UKHTTW - Half-Time Report

The Washington Football Team have reached the more-or-less halfway stage of the NFL season.

It has been, and let us be as clear as possible, nothing short of an unmitigated disaster in the second year of Ron Rivera’s tenure as Head Coach.

On the field, the Defense has been Not As Advertised, and when the DEF has momentarily flickered into life, the offensive side of the ball has performed so badly that it likely wouldn’t cause a ripple even in the Canadian Football League. The record is a dismal 2-6 going into the bye week, with neither Chase Young and Antonio Gibson hitting the Year 2 heights we expected, and the 2020 good news story of QB Taylor Heinicke receiving a massive reality check during the last few weeks.

The big free agency acquisitions on offense then: QB Ryan Fitzpatrick (injured week one after just six pass attempts) and WR Curtis Samuel (consistent groin problems) have barely seen any field time. The CB signing of William Jackson III has, so far, been ill-matched for his coverage assignments in the backfield.

The age of Fitzpatrick was known before the signing, Samuel had an injury record and WJIII was an expensive FA given the perceived pass rush that was supposed to occur upfront. In summary – all very Washington, all very over the hill/injured and overpriced.

The talented, if somewhat unreliable kicker, Dustin Hopkins, has been unfairly scapegoated and was immediately picked up by the impressive Chargers after WFT hastily cut him. To replace Hopkins, Rivera turned to the unfortunately named Chris Blewitt who has had three of his five field goal attempts blocked in the past two weeks and had zero NFL on-field experience until signing for the WFT. This looks to be a poor decision and was ill-thought out by Rivera, despite the occasional frustrations with Hopkins.

Rivera has been confusing this season, with mixed messages of bye week practices that were then scrapped, and on-field decision making has also come into question. The original head-nodding for the hiring of an experienced process-driven HC, has lately led to head-scratching from the fanbase.

Maybe we are being unfair – it is 1.5 seasons into the Ron era and the job is a massive one. But are you 100% behind the Rivera, Gurney and Mayhew trio in successfully acquiring/ drafting the QB of the future in D.C? You have more faith than me right now if so.

To offer some reasoning for the poor showing, the burgundy & gold have yet again been hit by a large number of injuries, especially along the OL.

The highly paid RG Brandon Scherff has missed the last four games with a knee injury. Reliable Centre Chase Roullier is now on IR and encouraging rookie Sam Cosmi has also seen games missed with an ankle injury. Heinicke has not been even afforded the security blanket of the physical TE Logan Thomas, who has been absent since Week 4 with a hamstring injury which occurred during the win vs. Atlanta. Oh, and DE Montez Sweat has a non-displaced jaw fracture and is out for a month minimum. Ouch.

The 53 does contain some talent of course. Although he didn’t light it up vs. Denver on Sunday, WR Terry McLaurin has continued to shine when all around him is less than illuminating. McLaurin has 573 yards to be on course for a 1000 receiving yards season; he has also been a contested catch beast. It is actually getting to the stage where I feel sorry for Terry that he is on this terrible roster, with regular mediocre QB play that he consistently makes the most of.

There are also a few guys who have played to their level (NFL capable) and this should include J.D McKissic and Ereck Flowers in the “performed well” category. On the defensive side of the ball, Jonathan Allen has six sacks for the season, been the standout star upfront and has clearly justified his contract which will likely keep him in Washington for life. His partner in the middle of the DL, Daron Payne, has been OK to good too.

My last comment on the on-field product has a tinge of positivity.

Since Rivera has been the HC for the WFT, the team has yet to quit in games. Despite this train-wreck of results, we can point to wasted opportunities, blown coverages, missed tackles and red zone anxiety for the 2-6 record.

There has not been an obvious lack of effort and there has yet to be any public outbursts from playing staff, towards the coaching staff, despite the general frustration. Small mercies in a largely disappointing season so far.

Off the field, it is almost impossible to know where to start.

The lack of a written report into the historical toxic culture in Washington has rightly led to outrage from the victims of the terrible working environment and this blog supports the women 100% in seeking full answers. They have shown outstanding courage in the face of injustice, and we can only hope that the NFL will feel the heat of Congress and release a detailed report on what exactly happened. If nothing else, this organisation itself needs this transparency to go forward in a legitimate and clean fashion.

The Sean Taylor jersey retirement was an utter shambles. I have to confess, if I gave Dan Snyder any lingering credit, it would be that he, as a fan, knew what ST21 meant to the fanbase. More fool me to even think that Snyder could get this right.

Three days’ notice was given, and it was a complete debacle with mediocre towel handouts and a ceremony that was rushed, amateurish and insulted the legacy of the great Safety. Unfortunately, it was such a total botch-job, that even a good guy like WFT President Jason Wright has to come into focus and cannot escape the fans fury on this one, with Wright forced to publicly apologise for the short notice. He did so in a professional and sincere manner, but I am afraid too little too late. It was a huge gaff on the part of the organisation and forgiveness will be in short supply.

Lastly, but not least, the injuries in Washington should be at least receiving the appropriate treatment under the direction of the team’s director of sports medicine and head athletic trainer. Oh no, for Ryan Vermillion is under DEA investigation for “for the possible disbursement of prescription drugs”. Would it be too much to ask if he dispensed some painkillers to the fans? We sure as hell could use some.

See you on the other side of the bye week.