Tag: RG Sam Cosmi

Adam Peters said the Commanders have a ‘few cornerstone pieces.’ Who are they?

Adam Peters said the Commanders had a few cornerstone players. Who are they?

“I believe there’s a few cornerstone pieces in this roster. I believe we have a lot of work to do.”

That is how new Commanders GM Adam Peters replied when asked what he thought of the current roster.

So, who does Peters feel are the “few cornerstone pieces”?

On offense, it would have been great if Sam Howell had developed enough this past season, but that did not occur, as Howell led the NFL in sacks taken and interceptions thrown.

Brian Robinson accumulated 733 rushing yards and 368 receiving yards totaling 1,101 yards from scrimmage. But Robinson is a running back. So Peters may not feel it necessary to pay Robinson a second contract, but we can cross that bridge in a couple of seasons.

Much was made of Terry McLaurin accomplishing a fourth consecutive season of 1,000 yards receiving. Frankly, wasn’t too much made of this? In today’s NFL, the rules and officiating favor the offense much more than the defense. Thus, there is more passing in today’s game. In addition, the NFL regular season is now 17 games. He is a fine, hardworking player and is a team leader. Yet, one would be hard-pressed to persuade us that McLaurin is an elite receiver. But his contract may keep other teams from trading for him. Is he really worth his $24.1 million cap hit in 2024?

This leaves the only real offensive cornerstone piece upon which the Commanders must build around, and that is right guard Sam Cosmi. Cosmi’s 2024 cap hit will only be $2,108,135. His last contract year is 2024, so Peters will want to re-sign Cosmi to that second contract.

Defensively, Jonathan Allen and Daron Payne have been sturdy and energetic inside forces, but that did fall off some this past season. Allen and Payne will have cap hits of $23 million and $26.17 million in 2025. Allen and Payne were drafted in the first round by Washington in 2017 and 2018, respectively. If Peters wants to receive the highest possible value back in a trade, he may want to trade one or both this offseason.

A few young players who have shown a toughness that Peters may keep around include safeties Darrick Forrest and Kam Curl. Curl is a free agent, however, and may want to hit the open market. A third is Quan Martin, a second-round choice who flashed at times in the later games of the season.

Three other players on the offense could be nice developmental pieces. Chris Rodriguez Jr. exhibited a real toughness on special teams and in running the ball. Jahan Dotson has had his moments where he looks like he really belongs. Another is Curtis Samuel. However, Samuel is a free agent, and Peters may not want to give him a third contract.

Armani Rogers, the most athletic of the tight ends, missed this entire season with a torn Achilles tendon. But he is an athlete Peters will want to keep, as he most likely does not bring back Logan Thomas.

Peters was absolutely correct. He has a lot of work to do.

 

 

Broadcaster on Commanders Week 1 opponent: Cardinals offense is ‘garbage’

Schlereth doesn’t see much from Arizona’s offense, but he likes the defense.

Mark Schlereth earned three Super Bowl rings, so he knows offensive line play.

The former guard for both Washington (1989-94) and Denver (1995-2000) was a guest on the “Take Command” Podcast Thursday with host Craig Hoffman.

Schlereth was a starter for Washington’s 1991 Super Bowl championship team and Denver’s in 1997 and 1998.

Part of the Fox Broadcasting team that will be calling the game Sunday at FedEx Field between the visiting Cardinals and the Commanders, Schlereth feels this game is big. “Welcome back to the National Football League to the Commanders,” expressed Schlereth. “We missed you. Glad to have you back.”

Schlereth stated so many walked away in disgust when Daniel Snyder was the owner. “Washington was one of the crown jewels in the league,” said Schlereth. “I couldn’t be more happier for the franchise and excited to call the game.”

One of the big concerns for Washington fans has been the play of the offensive line. Schlereth really likes what he has seen from LG Saahdiq Charles thus far in the preseason.

Saahdiq is a full grown ass man,” expressed Schlereth. “That dude is a powerful individual. He put on a preseason master class in dominating the line of scrimmage.”

Sam Cosmi moving inside to guard is not working as well thus far, according to Schlereth. He feels the games happen faster inside, and Cosmi has had some struggles.

But he added he does see the offensive line jelling together. He sees the potential and feels Eric Bieniemy is a student of the game and is ready to take on the challenge of being the coordinator entirely in charge of the offense.

How about the Cardinals offense? Schlereth certainly did not hold back.

“Arizona is trying to reintroduce themselves to the NFL with a natural, legitimate NFL system. That is going to take some time.”

“I call it the allusion of competitiveness. They would give you the illusion they were a competitive football team. They’re garbage. They didn’t do anything to me that is endemic to winning in the NFL.”

“Quarterback is an issue right now. I believe Joshua Dobbs will start. Clayton Tune ain’t ready for prime time.”

“Defensively, they are really talented. They play really hard. They flew around in the preseason. They played hard. They will give you a full day’s work on the defensive side of the ball.”

“I don’t think they are going to be 0-17, like everybody thinks. But they lack some talent at the quarterback position, to be frank. They don’t have a tight end that can block anybody.”

“They’ve got a lot of work in front of them. But I don’t think they are going to be the rollover everybody thinks they are going to be.”

Doc Walker: Some Commanders are ‘whiners, sissies’

Doc Walker pulls no punches, gives some outstanding analysis on what he’s seen this summer.

Rick “Doc” Walker was doing what he does so well Monday.

A guest on “The Al Galdi Podcast,” Walker, a former Redskins tight end (1980-85), was entertaining, daring and humorous. In other words, it was Doc Walker, as I’ve known him for 40 years.

Walker, as usual, did not hold back sharing his opinion of what he has observed thus far in the 2023 Commanders preseason. “Everyone could see Wylie (Andrew) was struggling at right tackle.”

Walker liked something he saw in returner Kazmeir Allen, “I saw potential promise in our return game if that young man will listen to Brian Mitchell…All that wide running ain’t gonna work in the NFL. But, if you got the guts to jam that thing up the pipe, you coming out of their brother. Because this dude can fly.”

“Doc” voiced his concern over the slow Washington starts during the Ron Rivera three seasons (2020-22). “This (preseason) is like a training session. I got to get you through this, to get you ready for Arizona. Because my target is Arizona in the regular season. Because we have been awful in September.”

Walker then naturally transitioned into Washington’s new offensive coordinator, Eric Bieniemy. “But now we have a new attitude, though some seem to have gotten their feathers ruffled over Bieniemy. I just hope he keeps doing what he is doing.”

Walker continued, “Anybody that has ever gone from bad teams to good teams understands why bad teams are stuck on stupid. If you keep doing what you’ve been doing, you’re going to keep getting the same results.”

The former tight end really appreciates the route running of receiver Jahan Dotson. “If they had a pay-per-view package just for me to watch/stay on him, I’d buy the package just to watch him. He is a superior route runner. I am telling you it is an art.”

How does Doc feel about the offensive line? “Here’s my deal, if you can’t run block or pass block, why are you on the team? Because you played for the head coach? We saw that crap last year with the two guards that were shot (Andrew Norwell and Trai Turner). So, it depends. Do you guys want to win, or are running a boy’s club or a professional football team?”

Walker again turned to Wylie in particular, “I expect him to play better next week because it is the test of a lifetime because he has the Ravens all week. So, if he has any fight in him, any dog in him, it better come out this week.”

“Doc” loves Sam Cosmi being moved from tackle to guard and looks forward to what he thinks Cosmi can accomplish inside.

Then “Doc” again turned his focus to the regular season.

“All I care about is if we are better in September than we have been since Ron Rivera has run the team. We have got to be better in September. In order to do that, it gets ugly in the process. It’s not going to be perfect. You have to go through some tough times.”

“I just want all the whiners that think EB’s practice…………EB is training you to be a champion. I know it is foreign to a lot of these sissies, but the bottom line is that was pathetic what went down.”

“It altered my demeanor all week. I could not believe it. I was shocked by that. But, you gotta move on.”