Commanders, Rivera searching elsewhere this offseason

The Commanders will have a different approach to the game’s most important position this offseason.

The third year will bring a third approach by the Washington Commanders to their offseason program of obtaining their next quarterback.

Following the 2020 season, the Commanders liked what they had seen from Taylor Heinicke in the playoff game loss to Tampa Bay, so the Commanders signed Heinicke to a two-year contract to be the veteran backup. They also went out and signed veteran Ryan Fitzpatrick to be the starter.

However, when Fitzpatrick could not make it through one half of one game during the 2021 season, Heinicke started 15 games, and Washington went shopping again in the offseason. Rivera and general manager Martin Mayhew informed all of the league they would be calling to see if there was a quarterback available for the Commanders.

The Colts wanted to rid themselves of Carson Wentz, and the Commanders were more than happy to take Wentz off the Colts’ hands, offering to swap down five spots in the 2022 NFL draft’s second round and unload two third-round choices that could become second-round choices based upon performance.

However, the Carson Wentz experiment did not go well for Washington. He was injured in the sixth game at Chicago. Heinicke then started 9 games as the Commanders went 5-1-1 in his first seven games. However, an 0-2-1 stretch resulted in Heinicke being benched against the 49ers and Rivera turning back to Wentz against the Browns.

Sam Howell started the last game though it had been leaked that week that Rivera and the coaching staff did not believe Howell was ready. Yet, Howell performed well enough that Rivera suddenly did a 180, announcing Howell would be the starter going into the offseason programs.

Thus, Wednesday, Rivera let it be known the Commanders will not be shopping this offseason, looking to spend big bucks for a starting quarterback. They are really going to give Howell every opportunity to win the job.

Will Taylor Heinicke be re-signed to a veteran backup-role contract? Will the Commanders draft for a backup on day two or three of the draft? Will the Commanders look for a veteran on the cheap who can mentor Howell and be on-call if needed?

Perhaps this year, what they are going after is not a quarterback but an offensive coordinator who will require a big salary?

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Will Ron Rivera again overspend for a new quarterback?

Will they Commanders truly give Sam Howell a shot? Or will Ron Rivera go looking for another veteran quarterback?

With Sam Howell being the only quarterback under contract for 2023, the Washington Commanders will seek a quarterback or two this offseason.

Will Ron Rivera and Martin Mayhew determine to ride with Sam Howell in 2023 and thus choose to bring in a veteran free agent who can be a game manager if needed?

If that is the case, there are several free agents who could be a good fit. Jacoby Brissett, Andy Dalton and Mike White each made less than $5M last season.

Dalton could be reunited with Ken Zampese, whether he is the 2023 QB coach or the offensive coordinator.

Or might Rivera and Mayhew knowing they must win next year, swing for the fences and pursue a veteran like Aaron Rodgers or Derek Carr? Pursuing offensive coordinators such as Eric Bienemy, might this actually signal the Commanders will be shopping again for a big-name quarterback?

Are the Packers actually wanting to move along from Aaron Rodgers? If so, they certainly will be in conversations with teams who want a serious upgrade at the position this upcoming season.

Certainly Carr wants to be elsewhere next season. The Raiders and Carr ended the regular season on bad terms; they are separated and looking to divorce.

Last off-season, the Commanders presented themselves as desperate, too needy. As a result, Chris Ballard of the Colts worked a great deal in the Colts favor for a quarterback they were likely to release if they couldn’t find a needy buyer.

Has the Commanders’ brass learned from last offseason’s trade? How much are they considering that the Raiders want to get rid of Derek Carr? How much are they asking questions, attempting to learn why the Raiders want to divorce from Derek Carr?

The Packers have been an intelligent organization, and if they want to turn the page from Rodgers, you can take it to the bank; there is good cause. So why would the Commanders be so willing to offer high draft choice(s) for a guy who certainly disappointed last off-season receiving a sizeable raise, yet chose not to be the leader he was paid to be, teaching, leading the younger receivers group?

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Joe Theismann comments on Commanders quarterbacks

Theismann talks Washington’s quarterbacks and likes Sam Howell. He desperately wants someone to be Washington’s quarterback for more than a year or two.

Joe Theismann, a guest Monday on the Al Galdi Podcast, was asked to comment on the current state of the Washington Commanders quarterback room.

“Well, I don’t think Carson Wentz will be back. I think Taylor (Heinicke) was in the last year of his contract, so you have Sam Howell as the last man standing.”

“I thought he (Howell) performed well, but it is hard to evaluate someone on 20 passes. And the Cowboy game was a difficult game to evaluate anyway because they were so bad (on offense), and we were so good on the defensive side.”

“I think, foundationally he is really good. Now the question is, what is it going to be like playing in five to ten to fifteen games? The durability, being smart enough to be able to stay on the field.”

“I tell young quarterbacks all of the time, “Your single job is to make yourself available to be able to play and practice so you can get better.”

“I like everything about Sam, and I am curious. Certainly, I believe we have the team around him; the wide receivers, the running backs. The offensive line, we can find areas that can improve and get better.”

“Defensively, I thought we finished really strongly, and our punter is the best in football. That (quarterback) is the one element this team has really been missing. Sam can be the beginning.”

“I would love to see somebody play quarterback in Washington for more than a year or two. I think we all would and are looking for that next person. They have had 43 starting quarterbacks since I got hurt (in 1985). Are you kidding me? It’s crazy! It’s time for somebody to take the job and go with it. Stay a while.”

Why did it not work out for Carson Wentz at quarterback?

“I don’t know. I do know mechanically; he struggled at times. After he became hurt, he just became a different quarterback. He did a decent job in Indianapolis. Not playing, not getting into a rhythm is difficult.”

“I thought Taylor would have had a better record had the refs not screwed us in the Giants game…If we win that game, Taylor still stays the quarterback. After Carson had been off so long, and you put him back out on the field? I think he should have come out of the game after his second interception. You could see at that point it wasn’t comfortable for him. ”

“But I don’t know what happened, but I do know the economics won’t work. So I would be very surprised if he is back.”

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Logan Paulsen concerned Sam Howell could be in trouble

Paulsen loves Howell’s talent, but the matchup against Dallas is a tough one.

Logan Paulsen says he is going on past history; thus, he is concerned regarding Sam Howell’s first NFL start.

Howell will not only be making his initial NFL start, but it will be against the Dallas Cowboys, who have a good pass rush and have wreaked havoc on the Washington offensive line the last three times the teams have met.

“How many times has a fifth-round rookie come in and played well?” Paulsen asked Craig Hoffman Friday on the “Take Command” podcast.  “I can’t think of any.”

Paulsen was quick to point out for those who answer 49ers rookie Brock Purdy, that Kyle Shanahan schemes up and protects his rookie quarterback quite well.

“The preseason stuff makes me a little nervous,” expressed Paulsen. “Classic stuff that gets young quarterbacks in trouble.”

I agree with Paulsen here. I, too, recognized during the preseason Howell was making plays that were off schedule, but I didn’t notice much of him planting his foot on the third or fifth drop step and getting rid of it quickly. I noticed Howell running around and taking off on a run when he could. Perhaps too much.

“In the preseason, he was playing against guys that might not even be in the league anymore. You can get away with some of that stuff. But against the Dallas Cowboys, the window is going to be extremely tight.”

“I am just worried for the kid. I’m worried for him. That is where this comes from,” Paulsen clarified to Hoffman. “I want to see him because he is incredibly talented. He’s got the arm, the release, the athleticism.”

“But the stuff he showed me (preseason) makes me think he is farther away. He is not Malik Willis far. But he is farther away than many people think.

Howell lacked good anticipation, and his accuracy was not great. As far as tools for development? Sam Howell is your guy; he’s got what you want. But in terms of a guy who is going to come in and play well right away in an NFL offense? Probably Bailey Zappe.

“If they (Scott Turner and Ron Rivera) can abide by this play-action pass, insulate the quarterback, don’t put a lot on his plate, I feel better. But this offensive staff, for whatever reason, does not do that.

“That is another reason I am unsettled.”

Commanders DE Chase Young received two different evaluations this week

Is Chase Young going to be ready for Monday night? We examine what both Ron Rivera and Jack Del Rio said about Young on Friday.

Chase Young, the Commanders third-year defensive end is nearing the time he will be activated, returning to the playing field.

On November 14, 2021, against the Tampa Bay Bucs, Young injured his right knee. The knee required an ACL reconstruction, more serious than a repaired ACL. A graft from his left patellar tendon was performed to reconstruct the ACL in his right knee.

Perhaps Young is now ready to be activated for the Eagles’ Week 10 or the Texans in Week 11?

On Thursday, head coach Ron Rivera when asked about Young’s practice and health replied, “He looked good. We put him in pass-rush situations to watch him and get a chance to watch him on tape a little bit more. He looked good. It’s good to see him moving around, moving as quick as he is. We’ll see how he is tomorrow morning. It will always be about the next day, how much they work them, the next morning if he is sore or not, will help dictate whether or not we will activate him or not.”

On Friday, when asked about Young’s practicing and soon return, defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio responded rather differently. “Well, his energy’s always great. Love having him, so to see him back on the field; He’s able to do some things. I wouldn’t call him full speed at this point in everything he’s doing, but he’s working at it. He’s giving it everything he has, and when he is right, we’re going to play him. But until he is right, we’re not going to play him.”

I don’t know what to make of the difference between the two responses. Yet, isn’t the different reaction in the two NFL veteran linebackers and coaches worth noting?

Perhaps a logical explanation might be that Rivera was commenting on how Young practiced Thursday. Did the extra work cause some fatigue for Young? Therefore, might Young have been a step or two slower on Friday? Is this perhaps to what Del Rio was responding?

We will continue to monitor Young’s progress and hope for his return soon.

Ron Rivera and Jack Del Rio in agreement on LB play

Ron Rivera agrees with Jack Del Rio’s comments from Thursday but remains positive and excited about Jamin Davis.

Commanders head coach Ron Rivera may have surprised some of the media Friday, but he made himself absolutely clear.

Rivera was asked if he saw defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio’s comments Thursday concerning Commanders’ linebacker Jamin Davis. In addition, he was asked if those comments “were necessary to get some better play out of Jamin?”

Though the two sharply disagreed earlier this year resulting in Del Rio being fined, in this instance, Rivera made it clear from the outset that he and Del Rio are on the same page regarding the play of the second-year linebacker out of Kentucky. Shouldn’t they be? They both were NFL linebackers, linebacker coaches, defensive coordinators and head coaches.

“Well, I think we know that Jack’s honest and it’s an honest assessment. You know, the guy (Davis) did have a really good training camp. He played very well and we would like to see him play better. I don’t disagree with it. Jamin played hard. He gave a great effort, but let’s play smarter. Let’s understand that we gotta use our techniques. I talked about it. We put him in a tough position, but we think he can do it. Now, use the technique and make that guy go up and around. Don’t lose your leverage. Those are the things that I think Jack was a little frustrated with because he had a good camp and he did play well.”

Rivera was then asked regarding Davis’ struggles against Jacksonville in Week 1.

“Going up against somebody a little bit different, some things that you anticipate certain things happening, but something else happens. Well, then you’ve gotta react and fall back to your techniques and he didn’t. But that tells us that we’ve gotta continue to work with him and continue to put him in positions where he can have success.”

Rivera spoke of sometimes inexperienced players can inadvertently have the game’s excitement result in their missing their techniques. “The excitement of the game. The way things happen, and it’s gonna happen. And it’s a thing where you just continue to rep it, continue to work it and continue to develop your craft and your skill.”

“I think that (the technique) was probably the biggest thing. If you sit there and you watch him, he backs up a little bit, opens up the underneath and the guy takes it. Now, if he pops his feet, stays active, plants that inside leg, and forces him up over the top, that’s exactly what we’re hoping to get out of that situation. It’s just, those are little detail things that you’ve gotta continue to develop and grow as a player. And at that point, that would’ve been a good opportunity to show the growth that we’re looking for and expecting from him.”

Rivera likened Davis to one of linebackers in Carolina years ago.
“We had a player in Carolina, [LB] Thomas Davis, who arguably could be a Hall of Famer, but you look at the beginning of his career and he made a lot of mistakes. There were a lot of things that he had to learn and grow through, and fight through the injuries that he had. But, you see the same thing when you watch Jamin, you see the little detail things that he doesn’t quite get right now. But as he continues to work at it, and continues to grow and continues to develop, his skill set is gonna translate because the young man has good quickness, he’s got good speed and he’s got good natural strength. It’s just a matter of time.”

Rivera also was clear that he and Del Rio expect more from Davis now in his second year.

“The expectations are higher. You know what I’m saying? And those are our expectations. So, our expectations shouldn’t be higher than his. He should be wanting to be perfect every time. We just wanna make sure he understands and again, I have no issue with what Jack said, because again first of all, it’s just his honest assessment. Secondly, I agree with him. I agree that the young man had a good camp and I thought he played well in the preseason. I expect him to go out and do those things. Again, if it’s a base fundamental thing, issue like that, like it was, let’s get those corrected, don’t repeat the mistakes.”

 

 

Commanders waiver claims: The one time they struck gold

Washington has struck gold with waivers before. Could it happen again with either of the new cornerbacks?

What benefit will the Commanders receive from claiming two cornerbacks off of waivers last week?

Yes, the reality is both Rachad Wildgoose and Tariq Castro-Fields were not valued as the top 53 players on their respective teams. Consequently, Wildgoose was let go by the Jets and Castro-Fields by the 49ers.

Did you notice head coach Ron Rivera looked to GM Martin Mayhew while admitting, “I think he’s (Wildgoose) a second-year player from the Jets,” and Mayhew confirmed that was correct.

It illustrates the league has too many players out there for a head coach to know everyone available. This is why you hire scouts and rely on Mayhew and Marty Hurney. One man cannot do it all, nor should he attempt to.

Mayhew himself was a good corner in the NFL with Washington (1989-92) and Tampa Bay (1993-96). You don’t last in the NFL eight seasons (starting the vast majority of your games) unless you know much about the position and are a great athlete.

Mayhew spoke highly of Washington’s new corners. After all, would anyone else in the organization know as much about what it takes to play corner as Mayhew?

Most of the time you claim a player off waivers, and he reminds you why he was on waivers. But then there are times the guy was maturing and blossomed when provided another opportunity.

Such was the case when Washington drafted an offensive tackle in the 11th round (272 overall). It didn’t work out, he went to Kansas City, but they waived him a month later.

The next season the Cowboys claimed him, but he didn’t impress enough there either and was waived during the preseason. The very next day Washington claimed him off waivers, hoping it would work for him the second time around. 28 days later, they again waived him.

Thinking he could play, they tried again a third season. He broke through, making the roster, even starting 7 games. His fourth season he started every game, playing well enough he started at right tackle for 12 consecutive seasons.

When he retired he had played in 156 games (all for Washington) starting 146. He had become good enough to be the starting right tackle for 6 Redskins playoff teams, 2 Super Bowl teams and 1 Super Bowl championship team.

He deservedly became an original member of “The Hogs,” and the Washington football organization does not regret having claimed George Starke off of waivers.

 

Commanders QB Carson Wentz: ‘It’s a wake-up call

Carson Wentz talked about everything but football on Monday in discussing Brian Robinson Jr. and the death of QBs coach Ken Zampese’s father, Ernie.

Carson Wentz stated Brian Robinson Jr. getting shot is a wake-up call to real-life problems in this world.

Speaking with the media, Wentz opened his reaction to his running back getting shot twice Sunday, “Obviously it’s heartbreaking, but obviously there’s positive news as of late and then how he’s doing, but yeah, caught, caught us all off guard yesterday.”

Wentz said he was involved with a group text of offensive lineman when he said one of the guys sent the news of Robinson being shot to the group. Wentz said he immediately called head  oach Ron Rivera, saying he thought Rivera would know best.

“I think it’s a wake-up call to everybody, he said. “There’s real-life problems out there in this world, but thankfully Brian’s doing well, I’m told, and I look forward to seeing him.”

Wentz then informed the press that quarterbacks coach Ken Zampese’s father, Ernie, had died. So there certainly are real life and death issues being experienced by the Zampese family.

“Some things obviously internally, we are just praying for our guys, you know, we’re a family and, and we want to keep it that way and pray for everybody when they’re going through stuff off the field.”

Wentz then mentioned despite the close call and Zampese losing his father; he thought practice went well. Then he suddenly went back to what was at the forefront of his mind, “…Definitely, again, it is a wake-up call that there’s a lot of things in our world that are sad and unfortunate and things wrong in our society. Yeah, we gotta all be smart.”

Wentz spoke to the humanity of each of us. “It’s sobering for sure. You know, you hear that news, and it’s like, okay, this isn’t even football anymore. Things could have obviously been a lot worse. Yes, it is very real life. It takes you away from football real quick. These are real-life issues that we all are going through, and we’re not immune to it.”

Wentz was actually asked how Robinson may be feeling, missing out on his first NFL game. Wentz may have been puzzled at first, perhaps thinking, “How would I know how he feels? I’ve never been shot twice.”

Carson then wisely countered, “Again, I don’t know kind of overall his state. Again, I haven’t spoken directly to him. Shot him a text, but I know there’s a lot going on in his world. Curious how much of that he’s even thinking about quite frankly. Because when this happens (like we just mentioned) a lot of football and all that, kind of goes to the back burner.”

Wentz chose to elaborate further, “I’m sure there’s frustration, disappointment, all that. That I’m sure he is feeling. (He’s) probably feeling a lot of different emotions, but it is unfortunate, and we’ll see what it means for him long-term and all that stuff. I have no idea. Again, I’m excited to see him back in this building hopefully soon and put this behind.”

On hearing Zampese’s dad had died and Robinson was shot, the 7th-year veteran expressed, “It is sobering. We’re so geared towards our job, everything revolves around football, and it is our life. And I try not to put my identity fully in football. But you do give a lot, you give a lot, and it’s mentally and physically taxing. I think it gives you a sense of reality and makes you realize there is a much bigger picture and there are much more important things in life. ”

Is this really the guy who was supposed to have been such a poor leader in Philadelphia and Indianapolis? Might it sound like it is Wentz who is maturely measuring things more important in life?

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Commanders kicker Joey Slye’s confidence is growing

Joey Slye is ready to be Washington’s long-term kicker.

Joey Slye kicked for three NFL teams in 2021, but he feels much more confident.

Slye appeared before the media after practice Thursday and provided some insights into NFL kicking.

Being cut twice last season (Houston, San Francisco) was tough on Slye, but he stuck with his procedure and finished strongly last season with Washington. “So going into this year, I have that same mentality, the same process that I put forth last year. I’m in that same mindset. And obviously it’s good to end on a good note last year, but this is a brand new year. This is a brand new start of my process again and helping to just make sure that everything goes as planned.”

The former Virginia Tech kicker feels much more certain than he did his rookie year. “Yeah, so kind of the best way to put it into an analogy is when you walk in as a rookie or as a freshman in college, and you got chemistry and general calculus and all this stuff, and you got to take all these classes. For me, I was still kind of in that mindset as a rookie, there’s a lot to learn about kicking. There’s a lot of learn about my craft and what I wanted to do when I was kicking.”

Kicking at this level is much more complicated than we realize. “To break down kicking, I could talk to you for this for like eight, nine hours about every single little situation that happens on a kick. And so, I know exactly what happens if I miss left, I know exactly what happens if miss right. I know exactly what happens when I put it down the middle.”

A sophomore in high school is when Slye was encouraged by senior kicker Austin Greedy to think about going the route of kicker. He had also played linebacker and still today loves it, but knows his body is certainly better suited for being an NFL kicker.

He mentioned the winds at FedEx Field can sometimes be “crazy cross winds”. But then he surprisingly declared he liked kicking in a stadium that the winds can make it difficult, and then he added that he and punter Tress Way have both discussed it and like the challenge. “This is where I have to kick all the time and I’m gonna be the most consistent in my own stadium.”

Speaking of Way, Slye offered, “Tress has like one of the coolest personalities to be around. People talk about it all the time. He’s gonna probably have a career outside of football. I think he should be a great game show host. Like if Steve Harvey wants to give up Family Feud and Tress wants to go on. I think that’d be awesome.”

Slye connected on all 12 of his field goal attempts for Washington in 2021, including a 56-yarder. No wonder he is feeling more confident going into the 2022 season.

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Commanders to sign veteran guard Trai Turner

Washington Commanders signed veteran guard Trai Turner Monday.

Washington has made it known it is going to sign its first post-draft NFL free agent, guard Trai Turner.

Turner played for …. well of course, the Carolina Panthers and turns age 29 in June. The former third-round pick of the Panthers in the 2014 NFL draft (92 overall), played six seasons in Carolina under current Washington head coach Ron Rivera.

Turner played the last two seasons for the Los Angeles Chargers (2020) and the Pittsburgh Steelers (2021).

It is believed Turner and the Commanders agreed to a one-year deal for $3 million. Turner has been a stud in the league, having been a Pro-Bowler in the 2015-2019 seasons.

Former Panthers guard Andrew Norwell signed with Washington earlier in March, as Washington sought to replace left guard Erick Flowers whom they released in March.

Turner is being brought to bring quality to the right guard spot along with Wes Schweitzer after Brandon Scherff declared multiple times he wanted to conclude his career in Washington, yet signed the very first day of free agency with Jacksonville.

Rivera last had a winning season in Carolina in 2017 (11-5). Understandably, there will be questions about how often former Carolina players can continue to be called upon and actually contribute, improving Washington.

There have even been comments alluding to the Washington “Commanthers.” Yet, also understandably, this is only a one-year deal, so Rivera and the Commanders are not making a long-term commitment, nor is Turner to them.