Redskins Ingredients for Improvement: Resilience is key
By Ian Cummings
No. 4 – Rehash communication in the secondary after loss
After the nightmarish loss to the New Orleans Saints, a particular emphasis was placed on communication in the secondary. D.J. Swearinger held the defensive backs accountable. Montae Nicholson refocused. And for the next few weeks, the unit played as one.
It was believed that the embarrassment under the lights in New Orleans had done enough to illicit a lasting change in the defensive backfield. But that notion was lost in a flash, when the Redskins’ secondary let Matt Ryan throw for 350 yards and four touchdowns in Week 9.
Next week, the Redskins play the No. 1 passing offense in the league, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Todd Monken has brilliantly reaped the utter maximum out of Ryan Fitzpatrick, but even still, Fitzpatrick is not immune to Fitz-Tragedy. This is a game the Redskins can win, and therefore, a game they must win. They can’t collapse again.
The Falcons bested the Redskins with scheme just as much as skill, but there were plenty of occasions where the Redskins defensive backs simply got beat. Communication was an issue, and in the time they have before the Buccaneers game, the Flight Marshals need to have a staff meeting, to get back on the same page.