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Posted on December 10, 2020December 12, 2020 in Football, NFL

Logan Thomas’s Versatility Has Ignited Washington’s Offense

In week 13, Washington’s offense needed to deliver against an undefeated Pittsburgh Steelers team who boasted one of the top defensive units in the league. The matchup was flexed to prime time on MNF which, under the Snyder era, has been historically bad for Washington. With Alex Smith‘s top target, Terry McLaurin, held in check against Pittsburgh (2 rec 12 yards no td’s) and starting back Antonio Gibson leaving the game in the 1st quarter with a toe injury, the Burgundy and Gold needed somebody to step up in a herculean way against the NFL’s top ranked passing defense.

Although Cam Sims and J.D. McKissic had monster games vs Pittsburgh (162 comb rec yards), Logan Thomas was Alex Smith‘s go-to target with 9 catches on 9 targets for 98 yards and a touchdown. Thomas’ performance was the most yards the Steelers defense had given up to a tight end this season and statistically led all pass catchers on the night.

Developing Versatility Early On

Logan Thomas‘ time at Brookville High School (Campbell County, Virginia) is what would shape Thomas as the football player he’s become today. During his time at Brookville the WFT tight end played quarterback, wide receiver and defensive back (80 tak and 4 ints). Thomas had his best year during his senior season completing 118 passes for 1,535 yards and 20 touchdowns, but his 842 rushing yards for 11 td’s would get him the golden ticket invite to the 2009 Army All American Bowl. Thomas would also earn All-State honors in track & field in the 110m and 300m hurdles, high jump, long jump and discus event. If that wasn’t enough, Thomas also found time to play basketball for Brookville High, later having his jersey retired in 2016.

Washington fans are well aware of Thomas history as Virginia Tech’s starting quarterback from 2011-’13, but his 2 rec for 11 yards and 1 td during that span may come as a surprise after witnessing what he did this season. Thomas sat behind NFL journeymen Tyrod Taylor during his first season in 2010, learning behind one of the most exciting dual threat signal callers that season. He would go on the following year to lead his team to the 2011 ACC Championship finishing his career with a 26-14 record as the starter. As the Hokie starting quarterback, Thomas threw for 8,896 yards and 53 touchdowns and added another 1,337 yards on the ground with 24 td’s on 489 carries. His versatility would later help him make the position switch from quarterback to tight end.

Long Overdue

Over the last 2+ decades, the position of tight end has been one that Washington has struggled to adequately fill. With the exception of both Jordan Reed and Chris Cooley who was hand picked by Hall of Fame Coach Joe Gibbs, owner Dan Snyder has largely overlooked the position in free agency and avoided drafting one early. Although Reed was an explosive receiver, he offered little in the blocking game and struggled to stay healthy. Coming in to the 2020 season, The Burgundy and Gold Report had tight end as one of the top roster needs. To the surprise of many, Washington passed on drafting a tight end.

The signing of the converted quarterback received little fanfare, but some evaluators viewed Logan Thomas as a solid TE2-TE3 with above average blocking ability, who could possibly be developed into more under Ron Rivera. Thomas was an intriguing developmental prospect, but his early success in Scott Turner‘s offense has been nothing short of remarkable.

2016 marked his permanent switch to tight end when he was signed to the Detroit Lions practice squad. He would go on to record 317 rec yards 1 td between ’17-’19 while bouncing around the league. Through eleven starts in Washington, Thomas has already surpassed his cumulative career stats and now has 43 rec for 426 yards 5 td’s with a 9.9 yards per catch average heading into the matchup vs San Francisco. Amongst tight ends, Thomas ranks 15th in the league in receiving yards and is tied for 6th in touchdowns.

In the Thanksgiving matchup vs Dallas, Thomas threw his first pass of the season for 28 yards. The play was one of multiple occasions that Thomas has lined up under center or in the backfield. His play has been a big reason why Washington has been more consistent on 3rd down.

Looking Ahead

A month ago, if you asked a Washington fan if they thought the three game stretch vs San Francisco, Seattle and Carolina were winnable games, you’d probably get a chuckle. After the win vs the previously undefeated Steelers, fans are believing in this team and Rivera’s direction. As teams continue to focus on top target Terry McLaurin, opportunities to utilize Thomas against opposing linebackers should be there.

As Washington heads into a tough three-game stretch, neck and neck with the Giants, the future and the direction of this offense is starting to seem more clear. After a rough start, OC Scott Turner has made the necessary in-game adjustments to put Alex Smith in position to succeed. Turner seems to have realized, with his talent and injury riddled offensive line, more pre-snap motions, running out of shotgun or utilizing jet action is the best way to get his skill players involved early. Thomas has been a key component to the success of Turner’s offensive vision.

Having an athletic tight end who can block is imperative to carry out Turner’s game plan. Logan Thomas does all the little things well, but can also be that receiving safety blanket that all quarterbacks need to have. It’s become evident that having two versatile tight ends is exactly what Turner’s offense needs. After Thomas, depth is an issue, with Jeremy Sprinkle likely on his way out of Washington after the season and a revolving door of practice squad call ups. With Thomas signed through 2021 at a modest $3.6 million salary, an extension should be on the horizon.

Heading into the offseason, QB, WR and LT top the list as needs on offense for Washington. The Burgundy and Gold Report will feature some talented prospects at those positions with tight end getting some extra attention in the coming months. Follow The Burgundy and Gold Report so you don’t miss any of our upcoming articles and podcast appearances.

12/4/20 Burgundy Network Podcast🎙What a great interview with one of the best evaluators in the business @JReidNFL of @TheDraftNetwork. We discussed draft prospects, Washington football and much more!#BurgundyNetwork #DraftingBurgundy #NFLDraft2021 ⭐️ YouTube👇🏻

Follow on Twitter @TheBandGreport and on Facebook at ‪https://m.facebook.com/groups/344619956055227‬ #Burgundyandgoldreport #FightForOldDC #WashingtonFootball

*Credit photos to Washingtonfootball.com and Elijah Walter Griffin Sr/Washington Football Team and Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

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Posted on December 3, 2020January 26, 2021 in Football, NFL

Playing Meaningful Ball in December and The Players that Made it Happen

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Being relevant in December in the NFL is something to be thankful for. It was only a short time ago that Washington was sitting at 2-7 after another let down loss to the Lions. Fast forward to Thanksgiving night and Washington has now won 2 in a row and is tied for the NFC East lead with NYG at 4-7 after sweeping Dallas (NYG holds the tiebreaker with the 2 wins vs WAS). Although Alex Smith is playing the role of game manager well (66 pass yards 1 td and 1 vs CIN and 149 pass yards 1 td and 1 int vs DAL) over the last two weeks his performance has been enough to sustain long offensive drives.

Over the last two weeks, one thing seems certain; these players on offense are thriving off of Smith’s energy. Although the NFC East is the worst division in football, Washington is a team that has it going at the right time with a path to the playoffs. In fact, over the last two games vs Dallas, Washington has outscored them 66-19. During the 3 game stretch a few players have emerged as valuable assets to build upon.

Moses and the O-line

The o-line in Washington has been in disarray since the Trent Williams holdout, which ultimately led to his trade to San Francisco. Since then, we’ve seen Geron Christian, Cornelius Lucas III and Saahdiq Charles (2 snap before injured) see time at LT with less than stellar results. After injuries during the 11/8 loss to the Giants, RT Morgan Moses was forced to switch to LT with David Sharpe taking over at RT. Since the switch, the run game has clearly improved and Smith has seen more time in the pocket.

The schedule helped for sure with Detroit, Cincinnati and Dallas providing more opportunities for the Washington offense to gain an identity. Although the passing numbers are below average, the run game has seen a big boost with tight end Logan Thomas contributing in all facets, as well. Pittsburgh will be the biggest test for this o-line and tight end group thus far, but the improved play Moses, should give fans some hope.

The Captain and Rookie

Second year receiver Terry McLaurin and rookie running back Antonio Gibson have put this offense on their back. In order to give some perspective, Alex Smith has thrown for 1,067 yards 3 td’s and 5 int thus far, while McLaurin (993 total yards 3 td’s) and Gibson (868 total yards 11 td’s) have combined for 1,861 total yards and 14 td’s. The duo has stepped up their game and been productive, regardless of who has been under center.

McLaurin has become one of the league’s top receivers and his recent vote in as captain seems fitting. In less than two seasons, it’s becoming clear that McLaurin is the most talented receiver the team has had since HOF receiver Art Monk. That might be high praise, but McLaurin’s work ethic and hustle haven’t been seen from the position in the nation’s capital for decades.

Although the former OSU stats are impressive, the play he made against Dallas epitomizes what type of player he is and can be. Late in the 3rd quarter, leading 20-13, Alex Smith threw an ill timed interception with 04:17 remaining to Cowboys linebacker #54 Jaylon Smith. At that point, it seemed like another familiar Washington collapse was in the making. But Terry was having none of that. Smith hauled in the interception on the Washington 46 yard line and headed toward the end zone with a head of steam, only to have McLaurin bring him down on the 4 yard line.

This touchdown saving tackle, in combination with the goal line stand, only resulted in a field goal which kept the lead at 20-16. Although McLaurin’s clutch 1st down catches were key, leading to 92 yards on 7 receptions on the day, it was the touchdown saving tackle that would be the mark that he left on Washington’s Thanksgiving victory.

NFL: Super Bowl LIII-New England Patriots vs Los Angeles Rams — Feb 3, 2019; Atlanta, GA, USA; New England Patriots former player Ty Law before Super Bowl LIII against the Los Angeles Rams at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

McLaurin helped the team in key situations against Dallas, which many fans expected. Another player on the offense also had a big day. Third round rookie Antonio Gibson put the division on notice with his best game as pro and tied a few Thanksgiving day records that previously stood for decades.

Gibson is still learning the nuances of running back after being utilized primarily as a pass catcher during his time at Memphis, but his vision and ability to create YAC are starting to come together. Gibson averaged 5.8 yards per rush vs Dallas on Thanksgiving, on his way to recording 115 rushing yards for 3 td’s along with 5 rec for 21 yards.

As mentioned, the rookie back has recorded 868 total yards 11 td’s through 11 games, but in multiple games only had a handful of carries. Offensive Coordinator Scott Turner has definitely opened up his playbook, while trying to stay committed to the run. Many will point to the level of competition in which Gibson shined, but there’s no denying that the rookie is electric with the ball in his hands. With a tough matchup on the horizon vs the undefeated Pittsburgh Steelers, Turner would be wise to utilize Gibson more as a receiver in order to keep the stout Steeler defense off balance. Getting the Best Out of Antonio Gibson

Young and the Defense

Another rookie displayed how dominant he could be against the Cowboys and the the pass rusher nicknamed “The Predator” certainly didn’t disappoint. Only 1 week after forcing a fumble by quarterback Joe Burrow at the goal line, Chase Young continued to take the lead on defense against Dallas. Similar to the Cincinnati performance, Young’s teammates fed off his energy and didn’t let up against Dallas.

Per Next Gen Stats, Young set or tied career-best marks in several pass rush metrics vs Dallas on Thanksgiving. In that game, Young recorded 5 pressures with a 16.1% pressure rate, which led the team. However, his 0.74 second get-off average is what set him apart from the rest. Youngs stats don’t scream All Pro just yet (22 tak 4.5 sacks and 2 FF), but it’s been evident that his mere presence on the field has pushed offensive coordinators to adjust accordingly. Rhiannon Walker of The Athletic had the following to say about Young:

“Chase Young is doubled at a higher rate than T.J. Watt, Jason Pierre-Paul and Demarcus Lawrence. Youngs win rate? Higher than J.J. Watt, Khalil Mack and Cameron Jordan.”

The attention Young has drawn has led to opportunities for others such as Montez Sweat. The second year pass rusher has been reaping the benefits, which has led to Sweat recording 6 sacks 2 FF’s (leads the team) and his first career pick 6 on Thanksgiving. It’s not only Young’s presence on the field, but also the fire and confidence he inspires in the locker room. Similar to Sweat, the former Hokie DT Tim Settle has also seen a noticeable uptick in his performance after Youngs arrival. With the injury to Matt Ioannidis, Settle has been featured more in a rotational role with more snaps, but currently sits second on the team with 5 sacks.

As a whole, the defense has had it’s best performance within the NFC East. Upcoming games against Pittsburgh, Seattle and San Francisco will go a long way in determining their playoff fate and what the offseason roster focus should be. In most cases, a 4-7 record would equal a bottom dweller spot within a teams respective division, no matter how bad the other teams are. However, this is 2020 and Rivera’s team has everything to play for.

The Alex Smith comeback story along with the Dwayne Haskins benching have been polarizing examples of the highs and lows under Rivera. One thing seems clear; Washington’s players have bought into what Rivera is selling. Although some fans view a division title as nothing more than a drop from the draft’s top 15, competing for a division title under any circumstances matters, especially with a new coach attempting to revitalize a once proud culture. Playing meaningful football in December is a great scenario for a team only a year removed from a regime that had featured Bruce Allen calling the shots and Jay Gruden getting the early season hook with Bill Callahan taking over as the Interim HC. The continued focus on development and the week to week improvement from a play-calling standpoint is also notable, which should go a long way for Washington making their bid for the NFC East crown. In the end though, Washington will only go as far as their playmakers take them.

By Adam Aniba

#Burgundyandgoldreport #FightForOldDC #WashingtonFootball Follow on Twitter @TheBandGreport and on Facebook at ‪https://m.facebook.com/groups/344619956055227‬

Credit photos to Washingtonfootball.com and Elijah Walter Griffin Sr/Washington Football Team and Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

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Posted on November 14, 2020January 26, 2021 in Football, NFL

Cam Sims Has Been a Bright Spot During a Dark Season

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As Washington continues to free-fall through the 2020 season, a few bright spots have emerged from the rubble. Second year receiver Terry McLaurin’s ascension to team captain and a top 10 receiver has been exciting to witness, rookie back Antonio Gibson has shown flashes of exploveness and the duo of Montez Sweat & Chase Young could finally solidify a position that has lacked true impact over the last two decades. Another bright bright spot, and the focus of this article is third year receiver, Cam Sims. He has had the most productive stretch of his career with 7 rec for 171 yards and a touchdown over the last 3 games, after only registering 2 rec 27 yards in 2019. Last week’s game against New York was his best with 3 rec for 110 yards.

During his time in Washington, Sims’ flashes mainly occurred during the pre-season, but he also has had stints on the practice squad. Although only a small sample size, the former Alabama receiver leads the team with a 24.4 yard per rec average with most of his catches coming on 3rd down conversions.

Sims is now playing under new HC Ron Rivera and OC Scott Turner, who have shown increased confidence and faith in Sims as the season has progressed. Washington’s lack of veteran receivers, along with injuries, has opened the door for Sims to see an expanded role. Rivera showed, during his time in Carolina, that he prefers his X/Z receivers on the big side with Dontrelle Inman, rookie Antonio Gandy-Golden and Cam Sims all fitting the mold.

AGG is a talent that will surely flourish in time, but has struggled to stay healthy. Similar to Sims, Inman has also flashed making timely 3rd down receptions and recorded 2 TD’s on the year. Injuries have been an issue within the receiving core which has opened doors for others.

The Burgundy and Gold Report has been a Cam fan since he made the team as an UDFA in ‘18. Sims has maintained a small, but loyal following for his 50/50 highlight reels in past exhibition games, but his route running and ability to make plays after the catch has dramatically improved over the last 3 games. Second year receiver Terry McLaurin is clearly the leader of the group and his recent elevation to captain spoke to that. It’s been well documented that McLaurin and Sims are students of the game and watching film is something both pride themselves on. Cam would be wise to follow McLaurin’s lead.

What Cam Does Best

As previously mentioned, Sims had his best game as a pro last week, against the Giants. One particular play, although routine, highlighted how Sims can be an impact player. It was 3rd and 4 from their own 27 yard line with Sims running a standard crossing route with tight end Logan Thomas running a rub route, essentially acting as the pick man on the play. Sims caught the crosser in stride, knowing that the 31 yard line was where the first down marker was. He weaved upfield, breaking 3 tackles along the way to a 33 yard gain. On the play, Sims displayed just how much he’s evolved as a route runner as well as his heightened understanding of the depth that is needed to run the route effectively. It seems simple, but many receivers routinely run their route short and Sims’ understanding of route depth will go a long way in his maturation as a receiver as he expands his repertoire.

Although only three games, Sims has separated himself from the other Washington receivers and gained the confidence of coaches. In addition to making plays after the catch, Sims’ willingness to lower his pads as a blocker hasn’t gone unnoticed. With a gap scheme run game that has struggled to find consistency, more big plays will be needed in the passing game. As teams focus on Terry McLaurin, Sims will continue to see one-on-one matchups and have more chances for splash plays.

Rivera clearly had a desire to add a blue-chip receiver this offseason, after his well documented failed attempt to sign Amari Cooper away from Dallas during free agency. After the $100 mil “swing and miss” offer for Cooper, they settled for a journeyman in Inman. There is no doubt this team will likely use more resources during the offseason to upgrade the offense with an eye on receiver and tight end, after dedicating high draft picks on the defensive side of the ball. While they continue to search for more offensive weapons, Cam Sims will now have an opportunity with his 4th quarterback in two years, to cement his spot on this roster going forward. In a season in which finding bright spots can be difficult, having Sims ascend into a solid WR2/WR3 would be a big gain for a struggling offense during the rebuilding phase.

By Adam Aniba

#Burgundyandgoldreport #FightForOldDC #WashingtonFootball Follow on Twitter @TheBandGreport and on Facebook at ‪https://m.facebook.com/groups/344619956055227‬

*Credit photos to Washingtonfootball.com and Elijah Walter Griffin Sr/Washington Football Team

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Cole Holcomb is Cementing His Spot in Washington

After being a walk-on at UNC, Washington linebacker Cole Holcomb is used to battling the odds. After a rookie season that showed promise, Holcomb left the Week 1 matchup with a sprained knee. It was feared that, after missing multiple games, IR would be his ultimate landing spot. After missing 4 straight games, Holcomb recorded 5 solo tak in his week 6 return against New York. But his performance against Dallas displayed his potential ceiling as a starting MLB (5 tak, 1 sack, 1 tfl, 1 pass deflection and 2 QB hits).

An argument can be made that Holcomb dominated against a clearly battered Cowboys offense that was predictable all day long. The fact is, Holcomb was one step ahead of the Cowboys offense all afternoon and looked like the best LB on the field. The play at linebacker has been sketchy all year, but it looks like Kyle Smith and the scouting department might have hit a homerun with Holcomb.

Time to Shine

The former Tar Heel linebacker clearly looks bigger, stronger and faster compared to his rookie season in ’19. Veteran linebacker Jon Bostic has been a serviceable MLB for Washington. His play has been inconsistent and the late hit on Cowboys’ quarterback Andy Dalton, which led to his ejection, was more proof of that. The question remains, will Holcomb be the long-term solution at MLB for the Burgundy and Gold?\

Washington’s linebacking core is a work in progress, but through seven weeks it has been the weak link of the defense. The defensive line will continue to be their strength, but without competent linebacking play, Del Rio’s scheme will continue to give up big plays. What has been lost in the shuffle of a hectic offseason is the pre-season where players have an opportunity to emerge through competition. It seems that Bostic was given the starting MLB job simply because he looked like the best of the rest in the room.

There has been some debate about whether Holcomb was the best option at MLB or if he was a better fit at WLB. A key observation from the game vs Dallas was that Holcomb was attacking the play rather than reacting, as he did frequently in ’19. The pre-snap adjustments looked crisper with Holcomb calling out changes as well. Rivera’s defenses have always been at their best when MLB Luke Kuechly was calling out defensive adjustments. Washington has lacked a pro bowl caliber MLB since London Fletcher, but Holcomb shares the same type of passion and dedication as Fletcher did.

Although only a two game sample size, Holcomb is quickly showing why we, at The Burgundy and Gold Report, have been a fan of his game The Tar Heel Steal

With Holcomb playing over 65% of the game snaps in back to back weeks, the door will be open for him to seize the starting MLB spot for the foreseeable future. The bye week will be an opportunity for Rivera and Del Rio to assess some of their issues on defense. First up is who their starting strong safety will be, with Landon Collins out for the season. The other decision should be to name Holcomb the starting MLB and give him more responsibility.

His coverage and interception against Zeke Elliot is the type of playmaking ability that hasn’t been on display with the other linebackers. Opposing teams have frequently feasted on linebacker’s Dion Hamilton, Bostic and Pierre-Louis in coverage. As the season progresses, coaches will likely lean on Holcomb more.

Going into the ‘20 season Shaun Dion Hamilton was viewed as the linebacker with the highest upside in coverage on the roster, but it’s getting increasingly clearer that Holcomb offers more in that department as well. With the NFC East being the worst division in football, divisional wins will be key with games against NYG and DAL being two of their next four games coming out of the bye week. Hoping Cole Holcomb can be the next Kuechly might be lofty expectations. But the second year linebacker will have an opportunity to make more game changing plays behind a defensive line that has the ceiling to eventually be one of the best in the league.

By Adam Aniba

#Burgundyandgoldreport #FightForOldDC #WashingtonFootball Follow on Twitter @TheBandGreport and on Facebook at ‪https://m.facebook.com/groups/344619956055227‬

Credit photos to Washingtonfootball.com and Elijah Walter Griffin Sr/Washington Football Team

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Victory Monday Edition: Strides Made on Both Sides of the Ball

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The attitude in Ashburn should be optimistic among players and coaches as Washington heads into the bye week. Washington dominated the Dallas Cowboys on both sides of the ball in route to a 25-3 drubbing. Washington should have had even more points after a failed 4th down effort on the Cowboys goal line. Nonetheless, the Burgundy and Gold came out with a plan and the W.

HC Ron Rivera realized his team would be facing a depleted offensive line and a defense that was one of the worst, statically, in the league. Records and statistics seem to be out the window when these two rivals face each other. OC Scott Turner made a concerted effort to establish the run with rookie Antonio Gibson, which helped set up play-action. Gibson had a career day, leading all others with 120 yards rushing with a touchdown on 20 carries.

Although Kyle Allen only had 194 yards passing, he avoided turning the ball over and threw for two touchdowns. Being the game manager is what was needed against Dallas, but once again star receiver Terry McLaurin was the go to play-maker. McLaurin had 90 yards receiving on 9 catches with his third quarter 52 yard catch and score being the big play moment of the day.

Tight End Logan Thomas had his best day as a member of the team, chipping in multiple timely catches. The former Virginia Tech QB finished the day with 60 yards receiving on 4 rec, with none bigger than his third quarter 15 yard reception in which he broke a key tackle in route to the end zone.

Defensive Coordinator Jack Del Rio had his defense ready to play, exploiting the weakness along Dallas’s o-line. They also had the advantage of facing backup signal caller Andy Dalton with Dak Prescott on IR. Del Rio’s defense pressured Dalton all day until he was knocked out of the game by Jon Bostic during an attempted slide. Although that play led to a penalty with Bostic’s ejection, it made little difference. The defensive unit would finish the day with 6 sacks, 1 resulting in a strip sack for a safety and an interception. In the end they held Dalton to 75 yards passing with an int and Zeke Elliott to only 51 all purpose yards.

Although rookie pass rusher Chase Young was held without a sack, his presence was felt all day leading to pressures and untimely throws. Dallas attempted to double team and chip Young, but that just led to opportunities for the other Washington defenders. The stars of the day, on defense, would be DE Montez Sweat and LB Cole Holcomb.

Sweat’s speed, off the edge, was evident all afternoon after recording 2 sacks, 3 QB hits and a tackle for a loss. The second year pass rusher seems to be coming into his own with now 5 sacks on the season, after recording 7 sacks in 2019. The combination of Young/Kerrigan and Sweat was a lethal combination on a rainy afternoon in Landover.

The Burgundy and Gold Report MVP of the defense was second year linebacker Cole Holcomb. The former North Carolina linebacker has been battling a sore knee all season and saw his first action last week in spot duty. His performance against Dallas was the best of Holcomb’s young career, after recording 4 solo tackles, 1 tfl, 2 QB hits, 1 sack and an int. The interception couldn’t have occurred at a better time as Dallas was in Washington’s red zone, when Holcomb made the pick that deflected off Elliot’s hand.

Turner and Del Rio had their units clicking on all cylinders against Dallas, gaining another valuable division win to bring them to 2-5 overall with a 2-1 record vs NFC East opponents.

Heading into the Bye Week

The loss of safety Landon Collins was the lone blemish on the day for Washington, but nonetheless a big blow to this defense. Per ESPN’s John Keim it is believed that Collins will be out for the year with an achilles injury. The bye week might have come just in time with a safety likely to be added. They currently only have three safeties with Deshazor Everrett, Kamren Curl and Troy Apke who seems to have fallen out of favor with Del Rio.

The free agent market is thin, but two names should draw interest; the first being Eric Reed, who played for Rivera in Carolina. Reed has shown he has plenty left in the tank and the connection to Rivera is sure to be brought up by the local media. The second safety who Washington could show interest in is Earl Thomas. The seven time pro bowler had an altercation with a teammate and a domestic dispute that ultimately led to his release from Baltimore, which is why many believe he’s still available. Both are savvy veterans with the ability to play free/strong safety and adapt quickly. A dark horse could be a trade with Minnesota, who is reportedly shopping safety Harrison Smith. Some evaluators have argued the best way to utilize Smith at either FS or SS, but adding another versatile safety in his prime should be on the table for Washington.

With a division still up for grabs, the team playing the best defense and maintaining balanced ball control, could have a shot to play in the postseason even at a record under .500.

By Adam Aniba

#Burgundyandgoldreport #FightForOldDC #WashingtonFootball Follow on Twitter @TheBandGreport and on Facebook at ‪https://m.facebook.com/groups/344619956055227‬

⭐️Credit photos to Washingtonfootball.com and Elijah Walter Griffin Sr/Washington Football Team

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Turner and Del Rio had their units clicking on all cylinders against Dallas, gaining another valuable division win to bring them to 2-5 overall with a 2-1 record vs NFC East opponents.

Heading into the Bye Week

With a division still up for grabs, the team playing the best defense and maintaining balanced ball control, could have a shot to play in the postseason even at a record under .500.

By Adam Aniba

#Burgundyandgoldreport #FightForOldDC #WashingtonFootball Follow on Twitter @TheBandGreport and on Facebook at ‪https://m.facebook.com/groups/344619956055227‬

⭐️Credit photos to Washingtonfootball.com and Elijah Walter Griffin Sr/Washington Football Team

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The Shake-Up at Wide Receiver in Washington

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Washington faces Dallas this Sunday with the rivalry matchup being their last before the bye week. The situation at quarterback is still the hot topic among fans, but the current situation at receiver could be the most unsettled. Starting slot receiver Steven Sims Jr will once again be out, in addition to rookies Antonio Gandy-Golden and Isaiah Wright. So, who is left to help Kyle Allen and Terry McLaurin get the passing game going?

Although pickings are slim at receiver, former undrafted WR Cam Sims is in line for increased playing time this week. Sims recorded a late touchdown against the Giants and coaches should have a larger role carved out for him against Dallas. Dontrelle Inman made multiple clutch third down receptions last week, so he’ll also be in the mix at the Z.

Washington did make a roster addition this week by signing Robert Foster off the Green Bay Packers’ practice squad. Although Foster’s 2019 season was one to forget, with only 3 receptions in 13 games, it could have had more to do with lack of opportunities. During his 2018 rookie season, Foster played in 13 games recording 541 yards with 3 TD’s and a 20.0 ypr average.

Foster might be viewed as a 3rd or 4th option in the passing game, but it’s worth noting that the former Alabama receiver had three 100-yard games and fell just 6 yards short of a fourth in ’18. Speed is an element needed in Turner’s short yardage passing game and Foster’s 4.41 will be key when Washington comes out of the bye.

Practice Squad Call Ups

It’s likely Jeff Badet and/or Tony Brown get promoted to the active roster. Although Brown could carve out a role, Badet is the type of receiver that could have an immediate impact. The former Oklahoma/Kentucky receiver had stints with the Vikings in ’18 and ’19 on their practice squad. In addition, Badet was drafted by the XFL Dallas Renegades and looked promising before the league folded.

Although there’s been little fanfare since the former Sooner receiver was signed to the practice squad, his reported 4.27 sec forty-yard-dash time during Oklahoma’s pro-day could be an asset in Turner’s offense. Through six games, the offensive play calling has fallen flat. Against New York, Scott Turner attempted to be innovative with more pre-snap motions, jet sweeps and more downfield pass attempts. Those are packages that Badet could be an asset. Although Turner has yet to find an identity or consistency for his pass/run game, adding more team speed could be exactly what helps them against Dallas.

Looking Ahead

The short term success for Washington’s passing game has been nothing short of a letdown and on Friday more negative news came out with ESPN reporting the following in regards to Dwayne Haskins being fined.

“Dwayne Haskins was fined $4,833 for making a reservation for a family friend at the team hotel last weekend when Washington visited the New York Giants, which is against the rules”.

Although this shouldn’t be a huge strike against Haskins, it puts the young QB one step farther away from getting back on the field. This upcoming bye week will be an opportunity for HC Ron Rivera to conduct a true self scout and determine what changes need to be made. His judgement has been suspect thus far and the bye week comes at a good time to reassess. The starting quarterback position seems destined to be Alex Smith‘s, unless somehow Kyle Allen starts to light it up.

Regardless of who the quarterback has been, Terry McLaurin has been the bright spot in a thin/young receiving group. Washington could explore the trade route in an attempt to get a receiver such as Julio Jones (reportedly on the trade block), but a move like that will be costly. The NFC East might be up for grabs, but Washington is in a rebuild. It’s time Washington invests their resources in developing their youth and holding onto their draft picks to build Rivera’s vision. The 2021 class is deep at receiver, so finding a compliment for #17 could go a long way in helping whoever is under center in 2021.

If it’s Foster, Cam Sims, Brown or the speedy Badet, having another option is the only way Washington will be able to stay competitive in the East. Badet is a receiver that The Burgundy and Gold Report has been following. Facing the lackluster Dallas defense will be an opportunity for the young receivers to emerge.

By Adam Aniba

#FightForOldDC #WashingtonFootball Follow on Twitter @TheBandGreport and on Facebook at ‪https://m.facebook.com/groups/344619956055227‬

⭐️Credit photos to Washingtonfootball.com and Elijah Walter Griffin Sr/Washington Football Team

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Posted on October 15, 2020January 26, 2021 in Football, NFL

Hail Rookie Edition; QB Steven Montez Might Be Next in Line

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Once again, Washington finds itself in a familiar place, with the quarterback position in flux. After another disappointing loss, fans are wondering why Dwayne Haskins was benched in the first place. The loss to the Rams was the worst offensive performance by Washington’s offense through five games. As the quarterback carousel in Washington continues, fans should be aware the discussion shouldn’t start and end with quarterbacks Kyle Allen and embattled backup Alex Smith.

Since it’s becoming increasingly likely that Haskins will follow in the footsteps of Quinton Dunbar and Trent Williams and be traded, fans are already starting to look at some of the draft eligible quarterbacks for 2021. Washington does have another option that is already on the roster though.

In this installment of The Burgundy and Gold Report’s Hail Rookie, we’ll take a look at Washington’s UDFA rookie quarterback Steven Montez.

Multiple readers have asked us here at The Burgundy and Gold Report to give our analysis on Montez and discuss if he should even be in the discussion for Washington’s quarterback so soon. After reviewing his film, Montez has some attributes that are encouraging.

Some Background on Montez

Montez definitely has the athletic pedigree, with his father being a multisport athlete in HS and going on to play quarterback for the Oakland Raiders in 1996. Like his father, Montez was also a multiple sport athlete while at Del Valle High School in El Paso Texas. Football was always in his blood, but Montez was a impressive HS basketball prospect averaging 16.7 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 2.8 assists per game.

After committing to Colorado he decided to put all his focus on the gridiron and attempt to follow in his father’s footsteps. The most consistent statement from his former college teammates and coaches was that Montez was a born leader.

Per Jordan Reed of The Draft Network

“He has a father that played collegiately and professionally. Montez is often credited with having off the charts leadership skills and is exemplary of what coaches want at the position. Not being voted as a team-captain (2018) was a surprise to many and will be an area that scouts do lots of digging as to why, but he was named as one in 2019. Multiple coaching staffs at Colorado have spoken highly of his character and how he carries out his day-to-day preparation.”

The 6’4″ 235 lbs Colorado signal caller impressed a few scouts and team officials at the 2020 NFL Combine with his 4.68 second forty time and a 33″ vertical leap. Montez redshirted in ’15, but went on to throw for 9,710 passing yards for 63 TD’s with 33 ints, 960 rushing yards for 11 TD’s and added 1 rec for TD between the ’16-’19 seasons.

Montez went undrafted after many projections had him getting selected in the 6th-7th round range and was signed to Washington’s practice squad this offseason. Although accumulating over 10,600 all-purpose yards with 75 total touchdowns in 4 seasons is an impressive feat, scouts were left wanting to see more improvement in his throwing motion and accuracy after the draft evaluation process.

Is Montez a Legit Option

Former Colorado University quarterback, Steven Montez, displayed his ability to make plays on the fly and did some of his best work escaping pressure when plays broke down. Although Montez displayed his ability to scramble, he’s more comparable to Russell Wilson who scrambles to create downfield passing opportunities, rather than accumulate rushing yards. In saying that, Montez isn’t on Russell’s level athletically, but when he’s flushed from the pocket, he utilizes every bit of his 6’4” 235 lb frame to gain the tough YAC. Having Laviska Shenault Jr as his primary receiving weapon at Colorado gave Montez a better understanding of how to best attack defenses and utilize mismatches in coverage.

His draft projection as a developmental QB3 just may come to fruition. In past years, Montez would have had a chance to grow on the practice squad, but as previously mentioned, Haskins departure could lead to an opportunity. Montez’s resume as a four year starter and captain for Colorado should have him in the discussion to be elevated to the active roster. Accuracy and an unorthodox throwing motion have been some of the knocks on the former Colorado quarterback, but nonetheless he displayed the ability to get the ball out of his hands quickly when needed and can get the ball downfield with minimal effort.

Although it may look as if Allen and Smith are the only options with the Haskins fiasco in full swing, it seems like no time better than the present to make a switch on the QB depth chart. Turner has been under scrutiny after putting his quarterbacks in less than ideal situations to succeed. Smith should no longer be in the discussion as QB2, let alone a starter who takes snaps under center. Turner understands he needs to make adjustments, but has been unsuccessful thus far. Keeping his signal callers primarily in shotgun would be a start, but it’s only a matter of time before Allen goes down again with one of the league’s worst offensive lines.

Next year is when Rivera likely goes out and gets his signal caller in the draft or free agency, but as fans have seen, having multiple competent signal callers is imperative in today’s NFL.

It’s unlikely a move at quarterback happens before the bye week, but with Haskins on the outs and the backup quarterback option on the roster being a 36 year old on half a leg who had one of the most cringeworthy performances in recent memory, their hand might be forced to play their unknown commodity.

By Adam Aniba

#FightForOldDC #WashingtonFootball Follow on Twitter @TheBandGreport and on Facebook at ‪https://m.facebook.com/groups/344619956055227‬

⭐️Credit photos to Elijah Walter Griffin Sr/Washington Football Team

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Posted on October 10, 2020January 26, 2021 in NFL

The NFC East is Up for Grabs; Will the Shakeup Matter?

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Washington dropped their 3rd straight game to the Baltimore Ravens, but on Wednesday the WFT fanbase was dealt a gut punch with another high draft pick seemingly on the outs . This time its’s 2019 1st round selection, Dwayne Haskins, who seems to be the first sacrificial lamb for the Rivera regime.

Most fans expected Haskins to get, at least, the next 3 games heading into the bye to show coaches he progressed and deserved to keep the job as starter. Although the move seems a bit presumptuous, the goings-on behind the scenes could be a factor in the benching.

On a recent episode of the Kevin Sheehan podcast, he brought up an interesting conversation he had with Mike Shanahan. When asked the prospects of him losing the job as Washington’s franchise signal caller. The former WFT Head Coach had the following to say about Haskins.

“If he gets benched, it’s not about what you’re seeing on Sundays, it’s about things that are happening during the course of the week. It’s the little things that matter.”

Although it’s just speculation, chemistry with the Washington coaches could have reached a stalemate. It’s possible Haskins could have played his last game in the Burgundy & Gold after only 13 games (11 starts). The fact that Rivera demoted Haskins so far down the depth chart, seems to speak volumes in regards to his long-term outlook for Haskins as Washington’s franchise quarterback.

Rivera’s statement on not giving up on Haskins just seems like coach talk. Haskins and his agent will surely push for a trade before the deadline on Oct. 29th. Although moving on from a 1st round pick is uncommon, we saw Arizona move on from their 10th overall selection of QB Josh Rosen after only 13 career starts. He was out of Arizona by year two. Washington’s OC Scott Turner hinted that this isn’t the end of the road for Haskins, but with Alex Smith now leap frogging Haskins, the writing seems to be on the wall for the former OSU quarterback.

Making the Switch

After trading a 5th round selection for Kyle Allen this offseason, it was clear Rivera and Turner believed he could be a potential bridge quarterback if Haskins didn’t pan out. Unfortunately for Haskins, it seems that although in a rebuild, Rivera is still in a win now mode. Although Allen’s 17 td’s to 16 ints in 2019 should be cause for concern for fans looking to see an offensive turnaround, Allen still put up 3,322 passing yards with 106 yards rushing and 2 scores on the ground in only 12 starts.

As previously mentioned, Alex Smith is now QB2 and one potential bad play away from being Washington’s starter once again. How long of a leash will Allen get? That will be another storyline to watch, but going with Smith at some point seems likely. Smith’s story is inspiring and he should be commended on how far he’s come. In saying that, if Rivera truly believes Smith is the answer at quarterback, fans could be in for a rollercoaster ride.

Ideally, Kyle Allen can simulate what Smith achieved through 10 weeks in 2018 as a game manager, while minimizing turnovers and not giving the defense a short field. It’s likely that OC Scott Turner was influential with Rivera’s decision to bench Haskins, but the staff will now have to stake their short and long term reputations on this move.

The Playmakers

For fans looking for bright spots, there have been a few throughout the first 4 weeks. The emergence of Antonio Gibson in the receiving game was a pleasant surprise for fans looking for a positive during the Baltimore loss. The Burgundy and Gold Report’s week 2 coverage of AGG outlined ways he could be used as a receiver. Getting the Best Out of Antonio Gibson After recording only 6 rec for 16 yards, during the first 3 games,

Gibson had his best game as a pro with 4 rec for 82 yards with a 20.5 ypr average against Baltimore. While in Carolina, Allen showed a tendency to target running back, Christian McCaffrey in the passing game when plays broke down. This could bode well for Gibson, which could lead to an Offensive Rookie of the Year campaign.

Second year receiver, Terry McLaurin, continues to impress and is ranked in the top five in most statistical receiving categories through 4 games. Although #17 has been dealing with a thigh injury, you wouldn’t have known it after his 10 rec 118 yard performance in week 4. McLaurin will continue to be a focal point for defenses to stop and will be Washington’s primary weapon for the foreseeable future. McLaurin’s presence will lead to more opportunities for rookie receivers Antonio Gandy-Golden and Isaiah Wright, in particular. They could see increased snaps at the slot with Steven Sims Jr heading to IR for a few weeks.

The East is Up for Grabs

Coaches believe, with the NFC East seemingly up for grabs, the time was ideal time to make the change at quarterback. The common denominator between the teams in the East is the horrendous play along each team’s offensive line, which can be attributed to injury, inexperience or, in some cases, tackles like NYG LT Nate Solder opted out due to Covid-19. Aerial attacks will be more important than ever, with the teams in the east struggling to establish the run, considering the issues along their offensive lines.

Lucky for Washington, it’s still early in the season and many believe teams could hit their stride during the second half of the season. A healthy Chase Young and Kendall Fuller should keep the defense competitive and the team in games, especially in their divisional matchups.

It’s not out of the question that a .500 record could win the NFC East. Although expectations should be tempered, fans should expect a smoother flow to the offense with Allen well versed in the playbook. Situational football needs to improve dramatically on both side of the ball. We should see, pretty quickly, if the change at quarterback was the right decision. As improbable as a run for the division title seems, we have seen how impactful injuries can be to even the best of teams. Although young and inexperienced, Washington has enough playmakers to stay competitive through December.

By Adam Aniba

#FightForOldDC #WashingtonFootball Follow on Twitter @TheBandGreport and on Facebook at ‪https://m.facebook.com/groups/344619956055227‬

⭐️Credit photos to Elijah Walter Griffin Sr/Washington Football Team

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Posted on September 25, 2020January 26, 2021 in NFL

Getting the Best Out of Antonio Gibson

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The WFT team desperately needs a spark on offense. After Sunday’s loss to Arizona, it was evident to Washington fans that the offense still has a long way to go. After two games the WFT has only scored 1 touchdown in the first half of both contests. To say this offense needs a boost is an understatement.

Washington has made an effort to upgrade their overall speed, on offense, after drafting Terry McLaurin in 2019. This offseason, they signed former college receiver J.D. McKissic who transitioned to running back, after breaking the Sunbelt record for career receptions (289) during his time at Arkansas State. They also drafted do-it-all, rookie Antonio Gibson with their 66th overall pick. Similar to McKissic, Gibson also had success catching the ball on the collegiate level, recording 44 rec for 834 yards and 8 touchdowns in 19 games.

The WFT has been missing splash plays in the passing game, which might seem obvious, but putting those players in a position to succeed requires playing to your playmakers’ strengths. Terry McLauirn has provided some big time plays since his arrival in Washington, but he alone isn’t enough.

Because of his strong background as a receiver and lack of carries during his time at Memphis, some evaluators have disputed the best way to utilize Gibson. He has the ability to be a productive running back who can be an asset in the passing game. But, is OC Scott Turner Getting the Best Out of Gibson? Although it’s only been 2 games, it’s clear Washington lacks depth and experience at receiver.

During the pre-draft process, Benjamin Solak of The Draft Network had the following to say regarding Gibson’s vision and overall talent level.

“Antonio Gibson is a fascinating NFL Draft projection with a wide range of outcomes in the NFL. A RB/WR hybrid player in a crowded Memphis backfield, Gibson took the majority of his snaps at WR across his two seasons at Memphis after rising up through the JUCO ranks. He proved to be an explosive threat from the slot and won on downfield routes against off coverage. Tremendous open-field athlete with elite returner vision who anticipates and discovers cuts with natural flow. A walking explosive play, Gibson has home run hitting ability and an extremely high ceiling if his promising vision and feel continue to grow”.

As Solak mentioned, Gibson was used in a variety of ways while at Memphis. Although recruited as a wide receiver, during a two-year span, Gibson morphed into much more. Between 2018-2019 the Memphis coaching staff asked him to play a variety of positions: RB, WR, TE, H-Back and Kick Returner. Gibson opened some eyes at the NFL Combine, running a 4.39 sec forty-yard dash time and posting a 35” vertical.

Gibson is a throwback type football player. Although they had very different skill sets, former “return specialist” Eric Metcalf is a player that comes to mind when projecting the best way to use a weapon like Gibson. Similar to Gibson, Metcalf was an offensive weapon that could be deployed in multiple ways. Metcalf finished his 13 year career with 2,392 rushing yards, 541 receptions for 5,572 yards, 3,453 punt return yards, and 5,813 yards returning kickoffs. Metcalf finished his career with 17,230 all-purpose yards, ranking him among the NFL’s top 10 in that category at the time of his retirement.

Although Gibson is listed as the backup kick returner, it’s unlikely he sees action as a returner, unless an injury occurs. Getting the ball in his hands is imperative, even that entails only one return a game.

Through 2 games, Gibson has 22 rushes for 91 yards with a 4.1 ypc average, but only 3 rec for 3 yards. With Washington’s lack of offensive weapons, it makes little sense to not involve AG in the passing game, considering his background as a big play receiver. While at Memphis, defensive backs and linebackers struggled to bring AG down in the open field due to his wide base and ability to keep his legs churning after contact. Gibson does have a bit of an upright running style, which will lead to growing pains as a running back. On the other hand, that won’t be a drawback as a pass catcher.

Putting Gibson in Position to Succeed

Second year receiver, Steven Sims Jr., has been Washington’s starting slot receiver and primary KR/PR. However, adding Gibson into the fold seems like a no-brainer, especially with Sims Jr dealing with a toe injury. Utilizing Gibson’s speed and elusiveness with wheel routes, screens, dig routes, comebacks, slants and curl routes is a good way to get Dwayne Haskins in a rhythm, which has been an issue for the passing game. In no way is Gibson a finished product when it comes to his route tree efficiency, but his 15.6 yards per touch average in ‘19 is hard to ignore.

As previously mentioned, Gibson was also used as an H-Back/TE in Memphis’ offense. Don’t expect to see Gibson inline blocking with Logan Thomas, but there are ways OC Scott Turner can be creative. While in Carolina, Turner would periodically line up tight end Ian Thomas in the backfield in dual back sets, with Thomas taking the place of the second running back. Turner would also do the same with receiver Curtis Samuel. Similar to Gibson, Samuel was also viewed as a hybrid, coming out of OSU.

Washington’s offense has struggled at times to get into a rhythm and Gibson is just the remedy. Many believe that throwing too much at the rookie back could stunt his learning curve. Gibson showed on the JUCO level and during his time at Memphis, that he thrives under pressure and is at his best when utilized in a myriad of ways. Gibson has the ceiling to be a dynamic back in the NFL for years to come, but if deployed as a receiver, he could be what the passing game needs NOW.

Special thanks @FPC_WSH contributor Nathan Coleman for his contributions to the article. Give him a follow @JHawkChalk_

#FightForOldDC #WashingtonFootball Follow on Twitter @TheBandGreport and on Facebook at ‪https://m.facebook.com/groups/344619956055227‬

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Posted on September 20, 2020January 26, 2021 in NFL

Expectations and Keys to Victory for Washington in Arizona

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After last week’s thrilling comeback win against Philadelphia, another tough test lies ahead in Arizona. Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray looked spectacular against the 49er’s vaunted defense, throwing for 230 yards and running for another 91 in their 24-20 week #1 win. Murray wasn’t a one man show, though, with newly acquired receiver Deandre Hopkins also chewing up San Francisco’s defensive backs to the tune of 151 yards on 14 receptions (led all receivers through week #1 in rec).

Washington looked impressive in week #1, but in contrast to Arizona, the Burgundy and Gold had one of the most dominating and thrilling comeback wins in recent memory, relying heavily on their defensive front. Many in the national media have pointed to Philadelphia’s injury woes for their offensive breakdowns last week, rather than Washington’s dominating performance on defense (8 sacks, 1 FF and 2 ints). The defense continually gave Dwayne Haskins a short field to work with, after they recorded multiple ints to rally from a 17-0 in the closing minutes of the 2nd quarter, enroute to a 27-17 victory.

Game Plan on Offensive

OC Scott Turner displayed his ability to adjust on the fly against Philadelphia’s pass rush. Down 17-0 in the closing minutes of the half, Dwayne Haskins started to get into a rhythm with Turner focusing on quick game concepts leading to their first touchdown. Haskins continued to emphasis RPO and quick game concepts in the second half, having success with various slants and stick routes. Against the Cardinals’ defense, Haskins and the offense will have opportunities to expose the middle of the field, while targeting Arizona’s linebackers. San Francisco took advantage of Arizona’s linebackers in coverage and had success in the run/pass game. An increase in run plays is likely and will also help Washington set up more play action.

Second year receiver, Terry Mclaurin, is sure to have All Pro corner Patrick Peterson shadowing him most of the day. Although McLaurin will have his work cut out for him, his ability to quickly get in and out of his breaks will keep Arizona’s defensive backfield on their toes. The attention that Mclaurin will draw will open up opportunities for the WFT’s skill players. Rookie running back Antonio Gibson and receiver Steven Sims Jr. need to be heavily involved in the game plan. Both players should have roles in the run game, with Sims Jr. getting a run or two, but getting the pair involved in the screen game could lead to a big day on offense. At times, Haskins put too much heat on his short/intermediate throws leading to incompletions, he’ll need to correct that quickly against a fast Arizona defense.

Fans have been clamoring for a WR#2 to rise with Dontrelle Inman, Antonio Gandy-Golden and Cam Sims as possible options. Getting those receivers involved is important, but beating Arizona will entail a lot of pre-snap movement with receivers and running backs lining up all over the field. Tight End Logan Thomas likely sees time in the backfield as an extra blocker. Turner ran the same packages for TE Ian Thomas in Carolina with varied success.

Arguably, the left side of the offensive line is the team’s biggest weakness and both Geron Christian and Wes Martin will need to have big days. All-Pro, edge rusher Chandler Jones will be moved all around in an effort to overwhelm Washington’s line and should be the primary focus when calling line protections.

In the end, getting the ball in the hands of McLauirn, Sims Jr. and Gibson are imperative for the offense to have success.The trio will help Haskins get into a rhythm and should give Arizona’s defensive backs fits all-day. After reviewing the Eagles’ film, Scott Turner will realize that continuing to play uptempo, with better run/pass balance, should help Haskins and the offense put more points on the board

Game Plan on Defense

Washington will have their hands full with Kyler Murray and wide receiver Deandre Hopkins. Keeping Murray in the pocket is an obvious key to victory, but will not be easy. Arizona HC Kliff Kingsbury has continued to evolve his Air Raid offense and Murray’s impromptu style makes it that much more difficult to defend. Murray will scramble to create passing lanes, but will also have designed runs called at times.

Washington will be in a lot more nickel/dime packages with Arizona often sendong out 4-5 eligible receivers on most plays. The pressure will be on the defensive backs to step up, after an up and down performance in week 1. Although Jimmy Moreland and Fabian Moreau both recorded ints and had good games, the rest of the group needs to play a lot better against a quick strike Cardinals offense. Although Washington’s corners played closer to the line last week, using more press coverage as opposed to years past is necessary against these big-play Cardinal receivers. They’ll need to get physical with Arizona’s receivers early, especially Hopkins. WIth Fuller’s status up in the air, the question is, who matches up against Arizona’s star receiver?

After defeating Philadelphia, fans have high expectations for Washington. Kingsbury’s offense has many layers and as good as Washington’s pass rush was against the Eagles, the defending NFC East Champs threw everything they had at Arizona. 2019 Defensive Rookie of the Year, Nick Bosa was held to zero sacks. Against Murray, Washington’s defense can’t afford miss tackles or to give up big chunk plays.

Starting Cardinal’s center Mason Cole will be inactive with a hamstring injury and second year center Lamont Gaillard will start in his place. Although Gaillard played well after taking over in the second half of the week #1’s win, the San Francisco pass rush didn’t take advantage of the line change. Unlike San Francisco, a key for Washington will be to have frequent defensive line rotations to keep fresh bodies on the field. It was evident last week that Bosa and the 49er’s defensive front was gassed by the 4th quarter.

Unlike San Fran, Washington has the depth along the defensive line to make frequent substitutions. Washington boasts pure speed and size on the edge in Montez Sweat and Chase Young. Utilizing their sub 4.5-4.6 speed to pressure Murray on stunts should keep him uneasy. Keeping Murray in the pocket is key, but Arizona will make sure to get Murray out of the pocket as much as possible.

Washington lined up in 2-3 deep zone coverage often versus the Eagles and got additional pressure utilizing underneath zone blitzes. This week they’ll likely deploy the strategy, but a key will be to get even more pressure from their linebackers. Other than John Bostic, their linebackers missed a lot of plays which included missed tackles.

Spying Murray is no easy task, but using a linebacker shouldn’t be an option. Washington will likely have an extra defensive back on the field most of the game. Although rookie, safety Kamren Curl had limited snaps (22%) last week, he made his presence felt by making two tackles for a loss against Philadelphia. His 4.6 speed and athleticism make him a possible option to spy Murray. Utilizing three safety looks is something that has been effective in the NFL when facing dual threat passers and The Burgundy and Gold Report expects to see a lot more of those defensive looks this Sunday.

Dwayne Haskins will have an opportunity to show how far he’s come and that Washington’s offense will improve week to week, but their defense will once again need to have a huge day and continue to give their quarterback a short field to work with. In the end, consistent pressure from all over the field with a healthy rotation along Washington’s defensive line will keep Murray rattled, which will lead to mistakes. Last season, Murray was sacked over 40 times, but their approach to get the ball out of his hands quickly was effective an Murray avoided big hits last week. Flustering Murray with multiple looks and attacking the center of their line could result in a big win for Washington.

By Adam Aniba

#FightForOldDC #WashingtonFootballFollow on Twitter @TheBandGreport and on Facebook at ‪https://m.facebook.com/groups/344619956055227‬

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Posted on September 14, 2020 in NFL

Victory Monday Edition: Kerrigan Breaks the Record and the Defensive Line Dominates

The Washington Football Team celebrates their first Victory Monday of the season, but as predicted in The Burgundy and Gold Report’s Washington’s Defensive Line Could Be Scary the defensive line would and did carry the team to victory. Fans should be proud of Washington’s “never say die” attitude, but be even prouder of the second half adjustments made by the coaches. After trailing 17-7 at halftime, the second half was dominated by Washington who scored 20 unanswered points which resulted in a 27-17 victory. The defensive line led the way, recording 7 of the defense’s 8 sacks. Defensive tackles Daron Payne (0.5 sacks), John Allen (0.5 sacks) and Matt Ioannidis (1.5 sacks) imposed their will and looked unblockable at times.

Second year defensive end Montez Sweat (1 sack) and rookie Chase Young (1.5 sacks 1 FF) looked as good as advertised. But the elder statesman of the group, Ryan Kerrigan (2 sacks), stole the show after breaking Dexter Manley’s club sack record that stood for nearly 30 years. Kerrigan surprised many fans with his play, after losing his starting position to Young. One thing that seems clear after Washington’s dominant defensive performance is that DC Jack Del Rio will continue to roll out different combinations along the defensive line.

The cornerbacks started off shaky with Kendall Fuller inactive due to a sore knee. Fourth year cornerback Fabian Moreau recorded the teams first interception of the year and Jimmy Moreland recorded the teams second during their dominant second-half comeback. The defensive backfield should get a boost with the return of Fuller next week against Arizona, barring any setbacks.

Quarterback Dwayne Haskins (17/31 178 passing yards with 1 TD and no ints) had a shaky performance, but seemed to get in a groove when OC Scott Turner decided to go uptempo in the closing minutes of the second half. In the end, Haskins made enough clutch throws to preserve the victory. The running game saw no back go over 40 yards, but Barber had two goal line touchdowns. The running back group with J.D. McKissic, Peyton Barber and Antonio Gibson only managed to run for a combined 63 yards rushing.

The run game is a work in progress, but Philadelphia is always a tough team to run against. The receivers made plays when they were there and it was no surprise Terry Mclaurin led the way with 5 rec for 61 yards. Second year receiver Steven Sims Jr chipped in 50 yards on 3 receptions.

It’s clear the offense will take time to click. However, the defense looks ready to make their mark on the league. Washington faces another tough opponent next week in Arizona who upset the 49er’s 24-20 behind an outstanding performance from quarterback Kyler Murray. Players and fans will take the next 24 hours to enjoy a well deserved victory Monday, but come Tuesday it’s on to Arizona.

Posted on September 13, 2020January 26, 2021 in NFL

Washington’s Defensive Line Could Be Scary

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In an off-season full of changes in Washington, one position group has fans dreaming of potential greatness. With a rotation that could have as many as 8 different lineman playing along the defensive line, new HC Ron Rivera and his new DC Jack Del Rio have inherited a defensive unit that is tailor made for their scheme.

The national media has been pretty consistent in saying that Washington will end up in the bottom of the league with a projected record well below .500. One of the only certainties among fans this year is that Washington’s Defensive Line Could Be Scary.

For the season opener, Washington faces a Philadelphia team that is banged up along the offensive line, which could lead to early success for Del Rio’s unit. Rivera named Daron Payne, John Allen, Montez Sweat and rookie Chase Young the starters on the defensive line. Some might be surprised that, for the first time in his career, Ryan Kerrigan will not be lining up with the starting line. However, with the Washington sack record looming, Kerrigan will still see plenty of action. Although Kerrigan has been a valuable contributor to the organization and should break the club’s sack record this season, Young is already a better prospect at such an early age and should have a bigger impact.

As a group, this defensive line will keep Washington in games when the offense is struggling as they continue to find their identity. Del Rio’s approach has always been super aggressive. Deploying pressure from all over the field and creating mismatches by moving around his play-makers are key components of JDR’s scheme. Del Rio has coached some of the best pass rushers in the modern age of football in Khalil Mack, Von Miller and Julius Peppers. Similar to Young, Peppers was a rookie when JDR coached him in 2002. Peppers went on to have a dominant rookie season recording 12 sacks, 5 FF, 5 pass break ups and 1 int in only twelve games played, on his way to earning Defensive Rookie of the Year honor under Del Rio’s tutelage.

Del Rio has always had great players at his disposal, but this unit as a whole, could be the best and deepest units he’s ever had. The combination of Young and Sweat at end should give opposing teams fits. This is the NFL though, and offensive coordinators are always evolving to combat creative schemes and talented pass rushers. Rotating defensive lineman will pay off especially in close games when offensive lineman get gassed.

Washington’s decision to retain 7th round rookie DE James Smith-Williams came as a surprise. When asked the thought process behind retaining Smith-Williams, Del Rio responded that adding another end with his type of speed and athleticism, who could stunt and move inside, was just too good to pass up. Another mild surprise was the decision to list Ryan Anderson as a backup defensive end, while still listing him as a linebacker. His ability to shed blocks and set the edge make him a valuable asset to this defensive rotation and will likely get his share of snaps throughout the season.

Facing division opponents to start the season is always a tough task, especially in the up and down NFC East. Washington’s leg up on the competition is their defensive line depth. As previously mentioned, Kerrigan will come off the bench, but so will last year’s defensive line sack leader Matt Ioanndis (8.5 sacks in ‘19) and rising star Tim Settle. A healthy rotation and a defensive line that can utilize fresh legs is new territory for Washington, but something to watch as the season goes on.

What to look for vs Philadelphia

Last season’s match up against Philadelphia saw Washington jump out to an early lead in dominant fashion, only to see former DC Greg Manusky resort to a conservative game plan to preserve the lead. As in most cases, that resulted in losses during the Manusky era. JDR’s linebackers and defensive backs will benefit from the pressure the defensive line will apply to an ailing Eagles offensive line. With two starters out for the year, Philadelphia brought back 38 year old Jason Peters, who has also struggled to stay healthy at times. Right tackle Lane Johnson, yet another protector for quarterback Carson Wentz, is dealing with an injury and is listed as questionable to play.

This will be an opportunity for JDR to apply early pressure with his front four while constantly bringing in fresh bodies. Eagles’ quarterback Carson Wentz has had success over the years against Washington; keeping him contained will, no doubt, be a focal point of the defensive game plan. The athletic ability and depth along the defensive line will allow Washington to usher out various defensive fronts and player combinations. Del Rio will have this defense ready to play and Washington players have made it clear they will be the aggressors this season. Fans should look forward to exotic fronts with some pre-snap movement from JDR’s defense.

Most fans will agree that the 2020 off-season has been a struggle and we’re just happy football is back.. The Burgundy and Gold Report’s position is that this is the year the team turns the corner. The addition of Chase Young and the dedication to building depth along the defensive line have renewed fans’ hope that this defense could be one of the best in football. Washington football is finally back with Victory Monday on the horizon.

Posted on August 28, 2020September 2, 2020 in Football

Washington’s Running Backs Could Be the Key to Success for Turner

In 2020 Washington’s offense should look remarkably different under new OC Scott Turner. They’ll march out one of the youngest and inexperienced receiving corps in the league, but also boast a group at running back that could take the passing game to the next level.

The athletic ability and dominance of Washington’s defense has been the story of training camp. Second year quarterback, Dwayne Haskins, will have a tall task ahead with so many questions marks on the offensive side of the ball. Going up against a stout and talented defensive line on a daily basis will only help this offense get better.

If Turner’s time in Carolina was any indication, Washington will lean heavily on the run backs this season. Retaining future HOF back Adrian Peterson was a wise move by the new coaching staff. The release of Derrius Guice means AP is likely to see a bigger role in the run game. Having Peterson in the backfield gives Haskins a veteran presence to lean on, when the inevitable struggles arise.

With Peterson in the game, defenses will send out their run defense, more times than not. AP has shown during his time in Washington that he’s a capable receiver and can hurt defenses in multiple ways. AP will likely be Rivera’s bell cow back to start the season, but the other backs on the roster will also have roles and a rotation is likely.

With no exhibition games, it could take a few weeks for Washington’s passing game to click. Establishing the run has always led to success for the tough, hard nosed teams of the past and present. But exotic run alignments have altered the modern passing game, forcing the way defenses play the ball. HC Ron Rivera has stockpiled a group of backs that all offer different skill sets. During last weeks daily presser, Head Coach Ron Rivera was asked how he felt about the group of running backs he has going into the season.

“I think the whole group can contribute. Don’t sleep on Bryce”

Former Stanford running back Bryce Love is an enigma. After a Heisman runner up campaign in ’17, in which he ran for 2,118 yards 19 touchdowns with an 8.1 ypc average, he was viewed as one of the top college backs in the nation before tearing his ACL late in the ’18 season. Some question if he has the ability to be an every down back after the injury. By all accounts, other than a routine cleanup on the repaired knee late in 2019, he has been full go but is the only back of the five that hasn’t received first teams reps.

Turner is on record stating that Love is a back that fits what they want to do on offense. Love’s ability to slash through the defenders was evident during his time at Stanford. It could come down to a numbers game with the logjam at running back or coaches might simply believe Love isn’t ready and could become a candidate for IR.

Another running back with no NFL experience, who could have a breakout 2020 season, is 3rd round rookie RB Antonio Gibson. The former Memphis running back fits the mold of the multi-dimensional runner that Rivera and Turner covet. Nobody should expect to see a Christian McCaffey type impact from Gibson or any other back on the roster this season, but Gibson offers a ton of upside as a pass catcher. Gibson has been rotating with the starting offense and even recorded a touchdown reception from Haskins on Saturday.

During Saturday’s post practice presser, HC Ron Rivera hinted at a role he envisions for the rookie back from Memphis.

“I know we haven’t shown you guys the whole plan, and that’s part of the secret that we’re trying to keep going into the regular season. Antonio is a very versatile young man, solid football player. We’ve put a lot on his plate, we really have, and he’s handled it very well.”

Washington coaches have maintained that Gibson’s position will be a running back, but he has also sat in on wide receiver meetings and participated receiver drills. Although Gibson’s production in high school and college speak on his ability as a receiver, with over twice as many receiving yards compared to rushing yards, he is just scratching the surface of his ability as a running back.

The lack of experience at receiver will likely put Gibson in a position to showcase what he can do as a receiver earlier than expected. With Turner mentioning two back sets being a wrinkle in their offense, utilizing Gibson will open up play-action and create more opportunities in the passing game leading to more mismatches. Gibson’s big play ability as a receiving back who can take a routine dig route to the house, make him an integral addition to Washington’s offense.

Free agent addition J.D. McKissic is another hybrid type back, who was a full time receiver during his time at Arkansas State and yes, they are the Red Wolves. When Washington signed McKissic many believed that he’d take over former Washington RB Chris Thompson‘s role as the teams 3rd down back. It’s becoming more and more likely that Washington will utilize their pass catching backs heavily in Turner’s offense.

With the 5th year back, they have another weapon that defenses must account for as a runner and a receiver. His role should vary week to week based on match-ups, but again, the lack of depth and experience at receiver will lead to more opportunities for the former college receiver.

If Washington decides to keep 4 running backs, Peyton Barber could wind up on the outside looking in. Barber is a seasoned veteran and has received praise from Washington coaches for his practice habits. Although not the most dynamic or versatile back on the roster, his ability to churn out tough yards after contact was evident on his film. Some believe Barber’s skill set makes him an ideal backup to AP, with the other running backs playing more of a complementary role. That may be true, but Barber is a back that many teams would love to have in their rotation.

The odds of Washington keeping 5 running backs might seem slim, but these are unique times with no preseason games. The lack of exhibition games hurts young players and players on the roster bubble. Love and Gibson have not had an opportunity to show what they can do in live NFL action. The buzz among local media is that Love could be the odd man out with durability questions, but The Burgundy and Gold Report isn’t buying that narrative.

As Washington continues to restructure the left side of their O-line, using quick game concepts and utilizing the running backs in the passing game will help keep Haskins off the turf. Washington’s running backs could be the key to offensive success early on for Turner’s offense.

Their top receiver Terry McLaurin will draw a lot of attention after an impressive ’19 rookie year. This will be a great opportunity for Turner to tap into his innovative side, after having the league’s top running back, Christian McCaffrey, in Carolina. Similar to the situation with the Panthers, Turner will have versatile running backs with speed and pass catching ability to mix into his pass play concepts. This offense is a work in progress, but fans should look forward to seeing real offensive innovation, highlighted by big splash plays in the passing game.

Posted on August 22, 2020 in Uncategorized

The Other Guys: 4 Breakout Candidates in Washington

Investing in depth has always separated the good teams from the basement dwellers. With COVID-19 now an added factor to the 2020 NFL season, depth will surely be tested around the league. One thing fans can be encouraged about is that Washington has invested draft capital and utilized free agency to build depth on both sides of the football.

Washington has a slew of young defenders that could emerge as legit contributors or even potential starters. There are four players that we have our eye on at The Burgundy and Gold Report, who might have low expectations performance-wise, but could have a big year. It’s no coincidence these “other guys” are on the defensive side of the ball, considering Washington has spent the majority of their resources, overwhelmingly, on defense.

Potential Ball-Hawk

Second year corner Jimmy “The People’s Corner Moreland” was a fan favorite during Washington’s 2019 Training Camp and tops the list as a player that should emerge as a star. The former JMU star was viewed as one of the top ball-hawk’s on the small school level, finishing his collegiate career with 18 ints (6 ret for scores) and 63 passes defended.

At 5’11” 182 lbs some say Moreland is best suited to play inside. The last productive slot corner Washington had was Kendall Fuller who returns to the team after a brief hiatus in Kansas City. As it stands, Fuller likely becomes CB#1 playing on the outside in base formations with Fabian Moreau and Ronald Darby battling for the other starting CB. So, where does that leave Moreland? Although Washington’s corners are viewed as average, the lack of experience has more to do with those reviews. Darby has had issues staying healthy and Moreau has yet to consistently display he can be a starter in the league.

From a film evaluation point a view, Moreland has more upside than most corners on the team. The second year corner takes risks, but his ability to recover and his sure tackling ability make him an ideal defensive back in Del Rio’s defense. With Nickel base packages becoming the norm and utilized the majority of the time, the slot corner is a valuable cog.

Although Fuller is, hands down, the best inside corner on the team, matching him up with the opposing teams’ top receiver is something coaches will likely do. Moreau showed he was out of his league when playing inside, so look for coaches to avoid that mistake again. As for Darby, his inconsistent play and injury history are cause for concern. The time seems ripe for Moreland to seize the starting nickel corner spot. In saying that, look for Washington to shuffle their defensive backs around, allowing Moreland to also see time on the outside as well. Although his first season had its highs and lows, with 43 combined tackles and no ints., year two should lead to more snaps, which in turn, should lead to more turnovers.

Big Man in the Trenches

Although John Allen and Daron Payne got the majority of snaps as the interior defensive starters, Matt Ioannidis still managed to record 8.5 sacks with significantly less snaps. With the transition to the 4-3 defensive base alignment, it is expected that a rotation will be utilized so players won’t get so gassed, which was an obvious issue in previous season.

Enter 3rd year tackle Tim Settle in the the equation. Under former Washington defensive coordinator Greg Manusky, Settle was used sparingly, even though his impact was obvious with limited snaps. Since leaving Virginia Tech, the former Hokie has experienced a total body transformation. He has spent the last two off seasons in an intensive weight-training regimen .

Initially coming into the league, Settle tipped the scale north of 330 lbs. He now boasts a stout 308 lb frame and has looked visibly faster in drills. The majority of Settle’s snaps occurred on early downs and what consistently stood out was his ability split double teams and get up filed. Settle will surely have a bigger role with JDR running the defense, but also having the potential upside as an every down lineman gives Washington another advantage in the trenches.

Linebackers that Could Surprise

Washington continued to add depth to it’s linebacking core this offseason, starting with bringing back Jon Bostic. Two other linebacker prospects acquired by Rivera are viewed as potential role players, albeit versatile with free agent acquisition Kevin Pierre-Louis and 2020 5th round selection Khaleke Hudson. Both linebackers will have roles on the special teams unit, but will likely have differing responsibilities on defense.

Ron Rivera during Washington Presser on the linebackers.

“You may have three different guys starting on the base package, two different guys starting in the sub-package and your might have another sub-package have two other guys. This might be linebacker but committee because it’s a very talented group.”

The former Chicago Bears journeyman Kevin Pierre-Louis is a player Washington coaches have brought up in numerous discussions with the media as a player they like. Although Washington will be Pierre-Louis’s 5th team in five years, that shouldn’t diminish his potential to be a valuable contributor on a linebacking core that is still a work in progress. At 6’0″ 230 lbs, Pierre-Louis packs a punch when attacking ball carriers. His ability versus the run gives him a chance to get meaningful snaps early in the season.

As Rivera mentioned, it “might be a linebacker by committee approach” with multiple linebackers getting an opportunity to see the field on every possession. Pierre-Louis’s role as a run-stopper could end up being one of the surprise storylines off the offseason.

The last player on this list that fans should watch closely is Michigan rookie linebacker Khaleke Hudson who was selected 162nd overall in the 5th round.

Per NFL Network analyst Daniel Jeremiah.

“I think he plays a little bit bigger than his size at 5-11. A little bit inconsistent when he’s asked to cover tight ends down the field, had some wins, had some losses. I think he’s going to have to make it up for what he does on fourth down, on special teams, I think he’ll have to carve out his role as he goes forward.”

The former Wolverine was used in the “Viper” hybrid role, appearing in 52 career games with 37 starts during his time at Michigan. At 5’11” 224 lbs, many doubt he’ll have a true role on an NFL roster, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. Evaluators believe if Hudson was little bit taller, he would have likely been drafted much higher.

During Washington’s weekly zoom presser Hudson had the following to say about his potential role and playing in Jack Del Rio’s defense.

“I have a knack for getting to the ball and feel I can play anywhere on the field. Coach Del Rio wants us to create turnovers and play smash-mouth football.”

Hudson’s film shows an aggressive tackler who did most of his damage rushing the passer from the outside. However, that isn’t a likely role for Hudson, considering Washington already boasts so much talent at edge rusher. In Michigan’s Viper role, Hudson played all over the field and his coaches moved him around based on offensive formations. New DC Jack Del Rio loves to be aggressive, but he’ll also have the chance to be creative with a talent like Hudson. The former Michigan linebacker has an uncanny ability to sniff out screens, anticipate RPO/Zone Read plays and always seems to be around the ball.

In year one, Hudson should emerge as a solid special teams contributor. With the threat of COVID, seeing spot duty at linebacker is possible. Using Hudson in “NASCAR” type defensive alignments is something Del Rio could experiment with considering Hudson’s skill set as a Viper. Either way, his rookie year will be a learning experience, but similar to Antonio Gandy-Golden, a few injuries to players ahead of him on the depth chart could quickly lead to serious snaps as a rookie.

With this unique NFL season on the horizon, teams with serviceable depth will have the upperhand. Although Washington is a team officially in rebuild mode, that doesn’t mean that more wins shouldn’t be expected. The dedication to building a stout defensive line while continuing to add more overall depth on defense should lead to a big turn around. But sometimes it’s the “other guys” that come through in the clutch and these 4 could be breakout players in 2020.

By Adam Aniba

#HTTWFT #ForNow🏹🏈

Follow on Twitterer @TheBandGreport and on Facebook at ‪https://m.facebook.com/groups/344619956055227‬

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Getting to Know Kyle Dugger; The Player That Should Be on Washington’s Radar

Posted on July 29, 2020January 27, 2021 in Uncategorized

Hail Rookie Spotlight; Antonio Gandy-Golden

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We are back with another edition of Hail Rookie. In this edition, a small school prospect that has been on the Burgundy and Gold Report’s radar for some time, goes under the spotlight. Rookie wide receiver Antonio Gandy-Golden was selected in the 4th round at 142 overall and is an imposing force measuring 6’4″ 223 lbs.

The Liberty University receiver comes to Washington after posting 3 straight 1000 yard receiving seasons and recording 10 touchdowns in each of those season (33 career TD’s). AGG had his most productive year in ‘19 with a 17.7 ypr average and finished his career with a 15.9 ypr average. If not for playing at the small school level, there’s little doubt AGG would have been a top 100 selection.

Injuries and off-the-field issues have affected the depth at receiver for Washington this offseason. Some evaluators question if HC Ron Rivera has done enough to upgrade the receiver position after failing to land Amari Cooper. The draft would be Washington’s other option, but not having a 2nd round pick hurt. The 2020 draft class was the deepest in recent memory and Washington might have just struck gold by selecting Gandy-Golden in the 4th round. Head Coach Ron Rivera and new WR Coach Jim Hostler will have their work cut out for them with such a young group.

After losing their second receiver in a month, in Kelvin Harmon, to a season ending knee injury, depth has become a glaring issue. To further complicate things, Cody Latimer was booked on assault in the second degree, menacing, illegal discharge of a firearm, prohibited use of a weapon and reckless endangerment. In all likelihood, Latimer won’t make the final roster and is currently on the Commissioner’s exempt list. The former Giant would have been the elder statesman in the receiver room, but many viewed him as nothing more than depth with special teams upside.

Even after the aforementioned losses, their core is still intact. Terry Mclaurin is expected to lead this group and will undoubtedly draw more attention in coverage this year. It was believed Harmon would battle Gandy-Golden for the opportunity to be the starting Z receiver, but AGG’s assimilation now must be fast tracked with Harmon lost for the season.

Former Washington safety and NFL journalist for ESPN Matt Bowen recently appeared on the John Keim Report podcast and had the following to say about AGG:

“I wonder if he could be the backside X receiver, but he looks like a Z. Who’s your iso receiver that can run the slant, can run the fade, can run vertical, can run the deep dig, who can run the skinny post. When I watched his college tape, excellent ball skills at the point of attack. You want the sweet spot for him to be about 12-15, running deep curls and running deep comebacks. You want him to be a guy, as a rookie that has red zone upside and has critical down and distance situations upside.”

Year One Expectations

Making the leap to the NFL from college is a tall task, especially from the small school level. With no preseason games and a revised training camp, the learning curve has increased substantially. Learning on the fly and picking up the playbook quickly will be imperative for Gandy-Golden. Finding the best way to use AGG or, as Bowen put it, finding “the sweet spot” will be key. Although Gandy-Golden made a career at Liberty making acrobat catches on deep outs, he has all the makings of a big-time possession receiver.

Washington’s struggles in the red zone are well documented. When healthy, former Skins tight end Jordan Reed was their top red zone threat. AGG has the length and plays the position like a power forward, which will be needed with the installation of a new offense. Utilizing Gandy-Golden’s size and ability to attack the back of the end zone provides Dwayne Haskins with a great safety blanket and more options for OC Scott Turner in the red zone.

Under Turner, the offense will undoubtedly go through the run game, early on at least. There’s no denying the depth at receiver will be an issue for Rivera and Turner. But if they can stay healthy, the trio of Terry McLaurin, Steven Sims Jr and and Antonio Gandy-Golden, although inexperienced, make up an ultra explosive group of play-makers. Bringing Gandy-Golden along slowly would have been ideal, but based on necessity, the rookie will be asked to contribute immediately.

Rivera will utilize his stable of running backs to establish a solid running game, while Haskins continues to gain chemistry with his receivers. The loss of Harmon will be felt, but they gain size and big play ability with Gandy-Golden at the Z receiver. Antonio Gandy-Golden will need time to refine his timing and route running within Turner’s offense, but having a pass catcher with such a wide catch radius, that can be thrown open if the play breaks down can be invaluable. Multiple receivers in this draft class possess similar size, but the Liberty pass catcher is only scratching the surface of his ability.

During Gandy-Golden’s pre- and post-draft interviews, he displayed his ability to solve a Rubik’s Cube in under a minute while simultaneously answering questions. The rookie receiver admitted he has issues sitting still for long periods of times and puzzle solving has always helped his focus. In addition, he binge watches film of other NFL receivers as a hobby. So preparing for the draft with the likes of Julio Jones and Anquan Boldin only made his focus and attention to detail stronger.

Although the small school receiver will have a lot of pressure early on to perform, he’s always proven to be up to for he task. Although controversy has surrounded Washington this off-season, they slowly but surely started to build a strong receiving core, albeit very young and inexperienced. The trio each brings a unique skill set to the table; Terry McLaurin runs crisp routes and showed the ability to beat any corner in football. Steven Sims Jr rose from undrafted special teams dynamo to the unquestioned starter at the slot receiver and is a big play waiting to happen. Lastly, the addition of AGG adds the big body Z receiver that can make the tough 50/50 catches. Becoming a better blocker will be imperative, but having a receiver of his size that can make the tough, back shoulder catch in the end-zone will keep this offense competitive.

With the announcement that the NFL will not have any preseason games and no scrimmages have been scheduled for Washington, rookies will have little time to learn the new system, let alone get acclimated to the pro game. Investing in Antonio Gandy-Golden might be the sleeper move of the draft for Washington. Rivera will surely sign a few more veteran receivers, but none will have the impact that the trio is sure to have. Fans will have to be patient while Haskins and The Washington Football Team’s new offense gets its bearings, but investing in a play-maker like AGG is a move that could help bring this offense back to the glory days. Will the trio form “The Posse” 2.0? It’s way too early to make that type of prediction, but it would be misguided to think the talent isn’t there.

By Adam Aniba

#HTTWFT #ForNow🏹🏈

Follow on Twitterer @TheBandGreport and on Facebook at ‪https://m.facebook.com/groups/344619956055227‬

*Special thanks to Josh Taylor @JoshTaylor_21 and his Burgundy Network Podcast @BurgNetworkPod for the article cover art. Give him a follow on Twitter.

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Posted on July 6, 2020 in Uncategorized

The 2020 Linebackers Could Surprise

NFL Training Camps will reportedly start on time, even though the league has already scrapped the first two pre-season games. The NFLPA also voted to forgo the entire pre-season, so it will be a storyline to keep an eye on. This will make it even more of a challenge now for UDFA’s and late round rookies to prove themselves and get opportunities to make the team. The competition at linebacker should be one of the most intense battles to watch for the Redskins.

Veterans will be ready to go, but one linebacker has yet to take a regular season snap and his status is still in question. That player is 4th year linebacker Reuben Foster. Redskins fans are well aware of the damage that Foster did to his knee in a non-contact drill during OTA’s in 2019. Reports have stated that nerve damage was also a result of Foster’s knee injury and the linebacker has recently regained feeling in his foot due to nerve damage. Foster’s future with the Redskins is in doubt, but if he shows no signs of his previous form, he could be out of the league. Foster has said all the right things about returning in time for camp, but the severity of his injury shouldn’t be overlooked.

Key Contributors

Although Foster is one of the bigger names in the linebacking group, the Redskins have a few under-the-radar linebackers that could have a big year. It’s understandable that the Alabama pedigree excites fans, but Foster could be a candidate for the PUP to start the season. The Middle Linebacker is a vital piece to new DC Jack Del Rio‘s scheme, but who’s in line to take the job? Foster’s former Tide teammate Shaun Dion Hamilton has shown he can be durable and his high football IQ make him a logical choice to start at MLB. In fact, SDH has played in 32 straight games as a starter or reserve with two passes defended and 37 solo tackles as a reserve in 2019. This team has lacked a true coverage linebacker so Dion Hamilton should prove to be a valuable asset as a starter or reserve.

Second year linebacker Cole Holcomb is a player the Burgundy and Gold Report spotlighted last season in The Tar Heel Steal. Although Holcomb had his share of hiccups, the rookie showed growth throughout the year, finishing second on the team with 105 comb tackles, 6 TFL, 1 sack, 3 FF and 1 PD. The consensus is that Holcomb will be in competition for the starting WLB, but depending on his maturation, playing MLB shouldn’t be out of the question. In ’19 Holcomb too often reacted to the play, rather than anticipate.

On a few occasions Holcomb showed the type of anticipation and instincts that could lead to a bright future. New defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio has a soft spot for quick, instinctive linebackers and pass rushers in his defenses. Cole Holcomb has the tools and instincts to be the All Pro linebacker that Del Rio is looking for. Holcomb will get every opportunity to succeed while playing behind a stout line that features Chase Young, Montez Sweat, Ryan Kerrigan, Daron Payne, Matt Ioannidis, John Allen and Tim Settle. Wherever coaches decide to play the second-year linebacker, utilizing Holcomb’s speed & instincts will be key. Locking down the starting WLB could be in Holcomb’s future.

It was all but certain that new HC Ron Rivera would bring in some of his former staff and players, so it came as no surprise when Thomas Davis was signed. Davis fits the mold of the veteran leader Rivera wants in his locker room. The 16-year vet should be a candidate to start at SLB. At worst Davis provides depth and experience to help along the other young linebackers. Davis should be a valuable contributor to this defense, but expectations should be tempered. The former Panther/Charger linebacker is unlikely to be in Washington past 2020 considering he’ll turn 37 after the season, but will get every opportunity in camp to start.

The Strong Side Linebacker will have competition, but Ryan Anderson’s name has gained steam as a situational pass rusher who could also contribute on the strong side. Recent reports have surfaced that multiple teams have inquired about Anderson, but a late round pick seems to be the best offer Washington would get. Utilizing Anderson’s ability to attack the quarterback paid off in ‘19 leading to a career year for Anderson who registered with 30 solo tackles, 4 sacks, 9 QB hits, 5 FF , 1 recovery and 1 PD. Although Anderson was active in all 16 games, he only started 4. So, one would wonder if coaches will give Anderson the chance for extended playing time at SLB and/or the opportunity to be a situational pass rusher. Anderson will be a free agent in 2021 and has everything in the world to play for and as always, a chip on his shoulder. Unlike Thomas Davis, Anderson’s career is just getting started and if Anderson continues to build off of last year, he could be in Rivera and JDR’s long-term plans.

The Competition

The new staff decided to bring back Jon Bostic and some in the local media have mentioned he could have the inside track to start at MLB. Although Bostic flashed in his first year with Washington last season, his ability in coverage was suspect and playing a reserve role at WLB/MLB could arguably be the best spot for him. Having Bostic in a reserve role immediately upgrades the depth at the position compared to years past.

Another newly signed linebacker that could open eyes is Kevin Pierre-Louis. The former Chicago Bear linebacker was used primarily as a reserve and on special teams, but did start 4 games. Washington will be his 5th team since 2014, but he could be a valuable contributor. Del Rio has mentioned him a few times during Zoom interviews stating

“KPL did some good things in Chicago and we were happy to sign him.”

Fourth year linebacker Josh Harvey-Clemons could also be in the mix for a roster spot, but he’ll have competition from rookie hybrid LB Khaleke Hudson. Although Hudson is undersized at 5’11” 224 lbs the talent is there and the former Wolverine could be in position for more snaps in ‘21 if he bulks up and continues to improve. Developing and keeping young talent could be part of the new culture with Rivera calling the shots.

Washington will likely continue to look at the free agent and UDFA market, but they have compiled a promising nucleus at linebacker with Cole Holcomb, Shaun Dion Hamilton, Ryan Anderson, Thomas Davis with Reuben Foster being the wildcard if healthy. The Redskins invested a ton of early round draft capital on their D-line; now the linebackers could reap the benefits this year and beyond. Competition will be fierce at linebacker with Rivera and Del Rio demanding discipline, so fans should look forward to a significantly improved overall defense.

By Adam Aniba

#HTTR🏹🏈

Follow on Twitterer @TheBandGreport and on Facebook at ‪https://m.facebook.com/groups/344619956055227‬

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Posted on May 30, 2020 in Uncategorized

Hail Rookie Special Edition Q&A with James Smith-Williams ‪

The Redskins 229th Overall 2020 Draft Selection

We are back for a second installment of “Hail Rookie”, with one of the newest and brightest Redskins rookies. The Burgundy and Gold Report picked the brain of recently drafted, Redskins rookie, James Smith-Williams during an exclusive Q&A session. In previous Q&A’s, NFL draft hopefuls from the small school level have been the subject matter, so having the opportunity to go 1 on 1 with a current player was a privilege.

The NC State defensive end wasn’t on many Redskins fans’ radar, especially after Washington’s selection of Chase Young. Smith-Williams’ 2018 season was his best, registering 37 tackles, 9.5 TFLs, and 6 sacks. Missing over 50% of games he was eligible to play in from ‘15-’19 due to various injuries, led to a draft day fall for Smith-Williams. Some said he would go as early as the fourth round, if not for his injury red flags. One thing is certain; the Wolfpack defensive end showed growth as a pass rusher every season at NC State and proved to be a stalwart in the trenches.

Washington’s defensive philosophy switch to the 4-3 has made the additions of Sweat, Young and now James Smith-Williams, moves that will improve a pass rush that has been lacking for decades. Ryan Kerrigan has become a forgotten man with some fans after the selection of Young, but he’ll be another cog in Rivera’s defense.

Various Washington media outlets have focused on the Wolfpack defensive ends stats, limited production and injury red flags in their post draft write ups, rather than focus on his potential and ceiling in an already robust rotation. This article is more about JSW discussing what he needs to do to excel as a pro, in addition to his possible role this season and beyond.

Getting to Know the New Skins Defensive End

During the Q&A session with The Burgundy and Gold Report, James Smith-Williams discussed some concerns that reportedly led to him falling in the draft. He was asked if he’s currently dealing with any lingering issues and what will he’ll do different to preserve his body on the next level:

“No, I’m lucky that I only required one surgery and outside of that I’ve been pretty healthy. I think the injury narrative was blown out of proportion. I had one nagging injury this past year but it did lead to me having a much more regimented routine in terms of what I eat, a ton of prehab and yoga”.

Smith-Williams’ best attributes are his speed and burst off the snap. The defensive end was asked what he felt he needed to work on most to be an effective every down defensive end in the NFL:

“I think for me I’ve identified hand usage as one of the areas I’d like to improve on that I think will really take my game to the next level”.

We also discussed a few current and former players that James-Williams followed growing up and which ones he modeled his game after

“Currently I’m a big Khalil Mack fan, he has violent hands and plays with a ton of intensity. Former player I’d have to say Julius Peppers”.

We wrapped up the discussion talking about what he felt he improved on most from his freshman year to his final year at NC State

“I think for me, gaining the weight and learning how to play with it/use it was my biggest improvement”.

Role in Washington

If the Redskins want to stay competitive, being aggressive on defense will be key. In order to have success, utilizing the depth they have stockpiled on the defensive line will be a point of emphasis. New Defensive Coordinator, Jack Del Rio, has displayed the ability to take bottom ranked defenses and catapult them to top ten status. Utilizing a frequent rotation with healthy bodies along the defensive line has been the foundation of Del Rio’s success. Player’s like Chase Young, Montez Sweat, John Allen, Daron Payne, Matt Ioannidis and Ryan Kerrigan will form the nucleus and strength of this defense. Reserves Tim Settle, Jordan Brailford, Nate Orchard, Caleb Brantley will be in the mix for roster spots and in constant competition for playing time, so where does that leave James Smith-Williams?

JSW’s boasts impressive 4.6 speed for a man his size (6’4” 265 lbs) and impressed onlookers at the NFL Combine. Smith-Williams downplayed the durability concerns during the Q&A and believes his dedication to weight lifting and his overall all fitness will greatly benefit him on the next level. If the rookie can stay healthy through August, he’ll have a legit shot at making the roster and will no doubt impress coaches with his tireless work ethic and overall intelligence. Some believe the practice squad might be the likely destination for the 7th rounder, based on where he was selected and the current depth along the defensive line. Regardless, the rookie defensive end will add another high ceiling developmental-prospect to a defense that has fans salivating in anticipation.

By Adam Aniba

#HTTR🏹🏈

Give James Smith-Williams a follow on Twitter @jacsw3 ‬

Follow on Twitterer @TheBandGreport and on Facebook at ‪https://m.facebook.com/groups/344619956055227‬

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