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Scouts Inc. examines what went wrong for the 20 teams that did not make the playoffs this season. Here, Chuck Knox Jr. analyzes the NFC East team that missed.
Washington Commanders
The Commanders were a big disappointment this season, winning just five games after going to the playoffs in 2005. Many predicted the Commanders would compete for the division title, but as early as the preseason this team did not look like a playoff-caliber team. The Commanders have the largest, highest-paid coaching staff in the NFL, but this approach seemed to promote friction among the coaches and a lack of chemistry. The defense did not live up to expectations and was the Achilles' heel of this team, as it did not play with any confidence all year. This team was supposed to get the Commanders back to the Super Bowl, but naive owner Daniel Snyder was sold the wrong bill of goods once again.
Poor defensive play: The defense was supposed to be the strength of the Commanders, buying time for the offense to get adjusted to a new scheme. However, the defense has been a major problem for this team since the preseason, with its inability to make plays in all phases. Gregg Williams' defense set a league record for fewest takeaways in the NFL (10). His defense also had the fewest sacks in the league (19). The lack of pass-rush and poor coverage meant disaster for the pass defense, which allowed the most explosive pass plays (pass over 20 yards) in the league (55). Williams never really adjusted his scheme to fit the strengths and weaknesses of his players, constantly running all-out blitzes that exposed corners Carlos Rogers, Kenny Wright, Ade Jimoh and Mike Rumph. Adam Archuleta's play was not a surprise, as he has never been a good cover safety in coverage and was passed up in free agency by all his former Rams coaches.
Inconsistent offense: Al Saunders was hired to revamp the Commanders' offense, instilling the high-powered scheme he used in Kansas City that led the league in a number of categories the last few years. He brought in a 700-page playbook the players and assistant coaches could not absorb in the 10 months. The offense was lackluster for most of the season, failing to move the ball and put points on the board. Much of the blame falls on quarterback Mark Brunell. His arm strength, accuracy and mobility were called into question, yet Joe Gibbs stuck with his veteran QB until it was too late to salvage the season. He eventually made the change to Jason Campbell, who looks like the quarterback of the future for the Commanders. The offense failed to keep drives going and seemed predictable at times.
Poor personnel decisions: Any coach would love to work for an owner with deep pockets who is not afraid to spend money to get quality players. Unfortunately, Daniel Snyder has not spent his money wisely. The big bust of the year has to be the signing of strong safety Adam Archuleta to a huge contract. Archuleta must play close to the line of scrimmage to be effective and has never been good in coverage. The Commanders also made a mistake by trading a third-round pick this year and a fourth-round pick next year for receiver Brandon Lloyd, a player who was never a big part of the offense and who was inactive the last two games of the year. Washington panicked after Clinton Portis got injured in the preseason and traded for T.J. Duckett, showing no faith in Ladell Betts. Duckett failed to get involved in the offense, even when Portis was put on injured reserve. The problem with the Commanders is they usually overpay for a player who does not fit their schemes, and they give away their draft picks for players who are not productive. Someone has to be held accountable; obviously the coaches and management are not on the same page when it comes to personnel.
Chuck Knox Jr. scouts the NFC East for Scouts Inc.
Washington Commanders
The Commanders were a big disappointment this season, winning just five games after going to the playoffs in 2005. Many predicted the Commanders would compete for the division title, but as early as the preseason this team did not look like a playoff-caliber team. The Commanders have the largest, highest-paid coaching staff in the NFL, but this approach seemed to promote friction among the coaches and a lack of chemistry. The defense did not live up to expectations and was the Achilles' heel of this team, as it did not play with any confidence all year. This team was supposed to get the Commanders back to the Super Bowl, but naive owner Daniel Snyder was sold the wrong bill of goods once again.
Poor defensive play: The defense was supposed to be the strength of the Commanders, buying time for the offense to get adjusted to a new scheme. However, the defense has been a major problem for this team since the preseason, with its inability to make plays in all phases. Gregg Williams' defense set a league record for fewest takeaways in the NFL (10). His defense also had the fewest sacks in the league (19). The lack of pass-rush and poor coverage meant disaster for the pass defense, which allowed the most explosive pass plays (pass over 20 yards) in the league (55). Williams never really adjusted his scheme to fit the strengths and weaknesses of his players, constantly running all-out blitzes that exposed corners Carlos Rogers, Kenny Wright, Ade Jimoh and Mike Rumph. Adam Archuleta's play was not a surprise, as he has never been a good cover safety in coverage and was passed up in free agency by all his former Rams coaches.
Inconsistent offense: Al Saunders was hired to revamp the Commanders' offense, instilling the high-powered scheme he used in Kansas City that led the league in a number of categories the last few years. He brought in a 700-page playbook the players and assistant coaches could not absorb in the 10 months. The offense was lackluster for most of the season, failing to move the ball and put points on the board. Much of the blame falls on quarterback Mark Brunell. His arm strength, accuracy and mobility were called into question, yet Joe Gibbs stuck with his veteran QB until it was too late to salvage the season. He eventually made the change to Jason Campbell, who looks like the quarterback of the future for the Commanders. The offense failed to keep drives going and seemed predictable at times.
Poor personnel decisions: Any coach would love to work for an owner with deep pockets who is not afraid to spend money to get quality players. Unfortunately, Daniel Snyder has not spent his money wisely. The big bust of the year has to be the signing of strong safety Adam Archuleta to a huge contract. Archuleta must play close to the line of scrimmage to be effective and has never been good in coverage. The Commanders also made a mistake by trading a third-round pick this year and a fourth-round pick next year for receiver Brandon Lloyd, a player who was never a big part of the offense and who was inactive the last two games of the year. Washington panicked after Clinton Portis got injured in the preseason and traded for T.J. Duckett, showing no faith in Ladell Betts. Duckett failed to get involved in the offense, even when Portis was put on injured reserve. The problem with the Commanders is they usually overpay for a player who does not fit their schemes, and they give away their draft picks for players who are not productive. Someone has to be held accountable; obviously the coaches and management are not on the same page when it comes to personnel.
Chuck Knox Jr. scouts the NFC East for Scouts Inc.
