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Redskins Reality Checks: It’s not yet a dumpster fire, but it’s smoldering

By Tim Payne

PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 03: Tight end Zach Ertz #86 of the Philadelphia Eagles makes a catch for a first down against safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix #20 of the Washington Redskins during the second quarter at Lincoln Financial Field on December 3, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Philadelphia Eagles won 28-13. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 03: Tight end Zach Ertz #86 of the Philadelphia Eagles makes a catch for a first down against safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix #20 of the Washington Redskins during the second quarter at Lincoln Financial Field on December 3, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Philadelphia Eagles won 28-13. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /
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PHILADELPHIA, PA – DECEMBER 03: Tight end Zach Ertz #86 of the Philadelphia Eagles makes a catch for a first down against safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix #20 of the Washington Redskins during the second quarter at Lincoln Financial Field on December 3, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Philadelphia Eagles won 28-13. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA – DECEMBER 03: Tight end Zach Ertz #86 of the Philadelphia Eagles makes a catch for a first down against safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix #20 of the Washington Redskins during the second quarter at Lincoln Financial Field on December 3, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Philadelphia Eagles won 28-13. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

3. Reality Is, the Ha Ha Clinton-Dix trade was a mistake.

Clinton-Dix has gradually improved during his time with the Redskins, but he is just not athletic enough to make the plays this team needs him to make. He might not make as many glaring mistakes as Montae Nicholson, but he also isn’t capable of making the spectacularly athletic ones either.

Given the reality that Clinton-Dix is most likely not in the plans for next year and Nicholson is still on his rookie deal, the Redskins would be wise to start Nicholson and get him the valuable playing time. His style of play, making the big plays but giving up some smaller ones, also is more conducive to helping this Redskins defense win this game this weekend.

I don’t know about you, but if a decision is better short-term and better long-term, it sounds to be me like it’s just better overall. I’m also working on a theory that bringing in Clinton-Dix was one of the things that split the defensive locker room. I think some guys were happy about it and others wanted to keep playing Nicholson. It’s time for the Redskins to admit the trade was a bust and play Nicholson. Is this organization capable of admitting a mistake at that level? I am not sure that they are.

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4. Reality Is, the Jaguars are worse than the Giants.

Anyone who thought the Giants were going to be a push-over last week hadn’t been paying attention. And truly, the same goes for the Jaguars this week. Their record is not a fair representation of how tough of an out they can be on any given Sunday. However, they are dramatically less talented and dangerous than the Giants, offensively, and have been quite inconsistent defensively, as well.

If the ‘Skins manage to put the distractions and losing streak behind them and put together the all-around defensive and special-teams effort they are capable of, there’s a real chance the Redskins could keep it close in this game. But, the flipside of that argument is that a bad loss to the Jaguars will simply accelerate the dumpster combustion.

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