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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Gibbs says he won’t return to Redskins

Associated Press

Hall of Fame former Washington Redskins coach Joe Gibbs said Sunday he has no plans to return to the struggling team.

Gibbs laughed when asked at Martinsville Speedway about rumors and Internet reports that he could return to the team as an adviser or even general manager.

“That’s what it is. Talk,” the owner of three NASCAR Sprint Cup Series teams said. “Right here’s where I’m GMing.”

Gibbs disagreed with the idea that the Redskins coaching job is one of the toughest in the NFL under owner Dan Snyder.

“When I was there last go-round, we had somebody that was a passionate owner, cared about things and supported me in every way,” he said. “I think any NFL team, it’s tough when you’re not winning, and those things are easy to get off.”

Early turnover hurts Bucs

The tone was set by an early turnover, and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers could do little to get back in rhythm.

Bucs quarterback Josh Johnson threw the first of his three interceptions on only the fifth play from scrimmage and Brandon Meriweather returned it for a touchdown that set the pace for the New England Patriots in a 35-7 win at London’s Wembley Stadium.

The loss is the 11th in a row for the Buccaneers (0-7). St. Louis (0-7) and Tennessee (0-6) are the only other winless teams.

The Bucs have a bye next week, so they’ll have plenty of time to try to figure out a way to get a win before they host Green Bay on Nov. 8.

In the fourth quarter, with the score 28-7, Tampa Bay head coach Raheem Morris replaced Johnson with rookie first-round draft pick Josh Freeman, who made his NFL debut. Freeman was 2 of 4 for 16 yards and was sacked twice.

Washington has broken leg

New York Jets running back Leon Washington broke his right leg in the first quarter against the Oakland Raiders and underwent surgery after the game.

Washington went down on his only carry of the day when a defender rolled up on his right leg after a 6-yard run. Teammates said the bone broke through the skin, and it was visible on the field.

Washington, who made the Pro Bowl last season as a kick returner, is also New York’s second-leading rusher with 330 yards on 71 carries.