Former Redskins coach Joe Gibbs has to be considered something of an expert at getting his teams to overcome work stoppages to find success. Rex Ryan has been in touch.

"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.

Rex is hardly the only coach who speaks to other coaches seeking advice. The profession is a big fraternity that shares information. I do like how active Rex is in seeking out others, though. Is the advice he gets from Gibbs going to be revolutionary? Probably not, but he might pick up a pointer or two that could help him prepare.