It seems like Sam Howell is the starting QB for the Commanders, as Ron Rivera said that was so way back in January…but here we are in June, with minicamp over and just one OTA day left, and the brass won't anoint Howell as the starter, instead intimating Jacoby Brissett is more than just a veteran backup.
Given what's been said and done in minicamp, should Howell have to compete with a veteran in Brissett who started more games last September than Howell has in his career?
"Not for me if I'm in charge, but I understand the point," Danny Rouhier said Friday. "A lot of people do the tough guy bit where everyone yells about competing every day in pro sports, but here's my example: everyone knows Jon Allen is a starter, but if he all of a sudden plays terribly and gets out of shape and has a bad attitude, he'll lose his job like anyone else. So, I guess it's competing – but if you're defining competing for a job the same way Grant & I are, that means you both have a chance to win it. Both guys get first team reps, and whoever does better with a similar sample ends up the guy.
They're anointing Sam Howell, but also going through this weird exercise to not, to make it seem like this is still something he can lose."
In his rant, Danny invoked Rivera, back in January, anointing Howell as the guy after the season finale, "in order for us to not talk about Carson Wentz and how badly the season ended."
"Ron was like, 'hey, look over here, shiny new toy!'" Danny said. "Look at this cool thing in Sam Howell, we loved him all along, we thought he was a first-rounder, Sam Howell everybody – nevermind that they were going to start Taylor Heinicke until Wednesday that week, until they changed their mind."
And since Ron said it then, it's time to put his mouth where his mouth is, or something.
"Because you made your Sam Howell bed, sleep in it, dude," Danny said. "I want him to go up there and say, 'it's Sam's job, we're going to support him in every possible way, and that doesn't mean looking over his shoulder every rep if he makes a mistake.' I don't think that's productive or healthy.
You made your bed with Sam Howell, now sleep in it."
Grant then chimed in, once again wondering if he is wrong in saying Rivera is wasting an opportunity, but thinks it might have a slightly different tone outside DC, mentioning a co-host on his weekend show that gets to see Patrick Mahomes every Sunday.
"Should he have to compete, or has he done enough to just be named the starter?" Grant asked. "I do a show every Saturday on BetQL with Alex Gold in Kansas City, and he just can't fathom that Washington is just content with Sam Howell, no competition, and fans are excited about it. He can't get there, and I think that's the case around the country."
And so, Grant thinks there's only one way to get there.
"Every ounce of energy, every practice rep, everything you can do to get Sam Howell ready to play the best football possible is what you should do," Grant said, "so I'm naming him the starter right away."
Follow Grant & Danny on Twitter: @granthpaulsen & @funnydanny
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