Storyline: Washington is the most stable franchise in the NFL East. Players are bonding. Coaches are smiling. Practices are competitive. And fans everywhere are sporting Burgundy and Gold.
For the first time since 2012 the Washington Redskins are heading to the postseason with a Playoff game under their belt. It has been a year full of changes for the Redskins, the biggest and most obvious change was installing Kirk Cousins as starting quarterback. And Cousins didn’t disappoint.
Courtesy: oregonsportsnews.con
But the Redskins’ turnaround actually started earlier–with the hire of GM Scot McCloughan. McCloughan brought something the organization has longed for–stability.
He stood with Gruden on the decision to start Cousins. He upgraded the roster by bringing in veteran leadership, like Terrace Knighton and Ricky Jean Francois, and journeymen, like Will Blackmon, Mason Foster, and Pierre Thomas, to patch up an injury-riddled roster. McCloughan’s success has him lined up for being named NFL Executive of the Year.
And, just as important, 2015 was a drama-free year, something most players weren’t use to. “That’s how we like it,” Trent Williams said. “We’ve been through as many circuses as I can handle. I’m at my limit, so I’m glad everything is going on the up and up, at least for right now.”
While things are going along well for the Redskins, the rest of the NFC East is in a different state. The Eagles and Giants will have new head coaches next year and Dallas is rebuilding. Washington appears to be the division’s most stable franchise.
Courtesy: bleacherreport.com
Jay Gruden is continuing to grow as a coach, too. “I could feel the divide over the quarterback thing,” Gruden said. “But, for the most part, fans stayed passionate and loyal. I appreciate that.” And that loyalty paid dividends. Gruden gave Washington its fourth NFC East title in the last 26 years.
He has the players respect. “He listens to the players and he knows what it’s like to be a player,” Dashon Goldson said. “His coaching goes a long way with the players. He has a good feel for the locker room.”
The change is refreshing. Players are bonding. Coaches are smiling. Practices are competitive. And fans everywhere are sporting Burgundy and Gold.
“Winning cures all,” Kedric Golston said. “That’s the business we’re in. No one cares what’s going on if you win games. When you lose, people aren’t talking about football anymore. Everyone wants to dig up reasons why.”
With confidence rising, it’ll be interesting to see where the road leads in 2016.
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