Washington Redskins: Jim Tomsula is the real coach to watch

Most of the focus is around Jay Gruden and Greg Manusky this upcoming season and it should be. But the coach who is flying under the radar might be the most impactful: Jim Tomsula.

First, I want everyone to know that I was a fan of the Jim Tomsula mustache. I thought it brought an edge to his character. However, his wife and daughters did not. Tomsula has not only changed his appearance, but the look of Washington’s defensive line as well.

Tomsula enters his second season as the defensive line coach for the Washington Redskins. He was named to the position January 23, 2017, which has proven to be the perfect fit for him. Tomsula has extensive coaching experience especially at this position.

Before his time with the Redskins, Tomsula spent nine years with the San Francisco 49ers. From 2007-2014 he served as the defensive line coach. In 2010, he served as the interim head coach for one game against the Arizona Cardinals after the team decided to part ways with Mike Singletary. He went on to defeat the Cardinals 38-7.

More from Riggo's Rag

In 2015, he received another opportunity to prove himself as head coach, succeeding Jim Harbaugh. Tomsula failed to produce a productive season as he went 5-11 and was fired shortly after the season had come to a close.

What we need to focus on during his career is his success with the defensive line for the 49ers. During his stint in San Francisco, he was instrumental in developing one of the most dominant defenses during that time frame. The 49ers defensive stats at this time were phenomenal. They ranked fourth in rushing yards allowed with 98.4, second in rushing average at 3.2, third in points per game at 19.4, and fourth in yards per game allowed with 320.9. This helped the 49ers win the NFC championship in 2012 and go onto the Super Bowl, where they then lost to the Baltimore Ravens.

If you compare defensive rosters between the Redskins and the 49ers, Washington is more talented across the board, especially at the defensive line. Justin Smith was the centerpiece for San Francisco’s line at this time as he reached the Pro Bowl five times. The Redskins don’t just have one person, but multiple. Which is why this defense is extremely underrated going into this 2018 season.

Tomsula has arguably the most talented line the Redskins have had in a long time. The Alabama brothers, Jonathan Allen and Daron Payne, will wreak havoc upfront together. Stacy McGee and Ziggy Hood bring good consistency. Matt Ioannidis and Anthony Lanier had fantastic seasons last year under Tomsula. And the newly drafted Tim Settle will be a force up the middle at the stopping the run game.

Of course, with all the talent on the defensive line, we can forget what he can do with the captain, Ryan Kerrigan. With the talent that is in Washington, I believe that Kerrigan has the chance to have a career high in sacks this coming season.

It also helps that Tomsula can make drills and practice enjoyable at the same time. Below shows him momentarily stepping out of retirement and participating with the team in footwork drills.

I could watch this Jim Tomsula drill for the rest of time and never get bored pic.twitter.com/vIubLxfO96
— Big Cat (@BarstoolBigCat) May 11, 2018

I think everyone could watch this clip and not get bored. Nevertheless, Tomsula is the perfect man to lead the defensive line into the new era and establish them as one of the most dominate lines in the NFL.

Next: Zach Vigil needs to continue to grow

Tomsula is great at developing talent. He’s an expert at showing his players how to control and dominate the line. In addition, he knows how to bring out the best in veteran players as well. His career and intelligence speaks for itself, and he has proven that he knows how to build a championship line.

Home/Commanders News