A nap time story from grandpa

OK, I’m going to date myself, but it’s all right, ‘cause y’all think I’m ancient anyway.  So sit back and let grandpa tell you a story.

I’ve been a Redskin fan through head coaches Bill McPeak, Otto Graham, Vince Lombardi, Bill Austin, George Allen, Jack Pardee, Joe Gibbs I, Ritchie Petibon, Norv Turner, Terry Robiskie, Marty Shottenheimer, Steve Spurrier, Joe Gibbs II, and now Jim Zorn.  In my opinion, two have been successful.  George Allen and Joe Gibbs I.

What is it that made these two coaches, the only two to lead the Redskins to the Super Bowl, so successful?  My thoughts after the jump.

George Allen was like Daniel Snyder, only he understood football.  His attitude was win now, and to hell with tomorrow.  Why do we need future draft picks that may or may not pan out when we can get a proven player now for that draft pick and some cash?  And, his proven players were OLD.  Hence the nickname, The Over the Hill Gang.  And they won.

Joe Gibbs I was the consummate football strategist.  He believed that you win through the draft with young players you develop.  You may add veteran players for specifics, but your strength is your youth.  And they won.

Kind of like polar opposites, huh.  So what did these two have in common?

They both prepared game plans for the specific teams they were playing each week, and they both excelled at making adjustments at halftime.

In the NFL, the successful teams prepare each week for the team they will be playing.  This is why film study is so important.  You need to understand what your opponents strengths and weaknesses are and what tendencies they exhibit.  You need to study the film for hours to understand and plan for your opponent.  Both Allen and Gibbs were legendary in the hours they spent with film.  They both slept in their offices during the season, and put in 18-20 hours a day developing their game plan for the coming week.

You can plan for specific opponents all you want, but you must understand that they are planning for you too.  You must remain flexible and change as the circumstances dictate.  This is very difficult to do in the heat of battle.  That’s why the break at half time is so important.  It’s the chance to sit back and look at what has happened and what you should adjust based on the actual game play.

In these two areas, Allen and Gibbs were geniuses.  Unfortunately, so far, Zorn and Blache are not.  Both the offense and defense need better pre-game plans and preparation for each opponent.  Both the offense and defense need to make better adjustments at half time.  When these two things happen, the Redskins will be successful.

Now kiddies, it’s nap time….for grandpa!