The Washington Commanders have a kicking problem. But you knew that already.
Preseason games are a contentious issue. On one hand, they're a great opportunity for players to stake their claim for prominent involvement or places on the 53-man roster in a more typical game-day setting. On the other, modern-day coaches and NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell himself don't see them as particularly useful with joint practices becoming more prevalent around the league.
Commanders head coach Dan Quinn sees the benefit, especially considering his new-look roster needs to mesh cohesively before Week 1 at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Starters haven't played much, but they are playing. However, the lion's share of reps are allocated to backups and those on the fringes looking to force their way into the team's plans.
Those individuals are running out of time. Final cuts are on the immediate horizon. Saturday's warmup game at the Miami Dolphins was the penultimate on-field engagement before Quinn and general manager Adam Peters sit down to discuss and select their initial 53-man squad.
Some thrive with the spotlight glaring. Others fall by the wayside and cannot make the grade. In the case of kicker Riley Patterson, it was nothing short of catastrophic.
Commanders kicker Riley Patterson endures rough outing the the Dolphins
Patterson got responsibilities to himself this week after the Commanders released Ramiz Ahmed. Quinn wanted to see what the veteran acquired off waivers from the Jacksonville Jaguars could do every rep possible. He got plenty of chances to shine at the Dolphins. Unfortunately, he fluffed his lines.
The veteran missed two field goal attempts - one of which was way off the mark from just beyond 40 yards. He also made two, but the damage had been done in all honesty.
This leaves the Commanders with a simple decision to make. Adam Peters must find a better alternative capable of ensuring this doesn't become a weak link that costs them games. What the general manager must figure out is who could become available and when Patterson is inevitably made surplus to requirements.
Quinn was spotted trying to motivate Patterson after his second miss. Keeping spirits high when confidence is low is a tough challenge. The kicker knows what comes next and will be preparing for that eventuality. He might get another warmup contest to prove himself. However, a situation could emerge where the Commanders have seen enough and cut their losses entirely.
Washington's kicking situation looked set after the signing of Brandon McManus. Sexual assault allegations meant releasing him was the right call. But it's glaringly obvious that the Commanders don't have a competent option capable of coming through in clutch situations.
Peters knows what he's doing, so hopes are high that this situation can be resolved before Week 1. Good players are about to get waived or released around the league with a few short days remaining until final cuts begin. The Commanders sit at No. 2 on the waiver priority order behind the Carolina Panthers. Taking advantage of this by securing a kicker who didn't quite make the grade elsewhere would be wise.
Patterson was worth a closer investigation. There's enough of a small size now to state he's not up to the required standard if the Commanders want Year 1 of this ambitious project to go well.
