Riggo's Rag
FanSided

10 greatest in-season turnarounds in Washington Football Team history

By Jonathan Eig

WASHINGTON, D.C. - CIRCA 1984: Head coach Joe Gibbs of the Washington Football Team talks with quarterback Joe Theismann #7 on the sidelines during an NFL football game circa 1984 at RFK Stadium in Washington, D.C.. Gibbs coached the Redskins from 1981-92 and 2004-2007. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, D.C. - CIRCA 1984: Head coach Joe Gibbs of the Washington Football Team talks with quarterback Joe Theismann #7 on the sidelines during an NFL football game circa 1984 at RFK Stadium in Washington, D.C.. Gibbs coached the Redskins from 1981-92 and 2004-2007. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
7 of 7
Next
WASHINGTON, D.C. – CIRCA 1984: Head coach Joe Gibbs of the Washington Football Team talks with quarterback Joe Theismann #7 on the sidelines during an NFL football game circa 1984 at RFK Stadium in Washington, D.C.. Gibbs coached the Redskins from 1981-92 and 2004-2007. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, D.C. – CIRCA 1984: Head coach Joe Gibbs of the Washington Football Team talks with quarterback Joe Theismann #7 on the sidelines during an NFL football game circa 1984 at RFK Stadium in Washington, D.C.. Gibbs coached the Redskins from 1981-92 and 2004-2007. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) /

1. 1981

Another 0-5 start. This one seemed even worse than the start in 2001 would look. This time, the coach was a total unknown. When Jack Kent Cooke fired Jack Pardee after the 1980 season, initial talk revolved around several big-name veterans.

Could they lure John Madden out of retirement? What about John Robinson? Instead, GM Bobby Beathard sold Mr. Cooke on a little-known offensive coordinator who had worked under Don Coryell to develop a dynamic passing attack with the San Diego Chargers.

No one knew much about Joe Gibbs. After five straight double-digit losses to begin the season, no one figured it was worth their time to learn about him. Didn’t seem like he’d be here very long. But Cooke was unwavering. As Gibbs would later recall, “A lot of people panic in that situation and are ready to sell you out. (Cooke) was always better when it looked like it was going to fall apart.”

More from Riggo's Rag

That’s around the time Joe Gibbs – the architect of the Air Coryell passing attack in San Diego – decided to abandon his two-back backfield. Terry Metcalf went to the bench. Joe Washington became a change-of-pace guy. And John Riggins – as he had promised his coach – began to make Joe Gibbs famous.

With a one-back, two tight end formation, Washington began to run the ball. The Hogs were born. The running game opened up the passing game. The defense, under Richie Petitbon, began to take control. They weren’t the best team in the league yet. That would take another year to come to fruition. But just like the 2001 team would later do, they went on an 8-3 run to finish the season at .500.

Only this time, the owner did not make a rash and reckless decision. This time, the owner stuck with what was working. And we all know what happened next.

So the 2020 WFT may not have a remarkable turnaround in them. Then again, at the time, not many people thought any of these other WFT incarnations did either. Strange things happen when you take the field.

Next. Best Washington draft day steals of all time. dark

After all, great turnarounds are only possible when you really – and truly – suck.

Home/Commanders History