The arrival of Eric Bieniemy as the Washington Commanders’ offensive coordinator was met with a wave of excitement. Fans envisioned a high-powered offense, fueled by Bieniemy’s success in Kansas City, igniting Sam Howell’s development as a quarterback. While the reality hasn’t quite lived up to those lofty expectations, the conversation surrounding Bieniemy’s performance has been nuanced, with valid criticisms intertwined with unfair judgments.
This article dissects the complexities of Bieniemy’s offensive system in Washington, exploring both its strengths and weaknesses, to provide a balanced perspective on his first season at the helm.
The Pass-Heavy Approach: A Double-Edged Sword?
One of the most debated aspects of Bieniemy’s offensive strategy has been his proclivity for passing plays, especially with a young, mobile quarterback like Howell under center. This pass-heavy philosophy deviates from the traditional approach of leaning on the run game to ease a young quarterback’s transition, a strategy successfully employed by the Philadelphia Eagles with Jalen Hurts.
While the abundance of passing reps undoubtedly benefits Howell’s development by exposing him to various defensive looks and coverages, it’s fair to question whether a more balanced approach, incorporating Howell’s mobility and a potent play-action game, might have yielded better results in terms of wins and losses.
Route Spacing: A Matter of Design or Execution?
Criticism has been leveled at the route spacing within Bieniemy’s offense, with some pointing to instances where receivers appear to converge, creating traffic and limiting separation from defenders. However, it’s crucial to recognize that route combinations often involve intentional crossing patterns designed to manipulate defensive coverage and create opportunities for receivers running behind.
However, there have been situations where the spacing between receivers seemed less deliberate and more problematic. Take, for example, the Commanders’ favored post-wheel combination. On several occasions, the execution of this concept has resulted in receivers occupying the same area of the field, minimizing their effectiveness.
Whether this issue stems from receivers misinterpreting routes, inadequate coaching on the finer details, or Bieniemy’s oversight is debatable. Given Bieniemy’s reputation as a detail-oriented coach, it’s plausible that the spacing is intentional, even if it appears counterintuitive. However, the persistence of these questionable spacing instances raises concerns about the effectiveness of these route combinations.
Sprint Rollouts: Maximizing Howell’s Mobility or Limiting Options?
Bieniemy’s offense incorporates sprint rollout plays, leveraging Howell’s mobility and simplifying reads by condensing the field. While these plays can be highly effective, particularly in short-yardage situations, some of the Commanders’ variations raise questions about their design and suitability for Howell’s skillset.
Consider a play where Howell rolls out to his left. Terry McLaurin runs a deep hook route intended to occupy defenders and open space for Jahan Dotson’s out route from the slot. Alex Armah, the fullback, runs a crossing route from the opposite side. In theory, the design seems sound, but the execution reveals flaws.
The Rams’ zone coverage negates the effectiveness of McLaurin’s pick route, leaving Dotson’s route covered. While McLaurin finds himself open downfield, Howell’s body positioning after the rollout makes it nearly impossible to deliver the throw without significant adjustment, essentially reducing the play to a single-read option.
This example highlights a potential issue with some of the sprint rollout designs – they limit Howell’s options and force him into predetermined throws, negating the inherent advantage of a mobile quarterback.
Signs of Brilliance: Exploiting Defensive Tendencies
Despite the criticisms, Bieniemy’s offense exhibits flashes of brilliance, showcasing his understanding of defensive tendencies and his ability to scheme receivers open.
One impressive aspect of Bieniemy’s time in Kansas City was the Chiefs’ knack for having the perfect play call in crucial situations. This suggested a deep understanding of opponent tendencies and the ability to exploit defensive rules, creating advantageous matchups. While this hasn’t been a consistent theme in Washington, there are glimpses of this same strategic acumen.
Consider a red zone play where the Commanders utilize a bunch formation to the left. Jahan Dotson runs a curl route from the point of the bunch, while Logan Thomas, the tight end, breaks out to the flat. Curtis Samuel, aligned wide, releases inside before breaking back outside on a corner route.
This well-designed play aims to exploit the Rams’ quarters coverage. Dotson’s initial outside stem draws the attention of the cornerback, creating space over the top for Samuel’s corner route. The safety’s hesitation allows Samuel to run free, presenting Howell with an easy touchdown opportunity.
This play exemplifies Bieniemy’s ability to scheme receivers open by recognizing defensive coverages and exploiting their weaknesses. The challenge lies in replicating these moments of brilliance more consistently.
Lack of Creativity or Failure to Tailor to Personnel?
While accusations of a complete lack of creativity might be harsh, there’s merit to the argument that Bieniemy’s offense hasn’t fully maximized the unique skillsets of Washington’s offensive weapons. The system appears to prioritize spreading the ball around rather than featuring individual players. However, incorporating tailored packages for players like McLaurin, Dotson, and Samuel could unlock another level of offensive production.
Recent games offer a glimmer of hope, with Bieniemy showcasing a willingness to utilize Curtis Samuel’s versatility. By deploying Samuel in the backfield, Bieniemy creates mismatches, forces defenses to adjust, and opens up opportunities in both the run and pass game.
One example involves Samuel aligning in the backfield and running a choice route. The defense, unsure whether to match up with a linebacker or a cornerback, hesitates, allowing Samuel to gain leverage and secure a first down. This package highlights Bieniemy’s ability to create mismatches and exploit defensive uncertainty.
Building on this success, Bieniemy further integrates Samuel’s versatility by incorporating him into a variation of the Shanahan-style Flag concept. Samuel, aligned in the backfield, runs the corner route, drawing the defense’s attention and creating space underneath for Terry McLaurin’s pivot route, resulting in an easy completion for Howell.
These examples demonstrate Bieniemy’s potential to design creative packages that highlight his players’ strengths. The key is to replicate this approach with other playmakers, creating a more diverse and unpredictable offense.
The Verdict: A Season of Promise and Uncertainty
Eric Bieniemy’s first season in Washington has been a mixed bag, characterized by flashes of brilliance interspersed with head-scratching moments. The pass-heavy approach, while potentially beneficial for Howell’s development, hasn’t translated into consistent offensive success. Route spacing issues and questionable sprint rollout designs raise further questions about the effectiveness of certain aspects of the offensive system.
However, glimpses of Bieniemy’s ability to exploit defensive tendencies and design creative packages tailored to his players’ strengths offer hope for the future. If Bieniemy can find greater consistency, harness the full potential of his offensive weapons, and perhaps benefit from a full offseason to implement his vision with his chosen staff, the Commanders’ offense could take significant strides forward.
Only time will tell whether Bieniemy’s tenure in Washington will be defined by progress or ultimately end in disappointment.
