Redskins Dwayne Haskins displays growth, need for reps in starting debut
By Ian Cummings
Where Redskins QB Dwayne Haskins can continue to improve
Every quarterback has a flexible process to follow when they drop back in the pocket. These processes will fluctuate based on a number of internal and external factors, but often, it’s a variation of “pre-snap reads, audibles and protection calls, center-quarterback exchange, drop back, progressions and defense manipulation, decision”.
As mentioned earlier, this process changes from play to play. The time spent on each step, the complexity and thoroughness required at each step, and the amount of external factors impacting each step. Haskins is continually adjusting to the NFL, and because he’s still working on this process, and because he doesn’t quite know how to respond to disruptors of the process, such as pressure, especially at the NFL pace, his play deteriorates when faced with these issues.
Every quarterback faces some kind of internal adversity when under pressure, but the great ones know how to deal with it, and the best ones thrive in that environment of urgency. Haskins is at the point where his play suffers under pressure. Haskins himself doesn’t shy away from it; he’s a tough quarterback who’s willing to stand in the pocket and make the necessary throw. But the pressure subconsciously leads to instinctual recoil, and thus, mechanical inconsistencies.
Mechanical inconsistencies have been prevalent in each game Haskins has played this season. In a clean pocket, and a closed system, Haskins is fairly smooth. But even at the threat of pressure, he rushes some steps of the process, and because his process is irregular, so too is the product. At times, his elbow will be too low as he releases, which contributes to him missing receivers high. At times, his feet won’t be set properly, which forces him to rely too much on his arm, rather than his lower body, to generate velocity. This leads to inaccuracy and overall volatility.
Once Haskins grows comfortable enough with the mental aspects of the game, he should be able to carry that comfort over to the final product, and smoothen out his process. Comfort comes with repetition. Haskins got off to a late start because he didn’t get needed reps at the start of the season, but he’s very clearly able to contextualize the information he takes in on the field, in order to apply it at later dates. That’s the most important thing with rookie quarterbacks. Can they take a learning experience and learn, as opposed to letting it erode their confidence? Haskins seems to be able to do so. Now, it’s just a matter of giving him the time and support to see the learning process through.