Riggo's Rag
FanSided

Ron Rivera is exactly what the Redskins needed after Bruce Allen

By Conor Forrest

Ron Rivera, Carolina Panthers. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
Ron Rivera, Carolina Panthers. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
1 of 2
Next
JACKSONVILLE, FL – DECEMBER 16: A Washington Redskins helmet is seen before the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at TIAA Bank Field on December 16, 2018 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images)
JACKSONVILLE, FL – DECEMBER 16: A Washington Redskins helmet is seen before the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at TIAA Bank Field on December 16, 2018 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images) /

Sure, he’s not Don Shula or Vince Lombardi. He’s not the second coming of Joe Gibbs or Tom Landry. But Ron Rivera brings with him a new vision for the Redskins, and after a season of endless turmoil, he really is the perfect fit.

The Washington Redskins officially introduced former Panthers head coach Ron Rivera to the organization, kicking off a new year and new decade with a new path forward for the future. The arrival of Ron Rivera brings with it a few things. First, it shows that owner Dan Snyder sees the Redskins culture as being far less than “damn good,” as now former Vice President Bruce Allen so eagerly stated earlier this year. Second, it brings a desperately needed fresh attitude to town.

As a two-time NFL Coach of the Year award winner, Ron Rivera is the most proven coach the Redskins have had since acquiring Mike Shanahan. Furthermore, a new coach brings with him new faces, and new schemes, that should ultimately bring an improved look for the Redskins next year.

After the departure of Jay Gruden, Redskins fans were eager to jump at the newest and freshest offensive minds across the world of football to coronate as the next head coach. Names like Eric Beinemy, Josh McDaniels, Baylor head coach Matt Rhule, or even an inside hire like Kevin O’Connell, the Redskins current offensive coordinator.

After all, that’s been the trend in the NFL over the past few seasons. The goal by teams like the 49ers, Bengals, Rams, and Packers was to find coaches with the newest and latest designs to fuel a potent NFL offense. Young names like Sean McVay and Kyle Shanahan have proven to be coaches who are capable of making offenses thrive.

But while several teams in the NFL take the offensive path in the crossroads for an identity, the Redskins took the other turn. They chose to take the path of defense, building this team as a defensively sound unit.

The hiring of Ron Rivera is the best coaching hire the Redskins could have made this offseason. With Rivera comes the addition of Jack Del Rio, who is the easily the best defensive coordinator this team has had in well over a decade. It was a home run hire for a franchise that is so desperate for a change in vision, and here is why.

Home/Commanders News