ASHBURN — Early in this year’s training camp, Sam Howell was “overthinking” things, offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy said. The second-year Commanders quarterback was throwing passes that were inaccurate, late coming out or forced into windows that just weren’t there.
But those miscues, Bieniemy said, were due in part to the load the Commanders had placed Howell’s shoulders. Since then, the second-year pro has adjusted to the expectations — and seems to have turned a corner.
“I’ve seen the growth,” Bieniemy said. “The sky can be the limit for this kid.”
That growth will be further tested Friday when the Commanders open the preseason against the Browns in Cleveland. Howell and the first-team offense may only play for a series or two, but the live reps — in a setting other than practice — will provide a crucial opportunity for the coaching staff to evaluate the quarterback’s progress.
Coach Ron Rivera was tight-lipped Wednesday when asked how much the starters will play in Friday’s game, which starts at 7:30 p.m. and will be aired locally on NBC4. For context, former starter Carson Wentz logged 22 snaps — or three series worth — in last year’s preseason opener, but the Commanders have also adjusted their practice schedule this offseason in that more work in practice may mean the coaching staff could look to scale back in the exhibition.
In any event, Rivera made clear he wants to see how Howell performs. The coach responded, “Other than quarterback obviously,” recently when asked what he was looking forward to watching the most against Cleveland.
“The biggest thing is when we get on the field is going to be his command in the huddle and then his command at the line of scrimmage,” Rivera said, “and then his decision-making once the ball snapped. That’s what we’re looking for, is to see how he handles all those unique situations.”
The contest will also be a chance for backup Jacoby Brissett, who signed a one-year, $8 million in the offseason, to get some run and show how he’s adapted to Bieniemy’s offense. The Commanders have given most of the first-team practice reps to Howell, but Brissett had an opportunity to work with the starters this week. Rivera said the decision was made for Brissett to work with the first team to create familiarity with the team’s main playmakers.
How Howell, Brissett and third-stringer Jake Fromm conduct the offense will be vital for plenty of others hoping to make an impression. With competitive roster battles taking place at wide receiver, tight end and running back, Friday presents a chance for coaches to get answers to several questions they have regarding who should make the final 53.
For instance, do the Commanders plan to keep six receivers? And if they do, who fills the last two spots outside the obvious four of Terry McLaurin, Jahan Dotson, Curtis Samuel and Dyami Brown? Keep an eye on wideouts Byron Pringle, Mitchell Tinsley and Dax Milne. All have had moments in camp, and now is the time to see whether that translates to games.
“Those guys have done a really, really good job of diving in the playbook, understanding things and being in the right place at the right time,” Fromm said of the younger receivers.
The competitions don’t end there, either. On defense, the rotation of the defensive ends behind starters Chase Young and Montez Sweat figures to be wide open — with veterans James Smith-Williams, Casey Toohill and Efe Obada looking to stave off rookies K.J. Henry and Andre Jones. Defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio said the preseason is a good time to learn about players “we don’t know as much about.”
This year, the Commanders even have a kicking battle. The team brought in former Lions kicker Michael Badgley to go up against incumbent Joey Slye. (Don’t be alarmed Friday when Colby Wadman punts instead of Tress Way. Wadman will punt in Way’s place with the veteran battling lower back tightness.)
Washington is looking for consistency at kicker after Slye missed five of his 30 field goal attempts and four of his 28 extra-point attempts in 2022. Badgley, by contrast, made 85.7% of his field goals and 100% of his extra points last season.
“I just go out and handle my own business and kind of let all the cards fall where they may,” Slye said.
But first, for the Commanders to evaluate their kicking battle, the offense has to get the unit into range. That starts with Howell and Co.
• Matthew Paras can be reached at mparas@washingtontimes.com.
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