Redskins Challenge: Ryan Kerrigan, it’s time to ‘Put up your Dukes’
Its been a rough past 30 days for Ryan Kerrigan and the Washington Redskins.
After a promising 5-2 start, the Washington Redskins are reeling, to say the least.
Losers of four out of their last five games, Washington has been a disappointment on and off the field during the second half of the regular season. However, at 6-6, the team still has a lot to play for. A win over the New York Giants this Sunday could rejuvenate the Redskins playoff chances. One player that must step up for that to happen is outside linebacker Ryan Kerrigan.
Since his arrival in 2011, Kerrigan has arguably been the most reliable player on the roster. Although Washington has been decimated by injuries in recent years, Ryan Kerrigan has started in 124 consecutive games. In his last start versus the Giants, Kerrigan recorded 1.5 of the Redskins’ seven sacks. On Tuesday, while speaking to reporters, Jay Gruden challenged his defense to step up and carry the team during the final month of the season, per Les Carpenter of the Washington Post.
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Earlier in the season, the Redskins were winning with an old-school mentality. Playing smashmouth defense, establishing the run with Adrian Peterson, and playing field position with Tress Way. In the first meeting with New York, Washington won that game because they controlled the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball. That will be easier said than done for the offensive line, but for Ryan Kerrigan and the defense can start generating pressure up front to help out its struggling secondary. Speaking of the secondary, it received a big break yesterday when news broke that Odell Beckham is set to miss Sunday’s contest with a quad injury.
Kerrigan leads the Redskins with eight sacks, but had a relatively quiet game against the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday night. Fortunately for Kerrigan and the Redskins pass rush, the Giants struggle to protect Eli Manning. Currently, the Giants are allowing 3.4 sacks per game, which ranks 30th in the NFL.
With Matt Ioannidis likely sidelined with a lower leg injury, Kerrigan has to be the driving force behind the pass rush. Although the Giants may try to neutralize Kerrigan in a variety of ways with screens, draws, and misdirection type plays, Ryan Kerrigan flat-out has to be better than the man in front of him.
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Right now, Washington needs their best players to rise to the occasion. That charge should be led by none other than the ‘Show Stopper‘. The Redskins have the opportunity to get to 7-6 but will need a strong effort from the defense. So, Ryan Kerrigan, I challenge you to ‘Put up your Dukes’, and make life difficult for Eli Manning and the New York Giants.