Tag: Logan Paulsen football analyst

Former NFL Washington player warns free agents

Fred Smoot offers some good advice for all free agents.

The NFL has just concluded its first calendar week of 2023 free agency.

The first week is always the most intense, the most active, and where teams make their biggest splash and or blunder.

Former Washington Redskins’ defensive back Fred Smoot didn’t hesitate however to warn those free agents wanting to change teams. Smoot warned them in the very opening minute of the Command Center episode, “Free Agent Frenzy.”

Julie Donaldson opened the episode by announcing the episode’s focus would be the free-agent activity of the Commanders during the past week. Logan Paulsen was next proclaiming he feels the week has become much more of an event than he recalls it being when he was an NFL tight end.

Smoot’s opening comments no doubt surprised his audience when he opened, “It’s more NBA-ish right now. Right now, the offseason is all about the draft and all about free agency. (It’s) all about guys finding new homes. But I can say this, as a guy that did it. The grass is not always greener on the other side.”

Smoot was drafted in the second round (45th overall) in 2001 by Marty Schottenheimer. Smoot proved to be a good choice, starting 13, 16, 15 and 15 games in his four seasons in Washington (2001-2004).

The former Mississippi State Bulldog corner back then determined he would try his way in the open NFL free agency market. He signed with the Minnesota Vikings in March 2005. But after only two seasons in Minnesota, Smoot was released.

He returned to Washington for three more seasons, playing in Burgundy and Gold from the 2007 through the 2009 seasons.

Apparently, Smoot is warning anyone wanting to listen that by picking up and moving to another job, team, or city; you are naive to think the world is always going to be better for you in your new circumstances.

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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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Logan Paulsen concerned Sam Howell could be in trouble

Paulsen loves Howell’s talent, but the matchup against Dallas is a tough one.

Logan Paulsen says he is going on past history; thus, he is concerned regarding Sam Howell’s first NFL start.

Howell will not only be making his initial NFL start, but it will be against the Dallas Cowboys, who have a good pass rush and have wreaked havoc on the Washington offensive line the last three times the teams have met.

“How many times has a fifth-round rookie come in and played well?” Paulsen asked Craig Hoffman Friday on the “Take Command” podcast.  “I can’t think of any.”

Paulsen was quick to point out for those who answer 49ers rookie Brock Purdy, that Kyle Shanahan schemes up and protects his rookie quarterback quite well.

“The preseason stuff makes me a little nervous,” expressed Paulsen. “Classic stuff that gets young quarterbacks in trouble.”

I agree with Paulsen here. I, too, recognized during the preseason Howell was making plays that were off schedule, but I didn’t notice much of him planting his foot on the third or fifth drop step and getting rid of it quickly. I noticed Howell running around and taking off on a run when he could. Perhaps too much.

“In the preseason, he was playing against guys that might not even be in the league anymore. You can get away with some of that stuff. But against the Dallas Cowboys, the window is going to be extremely tight.”

“I am just worried for the kid. I’m worried for him. That is where this comes from,” Paulsen clarified to Hoffman. “I want to see him because he is incredibly talented. He’s got the arm, the release, the athleticism.”

“But the stuff he showed me (preseason) makes me think he is farther away. He is not Malik Willis far. But he is farther away than many people think.

Howell lacked good anticipation, and his accuracy was not great. As far as tools for development? Sam Howell is your guy; he’s got what you want. But in terms of a guy who is going to come in and play well right away in an NFL offense? Probably Bailey Zappe.

“If they (Scott Turner and Ron Rivera) can abide by this play-action pass, insulate the quarterback, don’t put a lot on his plate, I feel better. But this offensive staff, for whatever reason, does not do that.

“That is another reason I am unsettled.”

Sam Howell becomes number 8 for Commanders Ron Rivera

Sam Howell becomes the eighth quarterback to start a game for the Commanders under Ron Rivera.

Sam Howell’s jersey number is 14; in addition, he becomes number 8 for Ron Rivera.

Sunday, when Sam Howell gets his first NFL start against NFC East rival Dallas, Howell will be the eighth quarterback to play the position for Washington in Ron Rivera’s three seasons as head coach.

It has been much more crowded behind center for the Burgundy and Gold than the majority of NFL teams. This season saw Rivera go with Carson Wentz, Taylor Heinicke, Wentz again and now Howell in Sunday’s season finale at FedEx Field.

The 2021 season saw Rivera start Ryan Fitzpatrick, Heinicke, Garrett Gilbert and then Heinicke again. Also, Rivera pulled Heinicke during both losses to the Cowboys, choosing to play Kyle Allen the rest of the way.

Rivera’s first season in Washington was chaotic at quarterback. Rivera started Dwayne Haskins, then benched Haskins for Kyle Allen. Allen broke his ankle, and Rivera bypassed Haskins and went with Alex Smith.

Smith’s limited leg began to break down, and Rivera had to go back to Haskins. Haskins played so poorly that he was benched against the Panthers for Tyler Heinicke. Smith returned to play the season finale in Philadelphia, but the leg so restricted Smith that Rivera gave Heinicke his first start in the playoff game against Tampa Bay.

It’s been a wild and frustrating ride at quarterback for Rivera, perhaps best illustrated by the fact that he traded two second-day draft picks for Wentz. However, after his woeful play in the loss to the Browns, Wentz may likely not even be active in the season finale.

Enter Sam Howell into the quarterback equation. Just this week, one of the more respected analysts of the Commanders, Logan Paulsen, expressed, “From what I’ve seen and what I’ve heard, Sam is not ready”.

Might it be a baptism by fire for Howell against the Cowboys?

As an eighth day begins a new week, here’s to hoping the eighth quarterback for Rivera in Washington, Sam Howell, will mark a new beginning for the Burgundy and Gold.

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