Joe Gibbs won two Super Bowls following NFL work stoppages. So, in his quest to lead the Jets to the Vince Lombardi Trophy, coach Rex Ryan reached out to Gibbs for advice on how to handle a possible work stoppage this fall.
“I called Joe Gibbs,” Ryan said, according to the team’s official website. “When they went through some work stoppages, the last two times the Washington Redskins won two Super Bowls. So I figured that would be a good guy to call.”
The Redskins captured Super Bowl XVII after a strike shortened the 1982 season to nine games, and then won Super Bowl XXII after the 1987 season, in which another strike saw teams use replacement players.
“He said take this time to get better,” Ryan said of Gibbs. “Take time to gain an advantage on your opponents and whatever you think that is. He gave me some ideas and I followed them to a tee.”
Ryan also said he plans to visit personally with Gibbs in the coming weeks.
This isn’t the first time Ryan has solicited outside opinions since the NFL’s owners locked out the players in March. Ryan also has held meetings with longtime Colts offensive coordinator Tom Moore and longtime NFL assistant Bobby Jackson. Ryan also said he plans to meet with former Giants head coach Dan Reeves.