What to make of Magic Johnson’s criticism of the Commanders (1:49)
Dan Graziano, Mike Tannenbaum and Bart Scott react to Magic Johnson tweeting his disappointment concerning the Commanders’ efficiency vs. the Bears. (1:49)
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John Keim, ESPN Employees AuthorOct 6, 2023, 02:06 AM ET
- John Keim covers the Washington Commanders for ESPN. He joined ESPN in 2013 after a stint with the Washington Submit. He began overlaying the staff in 1994 for the Journal Newspapers and later for the Washington Examiner. He has authored/co-authored 4 books. You can too take heed to him on ‘The John Keim Report’, which airs on ESPN Richmond radio, and comply with him on Twitter @john_keim
LANDOVER, Md. — Washington Commanders restricted companion Magic Johnson delivered harsh criticism of his new staff following a 20-point loss to the Chicago Bears on Thursday night time.
After the Commanders lost 40-20 to the beforehand winless Bears, Johnson tweeted partially that “the Commanders performed with no depth or fireplace. We did not compete within the first half. … It was too large of a gap to climb out of and that’s the reason we ended up dropping.”
Tonight the Commanders performed with no depth or fireplace. We did not compete within the first half and obtained down 27-3 heading into halftime. It was too large of a gap to climb out of and that’s the reason we ended up dropping 40-20.
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) October 6, 2023
Johnson, who attended the sport, is considered one of 20 restricted companions with new proprietor Josh Harris. Johnson has been extremely seen as a part of the franchise, between charitable occasions and attending video games.
However this was his first important tweet of his new staff. And the gamers didn’t disagree along with his evaluation. In any case, Washington fell behind 27-3 at halftime.
“I might in all probability say that is fairly truthful,” Washington receiver Terry McLaurin mentioned.
“Undoubtedly,” defensive finish Montez Sweat mentioned. “We got here out flat.”
The Bears scored on every of their 5 possessions within the first half, usually due to missed tackles or blown coverages within the secondary. A protection that entered with two sacks recorded 4. And an offense that averaged 298 yards within the first 4 video games managed 451.
“We obtained our ass kicked,” Washington defensive deal with Jonathan Allen mentioned.
Washington coach Ron Rivera mentioned he could not repeat his postgame message to the gamers however that in brief he informed them, “That is not adequate.”
That is why nobody within the locker room was about to reject what Johnson tweeted. Nevertheless, some mentioned there have been different elements.
“I imply, that is the notion if you’re down that fast, it seems to be like that,” Washington left deal with Charles Leno Jr. mentioned. “I am not going to say the blokes didn’t have any depth or urgency coming into the sport. I’d undoubtedly say it was an absence of execution early offensively; after they put up seven on the protection, we have to reply.”
McLaurin mentioned the Commanders’ intentions, after all, had been to not begin that manner. Nevertheless, he mentioned, intentions do not matter.
“It is what you placed on the sphere,” McLaurin mentioned. “I do know we do not have a lazy bunch; I do know we do not have a non-intense group of fellows. That displaying isn’t reflective of us, however that is who we’re. We put that on tape. I might say that is a fairly truthful evaluation [by Johnson].”
Each groups had been coming off tough losses: Chicago had blown a 21-point lead at dwelling to Denver and Washington had misplaced in time beyond regulation in Philadelphia. However one staff was 2-2 and enjoying at dwelling; the opposite was winless and touring on a brief week.
“I do not know if we thought they was about to present us the sport,” Sweat mentioned. “However them guys was hungry. They got here out with extra fireplace than us.”
Johnson has been complimentary towards the Commanders after different video games. He lauded their effort towards Philadelphia, saying he was proud and that he hoped that effort could be “a part of our DNA” all season. He tweeted after a comeback win in Denver about his pleasure watching the rally reside.
Nevertheless, Thursday he opted for a distinct message — one which was echoed within the locker room.
“When you aren’t getting off to a quick begin,” McLaurin mentioned, “and a staff that is hungry like that, combating for each play, each yard and so they’re capitalizing, that is what can occur. The file did not actually matter. You do not come to play, that is what is going on to occur to you.”
