Four Washington Football Team clunkers vs. the Ravens

Once again, there are no game balls to award after the Washington Football Team’s loss at home to the Baltimore Ravens, but there are a few clunkers to talk about in Week 4.

The four game-balls that we award WFT players after a victory continue to be mothballed in the Riggo’s Rag vault after Sunday’s loss, but the team’s offense performed better than expected.

However, a loss is a loss and we have come to another week when another four clunkers receive this lowly benchmark of recognition. We hope they can improve on their shortcomings and have a better game next week.

Both teams struggled early in the contest on Sunday, but the Ravens found some momentum and they were able to keep the WFT at arm’s distance for the remainder of the beltway battle. Washington tried to mount a comeback in the fourth quarter and the offense demonstrated some spark and energy, but it wasn’t enough.

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The defense allowed 30 or more points for the third straight game and our itchy clunker finger will certainly be pointing a bit in their direction this week. Let’s take a ho-hum look at the clunkers for this week.

Landon Collins makes another appearance here and he has become a huge liability on defense in the first four games of 2020. Statistically, Collins had a good game against the Ravens, but looks are definitely deceiving. In truth, the former Giant and Crimson Tide strong safety is having the worst season of his career thus far and Sunday was no exception.

Early in the second quarter, Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson was able to rush for a 50-yard touchdown and Collins had a very reasonable opportunity to limit Jackson’s romp to a mere 20 yard gain.

There was a time when Collins would lay a hard hit and tackle on such a play. His efforts throughout the game on Sunday were simply poor and ineffective. Is it time for the team to consider moving Collins to linebacker? Possibly, but will the results be any better? Collins was certainly a clunker on Sunday.

Logan Thomas is not a natural tight end. In fact, Thomas is not an offensive weapon who would be considered TE1 material, even if he does have an occasional catch for a touchdown or a first down.

Thomas has little to no impact in most games and Sunday was no exception. He was able to snag one catch on four targets against the Ravens. One major issue for the former Hokie is gaining separation from linebackers and defensive backs. Thomas is a good blocking tight end, but he rarely has any extra yards after a catch (YAC). Thomas was obviously a clunker against the Ravens.

Ryan Anderson made major strides in 2019, but it feels like 2017 and 2018 all over again for the former Alabama standout. Where is Anderson and why is he on the roster of 53? That was the question before 2019 and it was a legitimate query. It’s déjà vu all over again and Anderson is all but an afterthought in the first four games of 2020.

Anderson produced one tackle on Sunday and has six total in four games thus far in the first quarter of the season. That production is very subpar for the 2017 second-round pick.

Too, Anderson whiffed badly on a second-quarter tackle of Lamar Jackson and the Ravens quarterback romped 50 yards for a touchdown. Anderson was a clunker on Sunday and he has been a major clunker this season.

Peyton Barber scored two touchdowns back in Week 1, but he has been non-existent in the WFT offense this season. On Sunday, the former Tampa Bay Buc rushed three times for a total of five yards. He has 24 carries in 2020 so far to the tune of 41 yards and that is a 1.7 yards per carry average.

Why is Barber on the roster? Perhaps it is time to search for some young, eager running backs out there (free agency or practice squads) and give one of them a chance. Peyton’s place is definitely not on an NFL roster in 2020 and the WFT coaching staff needs to be questioned as to why he is still with this team. Barber is a clunker for sure.

Here is a list of players who struggled on Sunday, but barely miss out on this dubious distinction for Week 4: Greg Stroman, the linebackers, Montez Sweat, Dustin Hopkins, and Fabian Moreau.

Next. Grading the Washington O-Line through four weeks. dark

It sure would be nice to award some game balls next week. Losing is difficult. It’s not fun. Frankly, handing out clunker recognitions each week is getting old. Let’s hope we can award some game balls after the WFT-Rams game.

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