NFL
By: Joe Cardoso
Washington Commanders fans we all suffered through the dark days of Dan Synder. Sometimes, I wake up and wonder if his selling the team was real. We have not had a record over .500 since 2016-17. Josh Harris and company are now FULLY in control from top to bottom with a new coaching staff, players, and common-sense decision-making. With the draft and offseason behind us now Dan Quinn and his staff have started the business of fixing this dumpster fire and giving us two things HOPE and a QUALITY football team. If you are looking for one of those writers who is so blinded by his love of the team that he spits out crazy takes, sorry I am not your guy. But, I am a lifelong fan who has sat through DECADES of having us beating the Cowboys be my only sense of football joy. Damn, I want more and I also would love to see a once proud organization no longer be the laughingstock of the league. Now that I am done venting let’s see what I think of the 2024 Commanders.
Offense:
Welcome to the DMV Jayden Daniels! The new face of the franchise by way of LSU should be under center week 1 and brings the normal excitement you get for a rookie QB. With what we saw from CJ Stroud, and before his injury Anthony Richardson we have the right to be a little hype. Our offense was garbage ranking 25th in points and 24th in yards per game. He can move around in the pocket and has shown great touch when needed. YES, he is SLIM and took a ton of hits that made you want to look away while in college. I really hope it is hammered home that he has to pick his spots and for the love of God slide!! We all remember when RGIII was broken in half trying to be a hero.
The really bad news is done of his offensive line from LSU is with him in the pro’s. Instead, he gets one that gave up 65 sacks last year and created holes that Walter Payton would struggle to run through. But new blood was brought in and we will see who the RT is, signing former Super Bowl champion Chief Nick Allegretti WILL help. Tyler Biadasz (what a name) should start at center and let last year’s rookie Ricky Stromberg really get healthy and add depth. This is truly the key to the offense. You can use all the buzz words you want but Daniels can’t do all the things will want when running for his life or unable to have a running game. My main focus all preseason will be the O-line PERIOD. Andrew Wylie gave up DOUBLE digit sacks last year we need to see better.
The weapons on the outside are fun but again I will keep beating the drum, Daniels needs time to find them. Curtis Samuels was allowed to leave after being ON the field and productive. Terry McLaurin is HIM as the kids say and on paper will have the best QB he’s played with at this point, I can play QB ad Terry will get his regardless. I see 5 straight 1,000 seasons on deck, we need a big bump from Jahan Dotson how much does Zach Ertz have left to give? A nice TE is a rookie QB’s best friend ask Payton Manning and Dallas Clark. Keep an eye on the rook Luke McCaffrey who like his dad just finds a way to get open, can the return of Crowder help the return game?
The running game adds Austin Ekeler who is a threat in the passing game and so-so in the run game. I wonder if playing in spot duty will help him and his impact for us. Brian Robinson carry’s the mail for us and I would expect his carries to go up with Kilff Kingsbury calling the plays. After that it is a grab bag of runners that bring different sets of skills to the table.
Defense:
Coming from Dallas Dan Quinn and new DC Joe Whitt Jr. have some work to do with this unit. It feels like 20 years ago when I was telling anyone who would listen how bad ass this unit would be with the players we had and Jack Del Rio in charge. I should have known once his political comments started coming we were doomed to fail, and fail we need. LAST in both points and yards per game allowed, bottom of the barrel in turnovers and third down defense just to mention. We didn’t know what a pass rush was or QB pressure that has to change and the big boys Jonathan Allen who was solid and Daron Payne needs to find whatever it was he lost last season. We got rid of Chase Young and Montez Sweat so who comes off the edge? Dorance Armstrong from Dallas who did have 7 and half sacks along with Clein Ferrell should start, with KJ Henry and Javontae Jean-Baptiste getting some time. Maybe Jalen Harris earns his way on the field. I would love to see Dante Fowler Jr. have a career year in DC.
The secondary was BAD, and I mean really BAD. But when you don’t have a pass rush what are we expecting? You can’t defend NFL level wideouts forever or take chances on balls. I like Benjamin St-Juste a lot Lord knows he was tested a lot, can Emmanuel Forbes bounce back and show why he was picked so high? Michael Davis should show improvement as well after an up and down year, I am a DIE-HARD Michigan Wolverine fan, so you already know that I am all about Mike Sainristil. Do not let the size fool you kid is a dog and very smart he will be a play maker save this article! Bobby Wagner brings so much leadership and will pair with Frankie Luvu a tackling machine. This is the make-or-break year for Jamin Davis this new staff owes him nothing. To quote the great emcee Shawn “JayZ” Carter “We don’t believe you, you need more people.”
Overall:
It is a huge overhaul this season so my expectations aren’t high, but I want to see improvement in the areas I mentioned throughout the article. The schedule is not hard but this isn’t the Chiefs, so no LOCK wins here. I say 7-10 and a major step in letting the rest of the NFL know these are not the same ole Commanders with more off filed issues then positive on the field progress. It is an exciting time in Washington and if this team pulls off some surprise W’s and hits 9-8 wins, I won’t be mad or really upset. Strap up and lets #RaiseHail
