3 changes Commanders' coaching staff must consider in Week 2 vs. NY Giants
After an offseason filled with intrigue, suspense, and hope, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' dismantling of the Washington Commanders in all three phases brought everyone back to earth. In what was predicted to be at least a competitive matchup, it seemed to be a mismatch pretty much from the very beginning.
The Commanders are at an early season crossroads coming up this week against the division rival New York Giants, who are also looking to stave off an 0-2 record to begin the campaign. If Washington is going to win its home opener, then the coaching staff led by Dan Quinn must make some changes if things don't appear somewhat fixed early on in the matchup.
What exactly are some of the changes that they should be considering this week? One of them, everyone is afraid to admit, involves the first-round pick from Ron Rivera's final draft.
Changes the Commanders' coaching staff must consider in Week 2
Commanders must bench Emmanuel Forbes Jr.
A lot of people were coming into this season with high hopes for Emmanuel Forbes Jr. He had a stellar collegiate career and showed flashes as a rookie. But down the stretch, it got pretty bad. The ball began rolling downhill after that and seemingly hasn't stopped.
Forbes went through complications in Week 1. Ideas about benching the second-year player circulated in the immediate aftermath. Even trade rumors among the fanbase reared their head for the first time.
Benjamin St-Juste got torched as well. Mike Sainristil, the Michigan slot-corner that so many inside and outside of the nation's capital have raved about all offseason, endured a baptism of fire versus the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. So Forbes wasn't the only one to blame.
If this truly is a rebuild, then the Washington Commanders coaches need to be free to press different buttons, play with different combinations, and learn who they want for the long haul. One of those buttons involves the potential benching and trading of Forbes. Though the latter option may be a bit intense, they need to see more of what Michael Davis brings to the unit.
If Forbes continues on the same path, the Commanders will not have a shot at the wild card down the stretch. Unluckily for him, he may have already done enough to follow right in the footsteps of Jahan Dotson when it's all said and done.