If you have a franchise that will undergo changes in 2020, it will surely be the one that represents the American capital. Basically we will have a reconstruction in the football team, in the work culture and even in the name. Former Redskins, this season the team will call Washington Football Team. However, it will be temporary and a new brand must be decided in the future.
Wins don’t matter to Washington this season. That’s right, winning on the pitch is irrelevant in 2020. At the moment, the most important thing is to change the culture of the franchise. The situation reached an unfortunate level, as described in a July report in the Washington Post. Not to mention the problems and lack of respect for players and former players, with Trent Williams and Kirk Cousins being some recent examples.
The one chosen to guide the new era? Ron Rivera. The former Carolina Panthers head coach did not come to DMV just to be just any coach. On the sporting side, he comes to rebuild and will be the de facto general manager. Off the pitch, he will be empowered to organize the mess. Basically, Daniel Snyder hired him as a “franchise savior”. Just like those television shows that save compromised restaurants, in this case with an NFL team.
Returning to the subject, 2020 should be a year of tank and laboratory for Ron Rivera. That usual cliché: get rid of high-cost unproductive and look for new people with potential.
In all of these experiments, the most important is that of Dwayne Haskins. After a year of bad freshman, but with an interesting evolution in the final stretch, the “come or go” moment came for the quarterback. If “Simba” doesn’t want a “Scar” to dethrone him, he needs to prove that he will be a QB franchise in the league. Otherwise, the 2021 Draft is packed with options to replace it.
Continuing the attack, Scott Turner assumes the post of offensive coordinator of the team. Yes, Norv Turner’s son. As such, the unit will mirror the 2019 Panthers’ attack in several parts. Which is not bad, as the model even ran well with Kyle Allen in charge – In fact, he also came to DC and must dispute the position with Haskins .
To emulate the Carolina Panthers’ attack, you wouldn’t need a Christian McCaffrey or Curtis Samuel, would you? Exactly, the Turner attack is extremely versatile and we will see many screens, bubble screens and run-pass options (RPOs). To be successful, players with this versatility will be important. An example of fitting is the RB / WR / playmaker Antonio Gibson, choice of 3rd round in the 2020 Draft and special request from the coordinator.
Now on the defensive side, a lot of experience with Jack Del Rio taking over and already changing the defensive base to 4-3. A big improvement over the previous one, Greg Manusky. The key to the new unit will be Landon Collins, hired by weight last season. For playing in the tackle box, we will see shirt 20 acting as the 3rd linebacker and should be responsible for covering tight ends. Remembering that the player has difficulties in this type of marking, the evolution in the question is vital for the scheme.
(Foto: Twitter/Washington Football Team)
Main arrivals: The only big name added was cornerback Kendall Fuller, returning after being switched to the Chiefs in 2018 and winning the Super Bowl LIV. For the rest? Bets. Ronald Darby is a good player, but he can’t stay healthy. Sean Davis may have potential, but he didn’t show that to the Steelers. On the other hand, Thomas Davis came to lead the locker room and help enforce the Riverismo. The biggest reinforcement even came in the Draft: the edge rusher Chase Young, pick 2 of the recruitment of 2020.
Main outputs: Trade Williams… I mean, Trent Williams was switched to the San Francisco 49ers. Despite being the best OT in the league in recent years, today the left tackle is at the end of his career and is not suitable for a team in rebuild. Washington received Draft choices, released salary cap and has one less injury prone in the cast. Quinton Dunbar was also traded and today has become a headache for the Seahawks after being accused of theft.
Extra: Derrius Guice was cut from the team after domestic violence charges. However, with little production and many injuries, the player will not be missed. Adrian Peterson, Peyton Barber, Bryce Love, JD McKissic and Antonio Gibson are expected to be the team’s running backs for 2020.
Strong point: Many would say that the strong point is the team’s front seven, with an elite defensive line and Chase Young. However, I will highlight Terry McLaurin here. The wide receiver is the team’s main offensive weapon and has everything it takes to become an elite player. Tress Way also deserves to be highlighted, even as a punter. After all, it is the best in the league in the position and the only institution that never fails in the team.
Weak point: In a way, a team in rebuild has several weaknesses to point out and I will throw light on the secondary. The doubts remain: Will Kendall Fuller play more like outside or as nickel? Will Fabian Moreau change the level? Can Sean Davis be the team’s free safety? Will Ronald Darby be healthy? Well, if all goes well, the unit will be very interesting and cost-effective.
Freshman to keep an eye on: It could be redundant to quote Chase Young just like everyone else… and I really am. Ohio State’s edge is perhaps the team’s biggest draw this season and the only one it aims for. You can bet on him as defensive freshman of the year, defensive player of the year and maybe even as an MVP. Never know…
Campaign in 2019: 3-13
Projection for 2020: 4-12
Technical: Ron Rivera (since 2020) – NFL history: (76–63–1)
Fight for: 1st choice of the 2021 Draft
TABLE 2020
Week 1: Eagles (home)
Week 2: Cardinals (out)
Week 3: Browns (out)
Week 4: Ravens (home)
Week 5: Rams (home)
Week 6: Giants (out)
Week 7: Cowboys (home)
Semana 8: Bye week
Week 9: Giants (home)
Week 10: Lions (away)
Week 11: Bengals (home)
Week 12: Cowboys (out)
Week 13: Steelers (out)
Week 14: 49ers (out)
Week 15: Seahawks (home)
Week 16: Panthers (home)
Week 17: Eagles (out)
POWER RANKING THE PLAYOFFS 2020
Washington Football Team: position 32
Best grade: 5.5 / Worst grade: 5
>> The position of each team in the Power Ranking do The Playoffs was defined by a website committee that includes Fabio Garcia, Fernando Ferreira, Gabriel Mandel, José Ferraz and Luis Felipe Saccini. The five gave grades to the teams taking into account the strength of the squads in general and their perspective at this point. From the average, we list the franchises in this ranking from 1 to 32. Weekly, the list will be updated according to the performance of the teams in the field during the regular season.
