Washington Football team head coach Ron Rivera said Tuesday expectations may have been too high going into the season. Instead he stressed the team is focused on the growth and development for the long-term.
With a 2-3 start to the season, Washington is steps behind expectations of many outside the organization.
Last year, Washington fought through the ups and downs of a 7-9 season. In the end their record was good enough to win the NFC East division title. They made the playoffs. Then had a respectable showing in their wild card loss to the eventual Super Bowl champion, Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Their strong finish to the regular season and winning the division elevated expectations for the 2021 season in Washington. Chase Young, who won Defensive Rookie of the Year last year, and Montez Sweat were expected to lead a dominating defense.
The additions of Ryan Fitzpatrick and Curtis Samuel were expected to elevate the offense.
Yet, five weeks into the season the defense has been a shell of itself. Fitzpatrick had just one start before suffering a hip injury. Samuel has barely played through two games.
There are obvious growing pains. A work in progress has been the way Rivera has consistently described the team this season. Speaking to 106.7 the Fan’s The Sports Junkies, Rivera went as far to say it’s almost as if you wish last season didn’t happen.
“We’re trying to focus in on what’s truly the development of this football team for the long run, not an overnight fix,” Rivera said. “You almost want to say, ‘I wish 7-9 last year wouldn’t have been good enough to win the division, that way expectations would have been much lower and it would have been a little bit easier.’ This is hard. This is the way it’s supposed to be. It’s supposed to be hard because it’s the only way you learn.”
Washington is considerably young in certain spots. They revamped the offensive line with the exception of Chase Roullier at center and right guard with Brandon Scherff. Washington drafted linebacker Jamin Davis in the first round. Davis has struggled to earn snaps.
Washington has a rookie cornerback in Benjamin St.-Juste. Not to mention Sweat is just in this third season, second under defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio. Young is in Year 2 as a pro. Defensive tackles Jonathan Allen and Daron Payne also are young.
Interpretation of what Rivera said may vary. It’s also understandable fans would be upset at the comments. After the way Washington finished the 2020 season, it’s not astronomical for fans to expect the team to build off the 7-9 season.
That’s not happened. Instead, Washington has had repeated blown coverage in the secondary. Quarterback Taylor Heinicke has flashed but his ceiling appears to be much lower than some had hoped.
Coaching has been in question. Rivera has had to make it clear he was not taking over play-calling duties from Del Rio on defense. Through all the struggles, Patrick Mahomes and Aaron Rodgers are the next two quarterbacks Washington is scheduled to face.
So yes, maybe it’s time to lower those high expectations.
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