Much has been made about the need for Washington’s offense to take the next step into relevance with such a young core of high-ceiling players, but in order for the team to see instant results, it’s the defense that needs to step up to the plate.
After being projected by some to finish as a top-10 defense in 2019, the Redskins did nothing but disappoint. They finished the year ranked 27th in the NFL when it comes to total yards allowed and total points given up, and they were dead last in the league when it comes to third-down conversions, allowing opposing teams to move the chains 49 percent of the time.
With a stacked defensive line, a young and budding defensive secondary, and a potentially solid core of linebackers, the Redskins have great potential to be good in 2020. However, don’t mention that to Jack Del Rio, the new defensive coordinator in Washington. He doesn’t want to hear anything about potential. All that he cares about is results.
“It’s interesting to me that so much is made this time of year with thoughts on potential, Potential really doesn’t matter,” Del Rio said, via The Athletic.“It doesn’t really amount to much. To me, it’s more about what we can get done and the work that we’re willing to put in and the idea that ‘Look, we’re going to become a respected unit, OK?’ We’ve got to learn how to commit to doing what is best for each other and what is best for this football team.”
Del Rio has a point. Montez Sweat and Chase Young have the potential to be a force on the outside, terrorizing opposing quarterbacks, but it doesn’t mean squat if they’re rendered irrelevant by NFL offensive lineman. Daron Payne and Jonathan Allen have had their potential raved about for years now, but until it amounts to something on the field, how much is that helping the Redskins?
“I believe in having a defense that understands where it belongs, that is accountable to each other, that plays hard, that plays fast, that plays physical, that plays tough,” Del Rio said. “That toughness is not just a physical toughness but a mental toughness as well. We have a ways to go, and the communication is going to be important, and the understanding of how we all fit together is going to be important. Those are just some of the principles that I believe in.”
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