While speaking to the media after Thursday’s practice, Washington Football Team defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio talked about the defensive struggles his unit has partaken over the first three games.
Washington’s defense was expected by many to be one of the National Football League’s best overall units this season. After three games, the group finds themselves ranked towards the bottom of the NFL in several categories and has not lived up to the hype surrounding them. They rank 4th in points allowed per game, allowing 30.7. Washington is 2nd in the most yards allowed per game (1,296), trailing only the Seattle Seahawks (1,321). The defense has given up a staggering 58.7 percent of 3rd-down conversions on the season and rank 31st.
Last weekend Buffalo dismantled the defense throughout the Week 3 contest in New York, setting off a loyal but now worried fanbase.
Del Rio was calm as he answered several questions and discussed if the defense could still achieve the goals set out at the season’s start.
“Yeah, I mean, we don’t hand out trophies after three weeks. It hasn’t been the start that we all wanted or even expected, but it is what it is, and we’ll deal with it,” Del Rio Said. “Kind of man up, take responsibility. accountability starts with me. I’ve made that very clear with our group of coaches and players. We all have to do that. We all need to be this much better, and then it gets a lot better for all of us. It’s shared responsibility. It’s very much accountability, and like I said, I love my guys. I love
the players and coaches that I work with every day. It’s a really good group.”
Del Rio said trophies aren’t handed out in just three weeks. He said he wants accountability and that starts with him. He said he loves his guys and coaches and enjoys the people he works with everyday. #WashingtonFootball #NFL @SportsJourney
— Lake Lewis Jr (@LakeLewis) September 30, 2021
Washington has a touted front four, all consisting of former first-round draft picks Jonathan Allen (2017, 1st rd – pick 17), Daron Payne (2018, 1st rd – pick 13), Montez Sweat (2019, 1st rd – pick 26), and Chase Young (2020, 1st rd – pick 2). The quartet was expected to form into perhaps the league’s most dominant and disruptive defensive line and still could do so. Still, the early returns after a successful 2020 campaign have fallen short.
Del Rio understands the expectations of being the best defensive line in the NFL but instead has his expectations.
“I don’t care about that. Hype doesn’t mean anything,” Del Rio elaborated. “That’s part of the game. We love that you all cover us, and we love that the fans are excited about it, and you can have all of your ranks and thoughts about ranks and all that you want. And I’m happy with that. It’s great! It’s great for the game! At the end of the day, it’s a performance-based business. Potential doesn’t mean much. So we’re about production, we’re about playing well together, and that’s where our focus is. What gives you a chance is when you have a good group of men that are working together, that are staying together, that are willing to take accountability, and we’ll get it going.”
Jack Del Rio said he doesn’t want his guys stressed out. He wants them to go hard, play hard, and have fun. To set the tone. #WashingtonFootball #NFL @SportsJourney pic.twitter.com/VcOXr0TpgL
— Lake Lewis Jr (@LakeLewis) September 30, 2021
The second-year defensive coordinator, former NFL coach, and player went on to talk about his expectations for the unit at the beginning of the season.
“Yeah, my expectations are for us to come out every week, respect our opponent, but not fear our opponent and come out and do the things that need to be done to help our football team win,” he said. “We have a great attitude. We’re giving great effort. When you’re doing those things, you have a chance. We’ll get it turned and going in the right direction.”
Washington will need that attitude and effort to turn their season back to a positive and bring their 1-2 record back to .500 ball.
