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Are Commanders sold on Sam Howell at QB?
Washington cut Carson Wentz on Monday, paving the way for 2023 second-year pro Sam Howell to take over at QB. Or so we thought.
Ron Rivera on Sam Howell: “He’s not our starter. He’s coming in as QB1 and he’ll get a chance to be the starter.”
— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) February 28, 2023
He added they’re looking to add a veteran and indicated Taylor Heinicke could be in the mix.
Commanders head coach Ron Rivera told reporters on Tuesday that Howell is "not our starter." He said the University of North Carolina product will have a chance in training camp to separate himself from the pack, but the team isn't set on handing the keys to the offense over to him just yet.
The team hasn't been mentioned as a suitor for Derek Carr, the former Raider. If Aaron Rodgers becomes available, the Packers are expected to move him to out of the conference.
Jacoby Brissett and Jimmy Garoppolo both deserve starting roles next season and could be cheaper, veteran options.
Taylor Heinicke remains on the roster, but his lack of upside means he's better suited for a backup role.
Another possibility is the Commanders trading up in the draft to pick a QB. After Rivera had his most success with Cam Newton in Carolina, Washington could look at Florida's Anthony Richardson in a similar light. At least one NFL executive already does.
While it was always likely the team would explore other options, it's surprising for Rivera to be so candid in shooting down Howell as the team's starting QB. Perhaps he's only trying to make sure Howell doesn't grow comfortable after only starting one game during his rookie year, a 26-6 win in Week 18 over the Cowboys.
He was drafted in the fifth round (144th overall) of the 2022 NFL Draft after starting three seasons at North Carolina from 2019-2021. During his career, he completed 63.8 percent of his passes with 92 touchdowns and 23 interceptions. He expanded his game in 2021 when he had 183 carries for 828 yards.
During his freshman and sophomore years, Howell had 186 carries for 181 yards.
A little competition is always good for a young QB, but Rivera's comments set the Commanders up for a major QB debate.
More must-reads:
- Commanders decision puts Carson Wentz on new career path
- Report: Rival owners 'concerned' Commanders sale process is a sham
- The 'NFL Passing YPG leaders' quiz
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Chiefs have a no-brainer trade target after loss vs. Bills
The last time the Kansas City Chiefs lost four games in a season, they went on to make the Super Bowl and beat the San Francisco 49ers. Six years have passed since, and Andy Reid's team will have to make some adjustments to replicate that fortune. That's especially evident after another heartbreaking regular-season loss to the Buffalo Bills, which exposed what might be the Chiefs' biggest flaw on offense: a lack of an explosive running game. That's why they need to pick up the phone and reach out to the New York Jets to trade for Breece Hall. Chiefs need to trade for Breece Hall According to Dianna Russini of The Athletic, the Jets are more than open to trading Hall, who's in the final year of his contract. "The Jets have been getting calls on RB Breece Hall for a while, and while there is interest, New York is looking for at least a third-round pick in return," wrote Russini. Hall is just 24 years old, and while he had a major injury as a rookie, he's been pretty durable since. This season, he's up to 117 carries for 581 rushing yards and two touchdowns, averaging 5.0 yards per carry. He also has 21 receptions on 30 targets for 178 receiving yards. The Chiefs average 121.2 rushing yards per game, the 12th most in the NFL. That's with Patrick Mahomes accounting for one-third of their rushing yards, though. Neither Isiah Pacheco — who's currently out with an injury — nor Kareem Hunt has been efficient, and rookie Brashard Smith might not be ready to take on a bigger role. The Chiefs ran for just 79 yards against a Bills defense that gives up the fourth-most rushing yards per game (141.4), and Hall could certainly fix those woes.
Mike Vrabel responds to accusation that Patriots simulated Falcons' snap on key fourth-quarter play
With under two minutes remaining in regulation of Sunday's game between the Atlanta Falcons and the New England Patriots, Atlanta quarterback Michael Penix Jr. committed a costly and curious intentional grounding penalty after he seemed not ready to receive the snap of the football. Following the 24-23 loss that dropped Atlanta to 3-5 on the season, Falcons head coach Raheem Morris accused Patriots players of "clapping" to simulate Penix asking for the ball to be snapped. During a Monday appearance on Boston sports radio station WEEI, first-year New England head coach Mike Vrabel responded to Morris' comments. Mike Vrabel "didn't see" Patriots players simulating the snap "I mean, I didn't see anything," Vrabel said, per Tom Carroll of Audacy. "Like, is that fake? I don’t know. Quarterbacks, when they want the ball, it’s like [clap] [clap] [clap] [clap]. I mean, I didn’t see anybody doing that. And then, like, we don’t do the clap…I can see, like, when the quarterback, like it’s the silent count, it’s like [softer claps], but I didn’t see anybody do that." The CBS broadcast of Sunday's contest didn't show a single New England player clapping before the ball was snapped for what became the intentional grounding play. As Marc Raimondi of ESPN noted, a team guilty of simulating an offense's snap count or snap is supposed to receive a 15-yard penalty. No flag was thrown before the ball left Penix's hand, and the Falcons eventually had to punt on fourth down of that late drive. From there, New England was able to run the clock out. Mike Vrabel names latest Patriots-related controversy The Patriots were previously part of "Spygate" and "Deflategate" scandals. On Monday, Vrabel named the latest alleged New England controversy. "'Clapgate,'" Vrabel added during the segment. "That was new. I didn't see that. I just know - and maybe that's a testament to our fans. You know what I mean? It got loud, and I could hear the energy, and so thank them for that. But that's a good point. I did not - I didn't see anything, and I’ll let you guys go investigate." The 7-2 Patriots next play at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-2) on Nov. 9. Perhaps it's fair to wonder what New England players will and/or won't try to get away with at Raymond James Stadium during that Sunday afternoon matchup.
Brad Marchand Reportedly Refused Trade to Different Team Before Joining Panthers
** Author’s Note: We’re working to get verification and footage of the comments from Marchand. This report comes from multiple social accounts that claim they heard the remarks firsthand. According to a report by @j_vmess on social media, former Boston Bruins captain and now Florida Panthers veteran star Brad Marchand shared a surprising story during Pantherfest this weekend. Apparently, he confirmed that he was nearly traded at the NHL trade deadline to a different team. He refused that trade, which led him to joining the Florida Panthers. Revealing that the Bruins moved him to a different NHL club, Marchand said he told the team he would not accept a trade there and would refuse to report if dealt. Ultimately, the Bruins pivoted and traded Marchand to Florida. Marchand went on to win a Stanley Cup with the team and re-sign there this past offseason as a free agent. @flatcatsandrats added to the report, noting that according to Marchand, the deal came together just before the deadline closed. “I got traded to another team about an hour before the deadline,” Marchand is said to have told fans. “When they called me, I said no — I wasn’t going.” Marchand didn’t specify which team had acquired his rights; the assumption is that the Los Angeles Kings had expressed serious interest. Marchand has reportedly noted in previous interviews that he wasn’t interested in playing for the Kings or on the West Coast. So too, back in June, Elliotte Friedman wrote that the Kings thought they had a trade for Marchand completed. At the time of Friedman’s article, Marchand was weighing his free agency options, Friedman explained: “Florida is first up, obviously, with the advantage of already being a perfect fit and good state taxes. If he doesn’t stay, Toronto and Utah are expected to be among the serious pursuers. Utah has indicated it is not crazy about term, Toronto could prefer to stretch it out, but, watching him in the final, who wouldn’t want him? Los Angeles (who had a deal with Boston, only to find out Marchand wanted Florida), New Jersey, Washington, etc., etc., he can fit anywhere.” “This was the only team I was coming to,” suggested another person who cited Marchand’s comments this weekend. It was common knowledge that teams were interested in Marchand at the deadline, but knowing that a trade had been finalized and that Marchand was the one who squashed it is an added wrinkle.
Cooper Flagg responds to his critics amid early career struggles
Dallas Mavericks rookie Cooper Flagg is keeping it real after about as brutal of a start to his NBA career as possible. Speaking with reporters after Saturday’s defeat to the Detroit Pistons, Flagg was asked for his message to those who are concerned about his very sluggish start to his rookie season. Flagg responded by admitting that the NBA was a “tough league.” “It’s a tough league,” said Flagg, per Mike Curtis of The Dallas Morning News. “It’s a transition. I haven’t made a lot of shots or been as efficient I would’ve wanted to. But I’m gonna keep trusting the work. It’s nothing I think they should be worried about. I’m not worried about anything.” The 18-year-old Flagg, who was the No. 1 overall pick in this year’s draft, is a natural forward. But he has started at point guard to begin his NBA career with injuries up and down the Dallas roster, most notably with Kyrie Irving still recovering from a torn ACL. As a result, Flagg’s numbers have been predictably uneven (13.8 points, 6.5 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.8 turnovers per game on 37/29/100 shooting splits). Flagg has even gotten the meme treatment online over some of his rougher individual performances. In fairness to Flagg, he was put in an impossible situation to begin with. The Mavericks landed him right after they trade away a popular and transcendent franchise superstar in Luka Doncic, and expectations for Flagg have been sky-high from Day 1, especially from a disgruntled Dallas fanbase. If the talented 6-foot-9 forward simply continues to put in the work, the tides should turn for him before too long.
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