09 August 2023 , 12:16
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Washington Commanders head coach Ron Rivera has revealed that there are concerns amongst the roster about the intensity of new assistant head coach and offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy.
Bieniemy is replacing Scott Turner in the role after the team relieved their OC over the last three seasons of his duties. The former-player-turned coach comes in with plenty of pedigree after overseeing a two-time Super Bowl -winning Kansas City Chiefs offense across the last five seasons.
However, the Commanders job is his first outside of Chiefs head coach Andy Reid 's staff in a decade. Bieniemy has never previously been an offensive coordinator at another NFL team.
His only other experience in the role was back at his alma mater, the University of Colorado Boulder, between 2011 and 2012. In Washington, he seems to be having some teething problems during training camp.
Asked about the adaptation process from Turner to Bieniemy and their differing coaching styles, Coach Rivera was honest about the initial difficulties, admitting that they did so because "they just were a little concerned".
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"I said, 'Hey, just go talk to him.' I said, 'Understand what he's trying to get across to you.' I think as they go and they talk and they listen to him, it's been enlightening for a lot of these guys.
Bieniemy was key to a league-leading offense in Kansas CityRivera continued: "I mean, it's a whole different approach. Again, you're getting a different kind of player from the players back in the past, especially in light of how things are coming out of college football.
"So a lot of these young guys, they do struggle with certain things and a lot of it ... is from where they've been. I mean, guys coming from certain programs are used to it. Guys coming from other programs aren't as much.
"So, us as a coach, I kind of have to assimilate and get a feel for everybody. Eric has an approach and it's the way he does things and it's not going to change because he believes in it."
What is clear is that the Commanders need changes to their offense after averaging 330.3 yards per game, which was 20th in the league last year. They were 12th on the ground but 21st through the air.
Speaking after the sacking of Turner, which came less than 12 months after signing him to a multi-year extension with the team, Rivera was frank about their underperformance in the area. "We did not live up to the expectations and standard that I expected to see from our offensive unit."
Comparatively, Kansas City under Bieniemy had a league-leading offense with went for over 7,000 yards. They were the top passing team, thanks in no small part to quarterback Patrick Mahomes, and also first for points.