Category: 2022 Training Camp

Carson Wentz’s erratic accuracy a ‘daily story’ says one NFL analyst

One NFL.com writer offers his training camp takes for the Commanders.

No position in sports is scrutinized more than the quarterback position. And if you are a fan of the Washington Commanders, the quarterback position is always a daily story.

That statement is more accurate than ever in 2022, with Carson Wentz firmly entrenched as Washington’s QB1. The talk always centers around Wentz for anyone who attends a training camp practice in Ashburn. If Wentz makes an inaccurate throw, it instantly hits social media. If Wentz has a good day, it’s because he’s throwing against the air.

Quite frankly, all criticism of Wentz is subjective. Different people see different things. However, a constant through two weeks of training camp has been Wentz’s misses. But recent reports indicate perhaps he is turning things around, as he had one of his better practices as a Commander on Tuesday.

Yet, the outlook for Wentz from a national perspective remains bleak.

Gregg Rosenthal of NFL.com recently looked at some big training camp battles, players to watch and reasons some teams should be concerned in his latest training camp column.

He listed the Commanders under “cause for concern” for the following reasons:

The Commanders have struggled to get quality work accomplished because the offensive line is completely overwhelmed by injuries. Furthermore, wide receiver Curtis Samuel has been in and out of practice, while Carson Wentz’s erratic accuracy has been a daily story.

If you were a Washington fan stuck in a remote area with very little Internet access and the only information you received was Rosenthal’s one paragraph, you’d lose all hope. It paints an ugly picture.

Yes, Washington has been banged up on the offensive line. The good news is Chase Roullier is back, Cornelius Lucas appears close to a return and Trai Turner’s injury doesn’t appear serious. Also, Samuel is healthy, whether you believe it or not.

Regarding Wentz, sure there are reasons for concern. But those reasons already existed before training camp. The 2022 season is a make-or-break year for Wentz, regardless of how accurate he is in training camp.

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Commanders DE James Smith-Williams believes in DL coach Zgonina

Commanders DE James Smith-Williams endorses new DL coach Jeff Zgonina.

Naturally, James-Smith Williams was asked questions about his old and new defensive line coaches on Wednesday when he met with the media.

One day after his defensive line coach Sam Mills III was fired, the Commanders defensive end appeared before the media following Wednesday’s practice.

Asked to respond on how the team took it when they learned Mills was fired: “Like Jon (Allen) said, ‘Football is a great sport, tough business.’ We respect what Coach Ron (Rivera) does for the best interest of the team.” It appears Smith-Williams endorses Rivera’s coaching decision.

The third-year Washington defensive end is confident in defensive line Coach Jeff Zgonina: “Z’s (Zgonina) been here the entire time I’ve been here, so there’s a lot of continuity. It feels very familiar, very much the same.”

The former NC State Wolfpack defender also likes Zgonina’s energy, “Z’s (Zgonina) always been the same guy, super intense, always getting out there, and always trying to push us. So having that around it’s really a lot of fun.”

Smith-Williams believes Zgonina’s NFL playing experience is a real plus.
“Yeah, definitely. He played for 17 years. He knows what we need to hear. So he’s always really good about that.”

In the NFL world of coaches being hired to be fired, he knows the players must stay focused despite sudden changes. “We still have to go out and play. The NFL is more of a self-start league anyway. You aren’t going to need someone to drag you along. You are going to have to push the pace regardless.”

Having started six games last season, he feels he is progressing compared to last year. “Yeah, a lot better. I’m not coming off major surgery. I have the year starting experience under my belt. So you kind of know what to expect, and I know what the system’s like. So, year three I’m really excited for.”

The former seventh-round 2020 draft choice (229 overall) understands his role last year was to be ready to contribute when Chase Young tore his ACL. Now in 2022, Smith-Williams again prepares to provide as much as he can while Young returns from his ACL rehab and recovery.

Starting six games in 2021, JSW contributed 11 solo tackles, 19 assisted tackles, 4 tackles for a loss, 5 QB hits and 2.5 QB sacks.

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Ron Rivera taking it easy with veteran guard Trai Turner

Ron Rivera knows what he has in veteran guard Trai Turner.

Washington Commanders head coach Ron Rivera knows veteran guard Trai Turner well. After all, it was Rivera and the Carolina Panthers who made Turner a third-round pick in 2014. Turner spent the first six seasons of his NFL career with the Panthers, earning five consecutive trips to the Pro Bowl.

When Rivera was fired late in the 2019 season, it wasn’t long before Turner followed him out of Charlotte. In 2020, Turner was traded to the Los Angeles Chargers, where he started nine games before he was released last March.

Turner signed a one-year deal with the Pittsburgh Steelers last offseason, where he started all 17 games.

The veteran guard was back on the market this offseason, and the Commanders had an opening. The match with Turner and his old offensive line coach, John Matsko, appeared perfect. So Turner signed a one-year deal with Washington with the expectation he would replace Brandon Scherff at right guard in 2022.

Unfortunately for Turner, he’s been bothered by a quad injury for all of training camp, leaving many to wonder if he’d be replaced by the dependable and versatile Wes Schweitzer at right guard.

On Wednesday, Rivera discussed Turner’s injury and the plan for him.

“He’s dealing with a quad, and he’s a veteran guy,” Rivera said. “I mean, if he were a younger guy, he’d probably be doing a lot more than he’s done right now. Because he’s a veteran guy, he knows our system. He knows the techniques that we need. There’s not a need to push him out there a lot sooner. He’s doing a lot of work inside. Today was what I think was the first day he was really outside doing some work.”

Rivera’s explanation makes perfect sense. A veteran offensive lineman, particularly one the head coach and his staff know well, can limit his reps throughout camp and still be ready for Week 1.

With the head coach saying if Turner were a young guy, he’d probably be doing more, that tells you everything you need to know about Turner’s health. Long-term, he appears fine.

As for the preseason, Rivera would still like to see him get some action.

Well, we’d like to get him in at least one,” Rivera said. “Get a nice series, get himself ready because conditioning is very important. Yeah. Again, we expect him probably out here and probably within the next 10 days.”

The Commanders are counting on a pair of experienced veteran guards in Turner and Andrew Norwell to get them through the 2022 season.

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Commanders WR Jahan Dotson: ‘I feel like I’m progressing really well’

Jahan Dotson continues to prove he has the right attitude entering his rookie season.

Last week he was called the best receiver on the team.

This week, Commanders rookie wide receiver Jahan Dotson before the media, was clear he is progressing and still needs to be working hard.

“I feel like I’m progressing very well, you know, just getting the playbook down. That’s the biggest thing… Just taking it day by day though, you know, taking it step by step, not looking too far ahead in the future. Just coming in and working every day.”

The Penn State rookie feels wide receivers coach Drew Terrell is helping in his own development. “Working with Coach Terrell has been great. He’s taught me a lot that I didn’t know about as a receiver. Just helping me perfect my craft, helping me be the best receiver possible and putting me in the best situation possible. So, I give a big credit to him. I can’t wait to just go on years with him.”

Strangely he was asked if the offensive line has been consistent. “I honestly couldn’t even answer that for you. I get off the ball and I’m focused on downfield. I barely have time to see what the line does. That’s crazy that you asked that because in walk-throughs yesterday, I’m still trying to get to know everyone and I was asking the guys, who are all the linemen?”

Dotson isn’t naive, knowing he needs to mature and learn all he can about the NFL. “I’m still a 22-year-old kid, you know, just learning the ropes. Just pretty much coming in every day and just learning to be a professional, taking it day by day, step by step and just taking the corrective criticism that I can take from my peers. You can never stop learning. Guys have been in this predicament before. I’m taking it and I’m using it so I can help better myself.”

The 16th overall pick in the draft realizes it is vital to develop a chemistry with the quarterbacks.

“It’s my obligation to catch the football and I feel like that’s what I gotta do. The quarterbacks they’re on a footwork timing basis and we gotta be in that spot at the right time. So, it’s my job to get there and go get the ball. I feel like we’re building a great chemistry with the quarterbacks Taylor (Heinicke), Carson (Wentz), Sam (Howell), The guys are looking great. So, I feel like it’s just gonna keep building every single day as we get these reps out here, practice and we’re gonna be good.”

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Commanders cornerback Benjamin St-Juste talks moving inside

Benjamin St-Juste’s versatility makes him a good bet to succeed in covering the slot.

Washington cornerback Benjamin St-Juste was the talk of the offseason and training camp last offseason. The rookie third-round pick from Minnesota impressed coaches and teammates, evoking comparisons to former All-Pro cornerback Charles Tillman.

When Washington began the regular season, the secondary struggled. St-Juste didn’t necessarily struggle, but communications issues in the secondary were a major problem through Week 6 last season. Things improved, but St-Juste wasn’t always around for those improvements.

St-Juste missed the Week 4 win at Atlanta with a concussion. He returned to play in Weeks 5-8 before missing Week 9. He returned to play in Washington’s next two games, but only on special teams. Finally, in Week 12, Washington placed St-Juste on season-ending injured reserve, and his rookie season was over.

St-Juste is healthy now and is coming off another strong offseason. Earlier n the offseason, the coaching staff moved St-Juste inside to play the slot, believing his length and athleticism could make him a difference-maker inside.

On Tuesday, St-Juste talked about the move and why it fits.

“I knew I was going to be moved around from last year,” St-Juste said. “That was something that we’ve been talking about since I got drafted, based on my versatility. So I played corner; then, at the end of last year, they told me to learn how to play nickel. I’m still learning until this day how to feel really comfortable out there, but so far, so good. To answer your question, my versatility is a reason why I’m playing inside, and I can do that.”

At 6-foot-3, St-Juste has terrific size for a cornerback. He is also really good athlete, which is why coaches felt he could play inside or outside.

Does St-Juste believe his size will help him inside?

“It is good because traditionally the guys in the slot are smaller guys that are quicker,” St-Juste answered. “But the fact that I’m big, I’m 6′ 3,″ and I’m still as quick as the small guys [which] makes me excel at that position.”

The coaching staff believes St-Juste can be a Pro Bowl corner. He just needs to stay healthy.

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