Saturday was a day of “firsts” for the Washington Commanders.
It was the first preseason game of the 2022 NFL season.
It was the first game of any kind where the DMV home team was now the “Commanders.” At least there will be no more jokes by NFL TV shows about “the football team.”
It was the first time fans saw players wearing the “W” on the helmet. You know what? The “W” on the helmet looked pretty cool, don’t you think?
It was the first time for the new Commanders’ uniforms. The white top and bottoms looked better than I anticipated.
It was the first time the “W” logo was at midfield of FedEx Field. The “W” looked good on the helmets, but I’m sorry; how could anyone think the “W” at midfield wasn’t far inferior to the Redskins logo of many years?
It was the first time the “90” on the left shoulder of the jerseys was displayed, signifying the franchise played its inaugural season way back in 1932 as the then Boston Braves. I like the “90” on the jersey.
It was the first time “Commanders” was visible, printed in the end zones. The end zone’s green grass blended beautifully with the gold lettering “Commanders.” However, it instantly made me think, “Green Bay Packers.” When discussing this color combination, no one doing or overseeing the job realized Burgundy was clearly missing. It was a horrible look for the reason it looked very much like something for Lambeau Field.
Secondly, if the logo is “W” including both burgundy and gold, the end zones “Commanders” also needed to include both burgundy and gold. Thus, there would be unity in the presentation of both the “W” at midfield and the “Commanders” in the end zone.
Come on, guys.
Carson Wentz directed the Commanders’ first touchdown drive (14 plays, 82 yards), and Brian Robinson scored from one yard out, the first preseason touchdown in Commanders’ history.
Taylor Heinicke led a 15-play drive only to throw the first Commanders preseason interception, stopping the drive.
Joey Slye missed the first Commanders’ extra-point attempt, but Sam Howell in the final quarter became the first Commanders player to score two touchdowns in a preseason game and completed the first successful two-point conversion attempt to Alex Erickson.
In the game’s final minute an illegal contact penalty and a face mask penalty helped put Carolina in field goal range, and the Commanders had blown their first lead and lost their first game.
Of course, there were more firsts, but space only permits one more mention. The Commanders announced the new mascot will either be a Hog, Dog, Super Hero or Historical Figure.
Is there any question that the mascot should be a HOG?