From the Monday Night Massacre against the Eagles, to the Terrible Towel incident, to last years Crowning of Drew Brees mid game, the Redskins Monday night performances have been terrible. So terrible, that the Redskins have a MNF record of 1-17, with their lone win coming in 2014 against the Cowboys. However, this game stung a little bit differently. Unlike usual, there is no need for report cards this time around because the entire class failed. It’s winless Washington, as they fell to 0-3.
Coaching
As mentioned, this loss stung a little bit differently than a usual Monday night. As of late, the organization has had numerous issues both on and off the field. Nevertheless, the world was able to see how dysfunctional the Washington Redskins are. These terrible traits are passed from the top down. The focus will be on the on-field participants which means, Jay Gruden, come on down. Since the beginning Gruden’s time in DC, his decision making has always been in question.
There is no secret that the coach decided to bench Adrian Peterson for game 1. With Guice out for a while, Peterson has no choice but to play. As a coach, the job is to create schemes for the team that essentially play to the strength of your personnel. Not a single running play was designed for AP, that is, when he was on the field. Much like the Sean Peyton stare down, Peterson was visibly upset on the sidelines. Certainly not good for morale.
Player Morale
The easiest way for a team to remain mediocre and winless; lose the locker room. The only reason this team is somewhat united is because they are so young. However, the older players are starting to feel the heat. Trent Williams still has not reported. Still disgruntled with the front office and training staff, the star left tackle shows no signs of returning. Peterson is displeased with his usage. The teams morale presumably is low with the 0-3 start as opposed to the 2-0 prior to the 6-3 start last year. Players are not playing well and the fans apathy is morphing to anger in winless Washington.
Management Issues
It all comes to a head with the head(s) of the organization; Dan Snyder and Bruce Allen. Snyder is not revered in the best way league wide. The Redskins owner purchased the team in 1999, and from there, thing changed. Many older fans remember the culture beforehand and it is shown that the culture has changed for the worse. In the beginning, Snyder was very hands on and very very reactionary. Though he has backed off some, much of his decision making haunts the team. Snyder is of the belief that winning is all about one or two splash moves. This is backed by his decisions. Landon Collins, bringing back Joe Gibbs, moving up to get Robert Griffin III; these are just some of the moves Snyder believed would be the winning move. One big move equals one big season. This is the mindset.
Added to the issues of the Skins, is the second in command Bruce Allen. Allen further supports this notion of “just one player away.” He is steadily saying things like “We’re close,” or more famously, “We’re winning off the field, but we got to start winning on the field.” That just about sums it up right? Since Allen has been in office, the team has gone 59-87-1 which mathematically is .404. A pretty accurate representation of the way he was run the team. While under him, the team has made the playoffs twice, with one berth being a sneaky wildcard. While playing the general manager role, he has continuously run this organization into the ground. Terrible drafts, bust signings, coaching stunts, Allen quite frankly does not have a clue.
The Redskins winless season can be summed up in one word; culture. The Redskins were once respected, now they are viewed as a joke. As long as the front office has the mentality of winning their way, the culture will continue to suffer. No coach brought in, no superstar signing, no hall of fame quarterback will succeed in a Burgundy and Gold uniform unless the culture changes drastically. A GM should be able to set up a team with proper coaching and players. The coaches job is to prepare the players. When the owner is continually meddling with the decision making and the coach is coaching in spite of the superiors, the team ends up 0-3. Winless Washington has a long road and a lot of tough decisions to make if they have any hopes of righting the ship.
