Commanders' growing setback at the bye is not who fans keep blaming

In an effort to make sense of a disastrous season, Washington Commanders fans have pinned blame on general manager Adam Peters, on coaches like defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr., and on injuries. But in the final analysis, the buck always stops with the players themselves. The Commanders certainly had holes in their roster at the start of the season and have undoubtedly been crushed by injury. But they still have many talented players who have not performed well this year. The main culprits, according to most of the online fan chatter, have been a trio of young defenders whose play dropped off considerably from last season. Linebacker Frankie Luvu, cornerback Mike Sainristil, and safety Quan Martin have all suffered significant drop-offs compared to the previous season. Other players — young and old alike — have been targets of blame. Brandon Coleman went from being a promising left tackle starter as a rookie to the bench in his second year. Team leader Terry McLaurin held out the entire summer and never p