Redskins' 2019 Schedule Has Arrived

Redskins' 2019 Preseason Schedule:

Aug. 8: at CLEVELAND BROWNS (7:30 p.m. NBC4)

Aug. 15: vs CINCINNATI BENGALS (7:30 p.m. NBC4)

Aug. 22: at ATLANTA FALCONS (7:30 p.m. NBC4)

Aug. 29: vs BALTIMORE RAVENS (7:30 p.m. NBC4)

Redskins' 2019 Regular Season Schedule:

Sept. 8: at PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (1 p.m. FOX)

Sept. 15: vs DALLAS COWBOYS (1 p.m. FOX)

Sept. 23: vs CHICAGO BEARS (8:15 p.m. ESPN)

Sept. 29: at NEW YORK GIANTS (1 p.m. FOX)

Oct. 6: vs NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (1 p.m. CBS)

Oct. 13: at MIAMI DOLPHINS (1 p.m. FOX)

Oct. 20: vs SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (1 p.m. FOX)

Oct. 24: at MINNESOTA VIKINGS (8:20 p.m. FOX, NFL NETWORK, AMAZON)

Nov. 3: at BUFFALO BILLS (1 p.m. FOX)

Nov. 10: BYE

Nov. 17: vs NEW YORK JETS (1 p.m. CBS)

Nov. 24: vs DETROIT LIONS (1 p.m. FOX)

Dec. 1: at CAROLINA PANTHERS (1 p.m. CBS)

Dec. 8: at GREEN BAY PACKERS (1 p.m. FOX)

Dec. 15: vs PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (1 p.m. FOX)

Dec. 22: vs NEW YORK GIANTS (1 p.m. FOX)

Dec. 29: at DALLAS COWBOYS (1 p.m. FOX)

The Quarterback Carousel Continues in Washington

Smart football decisions and the Washington Redskins are words that do not coincide. Instead of drafting a rookie quarterback next month, or even trading for Josh Rosen—the 10th overall selection in the 2018 NFL draft—the Redskins elected to make a head-scratching move.

(Photo: NFL.com)

Case Keenum is being shipped from Denver to D.C. along with a seventh-round pick, and in return, the Broncos receive a sixth-rounder from the Redskins. Both picks are for next year's draft. Denver will pay $3.5 million of Keenum's $7 million salary, while the Redskins pay the remaining half.

Keenum, 31, will compete with incumbent signal-caller Colt McCoy for the starting role as of now. Neither one of these names sends a warning message to the rest of the NFC East. If anything, this screams mediocrity and a regression to the old Redskins ways of conducting business.

Since entering the league as an undrafted free agent in 2012, Keenum has been with five teams, including the Redskins. His career statistics include 12,661 passing yards, 64 touchdowns, and 42 interceptions.

Add his name to the eye-popping list of starting quarterbacks in the nation's capital.

Redskins Organization Keeps Embarrassing Themselves

Bad publicity continues to plague the Washington Redskins organization—just ask head coach Jay Gruden. His 22-year-old son, Jack Gruden, was arrested early Sunday morning for public drunkenness.

The arrest occurred at 2:15 a.m., after Gruden had engaged in multiple confrontations at a restaurant in One Loudoun. According to the police report, a deputy broke up the initial argument between Gruden and another male, but Gruden was involved in two more confrontations leading to his arrest.

Gruden has been a part of the Redskins staff for two seasons. He started out by volunteering the first year, and then more recently, served as a video assistant. His court hearing is scheduled for March 21.

Tony Wyllie, the team's senior vice president of communications, said in a statement, "We are aware of the arrest of Jack Gruden. We are gathering more information and will not comment until we have further details." Wyllie is a busy man, having to constantly address the media regarding the black cloud—namely Bruce Allen—hovering over Redskins Park.

Alcohol seems to be a culprit, though. Two months ago, Redskins safety Montae Nicholson was arrested for—stop if you've heard this one before—public drunkenness around 2 a.m. at One Loudoun. Unlike Gruden, Nicholson was also charged with assault and battery, effectively ending his season. Wyllie, in a statement verbatim to the one above, said, "We are aware of the arrest of Montae Nicholson. We are gathering more information and will not comment until we have further details."

Maybe they should quit playing Redfoo's song "Good Things Happen When Ya Drunk" at Redskins Park.

More Coaching Changes in Washington

The Washington Redskins have filled their coaching void at the inside linebacker spot, hiring the notorious Rob Ryan.

Ryan, 56, returns to coaching after a two-year hiatus, with his most recent stint being the assistant head coach for the Buffalo Bills. His more accomplished twin brother, Rex Ryan, was Buffalo's head coach at that time. Both of them openly support President Trump, so how bad can they be?

Despite never being a head coach like his brother, Ryan does have 20 years experience as an NFL assistant. He previously held defensive coordinator roles with the New Orleans Saints (2013-15), Dallas Cowboys (2011-12), Cleveland Browns (2009-10), and Oakland Raiders (2004-08). 

Washington circled back to Ryan after interviewing him for their defensive coordinator spot two years ago. One could speculate that if Greg Manusky—the current defensive coordinator—continues to underwhelm, Ryan may very well be waiting in the wings.

The Redskins also retained Jim Tomsula, guaranteeing another season of him coaching the defensive line. Tomsula unequivocally transformed Washington's linemen into a fearful unit, making his retainment a no-brainer... even for the Redskins.

Redskins Make Coaching Changes

At last, the Washington Redskins are doing something positive this offseason. The team has promoted Kevin O'Connell to offensive coordinator, replacing the previous incumbent Matt Cavanaugh, who was demoted to senior offensive assistant.

The 33-year-old O'Connell previously held the roles of quarterbacks coach and passing game coordinator—the latter of which was to prevent him from accepting UCLA's offensive coordinator vacancy.

O'Connell's biggest fan might be veteran receiver Torrey Smith, who praised the move on his Twitter account, declaring, "The next [Sean] McVay." Minutes later, he elaborated with another tweet, "He is legit. One of the sharpest dudes I've been around. He is also great at communicating which is half of the battle when leading a team. Plenty of folks know ball but can you lead?"

Smith's comparison of course, is referring to former Redskins offensive mastermind Sean McVay, who started out as their assistant tight ends coach in 2010. Four year later, McVay was promoted to offensive coordinator where he transformed an anemic offense into a dynamic one. After three seasons in that role, McVay got the opportunity of a lifetime—becoming the head coach of the Los Angeles Rams at just 30 years old. Fast forward to now, where his team will square off against the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LIII. So, naturally, there will be McVay-like expectations for O'Connell moving forward.

While Smith's comments should be taken with a grain of salt, it is notable that Washington had some competition for O'Connell's services, with other teams attempting to hire him. Unfortunately for him, the talented players on offense lie few and far between. Quarterback, the most important position on any team, is stamped yet again with a large question mark. Adrian Peterson, the future hall of fame running back, is set to become a free agent, while prospect Derrius Guice is still recovering from injury. The left guard position remains a revolving door, the wide receiver corps is weak, and the tight end duo of Jordan Reed and Vernon Davis has fizzled out.

O'Connell certainly has upside, given his age and high football IQ, which should bode him well. Over the last few seasons in particular, the NFL has seen a youth movement in hiring coaches. Whether O'Connell can develop into a head coach himself one day remains to be seen. Meanwhile, a head coach of Mike McCarthy's pedigree—13 seasons, 125-77-2 record, nine playoff appearances, and a Super Bowl win—is still without a team.