There is not a more intriguing story this football season than that of Steve Spurrier and his Washington Gators -- I mean, Redskins. Predictors, prognosticators, even psychics have all had their opinion on the success of the NFL's newest lightning rod of attention. Not to be outdone by Miss Cleo, here's my prediction for the era of "Mr. Spurrier Goes to Washington."
Steve Spurrier will be a successful coach in the NFL, but it won't be happening this season. Let me elaborate.
First and foremost, Spurrier is a winner -- no question about it. He has won wherever he's gone. In his three years as head coach of the USFL's Tampa Bay Bandits from 1983-1985, Spurrier finished with a record of 35-19.
Even more impressive is that Spurrier actually won as head coach of Duke. Yes, the same Duke that has a bunch of pocket-protecting students who jump up and down at the thought of Coach K looking their way and still drool from the mouth whenever the name "Wojo" is mentioned. (It's rumored that Blue Devil alumni refer to their "wojo" instead of their "mojo.")
Back to Coach "Fun N' Gun." Steve Spurrier was even able to win at lowly Duke. After inheriting a program that hadn't won more than four games in over four years, he finished with a 20-13-1 record in three seasons. Spurrier's tenure with the Blue Devils culminated in the program's first bowl appearance since 1960 and first ACC Conference title since 1962 (this was before Florida State joined the league). And what happened after Spurrier left for the much greener pastures of Gainesville in 1990? Duke has won more than four games in a season only once and is currently enjoying a 23 game losing streak stretching over the past three years.
Although the pool of talent available to Spurrier at the University of Florida was much better than that at Duke, he still elevated the Gator program to one of national prominence. Before Spurrier's arrival, the University of Florida had never won an official SEC Conference title in its 58 year history in the league (the 1984 team was stripped of its title for cheating.) Conversely, Spurrier won the SEC title in each of his first six years with the Gators (however, the 1990 team is not considered the official champion because it was on probation).
Spurrier finished with a 122-26-1 record at Florida and is the only major college coach to win as many as 120 games in his first 12 seasons at one school. The effects of his departure on the Florida program have yet to be seen.
Spurrier also will enjoy success in the NFL because of his willingness to delegate. For all the criticism he receives about his confidence (sidenote: If you can walk the walk, then it is not arrogance -- it's simply backing up the talk) and his ego, Spurrier has never claimed to be a defensive guru. While at Florida he stayed hands off and let his defensive coordinator run the show. Never afraid to share the credit, Spurrier won his only national title with Bob Stoops -- now head coach of the Oklahoma Sooners -- as defensive coordinator.
Spurrier seems to be following the same pattern with the Redskins with his hiring of renowned defensive specialist Marvin Lewis as assistant head coach and defensive coordinator. Earning as much as most head coaches, Lewis has sole responsibility and authority over the Washington "D."
The Spurrier system of football has already proven successful on the NFL level. With a 4-0 record this preseason, the Redskins have become the first team in NFL history to score over 35 points in four consecutive preseason games. Despite the commotion and bandwagonning this feat accomplished, Washington fans should not expect a deep playoff run this season.
Regardless of Spurrier's offensive genius, there is still one adjustment he needs to come to terms with -- NFL cornerbacks are not of the same species as NCAA cornerbacks. They close on the ball much quicker in the pros, making what seems like an open receiver in college become an interception waiting to happen in the NFL.
Even though the 'Skins defense will keep them in many games (especially in the low-scoring NFC East), the Washington offense will not be producing the way it has been this preseason. This is because neither Danny Wuerffel nor Shane Matthews is the quarterback to lead an NFL team to the promise land. Neither QB has the arm strength to bullet a slant pass to a cutting wide receiver without the pass being knocked down by a closing DB. Moreover, neither guy is someone I want throwing the deep bomb with the likelihood of it being underthrown and intercepted by a speedy defensive back.
The secondaries Washington has faced during the preseason resemble the NCAA defensive backs Wuerffel and Matthews burned in college more than the DBs they will face come regular season play.
Don't get me wrong, Spurrier will manage to get his sub-par core of receivers open. Just count me in the group of "I'll believe it when I see it" when it comes to one of his Gator QBs completing the pass. But who knows, Spurrier seems to make a living (and a legend) off proving everyone wrong.
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