The Redskins and the Dolphins: A tale of two tanks
By Ian Cummings
It was all going according to plan.
They were 0-4 in the twilight of September. They hadn’t competed; in fact, against a marginal competitor in Week 4, they’d lost by a margin of over 20 points. But this was all according to the plan. This team wasn’t supposed to win this year, anyway.
They had offloaded players for a treasure trove of assets before and during the first quarter of the regular season. They had long-term candidates for their rebuild all across the roster, and they used these games, not to place unnecessary playoff pressure on their players’ shoulders, but to set a foundation of development. All the while, locking up the greatest asset of all: The first overall pick.
It’s losing with a purpose. It’s all part of the plan.
Two NFL teams are tanking. But this anecdote applies to only one. The Washington Redskins 2019 season has taken many by surprise, but none more than the Redskins themselves. It’s a cautionary tale, about accepting reality, and having a cohesive plan. A tale of two very different tanks.