Commanders give Howell QB1 status in OC search
The Washington Commanders, who have interviewed a handful of offensive coordinator candidates while hoping to speak with the Chiefs’ high-profile Eric Bieniemy, are telling coaches that Sam Howell will enter his second season as the team’s starting quarterback. Sounds risky. As for fan favorite Taylor Heinicke, reportedly he’ll be offered a one-year deal to stick around in the event of another break-glass-in-case-ofemergency scenario.
Remembrance: Almost every great memory from the golden years of pro football in Washington sprung from Bobby Beathard’s leadership and eye for talent. One of the great NFL general managers.
One of a kind: Hall of Famer Lefty Driesell called the other day from his Virginia Beach home to say that Billy Packer was his favorite college basketball analyst. Packer, who died last week at 82, could have been everybody’s favorite if he took more care not to ruffle feathers. But then, his TV presence wouldn’t have been as unique or as impactful to the ACC and the national growth of the sport. But did you know that Packer is not in the Basketball Hall of Fame? A dreadful oversight.
Quick hit: The Chiefs-Bengals game deserved to go into overtime.
Future watch: Super Bowl handicapping should take into account that the Eagles had an easier playoff path, barely breaking a sweat against the outclassed Giants before picking the wings off a 49ers team down to its fourth-string quarterback. In contrast, Kansas City had to dig deep. To me, this makes the Chiefs more dangerous.
Sneaky suspicion: Recently, this column surmised that pass rushers would be allowed more latitude once Tom Brady wasn’t around anymore to protect. Something to keep an eye on next season.
Face in the crowd: As he regularly does, Eagles fan Mike Trout sat in the stands last Sunday in Philadelphia. No sky suite for the Angels’ regular-guy superstar.
Rage makers: NFL game officials — including the replay guys — are attracting a lot of attention. Never a good thing.
Numbers game: At the current pace NBA players are putting up 50-point games — there were 19 going into Thursday’s action — this season would see the highest rate of 50-spots since 1965-66. Great performances. But this requires me to mention that in 1961, Wilt Chamberlain averaged 50.4 points a game.
Guesswork: Purdue, which claimed every first-place vote in this week’s AP basketball rankings, started the season outside the Top 25. The basketball pundits shot an airball.
A hyping habit: Neither is ranked and North Carolina is coming off a home loss, but leading up to the Tar Heels’ visit to Duke on Saturday, expect ESPN to foam at the mouth.
The ring thing: Served up for my fellow curmudgeons is a reminder that at the 2024 Paris Olympics, breakdancing will be a sport. A sport.
Net results: Novak Djokovic’s relentlessly discussed left hamstring should have its own Twitter account.
Next season: Sean Payton’s job in Denver is secure for a long time. It’s Russell Wilson’s he must save.
Hot stove: Had the pleasure of hearing ESPN’s great Tim
Kurkjian speak in the D.C. area last week about all things baseball, including the new rules. After initially opposing the ban on infield overshifts, he’s come around to the idea that it will make for a better game. If Tim thinks so, I believe it.