Chances are you have seen some version of this graphic if you have watched five minutes of an NFL game this season. It’s literally the only thing getting more screen time than Taylor Swift during football broadcasts this year.
More Football: The NFL fumble in the end zone rule is perfect
However, there is almost no context given around it. The announcers or whoever is showing the image will drool over what these coaches have become. And that is undoubtedly impressive. You would be fooled into believing the 2013 Washington coaching staff was some sort of football oracle—a place shaping the future of offense.
That’s simply not the case. Washington went 3-13 in 2013. Now, you’ll hear a lot of excuses as to why that was. Most folks cite Robert Griffin III rushing back from injury and his diminished play. On the other hand, it could be argued that his 2012 season was sort of a fluke, and the NFL was more prepared to stop him.
Regardless, Washington finished 20th in points per game during the 2013 campaign, although they were ninth in total yards. Turnovers were a huge issue for the team. But when you root around and look at what happened on the field, well, you will find a coaching staff that was routinely outcoached.
For example, in week 1 of 2013, Washington trailed 26-7 to Philadelphia at halftime having only mustered 75 total yards and three first downs. Then they scored 20 points in garbage time to make the score look respectable.
It was a similar story against the Green Bay Packers a week later. They trailed at the break 24-0 having gone punt, punt, punt, punt, interception, kneel down on their first half possessions. And then they scored 20 second half points and put up almost 300 yards to again make things sort of respectable.
Even when Washington won, it was in spite of, not due to, their offense. Their first victory of the season against a woeful Oakland Raiders team down to Matt Flynn at quarterback was hardly an inspiring showing. Sure, they put 45 points on a terrible Bears defense. That is something.
There were also way too many performances, such as week 8 against Denver. The offense scored early in the third quarter to take a 14-point lead only to see their final eight drives end in three punts and five turnovers.
However, Washington’s final game of the season may have been their most asinine performance. Let’s be honest here. This was your classic senior spring matchup. Both teams had checked out and were playing out the string. By this point, everyone knew Mike Shanahan was going to be fired, and apparently, the supergroup of assistant coaches decided to say screw it. They have Kirk Cousins throw the ball 49 times.
For the record, he completed 19 of those passes. Also, the score of the game ended 20-6 in favor of the Giants who went into halftime with a 10-6 lead. There was no reason to throw the ball this many times. And really, even a competent game plan could have seen Washington win the game.
What no one wants to say about the 2013 Washington coaching staff is that they weren’t very good. In fact, having them all in one place was probably detrimental to the team. Some of the issues stem from Mike Shanahan not playing nice with RGIII. But having all of these young, inexperienced coaches around didn’t help matters either.
There is nothing wrong with that, by the way. Becoming a good professional in any field involves making mistakes and learning from them. However, this was like the NFL coaching equivalent to a student newspaper. There were just too many people who didn’t quite know what they were doing and no adult in the room to guide them.
So, the next time you see that graphic of the 2013 Washington coaching staff and think, wow, they were lucky to have this group at the same place at the same time, remember this was a total disaster.
Keep Reading: The NFL has a running back problem. This is how to fix it
