Tag: QB 1 Sam Howell

Commanders postgame quotes after Week 1 20-16 win

Some postgame quotes from former players and coaches after Washington’s win.

The Commanders came from behind down six points in the second half, to win their Week 1 season opener 20-16 over the Arizona Cardinals at FedEx Field.

Here are some of the post game quotes:

“Let’s do something one day when we are not so d— stressed. I was absolutely stressed today, but you know what?  They came out with the victory, and made the plays when they needed to. You can’t be anything but happy. Santa (Moss) ended the pregame show saying he just wanted to get the win. We got that.” — Brian Mitchell

“Preseason is a little faster than training camp. Week 1 is definitely faster than preseason. You could see some guys, and I’m especially going to say, Sam Howell; you could see some things were happening so quickly.” — Logan Paulsen

“We’re a family, that’s one. It’s one for the city; it’s all you, thank you.” — Owner Josh Harris in the locker room to the team

“It takes a whole team, it really does. We made a lot of mistakes, we didn’t play our best football today. But they played their asses off as a unit. They played their asses off as a group. So, I want to recognize Jack Del Rio for that.” — Ron Rivera in the locker room about the defense

“We’re just getting started, guys. We’re just getting started. We’ve got the makings of a team that can do whatever it decides it wants to. I love the way we are working. Just keep working. We got each other’s back, whatever we need to do. O (offense) D (defense) special teams. All three phases, whatever we need to do. I appreciate you all.” — defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio

“The defense was outstanding…so they’re going to have to carry us a little bit, and they know that.” — Ron Rivera postgame

“I really do appreciate the fans coming out. We have got to be a better football team for them, though. We had some opportunities where we didn’t take care of the ball the way we should have. But we will be better. I really do appreciate the fans coming out, I really do. I also want to acknowledge it was great to see John Riggins in the stands. That was a really cool moment. I really appreciate him being there.” — Ron Rivera postgame

“Believe me, I am happy as hell we won, I really am. But we have to play better, we really do.” — Ron Rivera

“He had his moments. We’re gonna watch the rest of the tape. We are going to take a look at some things. We’ll get a chance to evaluate it off of the tape. And we will get a chance to walk with him.” — Ron Rivera, when asked about the play of QB Sam Howell

 

 

Will Commanders be an under-the-radar playoff team?

One analyst believes the Commanders will be a playoff team.

ESPN analysts Jeremy Fowler and Dan Graziano this week discussed who were some of the NFL under-the-radar teams that might make the playoffs.

Here is the link for the story.

In 2022, Washington sadly opened 1-4. The offense looked anemic, and another losing season looked certain. However, the Commanders suddenly won six of their next seven. They were now 7-5, in control of their own playoff destiny.

However, the offense struggled mightily to make plays, and the Commanders only went 1-3-1 in their last five games, losing out to the Giants for the final playoff spot.

Who is a team that did not make the playoffs in 2022 that most people will not be expecting to qualify in 2023?

Graziano selected the Falcons, citing this will be Desmond Ridder’s second season at quarterback for Atlanta, and they have recent draft selections that have shown great promise.

Fowler responded that he was taking Washington. Fowler elaborated that he was taking the Commanders primarily because of the defensive line returning, and the depth at wide receiver, which will help second-year quarterback Sam Howell. Fowler then also mentioned the contribution to the offense that newly hired offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy will be expected to make.

Interestingly enough, the offensive line has had the most questions in the offseason. The unit has new starters at both guard positions, Saahdiq Charles and Sam Cosmi, and a new center in Nick Gates. The Commanders also signed Andrew Wylie from the Chiefs to start at right tackle. This unit will need to help Sam Howell as he continues to learn a new offense and gain needed NFL experience, as he played only one game in 2022.

Michael Lombardi blasts Commanders HC Ron Rivera

Lombardi does think Sam Howell will be a lot better than Washington’s QBs last season and therefore, win more games.

Former NFL executive Michael Lombardi is not very impressed with Ron Rivera right now.

Lombardi, who was an NFL scout, player personnel director and general manager, offered sharp criticisms of Rivera when he was a guest on the “Grant and Danny Show” on Thursday.

Lombardi expressed that the Commanders really struggled in the 2022 season primarily because of the struggles of their quarterbacks Carson Wentz and then Taylor Heinicke.

As a result, Lombardi does not understand/agree with the Commanders over/ under on 2023 wins, only being at 6.5. He was adamant he believes Sam Howell will be a better quarterback than what they had in 2022.

“How much worse could Howell be than those two guys? He can’t be any worse.”

Lombardi pointed to three items that he thinks reflect poorly on Rivera. Not knowing they could be eliminated from the playoffs following the loss to the Browns, his statements regarding Eric Bieniemy during training camp and now admitting he didn’t realize in 2022 what Sam Howell could do.

“What it does is it shows he was seeing practice but was not observing practice. People that are only seeing don’t get anywhere.”

Lombardi pointed out that Rivera has all the authority, and can make any move he wants to make.

Lombardi feels this reveals there is not enough observation and interaction with Rivera’s assistants regarding the player personnel.

Rivera even became the butt of Lombardi’s jokes as Lombardi compared Rivera to Jedd Clampett of the old Beverly Hillbillies, luckily striking oil.

“The quarterback of the Washington Commanders was costing them games. That’s pretty clear. Lombardi pointed in particular to the 2022 loss to the Titans “because the quarterback couldn’t make a play.”

He was emphatic that Wentz was killing the Commanders in games last year. He also pointed to Heinicke struggling and that Rivera should have noticed what Howell was doing on the scout team last season.

“New Commanders owner Josh Harris should be concerned now,” expressed Lombardi. He asked, “Did the 2022 coaching staff have a meeting after the first quarter of the season to discuss everyone on the roster?”

Were the Commanders making notes of the players on the scout teams, observing their progression and or regression? “But if you are not paying attention to it, if you are not aware of it. You’re the general manager of the team. That is not a good look for you,” declared Lombardi referring to Rivera.

There was more, but the overall tone was that Lombardi feels Rivera has revealed he is not working hard enough and not communicating enough with his staff concerning their roster and player personnel.

Lombardi was quick to qualify his comments, stating Rivera is a good man; he was not attacking Rivera as a person. He did reassert he is questioning Rivera as a businessman.