CBSSports.com has been ranking the 32 NFL teams based off their "Triplets" if you will – their starting QB, RB1, and WR1 – and, much like they have on several other lists, the Commanders rank near the bottom. In this case, Sam Howell, Brian Robinson, and Terry McLaurin rank 29th – ahead of only the Texans, Bucs, and Kyler-less Cards, and seven spots below their 2022 ranking.
First off, JP Finlay hates the term "triplets," and especially "Big 3."
"One of the things that got the Wizards, and a lot of NBA teams, in trouble, is everyone trying to form a Big 3," JP said. "There are Big 3s and then there are collections of three players that aren't. So, when they put together this list ranking the NFL's triplets, I don't even think they should be using that term for any team that doesn't deserve something like that, like the Cowboys had."
Brian Mitchell's biggest problem is that the rankings will be skewed by their homogeny, when NFL offenses are anything but static.
"That's where they screw up so much in football – they try to make every team the same, when ultimately, every team doesn't run the same offense," BMitch said. "So why do we have to use the same three positions? If I look at every team and the three players I'm going to pay attention to, some running backs I don't care about, and I don't look at most tight ends like I do Travis Kelce. Look at who makes the plays and get utilized more, and it's not always one running back and one receiver."
"Yeah, I think it's silly, especially in a league where they're trying to devalue running backs," JP replied.
As for the Commanders rankings themselves, well…BMitch "can go along with" the Cards being ranked last, but they disagree that the Commanders should be that low.
"If that's the company here, I think it's unfair to have the Commanders down here," JP said. "I think Terry McLaurin alone is enough to push them into Tier 7."
"Why is that unfair? The only established person is McLaurin," BMitch replied. "You have a person throwing the ball to Terry who, along with the offensive line, isn't at that point. You have 33 percent of the group is going to push them that far? You're thinking with your heart and not your head."
JP wondered if they were at least better than the No. 26 Panthers with Bryce Young, Miles Sanders, and Adam Thielen, which BMitch shot down quite a bit, and when Finlay read the Commanders' blurb, the fact Jacoby Brissett may have had them ranked higher said it all to BMitch.
"Would you feel that much more confident if Brissett was the proclaimed starter?" JP asked.
"I probably wouldn't feel super confident, because I am looking for the team to become something we are afraid of," BMitch replied. "But right now, to steady the ship, I would say Brissett would keep them more stable at the beginning of the season I don't think he's great, but the thing they threw out there is letting you know many wonder where is the confidence. They're looking at Sam Howell's inexperience and an offensive line that isn't great, so Terry McLaurin may take a hit."
Listen to the entire discussion above!
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