Category: NFL PRESEASON

Commanders lead Browns 14-2 at halftime in preseason opener

The Commanders were much better in the second quarter than the first.

The Washington Commanders lead the Cleveland Browns 14-2 at halftime in the preseason opener on Friday night.

Washington’s first-team offense was expected to play a series or two, maybe less, depending on any success it had, but back-to-back disappointing drives led head coach Ron Rivera to keep them in until early in the second quarter.

Quarterback Sam Howell delivered. Howell finished his night by completing nine of 12 passes for 77 yards with a touchdown. But on his final drive of the night, Howell completed five of seven attempts for 57 yards and capped it off with a 26-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Jahan Dotson.

It was an ugly start for the offense, which allowed a safety when right tackle Andrew Wylie was called for holding in the end zone.

However, Howell bounced back nicely to give the Commanders the lead. Backup Jacoby Brissett entered the game on the following drive and promptly led the Commanders on another touchdown drive. Both quarterbacks looked good in the first half.

As for Washington’s first-team defense, it wasn’t the start that defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio envisioned when he said he wanted to start fast this week. The Browns, led by quarterback Deshaun Watson, easily moved the ball down the field, leading to a fourth-and-goal inside the five-yard line.

However, defensive end Montez Sweat made a huge stop on fourth down to force a turnover on downs, ending the drive on a positive note.

WATCH: Sam Howell finds Jahan Dotson for Commanders’ touchdown vs. Browns

A good drive for Sam Howell ends with a TD pass to Jahan Dotson.

It took a while for the Washington Commanders to get something going on offense in the preseason opener against the Cleveland Browns. Washington’s first two offensive drives with the first-team offense stalled out, with the second leading to a safety.

So head coach Ron Rivera wanted to see something from his starters before he pulled them for the night.

Quarterback Sam Howell and the starters were back on the field to begin the second quarter, and Howell delivered. The second-year quarterback completed five of seven attempts for 57 yards, ending it with a 26-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Jahan Dotson to give the Commanders a 7-2 lead.

Howell didn’t look bad on Washington’s first two drives, but the same can’t be said for the offensive line, specifically right tackle Andrew Wylie. It was a good drive for Howell and the starting offense to finish the night with until next week.

 

Commanders’ preseason opener vs. Browns delayed due to weather

The start of Washington’s preseason opener is pushed back due to storms in the Cleveland area.

If you rushed home on a Friday evening to see the Washington Commanders open the preseason against the Cleveland Browns and the game didn’t start at approximately 7:30 p.m. ET, relax.

Heavy rain and lightning in the Cleveland area delayed the start of Washington’s opener against the Browns. Everyone in attendance was told to seek shelter immediately.

Both teams have said their starters will play. Washington is expected to play its starting offense for the first quarter unless they have “one or two really good series,” per Nicki Jhabvala of The Washington Post.

 

5 defensive players to watch for the Commanders in preseason opener vs. Browns

We identified five defensive players to watch for the Commanders Friday.

It’s been a great summer to buy stock in the Washington Commanders defense. Yes, it’s only training camp, but one of the NFL’s top defenses last season has been impressive and should be even better in 2023.

Defensive end Chase Young is back and healthy. The Commanders also added a pair of premium picks by drafting defensive backs Emmanuel Forbes and Quan Martin.

There aren’t a lot of questions surrounding Washington’s defense as it opens the preseason Friday against the Cleveland Browns. It’s doubtful that head coach Ron Rivera will play his defensive starters too much, although it wouldn’t be surprising to see Forbes and Martin get some additional time in their debuts.

We’ve picked five defensive players to watch in Washington’s preseason opener.

5 offensive players to watch for the Commanders in preseason opener vs. Browns

We identified five offensive players to watch for the Commanders Friday.

The Washington Commanders kick off the 2023 preseason Friday with a trip to Cleveland to face the Browns.

Washington’s starters will play. How much? Head coach Ron Rivera wasn’t about to divulge that information this week, but we should assume that starting quarterback Sam Howell and the offense will play at least two series.

One offensive player who will not play is tight end Logan Thomas. The veteran tight end has dealt with a calf injury over the last week. While the injury isn’t believed to be serious, the Commanders aren’t taking any chances with their 32-year-old starter.

Washington has a new offense in 2023 with Eric Bieniemy in charge. What should we expect to see in the preseason opener?

We identify five Washington players to watch in Friday’s preseason opener.

Commanders Ron Rivera says there will be a QB competition

Sam Howell is going to have to the earn the position.

Ron Rivera was not mincing words Tuesday, when he was talking with the local media (at the owners meetings) about his quarterbacks.

The Commanders head coach is heading into his fourth season and yes, he will start a fourth quarterback in his fourth season opener as Washington’s coach.

“I think its open right now, I really do. All I said was that Sam [Howell] was going to get the first crack. I didn’t say that Sam was the guy. He’s going to have to come in and earn it. And if Jacoby [Brissett] comes through and earns it, I’ll play Jacoby.”

When the Commanders conduct their many practices and three preseason games. what will be the determining factor for Rivera in the determining whom his 2023 starter will be? “I’m going to play that guy that we believe at the end of the day gives us the best chance at winning football games.”

Rivera was asked how he would handle the competition for the starting quarterback.

“From my experience and watching how things unfolded for Andy [Reid] when I was with him. How we did things in Chicago with [Former Head Coach] Lovie Smith. These were guys that came in, had a plan and had guys compete, rotating guys, tracking every snap making sure it was as equal as possible.”

One thing we are hoping to do is to work with one of the teams that we end up getting as a preseason game partner. We hope to do that; we will see how that unfolds whether we are allowed to with the league because, again, they have to schedule it and make sure the schedule fits then we can talk about it with them. We would love to do that because it creates the kind of opportunity to get more in-depth. So we’ll see how it all goes.”

Rivera expressed he feels it is more difficult to evaluate a quarterback competition. He stated quarterback rather than merely being one of the positions, “is THE position.”

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Andy Reid explains what he wants for Eric Bieniemy next

It sure sounds like Andy Reid expects Eric Bieniemy to depart.

Eric Bieniemy just completed his fifth season as the offensive coordinator for the Kansas City Chiefs. And you couldn’t finish any better as the Chiefs won their second Super Bowl in the last four years. In Bieniemy’s five seasons as offensive coordinator, the Chiefs went to the Super Bowl three times.

Bieniemy’s contract is up, and while he could return to Kansas City as its offensive coordinator, it sure sounds like Bieniemy wants a new challenge in his quest to become an NFL head coach.

It’s believed that Bieniemy is Washington’s No. 1 target for its vacancy at offensive coordinator. The Commanders fired their offensive coordinator, Scott Turner, on Jan 10 and purposely waited until after the Super Bowl to speak with Bieniemy.

The Commanders aren’t the only interested team. The Baltimore Ravens also would like to speak with Bieniemy.

Bieniemy also interviewed with the Indianapolis Colts for their head-coaching position, but it looks like the Colts are going with Eagles offensive coordinator Shane Steichen.

We can debate which situation is better for Bieniemy: Baltimore or Washington. Obviously, a return to Kansas City is the best situation but not necessarily the best option for Bieniemy’s head-coaching prospects.

Kansas City head coach Andy Reid praised Bieniemy Monday, making it clear what he wants for his longtime assistant moving forward.

“Listen, Eric Bieniemy has been tremendous for us,” Reid said, per Charles Goldman of Chiefs Wire. “I think he’s tremendous for the NFL. I’m hoping he has an opportunity to go somewhere and do his thing, where he can run the show and be Eric Bieniemy.”

It sure sounds like Reid expects Bieniemy to depart.

Bieniemy has interviewed for multiple head-coaching vacancies over the years but has yet to land a job for whatever reason. Some believe it’s because Reid calls the plays. However, Doug Pederson and Matt Nagy have landed head-coaching jobs.

While Reid would prefer Bieniemy land a head-coaching position, he understands that if Bieniemy takes over as offensive coordinator for a team like Washington or Baltimore, he would implement his offense and call his own plays. If Bieniemy succeeds in that, there would be no denying him a head-coaching opportunity.

The Commanders reached out to Bieniemy to set up an interview Monday morning, but it’s not clear if or when the two sides will meet.

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Commanders Sam Howell is focused on beating the Cowboys in his first start

Sam Howell is thankful for Taylor Heinicke and Carson Wentz but is ready to get a win in his first NFL start.

Sam Howell has worked most of his life for this opportunity.

Howell was named the starter for the 2022 season finale against Dallas.The 2022 fifth-round draft choice out of North Carolina has been working toward this from high school to Chapel Hill to Washington.

Howell conversed with the press Wednesday. “Yeah, obviously, I was excited. I’ve been working hard all year and I was kind of waiting for an opportunity to go out there.”

It’s been a learning year for Howell, his first in the NFL. Here are his passes and runs in his first preseason. He also realizes he has been helped by others in this his rookie season.
“I’ve really learned so much just from watching the games and seeing how Taylor [Heinicke] goes about his business and seeing how Carson [Wentz] goes about his business. Those two guys have been so great to me this whole entire year. Even today at practice, they were awesome to me. And so I’m just so blessed to be in a room with those guys and they’ve really helped me come a long way in my development.”

Just one month ago, Washington was 7-5, having won five of six games, an upward trending team, so much was upbeat for the Commanders. Since, they are now 0-3-1 and haven’t won in a month, their QB starter (Wentz) they went out and traded two second-day draft picks to acquire, is not even likely to be active Sunday.

Beginning Monday, the talk will be, will the new owner possibly be brought in soon enough, and if so, should the coaching staff be retained? What quarterbacks should return in 2023? Howell let it be known he is not worried about any of the peripheral things he cannot control.

“I’ve worked my whole life to get to where I am right now.  I’m just gonna go out there and try to give him (Rivera) my all. I’m not gonna try to worry about all the other things. I’m just gonna go out there and try to give my teammates everything I got. I’m gonna go try to win a game.”

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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.

 

Preseason finale was serious for Reggie Bonnafon and Dax Milne

Dax Milne felt like he’s earned a spot on Washington’s 53-man roster.

An NFL preseason finale is boring for some and crucial for others.

The last preseason game is often viewed as meaningless because most teams rest the vast majority of their starters, choosing to not risk injury.

Yet, for some players, it is that final preseason game that provides them the largest opportunity they will experience prior to the regular season. Consequently, it means they can feasibly win one of the final roster spots of that team, or perhaps put enough on film that another team will claim them.

Saturday’s Commanders game was momentous for running back Reggie Bonnafon and receiver Dax Milne. Bonnafon is attempting to make the Commanders roster for the first time, after being with the Panthers (2019-21). While Milne is attempting to keep his spot earned last year as a rookie.

Bonnafon was in on 38 offensive snaps (50%), experiencing the thrill of scoring a touchdown on a 13-yard completion from Sam Howell. Reggie also rushed 10 times for 24 yards, and caught 3 passes for 19 yards.

“It was a nice read from Sam (Howell), and he caught me in stride. I turned and headed downfield, and I thought I had the goal line and was surprised they called me out at the one. But thank God for review, and they got the call right. It’s exciting to score.”

Reggie also rushed 10 times for 24 yards, and caught 2 passes for 19 yards. After the game he said he was expecting the workload in the game. “(I’m) not surprised, and I always appreciate it. We knew going into the game that it would basically be me and Jaret (Patterson). Now, we’ll see where the chips fall. It’s a weird time, because you’ve done all you can, and now it’s just a waiting game.”

The game was also urgent for Milne. He was drafted 258th in 2021, catching 9 passes for 83 yards last season. So what guarantee did he possess coming to training camp that he would be on the team for a second year?

“This is something the coaches continue to mention to us – not paying attention to what we’re hearing, just putting our best out on the field at all times. It’s what we put on our resume. Some guys don’t handle it well, but others do. I think I’m handling it OK, and I’m putting enough out there.”

Milne was targeted 4 times, catching all four, gaining 37 yards, including one for 21 yards.

Milne was asked if he feels like he deserves a spot on the team.

“I do. I do.”

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