Step in the bucket

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November 23, 2019

by Jay Evans

We talking about a selfie. Not a game. Not the game. A selfie? We talkin’ bout a selfie, man!

In front of hundreds of fans, the Redskins won their second game of the season against the Detroit Lions on Sunday afternoon. The first victory of the Dwayne Haskins era came without him on the field at the end of game, but that isn’t what should trouble anyone.

Haskins completed 13-29 for 156 yards and one interception. The quarterback was inaccurate throughout the game, but managed a late drive to procure the comeback win and provided a morale boost for the struggling club. On the other hand, Haskins’ mechanics are the reason the game wasn’t a blow out and the rookie wasn’t aware the game was still in process as he embraced the triumph.

At the moment time expired in the game, former starting quarterback Case Keenum was the man under center in victory formation. But, where was Haskins?

Basking in the glory no doubt, but he just so happened to be with one of the few fans in the stadium recording the moment with a personal photo. Jaime Lopez-Verduzco, a faithful Redskin devotee the length of the game, was the fan with whom Haskins took the picture, while the team had to run one more play.

While it is simultaneously the most memorable and divisive moment of the game, it was also the most insignificant to the play on the field. Somewhere a millennial is liking photos of Jaime’s instant fame and a “boomer” is disgusted by the spoiled nature of the younger generation.

For Haskins, this is just the latest incident in which his maturity was challenged, but consternation can be reserved for the coming boomer/millennial war. FYI neither will win.

As far as the product Haskins provided on the field, when he was there, it was rather poor. The game was a slog and the rookie quarterback missed several open throws. Haskins barely edged out wide receiver Steven Sims, Jr. for the best quarterback rating as Sims didn’t complete his only pass attempt and remains a wide receiver.

Throughout the game Haskins appeared off on his throws. In the post-game interview Dwayne alluded to a wonky wrist, so there is that. More importantly, Haskins will never become a reliable passer without significant improvement in his throwing mechanics, and it begins with his feet.

Consider the final pass of the game. Haskins first looked to his right. He then took two steps back out of shotgun, yet kept his eyes downfield and found his second progression. He then hurled a beam to Terry McLaurin to put the Redskins in makeable field goal position.

On the play, Haskins displayed the enticing natural talent the Redskins drafted. On the same play Ereck Flowers got in Haskins’ throwing lane and disrupted his ability to step up, but look again at Haskins feet. Neither are on the ground.

Review the huge gain to rookie receiver Kelvin Harmon in the 4th quarter at the 11:54 mark. Haskins is under center this time. He dropped back into position with a clean pocket and threw the thirty yards ball from the 15-yard line with barely any arc on the ball.

In the process of the delivery, Haskins slid to his left away from any pressure and stepped in the “bucket.” That’s a baseball idiom that refers to a player who takes an indirect step away from the projected target instead of driving their front foot towards their mark.

Haskins’ first pass of the game, the third overall play and subsequent turnover, was a noticeable bucket play. He planted his front leg left of where he is aiming.

At the 5:23 mark of the first quarter, Haskins completed a first down to McLaurin on third and nine. It was a well-timed play with an accurate pass in between two Lions defenders. Haskins stepped off center to his left and with a full arm motion pin pointed the ball into a perfect window.

Haskins tends to open his hips to deliver the ball quickly. Seen at the 3:25 mark in the 4th quarter on the dump out to Wendell Smallwood, Haskins feet set forward and he side arms the ball on a low delivery.

The incredible one-handed catch by Harmon at the 4:08 mark was made with Haskins nearly perpendicular to his target at the time he released the ball. The incredible catch by the receiver was only necessary because of poor technique.

Odd mechanics aren’t a sports death sentence. Ask Juan Marithal, Philip Rivers, or Shawn Marion about their bizarre flair and you will receive three unconventional answers. Jim Furyk’s swing was described as “a frog in a blender” when he won the 2003 U.S. Open and holds the record for lowest score in PGA history.

Achievement can be had with unique style, but Haskins has not yet taken the requisite steps for success. Try making an adjustment to a jump shot you’ve been performing for twenty years. Haskins needs to put time in to his lower body coordination and the benefits won’t be seen until 2020.

Adding concern to the throwing motion is the injury factor and not the “immaculate” wrist conception Haskins proposed in his press conference. The throwing gesture isn’t a natural range of motion for the shoulder. When the lower half doesn’t align with the upper half it puts stress on unanticipated joints, muscles, and ligaments.

Haskins said his wrist was the culprit of the off day. Don’t be surprised if his elbow or shoulder aches in the future. Don’t be surprised if there is another excuse.

For now, the rookie got his first win as a starter and can build off of some strong passes, knowing he could have completed at least two touchdowns with accurate throws.

Given the NFL’s propensity to penalize any player who steps out of line, from an untucked shirt to jumping into a Salvation Army bucket (rescinded), I hope Dwayne Haskins chooses to pay the fee in the most youthful way possible. Straight Venmo homie!

In regards to the picture that commanded national attention, it’s more for the back pages or Joe Theismann. The gaudiest alarm siren is for Haskins’ feet, which is piercing enough to wake the residents on Florida Avenue.