Tag: Eric Bieniemy new Commanders OC

Could the Commanders win the NFC East in 2023?

At least one person believes so.

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One publication Thursday actually had the headline “Washington Commanders will win the NFC East.”

With the power and depth the Eagles appear to have, and Dallas also easily finishing ahead of the Giants and Commanders, it was surprising to read the TWSN headline Thursday.

What are the conclusions presented as a rationale for why Washington will win the NFC East in 2023?

Interestingly enough, as the story points out, Washington has still not had a winning season since the 2015 and 2016 teams when Kirk Cousins was the starting quarterback.

The current quarterback, Sam Howell, brings a running threat to the Washington offense they have not had since Robert Griffin in 2012. The weapons that Howell will possess in Terry McLaurin, Jahan Dotson, Curtis Samuel, along with a healthy Logan Thomas and Cole Turner, could be significant in Howell’s development.

If Chase Young is fully back from his ACL injury of 2021, the TWSN story states Washington will increase their sack production from last season (2022).

With the development of safeties Darrick Forrest and Kam Curl and the addition of their top two selections being defensive backs, Washington has improved itself athletically in the defensive backfield.

The offense will be significantly different as new offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy was allowed to hire his own staff, and he brings his offensive philosophy from Kansas City.

The author feels that the Commanders have improved their overall roster and coaching to some degree but that the other three divisional rivals can’t say the same.

He points to Dallas losing Kellen Moore to the Eagles, having lost both coordinators. The Giants, meanwhile, are still struggling to improve at receiver and may not be able to resign running back Saquon Barkley.

Here is the TWSN story in full.

 

Eagles writer gives 10 reasons why the Commanders will be a dumpster fire this season

Reason No. 10 is an interesting observation.

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Grant and Danny from 106.7 The Fan discussed the series being written by Jimmy Kempski of the Philly Voice.

Kempski is writing about how each of the NFC East teams could be a dumpster fire in 2023. Here is the story by Kempski supplying his ten reasons.

Here is the audio of the Grant and Danny segment if you would like to hear their response to Kempski’s 10 reasons the Commanders will have a horrible season.

Finally, if you would rather simply read the very basic skeleton, without the commentary attempting to explain and support the reasoning behind the ten reasons the Commanders will have a horrible dumpster fire season, I will simply now supply Kempski’s ten reasons alone.

  1. The head coach is a lame duck
  2.  They never have a good quarterback
  3. Chase Young is nearing bust status
  4. The offensive line has three concerning spots among the starting five
  5. They always have a lot of injuries
  6. The Commanders are facing regression on 3rd down defense
  7. They’ll probably have two starting rookie corners
  8. The tight ends
  9. Why the hell did Eric Bieniemy choose to become this team’s offensive coordinator?
  10. Dan Snyder is gone, but the new guy isn’t good

Personally, I think it will not do you any harm to go ahead and read/listen to the links I provided above. Though someone is a divisional rival, yes, they may say biased foolish things. Yet, they may also say something that you would not think of on your own because of our own bias for our home team.

Kempski does, in my view, overstate reality in a few instances. I also flat-out disagree with him on a couple of his reasons. Yet, I think you will find he also made perfect sense of some valid concerns Washington fans should contemplate.

Jahan Dotson feels Bieniemy bringing a culture to Commanders

Jahan Dotson believes in what Bieniemy has brought to the Commanders.

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Ron Rivera might not be the only coach bringing a culture change to the Commanders.

During Rivera’s tenure, players have openly declared how Rivera has indeed influenced the team and the culture over time has changed for the good.

Second-year wide receiver Jahan Dotson offered this weekend at his football camp that he sees new offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy certainly adding his own chemistry to the Commanders team unit.

Indeed the Commanders under Rivera have played together and stuck together as a team in tough times. Yet, one common obstacle for Rivera’s teams have been in each of his three previous seasons the team has gotten off to slow starts.

Perhaps the energy and urgency of Bieniemy may help the team come out of preseason more prepared to begin the regular season.

One common occurrence for Washington has been they have not started the same quarterback in Week 1 since Kirk Cousins started on opening day of the 2015, 2016 and 2017 seasons. Other starters have been Alex Smith (2018), Case Keenum (2019), Dewayne Haskins (2020), Ryan Fitzpatrick (2021) and Carson Wentz (2022).

The plan is Sam Howell to become the next starter launching the 2023 season. Howell will be the least experienced of the starters, having only attempted 19 passes in all of 2022, playing in only the season finale against Dallas.

Howell recently at OTAs was recorded to have said he wants to be coached hard, so he doesn’t mind the new more aggressive and vocal coaching of Bieniemy.

The culture being brought by Bieniemy was met with a humorous moment when safety Kam Curl volunteered to the media that Bieniemy was loud and yelling of the offense.

Dotson caught 35 passes for 523 yards and 7 receiving touchdowns in 2022. If Bieniemy’s intensity can bring better offensive production, there will be other team members joining Dotson in liking the new culture brought by Bieniemy.

Commanders’ Antonio Gibson: ‘I’m excited, but not just for me’

Don’t overlook Antonio Gibson in Washington’s offense in 2023.

Antonio Gibson rushed for over 1,000 yards in the 2021 season.

Last season he had to give way to rookie Brian Robinson Jr., who became the leading ball carrier. Gibson’s carries were reduced to 149, while Robinson ran 205 times. Consequently, Robinson gained 797 yards and Gibson 546.

What may be missed by many Commanders fans is Gibson was the third leading receiver on the team last season, behind only Terry McLaurin (77) and Curtis Samuel (64), bringing in 46 receptions in 2022.

106.7 The Fan reporter JP Finlay spoke briefly with Gibson Thursday. Here is the link for the segment.

How does Gibson feel about the new offense he was learning in voluntary workouts this past week? “I’m excited, but not just for me. I’m seeing a lot of things for a lot of guys that should open up. He moves us around; we have a lot of things going. ”

Gibson also likes what he saw out of Sam Howell, ” He looks nice. He looks really good. He looks confident, comfortable. He just has to keep competing.”

Following next week’s mandatory workouts, Gibson plans on taking his wife and three children to Hawaii for a little vacation before he has to buckle down for training camp.

In Kansas City last season, Bieniemy got the ball to running back Jerick McKinnon as he was targeted 71 times on passing plays for 56 receptions for 512 yards (9.1 yards per reception) and 9 receiving touchdowns.

Gibson, under the Scott Turner offense, quarterbacked by Carson Wentz and Taylor Heinicke last season, averaged 7.7 yards on his 46 receptions.

Already Gibson is optimistic because of what he has learned thus far in the Bieniemy offense. Might Gibson be getting the ball in space more often in 2023?

If so, no wonder Gibson is already excited.

Commanders DC Jack Del Rio was in mid-season form Thursday

Jack Del Rio discussed the state of Washington’s defense Thursday.

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Jack Del Rio met with the media Thursday, and he never took any of the bait.

Time after time, the Commanders’ defensive coordinator was asked questions that were specific in nature. Time after time, Del Rio responded in a manner that was not unkind or rude, yet, managed to effectively not convey more than he felt he should.

It may be overlooked, but Del Rio is quite experienced with interaction with the local media. The former USC Trojan played both football and baseball at USC. He then started at linebacker for the New Orleans Saints (1985-87), Dallas Cowboys (1989-91) and Minnesota Vikings (1992-95).

Following his retirement as a player, Del Rio served on staff for the Saints and Ravens (linebackers). After being a defensive coordinator for the Panthers, Del Rio was named head coach of the Jaguars, where he served nine seasons.

Next came the Broncos (defensive coordinator for three seasons), then the Raiders (head coach for three seasons), and here in Washington.

He’s not mean; he’s simply skillful at being measured. He is not going to give you anything he doesn’t feel he should. He even joked around Thursday when asked about working now with Eric Bieniemy, “It’s been good. I wish he would express himself a little bit, come out of his shell. Nah, he’s great. He has a lot of energy. He’s bringing an accountability to the unit.”

When asked about Ron Rivera? “Ron’s been great. With me for four years, it hasn’t changed a great deal. He lets us (coaches) share when we want to and, for the most part, lets us do our thing.”

Regarding the Chase Young and Montez Sweat questions that were raised? Del Rio was not biting, stating simply it is voluntary this time of year, but he did offer he appreciates all of the guys who did choose to come and put in some work for the team.

It was classic Del Rio: “Don’t say what you shouldn’t and still manage to praise the guys who did “volunteer” to come and put in some work.”

When pressed/asked further about Young and Sweat, he simply offered that Young, when coming in, could put in the work and that Sweat could learn to finish better (words he spoke of Daron Payne last offseason). Del Rio then declared it would add zeros to Sweat’s paycheck.

He did offer perhaps only one surprising element when he volunteered that linebacker Khaleke Hudson had a good final 2022 game, gained some confidence, and has looked good in the offseason.

Local radio host evaluated Sam Howell at Commanders OTAs Wednesday

“I’ve seen a lot of crappy quarterbacks come and go. He [Howell] ain’t one of those guys.”

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Chris Russell, a radio host for The Team 980, wanted his listeners to know what he saw from Sam Howell today at OTAs.

This is how he opened a segment of Wednesday’s show.

“Sam Howell is going to be good at times. He is going to be really good at times.”

“I’ve seen a lot of quarterbacks come and go over the years. I’ve been around this team for 14 years now. I’ve seen a lot of crappy quarterbacks come and go. He ain’t one of those guys.”

Russell continued that even great quarterbacks have times when they struggle with accuracy or mechanics and timing. He then said Sam Howell is not one of those guys either.

“But there are going to be times, probably a bunch of times, when you want to pull your hair out because Sam Howell is not going to connect on something that he probably should.”

Russell reminded Howell’s fans that Howell has a grand total of one NFL game of experience. Further, Howell is learning from different coaches, (QB, OC), learning a different language, learning a different system.

“Sam Howell is going to be late, behind, inaccurate. He is not going to see something. I saw it today, as he was maddeningly inconsistent. He was all over the place. He should have gotten picked about six times.”

“Sam Howell was brutal at times today. When you watched him today, at times you said, ‘OMG, does he suck!’ Awful, inaccurate, late, choppy footwork, hesitation, not good ball location, not on target.”

Russell further elaborated that there were times plays seemed disjointed, nothing was open, Howell was having to scramble to his right, scramble to his left, Brian Robinson missed a block, etc.

“The one thing I do want to point out right now before I go any further. When Sam Howell struggles, you can see it. He is struggling, man. He is on the struggle bus. But when Sam Howell rips it, when Sam Howell sees it, and when Sam Howell knows it, it’s beautiful.”

“If he can do these types of plays five or six times in a game, you are going to say, ‘OMG, finally we have something to hang our hat on at quarterback’.”

“That was my big-picture takeaway from my hour or so today in Command Land.”

Santana Moss sees Eric Bieniemy helping the Commanders offense

Santana Moss is optimistic about the offense in 2023.

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Former Washington wide receiver Santana Moss already likes what he sees in Eric Bieniemy.

Moss was a guest on the “BMitch and Finlay” show on 106.7 The Fan radio Friday.

The former productive Washington receiver is now an employee of the Commanders’ broadcasting team. Thus, he is out at camp and has made some observations.

“If Sam Howell can go out there and not do too much, but be Sam Howell and put the ball in the right players’ hands, the sky is the limit, knowing what we have over there.”

The new addition of offensive coordinator Bieniemy is someone Moss likes thus far. Moss acknowledged, “there are players who do their homework, come to practice to work, and don’t need a coach yelling at them”.

He also acknowledged “there are some guys who are naive about what it takes to be a pro. They are good enough to be here, but they have days and weeks they are just not giving their all, and they need that coach to light a fire under them.”

“I think EB (Bieniemy) is that guy. He is going to check you at the front door and let you know ‘this is the tone I am setting. This is the level of play I expect. You come out here and give me less than that; then you best believe that you are going to hear from me.'”

“When you know you have a coach like EB that is over there and is going to say something to you about it, it makes you mindful enough to say, ‘Now I can’t have those plays, those lack in my game. I can’t have that stuff because I don’t want to hear his mouth. I don’t want him barking at me.'”

“You don’t want to have your name called out in the wrong way on the field. I don’t want to be looked at like that. So I will always be on my Ps and Qs. So, I love the fact that EB has that in him.”

“In fact, that is going to lift up everyone else around him and let them know that if I don’t come with my A–game or bring it today at practice, EB is going to be, ‘next man up.’ He is the type of guy to do that.”

Former NFL QB confident in Commanders and QB Sam Howell

High praise for Sam Howell.

“If Sam Howell plays to the way they had him graded coming out of the draft, this is a playoff caliber football team, if they treat him like a young Russell Wilson.”

That was the immediate response of former NFL quarterback and current ESPN NFL analyst Dan Orvlosky this week when asked about the Commanders and their two quarterbacks Howell and recently-signed free agent Jacoby Brissett.

However, to note, Orvlosky talked only about Howell and, in the entire segment, did not reply concerning Brissett.

Also of note, listeners must keep in mind these NFL analysts don’t have the time to concentrate on one team, such as those who follow the Commanders. This became apparent a couple of times in his response.

He added, “This is an offensive roster that offensive line-wise is a good unit. They just signed Wylie (Andrew) from the Kansas City Chiefs at right tackle.”

“They’ve got Terry McLaurin, Jahan Dotson, Curtis Samuel, Dyami Brown, a good young tight end.” (It was not clear. To which tight end was Orvlosky referring? If the operative word was “young, “John Bates? Armani Rogers? Cole Turner? If the operative word was “good,” Logan Thomas?

“Robinson (Brian) emerged as their bell cow tailback, with Gibson (Antonio) as like the influx or the change-up. And the last part is this, the question is, ‘Who is Eric Bieniemy’?”

“I’m not talking about the intelligence or the ability to understand offense. We don’t know who Eric Bieniemy, their new play-caller is identity-wise.”

“If this offense is of the identity that was that new early Seattle Seahawk, you know, play great defense, run the football, ask your quarterback to throw it 18 to 20 times?”

“I absolutely think Sam Howell can do that at a high level, and this could be a playoff football team.”

Andy Reid: Commanders ‘are getting juice’ with Bieniemy

Andy Reid hated losing Beiniemy but wants him to land a head-coaching job. He believes he and Ron Rivera will work well together.

“I can brag on him (Eric Bieniemy) all day,” said Andy Reid opening his time with Brian Mitchell and JP Finlay on 106.7 The Fan Tuesday.

Reid, former Philadelphia Eagles coach, and current Kansas City Chiefs head coach has coached in four Super Bowls, winning two. Mitchell upfront praised Reid as someone who worked to understand his players.

Finlay was direct asking why would a successful offensive coordinator like Bieniemy leave Reid, Patrick Mahomes Travis Kelcie and winning Super Bowls to take the Commanders offensive coordinator’s job?

Reid replied that he and Bieniemy talked often, keeping the communications line open. “I’m not telling you I wanted to lose him to Washington, but at the same time, you want what is best for your guys.”

Reid expressed Bieniemy has worked hard towards the opportunity for a head coach job, but it hasn’t yet worked out, “some of it was because I think of the shadow I cast. And we talked about it. This gives him an opportunity to run his show.”

“I told EB if he could get with a defensive head coach, then normally what they are going to do is let you run with it (offense). That is what he is going to be able to do. That way he puts his name on it. There is no more Andy Reid on the sideline. It is all about EB, and he deserves that opportunity.”

“He will work great with Ron; Ron is phenomenal. They are two different personality types, but both of them love ball and both of them can teach.”

Mitchell inquired regarding what he called “the myth” that Bieniemy doesn’t get along with his players. Reid agreed, “Yes, you need some juice in this thing. That is what the Commanders are getting; they are getting juice with EB. He loves his players.”

“He is going to tell them when they are doing good and when they are not doing good. He is going to teach them how to do better when they screw up. I think every player wants this, and that is how he operates. He is going to come at you. He is going to challenge you. That is healthy. There is nothing wrong with that.

“He wants to give everybody the opportunity to be great. If the guys are willing to accept that and actually try to be great and not just talk about it, then you are going to win a lot of games.”

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Martin Mayhew looking forward to working with Eric Bieniemy

Martin Mayhew talks about his longstanding relationship with Eric Bieniemy.

Martin Mayhew is not attempting to be an isolated super hero when it comes to the upcoming NFL draft or free agency cycle.

Speaking with the media during the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, Mayhew realizes the need to draft players that can best fit into the system the Commanders coordinators Eric Bieniemy (offense) and Jack Del Rio (defense) are going to be installing.

“We’re still working through that process with Eric,” Mayhew said. “He’s only been there for a couple days…So we’re still evolving with that process with him and trying to figure out exactly what he’s going to be looking for at different positions. We have some thoughts, obviously, but we’re going to blend all that and we’ll get into free agency and get into the draft and start getting input from him and we’ll make some of those decisions down the road.”

Mayhew was not shy to point out he will not only give an ear to Bieniemy but the entire coaching staff.

“Our coaches do a great job evaluating players,” the GM said. “That’s one thing I think that [Head] Coach [Ron] Rivera’s done a really good job of putting the staff together of guys that know what they’re looking at. So we lean on those guys a lot. Eric will be very involved in the process.”

Mayhew and Bieniemy have actually known each other for decades, and Mayhew is counting on that to help in their working relationship as well.

“Eric and I go way back,” Mayhew said. “We’ve got probably a hundred thousand or so friends in common. He’s a fraternity brother of mine, Omega Psi Phi. So, when I interviewed him, I was just trying not to piss him off, you know, but we’re so glad to have him. It is a guy that’s been in three of the last four Super Bowls. Had the number-one offense in the league last year in terms of scoring. Just as an offensive coordinator has accomplished a lot, and our guys are really excited about it too. Our team is excited about it. The whole building is excited to have him join us.”

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