The way the Washington Commanders compete is what caught former NFL running back LaMont Jordan's eye in their 29-28 win over the Baltimore Ravens, but one specific player stood out: "First of all, let me start off by saying, I really think the Commanders have their quarterback for at least the next four to six years, I think Sam Howell did a great job."
Jordan, who played nine seasons in the league after a standout career at the University of Maryland, expanded on that point about Howell, saying he "loved the way he navigates the pocket." Listen to the full conversation between Jordan and Doc Walker (in for Chris Russell) on the audio player below beginning at the 21:40 mark.
"I think that people really have to understand that when it comes to playing the quarterback position, I know we like to talk about quarterbacks who can run and they can make plays when things break down," Jordan continued. "But Sam Howell's ability to navigate his way through the pocket, keeping his eyes up, helping his offensive lineman out, and getting the ball down the field and accurate, you have every reason if you're a Commanders fan to be excited about this upcoming season."
Walker and Jordan then shifted gears to talk about Eric Bieniemy's influence on the offense and get a running back's take on Washington's RB room.
"We have two backs that can wear the defense down," Jordan said about Brian Robinson and Antonio Gibson. "We're talking about guys who can get four yards, get six tough yards, they force the safeties to have to come down hill hard, which is gonna open things up for the play-action game.
"And I really think you saw, last night, what these backs are capable of doing with regards to affecting the defense from a play-action standpoint. So, I'm loving the backfield."
And the third preseason game against Cincinnati is going to be a big game for the third running back spot in a battle between Jaret Patterson (a change of style back") and Chris Rodriguez Jr. and Jonathan Williams (who are both bigger backs who get downhill). Jordan, because of that different style, might point to Patterson getting the edge, but style might not be the deciding factor in that battle.
One area that could be the "make or break" for the offense is how well the Commanders backs can pass protect, especially with Bieniemy's route concepts needing time for a "lethal wide receiver corps" and Washington's offensive line a question mark heading into the season, Jordan told Walker.
Jordan pointed to one area Howell can improve in the passing game is finding the running back out of the backfield sooner when there are short passes to be made, which will stop linebackers from dropping deeper in their hook zones and taking away options to wide receivers down the field. And, of course, it would help if Robinson and Gibson would eliminate their tendency to "catch the ball, turn to the would-be tackler and start shaking their shoulders." Instead, the former Terp running back wants them to "get down the field, lower your shoulder on a guy, pick up the extra two or three yards."
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