Tag: Ereck Flowers

Will the Commanders keep or release Andrew Norwell?

Could we see news involving Norwell soon?

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Wasn’t it strange recently how Commanders head coach Ron Rivera completely omitted a 2022 starter when asked about who will move forward on the 2023 offensive line?

Recently when Commanders head coach Ron Rivera was asked about his offensive line, Rivera openly mentioned how at left guard second-year guard out of Tulsa Chris Paul and fourth-year lineman out of LSU, Saahdiq Charles will battle it out for the starting job.

What was amazing to those paying attention was that Rivera completely overlooked starter Andrew Norwell, not including him in the mix, though he remains on the current roster.

It is no secret to any close follower of the Commanders that the 2022 season was one in which the offensive line’s play took a downward slide from a fine 2021 season. Norwell certainly at times had his struggles.

In the previous off season, Washington had lost starting guards Brandon Scherff and Ereck Flowers. Scherff chose to leave for more money in Jacksonville, and the Commanders determined to release Flowers.

The Commanders then chose to bring in free agents Norwell and Trai Turner. These two however did not perform up to the level of play of Scherff and Flowers and the Washington offense struggled at times.

The Commanders released center Chase Roullier designating it a post-June 1 release which will save the Commanders more cap space. For months, many have expected the release of Norwell. Perhaps the Commanders will release Norwell after June 1. The release of Roullier and Norwell would save the Commanders around $12 million.

Norwell also managed apparently to not give any time to the media last season. Perhaps he was not actually pleased with his play in 2022? There is no mistaking that Coach Ron certainly appears to have moved on in his own mind from Norwell.

Logan Paulsen: Commanders top priority should be O-Line

The Commanders’ top priority should be upgrading the offensive line in 2023.

Question: What is the first thing the Commanders need to do regarding their roster?

Answer: Upgrade their offensive line.

Logan Paulsen, former Washington tight end, and current analyst regarding the Washington Commanders, certainly believes that is the case.

Paulsen stated Tuesday as a guest on the Ben Standig podcast, “Standig Room Only,” he felt the first roster priority should be to upgrade the offensive line.

“They need to find an offensive tackle; probably move Sam Cosmi into right guard. Do you draft a center? Do you bring in a free-agent center? Do you feel good about Chris Paul being your left guard for the 2023 season?”

“I think he has a lot of growing to do, still,” said Paulsen, but he added he thinks he is capable.

It is no secret the offensive line saw major moves after 2021. Chase Roullier was rehabbing a broken leg, Brandon Scherff departed for Jacksonville via free agency and Ereck Flowers was released.

It is also no secret Roullier was seriously injured again in 2022, missing the final 15 games.  In addition, neither Scherff nor Flowers were replaced this past season. Paulsen brought up the fact that the Commanders brought in Trai Turner and Andrew Norwell, bigger players, so maybe they were planning early to run the ball more.

“They are big dudes, who can move people off of the ball,” expressed Paulsen. “But they are not great pass protectors anymore. They have perhaps lost that twitchy athleticism that makes for good pass protectors. Maybe that is an indication to me of where they wanted to go (run more).”

“I do think as much as people want to crush the offensive line, I do think the clash of philosophy, apparently between Scott (Turner) and Ron (Rivera), shows up in that personnel decision.”

These personnel decisions along the offensive line kind of fit the philosophy that you are going to run the ball first, second and third. So why was there this discrepancy, this wire crossing with Scott in how they came out the first two games against Jacksonville and Detroit passing the ball all over the place?”

“What about the Jahan Dotson pick? I am always of the impression you look to improve your skill positions. You look, the year before, with Curtis Samuel injured, they literally had Terry McLaurin and Cam Sims.”

“As much as I like Cam Sims and respect his game, he is not a number two receiver in the NFL. They needed to address that issue, so why not with a fine receiver like Jahan Dotson?”

But for this year, Paulsen seems to be all in on the Commanders addressing the offensive line in both free agency and the 2023 NFL Draft.

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Commanders re-sign Cornelius Lucas for 2 years

Cornelius Lucas is officially back, and he had a hilarious comment about his free agency.

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The Commanders found last year they really were thankful to have Cornelius Lucas at swing tackle when rookie right tackle Sam Cosmi was injured. Thursday, Washington re-signed Lucas to again be the man counted on to contribute heavily when needed at either tackle spot for Cosmi or Charles Leno.

The Washington offensive line was the team strength in 2021; however, losing Brandon Scherff to the Jaguars (free agent) and releasing left guard Ereck Flowers instantly raised questions and concerns in Commanders fans.

Quickly Washington signed free agent guard Andrew Norwell to replace Flowers. Wes Schweitzer for now is expected to be the starting right guard at the beginning of training camp.

“We won’t have those guys next year, so we’ve got to find replacements for them and that’s what every season boils down to,” Lucas said after signing a two-year contract. “I think we’re going to be ready. Coach (John) Matsko is going to have us ready to go. I’m not worried about it.”

Lucas, when asked said he had “heard from a few teams” and then added, “I picked up a good amount of traction, more than I have in the past. But everyone was faking and booty-shaking and Washington was the only one that came through.”

Lucas, who will be 31 in July, appeared in 15 games, starting 7 in 2021. Undrafted out of Kansas State in 2014, Lucas (6-8, 327) signed with the Lions, playing three seasons in Detroit (2014-16). Then came single seasons with the Rams, Saints and Bears (2017-19). Lucas now enters his third season with Washington (2020-22).

Realistically, the Chicago Bears have helped Washington greatly, with Washington reaping great benefits from the signings of tackles Leno and Lucas.

Loss of Evan Engram continues disturbing first-round Giants trend

Following the loss of Evan Engram, the New York Giants have now had 11 straight Round 1 picks fail to play on a second long-term contract.

As the league’s legal tampering period opened last week, New York Giants tight end Evan Engram was one of the more highly coveted free agents heading into the open tight end market.

Engram, of course, ended up signing with the Jacksonville Jaguars on a one-year deal, $9 million deal.

Engram’s departure puts the tight end in all too familiar territory for Giants first-round draft picks. Engram, like so many of the team’s recent Round 1 draft picks, will depart without getting a lucrative deal from Big Blue.

Though there are a few outliers, as Tom Rock notes, most players never even had the opportunity for a short-term contract after their rookie deal expired. Engram is the latest.

Aaron Ross, Hakeem Nicks, Kenny Phillips, Jason Pierre-Paul and Prince Amukamara all contributed to least one of the Giants’ recent Super Bowls. But, for the most part, their prime years were short-lived as the team moved on at the right time.

The sole exception is JPP, who is still playing at a high level but never got a lucrative long-term deal from the Giants before being traded.

David Wilson and Ereck Flowers were unlucky picks by the Giants as Wilson’s career ended early due to injury and Flowers was one of the biggest busts in franchise history. However, Flowers did go on to be a formidable option for other teams following his time with Big Blue.

The departures of Odell Beckham Jr. and Eli Apple were the most drama-filled on the list. And while Beckham still has some love for Big Blue, Apple can’t decide which one of his former team’s fan bases he hates more.

Of course, the Giants’ next shot at breaking the streak will be Saquon Barkley. After his rookie year it seemed as though he would be a Giant for life, but after the last few years of injury-filled football, Barkley may not be a Giant much longer — many speculate that he might currently be on the trading block.

After that it will be Daniel Jones and Dexter Lawrence from the 2019 NFL draft class — a class where the Giants already have a failed with one of their first-round picks (Deandre Baker).

Current general manager Joe Schoen obviously hopes to buck this trend.

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Remaining free agents at Titans’ biggest positions of need

A look at the free agents who are still available at the Titans’ biggest positions of need.

With each passing day of free agency, the Tennessee Titans have less and less options on the open market to fill their biggest positions of need, which include right tackle, guard, wide receiver and tight end.

Aside from re-signing and parting ways with some of their own players, and signing role players in free agency, the Titans haven’t done much, which has led to fans understandably hitting the panic button.

The Titans parted ways with a pair of starters upfront in David Quessenberry and Rodger Saffold, both of whom were awful in pass protection last year. It’s possible Quessenberry still returns, but it won’t be as a starter.

At wide receiver, the Titans were already in need of help, and that need became more dire after the team released Julio Jones.

With all that in mind, the Titans must start getting to business in free agency if they want to adequately fill their holes. Here’s a look at the players still available at the team’s biggest positions of need, along with who our first choice is in each group.

Commanders to sign veteran guard Andrew Norwell

The Washington Commanders are expected to sign veteran guard Andrew Norwell to fill the team’s void at guard.

The Washington Commanders do have a plan for their opening at guard. According to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network, the Commanders will sign veteran guard Andrew Norwell.

John Keim of ESPN said Norwell will be at Washington’s team facilities Thursday and has agreed to a deal with the Commanders.

From the moment Washington released Ereck Flowers on Wednesday, a move for Norwell was expected. Undrafted out of Ohio State in 2014, the 30-year-old Norwell entered the NFL with the Carolina Panthers, where he played the first four seasons in the NFL.

Norwell blossomed into a first-team All-Pro in 2017 and then signed a five-year, $66.5 million contract with the Jacksonville Jaguars. The 6-foot-6, 325-pound Norwell is durable, having missed a total of three games over the last three seasons.

Norwell has played exclusively left guard in his career, which was where Flowers played for Washington. Norwell should come cheaper than the $10 million Flowers was expected to earn in 2022. However, Norwell is the more accomplished player, so it will be interesting to see his final numbers.

Wes Schweitzer and Saahdiq Charles will likely compete to start at right guard. Schweitzer has been a productive player since arriving in Washington in 2020, playing both guard spots and at center. Charles, a college tackle, showed promise in limited snaps at guard in 2021.

Matt Ioannidis’ agent is not happy with Washington

Washington released Matt Ioannidis Wednesday after telling his agent at the NFL combine he was in the team’s plans.

Defensive tackle Matt Ioannidis had been with the Washington Commanders since being drafted in the fifth round of the 2016 NFL draft. Ioannidis’ time in Washington ended Wednesday when the team released him, along with guard Ereck Flowers in a pair of surprising cuts.

While the release of Flowers was a big surprise, considering Washington lost Brandon Scherff to free agency. Flowers, 27, played well in his return to Washington last season and was scheduled to count almost $10 million against the 2022 salary cap. However, Flowers seemed more of a candidate for an extension rather than an outright release.

The release of Ioannidis wasn’t a total shock, as we’d discussed him as a possible cut when discussing ways the Commanders could create more cap room. However, the timing was curious. Why release Ioannidis just hours before the new NFL league year? Why not release him before, allowing him a better chance at finding a new team before the start of free agency?

Ioannidis’ agent, Alan Herman, and fellow agent Jared Fox said they met with Washington senior vice president of football administration Rob Rogers at the NFL combine and asked if Ioannidis was in the team’s plans for 2022. Herman insisted Rogers told him Ioannidis was indeed in Washington’s plans.

He wasn’t happy. Here is his full response, per Stephen Whyno of The Associated Press:

They looked us straight in the eye, Rob Rogers, and Rob basically said to Jared and myself: ‘Absolutely not. We have no thoughts of releasing Matt Ioannidis.’ We don’t particularly care to be lied to to our face. I don’t like when someone lies to my face. They took him out of the free-agent market now for two days. That puts us now at a disadvantage because other teams have paid other defensive linemen contracts, and (Ioannidis) hasn’t been able to take advantage of that. That’s not the way you conduct business in the National Football League.

It’s an understandable point of view from Ioannidis’ representatives. There are multiple reasons as to why Washington should’ve made this move before Wednesday. Yes, things change, but the Commanders should have known this was a possibility as soon as they traded for quarterback Carson Wentz.

Still, this is not a good look for Washington.

J.D. McKissic changes mind, set to return to Commanders

J.D. McKissic will return to the Commanders after all.

With only hours before the new NFL league year begins, the Washington Commanders have some good news to report. Running back J.D. McKissic, who agreed to terms with the Buffalo Bills Tuesday, has changed his mind and will return to the Commanders, per Adam Schefter of ESPN.

According to Schefter, the compensation is the same — a two-year contract worth $7 million.

Washington had wanted to keep McKissic all along, so it was a surprise when he agreed to terms with the Bills. McKissic was Washington’s second-leading receiver in 2021, despite missing six games.

This is terrific news for the Commanders, who keep around one of their top offensive playmakers around new quarterback Carson Wentz.

Earlier Wednesday, it was reported the Commanders were releasing defensive tackle Matt Ioannidis and starting left guard Ereck Flowers. Safety Landon Collins is expected to be a post-June 1 release.

The Commanders to release guard Ereck Flowers

Washington releases guard Ereck Flowers in a surprise move.

In a surprise move, the Washington Commanders have released starting left guard Ereck Flowers, according to his agent Drew Rosenhaus, via Adam Schefter of ESPN.

After releasing Flowers, Washington has lost both of its starting guards from 2021. Right guard Brandon Scherff agreed to terms with the Jacksonville Jaguars Monday.

Flowers, a former top-10 pick of the New York Giants in 2015, signed with Washington in 2019 after a disappointing tenure in New York. Former offensive line coach Bill Callahan moved him to guard, where he excelled. After a strong 2019 season, Flowers signed a three-year contract with the Miami Dolphins.

After one season in Miami, the Dolphins sent Flowers to Washington before the 2021 NFL draft. In his return to Washington, Flowers was terrific in 2021.

After the release of Flowers and Matt Ioannidis, Washington saves almost $17 million in salary-cap room.

The Commanders are expected to release safety Landon Collins, freeing up even more money.

Could a big move be coming for the Commanders?

5 reasons why J.D. McKissic will not return to Washington

Here are five possible reasons why J.D. McKissic chose to sign with the Bills rather than return to Washington.

J.D. McKissic will not be back in the Burgundy and Gold next season.
McKissic agreed to a two-year deal Tuesday with the Buffalo Bills for around $7 million.

Many might be asking why McKissic is not returning.
So, here are five “POSSIBLE” reasons Why J.D. McKissic will not be in Washington for the 2022 season.