In struggling comeback season, Gibbs plans to return as coach

"I think we have a great relationship here," Gibbs said. "We kind of do everything together. I don't think I jump out and make a bunch of decisions; we all kind of do it together. Dan's only in there to say financially how's it working, how it can work with the (salary) cap. But all the coaches and all of us, when we make a mistake, we all make a mistake. There's nobody working on an island by himself."

The acquisitions under the most scrutiny are Mark Brunell, Clinton Portis, Mike Barrow and Sean Taylor -- who were given big, cap-stretching contracts in Gibbs' first attempt to deal with financial restraints that were not in place 12 years ago.

Quarterback Brunell is now benched with the worst stats in the league. Running back Portis has been a difficult fit for Gibbs' system, and his carries have diminished in recent weeks. Middle linebacker Barrow hasn't played because of a knee injury.

Taylor, the No. 5 overall draft pick, has played well, but his off-the-field troubles, including a drunken driving charge, hardly fit the profile of the "true Redskin" of character that Gibbs is seeking. Gibbs once called Taylor the most researched pick in history, but the research did not pay dividends.

"You get some bitter disappointments when you pick people," Gibbs said. "What they appear to be on the surface sometimes it's hard to judge. ... We know every single thing about them, but it's hard to pick people. That's the bottom line."

There have been some successes from the offseason haul. Defensive lineman Cornelius Griffin would be a Pro Bowl candidate if the team's record were better. Third-round pick Chris Cooley is the perfect H-back for Gibbs' system. Linebacker Marcus Washington has been solid.

"When you analyze what we did in the offseason, the free agents and draft choices, I think it's darn good," Gibbs said. "Do we have a core group of guys here? Yeah."

Snyder is not expected to ask Gibbs to take on a general manager in the offseason, but Gibbs said he wouldn't object to it.

"I have no problem with that. I worked with GMs before. They're really good," Gibbs said. "I don't know if it's as much titles and everything as it is the working relationship."

"We're 11, 12, 13 games in?" the coach added. "It's pretty quick to pull the trigger right now. Like I said, we're not doing real well right now, but we'll see. In the end, that'll be the proof."