Tag: Carson Wentz trade

Strong irony surrounding Commanders quarterback Taylor Heinicke

Taylor Heinicke is poised to become Washington’s quarterback for the remainder of the season. There’s something ironic about that.

Oh the irony.

Washington stood 1-4 and winning 12-7 in Chicago, starting quarterback Carson Wentz broke a finger on his passing hand. Enter Taylor Heinicke who has led the Commanders to three wins in their last four games, evening their record at 5-5.

Coach Ron Rivera has yet to make a public statement on whom his starter will be when Wentz can compete for the job. Initially, the consensus opinion was when Wentz returned he would play. And why not? Washington had spent a third-round choice and one that could become a second-round choice. They needed to justify their trading two choices for Wentz.

Yet, here we are, and Heinicke has done enough (yes, he has had his struggles) that the Commanders are 5-5, fighting for the final playoff spot.

The irony?

Taylor Heinicke had played well in the 2020 playoff loss to Tampa Bay. Following the game, Washington did sign Heinicke to backup money, and it was a significant raise for him.

But make no mistake, following that playoff effort, Rivera has expended great effort to replace Heinicke. In the 2021 offseason, the front office went out and signed veteran Ryan Fitzpatrick to be the starter.

But Fitz went down in the first half of his first game in Burgundy and Gold. Heinicke ended up taking over the starting role for the 2021 season. He had some great moments, but he also struggled mightily at times.

So, what did the Washington brass do following the regular season? They made it absolutely clear they were looking elsewhere turning over every rock to replace Heinicke as the No 1 quarterback for the Commanders.

So, here we are, the Commanders are 5-5, and if Heinicke has a decent game this week, and is healthy, the general consensus across the DMV and NFL media is that Rivera will turn not away from Heinicke but to him, spurning Wentz for whom he traded those two day-two draft choices.

Taylor Heinicke has been released by the Vikings, Patriots, Texans, Panthers and even the St Louis Battlehawks of the XFL would not name him the starter.

Life is so ironic sometimes, isn’t it? Sometimes it takes drought to better appreciate rain and rejection to appreciate acceptance.

Just ask Taylor Heinicke.

Carson Wentz will return to Philadelphia in Week 10 on Monday Night Football

2022 NFL Schedule: Now a quarterback of the Washington Commanders, former Eagles No. 2 overall pick Carson Wentz will return to Philadelphia in Week 10 on Monday Night Football

The Eagles knew they’d face Carson Wentz during the 2022 NFL season, but the prior expectation was that he’d be the quarterback of the Indianapolis Colts.

After being traded to the Washington Commanders, the former No. 2 overall pick of the 2016 NFL draft will now face his former team twice this upcoming season and he’ll make his return to Philadelphia in Week 10 on Monday Night Football.

 

Daron Payne not in Washington’s future plans?

It’s been a frustrating offseason for Washington fans.

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It wouldn’t be Washington football if it didn’t involve uncertainty.

Don’t call me a hater.

Seriously, I have followed this team much closer than most fans since the 1969 season. I fell in love as a kid when the Redskins had Sonny Jurgensen throwing tight spirals to Charley Taylor and Jerry Smith while a young Larry Brown was becoming one of the fiercest runners to ever put on a helmet.

I watched all five Super Bowls in team history and cried as a 9-year-old when they lost Super Bowl VII. So don’t call me a hater.

But today’s latest development again left me frustrated. The front office/head coach Ron Rivera and his front office assistants will not extend defensive tackle Daron Payne.

This AFTER they let Tim Settle go to sign with Buffalo for a mere $9 million over two years and then released Matt Ioannidis. Wait, what?

Following the team for 50+ years, I certainly understand it is a business. Ok, so why release this information today? Why let each of your competitors know you now “have” to trade him? I wrote about this prior to the trade for Carson Wentz, regarding their desperation to obtain a quarterback.

Ok, they were determined to re-sign Jonathan Allen, and I approved of the move. So, why haven’t they been trying to trade Daron Payne earlier in this 2022 offseason, when many other teams were making trades?

If they had traded Payne earlier, could they have not kept both Ioannidis and Settle? They certainly could have.

Has there been much of a plan this offseason? Is it just me, or does it seem there are reactions rather than direction and vision? They cannot let Payne get to the 2022 season. Good grief, Kirk Cousins, Brandon Scherff AND Daron Payne? Is there a plan?

Perhaps they will trade him during this week’s NFL draft? What will they get for him? If they lose Payne, Ioannidis and Settle in a two-month span, their strongest roster spot (DT) will have been virtually annihilated.

Forgive me, but sometimes I feel as soon as Washington strengthens one weakness (QB), it manages to create two more weaknesses, which is what they have done this offseason: strengthen QB, weaken their draft possibilities and gut their defensive tackle depth.

 

Commanders NEED to trade down in 2022 NFL draft

The Commanders should move down at every opportunity to add multiple picks in this year’s draft. Of course, you need a trade partner.

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The Washington Commanders really need to trade down in the upcoming 2022 NFL draft.

When Washington wanted Carson Wentz so badly, was it necessary to relinquish a 2022 third-round draft pick, a 2023 third-round pick that is conditional and is most likely to become second-round pick? Was it also necessary, that the Commanders allowed Colts GM Chris Ballard to talk them into swapping down from the No. 42 overall selection Friday to the No. 47 selection? Even more, did Ballard also get his way, when Washington agreed to take on Wentz’s entire salary for the next three seasons?

Colts owner Jim Irsay had already laid down the gavel to Ballard and head coach Frank Reich that Irsay did not want Wentz back for 2022. Thus Ballard “HAD” to trade Wentz.

This means Washington does not presently own an opportunity to select a player in either the third or fifth rounds of this year’s draft. You recall in the 2021 NFL draft Washington sent this year’s fifth-round pick to the Eagles for a sixth-round pick (225) and a seventh-round pick (240). With those two picks, Washington selected Cameron Cheeseman and William-Bradley King.

In addition, Washington’s strongest position last year was defensive tackle. The team exhibited strength and depth with Jonathan Allen, Daron Payne, Matt Ioannidis and Tim Settle. However, they failed to sign Tim Settle, and he signed a two-year deal for only $9 million with Buffalo. Washington then released Ioannidis “after” losing Settle.

Was Washington actually negotiating with Settle, attempting to keep him? He signed quickly for a price Washington could have easily matched or bettered, had they released Ioannidis just days earlier.

Without a third-round and fifth-round pick, Washington still has two options. They have the No. 11 and No. 47 overall selections.  They desperately need to add a strong inside defensive tackle in this draft. They might also like to draft a quarterback as well to see how he develops in the next few seasons.

Consequently, Washington could trade down from No. 11 overall, still remain in the first round, and easily pick up an extra draft pick or two. They could also trade down from No. 47 adding a draft pick as well.

Yes, Washington landed an upgrade at quarterback in Wentz. And yes, they also still have the opportunity in front of them in this week’s draft to trade down and meet other roster needs that should be addressed.

Two things will need to be present: a team wanting badly enough to trade up and Washington wanting badly enough to trade down to obtain a few more draft picks.

 

Remember when Washington traded 2 3rd-round choices in 2001?

Remember when Washington traded multiple picks for Marty Schottenheimer?

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This 2022 offseason the Washington Commanders have traded two third-round draft choices (one most likely to become a second-round choice) to the Indianapolis Colts for quarterback Carson Wentz.

Another time Washington traded for a big name, also giving up two third-round choices was in 2001. That was so long ago, I was still in my late 20’s.

To launch the new year (2001), owner Daniel Snyder had a big announcement for January 3. Sure enough, Washington had traded two third-round choices to the Kansas City Chiefs. Whom did Washington get in return? 57-year-old new head coach, Marty Schottenheimer.

After leading the Cleveland Browns to consecutive AFC Championship game losses in the 1986 and ’87 seasons, Schottenheimer coached the Chiefs (1989-1998), leading the Chiefs to the AFC Playoffs 7 times and the AFC Championship Game once (1993). His last season as head coach of the Chiefs was 1998 when he resigned after going 7-9 (his only losing season in KC).

The next two NFL seasons found Schottenheimer at ESPN providing NFL commentary. When Washington owner Daniel Snyder came calling, to hire his new head coach, Kansas City was owed compensation, so Washington sent its 2001 and 2002 third-round picks to the Chiefs.

The Chiefs selected Marvin “Snoop” Minnis (77 overall) in 2001 and traded the pick which became Lamar Gordon (84 overall) in 2002 to the Cardinals. Minnis a receiver out of Florida State only experienced the NFL for two seasons, catching 34 passes and one touchdown. Gordon bounced around playing on four teams in five NFL seasons, starting only 15 games while rushing for three touchdowns.

Schottenheimer came in running a tight ship, a grueling training camp and several veterans were not pleased, Jeff George seemed to provide no team leadership, the team started 0-5 and Marty abruptly cut George.

Washington rebounded winning 8 of their final 11 games, finishing 8-8. What had started as a disaster ended well. Or did it? Snyder then determined he needed to hire a GM to handle personnel and limit Marty to coaching the football team. Marty and Snyder did not agree on this, and Marty was fired after only one season in Washington.

 

 

Carson Wentz learning in football and in life

Carson Wentz continues to say all the right things about how his time in Indianapolis ended and his future in Washington.

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The “Washington Football Podcast” with J.P. Finlay enjoyed a conversation with Carson Wentz Tuesday.

Wentz said he was initially shocked, wondering what was going on when first hearing he was traded to Washington after only one season with the Colts.

He said shortly afterward, he heard from Commanders coach Ron Rivera and described Rivera as “fired up, excited” saying several times, “you are wanted here.” The former Eagle and Colt QB said it was freeing to know you are valued and wanted.

Finlay asked what he had learned being in three places in three seasons. Wentz replied, “The world is crazy, the NFL is a crazy league there are things outside of your control, and for me as a man of faith there is a lot of surrendering to God’s plan.”

He also talked of learning NFL careers are short, and you have to be constantly looking for ways to improve your craft, to look for ways to be the best that you absolutely can, looking for ways to put your best foot forward.

Wentz volunteered he is not a perfect husband, a perfect father, a perfect player, that he knows he needs to always be looking for ways to get better, be better. He talked of ups and downs, good and bad, times of wrestling caused him to grow in his faith. That he knows in tough times there is victory in the end, and God is still writing his story, there is a purpose and God’s plan in the midst of life’s failings and struggles.

Carson talked of how the Colts were rolling at one point last season, but he did not play well those last two games and he puts a lot of that on himself, realizing he needs to be better in those key late moments.

He talked of being willing to do all he can to come through for this team and his new teammates, but knows he will not always deliver. Yet believes what he can promise is he will always put his best foot forward intentionally seeking to play his best and be the leader this team needs.

I also volunteered that his wife is a champ and works hard at being a good mom to his two little girls.

Finlay, in summary, stated he is willing to give Wentz a clean slate in his coming to Washington and hopes he plays well for the Commanders.

 

Commanders get Wentz some help in latest mock draft

This would be a home-run pick for the Commanders.

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CBS Sports Network Ryan Wilson has produced his second 2022 NFL mock draft, this one being significant because it comes after one week of the NFL free agency signing period.

Wilson did not however change his view regarding the Washington Commanders. You see, he generated his first mock draft after the Carson Wentz trade. Consequently, he did not see last week’s free agency signings by Washington worthy of a changing whom he feels Washington will attempt to draft in the first two rounds in April.

Wilson is sticking with the Commanders drafting in the No. 11 position and also sticking with them choosing Ohio State wide receiver Garrett Wilson. Wilson ranks Garrett Wilson as the No. 8 overall player on his draft board and as the top overall wide receiver in the draft. Measuring 6-foot, 183 pounds, if the Commanders were to select Wilson, it would mean their top three receivers were all of similar height. Terry McLaurin is listed as 6-foot and Curtis Samuel at 5-foot-11.

Trading down five spots in round 2 as Washington swapped the selection with the Colts in the Carson Wentz trade, Wilson again has the Commanders taking Penn State safety Jaquan Brisker.

Personally, I wouldn’t rule out Washington drafting a cornerback in one of the first two rounds. Benjamin St-Juste drafted in 2021 from the University of Minnesota suffered from head injuries last season. Consequently, the Commanders may need to plan to obtain another cornerback in this draft.

As for other notable selections in Wilson’s second mock draft, Michigan’s edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson goes first overall to the Jacksonville Jaguars. Malik Willis (Liberty U) is the first quarterback off of the board at No. 9 to Seattle.

Other quarterbacks taken in Wilson’s two-round mock draft were Matt Corral (Ole Miss) at No. 18 to New Orleans, Sam Howell (UNC) to Detroit at No. 32, and Kenny Picket (Pitt) dropping to No. 42 to Indianapolis.

Twitter reacts to Washington trading for QB Carson Wentz

The Washington Commanders traded for Indianapolis Colts QB Carson Wentz. Here are some of the best reactions from social media.

Carson Wentz is on the move again.

The pride of North Dakota State is headed to the NFC East as the Indianapolis Colts traded the former 2016 first-round quarterback to the Washington Commanders. A day after the blockbuster trade that sent Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson to the Denver Broncos, and also Aaron Rodgers’ contract extension, Washington is adding a new signal caller.

For the Colts, their quest for a franchise quarterback since Andrew Luck’s retirement continues. For Washington, their odyssey since the days of Mark Rypien drags on.

Twitter was full of reactions and takes. Here are the best of them.

Fantasy football reaction: Washington acquires Carson Wentz from Colts

The good and the bad of Washington acquiring Carson Wentz.

The Washington Commanders attempted to pry Russell Wilson away from the Seattle Seahawks last week but had to settle on acquiring Indianapolis Colts quarterback Carson Wentz in a deal that is believed to include a pair of third-round picks. One of the selections can become a second-round choice in 2023 through incentives.

Wentz will play for his third team in as many seasons and has lost virtually all of the luster he acquired from an impressive sophomore season way back in 2017. The 29-year-old quarterback returns to the NFC East to battle his former team, Philadelphia, twice in the upcoming campaign. He leaves what was close to an ideal situation in Indianapolis after flopping down the stretch when the team needed him most, ultimately costing the team a playoff berth.

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While Wentz certainly is capable of turning things around, it’s imprudent to expect this to happen. He fizzled out in Philly before heading to Indy in what was billed as a perfect reunion with head coach Frank Reich. It wasn’t all bad — Wentz threw 27 touchdowns to just seven interceptions — but many mistakes won’t appear in a stats sheet as a turnover and came at the worst time.

As for the Colts being a team in search of a new quarterback, we’ll dive into that one as more is known. They’ve already been linked to Jimmy Garoppolo. The free-agent crop is uninspiring, and this is a weak class of incoming rookies. Reich and Co. may quickly find the grass wasn’t any greener on the other side.

Fantasy football takeaway

One has to question, if the couldn’t get the job done under Reich, who is to say Washington will be any better?

Personnel will be key here as he takes a drastic step in the wrong direction when it comes to the weapons at his disposal. Everything in a one-to-one comparison with the Colts is a step backward for Wentz. In fairness, Washington has cap space to burn and can address the offensive side of the ball in free agency as well as the upcoming NFL Draft.

Pros

  • A veteran coaching staff that has its act together is a sound foundation with which to begin
  • Familiarity with the division
  • Washington has the eighth-most cap space, which can be used to lure veteran receivers

Cons

  • Wentz doesn’t necessarily have a legitimate WR1 in Terry McLaurin — the jury is still out on whether he can take his game to the next level and become more than an inconsistent deep threat
  • Major regression along the offensive line vs. what he had protecting him with the Colts
  • Offensive system that doesn’t emphasize passing volume — Indy generated the fifth-lowest run-to-pass ratio last year. Washington was ninth from the bottom.
  • While Antonio Gibson is no slouch, he’s also a far cry from being Jonathan Taylor
  • Inconsistent, durability concerns, lack of playmakers around him
  • Dedication to the ground game (9th-highest rushing ratio in 2021) helps alleviate some pressure

Rock-solid defense can lead to short fields — great in real-life football but not necessarily a plus in fantasy. It also isn’t an automatic negative, either, as we’ve seen with his extreme efficiency when Wentz is at his best. In 2017, for example, the 33 touchdown strikes and 25.1 fantasy points per game (both career bests) came on only 440 passing attempts. Typically speaking, low-volume passers are backed into a corner and must be highly effective each and every throw to truly make a splash in fantasy lineups on a weekly basis.

Between personnel concerns, an extensive injury history, and a lack of being consistently relevant in fantasy football four years running, there’s no clear path to Wentz regaining his 2017 form without something short of a miracle transpiring.

He can safely be avoided in all conventional league formats. At best, Wentz is a deep-league backup with the occasional matchup utility, but it’s tough to imagine there not being better QB2 choices available with proper drafting.

Eagles fans, media react to the Colts trading QB Carson Wentz to Washington

The #Philadelphia #Eagles will face Carson #Wentz twice a season after the #Colts traded the QB back to the #NFCEast and #Washington #Commanders, the #Twitter reactions were about what you’d expect

The 2022 NFL season will certainly be one of the most entertaining things to watch and the NFC East should be the star of the show.

You’ll have Eagles vs. Cowboys, Eagles vs. Giants and now, the Eagles vs. Commanders’ matchup that takes on huge meaning after Carson Wentz was traded to Washington by the Colts.

Wentz was traded again, and before the Eagles could capitalize on the first-round pick acquired by Philadelphia in the trade with the Colts.

Fans, media and players reacted alike and the responses were wild.