Wyvern

Before NOW

Ezekiel Elliot

if not Ismael, how about Austin Reiter? He's had a lot of NFL experience at center for the Chiefs and is currently on their practice squad. He's 15 lbs lighter than Marin, but he's always played at center.

We came out flat, Detroit came to play HARD. Good to see Wentz keep battling, and he's getting a crash course in the offensive scheme, and trying to cope with pressure due to poor offensive line play, and porous defensive play. Frankly, someone really needs to figure out why Washington defensive groups aren't well coordinated -- there were so many lapses. Is it just a linebacker thing?

Wow! Another injury! Washington has really been hit by the injury bug.

So far, this has been a day when nothing has gone right For Washington. Ron and Co. have had their asses kicked by a team that now smells blood. The defense has really been exposed -- hopefully they can step up. Biggest surprise disappointment has been the O-Line's dismal performance, and now Wentz has started sailing passes.

Washington can win if: 1. Its interior O-line can maintain a decent enough pass-pro pocket for Wentz to allow him time and space to make accurate throws to the open receiver he'd identified. Let's see if the two new FA guards and Roullier can do that, because the Lions will be blitzing a lot.. (Also lets see if the RBs can do a better job of blocking in their pass-pro roles; it's going to be necessary.) 2. The D-Line's Ends and the Linebackers will need to contain Swift from getting outside where he can do some damage. DE Edge discipline in setting their edge plus sure-handed tackling and smart positioning by the linebackers could force Goff to go to the air under pressure. 3. The defensive tackles (with or without Allen) will need to shut gown the interior gaps but allow mount enough pressure to deny Goff the pocket he needs to play decently. If Goff gets sacked a few times, even better, ...because he CAN be rattled. 4. The defensive coaches can figure out a way to limit the times Goff can go to Lion's TE Hockensen for that quick pass over the middle. That's Goff's safety blanket. 5. Wentz stays accurate most of the game and uses McLaurin more when he's got time to beat the blitz. (In the same vein, Wentz has to do a better job with his screen passes.) With all these injuries on key people on both sides, and in spite of our shaky LB group, I'm going to cross my fingers and predict another nailbiter.... Washington 30 Detroit 27 😬

It's concerning that Holcomb was limited on Thursday with quad problems. The LB corps is already very thin -- Washington might have to go into Detroit starting someone like Eifler or Bostic. 😬

Just a reminder how overboard the local media can get with hyping Washington players. https://www.nbcsports.com/washington/football-team/wft-betting-odds-why-jamin-davis-good-bet-defensive-rookie-year I'm hoping we can "stay medium" on the 2022 "Commanders" identity until a few more games into the season, and after they've played some playoff caliber opponents. I grant, it's been fun reading all the positive glowing predictions for Washington's receiving corps -- including the rookie Dotson. It sure beats the doom-&-gloom posts after a loss. But after one game, against Jacksonville no less, maybe it's a little early to ramp up and totally buy into the pre-season hype. And maybe even, the Washington defense can improve on its game 1 performance especially as the secondary gets more in synch, and linebackers become more stout against the run. And if Davis finds a way to harness his talent and correctly play his role in the defense, the front seven will be decent enough. I'm not saying it'll turn into a top 10 defense, but it could become good enough to allow the offense to keep Washington in the game and play competitive games, even against quality opponents. My sense is we'll have a better idea about that by around games 4-6. So for now, I'm staying "medium" and in "wait-&-see" mode.

Why not have hope, regardless the result of the first game? I've seen earlier Lions teams and their Coach Campbell has them buying into the improved culture and really playing hard. They seem to be a franchise that's patiently getting better in a lot of ways especially after the dismal tenure of Coach Matt Patricia. And they can definitely surprise a team taking them for granted. (Just ask the 2021 Arizona team.)

Respectfully to DisgruntledLionsFan #54,927, there were two times in the 3rd quarter (at about 4 1/2 minutes into the 3rd and again with about 1 3/4 minutes left in the 3rd.) when the Eagles had a 17 point lead. In both cases the Lions cut that lead to 10 points by answering with a scoring drive of their own. To me, it looked like both sides were still competing and nobody was "mailing it in". I think when most teams play the Lions, they already understand that Campbell's Lions are going to fight them hard to the last minute, regardless of the score. Teams shouldn't underestimate the intensity the Lions bring. If Washington gets an early lead, I hope they don't mentally ease up. Otherwise they could be unpleasantly surprised. I think its going to be a close game. A lot depends on how well Washington can contain the Lions running game and TE. Hopefully Washington's D-Line can take advantage of Detroit's ding'd up O-Line and apply pressure to Goff (whose performance does get affected by pressure.). And hopefully Washington's O-Line can give Wentz the pass protection he needs to allow more medium to long passes against the Lions average secondary. Both teams have weaknesses that can be exploited -- so I see a lot of points. I'll wait to see the injury reports, before making my prediction. While I suspect I'll still pick Washington -- it's really close to even right now.

What's the status of Allen, Schweitzer and Mathis? It looked like Washington was getting some injuries to important players on both O-Line and D-Line.

Logan Cooke, Jaguar's Punter

Maybe they were stacked at WR and with a great (but fragile) RB.... But when I reviewed the league's offensive line rankings since 2018, the Vikings offensive line has not been very good (20-28th), and really poor in pass protection. Toss in an old school coach who sticks too long with the running game, and a Viking defense that had been sliding badly since 2019. it seemed Cousins had a lot of uphill challenges to carry his team, -- especially when the defenses and special teams weren't helping and he was often playing from behind behind a porous offensive line. Sure, he's got flaws (streaky, too easily blindsided in the pocket, gets excited when trying too hard sometimes, etc.) but he is a decent enough QB. And he was lucky enough to cash in on the start of the mega-contracts we're now seeing in the NFL. (And frankly, I can understand why he didn't re-sign with Snyder and Allen and instead gambled on getting though his two franchise-tag years without getting injured and devaluing his value as a free agent.). I can understand some reasons for why some folks wouldn't want him as QB-1 for Washington, but I still don't see enough reason (even his grilling style) for folks to absolutely hate the guy. I know some folks will take issue with this post -- it's a free country, so feel free to fire away. But know that I'm not planning to reply back any further on Kirk Cousins in this thread. I'd rather this thread focus on Washington's current group of QBs, rather than those no longer with the team. (I'm just really hoping Wentz has a great year in Washington, and Howell continues to hone his NFL-level QB skills under Zampese's tutelage.)

Wentz & Co. should be able to exploit the Jags' secondary. A lot will hinge on how well Washington's running game can keep the Jags D-Line honest so they can't always be going all out to sack Wentz. Hopefully Wentz has an accurate day and that his receivers hang on to the passes he throws their way. Problem is, T. Lawrence will likely be able to exploit the Washington defense.. He looks like he can make the throws needed to exploit the gaps around our linebackers. So it's going to be see-saw close, with a bunch of Field goals in the red-zone for both sides. The Jags' running game is an X-factor; I'm hoping Washington can at least contain it and force Lawrence to pass more than he's comfortable with.. I'm staying optimistic -- hoping Washington wins the turnover battle, Slye makes all his FGSs and Washington gets a little home-field advantage in ref calls. Washington 30, Jacksonville 27.

I'm curious on what you think Washington might decide about Young. To me, he's more of a question-mark than Sweat, and very high-profile as the #2 overall pick and a "generational talent." I noticed you left Young out of the possible scenarios Washington might take as action if the unit doesn't perform well this year.

From the games I viewed, the D-line did not play well as a unit. In particular the starting defensive ends seemed more intent in getting their sack, by whatever route possible and often failed to set their edge. Consequently The opposing QB would roll out into the area that was supposed to be covered by the over-eager DE, and have more time to find an open target. I think ex-coach Sam Mills III wasn't able to get his D-Line to play as a unit, nor was he helping Young to develop more rushing moves, beyond what he'd shown in college.. It's too bad Mills was the guy entrusted with developing this group of four 1st round picks, because they really underperformed against many teams in the 2021 season. I hope the new coaching will help to fix this issue.

I'd note that the Chiefs waived Austin Reiter who could be a decent backup center. It would build depth, and I'll bet Matsko could really help to improve Reiter's skillset. Still didn't see much in the way of decent linebackers on the waiver-wire. Maybe Joe Schobert would be worth picking up. He's an inside linebacker, and seems to have been more of a salary cap casualty than a faded talent. Hopefully Washington has at least considered this guy who was quite talented at one point. And he's still fairly young (28) for a veteran player.

I kind of hope that the Washington fans on this message board can tamp down their criticism of Ryan . He's been a high-tier QB for most of his career, and seems to be very professional in his high-visibility role as an NFL QB. Just because Irsay has been badmouthing Wentz, doesn't mean Washington fans have to be badmouth Ryan, and hope that he fails miserably. We don't have to sink to Irsay's level. (Frankly, I just don't care how the Colts do; my only hope is that Ryan and the Colts flop whenever they play Washington.) When it comes to Ryan's 2022-2023 season, I don't think we have to descend to treating him as "sour grapes" or even hoping those grapes turn "sour" this season. I think Ryan is nearing the end of his career, or at least starting the erosion of the high level of physical skills needed to be a top-tier QB. If so, the "win now" Colts might be a better fit for him at this stage in his life. I don't think he'd have been as good a fit in Washington, I think Ron's team is close, but still developing. Bottom line: If Irsay was to get his dues, I'd feel better if it was by Wentz doing great this season, rather than by Ryan crashing and burning.

It's sad this came to a head so near to the start of the preseason games, but I was definitely NOT a fan of Sam Mills III, and recall making a few posts to that effect. (As I recall, Matt Ionnidas may have had some issues with Mills too.) So while it's a disruptive change, I'm seeing it as an eventual positive development. Too bad Washington can't lure back coach Jim Tomsula; he put together some awesome defensive lines. However, the successor DL coach, Zgonina, has a really nice resume and a lot of player experience too. I have a feeling he'll work out fine.

My sense of Washington's approach to their linebacker situation. I guess hope is a wonderful thing.

I'm using this thread, because I didn't see one dedicated to the Offensive Line. So, once Training Camp starts, I'm hoping to hear more about how the offensive line is doing. I'm posting this because I've seen some "You-Tube Analysts" who claiim the new FA Guards Washington brought in (Norwell, Turner) to replace Scherff and Flowers are effectively past their prime and will not provide as much protection. They hint that will limit Wentz's effectiveness, and maybe even the running game. If true, that could be worrisome, especially if Roullier still needs time to fully recover his pre-injury form. So, I'd be interested in peoples' thoughts on whether Washington's 2022-2023 interior O-Line will be able to provide as reliable a pocket as Wentz seems to need. There's also the issue of whether Cosmi continues his improvement at RT, and how good his ceiling is and if he can remain injury-free. While I think Leno will still be solid at LT, Washington better hope both starting Tackles can play all 17 games. Lucas can be a decent backup, but Charles can't handle either tackle position. Right now, it looks like Washington may keep just 9 players for the Offensive Line: Charles Leno Jr., Andrew Norwell, Chase Roullier, Trai Turner, Sam Cosmi, Cornelius Lucas, Wes Schweitzer, Saahdiq Charles, Tyler Larsen. IMHO, It would be great if they could sign another tackle, or develop one.

This direction of this thread is headed into "Tailgate" territory. I don't go there often, but it's my understanding that's where all ES's constitutional lawyers hang out.