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Go To: FlashUpdate / August Update Main Page
| Washington Commanders | |||
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Go To: Off-season Team Review
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| Most Recent News Updates: | |||
| WAS -- Dyami Brown Pushing For A Role In Commanders Offense (9/01/17:26 CT) | |||
| WAS -- Thomas Says He's Working Without Restriction (8/31/10:24 CT) | |||
| WAS -- Commanders Release QB Fromm (8/29/07:44 CT) | |||
| WAS -- Commanders Backfield Pecking Order Solidified (8/27/20:28 CT) | |||
| WAS -- Brissett Leads Offense In Win Over Bengals (8/26/20:29 CT) | |||
| WAS -- Brissett To Start Exhibition Closer (8/25/14:10 CT) | |||
| WAS -- Milne Has A Groin Injury; Thomas Limited (8/24/16:20 CT) | |||
| WAS -- McLaurin's Week 1 Status Uncertain Due To Toe Injury (8/24/15:36 CT) | |||
| WAS -- Bieniemy: Howell Right Where He Needs To Be (8/24/00:07 CT) | |||
| WAS -- McLaurin Optimistic About Week 1, Considered Day-To-Day (8/22/12:20 CT) | |||
| WAS -- McLaurin To Have MRI For Turf Toe; Injury Isn't Considered Serious (8/22/09:21 CT) | |||
| WAS -- Howell Solid In Win Over Ravens; McLaurin's Toe Worth Watching (8/22/00:34 CT) | |||
| WAS -- McLaurin Injures Toe; X-Rays Negative (8/21/20:58 CT) | |||
| WAS -- Badgley Being Released; Slye Remains At PK (8/20/08:49 CT) | |||
| WAS -- Thomas Starting To Ramp Up His Workload (8/18/15:02 CT) | |||
| WAS -- More On Howell Being Named The Week 1 Starter (8/18/08:38 CT) | |||
| WAS -- It's Official: Howell Named Week 1 Starter (8/18/07:46 CT) | |||
| WAS -- Rivera Still Not Ready To Declare Howell As Week 1 Starter (8/16/20:33 CT) | |||
| WAS -- Howell Remains On Track To Start Week 1 (8/15/08:25 CT) | |||
| WAS -- Commanders Sign TE Granson (8/13/19:07 CT) | |||
| WAS -- Rivera Revisits, Revises Comments On Bieniemy (8/10/21:12 CT) | |||
| WAS -- Gibson's Role In Bieniemy's Offense Worth Watching (8/09/17:33 CT) | |||
| WAS -- Players Having To Adjust Tp Bieniemy’s Level Of Intensity (8/08/21:12 CT) | |||
| WAS -- Brissett Gets Some Work With First Offense; Howell Still No. 1 (8/08/00:34 CT) | |||
| WAS -- Thomas Working His Way Through Calf Injury (8/08/00:15 CT) | |||
| WAS -- Samuel Slowed By Tighness In Leg (8/08/00:13 CT) | |||
| WAS -- Howell Still The Favorite To Start At QB (8/08/00:09 CT) | |||
| WAS -- Initial Issues And Injuries Of Note (8/08/00:00 CT) | |||
Current News Updates
9/01 According to ESPN's Dan Graziano, we shouldn't be surprised if wide receiver Dyami Brown has a real role in the offense. ... Graziano went on to advise readers Brown has been a standout in the offseason, even in a talented Commanders wide receiver room. Big things are expected of 2022 first-round pick Jahan Dotson, and Terry McLaurin is still looked at as the No. 1. But McLaurin did suffer a toe injury in the final preseason game that could linger into the season, opening up opportunities for others further down the depth chart. The Commanders have been impressed with the improvements Brown has shown this offseason, and they like his ability to make contested catches and win in crowded parts of the field. And it absolutely does not hurt that he spent two years playing at North Carolina with newly anointed Commanders starting quarterback Sam Howell.8/31 According to ESPN.com's John Keim, TE Logan Thomas said he has no more restrictions. He told Keim the calf injury that's limited him throughout August feels really good. Keim added Thomas "Certainly sounds good for Week 1. 8/29 According to Ian Rapoport, the Commanders are releasing QB Jake Fromm. ... We'll be posting complete moves as they're reported through today's 4 p.m. ET deadline on our NFL Roster Cuts page. 8/27 According to ESPN.com's John Keim, the backfield roles in Washington are clear. Brian Robinson Jr. will be the primary back. He has had a good summer, both as a runner and pass-catcher. Antonio Gibson will be the third-down back. Chris Rodriguez, a rookie, has run with power and shown better hands than expected, after not being asked to catch many passes at Kentucky. He'll provide depth. 8/26 There's no QB drama for the Commanders, who already announced Sam Howell as their starter, with veteran Jacoby Brissett set to back up. Brissett played the first three series of Saturday night's win over the Bengals, completing 10 of 15 passes for 96 yards with a 39-yard touchdown completion to Mitchell Tinsley, an undrafted free agent receiver who had three catches for 89 yards and may have earned a spot on Washington's 53-man roster. Jake Fromm played the majority of the game and threw for 144 yards and two TDs to wrap up a 3-0 preseason for the Commanders. It's the first time Washington finished exhibition play undefeated since 2013. Nearly every starter for either team sat out to avoid the risk of injuries. The Commanders already lost a top player to a preseason injury when Terry McLaurin sprained a toe on his right foot late in the first half Monday against Baltimore, and now the No. 1 receiver's status for Week 1, when the Commanders host the Arizona Cardinals on Sept. 10, is uncertain. ... You can access complete stats for Saturday's Week 3 exhibition finale via our exclusive Fantasy BoxScore. 8/25 The Commanders have seen enough from Sam Howell to name him their starting quarterback for the 2023 season and they’ve seen enough of him in preseason action as well. HC Ron Rivera said on Friday that Jacoby Brissett will get the start at quarterback against the Bengals in Saturday’s game. Rivera said that the plan is for Brissett to play about a quarter and a half before giving way to Jake Fromm. Rivera said that some other offensive starters will also be in the lineup, but no starters will play on the defensive side of the ball.With his preseason done, Howell will next play against the Cardinals at home in Week One. It will be his second NFL start and the start of a long run in the job if all goes according to the Commanders’ plans. 8/24 WR Dax Milne is dealing with a groin injury, HC Ron Rivera said while TE Logan Thomas (calf) will participate in individual drills. Thomas has been brought along slowly in his return, but he appears to be on schedule. 8/24 Following up on previous items. ... While Washington has expressed optimism about the status of Terry McLaurin, who suffered a turf toe injury on Monday night, the Commanders’ wide receiver is uncertain for the regular-season opener vs. the Arizona Cardinals, sources tell ESPN's Adam Schefter McLaurin will work to be ready for the start of the season, but it’s too early to say whether he will be. His injury typically is a multiple-week injury. 8/24 Following up on the ongoing story. ... Sam Howell turned in a solid performance in Monday night’s preseason game, and with the regular season almost here, Howell has convinced the coaching staff that he’s ready to go. That’s the word from OC Eric Bieniemy, who says that Howell has progressed exactly the way the Commanders’ coaching staff wanted him to this offseason. “Sam’s progression has been right where you would like it to be,” Bieniemy said. “He’s learned a lot being out there each and every day.” Bieniemy credited backup quarterback Jacoby Brissett with helping Howell, and said that Howell has shown the kind of professionalism that NFL teams need from their starting quarterbacks. “Sam autocorrects, and you love that about him,” Bieniemy said. “He takes it personal, he takes work home, and he loves to talk through all the little nuances of the game. So I think he’s right where he needs to be.” Howell has only played in one regular-season game in his career, but the Commanders sound about as confident as they could be that such an inexperienced quarterback is ready to go. 8/22 Following up a previous item, according to Ian Rapoport, there is optimism for Week 1 for Terry McLaurin. McLaurin is more day-to-day than anything, with the scans showing no major injury. 8/22 Following up on the ongoing story. ... WR Terry McLaurin is believed to be dealing with a toe sprain based on the initial diagnosis, sources tell NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. The injury from last night’s game — also known as turf toe — is not thought to be overly serious, but he’ll have an MRI today to determine the full extent. 8/22 As previously noted, Terry McLaurin was not happy after limping off the field late in the first half of Monday night's win over the Ravens. He threw his right shoe as an indication of that. But, hopefully for the Commanders, the initial news is a sign that maybe it won’t be a long-term injury. The Commanders report that McLaurin has a toe injury and wouldn't return, though he wouldn’t have played the second half anyway. He did not come out at the start of the second half to watch from the sideline. Nicki Jhabvala of The Washington Post reports X-rays were negative. McLaurin was injured on a 13-yard reception from Sam Howell with a minute left in the first half. His foot bent behind him as Ravens linebacker Kristian Welch dragged him down. McLaurin has had three consecutive 1,000-yard seasons, including 1,191 last season, and he hasn’t missed a game since the 2020 season. He has missed only three games in four seasons. ... Meanwhile, the Ravens did not play starters, but it was still a good night for Howell (19-for-25, 188 yards, 2 touchdowns), three days after being officially named the starter for Week 1. Washington's offense has a lot to prove this season but Howell once again showed poise in the pocket and an ability to forget bad plays. After he took a bad sack for a 13-yard loss, he delivered a strike on third-and-15 for the first down. He made big throws off scrambles and subtle movement in the pocket. Washington wanted him to be more decisive in the red zone and, at times, he was. As ESPN.com noted, Howell's quick twitch ability showed on his 11-yard touchdown pass to Dyami Brown as he didn't hesitate upon spotting him. ... Brown left the game in the third quarter to undergo a concussion evaluation. He was cleared to return. 8/21 WR Terry McLaurin was forced out of Monday night's game against the Ravens by a toe injury. While he's done for the night, NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reports X-rays were negative. We'll follow up as needed. 8/20 Ben Standig of The Athletic reports (via Profootballtalk.com) that the Commanders are releasing Michael Badgley. That leaves Joey Slye as the only kicker on the roster and he’ll likely be handling the kicking duties come Week 1. Badgley made the only extra point he tried in Washington’s first preseason game. The Commanders play the Ravens on Monday in their second exhibition outing. Slye joined the Commanders in 2021 and is 37-of-42 on field goals and 33-of-38 on extra points since coming to Washington. 8/18 TE Logan Thomas (calf) will do a little more on the side field today, per head coach Ron Rivera. The team has been taking a cautious approach with Thomas. 8/18 Following up on the previous item. ... Sam Howell will start the season opener at quarterback, coach Ron Rivera said Friday, ending what had been a one-sided competition for the job. As ESPN.com's John Keim notes, Howell has worked only with the starters since spring practices began. He has taken all but several reps with the starters; Jacoby Brissett, signed in the offseason, took his place for a handful of snaps before the preseason opener against the Cleveland Browns. Washington hosts the Arizona Cardinals in the season opener on Sept. 10. ... Keim went on to remind readers it has long been known this was Howell's job to lose -- and he never did anything to lose his grip. He completed 9 of 12 passes for 77 yards and a touchdown against the Browns. In the two-day joint practice session against the Baltimore Ravens, his performance on the first day was "really, really good," a source said. He wasn't quite as sharp on the second day, but the Commanders still liked what they saw. Rivera had pointed to this past week as a crucial one for Howell in measuring his development. After the second day, when asked what Howell needed to do to be named the starter, Rivera said, "Continue what he has shown." The Commanders liked his decisiveness -- particularly when working through progressions and spotting an open target -- and his improved footwork, on both pass drops and handoffs. They like his decision making. They say other aspects of his game, such as becoming more efficient in the red zone, can be developed with more experience. "The biggest thing I'm really pleased about has been his decision making; that has been a big plus," Rivera said Wednesday. 8/18 It's official: HC Ron Rivera named Sam Howell as Commanders’ starting QB for Week 1 vs the Arizona Cardinals. 8/16 Second-year quarterback Sam Howell has long been the leader in the clubhouse to be the Commanders’ starter to begin the 2023 season. But while he’s taken the vast majority of first-team reps throughout the offseason program and training camp, head coach Ron Rivera still has not made that designation official. Rivera might be closer to doing so, however, after Howell’s performance during a pair of joint practices with the Ravens this week. “I thought Sam did a great job,” Rivera said in his Wednesday press conference. “This is one of the things that we talked about — how important these two days would be in our evaluation process and there’s a lot of questions we want answered. Yesterday’s tape, I was really pleased with — not just with the quarterbacks, but for him specifically as well. He did some really good things, threw some real good balls. His ball placement, his accuracy was what we needed, decision-making was very plus. ...” Rivera said he’s going to go over the film with offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy and QBs coach Tavita Pritchard to make sure Howell is “doing the things we need him to do.” But Rivera didn’t specify a timeline as to when he’ll make an announcement on a starter. 8/15 According to NFL.com's Gregg Rosenthal, QB Sam Howell played like he did for most of the 2022 preseason in the Commanders' exhibition opener; he looked like he belonged. The Commanders' offensive line was another matter, and it took the Browns removing their starters for Howell to really come to life, but his decision making, poise and tools were all solid. Jacoby Brissett had the throw of the night on a go ball, but this competition was over before it started. Washington coach Ron Rivera said he was "very encouraged" by Howell. 8/13 According to Pro Football Talk, the Commanders have signed TE Kaden Smith. 8/10 Ron Rivera offered a mea culpa Wednesday following Tuesday's comments (see previous item) regarding the transition to new offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy's approach. The coach offered a lengthy opening statement to his press conference, noting that his comments "took on a different life" than he intended and that he wasn't as straightforward as needed. Rivera said he spoke to Bieniemy about his comments. "I basically told him I put my foot in my mouth," he said. "I think what I said wasn't as clear as it needed to be. I think the understanding of it is just the fact that I think everybody's making, in my opinion, a little bit more than needs to be made of this. Because again, the results are what you're looking for on the field, and so far, the last couple days have been outstanding. I think Eric has done a great job of communicating his message now that guys have opened up, talked with him, he's opened up to them. It's been a great bit of growth the last couple of days that guys are starting to have the a-ha moments." In case you missed it, on Tuesday, Rivera said certain offensive players have struggled to adapt to Bieniemy's coaching style. On Wednesday, he noted that every coach has a different approach. "As I've said many times since I've hired Eric, I love the overall message that he gave to the team his first day, and that was basically we've got to learn to be comfortable when we're uncomfortable," Rivera said. "And I think what's happened is for those guys on that side of the ball, things are uncomfortable. ..." It's true. Change is hard. Usually right up until you've actually made it. Then you see the benefits. We'll be hoping to see those benefits for Washington's offense. 8/09 According to ESPN.com's Bill Barnwell, Antonio Gibson's usage in Washington hasn't made much sense. Drafted out of Memphis as a slot receiver and gadget player with 34 college carries, he didn't land the receiving role his skill set would have suggested. He has about as many carries (574) as routes run (613) over his first three seasons. Compare that to Austin Ekeler, who might be Gibson's best-case outcome: Ekeler has run nearly twice as many routes (1,014) than he has carries (526) over that same time frame. Let's get a third back in the mix and talk about Jerick McKinnon, who ran 318 routes and caught nine touchdown passes while taking just 72 carries last season. The Commanders aren't going to throw the ball near as often as the Chiefs, but new offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy seems set to carve out more of a passing role for Gibson, who ceded that work to J.D. McKissic at times in Washington. The McKinnon role might not be three-down work for a player in the final year of his deal, but Barnwell believes Gibson could be a valuable free agent if he establishes himself as a passing-down back. 8/08 Head coach Ron Rivera has encouraged his new offensive coordinator and assistant head coach, Eric Bieniemy, to set the tempo of practices. And not every player has been on board with Bieniemy’s approach.Rivera acknowledged that some players approached him with concerns about how hard Bieniemy rides them, but Rivera told them they should just talk to Bieniemy if they have an issue. “I had a number of guys come to me and I said, ‘Hey, just go talk to him.’ I said, ‘Understand what he’s trying to get across to you.’ I think as they go and they talk and they listen to him, it’s been enlightening for a lot of these guys,” Rivera said, via Nicki Jhabvala of the Washington Post. “I mean, it’s a whole different approach. Again, you’re getting a different kind of player from the players back in the past, especially in light of how things are coming out of college football. So a lot of these young guys, they do struggle with certain things.” Asked what the players said when they came to Rivera, Rivera answered, “Well, um. They were just a little concerned. ...” According to Profootballtalk.com, Bieniemy told reporters this morning that players will grow to learn that there are reasons for his intensity. “Yes, I am intense,” Bieniemy said. “Eric Bieniemy is who he is. Eric Bieniemy knows how to adapt and adjust. Eric Bieniemy is a tough, hard-nosed coach. But also understand, I’m going to be their biggest and harshest critic, but I’m also their No. 1 fan because I’ve got their back and I’m going to support them at all times.” 8/08 Following up on the ongoing story. ... The Commanders have been getting 2022 fifth-round pick Sam Howell ready to begin the season as the team’s starting quarterback since the spring. But veteran QB Jacoby Brissett is also on the roster and the team wants to make sure he has a rapport with the first-team offense just in case he needs to play. To that end, Brissett got some reps with the starting offense during Monday’s (8/7) practice. Head coach Ron Rivera indicated that was part of the plan and not a reflection of anything with Howell. After discussing it with offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy and QBs coach Tavita Pritchard, Rivera said the group figured Monday would be a good time to give Brissett some run. “At some point, [Brissett is] going to have to work with [the offensive starters], just so he gets to know them and they get to know him,” Rivera said in his Monday press conference. “So, we went ahead and gave him the last couple in each period.” Because Brissett has been in the league since 2016 and has 48 career starts, Rivera feels like the quarterback doesn’t need much time to get used to the system and players around him. And since the Commanders have given Howell plenty of reps throughout the spring and summer, Brissett taking a couple of them shouldn’t negatively affect the young signal-caller. ... While Rivera hasn’t officially announced it, all indications have been that Howell will be Washington’s starting QB to begin the season. But if anything happens, the Commanders do have a reliable backup option in Brissett who has proven he can be a viable starter. 8/08 Veteran tight end Logan Thomas has been out of recent practices with a calf injury. Head coach Ron Rivera said on Monday that the team is taking a cautious approach with Thomas, noting that he’s progressing “slowly, gradually.” The coach went on to tell Nicki Jhabvala of the Washington Post that Thomas “is a guy that we want to be careful with, first and foremost. The thing that we got to be aware of is just he’s an older guy, he is coming off an injury. Yes, it was two seasons ago, but you can’t be too careful, especially in this situation. And in this offense, knowing how vital the tight end is to this offense, we got to be very smart about that.” Rivera was referring to Thomas’ ACL tear suffered during the 2021 season. Last year, Thomas caught 39 passes for 323 yards with a touchdown in 14 games. 8/08 According to ESPN.com's John Keim, head coach Ron Rivera said receiver Curtis Samuel felt tightness in his leg early in practice Sunday (8/6), causing him to sit out the rest of the workout. Samuel later said he didn't want to push it, knowing that two summers ago he had issues with a sports hernia surgery that impacted most of his season. 8/08 As ESPN.com's John Keim framed it, "Until Sam Howell is officially named the starter for the season opener vs. the Arizona Cardinals, it remains a competition with Jacoby Brissett -- even if it doesn't always feel like one considering they don't rotate with the starters. ..." According to Keim, it's clearly Howell's job to lose, but more needs to be seen -- the coaches are pointing to a joint practice with the Ravens on Aug. 15-16 as a crucial measuring stick for Howell, who is listed as the starter on the team's first, unofficial depth chart. They're pleased with his progress, but he still must earn the job. 8/08 The Commanders hired Eric Bieniemy as their next offensive coordinator. He spent the past five seasons as the Chiefs' offensive coordinator, helping oversee an offense that powered two Super Bowl championships -- including this February. But he was not the primary playcaller on coach Andy Reid's staff. In Washington, Bieniemy would be in complete charge of the offense and call plays. Bieniemy replaces Scott Turner, who was fired on Jan. 10 after three seasons. During Turner's tenure, Washington ranked 27th in yards per game and 28th in points per game. Last season, the Commanders were 20th in yards and 26th in points. Washington will enter a crucial fourth season under head coach Ron Rivera. The Commanders have gone a combined 22-27-1 in his first three seasons, winning the NFC East with a 7-9 record in 2020. Meanwhile, early indications are Sam Howell will open the season as the starter (despite Rivera's warning not to sleep on veteran Jacoby Brissett). Howell can't complain about the talent in the huddle, with Washington featuring one of the NFL's best WR trios in Terry McLaurin, Curtis Samuel and Jahan Dotson plus promising RBs Brian Robinson Jr. and Antonio Gibson as well as veteran TE Logan Thomas. In Week 18, Howell passed and rushed for touchdowns in a win against Dallas. At North Carolina, he thrived in an RPO-heavy offense as he passed for more than 10,000 yards and rushed for another 1,000 with 109 total touchdowns in three seasons. "This organization is going to get everything I got," he said. "I'm going to give this opportunity everything I have."
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 Team Review
Fantasy Grade: C
The dominant storyline in the nation's capital of late has been the sale of the Commanders and the end of the Daniel Snyder era. But for fantasy managers the keyword in Washington is uncertainty. Because the offense is replete with it. The one area of some certainty is at wide receiver, where Terry McLaurin, Curtis Samuel and Jahan Dotson form a solid trio. RotoBaller's Phil Clark singled Dotson out as a player who could be primed for a breakout in his second season. `Terry McLaurin should lead the Commanders in target share this season, although DOLOR will operate as the team's WR2," he said. "Second-year signal-caller Sam Howell should spearhead Washingtorfs aerial attack, while the transition from Scott Turner to Eric Bieniemy as offensive coordinator should be beneficial for Dotson. The convergence of his unquestioned talent arid his pathway to targets have positioned him to deliver a breakout season. and he should also outperform his ADP' Of course, much of the receivers' fantasy prospects hinges on Howell, who has all of one NFL start. The Commanders signed veteran backup Jacoby Brissett as a Plan B, but Bieniemy told reporters that he has confidence that Howell can indeed lead the offense in 2023. 'He's very self-aware, but on top of that, he's talented," Bieniemy said. "He wants to be the very best that he can be, and when ifs all said and done with, he just wants to do whatever he can to help this team to grow in the right direction." Head coach Ron Rivera also remarked that Brissett's pres-ence as a mentor is helping Howell's development. "He's got a great sense and feel for what coach Bieniemy wants and in fact all the quarterbacks, too' Rivera said, via the team's websitel think having Jacoby out here pushing him and working with him at the same time has been a really good thing because you do see his growth.' The Washington backfield is more-or-less the same as a year ago, with Brian Robinson Jr, serving as the thunder and Antonio Gibson the lightning in a committee attack. The writers at Yardbarker selected Robinson as a player who could be about to make a big jump in his second season. 'Much of the focus this offseason has been on young quarterback Sam Howell, but new offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy's addition could help Washington's running backs even more,' they said. 'The looser running backs coach will lean on Robinson, who improved as his rookie season progressed after recovering from a gunshot wound just before Week 1.- A full offseason should help Robinson, but he'll need to improve on last years 3.9 yards per carry for that breakout to take place this season. | |||
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2023 Off-Season News & Views
Click here for Complete set of News & Views
Click here for earlier off-season items |
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