Wyvern

I thought it emerged around 2005, when the Washington was trying to make the playoffs. Somebody Was making a post on what was needed to get into the post-season, and made a typo on the word, playoffs. Folks thought it was funny, so it stuck. (A few might even think it's lucky, since Washington did make the "paloffs" that season.) Maybe, Califan might remember who it was who first coined that term.

My point was, why would the Washington front office want to wait so long to do something about their lack of quality depth at center and guard? Procrastinating until after the week 14 games are done, essentially risks Washington having to compete with another team whose center or guard might have got injured today. Hopefully no one was injured today, but frankly Rivera & Co.'s procrastination on proactively addressing their O-Line deficiencies give me the feeling they don't think they'll make the playoffs. Maybe they figure they don't need to fix things, and they'll come up with a "Bostic" type of solution for their O-Line problems. If I was in one of Rivera's press-conferences, that's the type of question I'd press him on.

Do folks really feel OBJ has a proven record of reacting with emotional maturity when things don't go his way? Not sure why people are trying to rationalize his behavior. And I'm sorry, but since 9-11, airline flights aren't really a great place to insist on having things done 'your own way.'

Is anyone curious why Washington has made no moves to bolster their depth at either center or guard? Has Rivera been persuaded that Schweitzer can make up for the deficiencies of Martin at center, or even play a full game or the rest of the season? With all the injuries, there's not much depth and fewer quality options. Saahdiq Charles is barely an answer at RG--he's shown that he can range from poor to somewhat adequate in run-blocking, but he's essentially a turnstile in pass protection. And Washington needs to improve its O-line to successfully meet the challenge of last four games, if they are committed to making the playoffs. It's sad enough that to cover for the weaknesses of O-Line, Washington is constantly having to fall back max protection in their passing situations, often keeping its TEs and RBs in to help block, and praying one of the few Washington receivers they do send beyond the line of scrimmage, can get open enough for Heinicke to complete a pass and keep the chains rolling. Thank god for McLaurin's success in reliably getting open on many of those short out patterns over on Heinicke's right side; but teams are getting wise to that, and to be candid, Washington's going to be facing better secondaries soon. This bye is an opportunity to improve the performance/depth of this O-line for Washington's attempt to secure a playoff berth, but it doesn't seem like there's any urgency by Rivera & Co, to take advantage of that extra time and really work on addressing the problem.

NoCalMike -- I share the same wishes. IMHO, any running game /ground control approach needs to be supported by a decently dangerous passing threat. Heinicke's passes weren't all that great in support of what Turner might have planned. I guess it's live & learn.

Redward and Wit33 -- thank you for your quality comments on my post. I really appreciate them as great food for thought. FYI -- I'd like to see conditions where it's a level playing field for all types of team identity. Personally, I really enjoyed those hard-fought defensive games of the past. Frankly, I'd like to see another Super Bowl where a team with a great defense and conservative offense Is able to trounce the team used to getting into the playoffs with a high-flying offense fueled by their megastar QB play, their superstar WR, and the ref calls in favor of the offense. Because, from what I see, in 2021-2022, the rules are increasingly tilted in favor of the offense, and most games come down to more about whose offense gets to score last (usually assisted by some controversial pass interference penalty or personal foul against the QB) Moreover, I'm concerned with the trend within the rules committee to further empower the QB with protections when he takes off running. I keep remembering how Pickett used that "new mind-set" to juke some DBs into not tackling him, by fake sliding! Heck, in the 90's, Pickett would have been smashed. Are we getting to the point where a DB's finger better not even graze the QB's helmet? And now they're discussing instant replay on ref calls that might have been missed? ....SMH Okay, I allowed myself some hyperbole, I know -- but I can't help but note how media ratings are really changing the NFL game, and worry that some of the previously sound approaches to a team identity might be undercut by where the NFL seem to want to take their football product.

My concern is what's going to be the ceiling on Washington's team identity ... Is it something like Tennessee with a running game, but with a slightly better defense but maybe lower ceiling at QB and O-Line took take full advantage of a better receiving corps? Or is it more like the Frank Reich Colts with Wentz at QB, relying on a great Taylor running game, but with O-Line and defenses not being able to control the game enough for playoff level contention? Right now, some people are starting to believe more in a ground- control game-managing style of offense, whose low scoring is backed up by great defensive play. But IMHO, the NFL still seems hell-bent on fostering games with offensive fireworks driven by megastar QB play and superstar WR performances, in order to attract better ratings. So I think we're still going to see the flashy teams like the Chiefs, Bills, Dolphins, etc in the final rounds of playoffs rather than teams like the Titans, Giants or Washington with more conservative "old-school' identities. And no doubt the next round of NFL rule changes will continue to favor offensive fireworks, which will make having a dominating defense even more difficult to obtain. Sorry, I think in the upcoming years, its going to be even more about the QB ....if a team wants a playoff winning team identity.

In a way, Rivera seems to have decided to forego figuring out who's going to be his QB of the future (2023 season and beyond) in order to have a chance to make the playoffs in 2022. It's just my opinion -- but Washington is in this dilemma, due to the hole they dug themselves into, when they whiffed on their pick of Haskins, and Wentz didn't immediately pan out for them. I'd hoped Rivera might have been able to try assessing Wentz a little more, especially during those times when the interior of Washington's O-Line had somewhat stabilized to be considered "semi-adequate pass protection" and the defense had finally addressed their issues at cornerback issues. Due to timing and injury, it now looks like Wentz will be released in 2023 -- essentially becoming an extremely expensive rental for a quarter of the 2022 season. So what's Rivera going to do in 2023, beyond possibly extending Heinicke and m-a-y-b-e trying out Howell in a few controlled situations? Sorry, I don't see Heinicke as the long-term solution for Washington's QB needs -- his limitations are evident even as a game-manager QB, and can we realistically Washington to continue to rely on its defense, running game, and lucky breaks to amass a 10-7 or 11-6 record in 2023 and 2024? It seems to me, that we're enjoying a bit of a Cinderella story right now, but eventually midnight will come and than Rivera will need to decide how long he can satisfy fans with a pumpkin being drawn by mice. I don't think we'd see Cinderella Part II, in 2023. Okay, so in 2023, maybe Rivera can just commit to trying out Howell, big-time, but what happens if that doesn't work out? It might work out, but most decent NFL-level QBs were either high draft-picks, or late-blossoming veteran honed by years of experience. In 2023, Howell will be neither. Hopefully it'll turn out that Washington found a hidden gem in Howell, but historically the odds aren't good. So, what's the decision in 2023? Rely on Heinicke for might be a 8-8 season? ....toss Howell in to see what you get? ... or try to find another vet (Carr, Marriota, Garrapolo, etc) who might be able to quickly master Turner's complicated offense in time to fill the role of a playoff caliber QB? As for the 2023 draft. I'm not certain, but I don't see Washington being able to give up enough draft capital to land one of the top 2 QB prospects in the 2023 draft. And I'm not certain drafting another QB in the lower rounds (even the second round) will fill what Washington needs going forward. It will be interesting to see what Rivera & Co. do to handle this dilemma.

Question: Since Washington tied this last game, does that mean Heinicke is only going to award his teammates with just single shoes of Air Jordans in the Giants colors?

My point is on many of Wentz's sacks, there really was no pocket -- the interior and both tackles sides closed in on him quickly or some defender broke through and got to him before he'd even completing his dropback. When the same level of defensive pressure happened to Heinicke, he went down too. I think Heinicke is more elusive than Wentz -- but the O-Line protecting Wentz vs Dallas, Tennessee, and Philadelphia was much worse than what was protecting Heinicke in Indy or Houston. (Moreover the defense was still evolving into something that no longer let Washington get so far behind they had to pass to catch up rather than rely on the ground & pound game). And those are factors that should be considered -- because it's not exactly apples to apples!

I enjoy these statistical comparisons, but I wonder if the difference in quality of the interior pocket pass protection was an important determining factor too. The times when Wentz had to rely on pass protection with Nick Martin at center and Saahdiq Charles at right guard, were really hard to watch. Those two were horrible in pass protection, and often left Wentz with no place (and no time) to scramble for a safe place to throw. Meanwhile Turner kept on hoping for a passing attack to develop, which allowed defenses to pin their ears back, key on that tandem as a weak link, which was so bad it impacted the quality of pass protection of the other three offensive linemen. Wentz is too big and lanky to be as elusive as Heinicke -- but during those days of poor O-Line performances he didn't have as many escape routes either.

I think I understand Heinicke's reluctance to take off running, when he thinks there's a target to pass to. When you go to Wikipedia and check Heinicke's history in the NFL, you can see why he might not want to take unnecessary chances that might expose himself to injury. Taylor got waived by the Vikings with an injury settlement for an injury he sustained in preseason. While with Houston he finally gets in a game, and sustains a concussion after one pass, and never gets back into another game for Houston who then waives him in the offseason. Heinicke gets picked up by Carolina and gets a few spot appearances, leading to his first start for the injured Cam Newton. During that game he gets an injured elbow, gets replaced by Kyle Allen, IR'd for the rest of the season and released in the offseason. And you may recall he injured himself on his trademark pylon drive in the Washington-Tampa playoff game but for once stuck it out and made the team the next year. So, in the 2021 season, after stepping in for injured Fitzpatrick, and with Kyle Allen behind him -- I'll bet Heinicke made sure history wasn't going to repeat itself and tried to play it safe, and avoid injury. Consequently, Taylor has a real interest in scrambling to dodge would-be tacklers, but probably doesn't want to risk injury by becoming a "running QB weapon." And, for now, Turner appears to be obliging Taylor's preference in that matter .... especially while Wentz was injured.

Ah yes, ... let's "RG3" it, again. Roll the dice for success on a splashy 1st round pick. ... So how much of its future does Washington sell?

Without St-Juste to cover Falcon WR London.... And a gimpy Logan Thomas... I'm downgrading Washington's chance vs. Falcons to ...Pick 'Em. It'll be bad if Mariota ups his game enough to be able to find and pass accurately to consistently get it to Drake London, because Fuller and Wildgoose can't cover London well enough. Del Rio and Harris are going to have to figure some way to shut that down, or London will be able to convert 3rd downs on Washington and keep the Falcon running game on track. And the more I examine the Falcon running game, the more I see how its going to be a big challenge for the Washington D. So, Washington needs to stymie Atlanta's running game and avoid getting worn down by preventing any Falcons' long extended ground-powered drives. Heinicke and company will need to avoid turnovers and put up at least 27 points to win this one, unless Mariota gifts Washington with a few turnovers.

Washington needs to bring its "A"-game on Sunday or the Falcons will pull off a closely contested upset. Even without Pitts, the Falcon WRs, Patterson and London, can pose some real challenges for Washington's secondary, and Atlanta's O-Line can give Marriott the time needed for completing some explosive plays. The Falcons Coach is a good one -- he has a history of putting together good offenses, so I wouldn't sleep on their so-so running game. Washington's D really needs to hold Atlanta to under 20 points to win this game -- assuming the Washington offense can step up enough to put some 27+ points against Atlanta's so-so defense. That means Heinicke is going to need to perform well on converting 3rd downs and cashing in TDs when in the red-zone. ... Let's see. 😬 With fingers crossed .... Washington 27 Atlanta 20

My thoughts on updating the title for this thread: Wentz, he coming back? ...Cuz the Hive-mind thinks there's a Taylor'd solution for QB and the Sons of Sam are starting to Howell! J/K

It's a team that Washington can beat if mistakes, penalties, and turnovers were essentially even-sided. Key for Washington is how to limit the Texans' RBs, while also ensuring the Texans' TEs don't take advantage of Boston's coverage deficiencies. I anticipate Mills being under interior D-line pressure so not too many long passing plays, Washington will need to be vigilant vs draws and screens. I think Houston stacks the box to stop the run, so Heinicke needs to be completing passes to the TEs and receiving corps to extend the drives. Texan CB Stingley is out, so McLaurin and/or Dotson should be able to get open for Heinicke. Pre-snap motion to displace Texan LB'ers will be harder to sell with Bates instead of Armani Rogers, so hoping to see more schemes involving Samuels. It will be an ugly win, but Washington should prevail, unless ref-calls really favor home-field Texans. Washington 23, Houston 16.

Maybe some recognition is due for what the D-Line coaching staff have done in instilling an understanding for each d-lineman to be playing their roles within a team-related scheme. Coaches Zgonina and Kerrigan are a clear upgrade over the departed Sam Mills III, and you can see the results. There's a lot less freelancing by d-lineman seeking to up their sack totals (even Sweat).

IMHO, Vikings receiving group is better than Washington's pass defense, and Cousins can make the medium-to-long throws to allow them to make explosive plays. However, Washington's D-Line is better than Vikings O-line, which may deny Cousins the time for those plays to become available. Vikings may find ways to exploit Bostic (with Cook, Thielen, or Hockensen) So I see Vikings still being able to put up points on Washington's increasingly improving defense. Washington O-line is improving slightly to "fair" and unless Vikings D-Line steps up (they have some talent, but not that great), Washington should be able to sustain the typical Turner mix of short passes and running plays -- resulting in long drives to further wear down the Vikings D for the 2nd half "McLaurin magic" to make it big contributions. (To be sure, the Vikings will be scheming to deny McLaurin as a target for Heinicke all day.). I think Samuel and Gibson will have big yardage totals -- but the moment of truth will be the red-zone. Special teams are about equal. Maybe Washington will have a real home-field advantage, if the crowds are pumped up due to the "off-the-field" news. An advantage for Washington is Vikings don't seem to play as well on grass. Both sides about equal with their problems with drive-killing penalties and turnovers -- let's face it, no one can predict how the refs are going to call the game. Prediction: A close game -- even if Vikings go up early, their opponents always seem to be able to catch up -- winding up in a close game. Vikings D is not that great but I give the edge to a Minnesota victory especially if their line-backing group to can do a halfway decent job to contain the Turner outlet passing game. I suspect that Cousins will find a way get in a few more explosive plays, and I've noted Vikings have good record of success in the red-zone. (I think Fuller can be exploited for some of those explosive plays.) Both coaches have their teams engaged and playing well -- O'Connell seems very innovative and can adapt quickly during the game time conditions. X-factor: I'm worried that if Hockensen can be worked into the game plan, then the combination of new Vikings TE and WR Thielen will allow the Vikings to frequently exploit Washington LB Bostic. Vikings 31, Washington 27 (assuming Heinicke has good passing stretches for more than two quarters)

Cousins last season with Washington was the 2017 season. Here's who is still around on the current Washington team that were on the team (in some fashion) when Cousins was there. Jonathon Allen (his rookie year) Chase Roulier (rookie year) Tress Way (punter on teams w/Cousins 2014-2017) Kendall Fuller (DB on teams w/Cousins 2016-2017) Ryan Kerrigan ( DE on teams w/Cousins 2012-2017. Now a part of Rivera's Coaching staff) Randy Jordan (RB coach on teams w/Cousins 2014-2017) .... And of course .....the owner 😬

How about "Anacondas"? ... Or Piranha? Two dangerous creatures from the Amazon.

Regarding Morgan Moses: He had a seven year stint with Washington, but in 2021, with new candidates for RT on the roster (Cosmi, Lucas, etc.), Washington released Moses during the off-season. Moses then joined the Jets on a one-year deal. During the 2022 off-season the Ravens were in need of tackle help and signed Moses to a three-year, $15 million contract. He's been a steady performer his entire career -- but perhaps was seen as no longer seen as a good a fit with Washington's new offensive line schemes.

That was an autocorrect error. I know Wentz is out. I really hate the autocorrect function because it continues to rewrite what I posted and gets it wrong way too often. I was editing the latest auto-"incorrect" but you got your post in before I fixed it.

I wonder if Fuller is going to try and cover Justin Jefferson; that could become very scary! 😬. Washington gets a break in the fact that the Vikings are way down their depth chart for the TE position. But as for Washington's offense, its got to be better than the last two weeks. While the Vikings defense isn't great and their O-Line is mediocre, the Vike's offense can put up some points, and so Washington needs production to stay close. I'll put in my prediction later -- once I see the announced injury reports. Right now, I'm leaning towards Minnesota, but that could change depending on whether Holcomb and Jahan Dotson return.

Jumbo, I liked your entire post -- but I really liked this section as it really boiled the whole issue down into one sentence. THANK YOU!