At the height of the release of DJ Swearinger from the Washington Redskins for his post-game criticism of the play-calling of defensive coordinator Greg Manusky, is defensive end Jonathan Allen’s defense of Manusky and Swearinger’s take on Allen’s supportive tweet.
Allen tweeted, Manusky “coached a great game” shortly after Swearinger’s post-game comments.
Swearinger responded to Allen’s tweet during an interview on 106.7 the Fan in which Swearinger announced his release on air.
“I play defensive back, watch a lot of film. When you play D line — not taking anything away from Allen, he plays D line, he’s in his second year — all they have to do is rush the quarterback or stop the run,” Swearinger responded (h/t the Washington Post). “It’s a different mind-set when you talk about a DB that’s been in the game for a long while or a D lineman who hasn’t been in the game for a while.”
Swearinger had a tone and explanation that didn’t show any frustration directed at Allen. But, he carefully explained their two contrasting views of Manusky.
He’s taking up for his D coordinator as he should. But on my end, I’m taking up for the players and the guys that’s going to war with me,” Swearinger added.
When asked Wednesday following practice if his tweet was directed to Swearinger’s comments, Allen didn’t shy away.
“It definitely was,” Allen answered via Tarik El-Bashir of the Athletic. “I don’t agree with him, and that doesn’t mean I dislike DJ as a player or as a teammate, I just disagreed with the comments. And I felt that I wanted people to hear my opinion, and I don’t think it was on Greg Manusky.”
Swearinger disagreed with Manusky’s choice to play man-to-man coverage against Titans backup quarterback Blaine Gabbert, who entered the game on the final drive of the second quarter after an injury to starter Marcus Mariota.
Gabbert went on to complete 7-of-11 passes for 101 yards and the go-ahead touchdown late in the fourth-quarter. On the go-ahead score, Swearinger came off the edge on a blitz as Gabbert found a wide-opened MyCole Pruitt in the end zone. Tennessee went on to win 25-16.
Swearinger was claimed off waivers by the Arizona Cardinals, who had first priority over the rest of the NFL with having the worst-record in the league.
