In some methods, the identify Carson Wentz could possibly be dropped into the house reserved for “insert Washington NFL quarterback right here” and match completely. He’s being billed as a determined improve over the hodgepodge of gamers who’ve manned the place, a listing that features 25 starters this century. Win a (faux) prize for itemizing all of them. Solutions beneath.
Washington
Perspective | Washington tried Case, Kirk, Colt, Kyle, Rex, Robert and Ryan. Enter Carson Wentz.
None aside from proprietor Daniel Snyder, in his first public feedback since he re-christened his franchise because the Commanders, stated final month, “We lastly have ourselves a quarterback.” Whether or not he is aware of what a high quality, steady, franchise-steadying sign caller appears like is up for debate as a result of he has, so far, solely seen them in opposing jerseys. However he absolutely is aware of what one doesn’t appear to be as a result of he has seen Tim Hasselbeck and Kyle Allen and John Beck and Case Keenum — to call only a few — begin for his group.
There’s a college of thought that Wentz will likely be neither an answer nor a savior right here. He performed final 12 months in Indianapolis for a coach who as soon as had him acting at an MVP degree — Frank Reich was Philadelphia’s offensive coordinator in Wentz’s spectacular however injury-shortened 2017 — and that franchise determined to punt on Wentz after a single season. It’s laborious to marry that one-and-done failure with how he has been described by the Commanders’ brass.
“Stability,” Common Supervisor Martin Mayhew stated final week when requested what Wentz’s presence means. “You take a look at the final two seasons — I imply, taking part in eight quarterbacks over two seasons, he has stabilized that place for us. And we’re enthusiastic about what he brings to the desk when it comes to his bodily expertise and in addition what he brings to the desk as an individual, as a frontrunner.”
Will we glance again on that evaluation as prescient? Earlier than you reply, let’s play one other little sport. Match the next quotes to the Washington coach or govt who stated them (and when):
1. “He has the charisma, he has the character, he has every little thing that you really want in a quarterback. And that’s what they’re presupposed to be: a face of the franchise.”
2. “You are feeling his expertise. You are feeling his presence within the huddle. You are feeling his potential to retain info from a gathering and take it out to the apply subject and apply it.”
3. “You discuss a man not being skilled — I imagine within the guys. I imagine in ’em. And I’ve been doing this for a very long time. And I put my popularity on these guys that they will play.”
4. “We do really feel very assured and comfy with the quarterbacks on our roster now.”
That might be, so as: Doug Williams on Alex Smith after Washington traded for the three-time Professional Bowl decide in 2018; offensive coordinator Kevin O’Connell on Keenum earlier than the 2019 season, which Washington began 0-5; Mike Shanahan on Rex Grossman and Beck earlier than the 2011 season, which led to Washington drafting Robert Griffin III; and Mayhew before last season, which Washington went into with Ryan Fitzpatrick because the starter, a state of affairs that lasted not even a half earlier than Taylor Heinicke got here on in reduction. Heck, even Garrett Gilbert began a sport final 12 months.
That’s fairly a salad of names and expectations, and reviewing all of these circumstances and characters from the previous simply reinforces the concept that prematurely declaring stability at quarterback in Washington is pure folly. Since 2000, this franchise has drafted 4 quarterbacks within the first spherical — Patrick Ramsey, Jason Campbell, Griffin and Dwayne Haskins. It has traded for Smith, Donovan McNabb, Mark Brunell and Wentz. When you think about that the group has one playoff victory because the 2000 season, it’s truthful to conclude that none of it has actually labored.
Now Wentz is up, and it’s unfair to name his tenure a failure earlier than it begins. Tread cautiously, after all. However this group spent the offseason getting ready for the 29-year-old, who was the second decide of the 2016 draft, to be its new chief. What have the Commanders discovered?
“The one factor — I’ve heard it however to see it — he’s very resilient,” Coach Ron Rivera stated. “A whole lot of issues form of simply go off his again. He’s very laborious on himself. He pushes himself, and you may see it. In conferences, you may see it. It is a younger man who could be very severe about his craft. I believe he’s a man that’s pushed. It has been enjoyable watching him. From time to time, it’s neat to look at him and see one thing constructive and also you go, ‘Okay, he’s acquired that.’ He takes a little bit little bit of delight in these issues.”
That’s all good to listen to, and it might effectively be significant for this 12 months’s group — the primary to play with the Commanders identify. But it surely’s additionally tough to imagine these qualities will make him the quarterback right here for, say, the subsequent 4 years as a result of quarterbacks right here aren’t normally round for 4 years.
Since Mark Rypien helped win the franchise’s most up-to-date Tremendous Bowl, following the 1991 season, Washington has employed only one participant who led the group in passing 4 straight years. That was Kirk Cousins, who lived by way of yearly questions on his contract standing and weekly referendums on his play. It was steady for Washington. It was a curler coaster anyway.
Can Wentz settle all of it down? His efficiency through the preseason was decidedly blah, however he enters the 12 months saying all the precise issues about how he and an offense with a couple of extra weapons — a more healthy Curtis Samuel at vast receiver and Logan Thomas at tight finish, to not point out first-round decide Jahan Dotson as one other wideout — may carry out.
“I just like the mind-set,” Wentz stated final week. “I just like the make-up. Undoubtedly not excellent, and we’ll be constructing and rising as a group actually each week, each time we step on the sphere. However the physique of labor we’ve had from OTAs, the summer time, coaching camp after which preseason video games, I actually like the place we’re at, and I’m optimistic.”
So are the individuals who introduced him right here within the first place. However they’re merely getting into their third season with this franchise. The remainder of us, we’ve lived this carousel. So, as promised, right here is the checklist of Washington beginning quarterbacks this century, so as of most to fewest begins:
Kirk Cousins, Jason Campbell, Robert Griffin III, Mark Brunell, Patrick Ramsey, Rex Grossman, Alex Smith, Taylor Heinicke, Tony Banks, Donovan McNabb, Dwayne Haskins, Brad Johnson, Case Keenum, Shane Matthews, Jeff George, Colt McCoy, Tim Hasselbeck, Kyle Allen, Danny Wuerffel, John Beck, Todd Collins, Josh Johnson, Mark Sanchez, Garrett Gilbert and Ryan Fitzpatrick.
Whew. What number of did you get?
On Sunday, Carson Wentz turns into the twenty sixth identify on that checklist. Possibly he’ll grow to be the stabilizing star. If he does, he’ll buck a development that’s happening three a long time.