Two things that sound like they are diametrically opposed can, in reality, both be true. And that is the case for Kevin Sheehan's assessment of Sam Howell's performance against the Baltimore Ravens in a 29-28 preseason win at FedEx Field on Monday night.
Howell, who played a full half under center with Washington's starting unit, went 19-for-25 passing for 188 yards and two touchdowns. And Sheehan believes there are a lot of positives to take out of the game for the second-year quarterback.
So here are Sheehan's two points: 1) "He looked the part for the second-straight week. He really did. He played well and that is very encouraging, it certainly beats the alternative... He looked capable of being an NFL starting quarterback." And 2) "What was also true about last night's game was that Washington's offense included primarily starters, while Baltimore didn't play ANY on defense. That's just a fact and it is relevant. It doesn't mean you ignore what Washington's first-team offense did, it doesn't mean you dismiss how good Sam Howell was at times last night, it's just true that Washington didn't play against Baltimore's best players last night."
He added that the second point shouldn't be seen as a "wet blanket response to Howell or anybody else on offense," but something to consider before betting Howell to win MVP as it is still August.
"In two preseason games, Washington's offense played a Cleveland defense missing several starters and a Baltimore defense that sat ALL of their starters," Sheehan said, "but despite that factual statement, yes, the two games Sam Howell has played in the preseason have been very encouraging."
While it may be premature, "These two preseason games have been reassuring as much as anything else."
And overall, there is calmness and poise to Howell's play thus far, Sheehan added. The young passer has demonstrated that he has the skillset, a skillset that fits today's game, and "he feels like a dude who is super confident."
"He doesn't look out of place," Sheehan said. "Look, this is a guy who's played a lot of football in his life as THE guy. And that's the way he carries himself. Not in a chesty way, but in a way that kind of I think puts out there, 'I know what I'm doing. I've done this a lot in my life and I'm pretty confident in myself.'"
Again, this is "too early" to tell for the long-term as Howell has faced "much lesser competition than he'll face even in the opener against an Arizona team that is predicted to be the worst team in the league."
"He doesn't look overwhelmed. That's reassuring," Sheehan added. "I feel like we're seeing a guy... who knows how high the ceiling is, but my hunch is – and it's just a hunch, he's played one real football game in the NFL – but what I may feel right now, is that the floor for Sam Howell may be high as well. For me that's reassuring."
Some of the confidence in that belief comes from Howell, but it also comes from the playmakers and play of Jahan Dotson and Terry McLaurin who, in Eric Bieniemy's system, look like superb players who will be hard to cover "especially in an offense with a quarterback who can threaten a defense beyond 15-20 yards down the field."
"I am really looking forward to seeing what this offense looks like in a real game. I am looking forward to that. Really am," Sheehan said. "...The floor is rising here and that's reassuring."
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