“It’s like we are flat-lining now. This is where you have got to have that captain, that person on the staff, whomever, that doesn’t allow you to let go of the rope.”
Rick Doc Walker visited with the “Sports Junkies” Tuesday, and he didn’t hold back in saying how he feels about this Commanders team. In fact, Walker said it is now a manhood issue for this team.
“When guys start giving up on you and they’ve given up on the program, I’m trying to find how do I motivate myself now?” Walker was referring to the fact the Commanders still have four remaining games on their schedule.
The Commanders have fallen apart, losing six of their last seven games after starting the season 2-0.
“Now, I am looking for competitors. What would I be looking for now? Who doesn’t quit? Because if you quit on me, I quit on you. I can dump the whole roster because it’s a last-place operation. I am going scorched earth if the guys don’t prove to me that they are competitors.”
Walker was asked, “Who on this team would you choose to build around?”
“It’s easy. Who do you win with? (Pause) Nobody.”
Walker then elaborated, “In other words, I am going into expansion mode if I have to. These guys are going to prove to me now if they are competitors. Clearly, you need more competitive people on this team.”
“Why would I anoint anybody anything? That is our problem. We give away too many awards before they are earned.”
“You saw the Niners, the Cowboys. Hell, the Rams are going to be ferocious. They are turning the corner. Other people (teams) aren’t giving up. So, this is a manhood issue now. Let’s find out how many competitors we have. Talk is cheap. I want to see effort.”
“The bottom line is that everyone makes money; win, lose, or draw. So guys aren’t playing for the money. They already make the money. You got to find a way to get some incentive.”
Walker was asked if Sam Howell is the guy for next season.
“Oh, he’s going to compete. He ain’t the guy; he’s going to compete. Sam Howell is going to compete to be on my team. I am not holding any slots for anybody on a last-place team!”
“Everything is going to be open the way it ought to be. You got to earn the right to start.”
“What am I doing reserving a spot for a guy I can’t win with?”