Thursday’s press conference with offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy was at times encouraging and at times mystifying.
Bieniemy, on numerous occasions, said the things he should say as the assistant head coach/offensive coordinator.
Buy Commanders TicketsWhen questions inquired regarding Sam Howell, the offensive line, and the receiving group getting open, Bieniemy more than once said, “That starts right here with me.”
He is correct. As offensive coordinator, it is his offense he has chosen for this team. He oversaw all the coaching of each offensive position in the minicamps, training camp and preseason.
No doubt, he also helped determine a few players who made the roster and a few who were released. Right tackle Andrew Wylie and receiver Byron Pringle also played for Bieniemy in Kansas City.
There was, however, also the mystifying.
The game was played Sunday afternoon, and for the last four days, Commanders fans, the press, families, coaching staff and players have had every opportunity to read, study and learn from the statistics of what actually transpired in the 37-3 thumping by the Bills.
So, how is it the offensive coordinator could say, “I didn’t even know it was 19 sacks until you said that.” Eric Bieniemy doesn’t know what thousands of us in the DMV know, that Sam Howell has already been sacked 19 times in the first three games?
How can he NOT know this? Is there any chance at all that Eric Bieniemy does not know this?
While Ron Rivera is constantly criticized, Bieniemy has gotten a free pass. Imagine if Rivera had stated he did not know Howell had been sacked 19 times in three games. Wouldn’t Rivera’s awareness been brought into question?
In addition, when Bieniemy was asked what he could do to help Howell take fewer sacks, he surprisingly replied, “You keep playing, and you figure it out.”
Wait, what?
Did that sound more like what you would expect from a frustrated high school coach?
Was this Bieniemy perhaps revealing to the press that this season, when they ask specific questions, he is not going to attempt to answer the question?
When he was asked about Brian Robinson’s success running the ball, oh, he said the obligatory blessing of Robinson as a player. But then, didn’t he basically refuse to discuss Robinson’s success in running by providing much coach-speak about all that matters is winning?
Count me in as one who was excited about Bieniemy coming to Washington. But my first thoughts today, following a few of his replies, was, “Oh my, might this be a first glimpse of things to come?”
