Tag: Taylor Heinicke replaces Carson Wentz

Heinicke finishes much better than he started in Commanders win over Packers

Taylor Heinicke proved it’s not about where you start but how you finish.

It’s not how Taylor Heinicke started, its how he finished Sunday.

Early on Heinicke was late to pass, and threw behind receivers and it was pretty much a disaster.

He was 0-4 for zero yards in the first quarter and then early in the second quarter, throwing out in the right flat to J.D. McKissic, Heinicke’s pass was considerably behind the desired placement and thus intercepted by De’Vondre Campbell and returned 63 yards for a touchdown. Washington was down 14-3 and calls for Sam Howell began to be tweeted on Twitter.

But Heinicke settled down, and became more assertive, getting the ball out quicker and with better placement, finding Antonio Gibson for a 9-yard touchdown bringing Washington to within 14-10.

Early in the third quarter Heinicke and Armani Rogers connected for 9 yards and a first down to the Green Bay 37. On 1st & 10 Heinicke dropped back, let the ball go on time, led Terry McLaurin well into the end zone for the touchdown and a 17-14 Commanders lead.

In the final quarter clinging to a 23-21 lead, Washington desperately needed to move the ball and run the clock. On 2nd  6 from the Washington 29, Heinicke found McLaurin on a quick out to the left, and McLaurin bulldozed his way for 14 yards, and the first down.

Then on 3rd & 9 from the Washington 44, Heinicke again looked for and connected with McLaurin this time on the right sideline for 12 yards and another first down.

After the horrendous start, Heinicke finished 20-33 with 201 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. Perhaps most importantly was those two late first downs to McLaurin when the pressure was on to preserve the victory.

Heinicke proved again Sunday it’s where you finish that counts much more than where you start.

 

 

Ron Rivera confident in Commanders offense

Ron Rivera believes in Taylor Heinicke and Washington’s offense.

Washington Commanders head coach Ron Rivera met with the media Wednesday. Here are excerpts from his comments regarding the Commanders offense.

Rivera was pleased with the return to practice of T Sam Cosmi and WR Jahan Dotson.

“It was good to see. Logan’s still off to the side, but Jahan got some reps today, looked good out on the football field. Cosmi got some reps too. He’s trying to learn how to play with the hand taped up with basically his left hand, and he actually looked pretty good.”

With Carson Wentz out for at least a few weeks, Rivera is confident that Taylor Heinicke possesses enough knowledge of the offensive system.

“You see it. Like today we had a route out there and one of the guys could have done something a little different and Taylor right away explained it to him and you see that just because of his background in this. So, he’s got a very good knowledge of it.”

Of course, every NFL coach would prefer to have a starter last a full season.

“Well, that’s what you want. You wanna be able to do that. I was fortunate to have that earlier when I was in Carolina, but the continuity’s important. And for a guy like Terry (McLaurin), especially Terry and the rapport he has and he develops with guys is tremendous because of his athletic ability and his skillset.”

Rivera likes his three running backs and the various talents they possess.

“Well, one thing I’d like to see us do is at the end of the second quarter, and into the third quarter, I really saw what we hope for and what we envisioned.  I mean that’s what these guys can all do, and they bring to the table. We’ve gotta be able to make sure we can have that kind of mix because it gives us an opportunity to really open up the offense. It’ll really help with the play-action. And I know Taylor [Heinicke] is very good at play action, so we’ve gotta be able to run the football.”

Rivera understands each quarterback has his set of strengths and weaknesses.

” Well, I see the play calling tilted more towards Taylor. It’s tailored for Taylor. I think that’s what you’ll see. I mean, to take advantage of his skill set and what he does really well.”

Heinicke doesn’t possess the size or strength of Wentz, but Rivera does like Heinicke’s overall interaction and understanding of the offense.

“The way he controls it with his teammates, the way he disseminates it and spreads it amongst his guys. I’m telling you, I see a little bit of air confidence. I really do, and I think it’s spreading to his teammates, just his overall knowledge. And I think that’s going to be an interesting thing to watch.”

Rivera is hopeful to have Jahan Dotson join the receivers for QB Taylor Heinicke:

“Again, with Jahan back and going against their secondary, which is one of the best in the league, this will be a really good challenge and it’ll be a good challenge for everybody across the board. And not just the receivers, but those tight ends. You throw those guys into the mix. And if we can sustain a running game, I think it’s going to make for a very interesting Sunday.”

Rivera likes how Dotson has played in the red zone.

“When you have a catch radius, you know, you can come up with contested balls, you present the type of target that a quarterback needs, it doesn’t matter where he throws it, he’s going to be able to go get it and protect it. And I think that’s one of the keys to his success. I think his route running because it’s very precise as well. He runs very mature routes. It’s probably a good way to put it.”

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