EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- Thoughts and observations after the Washington Redskins' 24-13 loss to the New York Giants:
Until you get a better roster, the Redskins will keep swimming in this same muddy stream. Look at Arizona. Would anyone want its quarterback situation? Yet the Cardinals have the opposite record of the Redskins. Washington just hasn’t been built properly so if it has issues at quarterback, it can’t overcome them. But it’s not as if quarterback was the biggest issue Sunday.
Whether or not Dan Snyder makes changes in the front office and whether or not he puts someone other than Bruce Allen in charge of the football side, it won’t change the simple fact that this organization must do a better job. Goodness, how can this team accept what’s going on? Do they realize how far removed they are from being a good organization? In five of the last six years they’ve lost 12, 10, 11, 13 and now 11 games -- with two remaining.
The Redskins lost 53 games from 1981-91. They have lost 63 games in the last six years combined. And that’s with a division title that interrupted the last-place finishes. From 1971-92, the Redskins had one double-digit loss season. They’ve had 12 from 1993-2014. And of those 12, five have occurred since 2008. It’s not working and it’s not getting any better.
Changing the culture does not just mean changing a coach. The culture is not Jay Gruden’s fault. It’s what he inherited. A first-time head coach needs a lot more help from everyone to change a franchise too accustomed to losing. It’s a difficult job. Maybe the organization felt so much of last season was about Robert Griffin III’s hasty return or a poisonous situation between he and head coach Mike Shanahan. So maybe they thought they were closer to a point where they really aren’t. A strong, hard honest assessment must be made. Who is willing to provide those opinions inside the organization? Gruden did so when it comes to Griffin and he now knows what he inherited overall. But can he gut this out on his own? No. Hard questions and hard answers await. Anything short begs for a repeat.
Just my sense: If they bring back both Gruden and Griffin, I have a hard time believing it could work. I just don’t see how it could be healthy for either side. Gruden has made it clear his thoughts on Griffin -- and if you’re Griffin, why would you want to remain in a situation like this? It’s not healthy and I don’t care who you want to blame. It’s just the situation. Pick a side if you want, but to bring this back in its current setup would be tough.
Here’s the issue on the bootlegs: The Giants’ defense is susceptible to that action. The way they play their front, the Redskins knew they would have success with the zone reads and the boots. It’s similar to what Jacksonville does -- and in that game, if you recall, they incorporated more of Griffin’s legs.
For example, the Giants’ ends are responsible for coming down hard on the back. It’s tough to then shoot out and defend the boot action and the Redskins capitalized. Let me stop you now: It does not work against every team or in every situation. That’s why there’s a need to develop in the pocket and when Griffin was in that situation you still saw hesitation. Some Redskins players said the Giants widened their ends a little bit to better react -- and that limited chances to run the boot. Another Redskin said they did not. So it’s off to the film lab we’ll have to go.
I know rookie corner Bashaud Breeland drew too many penalties Sunday. I don’t like the taunting stuff because that’s more of an emotional situation and you can’t let it happen twice in one game. Yes, Odell Beckham Jr. was jawing, too. But still. That said, I’ll take what Breeland offers because he never backed off Beckham. He did not let the penalties alter his game and, in the long run, it’s that sort of mentality that will pay off. Now, how great he’ll be at corner I don’t know. But I do know he’s improved and it’s tough to say that on a day where he was called for so many penalties. What I did like: He was all over Beckham (clearly a bit too much at times).
In the first meeting vs. New York, Breeland was beat at times because of poor vision or in some cases misplaying a route. This time, he was beat because he was a bit aggressive in trying to shut down a superb rookie receiver. That’s not to say he doesn’t have to work on certain things to cut down on the penalties. But he competes and I’ll take that every day.
Receiver Santana Moss was fired up more than usual Sunday, delivering a pre-game pep talk on the field after warm-ups. But I don’t know what to make of his ejection and 30 yards in penalties. He hurt the team, no doubt. But I love that a guy who has played as long as he has cares that much. I’ve seen some players try to hang on and collect a check. Clearly, Moss returned in part because the team was willing to pay him. It is a job, after all. But it still matters to him if his team wins or loses. “It’s been like this for a while,” Moss said. “Just to see the guys fight in them. I’m all for that. I’ll go out there with my hat strapped on tight to let them know I’m here with them.” It matters to Moss, a guy who might not play beyond this year, whether or not his team wins another game or two.
