Manusky: ‘Play Tough, Hard-Nosed Football'

Greg Manusky was hired by the Washington Redskins as their new defensive coordinator after a lengthy search in January.

- Chris Russell

The speculation and then ultimate announcement was met with universal criticism from frustrated Redskins fans and media critics.

More than a quarter of the way into his first season on the job, officially in charge of the once woeful Redskins defense, Manusky might be able to run for any office that he wanted this November and win it. That’s with no experience in anything other than coaching hard-nosed, physical football.

A tough mindset with speed is the two most noticeable differences for Washington in 2017. Manusky has brought an element that wasn’t there for whatever reason under predecessors Joe Barry and for the most part under Jim Haslett.

The Redskins seem to lay the lumber more and better under Manusky, but is that the coordinator’s mentality as opposed to simply having much better talent and finally making a significant investment in the defense as a whole? The answer is probably both.

Manusky, a former Redskins player, brought a wealth of experience as a coordinator with multiple teams (Indianapolis, San Diego, San Francisco) but the most important stop on his resume was last season.

Manusky was hired by the Redskins as an outside linebacker’s coach after he was let go in Indianapolis. He helped Ryan Kerrigan to another Pro Bowl appearance and an 11sack effort in year one.

Trent Murphy also flourished in a pass rushing role with Manusky’s coaching, racking up nine sacks.

The Redskins generated 38 sacks as a group without Junior Galette. Edge defenders counted for nearly two thirds of the team sack production in 2016, with Manusky as their position coach.

With Manusky on the coaching staff and Jay Gruden souring on Joe Barry’s lack of creativity and aggressiveness, Manusky and Gruden grew closer. After a loss in Dallas, Gruden berated Barry in front of other coaches and team personnel, according to sources.