. Thanks much...'Til next week.
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