Tag: eric bieniemy

Commanders RT Andrew Wylie loves the energy and vibes around the team

Wylie is loving all of Washington’s offseason changes and is a big fan of two of the rookies.

Andrew Wylie was brought to Washington one year by former offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy. The longtime Kansas City Chief followed Bieniemy to the Commanders and was penciled in immediately as the right tackle.

It wasn’t a great debut season for Wylie, but considering some of Washington’s top players had their worst season in 2023, Wylie gets a pass. New general manager Adam Peters and head coach Dan Quinn were apparently content with Wylie, believing the coaching and scheme changes would make him better in 2024.

What does Wylie think of the new regime?

“We have an elite coaching staff,” Wylie said. “That’s what it’s been. It’s neem great energy in the building. Points of emphasis, what DQ wants, are reiterated every day.”

No one would describe last season’s coaching staff as elite.

What does Wylie think of his new quarterback, Jayden Daniels?

“Dude can sling it, man,” he answered. “Very talented guy back there. Makes it look easy, too. Something about his game is just special.”

Wylie also discussed rookie offensive lineman Brandon Coleman, who the Commanders think can be their future left tackle.

“That dude is gifted and moves very well for his size,” Wylie said. “Got him working out at tackle now and he already got very good fundamentals to his game. In my opinion, I think he’s going to get a lot of snaps this year. He is the type of guy you want anchoring this side of the ball.”

Wylie discussed the energy in the locker room.

“Honestly, the locker room energy is great. Practice has been over for an hour and 15 minutes, and the locker room is still halfway filled. There’s a lot of guys still kicking it in there, including myself. No one is in a real rush to leave work.”

Wylie noted that players are sitting with different position groups to build team chemistry. He is not the first player to mention that this offseason.

You don’t win championships in the offseason, but the changes Washington has made since January have built a foundation that it hopes builds a winning franchise for many years to come.

Perhaps Wylie can be one of the bigger beneficiaries of these changes.

UCLA picks up commitment from three-star tight end

Welcome to Westwood!

The Bruins continued to round out their 2025 class this week by adding a three-star tight end that they went hard at in recruiting.

Dylan Sims, who the Bruins offered and hosted for a visit back in May, announced on X his official commitment to UCLA. The 6′ 6″ tight end from Queen Creek, Arizona, chose the Bruins over several Power-Four schools, including TCU, Kansas, Minnesota, Duke, and Iowa State.

Given the Bruins’ new offense under coordinator Eric Bieniemy and potential four-star staring quarterback Madden Iamaleava in the class of 2025, Sims could be a part of UCLA’s rebuild for the future under first-year head coach DeShaun Foster.

UCLA continues to build its recruiting class during the off-season, and it is beginning to take shape. Targeting players with good size, side, and athleticism, the Bruins know that to compete with fellow BIG 10 competitors, they will need to be dynamic on both sides of the ball, and Sims is the perfect example.

Sam Howell takes responsibility for his 2023 season with the Commanders

Sam Howell doesn’t throw anyone under the bus, takes accountability for his 2023 play with the Commanders.

One year ago, Sam Howell was taking first-team snaps during Offseason Training Activities (OTAs) for the Washington Commanders. Then-head coach Ron Rivera told anyone who would listen that Howell would be a star, and when the Commanders won a Super Bowl—whether he was there or not—they could send him his Super Bowl ring.

During the first half of last season, Howell was sometimes phenomenal, and Rivera looked like he may be right. However, the Commanders completely fell apart during the second half of the season, losing their final eight games. Howell struggled with sacks and turnovers at different times last season.

While Howell undoubtedly played a significant role in his struggles, he had no help from the coaching staff. Personnel-wise, Rivera ignored the offensive line for four years. And offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy, forever auditioning for a head coaching job, ran an offense that led the NFL in pass attempts—and last in rush attempts.

Everything and everyone was out of sync last season with a lame-duck coaching staff.

That all changed in January when owner Josh Harris fired Rivera. Harris hired general manager Adam Peters and followed that by hiring Dan Quinn as head coach.

With a new regime and the No. 2 overall pick, Howell knew his days in Washington could be over. In March, the Commanders traded Howell to the Seahawks for multiple draft picks.

In Seattle, Howell would be Geno Smith’s backup, but GM John Schneider made it clear how much he wanted Howell.

We hadn’t heard publicly from Howell since the trade until he spoke with the Seattle media after an OTA practice last week. He discussed last season with Washington.

“I think I can play some smarter ball,” Howell said, per Gregg Bell of The News Tribune. “At times, when we were down big in games, I was a little too aggressive. I was just trying to make something happen to get us back in the game. That’s why, you know…the turnovers were just way too high for what I wanted, what the team needed. That’s definitely something I can take from last year.”

As for the Seahawks, new head coach Mike Macdonald is thrilled to have Howell.

“We are excited about Sam,” Macdonald said.

Howell has a chance to be a successful starting quarterback in the NFL. Washington did him no favors in 2023. Meanwhile, the Commanders are also excited about their future with Jayden Daniels.

As far as Howell’s comments, he could’ve done what so many others have and blamed others. He took the high road. That’s Sam Howell.

UCLA offers five-star Mater Dei High wide receiver Marcus Harris

This is a BIG recruit to watch.

The Bruins just took a massive swing. After landing a commitment from four-star quarterback Madden Iamaleava from Downey, California, the Bruins are testing their luck with a five-star recruit to pair with him from Mater Dei High School in Santa Ana.

Marcus Harris, a 6′, 180-pound wide receiver, is one of the top receivers in the 2025 recruiting class. Fielding offers from Texas, Alabama, Georgia, and Michigan, Harris has his pick from some of the best football schools across the country.

On tape, Harris is a dynamic and flashy receiver. Playing primarily on the outside, Harris has a quick release from the line of scrimmage, great route running, and an elite ability to track down and haul in deep balls.

Though swaying Harris to attend may be tough, the Bruins are the only Power-Four team from Southern California to extend an offer to him. Given the prospect of playing with a top-quarterback recruit under the coaching of Eric Bieniemy, the Bruins are a sneaky potential team to get a commitment from Harris.

UCLA extends offer to four-star wide receiver and tight end

More offers coming.

Versatility is a necessary but often underrated skill. For the UCLA Bruins, their latest offer looks to add versatility with their latest recruitment offer. 

This week, the Bruins offered four-star wide receiver and tight end Jefferson Exinor Jr. Exinor Jr., who stands at 6′ 2″ and 205 lbs, plays both positions at a high level for McDonough High School in Owings Mills, Mayland. The four-star recruit has received competing offers from fellow BIG 10 members Michigan, Michigan State, Oregon, Penn State, Maryland, and USC.

Both a good blocker and natural pass-catcher, Exinor Jr. profiles more as a big-bodied receiver who could make contributions in the running game as a blocker. Given Eric Bieniemy‘s success in Kansas City with tight end Travis Kelce, who many see as a “big slot” or undersized tight end, Exinor Jr. could be a great fit in UCLA’s new offense. 

With needs at tight end and receiver for the foreseeable future, if the Bruins can sway Exinor Jr., they could add an adaptable and high-upside offensive player. 

Bruins net official visit for three-star tight end Dylan Sims

Another big visit coming in.

The UCLA Bruins gained another official visit this week at an important position on offense. 

Dylan Sims, a 6′ 6″ tight end from Queen Creek, Arizona, inked a date with the Bruins at the end of May. With his official visit scheduled for May 31st (subscription required), the Bruins and Sims will chat in hopes of securing a commitment from the 2025 graduate. 

The Bruins have lacked tight end productivity as of late, and a big-bodied tight end like Sims presents a perfect prospect for them. A potential threat in the red zone, Sims, in Eric Bieniemy’s offense, could prove to be the perfect safety valve for the Bruins quarterback of the future. 

The Bruins made an offer to Sims back in March and continue to pursue him strongly. That said, UCLA will need to outbid his home-state school, Arizona State University, in order to secure his commitment. But given the Bruins move to the BIG 10 and their new former NFL offensive coordinator Bieniemy, the Bruins look to be the more attractive destination for Sims. 

UCLA offers three-star offensive tackle recruit Esaiah Wong

Another OL offer.

The Bruins continued their talent search this week, extending an offer to a three-star offensive tackle. With coaching changes on the offense, with new coordinator Eric Bieniemy taking over, the Bruins hope to mold their roster to the liking of Bieniemy and his offense. 

Wong, a 6′ 5″ and 270-pound tackle, who, despite graduating in the class of 2026, already shows promise as a college-size athlete. 

Wong’s tape for Kailua High School in Kailua, Hawaii, displays his ability as a blocker in a run-pass-option offense. With the RPO being a staple of Bieniemy’s offenses in Kansas City with the Chiefs and Washington with the Commanders, Wong’s athleticism and versatility in a complex blocking scheme bodes well for him. 

The Bruins offense will take shape as the summer and early fall progresses. Though there may still be traces of the Bruins’ ground-and-pound offense of 2023, against tougher competition in the BIG 10 and lacking in talent, UCLA will need to become harder to defend schematically. 

If Bieniemy and Co. can cook up a complex offense, they should have success moving the ball in 2024 and keeping the Bruins in games. 

UCLA offers three-star defensive tackle Viliami Moala

The Bruins took another swing at a defensive lineman this week, offering a three star recruit with potential to contribute in the future.

UCLA made an offer to a defensive lineman this week in hopes of finding an impact player at the position in the future. With a significant gap left along the defensive line this year with both Murphy Twins and Laiatu Latu playing in the NFL, the Bruins defensive line took the biggest hit along the roster. 

Though Viliami Moala, a 2026 Brigham High School defensive lineman, will not be able to contribute to the team for several years, targetting the defensive line proves that they have identified it as a position of need down the road. At 6′ 3″ and over 300 pounds, Moala is a big-bodied lineman with potential.  

With where the UCLA roster is now, they are likely looking at a reset year in 2024. Given the fact that they have a new head coach in DeShaun Foster, a new offensive coordinator in Eric Bieniemy, and a bevy of players filling new roles, this upcoming season in the BIG 10 is a big test. 

But by building towards the future, the Bruins seem to have big plans beyond just 2024.

UCLA frontrunner to land four-star QB Madden Iamaleava

UCLA has logged a prediction for Madden Iamaleava…

The UCLA Bruins recruiting buzz continues to grow. Now, the Bruins are now the favorite to land one of their most heavily recruited quarterback prospects according to On3 Recruits (subscription required). 

Madden Iamaleava from Warren High School in Downey, California, has been on the Bruins’ wishlist for quite some time. A four-star recruit, Iamaleava received an offer from the Bruins in February and emerged as one of the finalists in March.

A true dual-threat, Iamaleava is a talented 2025 prospect. At 6′ 3″ and 185 pounds, all Iamaleava will need to do before making it to the NCAAs is put on some weight. Other than that, his height, mechanics, and ability prove to be one of the best in his recruiting class. 

Though it is unwise for both the Bruins fans and the UCLA coaching staff to put all their eggs in one basket with Iamaleava, he does look to be a potential cornerstone player. 

With new offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy’s experience working with Patrick Mahomes, Iamaleava could be molded similarly into an elite-level player. 

DeShaun Foster talks with Rich Eisen about UCLA head coaching job

DeShaun Foster joins The Rich Eisen Show.

Since his hiring earlier this year, Bruins head coach DeShaun Foster has quietly started making the rounds in the national sports media space. This week, Foster sat down with Rich Eisen of the NFL Network and his radio show, “The Rich Eisen Show,” to talk about his new chapter as UCLA’s next head coach.

In their conversation, Foster credited Kennedy Polamalu, College and NFL Hall of Famer Troy Polamalu’s uncle, as an inspiration and mentor. Polamalu coached at UCLA as the running backs coach in 2016 as the Bruins offensive coordinator and running backs coach from 2014-2015. 

Foster continued, speaking to the coaching ability of new offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy, saying “(Bieniemy’s) a real veteran coach that has real NFL knowledge and pedigree can help develop and teach these young players on how to be pros.”

With an emphasis on development, Foster could prove some of the naysayers wrong about his recruiting class and roster acquisitions. If Foster, Bieniemy, and the coaching staff can develop players, finding the diamond in the rough, the Bruins could raise some eyebrows and make some noise in the BIG 10 in the near future.