Gibbs gone. A roster overloaded with aging veterans, especially on the offensive line. Continuity was considered key. Nearly all the coaching staff retained intact. Calling the plays on offense - a QB coach with no playcalling experience, but who had proven himself as a developer of young QBs. He announces the Air-Coryell era in DC is done, to be replaced with a West Coast offense. The idea seems a bit strange, since the QB has accuracy issues in short to medium range, and most of the WRs are more speedsters than the prototypical physical WCO WRs. Still, the team starts with a bang, as a victory over Dallas sends Redskins Nation into euphoria. A bit of film study on the Skins' O, and all the league' defensive coordinators shut down the Skins O by playing a soft zone. The Skins' O stalls... and dies.
The year is....1993.
Petitbon was coach, but it was Dowhower's anemic offense that sank the team and led to Petitbon's abrupt exit and the Dark Era of Norvo the Terrible.
Despite the dog and pony show Snyderatto put on in 08, I don't think Snyder ever had any intention of hiring G. Williams, simply because he had too many bad childhood memories of the Petitbon (not to mention Pardee) hiring. Of course, there were a few other factors. Snyder reportedly wanted Saunders on the first train out of town, but Williams wanted to keep him around. Had GW stayed, my guess is Saunders would be calling the plays, JC would be gone, Collins would start, and the Skins would've drafted a new future QB...maybe even Joe Flacco.
Which brings up the utimate irony: By trying to avoid the Petitbon/Dowhower era, Snyder inadvertedly resurrected it.
The year is....1993.
Petitbon was coach, but it was Dowhower's anemic offense that sank the team and led to Petitbon's abrupt exit and the Dark Era of Norvo the Terrible.
Despite the dog and pony show Snyderatto put on in 08, I don't think Snyder ever had any intention of hiring G. Williams, simply because he had too many bad childhood memories of the Petitbon (not to mention Pardee) hiring. Of course, there were a few other factors. Snyder reportedly wanted Saunders on the first train out of town, but Williams wanted to keep him around. Had GW stayed, my guess is Saunders would be calling the plays, JC would be gone, Collins would start, and the Skins would've drafted a new future QB...maybe even Joe Flacco.
Which brings up the utimate irony: By trying to avoid the Petitbon/Dowhower era, Snyder inadvertedly resurrected it.