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D.C. shakeup: Redskins fire coordinator Joe Barry

A disappointing finish by the Redskins will cost a handful of coaches their jobs in our nation's capital.

Washington fired defensive coordinator Joe Barry and two assistants -- defensive line coach Robb Akey and defensive backs aide Perry Fewell -- on Thursday. The team also parted ways with head strength and conditioning coach Mike Clark.

Barry oversaw the league's 28th-ranked unit during his second year on the job. The Redskins finished a tad better in terms of points allowed (19th), but Washington saw the defense collapse in ugly late-season losses to the Cowboys, Cardinals and Panthers.

Barry's defense failed to generate a takeaway in four of their final six games and allowed 140-plus yards on the ground in each of their final three tilts. It was especially disturbing to see the typically ground-challenged Giants blow through Washington's front seven for 161 yards in Week 17.

NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport later suggested a candidate who might wind up taking Barry's spot: Panthers secondary coach Steve Wilks, who obviously brings a working knowledge of Redskins star cornerback Josh Norman, who delivered an All-Pro campaign under Wilks in 2015.

Head coach Jay Gruden and the Redskins have plenty of big decisions to make this offseason, starting with the future of passer Kirk Cousins. On defense, it's time for general manager Scot McCloughan to bolster a unit that simply let the team down this season.

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