Tag: Carson Wentz a leader

Carson Wentz grateful for this past year with the Commanders

Carson Wentz posts what appeared like a farewell message to his teammates.

Carson Wentz continues to impress with his leadership and kindness.

Wentz, via Instagram Tuesday, basically conveyed to Commanders fans and the organization that things did not develop this past season as we all had wished.

Wentz then expressed his gratitude for the opportunity and to fellow Commanders for the bond that he experienced and hopes to experience with them.

It really is a shame Carson could not perform up to expectations this 2022 season. The former Eagle and Colt quarterback was traded from the Colts to the Commanders in the offseason, and the price tag was not cheap.

In fairness to Wentz, is he to blame for the negotiating skills of the Commanders’ brass who worked the trade? It was no secret the Colts had already moved on from Wentz, and yet Washington did not negotiate well at all in the trade. The Colts talked the Commanders into a third-round choice in 2022, a conditional third in 2023 (which could have become a second-rounder) and swapping back five spots in round two with the Colts in the 2022 NFL Draft.

Wentz excited Commanders Nation in the first week when trailing the Jaguars 22-14, Wentz threw two touchdown passes in the final quarter leading Washington to a come-from-behind 28-22 victory. Wentz had thrown for 313 yards and four touchdowns. Washington “finally had a quarterback,” owner Daniel Snyder said.

The seven-year veteran started seven games; however, the Commanders could only manage two wins in those seven starts, resulting in head coach Ron Rivera staying with Taylor Heinicke for nine starts until Heinicke’s struggles caught up with him and Rivera returned to Wentz and then Sam Howell for the final game.

Wentz earned $28 million this past season, but Washington has the ability to release him without any salary cap hit next season, so it is only a matter of time before he is released.

Several players, including Taylor Heinicke and Jonathan Allen, have spoken out about the quality person and teammate Wentz was this year. Sam Howell even went out of his way to challenge public opinion concerning Wentz.

Following Washington’s 26-6 victory over Dallas Sunday, in Howell’s first NFL start, Howell proclaimed, “I know people say negative things about Carson, but he is an unbelievable human being. For him to give me his suite my first start, means a lot.”

Commanders Wire wishes Carson, his wife Madison, and their two precious daughters the very best in their future endeavors.

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Commanders QB Carson Wentz is thankful for past, excited for future

Carson Wentz looks back on his time with the Eagles in a positive light despite the difficult ending.

Carson Wentz wants this to be fun.

Wentz fielded questions from the media Wednesday regarding his being a former divisional foe wearing green.

“Obviously, a division rivalry, you know, been a part of this one for a while. Obviously, it looks a little bit different over there from when I was there. New faces, new coaches new everything, but it’ll be a fun one.”

The former Eagle quarterback was asked if any Philly memories stand out to him.

“A lot of really good memories from my time there. I’m not going to lie. A lot of great friends. A lot of great relationships that I made, you know. Definitely will have some mixed emotions in terms of those things, but nothing crazy jumps out other than my time there was a whirlwind. It was wild.”

What emotion might there be for Carson facing his former team?

“I’m excited for it just because of the nature of the game. It’s a divisional rivalry, all of those things. I’ve been a part of this one. I know the emotion that goes into it from the other side. So, I’m excited for it. But again, you know, you try not to make the game bigger than it needs to be. Every week’s a big week.”

What was it like for Wentz playing for Philadelphia fans?

“It was a lot of fun. Obviously, we had a lot of success there. Winning the Super Bowl up there was pretty special.  Being a part of that was pretty cool. It’s quite the city, quite the fan base, quite the experience. I’ll definitely cherish my time there but obviously being on the other end now it’ll look a little different.”

Once again Wentz was asked where he thought it went wrong in Philadelphia.

” I don’t know. That’s such a big question that I’ve probably answered many times. I’m thankful to be here now. I’m excited for this one.”

Rejection is difficult for each of us, so Carson is no exception when the Eagles were determined to move on from him.

“I think anytime in life you get thrown a curve ball like that, things change anytime you think, you know what life’s going to look like. Sometimes I always think God’s up there saying, ‘I’m in control.’ For me as a man of faith, I think that’s where my faith kicks in and just saying, ‘Okay, God, what do you have next for me?’

“I definitely cherished the time that I had up there. It was definitely a wild ride in many, many ways. I grew a lot as a man, got married, had a child, a lot of things. So, I’m very grateful for my time there, but it definitely does catch you off guard. Things change, and you gotta learn to grow up and change and adapt. At the end of the day, I’m thankful for it. I’m thankful for the changes that life has brought, and I’ve grown a lot from it.”

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Commanders’ captain Jonathan Allen: ‘Sometimes the NFL is like high school’

Jonathan Allen doesn’t hold back when sticking up for quarterback Carson Wentz.

Jonathan Allen declared “Sometimes the NFL is like a high school.”

Allen made his weekly appearance on the “Sports Junkies” show Tuesday and as usual, was direct.

When asked about the narrative that Carson Wentz is a cancer in an NFL locker room, Allen responded, “I have absolutely no idea where that comes from. Sometimes I feel like the NFL can be like a high school. There is so much drama and rumors. Things that quite frankly aren’t true.”

Don’t you just love that about Jonathan Allen?

“After he (Wentz) threw those two interceptions, quick memory, positive on the sidelines, no pouting. I think you can just see how the guys around him respond to him; that tells you everything you need to know about his character.”

When asked about Carson Wentz, Allen said it took him three years to finally beat Wentz. “So, I’ve seen firsthand what Carson can do. I have utmost faith in him.” He also humbly stated that he being a defensive tackle “cannot imagine doing their job.”

Allen said he has already talked to Phidarian Mathis and told him that in his time out, he needs to be working out, preparing to be all he can be when he returns to the team.

In being direct, anyone can talk about others, but Allen is direct to man up and point the finger at himself as well. For instance, he volunteered to the Junkies that there were plays Sunday he did not perform as he needs to and that he needs to improve and correct those tasks.

The defensive tackle spoke of a play in particular where he did not perform the call as he should have and the play resulted in what he said was “about a 25-yard Jaguars run that William Jackson had to save us on.”

Allen had to take extra defensive snaps Sunday with the injury to Mathis. And sure enough, he injured his groin late in the game. He expressed he sure wished Mathis was healthy to take the reps during upcoming games.

“My biggest rule of thumb is as long as guys are giving effort and trying their best, I will never get mad at them for what happens on the field. The only time I get mad is when a guy has a lack of effort, or he is not ready because of a lack of preparation, which is a lack of effort.”

When the Junkies started questioning some NFL coaching decisions in Week 1, Allen didn’t flinch, “There’s one thing I’ve learned in the NFL man, it’s always easy when it is not your decision.”

What would the Commanders team be like if they had 20 guys with the maturity and directness of a Jonathan Allen?

 

Commanders coach Ron Rivera optimistic and realistic

Ron Rivera is optimistic about the 2022 NFL season.

Coach Ron Rivera sat down with Julie Donaldson Friday expressing he is both optimistic but also realistic about his 2022 Washington Commanders team.

This is Rivera’s third season leading Washington, and though there are setbacks (injuries), he is pleased thus far preparing for Jacksonville. “I think that things have gone well. There’s been a lot of pluses that we are building on and getting better.”

Rivera spoke of the youth of this team, the energy and enthusiasm. “We have a guy who we think can be our quarterback for a while. When you look at the skill positions, that is where you truly do see the youth. At running back the veteran guy is J.D. (McKissic). At tight end, the veteran guy is Logan (Thomas). Wide receiver the veteran guy is Terry (McLaurin). Terry is only going into his fourth season.”

The former Panthers head coach (2011-19) is optimistic about some of his older veterans as well. “Where you really see the anchor though is our front. Our front five is a group of guys we feel very comfortable about and really think these guys can help protect Carson to give him time to get the ball to those talented young players.”

Rivera is realistic. He knows the line is beat up right now as well as the tight ends. The only one that has been healthy is Armani (Rogers). He is the only one able to be out there. The best part of him, he is such an athletic football player, that he makes plays.”

“We won’t have everybody out on the field Saturday. But once we get back together the following week, we will start to get all our guys out there and start prepping as we get ready for the opener (Sept.11).”

He has not been able to see a healthy unit thus far, “What you really want to be able to do is once we know (who is healthy) that group has to work together over and over in preparation for Jacksonville.”

A former linebacker, linebacker’s coach and defensive coordinator, Rivera was open about his disappointment in the third-down defense against Kansas City. “Those are things we can do better. First and foremost we coaches got to make sure that these guys understand what the important significance of third down is. And the significance of who that quarterback is. When Patrick Mahomes is out on the field, there is a certain discipline you have to rush with.”

We dialed up a couple of pressures, and we didn’t run them the way we needed to. Because of that, the pressure got there a step too late. So you look at those things, and you say, ‘That’s disappointing first and foremost, but that is correctable.”

There was much more, so see the link above for the full interview.

 

 

Commanders must protect Carson Wentz

Can the Commanders protect Carson Wentz with several injuries on the offensive line?

Ron Rivera is absolutely correct to be concerned about Carson Wentz’s playing time Saturday.

During Thursday’s time with the media, Rivera implied and then confirmed with the Commanders top three guards (Andrew Norwell, Wes Schweitzer, Trai Turner) all being injured and doubtful for Saturday, maybe it would not be such a good idea to have Carson Wentz out there too long.

Carson Wentz has a big arm, and the Commanders have good speed at wide receiver, but it takes more time if you are going to go deep. What if Wentz would not have much time Saturday? Might Scott Turner elect to provide Wentz just a couple of possessions with strict orders he is only to take the three and five-step drops and quickly get rid of the ball.

Since the trade for Wentz was made on March 9, many in Philadelphia and Indianapolis made sure Washington fans thought Wentz was an emotional snowflake. Even worse, Colts owner Jim Irsay criticized Wentz heavily, calling him “a mistake,” and word leaked out that Irsay felt Wentz was not a leader because Wentz had not been vaccinated.

Months later, the Commanders have had their mandatory and voluntary workouts, and now training camp has also concluded. Wentz has been a leader. He has remained positive, resolute and quietly determined. He has not resembled a player difficult to coach, as we were told he had been in his previous two NFL homes.

Don’t forget, Commanders fans, that you have not had winning seasons since 2015 (9-7) and 2016 (8-7-1). Commanders fans hated on Kirk Cousins and blamed him for the collapse of the 2016 playoff hopes. Yet, isn’t it time to admit Washington has not even sniffed a winning season since those two Cousins seasons?

For all of the criticism, both locally and nationally, Wentz has endured in his short time in the burgundy and gold, he has shown himself capable of handling it.

Carson Wentz is an upgrade at the quarterback position to what Washington has had since Cousins. Who could blame Rivera if he determines to play Wentz very little Saturday? So why risk Wentz taking a shot to his throwing shoulder? Isn’t it more important for Wentz to be healthy and ready to go in Week 1 against the Jaguars?