Eric Bieniemy admits this season has been tough.
He understands that the past is the past, and he must lead the offensive unit today in preparing for tomorrow.
“Today, that’s all that matters. The notes that our guys took in meetings are very important. The film that they’re studying on this particular opponent are very important. That matters today, that’s all. Now we got to go out and execute and make sure that we’re putting that productivity on tape, showing that we can go out and apply it on Sunday.”
The Commanders were expected by most to be a .500 team this season, so how does Bieniemy respond to the disappointing season?
“Well, 4-9 is tough. It’s very tough. Not going to lie. It can emotionally eat at you, it can physically drain you, but like everything, I’m built for this because the thing that I always look at is what can we do better? How can I grow as a coach? How can I grow as a communicator? How can I grow as a coordinator?”
The issue of whether Bieniemy was calling plays in Kansas City has subtly been brought up in recent weeks, and of course, Bieniemy caught on when it was asked again Thursday.
“I think I’ve grown tremendously because I’ve had an opportunity to do it for five years. On top of that, I’m doing it this year. I think people forget that, yes, I was a coordinator in Kansas City, and yes, I did call plays. Obviously, the head man always has 51 percent of the vote, as he should. But when it’s all said and done with, have I grown? Yes. Can I always be better? Yes, there’s always room for growth.”
Bieniemy also wasn’t taking the bait when asked if he thinks about his future. Rivera had been asked about it after the Dallas loss; now it was Bieniemy’s turn.
“That’s actually a great question, I’m surprised that it’s the first time it’s come up. But as coaches, we have to live in the now; that’s the only way that you can survive. You can’t worry about what’s taking place around you; the only thing that matters is today… You have to live in the now if you are thinking about everything else; you can’t get a job done if you’re focused on all the things that are outside. I learned this a long time ago, eliminate distractions.”
Bieniemy knows the reality of the situation, and he doesn’t appear to be shrinking from it either.
“We are who we are, can’t change that, that’s who we are…my job is to make sure that we can come out of this game and be 5-9. That’s all that matters.”