Commanders 2023 Off-Season Thread

[punch it in]

The oline is the X factor. Every depth chart I look at is different. I am definitely worried about it, but unlike Wentz and Heineken … Howell uses his wheels. Plus we have an NFL caliber OC. So those two things take the edge off.

Our D should be good/very good/great? But even good is good enough.

Our weapons on offense should scare everyone.

Slye is just a kicker, and a kicker can make or break more than a few games. Hopefully he has his nose to the grindstone and is ready to go.

Rivera still worries me because until the guy wins more games than he loses (a pattern in Carolina and here) he will worry me.

My optimism is higher than last offseason though.

[Chief X_Phackter]

Originally Posted by punch it in

The oline is the X factor. Every depth chart I look at is different. I am definitely worried about it, but unlike Wentz and Heineken … Howell uses his wheels. Plus we have an NFL caliber OC. So those two things take the edge off.

Our D should be good/very good/great? But even good is good enough.

Our weapons on offense should scare everyone.

Slye is just a kicker, and a kicker can make or break more than a few games. Hopefully he has his nose to the grindstone and is ready to go.

Rivera still worries me because until the guy wins more games than he loses (a pattern in Carolina and here) he will worry me.

My optimism is higher than last offseason though.

The O-line is every team's X-Phackter. With this team, we have to figure out how to keep the Center healthy.

I think the D will be very good. I want to say great, but the schedule is tough...we'll see.

Offensive weapons - we have plenty, and defenses will struggle against us - especially if the O-line can hold its own.

I'm still a fan of Rivera. It's easy to look at his W/L record and come to some conclusion (and that matters), but his leadership, his ability to get players ready to play - and fight to the end, is telling. Right now, I can't think of a better combo for this team than Ron and Eric. I hope it works.

[punch it in]

Originally Posted by Chief X_Phackter

The O-line is every team's X-Phackter. With this team, we have to figure out how to keep the Center healthy.

I think the D will be very good. I want to say great, but the schedule is tough...we'll see.

Offensive weapons - we have plenty, and defenses will struggle against us - especially if the O-line can hold its own.

I'm still a fan of Rivera. It's easy to look at his W/L record and come to some conclusion (and that matters), but his leadership, his ability to get players ready to play - and fight to the end, is telling. Right now, I can't think of a better combo for this team than Ron and Eric. I hope it works.

Seems like we agree on everything except Rivera. You lost me at his ability to get players ready to play. Too many slow starts to games and second halfs. This is a make it or break it year for him. We finish .500 or below and he is gone.

[FrenchSkin]

Originally Posted by KI Skins Fan

Gates wasn't completely recovered from his broken leg last season. He claims that he is fully recovered and fit now. So, if you were to look at his film of him before his severe injury, as I did, I think you would see a much better player. If he can come all the way back from his injury, we may have a very good starting center. That is, maybe... it's possible...hopefully, if we get lucky...keep your fingers crossed..say a little prayer...order a vial of miracle spring water from a T.V. evangelist.

Just wanted to highlight how right you are about Nick Gates.
Watched 2020 week 14's game against the Cards.
All his movements looked wayyyy sharper than post injury. Quicker, more physical. He also looked way more at ease as center than at LG if you ask me.
If he's back to his 2020 self, we have an upgrade at C... but still a huge question mark at LG. Are we just hoping Chris Paul takes a huge step forward ?

3 plays that stood out to me:

Just active and physical on both level in the run game


How good hand technique can make you look tougher than you actually are


Interesting one, showing his football IQ/film study ability IMHO. One of very very few plays where a DL lines up right in front of him (0 technique), he doesn't initiate contact, and turns his head to his right very early, seeing the stunting DE and handling him with ease. Did he see that formation on tape ? Did he just felt that alignement was weird ? Either way, that shows me a smart player.

[Giantone]

Originally Posted by FrenchSkin

Just wanted to highlight how right you are about Nick Gates.
Watched 2020 week 14's game against the Cards.
All his movements looked wayyyy sharper than post injury. Quicker, more physical. He also looked way more at ease as center than at LG if you ask me.
If he's back to his 2020 self, we have an upgrade at C... but still a huge question mark at LG. Are we just hoping Chris Paul takes a huge step forward ?

3 plays that stood out to me:

Just active and physical on both level in the run game


How good hand technique can make you look tougher than you actually are


Interesting one, showing his football IQ/film study ability IMHO. One of very very few plays where a DL lines up right in front of him (0 technique), he doesn't initiate contact, and turns his head to his right very early, seeing the stunting DE and handling him with ease. Did he see that formation on tape ? Did he just felt that alignement was weird ? Either way, that shows me a smart player.

Loved Gates. Wish he could have stayed but glad he got paid.

[AnonEmouse]

https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.co...es-a-physical/

No surprise here, but how does this affect cap etc? If he fails a physical I'd presume he goes with an injury settlement. If he's released, how much do we free up for fresh signings?

[Chief X_Phackter]

Originally Posted by punch it in

Seems like we agree on everything except Rivera. You lost me at his ability to get players ready to play. Too many slow starts to games and second halfs. This is a make it or break it year for him. We finish .500 or below and he is gone.

Valid point, however, I attribute the slow starts to games and second halfs to the lack of a good QB, the lack of a good offensive game plan, and the lack of making adjustments (or the inability to due to personnel). Hopefully some or all of that changes this year.

I don't think there's any question though, that his players play hard for him.

[Meks]

I blame coaches, everytime.

[sdskinsfan2001]

Originally Posted by Meks

I blame coaches, everytime.

I blame them every time, 60% of the time.

[EdmundDorf]

Interesting though probably not significant in the long run

Nicki Jhabvala on Twitter

Commanders are trying out kicker Austin Jones at minicamp

[Ruhskins]

Originally Posted by Chief X_Phackter

Valid point, however, I attribute the slow starts to games and second halfs to the lack of a good QB, the lack of a good offensive game plan, and the lack of making adjustments (or the inability to due to personnel). Hopefully some or all of that changes this year.

I don't think there's any question though, that his players play hard for him.

I think the biggest issue this team has had on the offensive side of the ball, aside from not having a good QB, is having offensive coordinators that refuse to adjust their gameplan to the available talent.

If EB is able to adjust to the talent available, that's going to be a big win already.

As an aside note, I am not going to drink the Kool Aid and say that this team is playoff bound or anything. BUT, I don't understand the notion that this team is going to be worst as the media is portraying it. Are they really saying that Heinecke/Wentz was a better option than Howell/Brissett? I get Howell's inexperience, but I just don't see how you can say, "yup, they had better QBs last year."

[punch it in]

Originally Posted by Chief X_Phackter

Valid point, however, I attribute the slow starts to games and second halfs to the lack of a good QB, the lack of a good offensive game plan, and the lack of making adjustments (or the inability to due to personnel). Hopefully some or all of that changes this year.

I don't think there's any question though, that his players play hard for him.

No doubt QB and Turner were huge parts of the problem. I don’t see hoe it can’t change for the better.
Everyone wondering if Sam is going to pan out, and if EB was a product of Reid and Mahommes. But
I am setting my expectations lower. Sam only has to be better than Wentz and Taylor, and EB only has to be better than Turner. There is no way in hell they are not.

[Chico23231]

Per Michael Phillips RTD on early observations so far at camp:

“Buy stock in TE Cole Turner now! He looks great”


Has EB found his TE?

[sdskinsfan2001]

Originally Posted by Chico23231

Per Michael Phillips RTD on early observations so far at camp:

“Buy stock in TE Cole Turner now! He looks great”

Has EB found his TE?

If Turner can contribute this year, that would be huge. Thomas and Bates don't inspire confidence in the passing game. Hopefully Thomas, further removed from his injury can return to 2021 levels. But not holding my breath on that one.

[Chief X_Phackter]

Originally Posted by punch it in

No doubt QB and Turner were huge parts of the problem. I don’t see hoe it can’t change for the better.
Everyone wondering if Sam is going to pan out, and if EB was a product of Reid and Mahommes. But
I am setting my expectations lower. Sam only has to be better than Wentz and Taylor, and EB only has to be better than Turner. There is no way in hell they are not.

I hope you are right. I wouldn't say there's no way though. Both very well could be worse...