Tag: Former HC Jay Gruden

When they last met: Commanders and Dolphins

A lot has changed in the last four years. The last time these teams met, they were battling to see who picked higher in the 2020 NFL draft.

“When they last met” is an ongoing series during the NFL season, recalling the preceding game between Washington and the next opponent on the Commanders’ schedule.

Washington 17, Miami 16 – Week 6, October 13, 2019

The last time these two teams met, Washington was still the “Redskins,” Jay Gruden had just been fired following an 0-5 start, Bill Callahan was the interim coach, Brian Flores coached Miami and Case Keenum and Josh Rosen were the two starting quarterbacks.

Both teams entered the Week 6 contest winless. Yes, winless. So it was only fitting that the normally tying touchdown was scored with only six seconds remaining when Ryan Fitzpatrick (of Miami) connected with DeVante Parker from 11 yards. Miami went for the win and a two-point conversion attempt. However, Fitzpatrick’s bubble screen left to Kenyan Drake was dropped, allowing the Redskins to escape with a 17-16 win.

Both teams were on the bottom floor of the NFL in 2019. Washington would end up 3-13, selecting second in the next draft, Ron Rivera’s first. Miami finished 5-11 and drafted fifth in 2020.

Washington took Chase Young, who was advertised as “a generational talent.” Yet by 2023, all Washington could get for Young was a late 3rd round 2024 draft choice. Miami, on the other hand, drafted Tua Tagovailoa and is enjoying their fourth consecutive season with a winning record. Washington has not had a season with a winning record since Kirk Cousins was quarterback in the 2015 and 2016 seasons.

Back to the 2019 game, Washington had led 7-3 at the half and 17-3 after three quarters but had to survive the Dolphins scoring two final-quarter touchdowns.

Washington’s Adrian Peterson rushed for 118 yards on 23 carries, Terry McLaurin collected 100 receiving yards on four receptions (including two touchdowns), and Keenum completed 13 passes for 166 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions.

Rosen had started for the Dolphins, but his two first-half interceptions and his being sacked five times led to Fitzpatrick playing the second half. “Fitzmagic” completed 12 of his 18 attempts for 132 yards, including the last-minute touchdown.

Quinton Dunbar and Shaun Dion Hamilton each had one interception, while Jonathan Allen had two quarterback sacks. Landon Collins, Matt Ioannidis and Treyvon Hester registered one quarterback sack each.

 

Jay Gruden: Changes will come for Commanders after loss to Bears

Gruden provides some excellent analysis into what the Bears were thinking last week.

“The Bears are grown men who were getting destroyed in the media,” began Jay Gruden in his interpretation of what transpired Thursday at FedEx Field.

Gruden appeared on “The Kevin Sheehan Show” podcast Friday to discuss his observations of the Commanders’ miserable 40-20 loss to the Bears Thursday.

Here are a few select quotes from Gruden’s appearance.

“Nobody gave these guys [the Bears] a chance, including me.”

“They came out and threw haymakers early, and Washington never responded. When it was too late in the third quarter, Washington tried to throw a couple of body blows, but Washington was already knocked out.”

“I don’t know what is wrong with Washington’s defense, but they have to figure something out, especially in the secondary and at linebacker.”

“It was an impressive performance by Chicago, and you have to look at Washington and figure out what happened. They could never get anything going, got ambushed early, and could never recover.”

“They were battered and bruised up and had to fly to Denver and play Sunday. Then fly back to Chicago, and then to Washington (on a short week). Sometimes, when people are calling you names and your back is against the wall, grown men will fight back, and that is what Chicago did.”

“To allow DJ Moore to get 200+ yards (230) and three touchdowns is a little on the coaching and the technique of the players, but that can’t happen. But to have Moore hit you for 230, that is hard to fathom.”

“I was disappointed in the push and the pressure. I think Herbert had way too many runs between the tackles for gashes (10-76). That can’t happen with that front.”

“I felt the heat after every game (loss); that’s the way it is around here. You feel the heat when you lose. This is a very proud franchise with fans that feel very deeply about their football team and haven’t won since the run Joe Gibbs had (1981-92).”

“They are dying for success, and when they don’t get it, they want change. And that is what is going to happen.”

“You have to try to ignore the noise, focus on your job and make sure the players focus on their job, quit looking at Twitter and Instagram, whatever the heck they are looking at, and just focus on the next opponent and go from there.”