The Redskins opened the 2006 season with hopes of making another playoff run--and possibly challenging for the Super Bowl. Instead, those hopes have been replaced by January meetings in nondescript boardrooms at Redskins Park.The Redskins finished a disappointing 5-11 and in last place in the NFC East. That record usually portends change.In his season-ending press conference on Monday, head coach Joe Gibbs said he would meet with Redskins owner Daniel M. Snyder and team officials over the next three weeks to discuss the team's structure and player personnel, as well as chart a course for the offseason. Gibbs, who also serves as team president, said the team would consider anything to help the team move forward.Among the items open for discussion will be the team's approach to off-season workouts and its training camp schedule and regimen. Gibbs is evaluating how other NFL teams approach off-season work to get a sense of what works best."We want to take a hard long look at that," he said. "That got us going in the wrong direction. It took me by surprise. Our team worked extremely hard in the offseason. They did every single thing that we asked them to do. We had great attendance. I am focused on going back and researching the offseason as we enter into this year. Certainly we do not want a repeat of what happened last year by getting off to a terrible start. We were inconsistent during the year."Will Gibbs consider a change in the front office structure?"I don't think there's anything in there that we don't talk about, and see if there's any way we can do a better job of it," he said.A reporter suggested that would leave some to interpret that a general manager could be hired."That's incorrect," Gibbs replied. "My statement was there's nothing we won't talk about. I'm basically saying we're willing to talk about anything, and I think that's what we're doing."The Redskins have had great success in acquiring players via trades or free agency, but the decision-making process will be closely scrutinized this offseason. Coming on the heels of a playoff season in 2005, the team acquired safety Adam Archuleta and wide receiver Brandon Lloyd last March. Both struggled to make an impact.Gibbs said that the team would continue to use free agency as a tool for acquiring players in 2007."It depends on who is [available] and who we think will fit with our team," Gibbs said. "That's our philosophy, that's what we believe in, and I think it's important for fans to know that."In 2004, Gibbs identified a group of core Redskins that the team wants to build around. For the most part, Gibbs said, he has kept that group together.However, Gibbs acknowledged that the team has allowed several key free agents leave the franchise in recent years. Those free agents include linebacker Antonio Pierce after 2004 and safety Ryan Clark after 2005. Both players were popular in the locker room."We let some players get out of here that we really liked--and that falls on me," Gibbs said. "We went hard after it, but we couldn't get it done. I've learned how it happened, why it happened, and I don't want it to happen again."He added: "We want to keep the [core group] together. That's a premise I believe in."What about the Redskins' coaching staff? In mid-December, Gibbs said he expected associate head coach-offense Al Saunders and assistant head coach-defense Gregg Williams to return in 2007.Other top assistant coaches could draw interest around the league and in the college ranks, but Gibbs said he want to "go forward" with the coaching staff in place.An air of uncertainty seems to surround several Redskins players, including Archuleta and Lloyd.Asked if Archuleta would be back in 2007, Gibbs said: "I'd say right now, yes." He said Archuleta, who saw diminished playing time as the season progressed, did not request a trade."I hope it winds up being a good thing in the end," Gibbs said. "We wanted him to have a good year for us, and he didn't. We'll just see where [Archuleta's situation] takes us."Regarding Lloyd, who caught just 23 passes and no touchdowns last season, Gibbs said the team still thinks he fits into the future."We think he's a young guy with real talent," Gibbs said. "Certainly it was a tough year for Brandon. We weren't as productive with all of our wide receivers last season, not just Brandon. He fits in our future here. He can add a lot to the Redskins."Meantime, backup quarterback Mark Brunell experienced soreness in his throwing shoulder during practices late last season, Gibbs said.Brunell's status will be determined in the coming months. Asked if he expected Brunell back next season, Gibbs said: "Mark and I had a good, long talk. It was real positive. We like Mark a lot. Hopefully that will work out for us."Gibbs acknowledged that he expects to ask some veteran players to restructure their contracts. That would help the team create more space under the salary cap and allow them to pursue free agents."You're always looking to restructure contracts," he said. "There'll be some of that going on, all the way across the board."After a successful second year back at the helm, Gibbs's third-year record of 5-11 was the worst of his 15-year Hall of Fame coaching career.He emphasized that he's determined to "do what's best for the Redskins" this offseason, and in the long term."It was the toughest five months of my pro career, as far as coaching," Gibbs said. "It was disappointing. I don't look at it so much about myself but all the people we let down."
