TimesDispatch.com | Full speed ahead

It's interesting that Gibbs' offense was labeled as ultra-conservative. He comes from the Air Coryell family. Norv also runs an Air Coryell offense as does Mike Martz, who learned it from Norv but has since added his own wrinkles. Gibbs also tailored his offensive scheme behind a power running game with Counter Treys and Counter Gaps but it definitely still has roots in Air Coryell. His offense had the Posse (Art Monk, Gary Clark, and Ricky Sanders) also accumulate 1,000 yards receiving in the same season. Conservative was one of the last terms I would have ever used to describe Gibbs' offense. Yet on the field last year, it really was a risk-averse playbook. The same downfield plays that used to be a staple of Gibbs' playcalled during the late 80s and early 90s were missing. It might be a function of his comfort level with his QB and the receivers at that time. With more comfort in Ramsey and the knowledge that Moss and Patten can separate, the downfield shots should be a much bigger part of the game this year.