Postgame Redskins Reality Checks for Week 1 at Arizona
By Tim Payne
No. 5 – Reality is, clock management and turnovers reflect on the head coach.
I said I’d be thrilled if there were no clock management gaffes and the Redskins won the turnover battle, I’d be disappointed if Jay Gruden blew a clock management opportunity or we lost the turnover battle, regardless of the final outcome of the game. In my article, I predicted a 50-50 outcome; that either they would get a clean clock management game or they win the turnover battle, but not both. I expected to be nonplussed (What a weird word. Seemed like a good one to use at the time, but it’s a weird word).
The reality was, this might have been right up there with the Oakland and Seattle games last year among the best, most complete coaching jobs Jay Gruden has turned in during his tenure in Washington.
The Redskins had a couple penalties on their first drive and a few stagnant (too cautious) drives in the second half. They also got lucky with Troy Apke pulling up a bit late on the Cardinals’ long punt return, leaving him available to be the last line of defense. But otherwise, this was exactly how you draw it up. Very little stress, very few mistakes that ended up meaning anything, extremely balanced play calling, and a “W” in the win column to go with the “W” in the turnover battle.
Reality Check: I’m thrilled with how Jay Gruden handled this game, and I’m even more thrilled to hear players talking about wanting to win this one for Jay and how well-prepared they felt they were for this game.