Tag: Analyst Logan Paulsen

Logan Paulsen’s analysis of Commanders WR Jahan Dotson after Jets game

As always, Paulsen provides some excellent insight on Dotson. It’s mostly praise, with one area of improvement needed.

There’s been much speculation regarding Commanders receiver Jahan Dotson. Former 8-year NFL veteran Logan Paulsen watches the team closely, and he offered his analysis of Dotson’s situation to Craig Hoffman on Tuesday.

“I love him as a route runner, I love his feel for catching the football. But his play strength shows up more than I would like it to.”

“When you are watching Terry, OZ (Olamide Zaccheaus), even Jamison Crowder, there is a strength to them that allows them to play through contact. The fade in the second quarter going into the red zone where he (Dotson) beats the guy, but gets a little bit of a bump and then loses his footing and falls down.”

“If I am a coach, I want to see him play through that. The only way I get to see it is as he’s getting reps. I think that’s something coming out of the game.”

“I think Jahan did some good stuff. I think he had a screen where he was a little creative, but I need to see him play stronger.”

“Again, I love the route runner, I love the nuance, I love how he layers stems and indicators. He catches the football well, but he is always going to be limited if he can’t get through this. I think that is maybe why he plays a lot because you want to see him fight through some stuff.”

I also think he is playing multiple positions, he’s playing inside and outside. So you’re going to play more because you’re maybe the number 1F or the slot receiver. Then, when the outside guys go out, you become the number one outside guy. So maybe that’s another reason why.”

Commanders’ Jayden Daniels and Joe Theismann both took the lead

Jayden Daniels has been praised for his leadership qualities, like another former Washington QB.

Recently drafted Washington quarterback Jayden Daniels would probably enjoy learning about the quarterback leadership provided by Joe Theismann.

After only two regular season games in 1982, the NFL player’s strike began. The players vowed together to withhold their services and did for 57 days.

The then Redskins were 2-0, and Joe Theismann, Washington’s starting quarterback, rather than simply sit out on strike, had the foresight to call up teammates and arrange team workouts. Why wait until the strike concluded? “We wanted to be ready when it happened,” said Theismann.

Art Monk has stated that it was Theismann who was the leader, “who orchestrated everything” as the team would work out at local fields, unable to use their Redskins practice facility.

“When the season started back up, we just kept rolling, and it was because of Joe’s leadership,” recalled then Redskins kicker Mark Moseley. “I think that is when the players really started to rally around Joe as their leader, the catalyst who was going to take us to where we were going.”

Where they were going was an 8-1 regular season, an NFC championship with playoff wins over the Lions, Vikings, and Cowboys, and a Super Bowl XVII championship win over the Dolphins.

Theismann, with Washington beginning in the 1974 season, had not been an elite NFL quarterback. Nor had he been voted a Pro Bowler. But leading as he did in the 1982 season, he was a Pro Bowler and the unquestioned leader of the Super Bowl champs. The next season he was again a Pro Bowler, even more an All-Pro, and the Associated Press MVP of the NFC champion Redskins.

What does this have to do with Jayden Daniels?

Soon after Daniels was drafted, he told former Washington tight end Logan Paulsen he needed to work to get better. So many rookies are clueless, thinking that because they were successful in college, they will be successful in the NFL. Most of them have rarely thought about the fact that roughly 200 colleges play college football, and there are only 32 NFL teams.

Daniels really improved while at LSU, and it was not all because of his physical ability. Commanders fans will love to hear that John Keim reported following the draft that Daniels was on the plane already beginning his study of the Commanders’ playbook.

While at LSU, Daniels did not rely solely on his talent. He was a team leader, organizing some 5 a.m. workouts with players.

As Keim pointed out to Paulsen, other players who might not have wanted to, showed up as well, following Daniels’ leadership.

Paulsen responded, “I want my quarterback to have that ability to engage with his teammates.” Daniels admitted to Paulsen that it was not easy. Initially, there were, understandably, players who did not want to be there by 5 a.m., but Daniels had the ability to persuade them, leading them by example.

Paulsen is convinced that Daniels was drafted by Washington not only because he is a great runner but also because he is an accurate passer. Paulsen firmly believes Daniels was chosen because he was a leader at LSU.

Like Theismann, Daniels may have begun to learn that leaders don’t just give orders. No, leaders make the sacrifices to get out front and lead.

Who knows, perhaps he will have the opportunity to learn a thing or two about leadership from Theismann himself.

 

Commanders’ postgame quotes following loss to 49ers

Ron Rivera, Jonathan Allen, Terry McLaurin, Sam Howell, Brian Mitchell and others comment on Commanders’ loss to 49ers.

“Early on, it looked like we were going to make this game into a match. But as they game went on, you saw they clearly had too much for us. And I say it all the time, you can’t help a team beat you.” Brian Mitchell

“I thought the defense did a lot of good things today. But they’re a more talented roster, they’ve got playmakers at all spots, their defense played excellent and obviously Sam has been struggling a little bit.” Logan Paulsen

“Ultimately, I think he handled himself well coming into this game. But as that game went on, you saw the pressure of the 49ers was just too much. And your guy can’t go out there and get it done by himself.” Brian Mitchell

“Sam did some good things. But I think we are starting to see who he is as a player. Not to say that he can’t get better. But I think this is what our expectation for Sam should be the rest of this season.” Logan Paulsen

“Jacoby was still tight. So we had to be careful with it (hamstring). That was why we went with Sam.” Ron Rivera

“I thought Sam had some really good moments…the situation gave him an opportunity, and he performed, he really did. I thought he made some good decisions, threw some really good balls. Obviously, there were a couple of throws I promise he wished he had back, but he did a lot of good things.” Ron Rivera

“Obviously, an interesting week. Wasn’t expecting until two hours before the game to have to play today, but…..every single opportunity I get, I try to go out there and give it my all and make the most of it.”  Sam Howell

“Honestly, I couldn’t care less. I’m focused on what I’m doing to help this team. I’m going to go out there and play hard, enjoy it, play for the love of the game, and that’s what I did today.” Jonathan Allen on the uncertainty of who was going to play at quarterback

“I give credit to him because it hasn’t been an easy season for him. And obviously, he’s going to get a lot of the blame and things like that. I think we all have a hand in it — the coaches, players. It’s been tough, but the way he came out in the first half, it showed resiliency. You could see a smile on his face. That made me happy because it’s a tough game, especially at that position. So I think he handled it as best as he could.”  Terry McLaurin on Sam Howell

“It’s definitely tough. I mean, you want to be a part of something that is sustainable, and you’re winning and competing at a high level.”  Terry McLaurin

“When you’re going against teams like that, you got to play — not perfect, but you got to make the most of every opportunity. You got to give them credit for building that team and for the players going out there and executing. Hopefully, I can be a part of something like that, but I’m just focused on myself, my world, and my journey, and I’m going to keep working to be the best player I can be.”  Terry McLaurin

Postgame quotes following Commanders’ inexcusable loss to Giants

Brian Mitchell preaches for everyone to have patience with Sam Howell. BMitch believes Howell has what it takes to be a franchise QB.

Another ugly, embarrassing, inexcusable loss to the Giants, so what were some saying during the postgame interviews and postgame show?

“Sam Howell has the potential to be a d— good quarterback in this league. He can be a franchise quarterback. But everybody out there, pump your d— breaks and allow him to get to that point. We can’t look at only one game and already put him up there. Let the man grow. He is a young guy who has to learn. Peyton Manning had games like this early on.” Brian Mitchell

“Any offensive coach, any offensive player will tell you, you can not turn the football over that many times and reasonably expect to win a football game.” Logan Paulsen

“He’s (Sam Howell) learning, he’s growing. He made some mistakes, but he hung in there, he fought and gave us a chance to win the football game.”  Ron Rivera

“When you turn the ball over that many times, you are not going to win games. It starts with me. I have to do a better job of taking care of the football. I didn’t give my team a chance to win today.” Sam Howell

“It is a low point, that’s for sure,” Rivera said. “Any time you’ve got an opportunity to win a football game and you put the numbers up that you did, you got to come through.”     Ron Rivera

“No matter what my answer is, it’s going to come out and people are going to say it’s an excuse. So we’re just going to take the responsibility. We’re going to show up tomorrow, we’re going to get prepared, and we’re going to get ready to play Dallas, because we got a very short week.”  Ron Rivera

“I think the most frustrating part is that I think we have a really good football team. We have so much potential in that locker room. That’s the disappointing thing, is that we’re not we’re not getting the results that we feel like we were definitely capable of.” Sam Howell

“I am not the type to point the fingers, but at the same time, each guy has to figure out how he can affect this team in a positive way to help us win. If you are not, then this is probably not the place for you. At the same time, I am going to continue to work and be ready for my opportunity. I just try to stay ready and be positive, and try to be part of the solution.”  Terry McLaurin

“It’s kind of been the theme of the season — we’ll play really good, and then we’ll have four- or five-minute lapses in a game that allow for big plays in the game. Until we clean that up, we’ll never be the defense that we can be.” Jonathan Allen

“I would say learning how to win; when you look at teams around the league who are consistently successful, they know how to win different types of games. In order to win ugly, in order to win offensive and defensive games, special teams. And so for us, we just have to learn how to win in different ways.” Jonathan Allen

Postgame quotes after Commanders perplexing loss to Eagles

Some postgame quotes from several Washington players after Sunday’s loss to the Eagles.

This Commanders’ loss to the Eagles was perplexing as the offense produced, but the defense could not get to a visibly hobbled Jalen Hurts.

What was the reaction in the locker room and the postgame shows?

“When you look at a game: Your kicker kicks a 61-yard field goal. You score 31 points. And you lose? That is one you don’t understand.” Brian Mitchell

“Ultimately, when you look at the game, it is not a matter of we didn’t run or pass enough. No, we didn’t make the plays.” Brian Mitchell

“They moved some pieces along the offensive line. I thought Tyler Larsen did an excellent job calling protections- no free runners to the quarterback. I thought Sam also helped that group, getting the ball out of his hand quickly…and I think EB called a fantastic football game today. So I think there are positive things.” Logan Paulsen

“They told me New York decided it was an incompletion.” Ron Rivera on the Jahan Dotson 4th down incompletion

“Because I didn’t see it on the screen. I was looking up at the screen to see if there was something that could help me and then I was waiting to hear something from somebody upstairs (did you see it or not?). We haven’t seen the replay yet. So we weren’t sure. They did their hurry up, ran to the line and snapped the ball…I still don’t know if it was or wasn’t complete.” Ron Rivera on not challenging the Eagles 4th down completion for a first down that was actually incomplete.

“I’m not going to answer any questions on personnel.” Ron Rivera declining to talk trade deadline

“I mean, it’s in the air, but in the end, we have a game to play, a job to do. I intend on doing that job to the best of my ability.”  Montez Sweat on current trade talks

“Anything can happen, but I can only control what I can.” Montez Sweat conveyed that his agent is keeping him informed

“My job is to play football, and that is what I am going to continue to do. It’s tough. I don’t have nothing to say; it’s tough.” Chase Young on close loss

“It’s out of my control. I’m going to go back and evaluate myself, see where I made mistakes and hold myself accountable.” Chase Young on if he or Montez Sweat played their last game together.

“We’re right there. But at the end of the day we let another one slip away from us.” Sam Howell on another tough loss

“I told him (Terry McLaurin) that I have to give him a better chance. … I’ve got to make his job easier. Terry’s a great player, and I have to do my part.”  Sam Howell on those two late drops by Terry McLaurin

Commanders postgame quotes after Week 4 overtime loss

Some quotes from Ron Rivera, Sam Howell and former players covering the team.

Washington went to Philadelphia, and scored on the last play of regulation but later fell 34-31 in overtime to the Eagles.

Here are some post-game quotes.

“Oh my gosh! It was such a good football game. I loved the composure the resiliency of the football team. This is who the team is. To have this kind of character, to be able to put that drive together at the end (of regulation), was a fantastic job. Even though it is a loss, there are a lot of exciting things I think this team can build on moving forward.” Logan Paulsen

“I’m not big on moral victories, but our team should hold their head up and feel great about their performance, knowing they can go out there and compete with anybody.” Santana Moss

“There were moments they were playing outstanding football. Then you look at moments, and they seemed a little lost. You have to play a whole football game. We cannot sleep-walk through a football game.” Brian Mitchell

“That third quarter was where our Achilles Heel was at (today).” Santana Moss

“I believe this team can play…Then that third quarter…they slept through the third quarter.” Brian Mitchell

“First of all, it was a hell of a performance by Sam… (he) bounced back. He learned from last week. He grew. It was reflected in the way he played, in the way he led our offense. There are a lot of positive things we are going to take from that.”  Ron Rivera on Sam Howell.

“I don’t believe in moral victories. We lost a game we felt we should have won.”  Sam Howell

“That’s a Hell of a football team we played out there. But I think we have a Hell of a football team in this locker room.” Ron Rivera

“Yes, it’s a tough loss for us. Definitely a game we felt like we should have won, we were capable of winning. But I am proud of the guys how we fought until the end.” Sam Howell

“Our guys came and played their asses off. They deserve some credit. We are going to learn something from this.” Ron Rivera

“I think I did some good things out there. But at the end of the day, we didn’t win. It’s my job to win football games for this organization, and we didn’t do that today.” Sam Howell

“They (Eagles) picked on the young guy today (Emmanuel Forbes).  I expect him to bounce back next week. Hopefully, he learns. Experience is a tough teacher. But that is the kind of stuff he needs. He needs to understand how important it is to do his job the way it is being coached.”  Ron Rivera

 

Commanders postgame quotes after Week 3 37-3 loss

Some comments from the players, coaches and former players after the loss.

What do you say after getting beat 37-3? Here are some postgame quotes.

“You cannot make the mistakes we made. You got to be able to go out there and not make those mistakes. Turnover battle, we lost it, and you don’t win when you lose it.” Washington legend Brian Mitchell

“There are a lot of things that can be learned and gleaned from this game. A lot of people are going to say this is the worst thing, so flush it and move on. No! You have to sit with this for a little bit. Learn what is going on. They played a lot of Cover 2, light box structures. Can we be more effective running the football? Can we be more patient as a play-caller?”  Logan Paulsen

“Buffalo was not that good today. It was Washington that was that bad today.”  Brian Mitchell

“We are talking about Sam Howell right now, but this is a good learning experience for EB (Eric Bieniemy). When it is 13-0 we don’t need to be going crazy. We can be more conservative with our play calling and our approach. There were times they were rushing and pressing.”  Logan Paulsen

“You got to learn from it; that is how it is going to get corrected. If you don’t learn from it, it is going to happen again.” Ron Rivera

“This is football. You got to learn from the losses as well as from the wins.” Ron Rivera

“How are we going to react? How are we going to handle it? Now, we have to find out just how tough we really are. Are we mentally tough? Are we physically tough enough to get through it?” Ron Rivera

“When you are winning, it masks a lot of things. The bare truth is out there now. We know, based on the tape, exactly what happened. We will be able to sit down and talk and get it corrected, I believe. If we approach it the right way, we give ourselves the opportunity going forward. That’s what we are going to find out, just how good we are, how tough we are.” Ron Rivera

“A lot of things didn’t go right today, and it starts with me. The good thing is the sun will come up tomorrow, another opportunity to get better and go to work.” Sam Howell

“You can’t flush it. You watch the film, and you learn from it.” Sam Howell

“I got to be better. It’s on me.” Sam Howell

“It’s heartbreaking when you get to the two-yard line, and you don’t quite get it in. That’s on all 11 guys not executing, making sure we score seven points. Because that game was still in reach at that moment.” Terry McLaurin

Commanders HC Ron Rivera debuts ‘The Game Plan’

Which offensive players stood out this summer? What about the defensive players who stood out?

Commanders head coach Ron Rivera and former Washington tight end Logan Paulsen debuted “The Game Plan“ Sunday.

The episode is available on YouTube. This is the first of a weekly show the two will generate throughout the season.

Paulsen, at the outset, asked Rivera if going 3-0 in the preseason really meant anything.

“It does,” Rivera answered. “Because of the attitude you create, because of the tone you set. Winning begets winning. Learning to do things the right way is probably one of the most important things you want to do during training camp, and I felt like we did a lot of good things.”

Rivera declared that quarterback Sam Howell needed to show during the offseason that he was growing and headed in the right direction. Rivera feels Howell arrived at training camp and exhibited growth in his two preseason games and the two scrimmages against the Ravens.

Roster building is something Rivera has mentioned in the past that is very important in his job.

“If you can draft well and develop your guys, you’re going to have guys fit what you are doing. You’ll have a period of time with them…I’m excited to see if we are right.”

Paulsen expressed three players on the offense had stood out to him in this preseason and training camp: TE Cole Turner, QB Sam Howell and WR Jahan Dotson.

As for the defense, Rivera explained, “Defense is technically react, but your design has to be that if they react, we have an answer for whatever they do.”

He noted that he learned this playing for Buddy Ryan, who was the Bears defensive coordinator Rivera’s first couple of NFL seasons.

As for rookie CB Emmanuel Forbes, Rivera expressed, “I think people underestimate who he is. When you watch the way he practices and plays, this is a young man who is constantly putting himself in position to make plays.”

Paulsen then pointed out three defensive players he felt impressed with during camp and the preseason: CB Emmanuel Forbes, LB Khaleke Hudson and S Percy Butler.

As the coaches do their last week of preparing the team, Rivera stressed, “You want to go into this first game with the guys playing fast, confident and comfortable. A lot of the things we did this week, we are going to take and use going forward.”

“Command Center Game Day Live” will be the only Commanders’ pregame show providing live camera action down on the field one hour before kickoff with Brian Mitchell and Santana Moss.

Following the game, Paulsen will join Mitchell for the “Commanders Post Game Show” with a recap of the game’s big moments and going live to Coach Rivera at the podium.

Logan Paulsen: ‘Sam Howell has earned this’

Howell deserved the opportunity—and he earned it.

“Sam Howell has looked pretty gosh-darn good.”

That is how former NFL tight end Logan Paulsen started his conversation Friday morning as a guest on the “Kevin Sheehan Show” on The Team 980.

Paulsen quickly clarified, of course, Howell has been far from perfect, but he is, in Paulsen’s view trending upward. Pointing to the “team blitz” part of the workout against the Ravens, Paulsen expressed that though Howell had struggled earlier in blitz sessions. But against the Ravens, he was “very solid.”

While it is certainly not a surprise that Howell was named the starter, Paulsen was quick to add, “This is something he has earned; this is something he deserves.”

Pointing to the Cleveland game, Paulsen liked what he saw in Sam extending a few plays for positive yardage, feeling it adds value to Howell’s game and shows he continues to be improving.

Paulsen feels with Howell; his upside is always part of the equation that cannot be ignored. “He is a little more physically talented than Jacoby…So they are hoping that develops into something more. It is something you are always navigating and negotiating as a coach. This guy (Brissett) is ready, but this guy (Howell) behind him will be a better player long term.”

During the offseason workouts, the preseason game in Cleveland, and workouts against the Ravens, the coaches feel Howell “has shown you enough positive flashes of that tremendous upside.” So the coaches are saying they are “going to bet on his potential because they believe he can get there.”

Explaining to Sheehan through his NFL experience with veteran quarterbacks, Paulsen believes Howell has also exhibited a quiet confidence to his offensive teammates. He also pointed to the skirmishes that transpired with the Ravens that Howell was out there leading, reminding teammates of their task, their focus.

There will be ups and downs for Sam Howell, no doubt. Joe Theismann certainly experienced them for Washington in the 1976 and 1977 seasons. He was even benched as George Allen went back to Billy Kilmer in both seasons. But Theismann developed into a fine quarterback and capable leader in time.

Washington coaches are going to provide Sam Howell with the same opportunity.