Tag: Marty Hurney

If Commanders make the playoffs, what happens at QB in 2023?

If Heinicke leads the Commanders to the playoffs, what happens in 2023?

Logan Paulsen and Craig Hoffman were asked Friday on their Take Command podcast, what occurs with the Commanders’ quarterback position next season if the Commanders make the playoffs this season?

Hoffman: If Heinicke wins a playoff game, I think you have to bring him back with a chance to compete for the starting job. That’s one of those things, is the locker room going to let you go another way?”

“It would take some major boldness from Rivera and the Marty’s [Mayhew and Hurney] to move on from a guy who wins a playoff game, if we get to that point.”

“I think it makes the Wentz part of this very easy though. I think you move on from him. You don’t want to spend $26 million on him next year. I don’t know that I would want to do that anyway. I think if we are talking a guy who wins a playoff game, that is going to be hard to move on from.”

Paulsen: “I don’t think there is any doubt Taylor is going to be back here with some type of extension. The question is, is he your long-term answer? I think both of us would say, probably not.”

“I do think there is some merit to finding guys in the second and third rounds with upside talent. Taylor has all the intangible things you want. But if you were to get a guy and insulate him in this offense. Grow him up in the offense much like the Steelers did with Ben Roethlisberger or Baltimore did with Joe Flacco even Russell Wilson in Seattle.”

“I think Heinicke should be back; he deserves to be back. I think there is no question about that. I don’t think he is the starter for this team.”

“If the ultimate goal is to get to a Super Bowl and win a Super Bowl, which I think it is for you and I and a lot of fans and the coaches here, then something definitely needs to change. You need to be able to deploy and embrace a passing attack a little bit more to be successful.”

For the second half of the answering the question, click the link above,

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Commanders waiver claims: The one time they struck gold

Washington has struck gold with waivers before. Could it happen again with either of the new cornerbacks?

What benefit will the Commanders receive from claiming two cornerbacks off of waivers last week?

Yes, the reality is both Rachad Wildgoose and Tariq Castro-Fields were not valued as the top 53 players on their respective teams. Consequently, Wildgoose was let go by the Jets and Castro-Fields by the 49ers.

Did you notice head coach Ron Rivera looked to GM Martin Mayhew while admitting, “I think he’s (Wildgoose) a second-year player from the Jets,” and Mayhew confirmed that was correct.

It illustrates the league has too many players out there for a head coach to know everyone available. This is why you hire scouts and rely on Mayhew and Marty Hurney. One man cannot do it all, nor should he attempt to.

Mayhew himself was a good corner in the NFL with Washington (1989-92) and Tampa Bay (1993-96). You don’t last in the NFL eight seasons (starting the vast majority of your games) unless you know much about the position and are a great athlete.

Mayhew spoke highly of Washington’s new corners. After all, would anyone else in the organization know as much about what it takes to play corner as Mayhew?

Most of the time you claim a player off waivers, and he reminds you why he was on waivers. But then there are times the guy was maturing and blossomed when provided another opportunity.

Such was the case when Washington drafted an offensive tackle in the 11th round (272 overall). It didn’t work out, he went to Kansas City, but they waived him a month later.

The next season the Cowboys claimed him, but he didn’t impress enough there either and was waived during the preseason. The very next day Washington claimed him off waivers, hoping it would work for him the second time around. 28 days later, they again waived him.

Thinking he could play, they tried again a third season. He broke through, making the roster, even starting 7 games. His fourth season he started every game, playing well enough he started at right tackle for 12 consecutive seasons.

When he retired he had played in 156 games (all for Washington) starting 146. He had become good enough to be the starting right tackle for 6 Redskins playoff teams, 2 Super Bowl teams and 1 Super Bowl championship team.

He deservedly became an original member of “The Hogs,” and the Washington football organization does not regret having claimed George Starke off of waivers.

 

Eric Stokes enjoying learning with the Commanders

Washington’s senior director of player personnel Eric Stokes spoke to the media Wednesday, and he’s been a fan of Armani Rogers for a while.

Eric Stokes, senior director of player personnel for the Washington Commanders, spoke with the media Wednesday.

“I’ve been assistant director. I’ve been college director. I’ve been assistant GM. Obviously working day to day with Coach [Rivera], I get a better sense of our overall coaching staff. You just kind of get a better sense of how everything kind of comes together and operates.”

Stokes was asked what he got from the Front Office Accelerator program.

“I’m really excited about where the direction of that program’s headed. It really gave us some really good insight in terms of having some of the one-on-one communication and dialogue with the owners around the league.”

Stokes spoke highly of others in the Commanders organization with whom he has had the privilege of working.

“Tim Gribble’s done an outstanding job as our director of college scouting. Always excited to work with him. I really kind of joke to both Marty [Hurney] and Martin [Mayhew] that he’s really kind of one of the glue guys of our group. I’ve been with five different organizations, nine GMs, seven different head coaches.”

When asked about rookie tight end Armani Rogers who is converting from a college quarterback, Stokes said, “You’re gonna laugh, but this is almost a three-year process because both Marty [Hurney] and I actually saw him initially at UNLV when he was a quarterback. But you could see that he, necessarily, wasn’t gonna be a quarterback. It was too far away to see what he could actually evolve into. To predict that he would end up being a tight end, I can’t tell you that I would’ve saw that because really you have to give that to Armani. I mean, what he did is quite frankly remarkable. I can’t say that I’ve really ever seen anything move at this type of pace and that’s why I’m so excited about where he’s going.”

“I mean, that’s the beauty of the situation every day I have an opportunity to sit back and learn from two guys (Mayhew and Hurney) that have been there and have done it. I just appreciate both those men so much. They’re so humble. They’re so transparent.”

He talked of how he has been learning the last 24 hours with cuts, signings, and practice squad matters.

“Look, there’s a lot of moving parts to what’s taking place. There’s a lot of unknowns or a lot of things that we may not have answers to right away. Chris [Polian] our director of pro personnel’s done a great job of leading our pro personnel department and really getting everything prepared in terms of all the different possibilities.”

When asked what Stokes is responsible to do during the week, he responded, “When I get back on Monday after the games, it’s all about evaluating from within and just kind of seeing where we are seeing injuries, just kind of checking to see if there’s anything that we need to do in terms of transaction, bringing guys in for workouts. I’m working collaboratively with Chris [Polian] just kind of getting an idea of an emergency list.”

Stokes was drafted out of Nebraska by the Seattle Seahawks in the 5th round (142) in the 1997 NFL Draft. He relayed how he received a call from his agent informing him Seattle had included Stokes on the expansion draft list. Consequently, he was drafted by the Browns. Stokes said he loved Seattle, and his girlfriend at the time said to him, ‘Well, we’re gonna have to get married here if you’re gonna send me off to Cleveland’.”

 

What to expect from the Washington Commanders backfield

How will Washington’s backfield shake out in fantasy football?

The Washington Commanders having a muddled backfield is nothing new. Difficulty predicting the main man has been normal the past few years, and often it wasn’t the back you thought it would be in August.

Trying to determine the impact of Commanders running backs Antonio Gibson, Brian Robinson Jr., J.D. McKissic and Jaret Patterson isn’t easy, but it does have a familiar ring.

When Washington drafted Gibson in 2020, he immediately became the primary back but was part of a platoon with McKissic and Peyton Barber. In 2021, Gibson had more than three times the carries as anyone else on the roster and responded with a 1,000-yard season. Things were looking up for Gibson to join the featured back fraternity.

Then Marty Hurney struck … again.

Hurney, the Commanders executive V.P. of player personnel, cut his front-office teeth as the Carolina Panthers general manager. He made headlines more than a decade earlier by doubling down on running backs. In the span of three drafts, he selected DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart – both in the first round.

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Fans remember how that turned out. Both posted strong numbers but were always viewed as a tandem. Both were drafted to be a RB1 in most formats, and both were formidable players, but they negated each other enough to become prone to having time-share stat lines too often.

You get the sense that the same is happening 14 years later in Washington. Two years into his career, the shifty, speedy Gibson is being joined a power runner to line up next to or at least behind him. There is very little subtlety about Robinson’s game. He’s a 230-pound power runner who attacks defenses and is yet another in a long list of Alabama running backs to transition to the NFL. Robinson waited his turn behind Bo Scarbrough, Josh Jacobs, Damien Harris and Najee Harris – the latter trio being currently viewed as three of the respective bell cow running backs for their franchises. Robinson is looking to be the next in line to quickly and successfully make the jump from ‘Bama to the NFL.

Complicating matters is that McKissic agreed in principle to a deal with the Buffalo Bills but backed out at the last minute and accepted a contract to stay with the Commanders. He carved out a role as a third-down receiving back, and his objective at this point is merely to hold on to that role.

The wild card here is Gibson’s penchant for fumbling, which can kill a fantasy player – especially when there are viable options to put that player in the coach’s doghouse for a game. In his first two seasons, Gibson has lost six fumbles. Washington didn’t really have the luxury of sitting him last year. With Robinson, they might.

Much in the same way the Panthers lit a fire under Williams by drafting Stewart, eventually Stewart kept earning more and more playing time and Williams had to learn to share the load. If one of them was injured, the other one thrived. But, the team was better off with the thunder-and-lightning combination they bring – even if it lessens their weekly numbers.

Fantasy football outlook

When it comes to putting a fantasy value on the top two Commanders running backs, it has all the earmarks of being a tale of two seasons. Gibson is going to get the benefit of the doubt early given Ron Rivera’s acknowledged loyalty to his veteran players. But, his fantasy value has already taken a hit with the arrival of Robinson. The rookie is likely to going to start the season on the low end of a 3-to-1 time share, but one of two things could change that as the season goes along.

The first could be that he forces the hand of the coaching staff by making the most of his opportunities – like Tony Pollard has done in Dallas. The other could be if Gibson’s fumbling remains an issue. Injury, of course, is a third path, but players tend not to lose their role to minor ailments.

For the yearlong fantasy numbers, the money is on Gibson. He still has RB2 value, but when you need fantasy wins in December, Robinson may be more valuable at that point – especially at a discount price on draft night. The rookie is a must-handcuff for Gibson owners and also has RB4 worth in his own right. McKissic serves as viable roster depth in PPR leagues but offers little beyond the occasional flex play out of desperation.

Instant analysis: Washington selects Sam Howell at No. 144

Sam Howell was a steal for the Washington Commanders in round five.

Looking for quarterback depth, the Washington Commanders selected North Carolina’s Sam Howell with the 144th pick in the 2022 NFL Draft.

Washington had actually owned the No. 120 pick but traded back with (pause) you guessed it, the Carolina Panthers, enabling the Commanders to launch the 5th round with the opening pick.

Howell is reunited with former Tar Heel and current Commander wide receiver Dyami Brown, taken in the third round of the 2021 draft.

Howell threw 92 TD passes to only 23 interceptions at UNC and became the sixth quarterback drafted in this year’s rookie class.

Howell is tough physically and mentally, not afraid to run and throws a nice long ball as well. Washington fans will love to see his long ball next preseason.

The Patriots having chosen QB Bailey Zappe late in the 4th round, surprisingly meant Howell was still available for Washington. Coach Ron Rivera had said all along, he would like to have Wentz, Heinicke and a rookie. He probably never dreamed it would be Sam Howell at No. 144.

Great value, great potential this late in the draft. Rivera, Mayhew and Hurney could not pass up Howell.

Instant analysis of Washington picking Jahan Dotson in 1st round

The Commanders deserve praise for moving back from No. 11 to No. No. 16 and still landing a good player.

The Washington Commanders tonight have selected Jahan Dotson No. 16 overall in the first round of the 2022 NFL draft.

The 5-foot-10, 178-pound wide receiver from Penn State, becomes the first player drafted by the Washington “Commanders”, the franchise having become the “Commanders” on February 2.

My assignment is to analyze this selection and not cheer or needlessly criticize, so here goes.

At only 5-10 and 178 pounds, size should be one’s first concern that comes to mind. He is a bit undersized, and the NFL is a brutal sport for the undersized receiver if he gets caught over the middle with weighty shots.

Yet, it must also be stated early that Dotson is explosive with the ball in his hands. Watch the tape. Against good competition, Dotson makes big plays as both a receiver and a returner. DeAndre Carter departed, signing with the Chargers, so Dotson was selected to help as a returner at least in 2022.

Additionally, it should be noted, that Penn State did not have great quarterback play, thus Dotson is talented and was productive, though they lacked a great passer. He was known to possess great hand-eye coordination, thus he does not drop many passes.

It should not be ignored that Dotson was not on Daniel Jeremiah’s next best available list when Washington was on the clock.

So, it is perfectly reasonable to ask, “Similarly to last year, did Washington reach a bit for Dotson as they clearly did for Jamin Davis in the first round in 2021?

There is no question Dotson is someone the trio of Rivera, Mayhew and Hurney had their eye on because he could have been available a few more picks down the board.

Unlike Davis last year, Dotson will not be asked to play a much different position as Davis was last year, moving from the outside to inside linebacker. Dotson will bring explosiveness to returning and running with the ball after the catch. Though on paper it looks similar, I can’t imagine the results being similar to Davis struggling last year as their first-round pick.

Dotson finished catching the second-most passes in Penn State history and was first-team Big 10 in 2021.

Washington actually owned the No. 11 overall position and with the holes in their roster, and not possessing draft picks in rounds 3 or 5, they wisely traded back with New Orleans five spots, obtaining picks 16, 98 and 120.

Thus, in the first analysis, moments after the trade and selection of Dotson, Washington has obtained an instant playmaker and picked up two more draft choices in the top 120.

Job well, done Ron Rivera, Martin Mayhew and Marty Hurney.

Daron Payne not in Washington’s future plans?

It’s been a frustrating offseason for Washington fans.

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It wouldn’t be Washington football if it didn’t involve uncertainty.

Don’t call me a hater.

Seriously, I have followed this team much closer than most fans since the 1969 season. I fell in love as a kid when the Redskins had Sonny Jurgensen throwing tight spirals to Charley Taylor and Jerry Smith while a young Larry Brown was becoming one of the fiercest runners to ever put on a helmet.

I watched all five Super Bowls in team history and cried as a 9-year-old when they lost Super Bowl VII. So don’t call me a hater.

But today’s latest development again left me frustrated. The front office/head coach Ron Rivera and his front office assistants will not extend defensive tackle Daron Payne.

This AFTER they let Tim Settle go to sign with Buffalo for a mere $9 million over two years and then released Matt Ioannidis. Wait, what?

Following the team for 50+ years, I certainly understand it is a business. Ok, so why release this information today? Why let each of your competitors know you now “have” to trade him? I wrote about this prior to the trade for Carson Wentz, regarding their desperation to obtain a quarterback.

Ok, they were determined to re-sign Jonathan Allen, and I approved of the move. So, why haven’t they been trying to trade Daron Payne earlier in this 2022 offseason, when many other teams were making trades?

If they had traded Payne earlier, could they have not kept both Ioannidis and Settle? They certainly could have.

Has there been much of a plan this offseason? Is it just me, or does it seem there are reactions rather than direction and vision? They cannot let Payne get to the 2022 season. Good grief, Kirk Cousins, Brandon Scherff AND Daron Payne? Is there a plan?

Perhaps they will trade him during this week’s NFL draft? What will they get for him? If they lose Payne, Ioannidis and Settle in a two-month span, their strongest roster spot (DT) will have been virtually annihilated.

Forgive me, but sometimes I feel as soon as Washington strengthens one weakness (QB), it manages to create two more weaknesses, which is what they have done this offseason: strengthen QB, weaken their draft possibilities and gut their defensive tackle depth.

 

Commanders NEED to trade down in 2022 NFL draft

The Commanders should move down at every opportunity to add multiple picks in this year’s draft. Of course, you need a trade partner.

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The Washington Commanders really need to trade down in the upcoming 2022 NFL draft.

When Washington wanted Carson Wentz so badly, was it necessary to relinquish a 2022 third-round draft pick, a 2023 third-round pick that is conditional and is most likely to become second-round pick? Was it also necessary, that the Commanders allowed Colts GM Chris Ballard to talk them into swapping down from the No. 42 overall selection Friday to the No. 47 selection? Even more, did Ballard also get his way, when Washington agreed to take on Wentz’s entire salary for the next three seasons?

Colts owner Jim Irsay had already laid down the gavel to Ballard and head coach Frank Reich that Irsay did not want Wentz back for 2022. Thus Ballard “HAD” to trade Wentz.

This means Washington does not presently own an opportunity to select a player in either the third or fifth rounds of this year’s draft. You recall in the 2021 NFL draft Washington sent this year’s fifth-round pick to the Eagles for a sixth-round pick (225) and a seventh-round pick (240). With those two picks, Washington selected Cameron Cheeseman and William-Bradley King.

In addition, Washington’s strongest position last year was defensive tackle. The team exhibited strength and depth with Jonathan Allen, Daron Payne, Matt Ioannidis and Tim Settle. However, they failed to sign Tim Settle, and he signed a two-year deal for only $9 million with Buffalo. Washington then released Ioannidis “after” losing Settle.

Was Washington actually negotiating with Settle, attempting to keep him? He signed quickly for a price Washington could have easily matched or bettered, had they released Ioannidis just days earlier.

Without a third-round and fifth-round pick, Washington still has two options. They have the No. 11 and No. 47 overall selections.  They desperately need to add a strong inside defensive tackle in this draft. They might also like to draft a quarterback as well to see how he develops in the next few seasons.

Consequently, Washington could trade down from No. 11 overall, still remain in the first round, and easily pick up an extra draft pick or two. They could also trade down from No. 47 adding a draft pick as well.

Yes, Washington landed an upgrade at quarterback in Wentz. And yes, they also still have the opportunity in front of them in this week’s draft to trade down and meet other roster needs that should be addressed.

Two things will need to be present: a team wanting badly enough to trade up and Washington wanting badly enough to trade down to obtain a few more draft picks.

 

Washington Wire 2022 NFL mock draft, 1st Round, part 1

Part 1 of Washington Wire’s mock draft as we go through picks 1-16. Who lands with the Commanders?

Washington Wire editor Bryan Manning and contributing writer Ivan Lambert joined together to produce their 2022 NFL mock draft of the first round.

Selections 1-16 are provided in this Tuesday morning post, with selections 17-32 coming Wednesday morning.

This mock draft leans upon the draft order at the time this is being selected by Bryan and Ivan. Bryan began the draft making the No. 1 pick, while Ivan picks up at No. 2, and they rotated each selection. The Washington Wire mock draft did not include trades.

Commanders may not be impressed with this draft

Are the Commanders even interested in a wide receiver at No. 11 overall?

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The Sports Junkies’ Eric Bickel unveiled Thursday that he has a source informing him that the Washington Commanders front office is not high on this upcoming 2022 NFL draft.

Bickel on the morning 106.7 The Fan show said it was explained to him that usually in the first round there are 10-12 players that everyone covets as special and then there is a drop-off. Well, EB said he was told this year, that the Commanders feel there are about two elite players to trade up for in this draft.

“My understanding is they don’t love this draft,” Bickel said. “It makes sense why they went after Carson Wentz. They don’t really want to take a receiver at No. 11 either. What they want to do is trade out. Which makes sense, and if they can’t they will take the best player available.”

“If they loved any of the quarterbacks in this draft they wouldn’t have put their reputation on a guy that is sort of dicey as Carson. I think Carson could go either way. He could hit, but he could also bust.”

“They don’t really think there is great value at receiver at 11 for them. They are hoping someone falls in love with a guy at 11, moves up to get him and they can move down and pick up some other picks.”

Washington has six picks this year (Rd 1, 2, 4, 6, 7, 7) and Jason Bishop was not shy, pointing out the first four picks by Ron Rivera and the staff each of the last two seasons has not been impressive with the exception Bishop made of Antonio Gibson. “I just don’t put a lot of stock into what Ron Rivera and that scouting department and the Marty’s really see in this draft. That’s just me. They didn’t do great the last two drafts.” Bishop then did correct himself saying he had forgotten about John Bates having a good rookie year.

Bickel, on occasion, has mentioned a source that provides him some insider information. It will be interesting to see if Bickel’s source was playing him, knowing it would get on the airwaves, or actually being truthful with him.