The danger of an aggressive defense fueled by a go-go-go coordinator and head coach, coupled with no preseason games, is diminishing a fragile offense. Washington needs to dial it back or risk hurting themselves.
There have been a number of collisions in recent summer practices now that full pads are allowed. Safety Troy Apke has delivered a couple knockdowns, including a rough tackle of receiver Terry McLaurin. Tackle Daron Payne banged into quarterback Alex Smith's leg, which nearly set off tornado sirens in Ashburn.
Great, just destroy any chance of a decent season on a practice field.
It's a delicate balance telling defensive players to attack hard, but not too hard. Good luck with that. Still, common sense should dictate to starters when to restrain. While everyone needs to prove themselves to new coach Ron Rivera and his staff, who demand faster tempo workouts, they can't crumble a fragile offense. Otherwise, it's a good defense wasted on another 3-13 season.
Forget yellow jerseys – quarterbacks need to wear construction worker orange. Six feet, gentlemen. It's not just about the virus. Take out Smith with a dumb hit and you're the villain of Washington forever.
The offense is basically a young quarterback, old running back, one receiver and one good lineman. The rest is whatever. There is some potential throughout the lineup, but right now the team color is green. Anyone dumb enough to take out the few playmakers the team has should be dressed down by coaches. The offense can't lose its few standouts on the practice field or else there'll be a lot of 14-10, 17-13 losses this fall.
But is it in coordinator Jack Del Rio and Rivera's personality to restrain their defensive playmakers? They were both good NFL linebackers and those guys never calm down. Why, Sam Huff wanted to tackle John Riggins in a one-on-one match in the parking lot in the early '80s before cooler heads stopped it. No matter Huff retired 15 years earlier. Linebackers never lose that edge to dominate.
It's that time of training camp when players become more confident in the scheme and start playing faster and harder. Fights are not uncommon in the heated atmosphere. That's OK. This isn't a dance competition. But, coaches usually pointed to the weekend and said take out your aggression in the game. This summer, practices have become a civil war of offense versus defense.
A day off will temper the flames. But, rough play is the collateral damage of no preseason. Players can't save it for Sept. 13. It's going to spill out. Just don't let it knock someone out.
Rick Snider has covered Washington sports since 1978. Follow him on Twitter: @Snide_Remarks
