Another member of the Commanders offense is happy to see Kliff Kingsbury as the new offensive coordinator.
Earlier Thursday, Sam Cosmi spoke out very strongly about his fervent disagreement with Eric Bieniemy’s approach in 2023.
“I think we were last in the league for attempts in rushing, and then one of the highest in passing (attempts), and you saw where that got us…”
Friday, it was Brian Robinson’s turn. Robinson took a very positive approach. Yet, for those who know the 2023 situation, Robinson spoke softly, yet clearly.
“Kliff has great energy as an offensive coordinator. He’s very personable. I think he’s a great player’s coach, somebody you can just rap with, you know, just come and chop it up with.”
“You can tell him how you feel about what you see, your ideas and thoughts. He’s going to listen to you, talk with you and be genuine with you, so I appreciate the relationship we are all building.”
“Very personable, you can tell him how you feel, what you see, going to listen to you, be genuine with you,” (yes Brian, we understand.)
Last month Cosmi told of how Bieniemy had some more rules for his offensive players, “That was something that we as players, offensive side, we weren’t allowed to wear our hat backwards.”
Bieniemy’s common refrain with the press was that he was old school, that he was going to do things his way, and that he was not changing for anybody.
As early as the 2023 training camp, there was tension as Bieniemy was said by players to be loud, always loud. Even one member of the sports media acknowledged Bieniemy was loud, but all the cursing at players could easily become problematic.
He was right; it was. Before the regular season had even begun, head coach Ron Rivera had already lost a sense of control with Bieniemy, conveying that some players had come to Rivera unhappy with Bieniemy.
Had it been unproductive players, Rivera would have shrugged it off, thinking them soft. However, Rivera was very concerned because it apparently was players Rivera respected.
At season’s end, Terry McLaurin, Logan Thomas, and Sam Cosmi all offered direct commentary as well.
One year later, Cosmi and Robinson, both productive players in 2023, are happy coaching changes have been made. That’s fine, and they both agree it is up to them to continue to produce as the team leaders they were a year ago.