Tag: chase roullier

The NFL’s top 12 centers

Touchdown Wire’s Mark Schofield continues our position lists with the best centers in the NFL today.

It starts with the snap.

In both my writing and my coaching, I try and impress upon those around me just how odd you have to be to play the quarterback position. You need to be a little…different. Convinced in your belief that you and you alone can be the only player tasked with making a decision with the football on a given play.

And yet, that is not exactly the truth.

After all, it starts with the snap.

Centers in the NFL today have a lot on their plate. They are tasked with helping to set protections and blocking schemes up front. They are tasked sometimes with identifying blitzes and making sure the offensive line is all on the same page. Then they have to make sure the quarterback gets the ball cleanly — otherwise people like me are going to point fingers when the ball hits the turf — all while the Aaron Donalds of the world are trying to drive them backwards.

It is not easy.

Here are the best centers in the game heading into the 2022 NFL season, along with the rest of our positional lists, leading up to the top 101 players in the NFL today.

The NFL’s top 13 safeties

The NFL’s top 12 slot defenders

The NFL’s top 12 outside cornerbacks

The NFL’s top 11 linebackers

The NFL’s top 11 edge defenders

The NFL’s top 12 interior defensive linemen

Commanders re-sign center Keith Ismael

The Commanders retained center Keith Ismael, who signed his exclusive-rights free agent tender.

Keith Ismael accepted and signed an exclusive rights tender with the Washington Commanders Tuesday, according to the league’s transaction wire.

The reserve center was drafted out of San Diego State in the 2020 NFL draft by Washington in the 5th round (156 overall).

You may recall that during the morning of Day 3 of the 2020 draft, Washington traded unhappy Trent Williams to San Francisco for a 2020 third-round pick (74 overall) which Washington used to draft cornerback Benjamin St-Juste. Also included in the deal was the fifth-round pick (156) which Washington used to select Ismael.

Ismael signed a 4-year $3.61 million dollar rookie deal and appeared in 8 games his rookie season, seeing only 34 special teams snaps and 4 offensive snaps.

However, the former Aztec was released on August 31, 2021, as the preseason was concluding, but brought back to the practice squad before the regular season began.

When Chase Roullier’s season ended against Denver in week 8 (Oct 31, 2021) Ismael was elevated to the roster, on Nov. 4, appeared in 10 games, starting 5 games at center.

The Commanders had offered Ismael the exclusive rights tender in mid-March. Ismael is thus agreeing to sign, report and again compete for a roster spot. He does offer some “position-flex” as Coach Ron likes to call it, in that he can play both center and guard.

Several Washington players stand out in ESPN’s win rates measuring success in the trenches

ESPN’s new metrics further prove Washington as having one of the best offensive lines in the NFL, despite all of the injuries.

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There are all sorts of ways to measure player efficiency in 2022. Football Outsiders and Pro Football Focus first come to mind when using different forms of data to evaluate individual and team performance.

ESPN Analytics created a new metric in 2021 using NFL’s Next Gen Stats to measure individual and team success in the trenches. ESPN’s new metric measures pass-rush win rate, stop-run win rate, pass-block win rate and run-block win rate.

Washington’s team was built to win in the trenches. Unfortunately, things didn’t go as planned in 2021, with defensive end Chase Young lost for the season in Week 10 and fellow defensive end Montez Sweat also missing several games.

The WFT also had numerous injuries along the offensive line, including playing the final weeks with their fourth-string center.

According to ESPN’s win rates, Washington held up well in the trenches despite the injuries.

Defensive tackle Jonathan Allen ranked No. 8 amongst defensive tackles in pass rush win rate. No Washington interior defensive lineman ranked inside the top 10 for run stop win rate. However, as a team, Washington ranked No. 13 in team run-block win rate.

Washington ranked No. 19 in team pass-rush win rate. That’s certainly a disappointment considering what Washington has invested in its front four. Even before the injuries, Young had issues getting to the passer consistently.

Washington’s offensive line had plenty of success. Left tackle Charles Leno was ranked No. 10 in pass-block win rate for offensive tackles — tied with Trent Williams. Left guard Ereck Flowers ranked No. 6 among guards. Center Chase Roullier would likely have been ranked if not for his season-ending injury in Week 8.

Washington was even more successful in run-block win rate. Right guard Brandon Scherff was No. 1 among all guards, while rookie right tackle Sam Cosmi was No. 3 among all offensive tackles.

As a team, Washington was No. 9 in pass-block win rate and No. 1 in run-block win rate. Now, you understand why the metrics favor Washington’s offensive line success.

Even if Washington loses Scherff in free agency, the WFT’s offensive line is set up for success in 2022 and beyond.

Washington lands QB, offensive line help in latest Draft Wire mock draft

Washington adds a quarterback and offensive line depth in new 3-round Draft Wire mock draft.

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One of the strengths of the 2021 Washington Football Team was the offensive line. Despite a string of injuries and an outbreak of COVID-19, Washington’s offensive line was among the best in the league. Only left tackle Charles Leno started every game.

As for quarterback, Washington has a nice duo in Taylor Heinicke and Kyle Allen, but neither are starting NFL quarterbacks. Both would qualify as an above-average to good backup passer.

Washington will swing for the fences to land its quarterback of the present and future this offseason.

While Washington will look to land a veteran first, it will likely strike out on the best available options. That means the WFT will probably find their next quarterback early in the 2022 NFL draft.

Draft Wire recently conducted a three-round mock draft and, unsurprisingly, slotted a quarterback to Washington at No. 11 overall in the first round. That quarterback is Matt Corral of Ole Miss.

Taylor Heinicke had his moments, but Washington needs a better long-term solution at quarterback with more upside. Corral dealt with some injuries, so his durability could be a question for NFL teams, but he’s got a dynamic skill set, and was able to find success against top competition in the SEC.

In the second round of the mock draft, Washington lands Minnesota offensive tackle Daniel Faalele. Washington goes back to the trenches in round three, picking All-ACC center Alec Lindstrom of Boston College.

I can see this scenario playing out. At tackle, Washington re-signed Charles Leno for three more years. At right tackle, Washington has Sam Cosmi, who will be in his second season in 2022. Veteran swing tackle Cornelius Lucas is a free agent. Faalele could immediately become Washington’s swing tackle.

Washington has Chase Roullier at center. Roullier is one of the more underrated centers in the NFL. He missed the second half of 2021 with a broken leg. He signed a four-year extension last January. Lindstrom could immediately provide high-quality depth on the interior of Washington’s offensive line.

As we saw in 2021, Washington had tons of injuries on the offensive line, so adding talent in the offensive trenches is likely a priority this offseason, especially considering the team expects to lose All-Pro guard Brandon Scherff in free agency.

 

Washington adds 3 more players to COVID list, including Kam Curl

Washington added three more players to the reserve/COVID-19 list, and how has 21 players on the list.

The Washington Football Team added three more players to the reserve/COVID-19 list Thursday. Safety Kam Curl and centers Keith Ismael and Tyler Larsen were the latest additions to the COVID list.

Washington now has 21 players on the reserve/COVID-19 list.

Washington is in a dire situation at center, with Larsen and Ismael on the COVID list. Larsen will likely head to injured reserve after injuring his Achilles in Sunday’s loss to Dallas but joins the COVID list for now.

Ismael was Washington’s fourth center, following Chase Roullier, Larsen and Wes Schweitzer. Roullier and Schweitzer are already on IR.

Curl is one of Washington’s top players. This season, the second-year safety has been outstanding and will be difficult to replace if he can’t play Sunday vs. Eagles.

There’s still no word on whether some players placed on the COVID list either last week or earlier this week will be available to play Sunday. As of now, Washington will have trouble fielding a competent roster in a massive NFC East game with playoff implications.

Washington brings back center Jon Toth to practice squad

Jon Toth was with Washington in training camp and is now back with Washington on the practice squad.

On Monday, the Washington Football Team brought back a somewhat familiar face when they signed center Jon Toth to the practice squad. Toth, who signed with Washington in August, but was released during final cuts, replaces Keith Ismael on the practice squad, who the WFT signed to the active roster.

These moves come on the heels of Washington losing starting center Chase Roullier for the season. Roullier injured his leg in a Week 8 loss to the Denver Broncos and was later ruled out for the season.

Veteran Tyler Larsen replaces Roullier in the starting lineup. The 30-year-old Larsen is in his eighth NFL season — and first with Washington. Ismael will be Larsen’s primary backup and provide depth at guard, too.

Toth entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent out of Kentucky in 2017. He has spent time on the rosters of the Eagles, Jets, Browns and Lions. He also had a stint in the XFL.

Washington was off in Week 9 and hosts the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 10.

Washington adds center Keith Ismael to active roster

Washington signed center/guard to the active roster on Thursday.

The Washington Football Team lost starting center Chase Roullier for the season earlier this week with a leg injury. Veteran Tyler Larsen will now replace Roullier as Washington’s starting center for the remainder of the season.

On Thursday, Washington added some familiar depth by promoting center/guard Keith Ismael from the practice squad. A fifth-round pick out of San Diego State, Ismael will now be Washington’s primary backup to Larsen.

Ismael was on the active roster for the last two games but was not eligible to be called up again without being signed to a normal player contract. At the end of Sunday’s loss to the Broncos, he played in three snaps when left guard Ereck Flowers went down with an injury.

After this week’s bye, Washington hosts Tampa Bay in Week 10. The team expects to get All-Pro right guard Brandon Scherff, right tackle Sam Cosmi and Flowers back for the game.

Ismael was a part of Washington’s final cuts before the season, but the team immediately signed him to the practice squad once he cleared waivers.

Washington officially places center Chase Roullier on injured reserve

Chase Roullier is officially out for the season. Tough news for Washington.

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The Washington Football Team placed center Chase Roullier on injured reserve Tuesday. The move was expected after Roullier was injured in Sunday’s loss to the Broncos and carted off the field with a leg injury.

When Roullier left the game, Washington initially said Roullier would not return due to an ankle injury. In head coach Ron Rivera’s Monday presser, he didn’t offer an update on Roullier or left guard Ereck Flowers, but Ben Standig of The Athletic confirmed on Monday the bad news.

Roullier was diagnosed with a fractured fibula.

This is difficult news for Washington as Roullier is Washington’s most reliable offensive lineman and had started all but two games since the beginning of the 2018 season.

Tyler Larsen is now Washington’s starting center for the remainder of the season. The 30-year-old Larsen spent five seasons with the Carolina Panthers before signing with Washington in March. He has appeared in 73 career games, making 18 starts.

To replace Roullier’s spot on the roster, Washington activated rookie safety Darrick Forrest.

How are Chase Roullier and Ereck Flowers after injuries in Washington’s Week 8 loss?

What are the latest updates on Ereck Flowers and Chase Roullier?

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No position group on Washington’s roster has been hit harder with injuries than the offensive line. All-Pro right guard Brandon Scherff has missed the last four games with a knee injury, while rookie right tackle Sam Cosmi has missed three games with an ankle injury.

In addition, Cosmi’s replacement, Cornelius Lucas, missed Sunday’s game with an illness.

Fortunately for Washington, dependable center Chase Roullier along with left tackle Charles Leno and left guard Ereck Flowers remained in the lineup for the WFT’s Week 8 game at Denver.

Sadly, it didn’t take long for the injury bug to hit Washington’s offensive line again as Roullier went down in the second quarter and was carted off the field with a leg injury. Roullier has played in 67 games, making 61 starts since being drafted in 2017. He is quietly one of the NFL’s better centers.

Now, it appears his season may be over.

Later in the game, Flowers went down with a leg injury. There was no prognosis on Flowers after the game.

In his Monday press conference, head coach Ron Rivera told the media he didn’t have an update at the time of his presser.

However, later in the day, Ben Standig of The Athletic reported that there appears to be good news surrounding Flowers. Unfortunately, the same can’t be said for Roullier.

Hopefully, for Roullier, there isn’t more damage. However, he is likely done for the season, dealing Washington another tough blow.

Flowers has been outstanding in his return to Washington in 2021. After a breakout season for the WFT in 2019 in his first season at guard, Flowers signed a three-year deal with the Dolphins. He played one season in Miami, before the Dolphins traded him back to Washington just before the 2021 NFL draft.

The bye week is coming at a perfect time for Washington. The hope is Flowers, Scherff, Cosmi and Lucas can all return for the Week 10 game against the Buccaneers. Washington also hopes to get back wide receiver Curtis Samuel and tight end Logan Thomas.

Injuries continue to pile up on Washington’s offensive line

Washington lost two more starters on the offensive line in Sunday’s loss to the Broncos.

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The Washington Football Team entered Sunday’s game against the Denver Broncos minus two starters and the top backup offensive tackle. All-Pro guard Brandon Scherff missed his fourth consecutive game, while rookie tackle Sam Cosmi missed his third straight game.

Veteran offensive tackle Cornelius Lucas didn’t make the trip to Denver due to an illness. Lucas had started the previous two games at right tackle and played well.

So, on Saturday, Washington elevated offensive tackle David Steinmetz and center/guard Keith Ismael from the practice squad.

In the second quarter of Sunday’s loss to the Broncos, Washington lost dependable center Chase Roullier for the game with what the team called an ankle injury. The cart came on the field for Roullier, which means his absence is likely an extended one.

This was brutal as Roullier is arguably Washington’s most important offensive lineman.

Late in the game, Washington suffered another blow when dependable left guard Ereck Flowers went down with a leg injury. It was toward the end of the game, so Flowers did not return. Head coach Ron Rivera didn’t offer an update on either Roullier or Flowers after the game.

The good news for Washington is this is finally the bye week. Hopefully, players like Scherff, Cosmi and Lucas will be back in two weeks, and the injury to Flowers isn’t serious. Roullier is likely done for 2021.

A tough day for Washington was made even worse with multiple injuries along the offensive line.