Kliff Kingsbury was fired by the Washington Commanders this morning for reasons TBA.
I'm glad the move was made in a timely manner. If you're going to do it, do it ASAP.
He had a wonderful first season. His Achilles heel was the running game. People say the running game was ranked fourth. That's fool's gold. Kingsbury did not seem to have a grasp on WHEN to run. In football history usually a strong running game helps strengthen the defense. A strong running game backs the defense off the quarterback.
The ability to "possess the ball" was going to be essential to this team in particular. George Allen was successful playing the Over-the-Hill gang because he always had a good running game. With an older roster and older contributors on defense, keeping the defense rested was going to be paramount.
There's no debate. The Commanders had plenty ability to run. They had no sensitivity as to when to run. They had a pretty bad year on offense in Washington in the area of situational football. And in complementary football.
Losing Austin Ekeler hurt. But the backs were mostly healthy and effective the whole year. They just weren't called on when the Commanders absolutely HAD TO RUN.
When an opposing offense runs 92 plays on your aging defense, you're failing to "possess the ball." Your offense is the only thing between complete exhaustion and your out-manned defense.
They did not have the defense's back. They did not seem to know there is an organic relationship between the running game and the defense.
That was why they were blown out quite a few times this year.
I hope they don't do the old boys club with the coordinators. Hiring buddies. I guess that is the definition of "brotherhood". But there is a sense Quinn is outdated on defense. He could use a fresh young talent on defense. Harvesting a DC from college ball worked for the Ravens, as the Seahawks can attest.
Surprisingly, Quinn's Buddy System might work better finding an OC. Both Quinn and Peters are up to snuff on the styles of offense currently successful in the League. Defense not so much.
My pick would be Matt Burke. But not gonna happen.
College Football Team Defense 2025
Glenn Schumann. Wasn't he the creator of the 4-2-5 everybody is in love with these days?
https://www.profootballnetwork.com/nfl-defensive-coordinator-rankings-2025/
