Tag: Dwayne Haskins

Commanders’ Rivera: ‘We’re going to stick with Sam’

Sam Howell will be the first QB to start every game under Rivera.

Washington Commanders head coach Ron Rivera announced Wednesday that Sam Howell will be the starter Sunday against the Cowboys at FedEx Field.

The first question directed at Rivera was regarding who would start Sunday, and Rivera’s succinct reply was, “Yes, we are going to stick with Sam.”

When asked if it was due to his play last Sunday or Jacoby Brissett’s hamstring injury, Rivera responded, “Well, I think it’s a little bit of both. But I thought what Sam did, he did the things that we were hoping he would be able to do. He did some really good things. I thought he managed a couple of the drives very well, very nicely. I want to see him get an opportunity to finish it out.”

Rivera expressed that he thought early on Howell had been able to connect with Terry (McLaurin) and that was something he wanted to see, and that this Sunday gives them a chance again to do some more of that.

Rivera pointed out that Howell took his benching well during last week’s game preparation. “He handled it no differently than I thought he would. He’s a very solid young man, a very mentally tough guy, and I thought he handled it nicely”, expressed Rivera.

With this decision, it means it could most likely become the first season of Rivera’s four seasons where he was able to start the same quarterback all season that he desired to start in preseason.

Last season (2022), Carson Wentz was the starter for whom Rivera had traded in the offseason. Wentz started seven games last year, struggled at times and also suffered a broken finger on his passing hand against the Bears. Taylor Heinicke started nine games, with Howell starting the season finale against Dallas.

In 2021, Rivera made the decision to sign free-agent Ryan Fitzpatrick to be Washington’s starter. However, in the opening half of the opening game, Fitzpatrick badly injured a hip and was lost for the season. Heinicke then started the other 15 games.

In Rivera’s first season in Washington, he started Dwayne Haskins in the first six games, Kyle Allen received four starts, and Alex Smith made the other six starts. Heinicke then was the starter for the playoff game.

When they last met: Commanders and Jets

These teams last met in 2019 and it was ugly.

“When they last met” is an ongoing series during the NFL season, recalling the preceding game between Washington and the next opponent on the Commanders’ schedule.

NY Jets 34, Washington 17 – Week 11, November 17, 2019

Sam Darnold passed for four touchdown passes as the Jets easily defeated the Redskins 34-17 at FedEx Field.

This was one of the more embarrassing games of 2019 as the Jets actually led at one point 34-3 before two late Washington touchdowns made the final score closer than the actual game.

The game was so lopsided that the Jets actually outgained Washington 400-225 in total offensive yards. Darnold completed 19 of his 30 passing attempts for 293 yards, four touchdown passes and one interception. His day computed to a passer’s rating of 121.2.

On the other hand, Dwayne Haskins also completed 19 passes in his 35 passing attempts for 214 yards, two late touchdowns and one interception for a 79.9 passer rating.

The Jets rushing attack was led by Le’Veon Bell as he gained 59 yards in 18 carries and Bilal Powell rushed for 42 yards on 7 carries. The Washington running game was very anemic all day as Adrian Peterson could only generate 25 yards in his 9 carries, and likewise, Derrius Guice only accumulated 24 yards in his 7 carries.

Trailing 34-3 in the final quarter, Haskins connected with Guice on a 45-yard touchdown pass. Then, with only 1:11 remaining, Haskins found tight end Jeremy Sprinkle for a one-yard touchdown to conclude the scoring.

Questions at quarterback? First-time Ohio State starters in recent years have been outstanding.

It’s been quite amazing really with the level of production first-year quarterbacks have had at Ohio State recently. #GoBucks

There’s a big question mark for Ohio State entering the 2023 season, and it has everything to do with who will take the place of outgoing, two-time Heisman finalist, CJ Stroud.

So far, there’s not been an answer to that because, according to head coach Ryan Day and the coaching staff, both Kyle McCord and Devin Brown have been worthy of time under center, with neither separating himself. Now just a week away from the first game of 2023, it’s looking like both will get playing time and that this thing is going to go into the season.

At some point though, you have to think either Brown or McCord is going to be named the starter. Either way, it’s a year in which Ohio State is ushering in a new player at the most important position on the field.

A lot of the national media has tempered expectations for the Buckeyes because of the unknowns at quarterback, even though OSU is still inside the top five in most preseason polls and opinion rankings.

But hold the phone. Is a new quarterback really a problem at Ohio State, especially under Ryan Day? Believe it or not — and most Buckeye fans know this — first-year quarterbacks at Ohio State have not only been solid, but surprisingly out of this world.

We thought we’d take a look at some of first-year starers over the most recent of years, because it’s really been quite amazing the level of production those guys have had.

Colin Cowherd insensitively named the late Dwayne Haskins a QB who can’t win Super Bowl in 2023

This was so classless and offensive.

Just as Colin Cowherd whiffed on the fact that MLB teams can’t trade draft picks, the host completely struck out — and this time, it was worse.

During a recent episode of Cowherd’s radio show on FOX Sports 1, the host rattled off a segment about current NFL quarterbacks who can’t win Super Bowl 58 this February. At face value, it’s pretty standard fare for August, trying to fill the gaps between the dog days of summer and the NFL season.

There was just one major problem: Cowherd listed the late Dwayne Haskins, who died in April 2022 after a car tragically hit him. Even worse, at no point did Cowherd correct this error. He did, however, correct the list’s “can win a Super Bowl” typo. Because that’s apparently what was most important.

Otherwise, it was business as usual.

The Haskins error is by far the most egregious, but it’s not the only one on the list. For example, why does it feature guys like Blake Bortles, Johnny Manziel, E.J. Manuel, Paxton Lynch, and Josh Rosen? None of those quarterbacks are still in the NFL. Some of them haven’t taken a snap in years. By the very definition, they can’t win the Super Bowl, and they’re not even worth discussing in this context in 2023.

It’s almost as if both the graphic and Cowherd’s entire segment were recycled, save for some new additions because he had nothing else interesting to talk about this time of year.

And that might be the most charitable interpretation.

Top five Ohio State quarterbacks of the last 10 years

Agree or disagree? What would your top five be?

We are starting a new series here at Buckeyes Wire. We are ranking the top Ohio State players at each position over the past 10 years. This includes the 2013 season, but no one who ended their Ohio State career earlier than that.

Up first: quarterbacks. It was a difficult ranking to make because the Buckeyes have been blessed with many star quarterbacks in recent memory. In fact, the top five quarterbacks on this list were in the top five in Heisman voting at least once in their career at Ohio State.

A case for any of these quarterbacks to be higher on the list can be made because everybody has different criteria. My criteria was to take into account what they accomplished with the team but focus primarily on the skills they brought to the table.

Now, let’s get to the list.

Minus ownership intrusion, Commanders’ Mayhew looks to freely draft

Mayhew and Ron Rivera are completely free to pick whoever they choose without owner interference in this week’s NFL draft.

The stories of the intrusions of Washington owner Daniel Snyder into the draft process for the NFL team are legendary…. and painful.

Last week, Commanders Wire reminded readers of the 2008 NFL draft via Vinny Cerrato’s appearance on the Grant & Danny Show. Snyder insisted Malcolm Kelly be a second-round choice instead of Cerrato’s spoken preference for Texas running back Jamaal Charles. Charles had a great career, Kelly caught zero touchdown passes, never recovering from a college injury to his knee.

The 2019 NFL draft is another painful memory for Washington fans of Mr. Snyder’s insistence on getting his way in the draft, though hired professionals that knew much better. Snyder declared to the personnel department the first-round choice (15th overall) would be Ohio State quarterback Dwayne Haskins.

There have been reports that Kyle Smith who invested the most time of the department in scouting college prospects for the draft waited and waited and when no one else who outranked him would stand up to Snyder, Smith made his frustration known…and with much volume.

To make matters worse, Snyder or Bruce Allen worked a trade where Washington traded back up into the first round to draft Montez Sweat at No. 26. Sweat has produced, Haskins did not, and the trade for Sweat cost Washington dearly as the leadership agreed to give the Colts two second-round choices in return for that No. 26 selection in 2019.

Washington sent to Indianapolis the No. 46 selection in that 2019 draft. Compounding matters, Haskins was not ready to be an NFL quarterback, Washington only went 3-13 in 2019, and thus the Colts ended up getting Washington’s 2020 second-round pick which was the second pick in the round!

Washington could have simply selected Sweat at No. 15 or someone else they wanted, and they would have retained these two second-round choices. However, fans are only left to wonder how much of an impact those two second-round choices might have made in the last couple of seasons.

Mr. Snyder did not intrude into the draft last year (2022), and Martin Mayhew engineered trades back in the draft which brought Jahan Dotson, Brian Robinson Jr. and Sam Howell.

Mayhew has already mentioned he likes the possibility of trading back in NFL drafts. If only Washington had done this more often during Mr. Snyder’s years.

Jacoby Brissett and Commanders’ Ron Rivera hope the sixth time is the charm

Six is the number for Ron Rivera and Jacoby Brissett.

Jacoby Brissett becomes number six for Ron Rivera.

Most recently with the Cleveland Browns, Brissett becomes the sixth veteran quarterback that Ron Rivera’s Commanders have obtained since his arrival in January 2020.

Brissett is certainly no stranger to change and the need to be flexible and adapt. The 30-year-old from West Palm Beach, Florida, has made NFL stops with the Patriots, Colts, Dolphins, Browns and now the Commanders.

Even more, Brissett was under center for the University of Florida in 2011 and 2012 before transferring to North Carolina State from 2013-15. He was a third-round choice of the Patriots (No. 91 overall) in the 2016 NFL draft.

Rivera has had plenty of adapting to do himself since coming to Washington. The quarterback position has been a rotating door for him for much of his three seasons.

Upon arrival, Rivera inherited Dwayne Haskins and Alex Smith. The first trade he made as head coach was for Kyle Allen. In December, he obtained Taylor Heinicke to be the quarantine quarterback.

The third and fourth quarterbacks Rivera obtained were Ryan Fitzpatrick and Garrett Gilbert for the 2021 season; however, each played in only one game.

A year ago, Carson Wentz became the fifth veteran quarterback Rivera brought to Washington. After his trade from Indianapolis, Wentz started seven games, but the team only won two of those. He was released after the season.

In summary, the pairing of Rivera and Brissett is of a coach and a quarterback for whom change has been the only constant. Both must be hoping for some stability — and soon.

Report: Another top quarterback will visit Ohio State during the spring

No surprise to see another top quarterback considering the Buckeyes #GoBucks

If there is one thing the current [autotag]Ohio State[/autotag] football team can bank on right now, it’s high-level quarterback play. Head coach [autotag]Ryan Day[/autotag] is well on his way to earning a quarterback whisperer moniker.

Under his tutelage, [autotag]Dwayne Haskins[/autotag], [autotag]Justin Fields[/autotag], and soon-to-be [autotag]C.J. Stroud,[/autotag] will all have been selected as first-round picks in the [autotag]NFL Draft[/autotag]. Although there is a question mark about this year’s signal caller, the future of the position is still bright.

It all comes back to recruiting and according to a report from 247Sports Bill Kurelic, Michigan 2025 quarterback [autotag]Bryce Underwood[/autotag] will be returning to Columbus on March 25th (subscription required).

What’s amazing about Underwood is that he has played two years of high school football and has two state titles under his belt.

Currently the number one rated quarterback in his class and 3rd overall according to the 247Sports composite, there is a lot of competition for his signature. Underwood has offers from almost every major school in the country.

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Add Carson Wentz to long Washington QB list

What a brutal quarterback stretch for Washington.

Carson Wentz unfortunately joined the long list of Washington quarterbacks who experienced much disappointment.

In 1994, though he was drafted third overall in the draft, because Norv Turner wanted him, Heath Shuler was simply in over his head. He was a huge disappointment.

Jeff George was the mega-hyped free-agent signing by Daniel Snyder in 2000. But George disappointed, not improving the offense and was actually released early in his second season by Marty Schottenheimer.

Patrick Ramsey was a first round choice (32nd) in 2002 out of Tulane. In four seasons, Ramsey passed for 34 touchdowns and 29 interceptions.

Mark Brunell came in 2004, immediately revealing he was a shell of what he had been — a dynamic, mobile quarterback earlier in his career. Brunell did have some fine games in 2005 but was having difficulty staying healthy.

Jason Campbell was the 25th overall selection in the 2005 draft (Aaron Rodgers was taken 24th). Campbell often could move the team up and down the field until he reached the red zone, where he encountered problems.

Donovan McNabb came in a 2010 trade with the Eagles. If McNabb had been an efficient quarterback, why would Andy Reid have traded him to a divisional rival?

Rex Grossman loved to sling it as the 2011 starter, but the results were often not advantageous, so the owner traded 3 first-round choices and a second-round choice to select a Baylor rookie though he had won the Heisman Trophy, had not proven he could play in the pocket in college.

Robert Griffin III had a remarkably fun season in his rookie year, running the Shanahan zone-read offense. But following his bad knee injury, Griffin refused to run the offense that made him successful and never developed as a pocket passer in Washington or anywhere else.

Alex Smith was traded for in 2018 to help fans forget Kirk Cousins passing for over 4,000 yards in three consecutive seasons. But Smith struggled, seemed to check down an awful lot, and sadly experienced a gruesome injury against the Texans.

Case Keenum was traded for in 2019 to replace the horribly-injured Smith. Keenum led the team in passing with only 1,707 yards. The other quarterback seeing action was Dwayne Haskins because Mr. Snyder insisted he would be the 15th overall selection in the draft. It was a dismal 3-13 season and Haskins was cut during the 2020 season.

Ryan Fitzpatrick was signed to be the veteran who would manage games and bring a winner to Washington.  He injured his hip and never played after the first quarter of the opener.

Washington was the third team for Carson Wentz in three seasons. Wentz never looked comfortable. All season he was a model teammate but a struggling quarterback.

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Ohio State offers one of the best 2026 quarterbacks in the country

Is he next in line #GoBucks

It’s a pretty easy sell for [autotag]Ohio State[/autotag] and [autotag]Ryan Day[/autotag] when recruiting a quarterback. Just look at the recent history. When Day took over as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach under [autotag]Urban Meyer[/autotag], he inherited [autotag]Joe Thomas Barrett[/autotag], who would only go on to set multiple [autotag]Big Ten[/autotag] records.

His next three quarterbacks were ([autotag]Dwayne Haskins[/autotag] (R.I.P.), [autotag]Justin Fields[/autotag] and [autotag]C.J. Stroud[/autotag]). All were or will be first-round [autotag]NFL draft[/autotag] picks.

Day has an impressive résumé when it comes to the development of the most important player on the field.

The Buckeyes are in search of a 2024 and 2025 quarterback, but that isn’t stopping them from looking for one in the 2026 class either. They offered [autotag]Julian Lewis[/autotag] a scholarship.

The Georgian already has an impressive offer list that includes Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee, Texas and now Ohio State. The 6-foot, 1-inch, 175-pound quarterback is just a freshman, but obviously has shown he has what it takes to be a high-level player.

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Contact/Follow us @BuckeyesWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Ohio State news, notes, and opinion. Follow Michael Chen on Twitter.

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