Newz Forum: FOOTBALL: Sloppy 'Skins edge choppy Broncos but lose T Jansen

CANTON, Ohio -- Joe Gibbs already has a bust in the Hall of Fame. He's already mastered the art of coaching in pro football.

So what did Gibbs think of his return to the NFL after leading the Washington Redskins to a 20-17 victory over Denver on Monday night in the Hall of Fame game?

"It's a learning process, and that's the best thing about it," Gibbs said. "It's a little different to be back in the heat of battle, like taking a mental test. You really struggle when you can't get things going."

Both teams struggled, but the third-stringers performed well enough in the fourth quarter to carry matters to the final gun. That's when backup kicker Ola Kimrin hit a 39-yard field goal for the win.

Gibbs had to get used to such things as using a transmitter to send plays to the quarterback, and instant replay challenges. He had to get back into the mind-set of making critical decisions. He wasn't sitting on pit road watching his NASCAR drivers.

"We were kind of nervous and uptight. It meant a lot to us, probably more than to Denver. It's a tough deal over there, but it was fun being back."

Even if the game was anything but a masterpiece.

And it had a big negative aspect for Washington, which lost starting right tackle Jon Jansen for the season with a torn left Achilles' tendon.

"I've never missed a practice or a game," said Jansen, supporting himself on crutches in the locker room. "It's disappointing, especially with a new coaching staff and we have a lot of expectations and excitement."

sourceCBS