Random Commanders Thoughts

[Chris]

What if I told you a year ago that…

Dan Snyder would no longer own the team.
A consensus top GM candidate would be hired.
A consensus top HC candidate would be hired.
The #2 overall pick in a promising QB draft class would be in pocket.

What would you have said?

WHO’S GOT IT BETTER THAN US? NOBODY!

 

[burgold]

Well, I wouldn't go that far, but things are looking up. In fact, I'd argue we're already above sea level which isn't bad since Snyder crashed us into the depths of the Marianas Trench.

 

[Chris]

You wouldn’t go that far? YOU WOULDN’T GO THAT FAR? 🤣

Compared to Snyder still owner (though investigating selling)?
Mayhew as GM working for Rascally Ron, the talent selecting guru?
Year 4 of Rivera’s magnum opus?
Sam Howell as the answer at QB?

 

[burgold]

I'm probably alone on this precipice, but I'm not ruling out Sam Howell as the answer at QB. Mind you, I'm pretty sure we're drafting a QB with our first pick and I'm okay with that, but I think his rookie year given everything he had go against him showed a lot of potential. I think he can get better and with a better team around him he could already be good.

 

[Chris]

You are definitely not alone but with the exception of anyone with a role in the decision.

If this years draft class was like last year’s…he might have a chance to stick.

 

[Bulldog]

Ron is going to find it hard to get a coaching gig at 61 coming off his 4 years here and underperformance in Carolina the previous 3-4 years before that.

The trend is towards younger coaches, even the older coaches with WINNING resumes are seeing hard sledding in landing opportunities.

Tepper has been there for a couple of years in Carolina and looks as if he is heading down the Snyder path, but for my money the owner most like Snyder that has cost his team and franchise over time is Bidwill.

Anyone reading the reports on how Bidwill treated the women that worked for the Cardinals would immediately think of what happened here in Washington, to one degree or another.

In terms of the front office and the personnel, Bidwill was the guy that thought Kingsbury and Murray together were going to win Super Bowls and made these moves in a vacuum.

Murray's lack of size and durability HAS cost him a lot of time in his NFL career and outside of that one 10 win season the Cardinals have been a largely bottom feeding organization in recent years.

 

[Primus Porcus]

I think there are two conversations that CAN be had.

What WE would do if we were in that position.

and....

The fact that we can allow ourselves to give the benefit of the doubt to the powers that be, and especially intrigued by their decicions simply because they are NOT Dan Snyder.


What would I do if I were the decision maker?

I'm 10000% leaning on my experts, if they don't view any of these QBs as absolute franchise changers, i'm looking hard at Harrison JR, Fashanu, or Alt, and I'm looking hard at trade back scenarios. First 'full' year Owner / GM / HC / OC / DC, passing on franchise talent simply to take a QB is detrimental imho, if they're not on the same level as those other positions. We're starting from scratch, so simply adding All Pro talent should be the priority. This has nothing to do with Sam Howell, or my confidence in him in 2024, and everything to do with the fact that the team has so much room for improvement, getting the best bang for your buck may be the best route. Elite talent is Elite talent. 2 - 3 extra wins over each of the next 3 seasons means nothing to me if it's not building toward a Championship. I no longer want to be in the 'Sneak into the wildcard' sweepstakes. Obviously there are other factors beyond just raw, on field talent, but you get my drift.

THAT ALL SAID

I will not be upset if this isn't the route they take, as I also understand there's more than 1 way to skin a cat, and I also have an absolutely novice level analysis of the team. Multiple directions this can go, and it's now the Adam Peters show to create this symphony. I'll be extremely intrigued by whatever moves are made, and i'll root like all hell for whoever suits up for this team this coming season.

I think we can all have it both ways. We can have an idea, while still being open to other directions. The other part of this, is that Peters and Co. are gonna get some things wrong. Nobody bats 1.000 all the time. I think that's even more likely if we add Ben Johnson, Bobby Slowick, or Mike Macdonald as a HC. This is very quickly a raw, and young, organization. While they have all been around the game, all positions from ownership down are going to be in their first year as the 'head' guy in at their respective positions.

 

[Boone]

The wildcard in terms of the QB quandary (and this is true for all teams with a high draft pick and uncertainty at QB) is that it’s rare to be in those top 3 draft spots. It’s rare for drafts not to have one future QB star in them. So if you don’t have a QB and you opt out of the chance to draft your guy early, you’d better be damn sure you’re right. Misses at that spot get entire front offices fired

 

[Chris]

I think there are two conversations that CAN be had.

What WE would do if we were in that position.

and....

The fact that we can allow ourselves to give the benefit of the doubt to the powers that be, and especially intrigued by their decicions simply because they are NOT Dan Snyder.


What would I do if I were the decision maker?

Put me down as solidly in the choice #2 camp.

 

[Primus Porcus]

Put me down as solidly in the choice #2 camp.

Notice i said "franchise changing" level QB. If my people (and my own analysis) leads me to believe Maye / Daniels, or whoever is THAT GUY, then you have to take him 100 times out of 100.

I just don't want to pass on Elite talent 'just' to take a QB. If we're gonna take one, I want them to be worth the draft position.

 

[Chris]

If they decided to pass on QB that would still be leaning on your experts, no?

 

[Chris]

It’s all primarily a crap shoot anyway. There is no formula that guarantees that any college player becomes an All Pro professional player.

(Except for waiting to use hindsight as the measure.)

 

[Primus Porcus]

If they decided to pass on QB that would still be leaning on your experts, no?

Absolutely, which was my point. I 10000% can look at myself and say I may very well be wrong, so I can say what I personally would do, but understand that what the ultimately do will not be 'wrong.' A new regime deserves the right to do it their way, and see if it works.

 

[Chris]

Absolutely, which was my point. I 10000% can look at myself and say I may very well be wrong, so I can say what I personally would do, but understand that what the ultimately do will not be 'wrong.' A new regime deserves the right to do it their way, and see if it works.

So you are solidly in the #2 camp as well.

 

[Bulldog]

Well, if Peters does decide to pass on a quarterback at #2 and takes a WR or a LT, he better find a capable starting quarterback who can get that WR the ball and be a guy that is worth of being protected by an elite LT

 

[burgold]

Along those lines, it surprises me a bit how few number one overall draft picks ever win a Super Bowl. 5/24 in the modern era and among that number you find guys like Eli who no one would claim is the reason for that Super Bowl win. After all, football is one of the more team dependent sports. Having a great one helps, but he can't do it without help. Elway could never win a Super Bowl until Denver provided him a defense and a running back.

 

[Primus Porcus]

Along those lines, it surprises me a bit how few number one overall draft picks ever win a Super Bowl. 5/24 in the modern era and among that number you find guys like Eli who no one would claim is the reason for that Super Bowl win. After all, football is one of the more team dependent sports. Having a great one helps, but he can't do it without help. Elway could never win a Super Bowl until Denver provided him a defense and a running back.

This is the point.

QB is the most important position in sports....

But as a sum of its parts, the other 10 positions are equally, or more important.

Not advocating bargain shopping for a QB, just saying there has to be balance.

 

[Miles Monroe]

Well, if Peters does decide to pass on a quarterback at #2 and takes a WR or a LT, he better find a capable starting quarterback who can get that WR the ball and be a guy that is worth of being protected by an elite LT

Maybe if we had an elite LT Howell might not have fared as poorly late in the season. It does work both ways. Aikmen sucked his rookie season. Eli was a turnover machine for a few seasons, but here in Washington we'll just toss aside a QB that could be more then serviceable. Doesn't matter that coaching was beyond subpar, the O line was a mess, and the OC did nothing to tailor the O to the man behind center.

 

[Boone]

Well, if Peters does decide to pass on a quarterback at #2 and takes a WR or a LT, he better find a capable starting quarterback who can get that WR the ball and be a guy that is worth of being protected by an elite LT

Someone like Kirk Cousins? Lol…

 

[Boone]

Maybe if we had an elite LT Howell might not have fared as poorly late in the season. It does work both ways. Aikmen sucked his rookie season. Eli was a turnover machine for a few seasons, but here in Washington we'll just toss aside a QB that could be more then serviceable. Doesn't matter that coaching was beyond subpar, the O line was a mess, and the OC did nothing to tailor the O to the man behind center.

Valid points for sure…