In a recent appearance on SiriusXM, former Commanders QB Alex Smith was talking about quarterback play in the NFL, and referencing Zach Wilson’s lack of development in New York, Smith had this to say about that situation and Robert Saleh’s handling of him:
“When you play for an offensive head coach who wants to light up the scoreboard, there’s a different mentality you have than when you play for a defensive head coach who just wants you to just not screw up and turn the ball over. For a young QB, that’s a huge difference in mentality and mindset, especially if it’s rocky to start. Saleh is a great defensive mind, but has no idea how to develop a quarterback, and the coordinator he hired never called plays. So, that’s a completely different animal. And as much as you think you’re prepared to handle that development of a young kid, you’re just not."
We know Ron Rivera is a defensive-minded coach, and Smith did play for Rivera in DC in 2020 (and was successful) – but should we be worried about Sam Howell given Smith’s comments?
“I think his overall view of things is accurate: defensive-minded head coaches have a whole different philosophy, and Rivera is a perfect example of that,” EB said.
“I think those guys are slowly going extinct,” Cakes fired back. “Not a lot of guys are coming in anymore with a defensive mindset first and foremost.”
JP noted how perhaps the most defensive-minded coach in the game, Bill Belichick, was successful and had maybe the greatest QB of all-time – but, will Rivera be able to do the same, or let Eric Bieniemy, a true offensive mind, handle that side of the ball so Howell has a chance?
“If Ron is smart, he would just wash his hands of all offensive responsibilities,” Cakes said. “He should go to Bieniemy and say this is your baby, I will concentrate on the defense and not meddle, because all I’ll do is slow down your vision for the offense. But he might not do that.”
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“Maybe he did that with Scott Turner because Turner wasn’t proven, but now that Bieniemy is in here, maybe he does,” Bish shot back. “But, maybe he doesn’t, because he’s just a control freak.”
EB thinks it will be hard to get away from those “keep it simple” fundamentals, which Cakes laughed were ‘fundamentals that have made him a losing coach most of the time.’
Drab then weighed in with the thought that even if Bieniemy is allowed to run the offense, Rivera’s overall message could be stuck in Howell’s head if that’s all he hears otherwise.
“Here’s the other thing: if you had a proven veteran, you let him and Bieniemy go do it, but you have essentially a rookie quarterback who has played one game, so you might not take the handcuffs off as much,” Bish agreed.
EB agreed on the outside perspective Smith had, as Drab added, we don’t know what’s being said behind closed doors, although JP did note we saw that ‘game manager’ game plan in Dallas in January, which Cakes said may have been more of an ‘easy break-in for Howell’ than anything else.
What if anything will we have to worry about in DC based on Smith’s thoughts? Listen to the Junkies’ entire discussion starting at about 17 minutes in the clip above!
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