NoCalMike

I think one thing that hurts Gibbs in the legacy sense is that the 49ers run with Walsh/Montana tends to dominate the talk of that era because of the 4 superbowl wins. I think Washington might have been more consistent in winning seasons during that time (I could be wrong) but because the 49ers were able to win 3 super bowls (and technically even though the 4th & 5th superbowl was under George Siefert, Walsh is still getting most of the credit, just like Jimmy Johnson/Barry Switzer sitation) Also maybe because Washington's superbowl wins were more spread out, they have less of an argument of that signature dominate run. Losing the superbowl to the Raiders that would have given them back to back championships, something that still to do this day is very uncommon, might have change the narrative. I remember being a kid in the pre-internet era, a lot of my "research" was done at sports memorabilia shops and it always bothered me that the 49ers were on the "Team of the 80's" poster and not Washington. I still feel Gibbs should be at least considered Top 5 all time (personal bias says at least Top 3).

The national media response so far has been predictable, being more of the same, basically saying Bienemy is a good hire in a vacuum but no one succeeds in DC because of the all the underlying issues. We really need to see the team sold during the spring time.

I think Ron saying they won't spend big capital on QB this offseason probably more means they aren't trading for any QB, but free agency is different. I think Ron is doing everything he can to coachspeak the situation to satisfy all sides of the issue. At this point Howell as the starter in 2023 wouldn't surprise me ( that is the route I hope they go outside of landing a Rodgers for a 1-2 season win right now run) but I equally wouldn't be surprised if a Carr or Carr-type ends up getting signed and ultimately starts. Too early and too many more dominoes need to start falling first.

I think Rivera's (maybe the GM & front office too) fear is that Chase Young could end up being a JAG that they over-committed financially to too soon and then you could have issues having the money to properly address the position for the next few seasons. I don't think Chase has enough games played to be certain either way yet, but I will say that he was drafted to be a Bosa-like terror at DE and while he doesn't necessarily have to be that level to be worth a big contract, he should at least show some signs in 2023 that he can play close to that level.

I don't want Ron Rivera of all people, drafting another QB in what could likely be his final season as HC. If that happens, then the incoming coach and front office could potentially be stuck with two young QB's on the roster they have to inherit and figure out what to do with (assuming neither is a franchise QB caliber player). I also am not turning the page on Howell yet since we haven't really seen much from him at all besides the Dallas game.

I'm not convinced Purdy was being handed the starting job for 2023 anyway. Open competition between Purdy & Lance? Sure....but I don't think Shanahan ever ruled out Lance as still potentially being the starter, and now with Purdy's injury......

I am not keen in not going with Howell for 2023 unless they manage to sign or trade for an elite QB. I don't think a mid tier vet should come in and contribute to kicking the can down the road another season. We have a young mobile QB w/an arm, so bring in an O-coordinator that has a track record working with that style QB, let Howell develop behind a revamped O-line in 2023 then after next season you should have a good idea of how high Howell's ceiling can potentially be going into the that offseason where the new ownership has sat back and quiet their first year and are ready to put their imprint on the team.

Are we due for @Cowboys on Thanksgiving again yet?

I really wanted Bevell because of his past work, especially with Russell Wilson in his early career. I think Bevell could get in here and design a scheme around Howell's skill set to where by the end of 2023 we should have a pretty good indication as to whether Howell's ceiling is a franchise QB or not. Even though he wouldn't be a finished product after one season, I'd be confident that Bevell would do enough to maximize whatever it is that Howell brings to the table.

Not to mention the goal should always be sustained success. With a HOF or at least say HOF-worthy QB, the chances are you now have a window of about 10-12 (or in the modern era possibly even more) to win championships. That means the team around the QB can possibly be re-tooled 2-3 times during the career of that QB and the most important position on the team remains solidified all through it. It also increases the chances of a quicker turn around after a down season. Most of the teams that won a championship with a less than HOF-worthy QB were one and done teams that fell back to the pack immediately. Eli Manning is the exception, but he also went on these uncharacteristic tears during those post seasons that he never could replicate over the course of a an entire season.

It is an interesting topic of discussion regarding QB's if you feel that the game changing elite QB's top out at about 3-5 in the NFL at any given time, but what about the next two tiers, 6-10 and 10-15......do you guys think that a lot of the QB's in that group tend to move up and down the list significantly depending on their OC/coaches and personnel around them?

Purdy has looked good in the system the 49ers run, and on a championship caliber roster, but I am going to call him fool's gold until I see him in the post season and possibly super bowl. Jimmy G went to the super bowl with this 49ers team a couple seasons ago and the 49ers were ready to get rid of him as soon as they felt a better option came along. I still think Kyle Shanahan views Trey Lance as their QB1 of the future and probably is elated to have Purdy as either a long term QB2 or a high priced bargaining chip for a desperate team. I actually think our defense did a pretty decent job against Purdy, but Curl being out gave Kittle such an easy afternoon that Purdy was able to continually go to him over and over. Purdy's sample size is so small, and the situation he is in is so favorable that I could easily see a team taking a chance on him and having it blow up in their face. I'm not even saying Purdy won't turn into something special in 2-3 seasons I just think it is way too early to give up a significant amount of assets to get him. Shanahan has to be loving their QB house right now.

When we look at our D-line four first round picks. As of today, right now, everything considered, do you have more faith in Allen/Payne anchoring the line for the next 5-8 seasons or Allen/Chase, Allen/Sweat? Allen is already locked in, and Payne has performed the second best, IMO. So right now I think building the D-line from the inside out is the safest bet, however because of Chase's injury, it is hard to say how productive he can or can't be going forward. Sweat I think is definitely the most expendable right now. He isn't bad, but he hasn't been a game changer and if he wants to get paid like some of the premier DE's around the league, I don't see how you justify that kind of contract. The caveat is that Payne's level of play definitely jumped a couple levels this season. Is that him balling out for a contract, or an indication of the player he is going to be going forward?

It's unfortunate that Mathis got injured so early because I do think the front office has known for a couple seasons that it would be very hard to keep all 4 D-linemen here beyond their rookie contracts. It's not a fun situation to be in right now, but this is also what good teams do, they constantly are drafting players in the 2nd, 3rd, 4th etc etc rounds to develop quietly so that when the roster begins to turnover, they don't miss a beat. If Allen is going to continue to be the stud anchor in the middle, then having someone like Payne next to him is more a luxury than necessity, IMO. Would I love to keep him? Hell yes, but I am not going to hinder the team's ability to upgrade 2-3 other positions in order to make it happen.

That presser was a whole lot of nothing, and if anything I came away from it thinking they are less committed to Howell as a starter in 2023 then I previously did.

Yes they got the ball back. They were able to negotiate with the fan in exchange for a different football signed by Howell. Terry released after the fact on the sidelines that he should have kept that one lol.

That throw by Howell also was an example of throwing a WR open. Watch how tight the coverage is when the ball is thrown versus when McLaurin caught it. Howell throws it to where McLaurin can accelerate, run away from the DB to track down. He was even mildly interfered with as he began to separate from the DB. That is a big difference from him slowing down to adjust.

Another thing people may have forgotten since RG3's rookie year is how much the RPO can help in the running game too. There was a play today that was classic Robert to Morris where Howell's threat to keep it freezes the defense and by the time they commit to pursing Howell, the RB is up the middle 5 yards downfield. I would expect to see a lot of running out of that formation next season too.

If Howell isn't starting Week 1 2023, then I don't believe whoever is the starting QB is currently on the roster.

There are a lot of dominoes yet to fall when it comes to the oncoming offseason when trying to figure out the plans for the 2023 season. The question is if the new owner takes over and retains the entire coaching staff, offering them a "show me" season for 2023, will Ron feel confident making that season Howell's first as a starter or will he attempt another win now with a vet QB route and throw all his marbles in that bucket?

Whether Heinicke could perform better with a different OC or not is besides the point that he lacks some attributes that make up a QB1 level talent. He isn't going to be a starter here or otherwise unless the guy in front of him is injured. Washington has been in a unique position where two seasons in a row that exact thing has happened, yet even with that, the coaches have been super careful to let it be known he isn't more than a back up getting the opportunity to play when needed. The jury isn't out on Howell yet either as far as what he might or might not be in a couple more seasons, but you can see even just from one game that the raw talent is present. He was mainly running a training wheels version of the offense, yet besides the rookie mistake INT, his throws were crisp, on the money and thrown in stride so that the WR's were able to run after the catch. A lot of people will look at the dime he threw to Terry, but I focused on the toss to Dotson close to the sideline where it was the timing that made it. Howell sees Dotson 1 on 1 and throws the ball before Dotson makes his break. It was an anticipation throw and when Dotson turns his head the ball is there for Dotson to grab & go, which he does and gets a ton of more yards and if the safety wasn't in position, likely runs down the sideline for a score. You aren't going to get that with Heinicke, if he completes the same pass, it is likely arriving late an even if it is still caught, he is likely pushed out of bounds or tackled immediately. Those small things are what separate QBs.

Half our starting defense won't even be on the field. There is a chance that the Cowboys have the game on cruise control by half time and maybe Dallas calls the dogs off on Howell for a quarter or so.

With Heinicke likely being done in DC too, I will say I think a lot of the frustration sent his way, that was often confused for hate for the guy himself, was more the frustration at the overall QB situation. It is more the fact that they have had to rely on a QB2 to captain the ship for almost 2 season's worth of football here. Heinicke did what he could do, and while his ceiling definitely was apparent, I don't really blame him for playing to the best of his abilities and more the coaching staff and front office for not finding viable options at the starting QB position since being hired 3 seasons ago.

The news of Snyder selling the team did somewhat soften the blow of another 7 win season. It offered some light at the end of the tunnel, even if the tunnel still runs through the horizon. The offseason is going to be full of intrigue and mystery for the first 2-3 months, assuming the new ownership timeline holds true and it happens around March.

Little excitement about Sunday unless Howell is starting. My expectations for him in the game wouldn't even be high, I just want to turn the page on the QB's we've seen here. Neither one is the guy, neither of them winning (or losing) Sunday means a whole lot. Howell has had an offseason and 99% of the season to sit and learn and develop in the offense. If you can't send him out there in a similar style offense that Heinicke was running to some success.......ugh.