Washington defensive end Chase Young has been taking on pressure from all sides over his lack of production through three games.
While it's a given that the second-year star has accumulated zero sacks on the season, why he has hasn't been able to get to the quarterback is a less explored angle, something head coach Ron Rivera attempted to clear up this week.
"Well, I think part of it is that he's trying a little harder than he needs to," Rivera said during his weekly appearance with Kevin Sheehan. Rivera can be heard each Friday on The Kevin Sheehan Show at 8 a.m., presented by F.H. Furr. "I think part of it is he's trying to do more than he needs to. Part of it is people know who he is now."
"Even in this game that we played [against Buffalo], he was chipped, he was doubled, they threw play-action at him, they threw some quick stuff," Rivera said. "So he's not getting the opportunities like he had last year either and, again, I think it's one of those things that as he works through it, continues to focus on it, it'll happen. He'll be fine."
Rivera bucked at the notion that Young was seemingly getting beat often while going one-on-one against Bills offensive tackle Daryl Williams.
"I think he won more than people are giving him credit for," Rivera said. "I saw the PFF stat that said he was the second-most productive guy we have, and that his numbers were pretty much right near the average. So I just think people's expectations of him are unfair."
Throwing numbers out the window, Rivera was asked how he feels Young is playing so far this season.
"I think he's playing good, but I think by his standards, he doesn't feel he's playing good enough," he said. "By our standards, do I believe he can play better? Most certainly. I know he will play better. Again, he's a young guy that's, again, learning to deal with some stuff that he hasn't had to deal with. Different teams protect differently against him. He's had to deal with that. So he's learning and growing. And again, he's a young football player who's got time to learn and grow and develop."
Noting that Rivera had acknowledge players 'freelancing' was an issue against the Giants offense the week prior, Sheehan asked if that was an issue again on Sunday against the Bills.
"Well, I think there was a little bit more miscommunication too as well, and a good example is some of the pass rush stuff," Rivera said. "We would have a great inside move but we wouldn't have the edge covered like we would like to have it. We would have a rush where we'd have a one and a five rushing, and then the five would come inside and now the one would come outside, and we'd have two guys in the same B gap."
"So those are things that you have to develop and understand, and have a rapport with the guy you're playing with," he continued. "You know, again, in some cases we've got some young guys that are playing together for the first time or working — I shouldn't say first time — but guys that are working together to get a better feel and understanding of what to expect from one another."
Before closing out their conversation, Sheehan asked Rivera if he's spoken with team owner Dan Snyder and, if so, what Snyder's thoughts are on the 1-2 start to the season.
"Oh, it's always good to talk to Mr. Snyder," Rivera said. "You know, we just visit and chat about what's happening, so it's been real positive."
"How often do you talk to him," Sheehan asked.
"Probably about once or twice a week, just depending on the situation, circumstances, if we run into each other around the building or at the game, or at the stadium or something like that," Rivera said. "Or I'll call or he'll call. You know, we'll talk."
Listen to Kevin Sheehan's interview with Ron Rivera below.
