Head coach Ron Rivera admitted that an alternation between Alex Smith and Taylor Heinicke against Tampa Bay is a possibility.
ASHBURN – Con Alex Smith still recovering from a calf strain, the head coach of the Washington football team, Ron Rivera, said they could turn to an unconventional solution: rotate quarterbacks.
Washington (7-9) receive the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (11-5) in the first round of the playoffs next Saturday. Smith missed two games with a calf problem, but came back to help Washington to get the division title of the NFC East with a win over the Philadelphia Eagles. However, the injury limited the mobility of Smith.
If that happens on Saturday, Rivera He said he would consider hiring two quarterbacks. That would mean switching to Smith with Taylor Heinicke, which was out of competition nearly two years earlier Washington adds him to his practice squad on December 8.
“We should certainly think about that,” he said. Rivera. “The reality is that we are playing against a very aggressive defense this week, we should definitely see that.”
Tampa Bay shipped freight 262 times, the second most in the NFL, behind the Baltimore Ravens, according to ESPN statistics and information. The Bucs they have registered 24 of their 48 bags via cargo, while also causing 10 of their 25 theft. Also, they have given up Q4 touchdowns in a charging situation, the most in the competition.
Heinicke played in the system for three years with two other teams – the Minnesota Vikings and Carolina Panthers– and created a fourth quarter spark in a loss for their own country Panthers in week 16. In that match Heinicke he completed 12 of 19 passes for 137 yards and a touchdown. A second touchdown was denied due to a holding penalty. He showed the ability to move, which could be beneficial on Saturday.
Rivera He said if that route was taken, they wouldn’t need two game plans. They originally appreciated Heinicke for their knowledge of the system. According to RiveraThey could use different aspects of the same plan for each quarterback.
“With two separate game plans, you’re asking too much of your team,” he noted. Rivera. That’s why it’s important to have quarterbacks who know your system, understand your system, and have been part of your system.
“I couldn’t tell them whether we wanted to do it or not,” he explained. Rivera. ‘I couldn’t tell you if it makes sense to do it. We will only know when it happens. ‘
Smith injured his calf in a December 13 victory over the San Francisco 49ers. He played hurt during the first half and tried to shake off the problem with stretching during the interval. It didn’t work out, and he was eliminated in the second half. Dwayne Haskins Jr. started the next two games, both losses.
Against Philadelphia, Smith he completed 22 of the 32 pass attempts for 162 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions. He was captured three times, Rivera He said he doesn’t know if the calf is off Smith You may improve too much in the week, which in turn would lead to further doubts about your ability to escape the pressure. Rivera he said he considered using Heinicke in front of Eagles. But Rivera was satisfied with the first series Smith, resulting in a touchdown, and another just before half-time that also ended on 7 points.
“I think it has had its moments [contra Philadelphia]”, he pointed Rivera, when asked about the mobility of Smith. “That first series was what we were looking for. The halftime series was great. A few things happened where you say, ‘Oh wow, I would rather have been out of that.’ As long as I respond and do the things we have to do. To win, we’ll keep going. “
If not, they will consider alternatives … like a rotation.
“We will just know as the game goes on and we may find ourselves in certain situations or circumstances where we might have to consider something like that,” he said. Rivera. “I can’t tell you what it would be. It should be something that comes to mind during the game.”