More Quarterback Shuffling…

Over the past year or so, whenever the “NFL franchise that calls itself Washington” got into the headlines, the event was about as welcome as sour milk.

• Allegations of “Peeping Toms” on undressed cheerleaders.
• Partners in the ownership group suing one another.
• Principal owner accused of sexual assault.
• Franchise fumbles the ball on its re-naming initiative.
• One of its roster players accused of vehicular homicide.

Yesterday, it was different; the Washington Commanders made news that was not sleazy, and it is unlikely to require a judge in a courtroom to render any decisions.

• The Washington Commanders traded for a QB and got Carson Wentz from the Colts.

That represents an upgrade for the team at the QB position so fans can sing Hallelujah; however, it is a stretch to say that this trade has brought to Washington their franchise QB who is going to lead this team for the next 5 or 7  years.  If I were to tell you that the Commanders were deficient at QB last year, your response should be along the lines of, “So how is that different from the last 35 years?”  The last real franchise QB for the Washington franchise was Joe Theismann and he last saw the field in 1985.

The fact is that acquiring Carson Wentz provides as many questions as it does answers.  Let me try to go over some of those questions and answers:

• Answer:  Wentz’s teams are 44-40-1 when he starts; he has thrown 140 TD passes compared to only 57 INTs; his career passing completion percentage is 62.6%.  He will be 30 years old in December, so he is not confronting the still undefeated Father Time.
• Question:  So … why will the Commanders be his third team in three seasons?

Two years ago, the Eagles benched Wentz in favor of Jalen Hurts; according to reports, Wentz did not take that demotion well and his behavior(s) in relation to his coach then were well below positive.  That got his coach, Doug Pederson, fired and it got Wentz traded to the Colts.  Last year, the Colts had the NFL’s leading rusher in Jonathan Taylor (1,811 yards and 18 TDs) and they had a Top Ten defense in points allowed.  Nevertheless, the Colts missed the playoffs in the most embarrassing way I can recall.

• In Week 18 playing against the 1-16 Jacksonville Jaguars in a win-and-you’re-in-game, the Colts lost; and Carson Wentz was awful in that game.

Here is the big question…  There are reports that unnamed players in both Philly and Indy were less than impressed with Wentz as a leader and/or as a positive element in the locker room and/or as “a guy”.  Most importantly, are those reports based in fact?  And if so, are there ways that the Commanders’ coaches can ameliorate those “problems” assuming they exist?

Carson Wentz has been a boom-or-bust sort of player for all of his career.  When he is “hot” he looks like Superman; when he is “off” he looks like Charlie Brown.  The Commanders are seeking stability at the QB position; stability and consistency go hand in hand; Wentz is hardly “consistent”.  Wentz is clearly a physical talent upgrade for the team, but questions remain…

Speaking of QB questions, let me turn now to two teams that need to decide about the QB position for next year.  Both the Colts and the Steelers have a good running back and a better than average defense; both teams have adequate if not great pass catchers; both teams lack a strong QB on their roster as of this morning.

• Colts’ QBs:  Sam Ehlinger and James Morgan
• Steelers’ QBs:  Joshua Dobbs, Dwayne Haskins and Mason Rudolph

Both teams should have playoff aspirations for 2022 – – assuming they find themselves a competent and reliable QB.  Of the five guys named above, Mason Rudolph is probably the best of the lot and he yet to prove that he is anything more than a stop gap.  So, who is out there for either the Steelers or the Colts to acquire?

• Teddy Bridgewater has stats similar to Carson Wentz but with a worse record of injuries.
• Nick Foles has something no other available QB has – – a Super Bowl ring AND a Super Bowl MVP award…
• Jimmy G is rumored to be on the trading block.  The Niners would probably like to recoup some of the draft capital they expended to move up and take Trey Lance in last year’s Draft.
• Jordan Love would seem to be superfluous in Green Bay these days…
• Gardner Minshew played well in place of Jalen Hurts in Philly when needed last year.  The Colts or the Steelers might have to bid against the Seahawks if the Eagles show interest in trading Minshew since he is a fan favorite in the Northwest having gone to Washington State.
• Mitchell Trubisky is an unrestricted free agent.  He has not shown greatness in his career, but he has shown some promise.  Rumor says he will sign with the Giants and stay with Brian Daboll who was his OC in Buffalo last year.  We shall see…

Or maybe either or both Colts/Steelers see a prospect in the Draft they really, really like…

Oh, by the way, MLB just cancelled another week’s worth of April games.  Hi, Ho…

Finally, Dwight Perry reminds us to keep a good thought here:

“March 20 is the International Day of Happiness.

“At least we can hope the baseball negotiations are over by then.”

But don’t get me wrong, I love sports………