Three things that can make the Redskins a winning team in 2018
By Ian Cummings
No. 1 – The Redskins have a very solid coaching staff
Speaking of leadership, the Redskins are fairly well off in that regard. After inheriting a franchise overridden with chaos and dysfunction, Jay Gruden has seemingly helped to right the ship. After going 4-12 in a redshirt year in 2014, Gruden has managed to maintain a winning cumulative record over the past three years. With a quarterback who fits his scheme as well as anyone, and a competent running back and defense finally in the wings, one can safely assume that Gruden can lead the Redskins far in 2018.
The Redskins are in good hands with Gruden, but he’s only one of many coaches who will serve the team well in 2018. The team’s coordinators aren’t as proven; Greg Manusky showed promise last year dialing up blitzes, but injuries tore his unit apart. Kevin O’Connell is a young, up-and-coming coach who will share play calling duties. Both bring unique mindsets, and although neither has sustained success, or had an opportunity to, 2018 is their best chance.
While the Redskins’ coordinators are unproven, the position coaches have results to back up their reputation. People underestimate the value of position coaches outside of the offseason. Player development goes year round, and every week, the position coaches keep their departments accountable.
If your position coaches aren’t good at what they do, then you have stagnation of development. Over the past few years, it’s been clear that the Redskins do not have this problem. They have some of the best position coaches in the entire league, including Jim Tomsula, Torrian Gray, Bill Callahan, and Randy Jordan.
Tomsula and Gray, in particular, have gotten incredible returns from their players in recent years. On the defensive line, Matt Ioannidis and Anthony Lanier have both developed into sack specialists, and with Jonathan Allen and Daron Payne suiting up as former team mates in 2018, the sky is the limit for Tomsula’s squad. In the secondary, Quinton Dunbar, a former UDFA wide receiver, and Montae Nicholson, a fourth-rounder in last year’s draft, are both slated to be starters under Torrian Gray’s watch, and if recent trends continue, they could high-end starters, provided they can stay healthy.
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With a solid quarterback, a healthy team chemistry, and a coaching staff with a successful pedigree, the Redskins could make the leap this year. The roster is as talented as it’s ever been under the current coach’s reign. The stars don’t need to align for them to win. All that’s left to do is to stay the course.