Redskins vs. Jaguars: 5 players to watch in Week 15
By Ian Cummings
No. 4 – FS Montae Nicholson
When the Redskins traded for Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, an established starter for the Green Bay Packers, it was known that Clinton-Dix would steal starting reps from Montae Nicholson. But the former Pro Bowler did more than that. He’s kept Nicholson off the field entirely. And it might’ve been the worst decision Greg Manusky could have made.
Before the trade for Clinton-Dix, Montae Nicholson averaged 62.8 defensive snaps per game in the team’s first seven games. During that span, they went 5-2. In the six games since the trade (1-5), Nicholson has totaled just 26 defensive snaps. Over the last three games, losses to the Cowboys, Eagles, and Giants, Nicholson has not logged a single snap.
Who made the decision to bench Nicholson when Ha Ha Clinton-Dix was playing at nowhere near a Pro Bowl level? And where can I meet him to give him his walking papers?
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Nicholson wasn’t perfect, but he is a very young player. He just turned 23 years old nine days ago. He’s on a cheap rookie contract, and he’s shown that he has the speed to patrol the back end. And yet, the team trots Clinton-Dix back there week in and week out. The first two weeks after the trade, it was understandable that the team wanted to see Clinton-Dix in his new role, and they wanted to give him time to get comfortable.
But now, Clinton-Dix has been given time. He’s looked awful every week. And Nicholson still doesn’t get playing time. It’s hard to expect the coaches to come to their senses now, but with the team’s playoff hopes slipping away, younger players will find their way back on the field. And perhaps Nicholson can show the team why they made the wrong decision.