To fix Redskins, Jay Gruden needs to get tough on locker-room behavior

The Redskins' hopes for a win against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers were dashed Sunday as the offensive line failed to protect quarterback Robert Griffin III. The Post's Gene w**g and Scott Allen give you their takeaways on the game. (Randolph Smith/The Washington Post)

When a team struggles to perform the most basic tasks as the Washington Redskins did during their comedy of errors in Sundays 27-7 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, its probably time for a new approach. Coach Jay Gruden must develop a tougher one.

While being dominatedon its home field by an opponent that lost eight of its first nine games, Washington continued to display an alarming lack of discipline.Many of the Redskins problems can be traced to their loosey-goosey culture.Thats on Gruden.

Jason Reid is a sports columnist with the Washington Post. He joined the Posts Redskins team in 2007 after 15 years covering many beats at the Los Angeles Times. View Archive

Head coaches set the tone, either through the force of their personalities or by whom they hire to help them lead.Although the straight-shooting Gruden isnt a pushover, hes definitely not the iron-fisted type. (None of his assistants are enforcers, either).

Once Grudens work is done, he likes to have a good time. Gruden trusts players to act similarly. The problem is Gruden has put too much trust in players who dont deserve it.

Among many mistakes Sunday, the Redskins had four false start penalties and another for an illegal formation because a player lined up on the wrong side of the field. Their failure to focus was indicative of their easy-going attitude and a leadership vacuum in the locker room. Repeatedly this season, the Redskins have displayed immaturity. Its time for them to grow up. It has to start with Gruden.

Gruden offered little public response following the Redskins festive antics after their 12th loss in 13 games earlier this season. Last week, he watched as players put up a toy hoop in the locker room and had a blast dunking during pickup games after practice, said reporters who were present. The Redskins are much more relaxed than a 3-7 team should be. Gruden doesnt seem to notice.

Theyre playing H-O-R-S-E in the locker room when practice is over. Yeah, when practice is over, Gruden said Monday. When meetings are over, meetings are over, whether they go home and play [video games] or study tape or have dinner with their wives and kids or have a quick game of H-O-R-S-E before they leave. Thats no reflection on how they perform on Sunday. Once the meetings and practice is over, they are free to unwind however they see fit.

Players arent robots. And theres nothing wrong with unwinding after a solid days work. Clearly, though, the Redskins arent getting their work done well.

Gruden inherited a roster in disrepair. President and General Manager Bruce Allen botched the offseason, failing to fill holes and opening more. Although Gruden was dealt a bad hand, he could play it better. Perhaps the Redskins would be more effective on the field if they had a little less fun off of it.

Lets not forget the Redskins have finished last in the NFC East five of the past six seasons and seven of the past 10. In the past eight seasons, they have no playoff victories. On Sunday, they were routed by hapless Tampa Bay, which had lost five straight, despite having two weeks to prepare. Under those circumstances, the hijinks dont look good.

The players who were basketball stars in the locker room werent among those penalized for mental gaffes against the Buccaneers. But it all adds up to an environment in which the whole team feels anything goes no matter how the groups actions might be perceived. Thats why many players recently felt emboldened to prevent reporters from interviewing Robert Griffin III by shouting in the locker room, prompting a team official to move the session into a hallway not very professional.

There have been issues in practice, too.Privately, some players have expressed concerns about teammates goofing off frequently. Again, though, Gruden likes what he sees.

The Post Sports Live crew discusses if expectations are different for the Redskins now that Robert Griffin III has returned. (Post Sports Live/The Washington Post)

I thought the effort was there, Gruden said of the teams preparation to face Tampa Bay. It just didnt carry over to Sunday for whatever reason.

But coaches have a saying: You play the way you practice. Perhaps Gruden is just seeing what he wants to see.

In an effort to get the results he wants on game day, Gruden should shake up his coaching staff in the offseason. Gruden needs someone to play the bad cop.Thats part of what Gregg Williams did for Joe Gibbs.

During Gibbss second stint with the Redskins, Williams ruled the defense with an iron fist. Williams commanded respect, former Redskins standouts LaVar Arrington and Shawn Springs often told me, and his hard-line approach helped create a culture that enabled the team to reach the playoffs twice in four seasons. These days, Redskins fans remember that time as glory years. Gruden could benefit from a no-nonsense right-hand man.

Any first-year head coach with a weak roster and a revolving door at quarterback would take pride in directing an offense that is tied for seventh in the NFL in yards per game. Theres no doubt about it: Gruden is good with Xs and Os. He has some growing to do, however, in being a leader, and how he goes about fixing the teams warped culture is his first big test.

Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/redskins/to-fix-redskins-jay-gruden-needs-to-get-tough-on-locker-room-behavior/2014/11/17/b58dd164-6e9b-11e4-893f-86bd390a3340_story.html