Try and count the ways to win. You’ll need a minute.
In such a complex sport as football, there is no one way to win. Doing and having certain things help. But so many factors go into having a winning record. Anything can happen after the coin is flipped. It’s not as simple as heads or tails.
Of course, most of the work goes on before the games even start. The building of the roster. Committing to good health. Conducting focused practices. Cultivating team chemistry. Every little thing counts, and with thirty-one other teams battling to reach the same mark. It might not matter if you do nine things right. The one thing that holds you back might be what brings the other teams ahead. A team can have all the talent in the world. But talent alone does not make a winner. All the pieces need to have a strong and sturdy glue.
That said, no team is perfect, and every year is different. Last year, the Redskins showed glimpses of being a winning team. After the blowout of the Oakland Raiders, many had the Redskins pegged as a playoff team. That changed quickly.
But just as a team’s midseason fortunes can be altered on a weekly basis, the direction of a franchise can change just as quick. In 2018, things could be looking up for a Redskins team accustomed to stagnation in recent seasons. They have the talent to succeed. The pieces could be coming together. Here are three reasons why. Here is the glue that could bring together the Redskins in 2018.
No. 3 – The Redskins have a quarterback who knows how to win
Ever since the Redskins traded for Alex Smith earlier this offseason, as a way to safely close out the Kirk Cousins saga in Washington, a burning question has raged on: Is Smith an upgrade from Kirk Cousins?
It’s a debate that has swept up an entire fan base. I’m inclined to believe that Smith is an upgrade, but the Redskins themselves aren’t in the business of comparing the two quarterbacks anymore. Smith is the team’s signal caller. Cousins is no longer.
There are plenty of reasons to be excited for Smith’s tenure in D.C., but none more than the simple fact that he gives the Redskins a fighting chance to win. His history speaks for itself. During his time in Kansas City, he had considerable roster turnover, and he still managed to make the playoffs in four of his five years with the team.
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His playoff record, at this point, doesn’t matter. Smith isn’t alone to blame for his 1-4 playoff mark, and even so, the Redskins can’t afford to get hung up on such a thing. They need to make the playoffs first. Smith is a quarterback who’s proven he can get there in different situations.
Some will say that Smith is a conservative quarterback, and that teams helmed by him can only go so far. It’s true that he has often fostered a reputation as a game manager. But as KC Kingdom writer Travis Steffen told the Riggo’s Rag staff in a recent podcast, Smith gives what the coach asks of him. That’s why when the Chiefs gave play calling duties to Matt Nagy in 2017, Smith underwent a midseason revival of sorts, following a slump.
Smith certainly wasn’t a game manager in 2017. He took shots down the field, while maintaining the deadly efficiency that’s made him such a consistent quarterback over his NFL career. Now in Washington, Smith has a broader, versatile supporting cast, and a head coach in Jay Gruden who openly and persistently challenged Kirk Cousins to be more aggressive and aware of options downfield, to no avail. With Kevin O’Connell assisting with the implementation of more west coast schemes, which will allow Smith to use his underrated running ability, there’s no reason to think that Smith can’t be the best version of himself in Washington’s offense.
Add up the pieces, and it’s clear: Alex Smith can win with the Redskins. He’s done more with less. In 2013, he went 11-4 with a Chiefs roster whose top offensive weapons, aside from Jamaal Charles, were Dwayne Bowe, Donnie Avery, Dexter McCluster, and Anthony Fasano. Let’s put the “limited quarterback” argument to bed. Smith is a high-floor player in wherever he goes. In Washington, there’s no telling where his ceiling is.
No. 2 – The Redskins have team chemistry
Call it what you may. A vibe. A feeling. There’s something different about the 2018 Washington Redskins. It might seem like people say that every year. But there’s evidence for change this time.
Having chemistry starts with having solid leaders in the locker room and on the sidelines. The Redskins have both assets safely in place. On offense, Alex Smith is a veteran who naturally commands the respect of his players, leading by example. Kirk Cousins was no different in this regard; a tenacious worker and avid in the art of preparation. But the contract standoff had to be a distraction, to some degree. With Smith locked down for four years, there will be nothing to think about but how to win. Having that universal focus will be beneficial this season.
Additionally, on the defense, D.J. Swearinger, after just one year, has already solidified himself as a vocal leader on the roster. He, along with Martrell Spaight, Josh Norman, and Mason Foster, provides the loud voice of a proven veteran. He will be the presence that amps up the team when they need a rush.
Of course, it all starts up top. And the Redskins are in good hands there as well. Jay Gruden’s tenure in Washington, and the true worth of his record thus far, has been the subject of fierce debate. But there is one thing no one can deny: He has the respect of his players.
As Chris Thompson said earlier this offseason, Jay Gruden is easy to like, but at the same time, he gets on his players’ cases when he needs to. The best coaches find ways to be their players’ friend, without being a “buddy”. Gruden seems to have found that balance. Through this balance, a healthy chemistry can flourish. It’s something most winning teams tend to have.
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.
Next: Redskins Training Camp Profile: WR Robert Davis
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.