Tag: Rookie QB Sam Howell

What might new offensive coordinator mean for Sam Howell?

Washington’s next offensive coordinator is a critical hire with Sam Howell in mind.

Sam Howell looked across the line, and seeing the silver and blue Dallas Cowboys, he received the snap of the ball, dropping back on his first NFL passing attempt.

The line of scrimmage being the Dallas 16, Howell looked to his left, and there was Terry McLaurin completing a stutter move in a shallow crossing route moving from left to right beneath much of the Dallas secondary.

Howell planted his right foot to throw, tapped the ball with his left hand, and then looking in the middle of the field, passed toward McLaurin, leading him further to the right.

McLaurin made the catch around the ten-yard line, squared up his shoulders, and headed up the field into the end zone untouched. Sam Howell had attempted and completed his first NFL pass for a touchdown against the Dallas Cowboys.

Washington defeated Dallas 26-6 as Howell enjoyed the thrill of passing for and running for his first NFL touchdowns, both in his initial NFL game.

The former North Carolina Tar Heel had not been drafted until the fifth round by Washington. Understandably, Howell was the No. 3 quarterback behind Carson Wentz and Taylor Heinicke. Only after the team was officially eliminated from the playoffs was Howell given the last game.

Two days later, Commanders offensive coordinator Scott Turner was fired. Rivera had thought so much of Turner that following the 2021 season; Turner was given a contract extension. But now he was being fired by Rivera, though Turner had worked with eight quarterbacks in these three seasons as offensive coordinator.

So, the search for a new offensive coordinator has begun. With Rivera’s win totals in his three seasons being 7,7 and 8, next year is most likely the last for Rivera unless Washington is in the playoffs.

So what offensive coordinator wants to come to Washington, where there have not been winning seasons since 2015-16? What offensive coordinator wants to come to work for a head coach who may be in his last year?

In addition, if 2023 with the new offensive coordinator does not result in Washington being in the playoffs and the new owner cleans house, what will that mean for Sam Howell in 2024?

It will mean three offensive coordinators in three NFL seasons for a third-year quarterback drafted in the fifth round. Commanders fans and certainly Sam Howell himself are hoping for a much smoother transition.

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Carson Wentz grateful for this past year with the Commanders

Carson Wentz posts what appeared like a farewell message to his teammates.

Carson Wentz continues to impress with his leadership and kindness.

Wentz, via Instagram Tuesday, basically conveyed to Commanders fans and the organization that things did not develop this past season as we all had wished.

Wentz then expressed his gratitude for the opportunity and to fellow Commanders for the bond that he experienced and hopes to experience with them.

It really is a shame Carson could not perform up to expectations this 2022 season. The former Eagle and Colt quarterback was traded from the Colts to the Commanders in the offseason, and the price tag was not cheap.

In fairness to Wentz, is he to blame for the negotiating skills of the Commanders’ brass who worked the trade? It was no secret the Colts had already moved on from Wentz, and yet Washington did not negotiate well at all in the trade. The Colts talked the Commanders into a third-round choice in 2022, a conditional third in 2023 (which could have become a second-rounder) and swapping back five spots in round two with the Colts in the 2022 NFL Draft.

Wentz excited Commanders Nation in the first week when trailing the Jaguars 22-14, Wentz threw two touchdown passes in the final quarter leading Washington to a come-from-behind 28-22 victory. Wentz had thrown for 313 yards and four touchdowns. Washington “finally had a quarterback,” owner Daniel Snyder said.

The seven-year veteran started seven games; however, the Commanders could only manage two wins in those seven starts, resulting in head coach Ron Rivera staying with Taylor Heinicke for nine starts until Heinicke’s struggles caught up with him and Rivera returned to Wentz and then Sam Howell for the final game.

Wentz earned $28 million this past season, but Washington has the ability to release him without any salary cap hit next season, so it is only a matter of time before he is released.

Several players, including Taylor Heinicke and Jonathan Allen, have spoken out about the quality person and teammate Wentz was this year. Sam Howell even went out of his way to challenge public opinion concerning Wentz.

Following Washington’s 26-6 victory over Dallas Sunday, in Howell’s first NFL start, Howell proclaimed, “I know people say negative things about Carson, but he is an unbelievable human being. For him to give me his suite my first start, means a lot.”

Commanders Wire wishes Carson, his wife Madison, and their two precious daughters the very best in their future endeavors.

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Yet again, Ron Rivera and Martin Mayhew must make huge decision at QB

Mayhew and Rivera have some huge decisions to make — and soon. Perhaps the big decision isn’t all that difficult after all.

Leadership means making tough decisions.

Washington Commanders coach Ron Rivera and general manager Martin Mayhew are well aware that if next season does not bring an improvement in the win total, they will be finished with the Commanders.

Last offseason, Commanders Wire wrote prior to the Carson Wentz trade about our concern that Rivera and Mayhew had presented an appearance of desperation and being needy. Sure enough, our concerns were confirmed when the Commanders acquired Wentz. They gave up a third-round draft choice, a conditional second/third-round choice, swapped picks in the second round (five places), and agreed to take on all of Wentz’s $28 million salary for 2022.

This is what we wrote last offseason to close that post:

Sometimes in negotiations, we really must be careful because if our posture is one of being too needy, the negotiation will actually be nothing more than the other guy taking advantage of us. A fair mediation will involve you being willing to walk away from the table. I am hoping, if need be, Coach Ron and Mayhew are both willing to walk away from the table.

A year later, here we are again. Raiders quarterback Derek Carr is going to be available via trade. We’ve seen the best Taylor Heinicke can give, and we have no idea how Sam Howell will develop over the next three seasons.

However, Carr has a $34,875,000 cap hit in 2023, $43,875,000 in 2024 and $43,175,000 in 2025. Rivera and Mayhew need to win next season. Consequently, they might not want to wait to see if Howell develops.

There are also pending free agents to consider, such as Daron Payne, Taylor Heinicke, Cole Holcomb, Cam Sims, Jeremy Reaves, Jonathan Williams, Khaleke Hudson, Milo Eifler, Tyler Larsen and Wes Schweitzer.

Oh, and what about 2024 free agents such as Montez Sweat, Kamren Curl, James Smith-Williams, Antonio Gibson, Chase Young, Kendall Fuller and Curtis Samuel?

The Commanders should go with Howell on his rookie contract, build through the draft, sign their proven players who can help them in the next three to four years, and sign a low-cost, veteran quarterback.

The best leaders do what is best for the organization in the short term and the long term, and this offseason will go a long way toward showing a potential new Commanders owner what kind of leaders Rivera and Mayhew are.

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What did game film of Sam Howell reveal to Logan Paulsen?

How did Logan Paulsen view Sam Howell’s first NFL start?

Logan Paulsen told last week of how he had been led to believe that the Commanders staff did not think Sam Howell was ready for a regular season NFL game.

Paulsen then asked listeners last week not to expect too much of Howell, as in kindness and thoughtfulness, he was attempting to protect Howell in case he would play poorly Sunday.

However, Howell played fairly well. There was a very bad interception and a couple of passes Howell missed. However, he ran well and made enough good decisions and good passes that he had to have pleased Commanders coaches and teammates.

Paulsen has now reviewed the game tape and offered his assessment to Craig Hoffman Wednesday on the “Take Command” podcast.

“There were some things physically that were just awesome: quick release, decisive throw, strong arm…his ability to run at this level. When you have a quarterback who can run, it’s a tremendous value added to the offense.”

That is a significant check in the box going forward for him next year (making plays off schedule). All of that was very positive and gets me excited about him moving forward.”

“I will say Scott (Turner) did a good job, to his credit, of basically designing very simple stuff for Howell to do. There was nothing overly complex.”

“There was a slant to Jahan that was a dragging concept; it is a day-one install, a very simple read.”

Paulsen expressed how there were some completions that were one-read throws. You look there, see if it is doable and let ‘er fly. Paulsen noticed that there were plays where Howell’s eyes were fixated on the receiver to whom he passed the ball.

“You love that he was finding throwing windows, his quick release, he was leading the receivers, his ball placement. All of that stuff was excellent. But some of the concerns that I had were about his ability to process an NFL offense. I’m not sure those questions were answered. But he did show you enough of his physical stuff to see why some talked of him being the best in college football in 2021.”

 

Chris Cooley: ‘The moment wasn’t too big’ for Sam Howell

Cooley was extremely impressed with Howell’s performance in his latest film review.

“He did a good job, he did well,” that is how Chris Cooley summed up in one sentence Sam Howell’s performance in his first NFL start Sunday against Dallas.

Cooley a guest on the “Kevin Sheehan Show” podcast Monday, continued to offer a film breakdown review of the game as well.

Here are some of Cooley’s evaluations of Sam Howell’s first game.

“I thought he played well. Take away that one pick he would like back; for the most part, I thought he was pretty consistent.”

“His accuracy was good other than one screen throw and a deep ball to Terry McLaurin that was underthrown a little bit.”

“He threw two deep balls later down the field. One to Dotson that was dropped, that was a really good ball, and another one to Terry that was an excellent ball.”

“Although he didn’t make a ton of throws vertically down the field, he did make three or four down the field that were essentially pretty good throws.”

“The crossing route throws he hit; he hit guys on the move in stride. He had a drop by Terry that would have been a conversion (first down). He looked really good athletically. The kid can get out and run. You saw that with the zone-read touchdown, making good cuts, fearless cuts.”

“He had a couple of good third-down scrambles where he ends up converting. I thought, for the most part, he ran the offense with good tempo. He looked comfortable in the pocket; he looked like he belonged there. The moment wasn’t too big (for him).”

“The moment was huge for him. He definitely felt nervous, and felt pressure. I think he performed in the moment while he felt pressure. I would have liked to have seen him throw the ball more.”

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Are Ron Rivera, Scott Turner and Taylor Heinicke on the rocks?

Signs seem to be pointing to some sort of a split between Heinicke, Rivera and Turner.

Has the relationship of Ron Rivera, Scott Turner and Taylor Heinicke reached a fork in the road?

Sunday, following a Commanders 26-6 win over the visiting Cowboys, Heinicke was emotional leaving the field. Was he contemplating that he might have played his last game for the Burgundy and Gold?

Two weeks prior, Heinicke was visibly uncomfortable, even telling the press, “It sucks” when he had been pulled during the second half of the 49ers game, and Wentz replaced him.

Heinicke had to expect with an elimination game against the Browns approaching, Rivera would give Wentz the start. Rivera had traded for Wentz and agreed to pay him $28 million this season. Of course, he went back to Wentz after the way Heinicke struggled in both games against the Giants.

Even more, losing to the Browns, Rivera had turned back to Heinicke for the finale against Dallas. We do know Heinicke basically said no thank you, Ron. What we don’t know is his attitude and how he expressed it to Rivera.

For the record, last week Rivera, to the press, expressed that Heinicke was being a good teammate in stating that he felt Howell had worked all year, and if Rivera was going to play Howell some, then why not go ahead and let Howell start the game as well.

I see two sides to this pretty quickly. Taylor might be wanting to leave to launch out for a bigger stage elsewhere with a bigger paycheck. Yet, will the grass be greener for Heinicke in another NFL town? Will he find another team willing to pay him starter’s money?

Rivera is now in an uncomfortable position with the majority of the fan base absolutely adoring Heinicke, to such a degree that if he doesn’t retain Heinicke the fan base is upset.

Certainly, Sam Howell, playing well against Dallas will help Rivera make his decision. In addition, if Rivera brings in another quarterback next year, how will the fan base accept the new guy?

Might Rivera be thinking about not bringing back Heinicke because Taylor is frankly reaching a celebrity status that forgoes rational thinking for many?

After Wentz was injured in Week 6 this season, requiring surgery, Heinicke started six games, and the Commanders went 5-1. However, the last three he started the Commanders were 0-2-1.

Taylor Heinicke was with Rivera and Turner in Carolina. In fact, Heinicke was with Turner (prior to Carolina) in Minnesota as well. They also obviously continued that relationship in Washington dating back to December of the 2020 season.

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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.”

Commanders QB Coach Ken Zampese likes his trio.

Ken Zampese likes all three of his quarterbacks and discusses each one.

Commanders quarterback coach Ken Zampese talked to the media Friday about losing his father (Ernie), growing up a coach’s son and his current Washington position group.

This is part two and will look into his current trio of quarterbacks.

Zampese was asked what the difference is in coaching Carson Wentz (6-year starter) and Taylor Heinicke (first-year of starting 2021).

“I hit it off with both of them, really easily. They’re both guys that have a grit to them. There are certain guys that have a high grit level, that have a high pain threshold, and can play under pressure that way. They’re so fun to be around because they don’t get affected by outside forces. You can talk about things in the heat of it, and their minds are not on the last series. You can really get to what we’re going to do next. Both of those guys are like that.”

Zampese was expecting to have veteran Ryan Fitzpatrick last year when suddenly it was Taylor Heinicke’s job for 17 games. “It was so much fun this past year with Taylor because, ‘Hey we’re here, let’s go.’ You knew you were going to get your best from him. You knew you were going to get his whole heart and soul all the time. That’s all you can ask for anyway.”

Zampese in 2022 is given the challenge of working to help Wentz improve his game.

“There’s always certain things you want to move in the direction of more often to gain consistency. We try to do that on a daily basis, and he really likes to work. He puts his mind to it, and he really likes to talk about the details of things. Getting things fixed for anybody, it’s not an overnight thing; It’s a process thing. And as long as both people are committed to going in that same direction and see things the same way you can make strides as you go. And that’s what we’re doing.”

Change can be difficult for anyone, even an NFL quarterback who has been a starter for six consecutive seasons. Yet, Zampese stated he believed playing in any offense for a period helps because there are concepts that carry over, He believes Wentz is a good study and added, “Thank goodness, he’s got an urgency about him that wants to know why we do it this way so that we can then play that way.”

Ken is seeing Carson increase his comfort zone heading into the season.
“Each day is just a little bit more. It doesn’t mean that you’re going to win. It just means you’re going to put yourself in a position more often to do it right. Then, that will lead to winning. The consistency over time and making good decisions, to being on time, knowing who that person is and where he comes out of the break. All those things increase your odds a little bit. That’s all we’re trying to do each day, is put the odds in our favor a little bit more through technique, through understanding of players, through understanding of zones where the ball’s going and why.”

Zampese is a big believer in not only arm mechanics but footwork being vitally important. “Any throws that you throw without your feet firmly planted, as if you have money on throwing the ball to that target, usually the odds go down. Sometimes they make you do it and sometimes you do it just because you fell off of that one. Well, the discipline to stay and not fall off is what we’re trying to get.”

Using a basketball analogy, Zampese added, “We got to hit all the open threes that we can because we’re going to have to put the ball on the floor often enough, you know?”

Asked regarding his early impression of rookie Sam Howell, “When somebody gives you such a talented player, you got to find ways to buy time throughout the week, and we do that. I make sure I ask him questions in meetings, and we spend time Friday after practice. We spend a little time throwing and then Wednesday and Thursday; he has specific things that we talked about doing that he does on his own. Then we do it together Friday, the red zone stuff and it’s been fun.”

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