Tag: 2022 NFC Championship Game

Former Washington QB Josh Johnson forced into NFC title game

Josh Johnson appeared in four games for Washington back in 2018 after the Alex Smith and Colt McCoy injuries.

Former Washington quarterback Josh Johnson found himself in a familiar position, in Sunday’s NFC championship game, as the Philadelphia Eagles defeated the San Francisco 49ers 31-7.

The Eagles had taken the opening kickoff and driven 66 yards in 11 plays to grab an early 7-0 lead. The 49ers, in turn, had taken possession at their own 25, gained 25 yards, and faced a 2nd & 6 at the 50. Rookie starting quarterback Brock Purdy dropped back to pass and was hit from his right side by the Eagles’ Hassan Reddick, injuring Purdy’s right throwing elbow.

Johnson, who was not even with the 49ers until he was signed on Dec. 6, was forced into quite the unenviable position of facing the NFL’s best pass rush while not even having had time to learn all of his own team’s offense. (Johnson had been practicing as the scout team quarterback, running the offense of the 49ers opposition each week since he signed with San Francisco).

This all rings a bell for Washington fans who follow their team closely.  November 18, 2018, Washington was 6-3 facing the Houston Texans when starting quarterback Alex Smith suffered a season-ending compound fracture of his leg.

Two weeks later, new starter Colt McCoy suffered a broken leg in a Monday night game at Philadelphia, ending his season. Mark Sanchez, the veteran third-stringer, was now the starter, and Washington urgently signed Johnson.

Sanchez struggled mightily, and Johnson was forced into action, though he had last thrown an NFL regular-season pass seven seasons earlier as a Tampa Bay Buccaneer in 2011. Johnson played in the final four games of the season, starting the last three.

Johnson did lead Washington to a 16-13 road win at Jacksonville; however, Washington, after the Alex Smith injury, did lose six of their final seven games, finishing 7-9.

Sunday, being thrown into the fire in a nearly impossible situation against the Eagles, Johnson completed 7 of 13 passing attempts for 74 yards (5.7 YPA). Johnson ran twice for two yards and was sacked twice for -14 yards, generating a passer rating of 70.7 and a QBR of 14.7. Unfortunately, he was also knocked out of the game with a concussion.

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Former Washington tackle Trent Williams erred Sunday in Philadelphia

The former Washington left tackle was ejected from the NFC championship game for slamming a Philadelphia defender to the ground.

When Trent Williams concludes his NFL career, he may be headed to Canton, OH and the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

But Williams revealed again Sunday, there is a side to him that cannot continue to be conveniently overlooked.

Understandably, Williams and his San Francisco 49ers teammates were frustrated Sunday. They had lost their third-string QB Brock Purdy, no longer able to pass, having injured his passing elbow.

Trailing 31-7 with a little over four minutes remaining, Christian McCaffrey ran for six yards to the San Francisco 38.  Well, after the play, Trent Williams walked over to a group of players from both teams in a light skirmish.

Williams could have simply gotten one of his teammates out of there to help dissolve the situation. However, for no apparent good reason, Williams grabbed Philadelphia’s K’Von Wallace and violently hurled Wallace to his back.

Williams wasn’t finished, immediately throwing a couple of punches as well, escalating the entire situation. Williams was appropriately ejected and will most likely be fined as well for behavior that was entirely out of line and is without excuse.

Williams is a terrific left tackle, exhibiting amazing athletic ability and agility his entire career since being drafted by Washington fourth overall in the 2010 NFL Draft.

The former Oklahoma Sooner was deservedly elected to the Pro Bowl each season with Washington from 2012-2018 and San Francisco in 2020-22. Even more, he was voted first-team All-Pro 2021-22.

Yet, there is the other side of the coin with Williams. In 2011 Williams was suspended four games by the NFL, and then again in 2016 when Washington was enjoying a 6-3-1 record. Keep in mind this is significant because those NFL four-game suspensions occurred only after multiple failed drug tests or missed tests, or other violations. What’s more, PFT had reported Williams tested positive ten times in 2011.

When Williams sat out the 2019 season, he blamed the Washington medical staff, saying, ” I almost lost my life.” Williams painted a bleak picture, portraying Washington’s staff as irresponsible.

But when the Redskins responded they would be willing to hand over the medical records of the medical care that had been given to Trent Williams, Williams backed off and went silent.

Trent Williams is a great player, but Sunday, he again showed his career has also been marred with numerous times of poor judgment. Williams is now 34, and perhaps isn’t it time he learns that his decisions have had serious consequences?

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