Wyvern

Actually it was mainly centers that needed to be covered. Flowers started 16 games, Scherff 11. However Cosmi missed 8 starts, most covered by Lucas except for one where Charles stepped in and delivered his turnstile performance. After that Charkes was limited to guard opportunities which were being created due to the backup guard-centers having to cover the continuing losses at center. Thank goodness Charles only saw the field a few times. He was terrible in pass protection. Unless he improves this year, he's probably a bust considering he was the 2nd pick in round 4 of the 2020 draft.

If Charles has to step in as a Tackle, Washington is in deep trouble; he's terrible at that position.. Not sure why they need so many Guards.

Neal is just another camp body. I'll be more interested if/when Washington's F.O. signs another swing OT for depth and also finds a veteran linebacker. I'm not sure about all this talk about "buffalo nickels" but once glance at Washington's current depth chart, made me feel more work needs to be done to shore up those two areas. I only see one quality OT listed as backing both Tackle positions, kind of thin, should something prevent both starters from taking the field. As for LB... Hold the Mayo please.

Wow... Voice of Reason....Not exactly a 'Reasoned' approach. And a misinterpretation of what I was saying. I'm not going to waste my time arguing the merits of the value of a running game vs. passing game. You could spend all day with eloquent arguments justifying your view. Mine was simply that both are tools one uses to attack a defense, to keep them of balance and honest, and most importantly stuck on the field while you tire them out. But understand that deeper pass plays require more time to develop and better pass protection to capture the time needed. Wishing for a long-bomb completion on 3-&-10, with the defense's triggered for the QB sack and rest of the enemy's D protecting vs. the pass -- is not always reasonable expectation. And attempting surprise long bombs on first & 10, often lead to 3rd and long situations. But keepng focus on the point I was trying to make, my comment was about whether the O-line, with a lot of new folks plus a center returning from IR, would be capable of supporting either type of play that Turner dials up. I think that's a reasonable concern, especially as Wentz doesn't seem to do well when his pass protection breaks down from the center-guard section of his pass-pro pocket. He doesn't scramble laterally as well as he did in 2017.

Additions, who were somehow, released by their team. And lets not forget they are not used to the players working next to them . Koolblue13, you've made many great posts -- but I'd hope you'd acknowledge that Washington was looking for economical replacements for Scherff & Flowers. And we need to see how well they, and their accompanying teammates do.

Actually, Washington is going to need to see what its 2022 offensive line can be relied on to provide for the running game, as well as a pocket in pass protection for the longer-developing passing plays. There are a lot of new parts on the O-line, some coming back from injury, and a lot of new pairings on both sides of center. That said, the running game will be important to keep Wentz in manageable conversion situations, until the long-downfield opportunities present themselves.

Agreed that Sweat and Young aren't playing within the scheme. However some heat needs to be directed to Sam Mills III, (Rivera's hire for D-Line coach) who really hasn't been able to effectively harness a dominant D-line, even with 4 #1 draft picks, plus around 4-6 really high-quality backups.😑 Sam Mills doesn't seem to be very effective in his D-Line meetings/tactics sessions, or getting decent results on the field. Mills III, needs to be under scrutiny' because he doesn't seem to have control or buy-in on his vision of how a D-Line supports the team in their search for a win.

SIP. I agree with your take on all this -- but in the end, does this pre-season media hype ( positive or negative) really matter to anyone? Maybe to fans wanting to claim Washington "won" the off-season, or to folks putting together their fantasy football draft-board? I know its the slow-time of the off-season,, but I'm hoping we'll have more focus on the issues of defense, such as handling Del Rio's stalled upgrade at LB, or what happens while Chase is cooling his heels for the first 6 weeks. Then there's whether Samuels is actually a factor in 2022 season. But most importantly, I hear nothing but "hype" and fog about the TE position, but no answers on when/if Logan Thomas will be a factor the team can rely on. . (Wentz is going to need a decent TE option, and right now, there are no clear answers.) As I've said earlier, this is not limited to purely a QB question. But I've more a concern of how fans' concentration/focus are being diverted away from pertinent broader questions impacting how well this team does in 2022.

Do we really care what the media thinks? Look, Ryan will likely be a good fit as a "game-manager" QB for the Colts (and Frank Reich's) conservative offense. Ryan's success will hinge on his O-line, TEs, and their upgrading of their WR corps. Wentz didn't have that great of a pocket, nor depth of quality WRs. -- right now it looks like Ryan may have a better selection , but roughly the same pass protection. BUT .....WHO CARES? We're not Indy fans. However , as fans we need to recognize that Washington has hitched its 'playoff wagon' to Wentz. It's a done deal. So I don't see why we have to spend so much energy justifying that decision to the "mediots" or even caring what they think. Nor do I see a reason why we have to spend so much energy debating the idea whether bringing Wentz onboard as the 2022 starting QB for Washington was essentially the final 'death-blow' to the franchise and to the F.O. IMHO, Wentz is simply a slightly costlier (but younger) version of Fitzpatrick, and if he stays healthy we've got a decent supporting cast to be competitive with Carson at QB. IMHO, Wentz will serve passably, assuming the O-line can give him decent amounts of time (and room) to do his part in the passing game. He'll do better if his defense can be relied on, so he he doesn't have to play hero-ball. He's not Russell Wilson, or Aaron Rodgers .... but he will probably enough value to the Washington team, to keep it competitive in 2022. Its more about how well the rest of the team gels -- especially the defense. But if you want to have Wentz effective, he'll need a decent surrounding cast of receivers, and a reliable O-line to support both passing and running plays. (But if I see S. Charles on the O-line and pass a blocking to protect Wentz, I won't blame Carson for what happens next.) Let's relax and not assume the only way for a team to have success in the NFL is with the perfect "franchise" QB, who is without flaws, can always carry the team on his back, and make up for whatever his defense and special teams happen to screw up. It's a team effort, and while all the offensive plays start with the QB, there are a lot of very important teammates who contribute to the success of those plays and the final success of the game.

Not the fans. Since when was Baltimore "Rat-Bird" Ed Reed a Washington fan? But he's got a drive-by Tweet, which the media will likely run with. I don't remember Reed ever commenting on "Rat-Bird #52 (a.k.a., model citizen Ray Lewis) If you can't see it... I'm okay with that. You're entitled.

Frankly, I've seen a prejudicial mindset, we!l-publicized, about everything this franchise does -- usually with a negative spin. Oddly, these same media types will quickly change their tune (without apology) should Ron's Washington team achieve notable success. They'll jump on the bandwagon (maybe with a few doom-&-gloom side-remarks), to attract all those clicks and attention. It would be nice if the fans could rate these guys, because their hastily prepared remarks (often disproved later) impact the lives of players and coaches. Right now, I see no accountability -- even on the media blow-ups of some "drive-by" Twitter comments. Nope, it gets reported as fact.. and then you get a long personal piece on why that "tweet" confirms the "click-baiter's" preconceived notions --

I am so tired of being manipulated by these media reports. Frankly, i hate Twitter, because like short emails, a lot is left up to "selective interpretation" by the media. And rest assured, the media makes a lot of "click-bait" off of the Washington NFL franchise. Not apologizing for the Snyder regime, but it's more about the "shock-jock" manner in which this franchise is being treated. Frankly, Washington is an easy target, but there are other institutions/franchises wouldn't bear up well under the same level of scrutiny. ...Including the media itself.

VoR -- your chart shows Terry with 7 TDs in 2021. .... Wasn't it 5 TDs in 2021?

Does anyone know how much McLaurin and his agent are asking for? I hear "far apart" a lot -- Is it Washington low-balling? Or are McLaurin & his agent, Buddy Baker, trying to reset the WR market price?

Right now, it's Roullier -- he tried to maximize his potential and so far has trended upward to be well-regarded at his position. Young has huge potential, and based on his 2020 season, established a very high floor. But before his injury, Young really didn't show much new in 2021 -- almost 'plateau'-ing with his technique, anticipation, etc. Meanwhile opponents had a year to study Young's 2020 arsenal of moves and techniques he relied on to get to the QB ... So Young's 2021 sack rate per game went down, even when being 'single-teamed'. For 2022 -- we'll have to see how well both Chase's have recovered from their injuries, but Young is going to need to have used his off-season time to have learned a wider variety of moves and techniques to effectively pressure the QB, while making sure he still can be relied on to contain his edge. I've been watching replays of other quality DEs with less potential than Young, but who did a much better job in those areas as well as sacks.

These are all great points -- and I acknowledge that McLaurin is someone Washington would want to extend, even though the condition of the team made it difficult to assess just how elite of a contract he should receive in order to retain his services. However the concern I had was that in today's overheated WR market -- there currently isn't much wiggle-room. And, if McLaurin is awarded a really huge contract, what does this mean for the other really good members of the team whose contracts are close to coming up for renewals? Hopefully the cap gets substantially loosened up, going forward.

Sorry, I'm not sure can anoint McLaurin as elite. I see "Elite -POTENTIAL" ....perhaps --but we need see how Terry blossoms with a good QB and other dangerous WRs and TEs to pull coverage off of McLaurin. Point is, -- ee haven't seen that yet.

Deleted my comment -- too much trouble to correct with this wonky interface.

Everyone is going to hate me for this. Please know that I really like McLaurin. But the question has been bothering me -- is the WR market unusually overpriced? Moreover, where does McLaurin stack up vs. the WRs like Hill, Kupp, Adams, etc.? He's a captain, a hard worker, a great locker presence, and a really good WR. But is he a game-changing WR like Hill? With 77 receptions and 5 TDs, when Washington only had a group of lower-tier WRs -- he strikes me more as great possession receiver with really nice speed. However, when I look at the contract numbers being suggested and apply it to McLaurin 2021 seaon's total of receptions -- it works out to around 300K a reception. And some of those type of receptions were the kind of the many short/mid-range receptions Humphries routinely made for a 3rd down conversions. This is not a negative about McLaurin -- it's more about whether the WR position should routinely command the same level of money as a franchise (or near a franchise) QB, can get. Its getting a little crazy out there. Sorry, but I keep getting the feeling that there are a lot of rookie and 1st year WRs who could potentially match up to what Christian Kirk, Hopkins, etc can provide. It seems like Washington is being forced into a position where they have to buy REALLY high on a WR position where there are many near equivalent replacements. The WR market seems over-priced, and Washington is being forced to "buy higher than actual value." To be clear -- I get that Washington needs to reward those who've helped build a better culture among the players -- but the WR market seems abnormally overpriced at this moment. And overpaying WRs means future tough cuts, elsewhere.

I am underwhelmed by Washington's off-season strategy/tactics they seem to be following to address the concerns raised by last year's line-backing group. IMHO, it seems Washington is whistling past the graveyard, and hoping for a "lucky break' at "waiver-wire" time. So, is the approach will be the Washington coaches reassuring everyone how that same LB group will be so much better this year? While I'd like to believe the hype, I can't help but note that Linebacker group has less veteran depth, less quality supporting players at "buffalo nickel", and more questions on how well the interior D line is going to keep the LB'ers clear of on-rushing O-linemen. The UDFAs Washington brought in, might make special teams, and m-a-y-b-e might emerge to be serviceable players to spell Davis, Holcomb and/or Mayo, but they didn't seem like they'd be a quality "next-man-up" should one of the current trio of Wasjington LB'ers not be able to play for a few weeks.

In a way, Fitz's injury (along with Samuels' groin-pull) really masked what Washington's offense might have been capable of. Assuming the Washington O-line is decent this year, I feel we'll see a good offense this year. It's not all Wentz, it's Wentz's supporting cast, and unveiling what Scott Turner & Zampese can do with an Air-Coryell style offense in today's NFL pass-happy environment. But, wow, the Washington defense ... will really need to step up. The Washington line-backing corps was not that great last year ...and no one added to improve that group. 😑

My wording could have been better, but I used wording I had seen from online news articles. I don't think it was an "official" excused absence, because OTAs are technically voluntary. ...It was more like Rivera "understanding"/explainimg of Sweat's absence from this year's OTAs. It probably became an issue after Rivera had earlier communicated his strong desire/hope/expectation that Sweat to be there for the 2022 OTAs. Here's the link. http://dcsportsking.com/2022/05/24/chase-young-and-montez-sweat-absence-at-otas-explained/ I'd note that Sweat didn't show up to OTAs until this week. so I hope that Ron is also cool with that too.

I think this is a reasonable question. It was communicated that Sweat was given an excused absence for Tuesday May 24.... So what happened regarding Montez the other days? Did he ever show up?

Setting aside what Washington gave up to acquire Wentz, I'm okay with trying him out him as the Commanders' QB in the 2022. It's a bit of a Riverboat gamble, but I like the odds that Carson will pan out as a competent QB for what the team has been trying to do for the Rivera/Turner offense. I think we'll see more points generated on offense. However, the team's wins loss record will depend on the performances of the offensive line to give Wentz time and a clean pocket, and also the defense to prevent opponents from cashing in on Washington's stalled drives and turnovers. Wentz is the opposite of that "Captain Checkdown" syndrome we've been complaining about. In the heat of the battle, Carson is looking for the bigger play, and sometimes it costs him. So getting more time in the pocket will help him find that 'optimal' target. (It will probably help if Turner occasionally dials up a pre-planned delayed check-down play, as defenses tend to perceive Wentz as always looking for the deep target, the longer the play runs.) Also, It looks like Wentz plays better if the middle of his pocket holds up and lets him step up into the pocket using his 6'-5" to survey the field, or try breaking through the line to avoid the sack and get positive yards. (That's why I'm worried about Roullier.) Lastly, if the defense can step up and keep the pressure off of the offense to score bunches of points to keep up.... I think Wentz won't feel the urgency to carry everything on his back, when his number is dialed up. I think he'll be able to restrain his 'I've got to make the big play" urges and let the RBs and short outlet passing do their thing. Wentz has the physical traits, the strength and talent, and the guts to be a great QB for this team. The trick will be how to effectively harness his passion and create conditions where he can rely on not having to always have that big play, and instead opt for a patient approach.

With such a deep pool of talent in this year's draft, and Washngton's 11th pick bargaining chip... Ronco would have had to be totally inept to emerge with no value. Still, it looked grim at first. Washington's patchwork-logic approach for drafting strategy resulted in a lot of naysayers debating Washington's "single-time" trade-down strategy, especially when the strategy's value was oddly neutralized by an odd reach in round 2, and unwillingness to fully leverage trading out of the early blue-chip zone for more value picks in the talent-loaded rounds 2, 3, and early 4. Mathis was a reach, and put the stamp on a decision that a backup DT was a greater need than an elite player at LB or "Swiss-Army knife" solution at free safety/buffalo-nickel. Another issue is whether Dotson at 16 was worth more than Lloyd in late 20's plus Moore or Pierce at 47 plus a lot more value picks in rounds 3-5. IMHO, Dotson is an intense competitor but his,small frame will limit his versatility. And while Robinson is a competitor too, maybe selecting Brisker over Butler ensured greater value. My initial post grading the Washington draft with detailed reasons for my rating was "lost" by ES website-- and I don't want to have to recreate all of it agakn. But, boftom lime, I deducted points for the illogical pick at 2, for not following through entirely with their initial trade-down strategy because they viewed Dotson as an elite who couldn't be passed up, even thougn other solid WRs would still be available later in round two, for not attempting to address their need at LB / Buffalo-Nickel with a quality candidate, and lastly for "whistling past the graveyard" in hoping Butler learns angles and to tackle well enough to be the last line of defense at FS. I'll grant that Howell is a good pick potential-wise and publicity-wise, but the fact is I was not able to detect a consistent strategy in the conduct of the overall Washington draft. I gave Washington's drqft a conditional C-, depending on how well their gambles at WR and FS worked out, and assuming they might find a way to actually bolster their very noticeable needs at ILB / Buffalo-nickel with something beyond a bunch of UDFAs. (In Mayo, I trust? SMH) I saw too much over-drafting of "smurf" slot WRs, of slow, non-blocking TEs, and of essentially "Special-Teams proxy" solutions for Washingtons very real needs at CB, LB, FS, etc. Moreover I felt there was not much thought given to what was the actual 'priority' of each of this team's needs --and whether those needs should be addressed in year-one, or in later years, perhaps through longer-term development of talent. Sorry, but IMHO, the Washington draft didn't seem logically planned out, actually almost ad-hoc and driven by committee. But time will tell. I just hope I'm wrong.