OT: 2024 Washington Commanders thread: change we can believe in!

[Jags]

Instead the ref should (after a warning) have awarded Luvu an unsportsmanlike penalty, the first of which which would have just been half the distance to the goal. The second one should have been another unsportsmanlike which would have been a disqualification. That feels like the right way to have handled that situation.

I disagree with this use case though. He's not doing anything intentionally illegal. We saw him successfully time and jump the snap earlier in the game (and it was Polamalu awesome). He's not intentionally going offsides; he's getting the timing slightly wrong.

Now I'm not saying he should be able to f*** it up over and over for the rest of the game, but it is in no way comparable to someone coming off the bench to make a tackle during a play, in my opinion. So in a case like this where a team has created a (controversial) play that requires this type of timing to stop, some other rule has to apply. Three strikes seems appropriate, but for an unsportsmanlike and an automatic first down. Not a DQ, and definitely not a gimme TD. It's already a foul with a corresponding penalty.

It's very much like what we were talking about with guys like Mahomes exploiting protection rules. If he shimmies at the sideline to get a couple extra yards + holding the ball forward when guys are ALREADY pulling up to avoid an overboard penalty, they should either get an extra step out of pure fairness OR there should be 2 layers of penalty for a hit out of bounds -- not just an automatic 15 yarder.

And there should 100% be diving penalties. Or, if there already are, they need to start f***ing calling them.

Also not a fan of the newish practice of QBs chucking prayer balls down the field with the clear intention and instruction of, "Either catch it or flop for the 50-yard pass interference call that's now super-easy to get."

Actions have consequences, but so do poorly-written and poorly-enforced rules.

Last week, Im at the 7-11 in Laurel on Route 198 near Total Wine ... and theres a RedBox machine just sitting there.

Let's go! I need eleven 480p copies of Scary Movie VII!

 

[Midnight Judges]

I've had some good times in Philadelphia and I have some good friends there. There is some good food to be had too.

Pat Finnerty is from Philly, so they're not all bad! If any of you are musicians:



But yeah there have obviously been some super dumb incidents regarding sports fandom.

 

[Devil Dancer]

Wagner, yes, for one more year.
Mariotta, yes, he's the perfect backup for us and proved a few doubters wrong when he won two games in relief.
Chinn, not sure, probably not, but will need a better replacement, and I'm eyeing Nick Emmanwori from South Carolina, he's physically a Sean Taylor clone, without the perfect instincts.
Fowler, no. Need more pressure and better run defense.
Ertz, yes. 11 catches, 111 yards yesterday, he still has some gas left.
Noah Brown yes - solid #4 WR on a good team.
Dyami Brown no - easily replaceable one trick pony who's "breakout year" was really just a handful of decent games, and a lot of being on the bench.

Reminder to all, we still have a TON of holes on this roster and as we knew at the start of the year, we're a few great off seasons away from really competing for the SB.

I'm not sure Mariotta is going to be all in on a return. He walked into a competition with a rookie QB and walked out backup to an undisputed star #1. He played two really good games and might be able to parlay that into a 1B kind of role with starter upside.

 

[CapitalsCupReality]

Wagner, yes, for one more year.
Mariotta, yes, he's the perfect backup for us and proved a few doubters wrong when he won two games in relief.
Chinn, not sure, probably not, but will need a better replacement, and I'm eyeing Nick Emmanwori from South Carolina, he's physically a Sean Taylor clone, without the perfect instincts.
Fowler, no. Need more pressure and better run defense.
Ertz, yes. 11 catches, 111 yards yesterday, he still has some gas left.
Noah Brown yes - solid #4 WR on a good team.
Dyami Brown no - easily replaceable one trick pony who's "breakout year" was really just a handful of decent games, and a lot of being on the bench.

Reminder to all, we still have a TON of holes on this roster and as we knew at the start of the year, we're a few great off seasons away from really competing for the SB.

Not sure how you can say that with a straight face. We should be competing for a SB again next season and every season after…

 

[EroCaps]

There are a few players near the bottom of the 1st that make sense. Mike Green (not that one). Landon Jackson. Two edge rushers who fit the bill.

 

[kicksavedave]

Not sure how you can say that with a straight face. We should be competing for a SB again next season and every season after…

I dunno, we upset Detroit but that was largely because their defense was a ghost of itself. Our overall talent isn't close to the Eagles and that showed on Sunday, and its behind the Lions when they're healthy as well. Hard to say we're more talented that Baltimore, Buffalo or KC either. We over achieved into the NFC Championship game with a highly flawed defense that just got royally exposed.

We're a LOT closer than we were last January, but we we still have major holes all over our roster. If you list them out its a little daunting. Plus our schedule next year will be brutal.

 

[kicksavedave]

I'm not sure Mariotta is going to be all in on a return. He walked into a competition with a rookie QB and walked out backup to an undisputed star #1. He played two really good games and might be able to parlay that into a 1B kind of role with starter upside.

He might want to move on, but my list was who would I want back, not who is willing to come back. Heck maybe some fool will overpay Dyami Brown, hard to predict what other people will do.

 

[RedRocking]

I dunno, we upset Detroit but that was largely because their defense was a ghost of itself. Our overall talent isn't close to the Eagles and that showed on Sunday, and its behind the Lions when they're healthy as well. Hard to say we're more talented that Baltimore, Buffalo or KC either. We over achieved into the NFC Championship game with a highly flawed defense that just got royally exposed.

We're a LOT closer than we were last January, but we we still have major holes all over our roster. If you list them out its a little daunting. Plus our schedule next year will be brutal.

Yea, before this year took off on this amazing ride, I had assumed if we hit on the QB, that the roster would hopefully be a serious contender by years 3 and 4 of JD’s rookie contract.

That was also before AP just chucked every recent 1st round pick and guys like Mathis. There’s A LOT of work to be done. It feels like this draft should be true BPA cause we have so many needs. I could see AP trading down again. Unless there’s a guy we love at 29, get more picks cause this team needs a ton of bodies.

Obviously, you start each season with the goal of winning the division, and go from there. A burgeoning phenom at QB can certainly elevate an avg roster. We’ll see what they do in FA and the draft.

 

[CapitalsCupReality]

I dunno, we upset Detroit but that was largely because their defense was a ghost of itself. Our overall talent isn't close to the Eagles and that showed on Sunday, and its behind the Lions when they're healthy as well. Hard to say we're more talented that Baltimore, Buffalo or KC either. We over achieved into the NFC Championship game with a highly flawed defense that just got royally exposed.

We're a LOT closer than we were last January, but we we still have major holes all over our roster. If you list them out its a little daunting. Plus our schedule next year will be brutal.

It’s not how, it’s how many in the NFL. You know that.

I’m going into the offseason and the next season with a much more positive outlook. All we need to do next year is make the playoffs as a WC minimum. Free agency should be more effective with the JD5 aura and tons of cap space drawing players in.

 

[kicksavedave]

I’m going into the offseason and the next season with a much more positive outlook. All we need to do next year is make the playoffs as a WC minimum. Free agency should be more effective with the JD5 aura and tons of cap space drawing players in.

I'm optimistic we'll get there, but I also understand how hard it is to get there, year after year. We got super lucky with minimal injuries this year - the Lions not so much. I also think its entirely possible we improve the roster, but don't improve the results. Another WC seeding will make that extremely hard. If they really want to win the SB, or at least make it so they can watch the Chiefs win their 4th straight, they need to be gaining towards home field advantage.

I could be way off base and they could go 15-2 next year and host two playoff games - that wouldn't surprise me and of course we'd all be delighted.. But I think 12-5 and another 3 playoff games on the road is much more likely. Tough way to make it to the big show.

 

[CapitalsCupReality]

I'm optimistic we'll get there, but I also understand how hard it is to get there, year after year. We got super lucky with minimal injuries this year - the Lions not so much. I also think its entirely possible we improve the roster, but don't improve the results. Another WC seeding will make that extremely hard. If they really want to win the SB, or at least make it so they can watch the Chiefs win their 4th straight, they need to be gaining towards home field advantage.

I could be way off base and they could go 15-2 next year and host two playoff games - that wouldn't surprise me and of course we'd all be delighted.. But I think 12-5 and another 3 playoff games on the road is much more likely. Tough way to make it to the big show.

Why the need to look for excuses for the Lions? Shit happens, teams get decimated by injury every year.

We’re had the Defense of a JV team….there’s our excuse lol….

We’re a playoff team from here on out. Get on board!

 

[kicksavedave]

Why the need to look for excuses for the Lions? Shit happens, teams get decimated by injury every year.

We’re had the Defense of a JV team….there’s our excuse lol….

We’re a playoff team from here on out. Get on board!

Absolutely, a playoff team. yes. But I'm talking legit SB contenders, not just squeaking in each year. There's always teams that sneak in and have no real shot. There's also the very real history of teams, some even with great QBs who get close, lose, then never get back - Joe Burrow, Jared Goff, Matt Ryan, Russell Wilson, Cam Newton, etc etc, way back to Dan Marino. The Bills and Ravens are close every year, they've never made it, because there's a big dog blocking their path. Right now the Eagles are the big dog blocking our path, and they are in no danger of falling apart any time soon, their stars are all young. Until we can legit jump ahead of the Eagles, its going to be a challenge.

I'm optimistic we'll improve. We'll have to improve a lot to get there. A lot!

This clip pretty much summarizes the history we'll have to overcome. Go to 3:35 to skip the gibbrish.

 

[CapitalsCupReality]

Absolutely, a playoff team. yes. But I'm talking legit SB contenders, not just squeaking in each year. There's always teams that sneak in and have no real shot. There's also the very real history of teams, some even with great QBs who get close, lose, then never get back - Joe Burrow, Jared Goff, Matt Ryan, Russell Wilson, Cam Newton, etc etc, way back to Dan Marino. The Bills and Ravens are close every year, they've never made it, because there's a big dog blocking their path. Right now the Eagles are the big dog blocking our path, and they are in no danger of falling apart any time soon, their stars are all young. Until we can legit jump ahead of the Eagles, its going to be a challenge.

I'm optimistic we'll improve. We'll have to improve a lot to get there. A lot!

This clip pretty much summarizes the history we'll have to overcome. Go to 3:35 to skip the gibbrish.

I don’t subscribe to that concept in the NFL, NHL, etc….we had a defense built out of toothpicks and had very limited weapons around the GROAT.

Get in and on a roll and anything can happen.

 

[kicksavedave]

I don’t subscribe to that concept in the NFL, NHL, etc….we had a defense built out of toothpicks and had very limited weapons around the GROAT.

Get in and on a roll and anything can happen.

 

[ynotcaps]

Yea, before this year took off on this amazing ride, I had assumed if we hit on the QB, that the roster would hopefully be a serious contender by years 3 and 4 of JD’s rookie contract.

That was also before AP just chucked every recent 1st round pick and guys like Mathis. There’s A LOT of work to be done. It feels like this draft should be true BPA cause we have so many needs. I could see AP trading down again. Unless there’s a guy we love at 29, get more picks cause this team needs a ton of bodies.

Obviously, you start each season with the goal of winning the division, and go from there. A burgeoning phenom at QB can certainly elevate an avg roster. We’ll see what they do in FA and the draft.

Agree on the trade down scenario. If there's somebody in the range who's interested, I think there probably not a lot of difference between the guy who goes and 29 and the guy who goes at 40. DL is really abundant, especially at Edge. There's a group of 4 or 5 that are worth the squeeze in that range if there's not a surprise WR that falls to that range.

 

[usiel]

I'm down on trading down out of the first we need moar picks barring a good fit dropping to the bottom of the first round.

 

[AlexModvechkin8]

Would love for them to nab another second/third. Fine with me if they accomplish that by either trading down or trading one of Payne/Allen.

Edit: figured I’d go ahead and put my strategy to use. Traded down to pick up extra Day 2 picks. Had a few offers to trade down again to include 2026 draft picks but opted against it.

Would be thrilled if it turned out anything like this. Picked up a great TE and a WR in Royals who would be a first rounder if he hadn’t gotten injured. Walker and Patrick Jenkins are beasts on the DL (Jenkins was a big reason Tulane was a major surprise this year). Really liked Powell-Ryland’s game at Tech and Burke and Martinez are both very talented, albeit inconsistent. Greene is a massive human schooled in the OL ways of Georgia.

Link if you want to try yourself: bit.ly/mockdraftsim

 

[AlexModvechkin8]

FYI, I’ll be closing this thread after the Super Bowl and starting a new one for the 2025-26 season. I think 440+ pages is enough for one thread.

 

[kicksavedave]

I'm not sure Mariotta is going to be all in on a return. He walked into a competition with a rookie QB and walked out backup to an undisputed star #1. He played two really good games and might be able to parlay that into a 1B kind of role with starter upside.

Speaking of Mariota, sound like he's more interested in a happy workplace than going and finding a starting job someplace. Also sounds like he enjoys the mentor role too.

 

[kicksavedave]

Would love for them to nab another second/third. Fine with me if they accomplish that by either trading down or trading one of Payne/Allen.

Edit: figured I’d go ahead and put my strategy to use. Traded down to pick up extra Day 2 picks. Had a few offers to trade down again to include 2026 draft picks but opted against it.

Would be thrilled if it turned out anything like this. Picked up a great TE and a WR in Royals who would be a first rounder if he hadn’t gotten injured. Walker and Patrick Jenkins are beasts on the DL (Jenkins was a big reason Tulane was a major surprise this year). Really liked Powell-Ryland’s game at Tech and Burke and Martinez are both very talented, albeit inconsistent. Greene is a massive human schooled in the OL ways of Georgia.

Link if you want to try yourself: bit.ly/mockdraftsim

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Nice mock, and we have enough holes that we can go almost anywhere that the BPA lands at our spot, but for me personally, I think we need to be focusing on the defense the most. There's a handful of physical freaks that might be available when we pick at 29 and at 60. But these guys also have the production to back it up, they aren't just combine wonders.

S Nick Emannwori - Sean Taylor size/speed/aggression type athlete, with decent but not Sean's complete instincts. 6'3'' 235# and a 4.38 40. Hits like a train and covers well. 1st or second round.
Edge Princely Umanlemielen - Freak pass rusher athlete with experience, production and tons of upside. 1st round likely.
WR Jayden Higgins - 6'4'' 215 lb WR with great routes, great hands, contested catch beast. 2nd round maybe. Never drops a pass and wins the contested battles most every time. Fast as Terry as well.
LT - Wyatt Millum - 6'6'' 317, ~2200 snaps in college all at LOT, ZERO Sacks allowed ever! Just one hit (three years ago) And almost no hurries either. 1st round. Mean run blocker too.
DE/Edge Nick Scourton - 6'4'' 285 lb run stuffing DE with solid pass rush skills. likely 1st.
DE/Edge Landon JAckson - 6'7'' 280 lbs, same deal as Nick.
CBs Trey Amos, Shavon Revel or Darrien Porter - Big dudes who can cover well, maybe be better matchups for an AJ Brown type WR. All around pick 30.

If we go offense it has to be WR or OT. Our two tackles ranked 56 and 61 in the NFL. The Eagles two tackles ranked 1 and 5 overall.

 

[Jags]

Speaking of Mariota, sound like he's more interested in a happy workplace than going and finding a starting job someplace. Also sounds like he enjoys the mentor role too.

Sounds good. JD's definitely gonna get knocked around some, so our backup figures to play from time to time. And who knows? Maybe he's also rubbing off on Driskel and Hartman and we get a cheaper backup when Mariota's ready to move on.

 

[CapitalsCupReality]

Speaking of Mariota, sound like he's more interested in a happy workplace than going and finding a starting job someplace. Also sounds like he enjoys the mentor role too.

He’s not a starter….damn straight he should stay.

 

[Ridley Simon]

Speaking of Mariota, sound like he's more interested in a happy workplace than going and finding a starting job someplace. Also sounds like he enjoys the mentor role too.

If they give him another 8m (ish) a year deal, I think he’s the ideal back up for Jayden and this offense.

At least, so far he’s been that way.

 

[kicksavedave]

He’s not a starter….damn straight he should stay.

There's a handful of teams with starters that are worse than MM, but he should still stay here with a winner, vs go off to be a starting QB for a total dumpster fire. Sounds like he's agreeable.

 

[CapitalsCupReality]

There's a handful of teams with starters that are worse than MM, but he should still stay here with a winner, vs go off to be a starting QB for a total dumpster fire. Sounds like he's agreeable.

That just means some others shouldn’t be starters also lol…not that he IS one.