Tag: Carson Wentz is wanted here

Washington’s Carson Wentz ready for Jaguars and Pederson

Carson Wentz has nothing but praise for his former head coach.

Speaking with the media, Washington quarterback Carson Wentz realizes there are reasons the NFL has the Commanders hosting the Jaguars in the season opener.

Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson was the Eagles head coach from the 2016-2020 seasons. Pederson and the Eagles drafted Wentz in Pederson’s first draft with the Eagles in 2016, trading up to get Wentz with the second pick overall. Pederson and Wentz came together (2016), and they were both sent packing following the 2020 season.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WxBFpdue58A

“He meant a lot with the kind of whirlwind that year. I was the starter eight days before the season, all those things. He meant a lot. I thought he was a great coach, great guy, fun to be around, meant a lot over the years. Went through a lot of good and some of the bad, obviously all together, but it means a lot to me.”

However, Wentz is facing Pederson Sunday, so no question Ron Rivera and Jack Del Rio have inquired into Pederson’s philosophy and methods of directing his offense. “Yeah, obviously it’s an offense I know a lot about, and I’ve been around and been involved with. So, there’s some of that, there’s always some of that everywhere you go, but I think this week will be fun to compete against him, to see him.”

“Great coach. A lot of respect for him over the years and so it’ll be interesting to see what they do, obviously it’s different with a different defensive coordinator. It’s some different pieces over there, but I know he’ll have his guys ready. I always felt ready when I played for him.”

Wentz is not only in his third city in three seasons, but he is also the first to start for the Commanders as they launch their new brand Sunday.
“I think we talk about football, football, football, football, so you can lose sight of some of those things. But at the same time, I think it’s cool to be involved in something new, and that’s what we look forward to. (We are) going out there with a new sense of a mission, so to speak and a new purpose, to some extent, but I think guys are excited for it.”

Last season ended with huge disappointment as Wentz and the Colts lost the season finale to the 2-14 Jaguars in Jacksonville 26-11, eliminating the Colts from the playoffs. What does Wentz think of facing the Jaguars in his first game this season?

“I think it obviously makes for a fun story and all that. But for me, it’s week one. It’s another football game.  Last year was last year. It was a different team. I was with a different team. They were coached by a different coach. A lot of new things.”

On his third team in three years, he is obviously also with a new receivers group. “I’ve been very encouraged by the guys this year. A lot of young guys, but a lot of eagerness to get better, to learn, to keep growing together and so it’s been fun to get out there on the practice field, and I look forward to that continuing to carry over into the game.”

But make no mistake, Wentz knows all NFL quarterbacks need the big fellas up front to produce.

“I think almost everywhere I’ve been the offense has to do with the offensive line. You know, I have so much confidence in these guys and their ability to protect, to open up holes in the run game and I’m grateful for them. I’m looking forward to playing behind those guys. 

 

Commanders quarterback Carson Wentz has turned the page

Carson Wentz has turned the page and is ready to move forward.

“From everybody hopping on the Wentz wagon not too long ago, to his third team now, in three years.”

That was how ESPN’s Hannah Storm introduced a feature on Carson Wentz Friday with Sal Paolantonio. Storm concluded her introduction by referring to Wentz’s career as “peripatetic.”

Paolantonio: What happened in Jacksonville? Is that something where you just discard it, bury it, make it go away?

Wentz: We just didn’t get it done. I feel like personally, I put it all out there. As a team, we put it all out there last year, but timing wasn’t ideal for that loss, that performance. But you learn from it and say, ‘I’m still confident in who I am. That’s not going to define me. That’s not going to define the season, define anything.’ We had a good season, a good team, had a lot of fun. Just didn’t get it done when it mattered.”

Paolantonio reminded viewers that Colts owner Jim Irsay called the trade for Wentz “a mistake,” saying of Wentz, “Your guy’s gotta pick you up and carry you through Jacksonville. He has to do it; not an option. Has to, no excuses, no explanations.”

Wentz: I’m not going to get into a word battle. I’m not going to let any of that stress me out. Turn the page. I felt like I gave everything I had to be the best I could be in Indy. For me, it’s ‘try not to dwell on it. How can I get better tomorrow?’ How can I be better as a person, as a teammate, as a friend, as a husband, a father? Learn from things that happened, good and bad in my past.”

Wentz expressed that when he first walked into the Ashburn building, head coach Ron Rivera said, “Just know you are wanted here.” Wentz conveyed, “In this business, we all have to have our own sense of self-confidence and self-esteem. But it is nice to hear.”

The new Washington quarterback spoke of having respected Rivera from afar and now sees his Commanders teammates respect who Rivera is and how he carries himself.

The former Eagle and Colt said when he first was with the team in the locker room it struck him that he is now one of the old guys on the team. He also admitted, “it’s been a whirlwind the last couple of years. There’s no lying about that.”

No. 11 however then added but in the last 2 1/2 years, their two daughters have been born, providing him perspective. “I am husband and dad, and THEN I play football. When I come home my (oldest) daughter runs to give me a hug; whether I threw five touchdowns or five picks, it doesn’t matter.”

Be careful Commanders fans; Carson was not saying it doesn’t matter if the throws five touchdowns or five interceptions. He was saying he sees it doesn’t matter to his daughter(s) and wife. And that gives him a better perspective on who he first is in this life.

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?