Tag: Andrew Norwell

Eagles vs. Commanders: 5 matchups to watch on defense

Here are five matchups to watch for the Philadelphia Eagles when they’re on defense against the Washington Commanders’ offense in Week 10

The Eagles (8-0) and Commanders (4-5) are set for a much-hated Monday night renewal of one of the NFL’s most intense rivalries.

On offense, Washington offers an exciting mix of talented pass catchers and dual-threat running backs that can test a defense will some holes up front without Jordan Davis in the lineup.

The Commanders will attempt to solve the Darius Slay-James Bradberry connection while using an underused running game to keep Jalen Hurts and the Philadelphia offense off the field.

With Monday night fast approaching, here are five matchups to watch.

Eagles-Commanders: Avonte Maddox, Josh Jobe ruled out for Monday night

The Philadelphia Eagles have ruled out cornerbacks Avonte Maddox and Josh Jobe for the Monday night clash against the Washington Commanders

The Eagles will be without two cornerbacks on Monday night as the team ruled out Avonte Maddox and Josh Jobe for the Week 10 contest against the Commanders.

Cornerback Josiah Scott logged a full practice (ankle), and he’ll get the start in the slot for Maddox.

Commanders offensive line was much better in Week 6

Was Washington’s Week 6 offensive line performance a sign of things to come?

Heading into the season, the offensive line was expected to be a bright spot for the Washington Commanders. Over the past two years, Washington ended each season as one of the NFL’s top 10 offensive lines.

Things looked different in 2022. Gone was perennial Pro Bowl guard Brandon Scherff and 2021 starter, left guard Ereck Flowers. Replacing them were veterans Andrew Norwell and Trai Turner. Norwell has struggled at times this season, and Turner has already been benched.

Washington has also dealt with injuries. Center Chase Roullier was lost for the season in Week 2. It’s the second consecutive season that Roullier ended on injured reserve. Also, center/guard Wes Schweitzer landed on IR, and right tackle Sam Cosmi has missed multiple games with an injury.

But perhaps Washington is turning a corner. Pro Football Focus named the Commanders’ offensive line as its offensive line of the week in Week 6:

The Commanders offensive line allowed one sack and three hurries against the Bears on Thursday Night Football, good for the second-best team pass-blocking grade of the week. They played well in the run game, too, putting up a 75.5 team run-blocking grade that ranked third.

Norwell finished with his highest PFF grade of the season in Week 6 at 85.8. Right tackle Cornelius Lucas came in behind Norwell, earning an 81.0 grade.

It wouldn’t be a shock if offensive line coach John Matsko moved Cosmi to guard and kept Lucas in at right tackle. That would fix two positions at once, and some feel Cosmi is better suited at guard.

The Commanders face a talented Green Bay defensive front in Week 7.

Commanders coach Travelle Wharton talks offensive line

The assistant offensive line coach sees progress despite the rocky start to the season.

Travelle Wharton is a name most Commanders fans will not recognize, but the assistant offensive line coach is in his fifth season in NFL coaching.

Wharton played at South Carolina, grabbing the attention of enough scouts that he was drafted in the third round (94th) of the 2004 NFL draft by the Carolina Panthers. Wharton who played in the NFL for nine seasons (2004-2013), met with the media Friday.

The team has suffered so many offensive line injuries early in the season.
A huge loss was losing center Chase Roullier and Wharton addressed this.
“Chase is not just a good player, but just a leader on our line and in the locker room. So losing him was a big hit for us. His confidence and getting us in protections and things like that. You can hear it with other players when he talks, everybody listens. Guys have been really stepping up, so it just shows everyone, Hey, be ready.”

After losing two centers, Nick Martin was signed and had to start immediately.

“I thought Nick stepped in last week and has done really well for just coming in and picking up what we were doing. For everybody else on the line, it’s really staying fine-tuned and understanding those calls cause we rehearse it so much during the course of the week and meetings and stuff like that, or what you’ll call here on different looks.”

The offensive line has at times gotten beaten badly. But Wharton sees progress.

“We are consistently getting better every time we step out there. We gotta continue to work; that’s the big thing. You lose a couple guys here and there, and the next guys step up, but we gotta continue to go. That’s what you have to do as offensive line, play hard together.”

Saahdiq Charles replaced Trai Turner at right guard and made some plays last week.

“He’s been in a few times, a few snaps. He’s getting the opportunity to play, and that’s the biggest thing when you get an opportunity to play in NFL games; you have to take advantage of it. I think mentally he’s prepared.”

“He’s always been explosive, from year one to year two is a big jump, man. He’s really grown overall as a football player mentally and physically of what he needs to do. He played multiple positions. He’s one of those guys that can play multiple and you have to be a pretty smart player to do all that and have the athletic skill set to do it also.”

“Andrew Norwell came in and has been physical. Let me start by saying that, he’s a great teammate that plays great football and he’s been physical. The continuity of those guys and Andrew being in there has been really well because he can make the blocks on the front side and the back side and do a good job in pass pro.”

LOOK: This image perfectly describes Commanders in Week 4 loss to Cowboys

This image sums up Washington’s day.

In case you haven’t heard, the Washington Commanders lost again on Sunday. This time it was a 25-10 defeat at the hands of the Dallas Cowboys. Now, Washington is 1-3 on the season and has lost three straight games.

It was another ugly day from Washington’s offense. One week after quarterback Carson Wentz was sacked nine times, there was a fear he’d be sacked 10 times or more facing Micah Parsons and the Cowboys.

Believe it or not, Wentz was only sacked twice, although he was under pressure the entire day. While head coach Ron Rivera will go to the film and look for answers, one Twitter user may have discovered one of Washington’s offensive issues: The offensive linemen are blocking one another.

Thanks to Twitter user “KB” for the entertainment.

Rivera likely will not find the humor in it, but we’d all like to know what Andrew Norwell and Charles Leno were thinking on this play.

Doc Walker shocked by Commanders’ weak performance

Doc Walker puts a lot of blame for Sunday’s loss on Ron Rivera and Scott Turner.

Former Washington tight end for two Super Bowl teams, Rick “Doc” Walker, was shocked Sunday watching the Commanders lose 24-8 to the Eagles.

Walker was the scheduled guest on the “Kevin Sheehan Show” podcast Monday. Here are some of Walker’s observations and opinions of Sunday’s game.

During the conversation, Walker questioned the offensive line, Carson Wentz, Scott Turner and Ron Rivera. He praised the three pass breakups by Benjamin St-Juste.

“I was in shock. I couldn’t believe what was going on because the Commanders were manhandled.”

“We really got manhandled; I felt bad for them… I was embarrassed; that’s all I can say about it.  I am hopeful we can get somebody who can block this kid number 11 (Micah Parsons) for Dallas and see if we have a chance.”

“They (Scott Turner, Ron Rivera) didn’t sense that Carson was out of sync, that he couldn’t handle the immediate pressure. He held on to the ball instead of throwing it away. It was a jailbreak on him.”

“One of our best guys 82 (Logan Thomas); it was like he was not even in the game plan. We were out of sync and didn’t recover. With Turner on the sidelines, you’ve got to feel it. You’ve got to see that something is not happening, and how do we fix it?”

“When you got two big horses, 320 pounds in front of you, you don’t expect them to get beat like a turnstile. It was inexcusable. You cannot be beaten that way after the defense gives you a couple of stops (early).”

“Oh, by the way, the game is Sunday. All week you are supposed to peak on Sunday, not Monday. Not at the podium; you are supposed to peak on the field, on game day.”

“Why would it change? The same guy is making the decisions (Dan Snyder). I don’t have to ‘think’ anything (about Ron Rivera). Everybody has a record; it’s documented.”

Sheehan mentioned how an NFL team can’t be outscored 46-0 two consecutive weeks in the first half. Walker responded by asking, And he (Rivera) got pi**** off because he was asked about Jimmy Garappolo?”

“It’s ironic that both guys we got up front (Andrew Norwell and Trai Turner) are once again from Carolina. So clearly there is a soft spot for people who have been in Ron’s past. That doesn’t necessarily mean it is best for the program.  And right now it is blowing up in his face because they are not.”

“As bad as it looks and feels you still got a shot. But you are not going to be able to talk your way out of this one. The people you train are going to have to look like they have been coached.”

Walker called for Chris Paul to be inserted into getting playing time. He stressed the jury is out on the guys up front. “You drafted him (Paul). He made your team; coach him up! Get him in there. It can’t be worse.”

“That’s the problem; we get stuck on people here as if you have no alternative. If you have no alternative, that is your fault (referring to Rivera who has control of player personnel).

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Eagles vs. Commanders: 6 matchups to watch on defense

Here are six matchups to watch for the Philadelphia Eagles when they’re on defense against the Washington Commanders’ offense in Week 3

The Washington Commanders will host the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 3 at FedEx Field to open the 2022 NFC East slate for both teams.

The Eagles are 2-2 against the Commanders over the past two years and hold an 80-78-6 advantage all-time in the longtime series.

With both teams preparing for the contest, we present six matchups to watch when Carson Wentz and Washington is on offense.

Commanders move up in PFF’s Week 2 offensive line rankings

The Commanders make a big jump in PFF’s new offensive line rankings.

There were questions about the Washington Commanders’ offensive line heading into the 2022 season. Who would replace longtime Pro Bowl right guard Brandon Scherff? Who would replace left guard Ereck Flowers? And how would center Chase Roullier perform in his first game back after breaking his leg last season?

Well, if Week 1 is any indication, the Commanders could end up having one of the NFL’s better offensive lines again in 2022. In the past two seasons, Washington finished the season ranked inside Pro Football Focus’ top 10 offensive lines.

Ahead of the 2022 season, PFF ranked the Commanders’ offensive line at No. 15. After Week 1, the Commanders made a big leap, entering Week 2 at No. 7.

Weakest Link: G Trai Turner
Upcoming Opponent: Detroit Lions

Washington fielded one of the league’s best pass-blocking offensive lines last season, and three of the starters continued that through to the team’s first game this season against the Jaguars. Charles Leno Jr. and Andrew Norwell didn’t allow any pressure, while Samuel Cosmi gave up only one, albeit a decisive loss that turned into a sack.

Trai Turner was once an elite guard but doesn’t have an overall PFF grade above 70.0 since 2017, playing for four different teams despite being in his 20s. Detroit’s defensive front is a work in progress, so Washington’s line should be in good shape again in Week 2.

PFF ranked Turner as the weakest link from Week 1. He was splitting time at right guard with Wes Schweitzer, but Schweitzer injured his hamstring and is questionable for Week 2.

The Commanders’ offensive line should have another strong week against the Lions in Week 2.

Commanders offensive line getting healthy at the perfect time

Washington’s offensive line is finally healthy.

Until this week, the Washington Commanders haven’t had their projected offensive line together on the field at the same time. Throughout training camp and the first two weeks of the preseason,  all but right tackle Sam Cosmi has missed a portion of camp with an injury.

Guard Trai Turner missed all of camp until this week. Head coach Ron Rivera stated that if this were the regular season, Turner would likely be practicing, but there was no need. Guard Andrew Norwell missed some time over the past week after a dominant performance in Washington’s first preseason game.

Center Chase Roullier began camp on the physically unable to perform list but has slowly worked his way into the lineup and started in last week’s preseason game at Kansas City.

Left tackle Charles Leno Jr. missed last week’s game but is back. Then, top reserves, tackle Cornelius Lucas and guard/center Wes Schweitzer also missed time.

All are back now, just as the Commanders wrap up the preseason against the Ravens on Saturday. It’s unknown which players will suit up on Saturday. Rivera did say starters would play on a “very limited” basis.

While it has been difficult for Rivera and the offensive staff, it has given young players like rookie Chris Paul and third-year pro Saahdiq Charles valuable practice and playing experience.

Rivera praised some of Washington’s young offensive linemen this summer, including Charles, on Thursday.

“Saahdiq’s had a pretty good camp,” Rivera said. “It’s a lot to ask a guy to work all three of those positions, but he’s done a nice job at it. And position flex for a guy is important, and he’s still a young guy, still developing and growing. But the more he knows, I think the better it’ll help him in his game.”

Charles, who played left tackle at LSU, has played tackle and guard in the NFL. That type of versatility makes him valuable, especially on game days.

Over the past two years, Washington began each season with questions about the offensive line. However, by the end of the season, they were ranked among the top 10 offensive lines in the NFL. Offensive line coach John Matsko is one of the best, and Washington’s depth each season contributed to the group’s success.

Barring catastrophic injuries, expect Washington’s offensive line to be a team strength in 2022.

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Commanders Andrew Norwell uncomfortable with media questions

Andrew Norwell had a very short time with the media on Wednesday.

Andrew Norwell and the media covering the Commanders had a rough encounter Wednesday.

Early on, he stated that he simply comes to work every day, attempting to get better.

Suddenly, he was asked if he feels pressure to live up to Brandon Scherff’s accomplishments here in Washington. Watching the video, you see Norwell literally began shaking his head in the negative and then simply responded, “Next question.”

The follow-up came next, “What can you guys do as a group?”
“Just come together as a unit and work hard every day. Yeah, that’s about it.”

The same reporter then asked,  “What is your opinion of Carson Wentz? Nervously, he quickly shifted the question to, “What have you learned about Carson as a quarterback and a leader?”

Norwell succinctly responded, “Yeah. He goes to work every day. He’s the same guy and displays a lot of leadership out there.”

ESPN’s John Keim then asked Norwell regarding his missing some time, and what stands out blocking for Brian Robinson.

“Just do my job. Just focus on myself and do my job. “He hits the holes when they’re open and he comes to work every day.”

Unbelievably, the next reporter immediately asked again about Brian Robinson.

“What’s it been like blocking for a guy like Brian Robinson, a young running back? “It’s been great,” Norwell responded. “They got a great group of guys in that room and I look forward to blocking for every one of them.”

Notice Norwell, entering his ninth season, was hinting he is aware the running back position is not simply one player.

The reporter not listening well, didn’t perceive Norwell’s hint, then asked, “What are some of the things about Brian Robinson’s running style specifically that have stuck out to you?”

Unbelievable.

Norwell had been asked by three reporters about living up to Brandon Scherff, his opinion of Carson Wentz and Brian Robinson. Then after Norwell made it clear he will block for every one of the running backs, he was again asked about Brian Robinson?

Three successive questions about Brian Robinson who has yet to play a NFL game that actually counts?

The veteran who has started 111 of his 112 actual NFL games abruptly replied, “You know what, I’m just here to talk about myself. Thanks.”

So he was asked how it has been being on a new team.

“It’s been great. It’s my job to do it. Just come to work every day and be the same guy.”

To which a Commanders employee after only two minutes can be heard asking the group of reporters, “Ok, anyone else? Ok, you’re good.”

Norwell said thanks and departed after only 2:19.

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