Tag: QB Sam Howell

When they last met: Commanders and Browns

These teams last met just two years ago with Carson Wentz under center for Washington.

“When they last met” is an ongoing series during the NFL season, recalling the preceding game between Washington and the next opponent on the Commanders’ schedule.

Cleveland 24, Washington 10 – Week 17, January 1, 2023

In what was perhaps Ron Rivera’s most revealing moment as Washington’s head coach, the Cleveland Browns defeated the Commanders 24-10 in Landover at FedEx Field.

Washington had been sitting in the sixth seed position with a 7-5 record when Rivera’s team suddenly went winless over the next four weeks. They tied the Giants, lost to the Giants, lost to the 49ers, and, on this day, lost to the Browns.

Rivera seemed to lose the team when he started Carson Wentz over Taylor Heinicke. Heinicke was the favorite of the team, of the coaches, of the fan base. Yet the truth is Heinicke struggled three consecutive games and Rivera really was attempting to stop the mudslide, beat the Browns at FedEx and make the playoffs.

But the Commanders came out lifeless for the game. It was inexplicable and inexcusable that the team played as they did that day.

Even more, following the disappointing and frustrating loss to the Browns, in the press conference, Grant Paulsen asked Rivera, “To clarify, you said you would talk about quarterback next week. If you guys are eliminated today by what happens at four o’clock, is Sam Howell in consideration?”

The Commanders had just fallen to 7-8-1 and, depending upon the final outcome of a 4:00 p.m. game, could be eliminated from the playoffs. So Paulsen asked if rookie Sam Howell might play in what would be a meaningless final regular season game.

Then the shocking moment occurred. Rivera paused, remained silent, moved his head to the side and asked Paulsen, “We can be eliminated?” Paulsen responded, “Yeah, if the Packers beat the Vikings, then you guys are eliminated.” Rivera, surprised, simply responded, “Ah.”

I certainly understand an NFL head coach not being aware of all the playoff scenarios with three games or perhaps even two games left to play. But when you only have one game remaining, how did he know they were in danger of being eliminated after the loss to the Browns? How had no assistant coach, scout, executive, or player not brought this up with Rivera all week?

It spoke volumes not only of Rivera’s lack of what was transpiring right in front of him but also that he had not led in managing the staff, to assign someone to inform him each of those last weeks of where the team stood in the playoff race.

It was also here that Rivera lost the confidence of many in the building and, now, the fan base in the DMV. 2023 turned out to be a lame-duck year for Rivera and the staff.

Washington had led 7-3 at the half when Deshaun Watson riddled the Commanders’ defense with touchdown passes in the second half of 46, 13, and 33 yards. Meanwhile, Carson Wentz struggled in the second half, and frankly, the Commanders crashed and burned when these two teams last met.

Forecasting the Commanders 2024 quarterback competition

Jayden Daniels is Washington’s future. Will he start Week 1?

Of course, Jayden Daniels is the projected future starter for the Commanders, but who will start on opening day this September?

Will Daniels be ready enough to be named the opening-day starter over Marcus Mariota?

Cody Benjamin of CBSsports.com asked that question for each NFL team where he feels there will be an actual quarterback competition during this offseason leading up to the launch of the 2024 NFL season.

Quickly, the big picture is that Benjamin sees open competitions for the Commanders, Broncos, Raiders, Vikings, Patriots, Giants, and Steelers.

What does Benjamin see regarding the Commanders’ offseason competition between Daniels and Mariota?

This is the one sham competition of the bunch. But unlike in Chicago, where there is zero question about Caleb Williams’ place atop the Bears’ depth chart, both Daniels and the new Commanders regime are publicly allowing for the notion that backup Marcus Mariota is in contention for the Week 1 gig. We’ll just say this: If Mariota starts, there is something deeply wrong here. Daniels is 23, played five years of college ball and just went No. 2 overall to a roster littered with veteran additions. His electric mobility should give him an instant hold on the job.

If you are interested, here is how Benjamin projects the other starting quarterback competitions for this upcoming season.

For what it is worth, who are the last ten Commanders’ opening-day starting quarterbacks?

  • 2023     Sam Howell
  • 2022     Carson Wentz
  • 2021     Ryan Fitzpatrick
  • 2020     Dwayne Haskins
  • 2019     Case Keenum
  • 2018     Alex Smith
  • 2017     Kirk Cousins
  • 2016     Kirk Cousin
  • 2015     Kirk Cousins
  • 2014     Robert Griffin III
  • 2013     Robert Griffin III
  • 2012     Robert Griffin III
  • 2011     Rex Grossman
  • 2010     Donovan McNabb

Commanders’ postgame quotes following loss to 49ers

Ron Rivera, Jonathan Allen, Terry McLaurin, Sam Howell, Brian Mitchell and others comment on Commanders’ loss to 49ers.

“Early on, it looked like we were going to make this game into a match. But as they game went on, you saw they clearly had too much for us. And I say it all the time, you can’t help a team beat you.” Brian Mitchell

“I thought the defense did a lot of good things today. But they’re a more talented roster, they’ve got playmakers at all spots, their defense played excellent and obviously Sam has been struggling a little bit.” Logan Paulsen

“Ultimately, I think he handled himself well coming into this game. But as that game went on, you saw the pressure of the 49ers was just too much. And your guy can’t go out there and get it done by himself.” Brian Mitchell

“Sam did some good things. But I think we are starting to see who he is as a player. Not to say that he can’t get better. But I think this is what our expectation for Sam should be the rest of this season.” Logan Paulsen

“Jacoby was still tight. So we had to be careful with it (hamstring). That was why we went with Sam.” Ron Rivera

“I thought Sam had some really good moments…the situation gave him an opportunity, and he performed, he really did. I thought he made some good decisions, threw some really good balls. Obviously, there were a couple of throws I promise he wished he had back, but he did a lot of good things.” Ron Rivera

“Obviously, an interesting week. Wasn’t expecting until two hours before the game to have to play today, but…..every single opportunity I get, I try to go out there and give it my all and make the most of it.”  Sam Howell

“Honestly, I couldn’t care less. I’m focused on what I’m doing to help this team. I’m going to go out there and play hard, enjoy it, play for the love of the game, and that’s what I did today.” Jonathan Allen on the uncertainty of who was going to play at quarterback

“I give credit to him because it hasn’t been an easy season for him. And obviously, he’s going to get a lot of the blame and things like that. I think we all have a hand in it — the coaches, players. It’s been tough, but the way he came out in the first half, it showed resiliency. You could see a smile on his face. That made me happy because it’s a tough game, especially at that position. So I think he handled it as best as he could.”  Terry McLaurin on Sam Howell

“It’s definitely tough. I mean, you want to be a part of something that is sustainable, and you’re winning and competing at a high level.”  Terry McLaurin

“When you’re going against teams like that, you got to play — not perfect, but you got to make the most of every opportunity. You got to give them credit for building that team and for the players going out there and executing. Hopefully, I can be a part of something like that, but I’m just focused on myself, my world, and my journey, and I’m going to keep working to be the best player I can be.”  Terry McLaurin

Bieniemy didn’t help the Commanders vs. the 49ers

The Commanders ran the ball just 14 times and Brian Robinson Jr. was excellent when he had opportunities.

It wasn’t as close as the final score for the Commanders on Sunday.

The scoreboard read 27-10, and those watching at a surface level will take some comfort, but other numbers were much more indicative.

The Commanders only registered 12 first downs, while the 49ers accumulated more than double that with 28.

The 49ers ran 25 more offensive plays than the Commanders, as Washington could only manage 43 to San Francisco’s 68.

The 49ers accumulated 408 yards of offense on Sunday. Meanwhile, Washington could only generate 225 yards.

The 49ers’ Kyle Shanahan understands how a running game helps his quarterback, Brock Prudy. San Francisco ran the ball down the Commanders’ throats 39 times, gaining 184 rushing yards, averaging 4.7 a carry.

Meanwhile, Washington’s offensive coordinator, Eric Bieniemy, continued to stubbornly show everyone he was in charge. Sunday, Bieniemy only had the Commanders run the ball 14 times. 14 rushing attempts? And this guy wants a head-coaching job in the NFL?

Washington was averaging 4.4 yards a carry, and its quarterback Sam Howell had struggled terribly the last month, so the offensive coordinator’s strategy was only to run the ball 14 times!

Sunday’s loss was Washington’s 12th in their last 14 games. This season can’t end soon enough.

 

Commanders’ Allen understands fans perspective, but he is an NFL player

Allen talks fans rooting for a higher position in the 2024 NFL draft and the quarterbacks.

Did the close loss to the Jets ruin Christmas for Jonathan Allen?

That was one of the early questions, asked of Allen on his weekly appearance on the “Sports Junkies” Tuesday.

“No, and here’s why. The amount of work I put in this week leading up to the Jets is probably some of the most I have done in my entire career. The way I was able to go out there and play hard, I can go to sleep knowing I left it all out there on the field.” Allen finished with four tackles and three of the four Commanders quarterback hits.

Allen said he has learned how fans look at it from their perspective of how can the team win over the next ten years. But he has also learned that as an NFL player, the only right way for him to look at it, is he is trying to win right now (this day, this game).

Allen then confirmed that a younger version of himself would have been upset with local fans and local media, wanting the team to lose for a better draft position, etc., but now that he has matured, having been in the NFL since the 2017 NFL draft, those things don’t bother him. He understands the fan base has their perspective, and they need to understand he has a player has his perspective.

As for the Commanders’ two quarterbacks and which should play against the 49ers next Sunday? “Obviously, Sam Howell is struggling, and Jacoby is playing great. Thank God, I don’t get paid to make those decisions. I just focus on what I have to do. Do you move on from him or do you continue to try to work with him (Howell)? I don’t know. That’s a tough question. I don’t think that is really a question I can answer.”

Allen was not being avoidant, he simply is mature and knows there is a time and place for everything.

 

Rams lose intensity, hold on to defeat Commanders 28-20

The Commanders lost by eight points, but the game wasn’t as close as the final score.

The visiting Commanders couldn’t generate much offense themselves and lost to the Rams Sunday 28-20.

Meanwhile, Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford completed 25 of 33 passes for 258 yards, including two touchdowns, as the Rams were leading 20-0 early in the third quarter.

Some will point to the Commanders’ (4-10) two touchdowns with Jacoby Brissett at quarterback. Go ahead, but the Rams led 20-0, and as soon as Washington scored to narrow the deficit to 20-7, the Rams scored again to extend their lead to a comfortable 28-7.

Yes, it’s clear the Commanders (not the “Commodores” as was announced by color analyst James Lofton) did score twice following Ron Rivera pulling starter Sam Howell in the fourth quarter to go with the backup Brissett.

Yet, the question must be asked, had the Rams lost much of their intensity when they scored to go up by 21 points at 28-7? In addition, they had substituted All-Pro defensive tackle Aaron Donald out of the game at this point.

Following the Commander’s five-play 67-yard drive to score, reducing the Washington deficit to 28-14, Donald was reinserted back into the game. Brissett connected with Terry McLaurin for 16 yards and then 48 yards to the Rams 1.

Then Eric Bieniemy, for some baffling reason, called on the Commanders to run the ball twice consecutively up the middle at Donald. Both times they were unsuccessful for no gains. On third down, Logan Thomas clearly pushed off, allowing him to catch a touchdown pass that was rightly penalized.

After a pass interference penalty gifted the Commanders four more downs at the one, Bieniemy again called for a Chris Rodriguez run up the middle, and again it was stuffed. Two incomplete Brissett passes followed before Brissett found Curtis Samuel for a 3-yard touchdown.

Wouldn’t you know it, Camaron Cheeseman had another bad snap that Tress Way managed to get down, but it was blocked, leaving the final score at 28-20. As Washington’s onside attempt failed and though everyone in the stadium knew the Rams were going to run the ball, the Commanders defense could not prevent a Rams first down, permitting them to run out the clock.

 

Every Commanders touchdown through Week 14

A look at each of Washington’s touchdowns this season, led by Brian Robinson Jr. and Sam Howell.

The Commanders have scored 29 touchdowns thus far through their 13 games in 2023.

The Washington offense, led by offensive coordinator Eric Beiniemy has produced 11 touchdowns on the ground and another 18 via the passing of Sam Howell.

You can see every touchdown scored in their first 13 games, as the organization has compiled a video solely of the touchdowns scored. Follow the link to watch.

One thing that will jump out at you in watching the video is that Sam Howell has rushed for five touchdowns which ties him with running back Brian Robinson’s five rushing touchdowns. The only other rushing touchdown has been scored by Curtis Samuel, in the first game against the Eagles.

Jahan Dotson leads the team in receiving touchdowns with four, while Logan Thomas and Brian Robinson each have collected three through the air. Terry McLaurin, Curtis Samuel and Antonio Gibson have each caught two.

Unfortunately, the defense has not been able to put a single touchdown on the board all season. They just have not been able to force that fumble nor intercept that pass that would produce a touchdown this season.

Jamison Crowder did produce an exciting 61-yard punt return against the Falcons in Atlanta, but he was caught from behind, keeping the Commanders’ return units unable to score a touchdown thus far in 2023.

Commanders drama grows concerning Eric Bieniemy

Has Eric Bieniemy pushed too hard? Opinions will be mixed.

The Commanders’ drama continues into this week’s bye week.

From the outset, it should be stated explicitly if the Commanders were 7-6 instead of 4-9, there would be much less drama right now.

Just last week, Grant Paulsen of 106.7 The Fan reported that he was being told that there are Commanders players not endorsing Eric Bieniemy in his coaching style.

Now, John Keim and Jeremy Fowler of ESPN have combined to write a story that unfolds how this season, which began with such high hopes, is now crumbling in its last month.

Apparently some players were not going to make their treatments because Bieniemy was running over the usually understood time for offensive personnel meetings. One player communicated that Bieniemy had suggested they could use a foam roller during the meeting.

Another player said it was getting better, “He’s gotten better at respecting our time.”

There was the preseason incident when receiver Terry McLaurin felt a cheap shot was delivered to one of his offensive teammates. “Bieniemy fired an expletive warning for him to return to the huddle. McLaurin wouldn’t back down, vowing to defend his teammate” (Keim report).

Ron Rivera raised eyebrows in training camp, conveying some players had come to him about Bieniemy. Some might say Rivera, in sharing this with the media, undermined/undercut Bieniemy. That is understandable.

Media personalities and fans talked of how insignificant players, unproductive players were simply whining.

But if that were the case, why would Rivera have even batted an eye? Isn’t it more reasonable to see that it actually was respected players who came to Rivera? Because Rivera respected them, might it have even alarmed Rivera that there was already unnecessary friction in the camp?

There is no doubt Andy Reid wanted Bieniemy to land another job last offseason. Reid was openly campaigning for someone to please take him, enabling Reid the opportunity to rehire Matt Nagy as his offensive coordinator.

Bieniemy should be credited for doing a nice job with Sam Howell. He appears to have significantly helped Howell’s “growth and development.”

Just last week, Bieniemy said, “I’m never going to change who I am, “I’ve always been like this…”

Some media personalities have responded that Bieniemy is the one man with Super Bowl wins in the organization, while the rest are part of a last-place organization. So, who cares what they think?

But for Bieniemy to insist he is “never going to change?”

Isn’t it convenient to think you don’t need to change in some areas? Aren’t each of us flawed? Don’t we all have limitations, biases, and, yes, blind spots?

This season was a big opportunity for Bieniemy.

Might he have pressed too hard?

Rick ‘Doc’ Walker on Commanders: It ‘is a manhood issue now’

Walker names the things he’s looking for in the final four games and it’s not necessarily wins.

“It’s like we are flat-lining now. This is where you have got to have that captain, that person on the staff, whomever, that doesn’t allow you to let go of the rope.”

Rick Doc Walker visited with the “Sports Junkies” Tuesday, and he didn’t hold back in saying how he feels about this Commanders team. In fact, Walker said it is now a manhood issue for this team.

“When guys start giving up on you and they’ve given up on the program, I’m trying to find how do I motivate myself now?” Walker was referring to the fact the Commanders still have four remaining games on their schedule.

The Commanders have fallen apart, losing six of their last seven games after starting the season 2-0.

“Now, I am looking for competitors. What would I be looking for now? Who doesn’t quit? Because if you quit on me, I quit on you. I can dump the whole roster because it’s a last-place operation. I am going scorched earth if the guys don’t prove to me that they are competitors.”

Walker was asked, “Who on this team would you choose to build around?”

“It’s easy. Who do you win with? (Pause) Nobody.”

Walker then elaborated, “In other words, I am going into expansion mode if I have to. These guys are going to prove to me now if they are competitors. Clearly, you need more competitive people on this team.”

“Why would I anoint anybody anything? That is our problem. We give away too many awards before they are earned.”

“You saw the Niners, the Cowboys. Hell, the Rams are going to be ferocious. They are turning the corner. Other people (teams) aren’t giving up. So, this is a manhood issue now. Let’s find out how many competitors we have. Talk is cheap. I want to see effort.”

“The bottom line is that everyone makes money; win, lose, or draw. So guys aren’t playing for the money. They already make the money. You got to find a way to get some incentive.”

Walker was asked if Sam Howell is the guy for next season.

“Oh, he’s going to compete. He ain’t the guy; he’s going to compete. Sam Howell is going to compete to be on my team. I am not holding any slots for anybody on a last-place team!”

“Everything is going to be open the way it ought to be. You got to earn the right to start.”

“What am I doing reserving a spot for a guy I can’t win with?”

Postgame quotes following Commanders 45-15 loss to Dolphins

Some interesting postgame quotes from some of the Commanders and head coach Ron Rivera.

“They did some things better than they have been doing. I thought the linebackers were much more decisive to the football. Thought some of the young safeties did an excellent job in run fits, handling all the Jet sweeps, all the misdirection motion. But it comes back to they gave up two explosive plays. Count that with the interception touchdown, that is 21 points they basically gifted the Miami Dolphins.”  Logan Paulsen

“Probably the biggest disappointment more than anything else is we gave up the two explosives that technically we should have not. We should have been in a better position than we were and we didn’t do that.”  Ron Rivera

“When you spot 21 points to a very good football team, you’re going to struggle to win a game.” Ron Rivera

“We got to be better up front in certain areas we’ve done some good things. We do enough to move the ball, then you get a little behind and then how your opponent attacks you becomes different.” Ron Rivera

“I don’t worry about that (losing the players), I really don’t, Nicki. I mean, you know, they are professionals, they have a job to do. They’ve got four games left to play and I told them in there, I expect them to come out and do their best.”  Ron Rivera

“Guys need to finish this season strong whether for the team or individual things. Let’s be real, next year this team will not be exactly like it is. Guys are going to be moving on to other places. You want to make sure somebody’s going to want to give you an opportunity. You may want to make sure this team wants to bring you back. So, you got to go show your best.” Brian Mitchell

“It’s been a tough couple of weeks. We have to do things better offensively and it starts with me. I have to play better football…we’re getting close to the end of the season. We still got a lot to play for.” Sam Howell

“It’s hard to pinpoint exactly what it is. I think it is a combination of a lot of things. It’s something different every single time, but we really got to look at ourselves, watch the tape and see what we can do to get better.” Sam Howell

“It’s definitely not what we wanted to do coming into the game (Terry McLaurin no receptions). We struggled to get all of our guys involved in the game today…Terry is the best player on our offense. I got to find ways to get him the football…three targets isn’t enough for your best player.” Sam Howell

““I’ve been dealing with this for 7 years, I’m tired of trying to build character. My character is built well enough. I’m trying to win.” Jonathan Allen

JP Finlay asked, “How tough was that one today?” “About what you would expect.” Jonathan Allen