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

[kicksavedave]

It's very foolhardy to predict NFL strength of schedule based on any given year as things can change so much. Yes, I suspect KC and Detroit to be very good again next year. But imagine we had faced the AFC East and NFC West this year.

Bills were expected to be good and were even better but the AFC East ended up being pretty easy especially if you caught Miami without Tua. Jets ended up two games worse than last year and the Pats made almost no improvement despite drafting Drake Maye.

As for the NFC West, the 49ers were way down with the Rams/Seahawks staying pretty flat. Arizona did improve slightly.

So, going into the year, if the Commies had faced those 8, I would have said:

Bills - definite loss
Miami - probable loss
Jets - maybe
Patriots - good chance at a win
49ers - definite loss
Rams - probable loss
Seahawks - maybe
Cardinals - good chance at a win

And of those, I'd move Miami, Jets, and 49ers into the 'good chance at a win category' based on what we know now (note: not factoring in how much better the Commies were but rather how the teams were against what they were projected to be) and Cardinals to a 'maybe'. I could've used the AFC North too (Ravens were expected to be good and were but Browns took a huge step back and Bengals were crap for half the year though they ended up with the same record).

Broncos had a soft schedule. Chargers had some Harbaugh juice and could come back a bit. Can KC stay 14-15 wins every year (probably yes but maybe not)? Detroit could easily take a half step back. Minnesota could take a big step back, for a year, if they go with a rookie QB. And there are always injuries. Bears should be better but maybe they hire McCarthy and get worse somehow.

Its fair to say that when we play them is as important as who we play and we don't actually know the schedule yet. Its also of course accepted that they won't all have the same record next year as this year. But looking ahead, like @ynotcaps listed, thats a butt ton of great QBs we face, so our defense is going to have to step way way up or we will be in a boat race every weekend.

Granted, if its going to be a shootout, I like our gunslinger over most all those other guys anyway. But I don't like our defense against all those other teams, not as it is constructed right now. We'll need a heck of an offseason to fix this defense.

 

[Ovechkins Wodka]

Is Lattimore practicing? We made this trade for this game and match up with Evans.

I could not find an update on google

 

[Bananas]

Is Lattimore practicing? We made this trade for this game and match up with Evans.

I could not find an update on google

Last I heard Quinn had said he was trending up. Nothing conclusive but definitely a good sign.

 

[CapitalsCupReality]

We've already got a few posts on this topic. A few for, and some against. For me, I hate that he quit on his team in the middle of a game. Guys get suspended or cut for that, but he did it in the last game, then he's bailing on them in the middle of his contract. The Chiefs traded him, then got better and won Super Bowls without him. Not sure he's the all in committed guy we need here. Chemistry is so important and ours is just about perfect right now.



Hah, yeah the Giants are f***ed. They get that whole schedule plus JD X2.

Let’s not pretend the Chiefs improved because he was gone. They have struggled at WR since he’s been gone. He’s still the Cheetah in talent.

Chemistry is important, so I would trust in AP and DQ to make that call.

 

[kicksavedave]

Let’s not pretend the Chiefs improved because he was gone. They have struggled at WR since he’s been gone. He’s still the Cheetah in talent.

Chemistry is important, so I would trust in AP and DQ to make that call.

They didn't get better 'because' they traded him, but they won two more Super Bowls without him, with WRs no one remembers. One might wonder why a top team like KC would have paid him that big contract - well its no mystery, they didn't see that as a good value, and they were right. I just don't care how talented his is, he's begged out of two different teams in four years and quit on one of them. He's a malcontent, especially when looked at in view of genuine leaders like Terry McClaurin. Hard pass.

 

[Ovechkins Wodka]

KC used the draft picks and cap space to build one of the best Ds in the league. And its paid off with 2 super bowls and maybe a 3rd.

 

[g00n]

Wasn't the first time (KC) just a free agent move for money, and this time is because the Dolphins are overrated and dysfunctional?

 

[kicksavedave]

Wasn't the first time (KC) just a free agent move for money, and this time is because the Dolphins are overrated and dysfunctional?

Who is saying that?

 

[CapitalsCupReality]

They didn't get better 'because' they traded him, but they won two more Super Bowls without him, with WRs no one remembers. One might wonder why a top team like KC would have paid him that big contract - well its no mystery, they didn't see that as a good value, and they were right. I just don't care how talented his is, he's begged out of two different teams in four years and quit on one of them. He's a malcontent, especially when looked at in view of genuine leaders like Terry McClaurin. Hard pass.

You’re right it’s no mystery…they paid Mahomes a half a billion lol….


….and he didn’t “beg out” of KC…..they couldn’t pay him his ask….

 

[g00n]

Who is saying that?

He is and I am?

"I just got to do what’s best for me and my family," he said after telling reporters it’s the first time he’s not getting a shot at the Lombardi Trophy. "If that’s here or wherever the case may be, I’m finna open that door for myself.

"I’m opening the door. I’m out, bro. It was great playing here, but at the end of the day, I gotta do what’s best for my career because I’m too much of a competitor to be just out there."

Translation: This team sucks and I don't think they're going to turn it around next year, either.

 

[CapitalsCupReality]

Tyreek Hill landing spots: Commanders, Chiefs best fits if Dolphins trade WR

Tyreek Hill indicated that he wants to leave the Dolphins after their 8-9 season. That will make him a top trade candidate for the 2025 NFL offseason.

www.usatoday.com

 

[kicksavedave]

He is and I am?

"I just got to do what’s best for me and my family," he said after telling reporters it’s the first time he’s not getting a shot at the Lombardi Trophy. "If that’s here or wherever the case may be, I’m finna open that door for myself.

"I’m opening the door. I’m out, bro. It was great playing here, but at the end of the day, I gotta do what’s best for my career because I’m too much of a competitor to be just out there."

Translation: This team sucks and I don't think they're going to turn it around next year, either.

Some reading between the lines there, but... I'll allow it

You’re right it’s no mystery…they paid Mahomes a half a billion lol….

Well yeah, great QBs carry teams to multiple Super Bowls, not great WRs. Its a little early but we need to not get bogged down in any cap crunches so we can pay Jayden Daniels $1.7B or whatever he's going to need to sign here forever.

 

[CapitalsCupReality]

Some reading between the lines there, but... I'll allow it



Well yeah, great QBs carry teams to multiple Super Bowls, not great WRs. It’s a little early but we need to not get bogged down in any cap crunches so we can pay Jayden Daniels $1.7B or whatever he's going to need to sign here forever.

In fact now WOULD be the time to spend around him, before JD5 gets paid….

 

[kicksavedave]

In fact now WOULD be the time to spend around him, before JD5 gets paid….

So how much you would trade for two years of TH then let him walk?

 

[g00n]

So how much you would trade for two years of TH then let him walk?

I think it depends on how JD does in the playoffs. If he balls out then you're WAY ahead of schedule for any rebuild and you load up. Send a 2nd and 3rd ++ or whatever the going rate is but keep your firsts.

If JD stinks in the playoffs then you keep the powder dry.

 

[Ovechkins Wodka]

In fact now WOULD be the time to spend around him, before JD5 gets paid….

I agree. But maybe we should look at KC and spend it on D and let JD ball?

 

[Ridley Simon]

Let’s not pretend the Chiefs improved because he was gone. They have struggled at WR since he’s been gone. He’s still the Cheetah in talent.

Chemistry is important, so I would trust in AP and DQ to make that call.

He “was” the Cheetah. First thing athletes lose is speed.

Dude will be 31 next season, and is owed a shit ton of guaranteed money. Contract was 3/90 w 60m guaranteed.

We can to spend assets for that?

 

[Ridley Simon]

Tyreek Hill landing spots: Commanders, Chiefs best fits if Dolphins trade WR

Tyreek Hill indicated that he wants to leave the Dolphins after their 8-9 season. That will make him a top trade candidate for the 2025 NFL offseason.

www.usatoday.com

Article lists like a 3rd of the teams.

Like I said — we can send a 5th (getting back a 6th and Hill), IF they get his cap hit down under 18m

 

[CapitalsCupReality]

He “was” the Cheetah. First thing athletes lose is speed.

Dude will be 31 next season, and is owed a shit ton of guaranteed money. Contract was 3/90 w 60m guaranteed.

We can to spend assets for that?

He hasn’t lost any speed. I’m just talking about a guy here with everyone…I haven’t advocated trading for him specifically.

What he just did to his Dolphins teammates rubs me wrong, but it’s not a death sentence.

 

[Ridley Simon]

I think it depends on how JD does in the playoffs. If he balls out then you're WAY ahead of schedule for any rebuild and you load up. Send a 2nd and 3rd ++ or whatever the going rate is but keep your firsts.

If JD stinks in the playoffs then you keep the powder dry.

No no no NOOOOOOOooooooo.

Sign Tee Higgins at the same salary slot. Do NOT pay futures for one older, crappy, turning into WR DIVA CLASS”A” Tyreek Hill.

Just NO

He hasn’t lost any speed. I’m just talking about a guy here with everyone…I haven’t advocated trading for him specifically.

What he just did to his Dolphins teammates rubs me wrong, but it’s not a death sentence.

I think he has lost his speed. He had a dogshit year. Sure, their backup QB’s were ass, but Hill was fine without great QB play, as he was a “difference maker”.

Do not pay any premiums for this player. Just do not.

 

[CapitalsCupReality]

No no no NOOOOOOOooooooo.

Sign Tee Higgins at the same salary slot. Do NOT pay futures for one older, crappy, turning into WR DIVA CLASS”A” Tyreek Hill.

Just NO


I think he has lost his speed. He had a dogshit year. Sure, their backup QB’s were ass, but Hill was fine without great QB play, as he was a “difference maker”.

Do not pay any premiums for this player. Just do not.

He didn’t have great or even good or OK QB play…..he had dogshit.

You dislike the player….got it.

 

[CapitalsCupReality]

 

[AlexModvechkin8]

No no no NOOOOOOOooooooo.

Sign Tee Higgins at the same salary slot. Do NOT pay futures for one older, crappy, turning into WR DIVA CLASS”A” Tyreek Hill.

Just NO

I like Tee Higgins a lot and will be happy if they pursue him but this team also needs speed. Higgins is more of a contested ball catcher, which he’s elite at and we could definitely use, but outside of Terry we really don’t have anyone that can run by guys. Dyami Brown, I guess, but not consistently.

 

[Chokingdogs]

Forgetting cost, both in dollars and acquisition, TH is too much a gamble. I get wanting to better yourself/win now, but quitting like that was/is a classless move.

 

[Kazer]

KC used the draft picks and cap space to build one of the best Ds in the league. And its paid off with 2 super bowls and maybe a 3rd.

At the risk of driving myself insane, I started looking into the Tyreek Hill trade:

The original trade was for:
2022 1st #29
2022 2nd #50
2022 4th #121
2023 4th #122
2023 6th #178

2022 1st #29 / 2022 4th #121 - Traded both picks along with a 3rd for #21 and took Trent McDuffie
2022 2nd #50 - KC traded 50 for 54 and 158. This didn't yield much (Skyy Moore / 158 traded for 145 which was used to draft Darian Kinnard).
2023 4th #122 - was used as part of a trade package for KC trading up to #55 where they took Rashee Rice
2023 6th #178 - traded for a 2024 5th rounder
2024 5th #159 - used to draft Hunter Nourzad, a backup lineman

Between McDuffie, Rice, and clearing cap space, I'd say KC won the trade pretty handily.