Gibbs

The Atlanta Falcons gave up their attempt yesterday to talk to Joe Gibbs about their head coaching position because the Washington Redskins wanted to negotiate compensation from the Falcons in the event he accepted their job, an Atlanta official said.And because the Falcons figured it was a long shot that Gibbs would take the job, they decided it wasn't worth the trouble to get involved in negotiations."All we wanted was a chance to make our pitch to him," club president Taylor Smith said.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Even in the Redskins' Super Bowl years, Washington coach Joe Gibbs sometimes "fantasized" about another sport -- NASCAR Winston Cup Series stock car racing, he conceded yesterday."

W. H. Holden Gibbs, a vice president for liability management at Mercantile-Safe Deposit and Trust Co. who contributed much of his time to civic causes, died of cancer Friday at his home in Sparks. He was 65.A popular figure the state's banking community, he served on the William T. Walters Board of the Walters Art Gallery, and the board of Planned Parenthood and was treasurer of the American Society of Oriental Research.He was treasurer of the Episcopal Diocese of Maryland and served on the board of the Episcopal Ministries to the Aging.

Quarterback Cary Conklin, one of the many players who probably pulled off their Washington Redskins uniforms for the last time Friday, is grateful for the time he spent with Washington."

HERNDON, Va. -- Joe Gibbs and Buddy Ryan have different outlooks on football and life.Gibbs, the Washington Redskins' coach, is cautious, always acts is if he's the underdog and seldom says anything controversial.Ryan, the Philadelphia Eagles coach, is bombastic, publicly confident and never met a controversial statement he didn't mind making.That's why it's not surprising that the two coaches have different views on the importance of home-field advantage in the playoffs if they meet in the National Football Conference wild-card game the weekend of Jan. 5-6.If the season ended today, the 9-5 Redskins would be host to the 8-6 Eagles because they have the two best wild-card records.

HERNDON, Va. -- Joe Gibbs brings to mind the old slogan that just because you're paranoid doesn't mean they're not out to get you.The Washington Redskins coach knows the New York Giants are out to get him Sunday in what could be a pivotal game for both teams.That just seems to raises Gibbs' usual paranoia level.For the second time this week, Gibbs had staff members patrolling the bushes around the team's practice field at Redskin Park yesterday.The fans who came up to the fence in front of the park were shooed away.

HERNDON, Va. -- Their records speak for themselves.It's about the only thing they have in common to say.When Joe Gibbs and Mike Ditka line up on the opposing sidelines Sunday at Soldier Field, they'll boast almost identical records as two of the most successful coaches of the last decade.Gibbs, in his 11th year as the Washington Redskins' coach, is 117-55 while Ditka, in his 10th year the Chicago Bears' coach, is 100-52. Gibbs has a 4-3 edge in their seven games.When the Redskins (5-0) take on the Bears (4-1)

CARLISLE, Pa. -- Joe Gibbs has had better days. The Washington Redskins coach was short on gas and money yesterday.Gibbs' day got off to a bad start when his NASCAR driver, Dale Jarrett, was in the lead in the DieHard 500 in Talladega, Ala., when his car ran out of gas. He wound up 23rd.Then when Gibbs called roll when the veterans were due to report at training camp last night, his quarterback (Mark Rypien), his best defensive back (Darrell Green), his best offensive lineman (Jim Lachey)

WASHINGTON -- I'm going to say this quietly because I don't want to upset a certain football coach, but it looks as if the Redskins might be pretty good."

HERNDON, Va. -- When the Washington Redskins think about how they let their bid for a perfect season get away Sunday, they'll certainly remember the "Hail Mary" pass, the Emmitt Smith draw play and the onside kick.In the final analysis, though, what cost the Redskins their unbeaten season was their inability to run the football."We've had trouble rushing the ball for three weeks, really, [and] it finally got us. We were throwing the ball so well, and people were up there close to the line of scrimmage, [but]