Rising From The Ashes

[Seahawker]

After his 2023 21TD-21INT, 3900 yard Commander season, Howell admits being too aggressive. Trying to make things happen, trying to get them back into the game.
Howell played with guts and heart on a bad team and a bad program.
The 2nd year, 5th round pick got thrown to the wolves and survived it. Howell started 17 games in 2023 and won just 4 of them.
He was sacked 65 times and threw 21 INT's.
-John Schneider- "I was around Brett Favre at a really young age, the guy was throwing interceptions like crazy, and he ended up winning three MVP's. I love the way he plays the game. Sam. And Brett."

Howell survived a weak Washington offense in which Eric Bieniemy abandoned the run and was blitzed 181 times as the defense knew the ball was going in the air over & over.
Remember, both HC Ron Rivera and OC and assistant HC Eric Bieniemy were fired from the Commanders after that season. RR after 4 seasons, Bieniemy after one season and DC Jack del Rio who's defense was no help was also let go.
Bieniemy moved on to UCLA in which he was also fired after one season.

Speaking of the Commanders 2023 season, the Washington Post wrote-.
"Players who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss internal dynamics, described Bieniemy as a hard working coach who hamstrung his own efforts with poor communication, stubborn play calling and a disregard for player feedback."
Bieniemy's title of assistant head coach gave him greater authority over play calling and running extra hard practices leaving players tired before games and susceptible to injury.

Moving forward into the 2025 season, I'm pulling for Sam Howell to win the starting job outright against all comers. He has the toughness, grit and heart you want in a QB and that means something in my book. Much more than player X who wants X million more because another guy makes more than him.

Sam's our starter, until he isn't.

 

[Spin Doctor]

I don't often say this about players, but Howell is trash.

This post is copium at best, just like Drew Lock was the drug of choice before Geno Smith took the job. Howell has been in the league for almost three years at this point when he stepped in for injured Geno. He also spent most of the season within the Hawk's system in one that was pretty similar to what Washington was running.

He has shown no progress in his growth as a passer. He has the same tendencies, very bad at timing routes, holds onto the ball longer than just about anybody in the league, marginal accuracy. Let's not even get into how he stares down his receivers and broadcast what he is doing to the world. Howell is just this generations Charlie Whitehurst and you're fooling yourself if you think otherwise.

If you're putting your hopes on Howell, I have ocean front property in Kansas that I'd like to sell you. Feel free to bookmark this post and call me out if I'm wrong, but I'm 100 percent confident that Howell is never going to be our guy, nor does Schneider believe that. His only redeeming feature right now is his cheap contract. As we speak we're courting pricey guys like Darnold.

I'm not even sure that he's going to be on the roster come opening day. If they sign one of the FA's such as Cousins, Darnold, Rodgers, etc, etc plus draft a rookie it's feasible that he doesn't even make the cut.

Stop kidding yourself, Sam Howell is not the answer.

 

[Aircrew]

After his 2023 21TD-21INT, 3900 yard Commander season, Howell admits being too aggressive. Trying to make things happen, trying to get them back into the game.
Howell played with guts and heart on a bad team and a bad program.
The 2nd year, 5th round pick got thrown to the wolves and survived it. Howell started 17 games in 2023 and won just 4 of them.
He was sacked 65 times and threw 21 INT's.
-John Schneider- "I was around Brett Favre at a really young age, the guy was throwing interceptions like crazy, and he ended up winning three MVP's. I love the way he plays the game. Sam. And Brett."

Howell survived a weak Washington offense in which Eric Bieniemy abandoned the run and was blitzed 181 times as the defense knew the ball was going in the air over & over.
Remember, both HC Ron Rivera and OC and assistant HC Eric Bieniemy were fired from the Commanders after that season. RR after 4 seasons, Bieniemy after one season and DC Jack del Rio who's defense was no help was also let go.
Bieniemy moved on to UCLA in which he was also fired after one season.

Speaking of the Commanders 2023 season, the Washington Post wrote-.
"Players who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss internal dynamics, described Bieniemy as a hard working coach who hamstrung his own efforts with poor communication, stubborn play calling and a disregard for player feedback."
Bieniemy's title of assistant head coach gave him greater authority over play calling and running extra hard practices leaving players tired before games and susceptible to injury.

Moving forward into the 2025 season, I'm pulling for Sam Howell to win the starting job outright against all comers. He has the toughness, grit and heart you want in a QB and that means something in my book. Much more than player X who wants X million more because another guy makes more than him.

Sam's our starter, until he isn't.

100%. Great post.

 

[TwistedHusky]

Sam Howell couldn't start for the Browns. or he could, but he would look like the kind of QB that would start for the Browns.

Admittedly, he is a better choice than Darnold if he doesn't make much because at least you can get a terrible record with him. Potentially a chance at a top QB in the next draft? (IS there a top QB in the next draft?)

 

[OneLofaTatupu]

Sam Howell is not the Phoenix. Sam Howell is a goddamned hydra. He’s antifragile. He doesn’t rise from the ashes. He grows two heads for every one that’s cut off.

Sam Howell saves babies from poverty and stands by his right to party.

 

[ruffENrowdy]

Sam Howell couldn't start for the Browns. or he could, but he would look like the kind of QB that would start for the Browns.

Admittedly, he is a better choice than Darnold if he doesn't make much because at least you can get a terrible record with him. Potentially a chance at a top QB in the next draft? (IS there a top QB in the next draft?)

Honest question.. Most of us didn't think Geno would amount to much after Russ got traded. Most of us were hoping we would draft a qb in that crap qb draft (including me, i wanted levis or hooker). What makes this any different? Who knows what their plan is, they know a hell of a lot more than we do. Let's see what happens and enjoy the ride

 

[Spin Doctor]

Honest question.. Most of us didn't think Geno would amount to much after Russ got traded. Most of us were hoping we would draft a qb in that crap qb draft (including me, i wanted levis or hooker). What makes this any different? Who knows what their plan is, they know a hell of a lot more than we do. Let's see what happens and enjoy the ride

Geno actually looked competent when he stepped in for Russ. He then went on to beat out Drew Lock in training camp. When he came in for Geno, despite spending close to a year in the system, he looked incompetent and overwhelmed by even simple plays.

Once again, he's trash until he proves otherwise. What makes him any different than Drew Lock, Charlie Whitehurst, or Tarvaris Jackson? That very same logic can be applied there. Except, in this case there is much more supporting evidence to back up the JAG scenario.

 

[ruffENrowdy]

Geno actually looked competent when he stepped in for Russ. He then went on to beat out Drew Lock in training camp. When he came in for Geno, despite spending close to a year in the system, he looked incompetent and overwhelmed by even simple plays.

Once again, he's trash until he proves otherwise. What makes him any different than Drew Lock, Charlie Whitehurst, or Tarvaris Jackson? That very same logic can be applied there. Except, in this case there is much more supporting evidence to back up the JAG scenario.

Going off your logic, Lock did the same thing when Geno got hurt? And then won a game against the Eagles when he started.. Admittedly, a very distressed team when they beat them, but it's the nfl. Why not give a dude a chance?

 

[Spin Doctor]

Going off your logic, Lock did the same thing when Geno got hurt? And then won a game against the Eagles when he started.. Admittedly, a very distressed team when they beat them, but it's the nfl. Why not give a dude a chance?

Not even Schneider, the guy who traded for him is giving him a chance right now. We're going after Darnold, the high priced free agent.

Also, Lock didn't look that great. He looked pedestrian, which is exactly the type of QB he is. You're fooling yourself if you think that Howell is the answer. Let me ask you, what about Howell has shown you that he can be the starter? What merits has he shown as a player?

You're working on hopes and dreams right now.

 

[ruffENrowdy]

We didn't get a fair chance to see Howell with a full weeks worth of practice with the 1st string man. Giving Geno 40+ would be doing the same thing over and over again expecting a different result. There's a joke, that's the definition of insanity

 

[Shane Falco]

Not even Schneider, the guy who traded for him is giving him a chance right now. We're going after Darnold, the high priced free agent.

If Darnold does happen then this right here. It tells you JS and Co. do not view Howell as a starting QB no question.

 

[Spin Doctor]

We didn't get a fair chance to see Howell with a full weeks worth of practice with the 1st string man. Giving Geno 40+ would be doing the same thing over and over again expecting a different result. There's a joke, that's the definition of insanity

Answer the question, what has Sam Howell shown to make you believe that he can be a competent starter in the NFL? Yes, he didn't get a whole week to prepare, but that same logic goes for the opposing defense. Howell was in practice, he had experience running the offense there. We see QB's come off the bench and have great games all of the time.

Howell was 5-14 and he threw for 24 yards and an INT with a 1.7 Y/A and an INT and multiple possible INTs. In that game he held onto the ball for an absurd amount of time (exactly what he did in WA) and missed easy layup throws. You cannot explain that away with "he didn't get a full week of starting reps!". He still watched the tape and had experience throwing to our players. Geno by contrast was 15/19 with 178 and an INT.

It wasn't just that he had a bad game, it was horrible.

Could it possibly be that Sam Howell just is not a great QB? Just a thought.

 

[MyrtleHawk]

If you're putting your hopes on Howell, I have ocean front property in Kansas that I'd like to sell you.

I'm actually very interested in that ocean front property, could you PM me more info?

 

[mistaowen]

Howell is physically talented but cannot progress or read defenses in the NFL. He ran a very simple offense at UNC and beat up on bad teams. Washington threw the ball 50 times a game and majority of his stats came against late game vanilla defense. While they were close, he was awful. Took a lot of sacks, poor ball placement, stared down first read. Physical traits got him to the NFL but he seemingly hasn't figured out the mental part yet.

 

[Glasgow Seahawk]

Apparently he was also awful at practices. I think he would get a shot otherwise but I cant see ot next year

 

[Hotchy]

Funny people ragging on Howell, but want Darnold. Danold was laughing stock 1st 6 years of his career.

 

[DeSeahawk]

Sam Howell is not the Phoenix. Sam Howell is a goddamned hydra. He’s antifragile. He doesn’t rise from the ashes. He grows two heads for every one that’s cut off.

Sam Howell saves babies from poverty and stands by his right to party.

If each head was looking at a different receiver, how could defenses key on who's getting the ball ? I say cut off his head and when two grow back, cut them off too ! Then he would have 4 heads. Even better !

Btw, if somebody saved babies from poverty, I'd imagine other people might just throw them a party. Why stop at poverty ? What if he saved babies from roving packs of dogs, flying turds, or being sniffed by a Biden ? All good reasons to fire up a party.

 

[TwistedHusky]

Honest question.. Most of us didn't think Geno would amount to much after Russ got traded. Most of us were hoping we would draft a qb in that crap qb draft (including me, i wanted levis or hooker). What makes this any different? Who knows what their plan is, they know a hell of a lot more than we do. Let's see what happens and enjoy the ride

You are correct. I admitted this. Few expected Geno to do near as well here (myself included).

1. How much of this was Carroll 'fixing the QB"? (Check Carroll's record, for as much of a reputation as a 'CB-whisperer' he has...he seems to be as much, if not more successful as a 'QB-whisperer'. There's a long list of QBs that looked great under Carroll, and sucked under almost everyone else.)

2. What's the chance of a low-expectation QB out-producing again like Geno?

 

[FrodosFinger]

Sam Howell couldn't start for the Browns. or he could, but he would look like the kind of QB that would start for the Browns.

Admittedly, he is a better choice than Darnold if he doesn't make much because at least you can get a terrible record with him. Potentially a chance at a top QB in the next draft? (IS there a top QB in the next draft?)

He is in no way, shape or form better than Darnold lol

 

[TwistedHusky]

He is in no way, shape or form better than Darnold lol

That depends.
Are you talking about the Darnold on the Vikes?
Or the Darnold we would get? (Think his time with the Jets)

But no, Howell is likely terrible. Which is why I thought he might get us a chance to get a top 10, if not top 5, draft pick....