Tag: Alex Smith

Former NFL QB Alex Smith on Pat McAfee Show says Bills are ‘the real deal’ (video)

Former NFL QB Alex Smith on Pat McAfee Show says Bills are ‘the real deal’ (video)

In Week 8, the Buffalo Bills won against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and former NFL quarterback Alex Smith joined on the Pat McAfee Show to talk about how he is taking the Bills at the end of the season.

Smith, a three-time Pro Bowl quarterback who retired in 2020, spent 16 years in the NFL, and had many praises for the Bills and quarterback Josh Allen.

Smith pointed out that the Bills have a top-five offense and a top-five defense as well as the second-highest point differential in the league, two reasons why he believes the the Bills ‘are the real deal’

The Bills took home a 24-18 win against the Bucs and Pat McAfee was complimentary of the rookie tight end Dalton Kincaid which received cheers from the Utah crowd watching him live when he also made an appearance on the show. However, he also pointed out that the Bills could have lost if they didn’t stop the Hail Mary attempt at the end of the game.

Buffalo is hoping to carry the momentum of Thursday’s win into a showdown against the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday night, a repeat of the 2022 AFC Divisional playoff matchup between both teams.

Even with the attention now turned to that primetime matchup between two teams who are expected to compete for the highest honors,  it’s still a reaction video with a few minutes of your time.

Check out the clip from this week’s Pat McAfee Show below:

[lawrence-related id=125708,125682,120388]

Ron Rivera’s comments on young QBs: ‘You’ll never know unless you play him’

Rivera is right, but it took awhile to realize this.

Now in his fourth season as the head coach of the Washington Commanders, Ron Rivera has a record of 24-28-1. One reason for Rivera’s lack of continued success with the Commanders has been his inability to find a long-term answer at quarterback.

In his first season, Rivera inherited 2019 first-round pick Dwayne Haskins and veteran Alex Smith, who was making a miraculous return from a life-threatening leg injury. Things with Haskins didn’t work out; Smith’s return helped Washington win the NFC East. Kyle Allen and Taylor Heinicke also started games that season.

In 2021, Washington signed veteran Ryan Fitzpatrick. He didn’t even make it through one half, making way for Heinicke again. In 2022, the Commanders traded for Carson Wentz. He got hurt in the sixth game and returned later in the season, but Washington knew quickly he wasn’t the guy. Heinicke again started the majority of games for the Commanders in 2022.

Sam Howell, the 2022 fifth-round pick, started the final game of last season and played well enough that he went into the offseason as “QB1.” Rivera signed veteran Jacoby Brissett to compete with Howell, but Howell came out on top.

In four seasons as head coach, Rivera has refused to go all-in on a young quarterback until now. He passed on opportunities to trade up in the NFL draft to select a quarterback. According to Rivera, Howell’s performance in the season finale against Dallas won him and the team over.

Howell won his first three NFL starts, but was in for a rude awakening last week against the Bills. Howell was sacked nine times and threw four interceptions.

Welcome to the NFL, Sam.

On Wednesday, Rivera was asked about the Philadelphia Eagles and their development of Jalen Hurts. His answer was interesting, to say the least.

“I think that’s what you do, is you look at other teams that have had young quarterbacks come in and do the things that they’ve done,” Rivera said.

“There’s a lot of good young quarterbacks that have come in and have done really well, and there’s been some that have struggled. But you’ll never know unless you play him, and that’s what we’re trying to do right now: see what kind of growth we’re going to get out of Sam. He had a tough week last week, and we’ll see what he learned from it.”

Everything Rivera said is correct. Washington fans would probably like to know why Rivera took until year four to realize this. The quarterback position is the most important in sports. Either you have one, or you don’t. If you don’t, you’re stuck in purgatory, where Washington has lived for decades.

Instead of taking multiple shots on young quarterbacks, Rivera relied too heavily on past-their-prime veterans. Heinicke always saved him, even though it was clear he wasn’t the answer. Imagine Washington’s win/loss record without Heinicke over the past two seasons.

Now, Rivera needs Howell to be the guy in order to remain in Washington — and that still may not be enough. Rivera understands this, as the Commanders have new ownership. Nothing is promised.

We will also learn how much Rivera is invested in Howell’s development if Washington goes on a long losing streak. What if the Commanders are losing games, but Howell continues to show positive development? Does a coach coaching for his job look for a spark or ride it out with the young guy?

Can Howell bounce back from Sunday’s experience? If he does, that will tell you a lot about him. If he can’t, well, you know the rest. The Commanders believe Howell is different. We’re about to find out as Washington plays the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 4.

 

Commanders: When did Washington last begin a season 2-0?

It’s been a while.

Sunday, when the Washington Commanders travel to Denver they will be seeking unfamiliar territory.

Sure, Washington has won season-opening games. Ron Rivera’s first game in Washington was a 27-17 victory over the Eagles. However, the team proceeded to lose their next five contests to fall to 1-5.

Just last season (2022), Washington defeated the Jaguars 28-22 at FedEx to launch the season. The next four weeks, they proceeded to lose to the Lions, Eagles, Cowboys and Titans.

In 2018, Alex Smith led the Redskins to a road win over the Cardinals 24-6. However, back at home the next week, the Colts clearly outplayed Washington 21-9.

For five consecutive seasons 2013-2017, the Redskins lost their season opener. The previous season (2012), Washington went to New Orleans for the season opener and surprised everyone by winning a 40-32 shootout. But the next week, they fell to the Rams, as Washington was on their way to a 3-6 record before winning their final seven games.

We have to go back to 2011 to find our answer. Washington faced the Giants at FedEx to open the season and defeated the Giants 28-14. Some may recall Ryan Kerrigan intercepted Eli Manning and returned the pass 9 yards for a touchdown.

The following week, again at FedEx Field, Washington trailed the Cardinals 21-13 in the final quarter. Rex Grossman connected with Santana Moss from 18 yards to narrow the deficit to 21-19. Then Graham Gano kicked a 34-yard field goal to give Washington the 22-21 win.

THAT was the last time Washington’s NFL franchise was 2-0 to start an NFL season.

Sunday’s game at Denver will be the opportunity for the Burgundy and Gold to accomplish the feat for the first time in 13 NFL seasons.

6 QBs Mike McCarthy has developed before Trey Lance

The Cowboys’ skipper has been in charge of offenses for the duration of the 2000s. How have his inexperienced QBs fared? | From
@KDDrummondNFL

Mike McCarthy might have inherited Dak Prescott as an entrenched starting quarterback, but he’s had a role in the development of several other quarterbacks who hadn’t yet ascended. The Dallas Cowboys have acquired third-year quarterback Trey Lance via a trade with the San Francisco 49ers and it’s a move that appears all upside, little risk for the Cowboys.

Lance comes with two years remaining on his rookie contract, and if he shows any semblance of development over the course of the season, Dallas has the ability to place the fifth-year option on him. Of course there’s a long way to go from a career QBR under 40 to that, but the head coach of the Cowboys has had some interesting results in developing quarterbacks since his early days as an offensive coordinator.

Chiefs QB Blaine Gabbert expounds on Andy Reid’s greatness

#Chiefs quarterback Blaine Gabbert explained his affinity for Andy Reid after workouts concluded on Thursday.

The Kansas City Chiefs wasted little time signing veteran quarterback Blaine Gabbert this offseason. The Missouri native is considered a top-tier backup at the game’s most important position, which was a need for the Chiefs after Chad Henne announced his retirement after Super Bowl LVII.

Chiefs starting quarterback Patrick Mahomes has gone down with injuries in the past, and even though he’d prefer to play through pain, there was a clear need for a solid backup entering the 2023 season. Gabbert is a former 2011 first-round pick and was a starter for several teams early in his career. He brings experience and a hunger to prove himself to the franchise.

Gabbert gave an update on his progress through training camp and appreciation for head coach Andy Reid while speaking with reporters on Thursday.

“First and foremost, he’s a great person,” the veteran signal-caller said of Reid. “The biggest thing he lets you kind of be you. And as you’ve seen over the course of the years, he doctors a play call to a specific guy, Alex [Smith] to Patrick [Mahomes], Matt Moore, Chad [Henne], kind of bits and pieces here the last few years. So as a play caller, coach Reid does a great job. The coaching staff does a great job having kind of a plan for each and every guy. But yeah, I mean, his track record speaks for itself. He’s a great coach.”

Gabbert has passed for over 9,000 yards and connected on 51 touchdowns in his career. He’s already built a friendship with Chiefs receiver Justin Watson dating back to their tenure with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers while he served as Tom Brady’s backup.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1]

Chiefs OC Matt Nagy on Patrick Mahomes’ growth, maturity

#Chiefs offensive coordinator Matt Nagy spoke about Patrick Mahomes’ growth and maturity after training camp practice on Thursday.

The Kansas City Chiefs made a significant change to their offensive coaching staff during the offseason when Eric Bieniemy departed to take a head coaching gig with the Washington commanders. Matt Nagy was tapped to fill the offensive coordinator spot in Bieniemy’s absence, a role that he had previously held in Kansas City for two seasons in 2016 and 2017.

After a stint as the Chicago Bears head coach, Nagy returned to the Chiefs last season, serving as their quarterbacks coach. He met with the media on Thursday after practice to share his thoughts on quarterback Patrick Mahomes’ growing maturity, which Nagy has had a key role in developing during the course of his career in Kansas City.

“Well, I’d say this, there was a lot that we worked on with him as a rookie,” Nagy explained. “I mean, I can go back [to] then. You guys have heard me say it is his footwork and stance under center to the verbal cadence of just calling a play; there was so much no-huddle. Those are the easier parts of the game. But just listening to him, to him understand and talk through a play on video.

“Being in practice, he would always stay back, and when Alex (Smith) was running a play, he’d always be back there doing the footwork for the play, whether it’s a handoff, drop back, etc. And you can just tell, and then, of course, that game against Denver (Broncos) you saw and put it into action, but he’s wired the right way. He has rare DNA, and it’s all coming out right now.”

Mahomes’ 2022 season was among the NFL’s best ever, and the success he found was made possible with a ragtag group of various receivers who were new to Andy Reid’s complex offensive system. Nagy will look to help Mahomes replicate his accomplishments in 2023 as the MVP quarterback and the Chiefs’ offensive personnel seek to bring Kansas City another Super Bowl title at the season’s end.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1]

Jonathan Vilma shares his painful take on the best-ever Saints team

Jonathan Vilma shared his take on the best-ever Saints team, acknowledging that ‘I don’t think about that season as a success’ in an interview with his old teammate Lance Moore

[anyclip pubname=”2123″ widgetname=”0016M00002U0B1kQAF_M8169″]

Here’s a great interview from former New Orleans Saints linebacker Jonathan Vilma, who recently talked shop with his former teammate Lance Moore for Boot Krewe Media. When asked to share his take on the best-ever Saints team regardless of the season’s result, Vilma took a painful trip down memory lane.

“2011, it’s 2011,” Vilma said. “Bro, to be very frank for everyone that’s watching us, we felt like that season was a disappointment when we lost — especially the way we lost — to San Francisco. Like we were supposed to run all the way back to the Super Bowl. It still hurts to this day when I think about that season. I don’t think about that season as a success. All the records you guys broke offensively, we were humming on defense. And then we literally just s— the bed with a minute left in the damn game.”

Vilma grimaced, adding, “God knows how we let Alex Smith score a touchdown on us.”

That 2011 Saints team is the stuff of legend, rebounding from a stunning upset loss to the winless Rams in Week 8 to claim victory in each of the eight games left on their regular season schedule — including a 49-24 dismantling of the eventual Super Bowl champion New York Giants. Drew Brees broke Dan Marino’s single-season passing yards record, and four different players racked up 900 or more scrimmage yards while scoring six or more touchdowns:

  • Darren Sproles: 1,313 scrimmage yards and 10 touchdowns (7 receiving, 2 rushing, 1 punt return)
  • Jimmy Graham: 1,310 scrimmage yards, 11 touchdown catches
  • Marques Colston: 1,143 scrimmage yards, 8 touchdown catches
  • Pierre Thomas: 987 scrimmage yards, 6 touchdowns (5 rushing, 1 receiving)

But as Vilma said, it all came undone when Smith led a miraculous comeback in the playoffs. That Saints-49ers divisional-round matchup is widely considered one of the best playoff games of all time. The game featured four lead changes in the final four minutes, including touchdown catches of 44 yards and 66 yards by Sproles and Graham, respectively. But it came down to a 28-yard touchdown by Smith and a 14-yard scoring pass to Vernon Davis in the closing seconds to wipe that all away.

It’s a shame. If the Saints had won that game, they’d have hosted the same Giants team they ran off the field at midseason, and then all that stood in their way was a vulnerable New England Patriots squad. As Vilma said, it’s the one that got away.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

Ron Rivera, Eric Bieniemy on the College Football Hall of Fame ballot for 2024

Alex Smith and Antwaan Randle El were among other former Washington players who were on the ballot.

[connatix div_id=”3f8b015acdd24c648befc5d5dac47469″ player_id=”afe1e038-d3c2-49c0-922d-6511a229f69c” cid=”7cbcea0d-4ce2-4c75-9a8d-fbe02a192c24″]

Several former and current members of the Washington NFL organization were named on the ballot for the College Football Hall of Fame in 2024.

Among those prominent names are current head coach Ron Rivera and offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy.

Rivera played at California from 1980-83, leading the Golden Bears in tackles in each of his final three seasons. Rivera was a consensus All-American in 1983 and the Pac-12 defensive player of the year. Rivera was a second-round pick of the Chicago Bears in 1984, where he played nine NFL seasons.

Bieniemy played for Colorado from 1987-90, finishing his college career with 3,940 rushing yards and 41 rushing touchdowns. He led the Buffaloes to a national championship in 1990.

Other former Washington players — and a coach — were also on the ballot:

  • QB Alex Smith [Utah]: 2018-20 w/Washington
  • DE Marco Coleman [Georgia Tech]: 1999-2001 w/Washington
  • WR Antwaan Randle El [Indiana]: 2006-09 w/Washington
  • S Mark Carrier [USC] 2000 w/Washington
  • RB Ki-Jana Carter [Penn State] 2001 w/Washington
  • QB Matt Cavanaugh [Pitt]: Washington’s QB coach/OC from 2015-19

Congratulations to each of the nominees.

Commanders Terry McLaurin learning what it means to be a leader

McLaurin loves what Bieniemy has brought to the Commanders.

[connatix div_id=”3f8b015acdd24c648befc5d5dac47469″ player_id=”afe1e038-d3c2-49c0-922d-6511a229f69c” cid=”7cbcea0d-4ce2-4c75-9a8d-fbe02a192c24″]

Terry McLaurin learned this week he is the longest tenured Washington offensive player.

Julie Donaldson informed McLaurin when the two sat down for a chat this week.

McLaurin expressed he has focused on maintaining the standard set by coaches, has been learning to become more comfortable as a leader and have the courage to say what needs to be said.

Eric Bieniemy, the new offensive coordinator, has brought in his new offense, and McLaurin is busy learning it as quickly as he can. “It’s been fun, challenging at times. But it has forced us to come in with a different level of focus each and every day because you’re learning something new.”

McLaurin spoke of the team having a new offensive coaching staff and two new quarterbacks being a challenge in itself. “It’s your job, so you gotta figure it out.”

“He (Bieniemy) definitely coaches hard… I wanted to put my best foot forward and make a good impression, knowing that he can trust me as a leader, as a player; I am going to do my job.”

“I think his intensity is something we all feel so far.”

When Donaldson spoke that this season means for McLaurin another new quarterback, McLaurin paused, simply nodded in the affirmative, and calmly said, “Yeah.” Donaldson responded, “That says enough right there.”

Donaldson then inquired if McLaurin knew how many quarterbacks from whom he had caught passes since coming to Washington. McLaurin replied, “It’s got to be double digits now, right?” Yes, it’s ten, affirmed Donaldson.

The ten quarterbacks to whom Donaldson was referring are: Case Keenum, Dwayne Haskins, Colt McCoy, Alex Smith, Kyle Allen, Taylor Heinicke, Ryan Fitzpatrick, Garrett Gilbert, Carson Wentz and Sam Howell.

Sometimes we have our own idea of what leadership will be for us. We imagine how others will need to adjust to us. However, McLaurin has had to learn the hard way that for him, it is himself adjusting to change and leading teammates to follow his example.

 

Former QB Alex Smith says Zach Wilson’s shortcomings due to Robert Saleh

Alex Smith blames Robert Saleh for Zach Wilson’s struggles.

There’s no question the Jets haven’t gotten their money’s worth out of their No. 2 overall pick from 2021, QB Zach Wilson. There are many thoughts as to why he has struggled to this point and led to the Jets making their pursuit of Aaron Rodgers.

One thought that was shared by former NFL quarterback Alex Smith has to do with the big man on the sidelines, head coach Robert Saleh.

On a recent appearance on SiriusXM, Smith shared concerns about defensive-minded head coaches, such as Saleh, being able to truly develop a young quarterback.

“There is a different mentality, from my career, when you play for an offensive head coach that wants to light up the scoreboard and outscore the opponent,” Smith said, via Fox News.

“There’s a different mentality you have, especially as a young quarterback versus a defensive head coach, when really the [coach’s] mentality is, ‘Hey, don’t screw up, don’t turn the ball over, don’t put us in a bad situation.’ … That’s a huge difference in a mentality and a mindset for a young quarterback, especially if it’s a bit rocky to start.”

Smith also went on to specifically mention Saleh and that he seems to believe Saleh is one of the biggest reasons Wilson hasn’t developed entering his third NFL season.

“Robert Saleh, you’re a great defensive mind and coordinator, but, like, you have no idea how to develop a quarterback,” Smith said. “The coordinator you hired (former offensive coordinator and now current Rams OC Mike LaFleur) never called plays. So, that’s a completely different animal. And as much as you think you’re prepared to handle that development of a young kid, you’re just not.”

The Jets now have an offensive coordinator in Nathaniel Hackett that has held that position with three other teams — Bills, Jaguars, Packers — and spent most of 2022 as head coach of the Broncos. Their hope is that with Rodgers and Hackett in the mix, the Jets will have the resources available to help Wilson learn and be able to step back onto the field once Rodgers is finished.