Washington Redskins: It’s time for Bill Callahan to earn his money

The Washington Redskins are struggling on offense and the offensive line is a major reason why.

The Washington Redskins lost the season opener on Sunday to the Philadelphia Eagles, and from the looks of things they have a long way to go. The once-potent Washington offense managed just 240 total yards and committed four turnovers. In the Redskins’ first true test minus Sean McVay, Pierre Garcon and DeSean Jackson, they failed.

A big reason for Washington’s lack of success on offense was a porous performance by the team’s offensive line. This is a unit that features two former top-five picks in left tackle Trent Williams and right guard Brandon Scherff, and a right tackle in Morgan Moses who signed a lucrative five-year extension this offseason. This group was not only expected to be a team strength but one of the better overall units in the league.

It wasn’t on Sunday and that falls squarely on the shoulders of offensive line coach Bill Callahan. One of the highest-paid assistant coaches in the league, Callahan is a coach who many refer to as the best at what he does. If that’s the case, it’s time for him to cure what ails this group. And before anyone thinks this is just a hiccup, did you happen to watch the preseason?

The Redskins, in limited action, failed to block anyone in the preseason. And everyone offered the excuse, “Well, it’s the preseason.” That excuse is no longer valid.

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This team struggles in run blocking. That was expected to be an issue again this season. It is not acceptable, but it was an area the Redskins knew they needed to improve upon. On Sunday, every time the running backs got the ball, there was a swarm of defenders meeting them in the backfield. Rob  Kelley and Chris Thompson found nowhere to go. It would be tough for Le’Veon Bell to find creases behind this group right now.

But the biggest concern for this group at the moment is pass protection. A strength last season, the early returns aren’t good in 2017. While Williams remains solid, it’s left guard Shawn Lauvao, Scherff and Moses who are the biggest culprits. Brandon Graham dominated Moses on Sunday from the opening snap.

Pro Football Focus (subscription required) saw the same thing, giving poor grades to Lauvao (46.5), Scherff (41.5) and Moses (53.5). We are used to Lauvao being a liability and that’s on the front office for continuing to trot him out there as the best option year after year. The concern is Moses and Scherff. Fresh off a Pro Bowl berth in his second season, Scherff is having major trouble so far this summer and into Week 1.

For Moses, an ankle injury could be a part of the problem, according to head coach Jay Gruden. But if the injury is bad enough that Moses allows this much pressure, he should take a seat and allow Ty Nsekhe to play. Nsekhe showed last season he is fully capable of handling himself.

So, if an injury is bothering Moses, what’s wrong with Scherff? Paging you, Mr. Callahan.

Callahan has a comfortable gig. He came to Washington from Dallas where he coached Tyron Smith, Travis Frederick and Zack Martin. Not a bad job. Those players were excellent, of course. And he comes to D.C. and gets to coach Williams and Scherff. That’s some good fortune.

The biggest question is how great of a coach is Callahan? He’s widely respected around the NFL and for good reason. However, the Redskins are close to entering crisis-mode on the offensive line and Callahan must find answers. That is, after all, what he’s paid to do.

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There’s no need to overreact to a 0-1 start, of course, as 15 other teams are in the same position as Washington. Overreactions, though, are par for the course when it comes to the Redskins. Whether it is changing players, changing positions or getting rid of the ball quicker, Washington must find ways to improve moving forward or quarterback Kirk Cousins will see much of the same as he saw on Sunday.