Trailing 17-13 in the fourth quarter of Superbowl 17 at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California on January30,  1983, against the Miami Dolphins, Redskins running back John Riggins broke a 43-yard touchdown run to the left side of the offensive line and gave the Redskins the lead they would not lose.

This moment, which was viewed live on British television, galvanised many UK fans of gridiron to follow the future fortunes of the Redskins. For Head Coach Joe Gibbs, the win represented the first of three national titles. He retired from Washington at the end of the 1992 season and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1996.

In the years of under-achievement that followed, the Redskins made it to the play-offs just once. But in January 2004, Gibbs returned on a five-year contract in an attempt to turn around the team's performance and give the franchise owner, Daniel Snyder, the Superbowl win demanded by his multi-million dollar investment in the team. For the first three years of the contract, the results of Gibbs and his staff were uneven: a mixture of promise and of failure as mediocre records were attained: 2004 6-10; 2005 10-6 and a play-off appearance; 2006 5-11.

'For the first time since his return to Washington, there is an evolving consensus that [Coach Joe Gibbs] has finally exerted control over the franchise'


Much of the blame for the team's current record has been explained by Snyder's apparent interference in team affairs. He has spent lavishly flying in expensive and 'over the hill' free agents who invariably added a massive contract to the team's ballooning salary cap, but who subsequently failed to perform on the field. Similarly expensive coaches were hired and paid excessively.

Washington also tended to trade away draft picks too generously in their pursuit of veteran free agents. This practice meant the lack of draft picks to build for the future and to develop young talent. The lack of a general manager to oversee the franchise has also been a major criticism of Snyder since he bought the team in May 1999 for $800m.

In contrast, close Gibbs-watchers will have noticed that the franchise is now stable. Salaries are well managed within the cap. No excessively and inappropriate large contracts were signed for off season free agent acquisitions; no new highly paid coaches appeared, and in general players and coaches returned ready to build on previous seasons rather than to begin the process all over again. 

Nevertheless, there have been signings of note: London Fletcher will play middle linebacker to block the center and "quarterback" the defence. Fred Smoot has returned at cornerback to strengthen the secondary, whilst the draft delivered the athletic and hard hitting safety LaRon Landry.

The Redskins defence is strong in all facets of the game, with the possible exception of a pass rush on the opposing quarterback, but Gregg Williams the Assistant Head Coach for defence, attacks the opposing quarterback from all defensive positions. The secondary, consisting of safeties and cornerbacks such as Shawn Springs, Carlos Rogers, Sean Taylor and Landry is now very strong and is most unlikely to give up long 3rd down completions.

This single statistic may well account for the team's demise last season. In addition Fletcher's tackling and the evolving mobility of linebacker Rocky McIntosh will stop the offensive run. This means that the opposition offence will soon be off the field leaving the Redskins offence time to make plays and significantly time to wear down the opposition defence.

In co-ordinating these improvements, Gibbs has also found his talented quarterback in Jason Campbell, who was a first round pick in the 2005 draft. Campbell is now ready to play and has a very strong and accurate arm. He is also very mobile. The running game of Clinton Portis and Ladell Betts is strong and the offensive line complements the run very well.

There is some concern about the passing game with only Santana Moss as an authentic receiving star, but if Brandon Lloyd can step up and match performance to his talent , then he can make plays along with tight end Chris Cooley (who now has a massive contract extension and is considered by Gibbs as a core Redskin). This offence should score points once it settles into the season - look for 20 points a game as a benchmark.

Gibbs has the job of co-ordinating the three phases of the game: Offense, Defense and Special Teams. He also has the job of ensuring that coaches and players understand the complex schemes used on the field - after all gridiron is chess for the samurai. For the first time since his return to Washington, there is an evolving consensus that he has finally exerted control over the franchise. Gibbs has said that he will not leave again until he has 'fixed the team'. For UK fans brought up on the success of the 1980's this is precisely what they wanted to hear and to see.

The Redskins 2007 season begins on Sunday 9th September at 6.00pm (1.00 ET) with the Miami Dolphins travelling to Fed Ex Field, Washingon. The game may well appear on Sky.

Now if only Gibbs had Riggins in the backfield

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