Commanders 2023 Off-Season Thread

I cant see Curtis as a cap casualty this season.

You're probably right. It's not likely. And FWIW, I'd rather see a healthy CS ballin' out in 2023 anyway. Maybe he can remain healthy and take another step forward - build some rapport with Sam, while K Allen brings something to the return game that we haven't had in a while...

You're probably right. It's not likely. And FWIW, I'd rather see a healthy CS ballin' out in 2023 anyway. Maybe he can remain healthy and take another step forward - build some rapport with Sam, while K Allen brings something to the return game that we haven't had in a while...

I'm all in for that! If Allen can bring more to the table GREAT!

Looked at Nick Gates' snaps during last year's week 14 game against the Eagles.
He looked rather small, won't out physical anybody, but seems to have good vision, decent hand placement and footwork.
None of his movement look really sharp nor fast, but he seems to fit the "hat on a hat" philosophy, most of the time he'll be in front of his guy and do just enough.

LG #65
Couple of bad plays:
Completely beaten by a swim move
https://media0.giphy.com/media/rc4V6G2TqbYEEkurcs/giphy.gif

And here a slow to spot the blitzing safety, still does enough to avoid the sack, Jones runs back to the LoS
https://media3.giphy.com/media/RQxRH2eGQvRDKvL0g1/giphy.gif


Couple of good plays:
Handles a stunt well, he did for most of the game, often looking to stay active and help the LT
https://media4.giphy.com/media/d9Tgb65529SxuNeBzU/giphy.gif

Kinda of his most physical play of the game, and a good show of what he is, a decent guy that'll do enough
https://media2.giphy.com/media/v1.Y2lkPTc5MGI3NjExN2QyOTQxZDIzZWE2YzkwMTMxZjMzZmE 5M2MwMTg4NTQ2MzhkMWEwYiZlcD12MV9pbnRlcm5hbF9naWZzX 2dpZklkJmN0PWc/KXtHnQ2nLwujZjMhmg/giphy.gif


Still would have loved a couple of clear cut updates to feel more confortable about our OL, but depending on how the rookies perform, maybe they did do enough to have a functioning unit.

Looked at Nick Gates' snaps during last year's week 14 game against the Eagles.
He looked rather small, won't out physical anybody, but seems to have good vision, decent hand placement and footwork.
None of his movement look really sharp nor fast, but he seems to fit the "hat on a hat" philosophy, most of the time he'll be in front of his guy and do just enough.

LG #65
Couple of bad plays:
Completely beaten by a swim move
https://media0.giphy.com/media/rc4V6G2TqbYEEkurcs/giphy.gif

And here a slow to spot the blitzing safety, still does enough to avoid the sack, Jones runs back to the LoS
https://media3.giphy.com/media/RQxRH2eGQvRDKvL0g1/giphy.gif


Couple of good plays:
Handles a stunt well, he did for most of the game, often looking to stay active and help the LT
https://media4.giphy.com/media/d9Tgb65529SxuNeBzU/giphy.gif

Kinda of his most physical play of the game, and a good show of what he is, a decent guy that'll do enough
https://media2.giphy.com/media/v1.Y2lkPTc5MGI3NjExN2QyOTQxZDIzZWE2YzkwMTMxZjMzZmE 5M2MwMTg4NTQ2MzhkMWEwYiZlcD12MV9pbnRlcm5hbF9naWZzX 2dpZklkJmN0PWc/KXtHnQ2nLwujZjMhmg/giphy.gif


Still would have loved a couple of clear cut updates to feel more confortable about our OL, but depending on how the rookies perform, maybe they did do enough to have a functioning unit.

Gates wasn't completely recovered from his broken leg last season. He claims that he is fully recovered and fit now. So, if you were to look at his film of him before his severe injury, as I did, I think you would see a much better player. If he can come all the way back from his injury, we may have a very good starting center. That is, maybe... it's possible...hopefully, if we get lucky...keep your fingers crossed..say a little prayer...order a vial of miracle spring water from a T.V. evangelist.

Gates wasn't completely recovered from his broken leg last season. He claims that he is fully recovered and fit now. So, if you were to look at his film of him before his severe injury, as I did, I think you would see a much better player. If he can come all the way back from his injury, we may have a very good starting center. That is, maybe... it's possible...hopefully, if we get lucky...keep your fingers crossed..say a little prayer...order a vial of miracle spring water from a T.V. evangelist.

Yeah I actually hesitated between looking at his before injury film or the most recent one. I opted for the later but thanks for the insight, I'll check a before injury game too.

The oline is the X factor. Every depth chart I look at is different. I am definitely worried about it, but unlike Wentz and Heineken … Howell uses his wheels. Plus we have an NFL caliber OC. So those two things take the edge off.

Our D should be good/very good/great? But even good is good enough.

Our weapons on offense should scare everyone.

Slye is just a kicker, and a kicker can make or break more than a few games. Hopefully he has his nose to the grindstone and is ready to go.

Rivera still worries me because until the guy wins more games than he loses (a pattern in Carolina and here) he will worry me.

My optimism is higher than last offseason though.

The oline is the X factor. Every depth chart I look at is different. I am definitely worried about it, but unlike Wentz and Heineken … Howell uses his wheels. Plus we have an NFL caliber OC. So those two things take the edge off.

Our D should be good/very good/great? But even good is good enough.

Our weapons on offense should scare everyone.

Slye is just a kicker, and a kicker can make or break more than a few games. Hopefully he has his nose to the grindstone and is ready to go.

Rivera still worries me because until the guy wins more games than he loses (a pattern in Carolina and here) he will worry me.

My optimism is higher than last offseason though.


The O-line is every team's X-Phackter. With this team, we have to figure out how to keep the Center healthy.

I think the D will be very good. I want to say great, but the schedule is tough...we'll see.

Offensive weapons - we have plenty, and defenses will struggle against us - especially if the O-line can hold its own.

I'm still a fan of Rivera. It's easy to look at his W/L record and come to some conclusion (and that matters), but his leadership, his ability to get players ready to play - and fight to the end, is telling. Right now, I can't think of a better combo for this team than Ron and Eric. I hope it works.

The O-line is every team's X-Phackter. With this team, we have to figure out how to keep the Center healthy.

I think the D will be very good. I want to say great, but the schedule is tough...we'll see.

Offensive weapons - we have plenty, and defenses will struggle against us - especially if the O-line can hold its own.

I'm still a fan of Rivera. It's easy to look at his W/L record and come to some conclusion (and that matters), but his leadership, his ability to get players ready to play - and fight to the end, is telling. Right now, I can't think of a better combo for this team than Ron and Eric. I hope it works.


Seems like we agree on everything except Rivera. You lost me at his ability to get players ready to play. Too many slow starts to games and second halfs. This is a make it or break it year for him. We finish .500 or below and he is gone.

Gates wasn't completely recovered from his broken leg last season. He claims that he is fully recovered and fit now. So, if you were to look at his film of him before his severe injury, as I did, I think you would see a much better player. If he can come all the way back from his injury, we may have a very good starting center. That is, maybe... it's possible...hopefully, if we get lucky...keep your fingers crossed..say a little prayer...order a vial of miracle spring water from a T.V. evangelist.

Just wanted to highlight how right you are about Nick Gates.
Watched 2020 week 14's game against the Cards.
All his movements looked wayyyy sharper than post injury. Quicker, more physical. He also looked way more at ease as center than at LG if you ask me.
If he's back to his 2020 self, we have an upgrade at C... but still a huge question mark at LG. Are we just hoping Chris Paul takes a huge step forward ?

3 plays that stood out to me:

Just active and physical on both level in the run game
https://media1.giphy.com/media/n8P4S78gjnG687Qyam/giphy.gif

How good hand technique can make you look tougher than you actually are
https://media3.giphy.com/media/v1.Y2lkPTc5MGI3NjExNTU3Njc2OTRjZDJlNzg2M2ZmYmY3MTY 1NDAyYmNlNjkyZDZlMzRlNyZlcD12MV9pbnRlcm5hbF9naWZzX 2dpZklkJmN0PWc/mHCadowbsFhSFUGxak/giphy.gif

Interesting one, showing his football IQ/film study ability IMHO. One of very very few plays where a DL lines up right in front of him (0 technique), he doesn't initiate contact, and turns his head to his right very early, seeing the stunting DE and handling him with ease. Did he see that formation on tape ? Did he just felt that alignement was weird ? Either way, that shows me a smart player.
https://media2.giphy.com/media/v1.Y2lkPTc5MGI3NjExNGYxNmU1MDc0MjhhMTcxMWQ4MWVlZmY 4ZDEzOTQxNzI0ODQ2YWUyNCZlcD12MV9pbnRlcm5hbF9naWZzX 2dpZklkJmN0PWc/vc1jtdpxky3llZiTWn/giphy.gif

Just wanted to highlight how right you are about Nick Gates.
Watched 2020 week 14's game against the Cards.
All his movements looked wayyyy sharper than post injury. Quicker, more physical. He also looked way more at ease as center than at LG if you ask me.
If he's back to his 2020 self, we have an upgrade at C... but still a huge question mark at LG. Are we just hoping Chris Paul takes a huge step forward ?

3 plays that stood out to me:

Just active and physical on both level in the run game
https://media1.giphy.com/media/n8P4S78gjnG687Qyam/giphy.gif

How good hand technique can make you look tougher than you actually are
https://media3.giphy.com/media/v1.Y2lkPTc5MGI3NjExNTU3Njc2OTRjZDJlNzg2M2ZmYmY3MTY 1NDAyYmNlNjkyZDZlMzRlNyZlcD12MV9pbnRlcm5hbF9naWZzX 2dpZklkJmN0PWc/mHCadowbsFhSFUGxak/giphy.gif

Interesting one, showing his football IQ/film study ability IMHO. One of very very few plays where a DL lines up right in front of him (0 technique), he doesn't initiate contact, and turns his head to his right very early, seeing the stunting DE and handling him with ease. Did he see that formation on tape ? Did he just felt that alignement was weird ? Either way, that shows me a smart player.
https://media2.giphy.com/media/v1.Y2lkPTc5MGI3NjExNGYxNmU1MDc0MjhhMTcxMWQ4MWVlZmY 4ZDEzOTQxNzI0ODQ2YWUyNCZlcD12MV9pbnRlcm5hbF9naWZzX 2dpZklkJmN0PWc/vc1jtdpxky3llZiTWn/giphy.gif

Loved Gates. Wish he could have stayed but glad he got paid.