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Biggest takeaways from Bill Callahan’s first press conference as Redskins interim head coach

By Jacob Camenker

ARLINGTON, TX - SEPTEMBER 07: Offensive coordinator Bill Callahan of the Dallas Cowboys during a game against the San Francisco 49ers at AT&T Stadium on September 7, 2014 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TX - SEPTEMBER 07: Offensive coordinator Bill Callahan of the Dallas Cowboys during a game against the San Francisco 49ers at AT&T Stadium on September 7, 2014 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /
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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – OCTOBER 28: Adrian Peterson #26 of the Washington Redskins scores a touchdown against Nate Stupar #57 of the New York Giants during their game at MetLife Stadium on October 28, 2018 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – OCTOBER 28: Adrian Peterson #26 of the Washington Redskins scores a touchdown against Nate Stupar #57 of the New York Giants during their game at MetLife Stadium on October 28, 2018 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images) /

Wants the Redskins to be a run-first team

When asked about what changes he’s going to make to the team, Callahan had one important one that he noted. He wants to become a run-first offense.

This is hardly a surprising development. Callahan’s roots are as an offensive line coach and coming into the season, the Redskins were expected to be a ground-dominant team. That hasn’t panned out so far, but Callahan’s new directive will be to change that.

Callahan referenced that there had been “flashes” from the Redskins running game to start the season. The thing they’re missing is consistency and a “run rhythm”, as Callahan called it. He wants to get the team’s top runners more work to get them into this rhythm and better set up the offense to take deep shots off play-action.

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Callahan also confirmed that he has confidence in the Redskins’ stable of backs. He mentioned Adrian Peterson and Chris Thompson by name, so perhaps he’ll be looking to get those two more involved in the offense. Peterson has only had 43 touches in four games this season, so Callahan may try to feed him early and often to get the future Hall of Famer going. Peterson seems to be the key to Callahan’s plan working, so it will be interesting to see if the shift in philosophy ultimately helps the future Hall of Famer.

One other major point Callahan made about having a strong running game: It affords the defense an opportunity to rest. The Redskins have had trouble keeping their defense off the field and that’s part of the reason they have struggled to play well on that side of the ball.

Perhaps playing more of a ball-control and possession-based offense will be able to make the defense slightly more efficient; At the very least, they shouldn’t be winded near the end of games if the rushing offense can work.

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