JohnnyU
Footballguy
Peyton Manning led the league in interceptions his rookie year.
Fantasy Football - Footballguys Forums
This is a sample guest message. Register a free account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members through your own private inbox!
QB Sam Howell, MIN (2 Viewers)
- Thread starter Faust
- Start date
Hot Sauce Guy
Footballguy
I think this is a bit of selective observation.
Howell processes just fine when he has time to throw.
He’s had whole games where he looked fantastic. Check-downs, using his legs to improvise, hitting multiple receivers. That 3-game stretch from SEA, NEP, PHI he played great. And in that stretch he was still sacked 7x in 3 games. That’s not all on Howell. And when you have less than a second or 2 to throw, it’s preposterous to blame “processing”. All he could process was a dude crashing through the line tryina kill him.
He doesn’t need a top 5 OL. He needs a top 15 OL.
This unit looks like bottom 5. And with their crappy defense it’s not like they can play ball control to minimize the need for Howell to play hero-ball.
I watched most of Howell’s starts this year. Dude can play. I think this “processing” stuff is a lot of throwing Howell under the bus for playing in a really crappy situation.
Last edited:
BespokeJort
Footballguy
This is a good point re adjustments. I was struck watching the jets/browns game how much the jets just realized from the jump they weren’t going to be able to stop Myles Garrett and just exclusively ran plays that got the ball out in under two seconds to minimize sacks. Obviously it didn’t result in an offensive explosion but if you’re EB and your qb is getting hit more than anyone in league history why not try it?
ffmail4me
Footballguy
EB layed an egg this year if we are being honest. It was his job to get his best play makers the ball. Yet Terry and Jahan had career low seasons, way too few targets and catches. Even when Sam was leading the league in yardage, a lot of that was going to RBs, and very below average TEs and #4/5 WRs on this roster. That's on EB IMO.
JohnnyU
Footballguy
Who is EB? Can we spell out names some of the time?
Ok, I know who it is now, but it didn't jump out at me. Too much initials and acronyms used here.
Brunell4MVP
Footballguy
You know what the team thinks of Bienemy. The graveine says not much. He rubbed a lot of players the wrong way which we originally thought was good. But in the end it wasn't. Cornelius Lucas (OT) quote when asked why they ran the ball better was ... paraphasing .... "because we finally called a running play"
fatness
Footballguy
OK, GB.
JohnnyU
Footballguy
Sit on it Fonzi
dgreen
Footballguy
The OL is a problem. Bienemy is a problem. And Howell is a problem. He doesn’t get a pass, or praise, because others were bad too. Early on, he overcame his own deficiencies and the deficiencies of his OL and Bienemy to make some big plays. That aspect of his game has mostly disappeared while the bad habits have remained.
His last four games have been abysmal, totaling 46-99-454-2-6. He was benched twice in that stretch where Jacoby freaking Brissett was 18-23-224-3-0 and led them on five straight TD drives. It was night and day seeing Brissett in there. Brissett knew where he wanted to go with the ball and got rid of the ball.
I never watched Howell in college, but my understanding is he took a lot of sacks there too. Apparently, it's who he is. It seems that "slow to process" is a reasonable explanation. Another possibility is he may not be comfortable throwing unless he thinks the receiver is wide open. Whatever it is, he has changes he needs to make if he wants to last in this league. There's only so much that you can blame others for. (To his credit, I don't think he's blaming anyone else. But, fans and analysts seems to want to put all the blame elsewhere which I find ridiculous.)
Against SF, I think he actually had a couple plays that were so simple yet so nice to see because they've been way too rare. He clearly recognized pre-snap that McLaurin had single coverage on a go route and Howell let it go immediately for a deep completion. He didn't give the defense a chance to sack him, he knew where he needed to go with the ball, and he trusted his receiver to win. The other play was a back-shoulder TD pass to McLaurin. I don't remember him throwing another back-shoulder pass this season. It's another situation where he immediately threw because he knew where to go with it and gave his receiver a chance. Yeah, some of his flashy plays early in the year were more fun, but we need more of this simple stuff. Brissett just made things look easy by doing the simple things and that's what I want to see from Howell. It's like the hockey goalie who never makes flashy saves because he's always in the right position to make the save look easy.
His last four games have been abysmal, totaling 46-99-454-2-6. He was benched twice in that stretch where Jacoby freaking Brissett was 18-23-224-3-0 and led them on five straight TD drives. It was night and day seeing Brissett in there. Brissett knew where he wanted to go with the ball and got rid of the ball.
I never watched Howell in college, but my understanding is he took a lot of sacks there too. Apparently, it's who he is. It seems that "slow to process" is a reasonable explanation. Another possibility is he may not be comfortable throwing unless he thinks the receiver is wide open. Whatever it is, he has changes he needs to make if he wants to last in this league. There's only so much that you can blame others for. (To his credit, I don't think he's blaming anyone else. But, fans and analysts seems to want to put all the blame elsewhere which I find ridiculous.)
Against SF, I think he actually had a couple plays that were so simple yet so nice to see because they've been way too rare. He clearly recognized pre-snap that McLaurin had single coverage on a go route and Howell let it go immediately for a deep completion. He didn't give the defense a chance to sack him, he knew where he needed to go with the ball, and he trusted his receiver to win. The other play was a back-shoulder TD pass to McLaurin. I don't remember him throwing another back-shoulder pass this season. It's another situation where he immediately threw because he knew where to go with it and gave his receiver a chance. Yeah, some of his flashy plays early in the year were more fun, but we need more of this simple stuff. Brissett just made things look easy by doing the simple things and that's what I want to see from Howell. It's like the hockey goalie who never makes flashy saves because he's always in the right position to make the save look easy.
(HULK)
(Smash)
Yeah, it's clear on that McLaurin throw he had studied up.
From my observation, when it breaks down and the first and/or second read aren't wide open, that's when it's trouble. Maybe he could compensate by tucking and running more when that happens? Clearly he'd do better with better blocking, but honestly, I don't think he'll ever read the field quick enough... it's not something you can train or fix IMO.
Brunell4MVP
Footballguy
There is a reason QBs that had successful college careers go in round 5 or later. Sometimes it's physical skills - Tom Brady was built like a skeleton and was non-athletic. Brock Purdy was in non-athletic, short, and an average arm. But with neither guy was there a decision making issue. They were both listed as extremely smart and experienced by the experts Seems to me that is easier to overcome than having the skills but not the decision making/process speed. Howell has the traits but seems a bit slow to process, which is why he fell in the draft. You can work on your body. It's harder to work on your mind.
Hot Sauce Guy
Footballguy
Have you administered an IQ test to Sam Howell?
This is some pretty serious judgement to lay on a dude you’ve never met.
He’s shown the ability to play football. It’s not even debatable that he’s actually demonstrated the things you’re confidently stating he cannot do.
odd.
Hot Sauce Guy
Footballguy
Really hoping he shows out well for this game.
That Dallas pass rush is brutal and his OL is a screen door.
The only chance he has is if EB establishes the run, calls throws off of play action & works the screen game against Dallas blitz.
In other words, he’s probably screwed because EB has failed to do this most of the year.
Bankerguy
Footballguy
Hearing talk of not playing Wash veterans?
Why cost your team the # 2 pick and drop to 6 or 7.
Hot Sauce Guy
Footballguy
Yeah - it’s not like they’re setting Sam up for success here.
well they've watched him play the whole season think they've formed their opinions by now
Leroy Hoard
Footballguy
Bottom third OL in every ranking I could find and you also see it with your bare eyes. Hard to trust this team to improve there, too bad because he does show flashes when given the time.
Donnybrook
Footballguy
Most mocks have Washington taking Drake May or trading up for Caleb. Yet I found this this clip interesting. https://youtu.be/HGCCpXRR8GA. I still wonder if Howell can do what Matt Stafford did with the right organization.
I totally disagree with Matt Miller on giving the "Brice Young package" for Caleb Williams. Sending a kings ransom for more proven players like Russel Wilson, and Deshaun Watson look like bad deals. When has the team receiving a top QB, won the deal. RGIII, Trey Lance and Brice Young are still in my recent memory.
I wouldn't mind if Washington decides to kicks Howell to the curb and my team gets him on the cheap.
I totally disagree with Matt Miller on giving the "Brice Young package" for Caleb Williams. Sending a kings ransom for more proven players like Russel Wilson, and Deshaun Watson look like bad deals. When has the team receiving a top QB, won the deal. RGIII, Trey Lance and Brice Young are still in my recent memory.
I wouldn't mind if Washington decides to kicks Howell to the curb and my team gets him on the cheap.
Brunell4MVP
Footballguy
Is he available? Standig is bored and grasping for things to write about. Why the hell would WAS trade Howell for a 4th. Even if they draft a QB at #2 Howell is a $950K/year excellent option at QB and at minimum a solid backup. So they would get a 4th rounder and pick up a guy that would potentially have zero use to them.
It's crazy season for writers. These guys make up trade and draft scenarios out of the air for clicks. Hey, NE said they'd give a ham sandwich and a 6th rounder for Mahommes
It's crazy season for writers. These guys make up trade and draft scenarios out of the air for clicks. Hey, NE said they'd give a ham sandwich and a 6th rounder for Mahommes
Hot Sauce Guy
Footballguy
There’s no way WAS deals Howell when they can keep him so affordably. He’s a quality backup QB. It would make zero sense to move him for a 5th,
massraider
Footballguy
And maybe Maye is RG3, and Howell is Cousins. Seen this movie before.
Not impossible
Brunell4MVP
Footballguy
If you need a QB that can hold a clipboard and mentor, they can sign him as a quarterbacks coach. The quarterback room should be filled with the players of the future. Not failed vets that cost $8M/year more. If they deal Howell, I'd want it to be because new management doesn't think he's good. Not because they think a Brissett type will make Maye/Daniels better.
And frankly if they think Howell is good (which I trust Peters to decide), I'm fine if they don't draft a QB. Not what I'd do but It opens up all kinds of options for trading down and taking an OL, WR, DE, etc. I mean if they think MHJr paired with McLaurin and Dotson is a game changer, or Alt/Fashanu at LT fixes that position for 5 years, or that Penix in round 2 is a brilliant move, so be it.
We have no idea what is going through Peters mind, nor should we until after the draft. And I can guarantee you that Standig doesn't know either. Which is why I hate these stories. If Standig (who I do think is good at his job) creates enough scenarios, he will be correct eventually. Writers simply should not be putting out what if stories. It's lazy on their part
Last edited:
Hot Sauce Guy
Footballguy
I’d rather have Howell than Darnold if I’m the Broncos or Vikings.
Andy Dufresne
Footballguy
I rather have Eunice "Lovey" Howell than Darnold.
JohnnyU
Footballguy
What would he cost in a trade? He's a cheap backup for Washington should they draft another QB.
Current Contract
Sam Howell signed a 4 year, $4,021,600 contract with the Washington Commanders, including a $361,600 signing bonus, $361,600 guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $1,005,400. In 2024, Howell will earn a base salary of $985,000, while carrying a cap hit of $1,075,400 and a dead cap value of $180,800.
| CONTRACT TERMS:4 yr(s) / $4,021,600 | SIGNING BONUS$361,600 | AVERAGE SALARY$1,005,400 | GTD AT SIGN:$361,600 | TOTAL GTD:$361,600 | FREE AGENT:2026 / UFA |
| BONUS BREAKDOWN | CAP DETAILS | CASH DETAILS | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| YEAR | AGE | BASE SALARY | SIGNING | CAP HIT | DEAD CAP | YEARLY CASH | CASH AAV | ||
| 2022 |  | 22 | $705,000 | $90,400 | $795,400 | $361,600 | $1,066,600($1,066,600) | $1,066,600 | |
| 2023 |  | 23 | $870,000 | $90,400 | $960,400 | $271,200 | $870,000($1,936,600) | $968,300 | |
| 2024 |  | 24 | $985,000 | $90,400 | $1,075,400 | $180,800 | $985,000($2,921,600) | $973,867 | |
| 2025 |  | 25 | $1,100,000 | $90,400 | $1,190,400 | $90,400 | $1,100,000($4,021,600) | $1,005,400 | |
| 2026 |  | 26 | UFA |
Hot Sauce Guy
Footballguy
I’m on record saying that regardless of what WAS does in the draft they should keep Howell.
He’s cheap & has shown he can run an NFL offense. I don’t see any reason to move on from him if I’m WAS.
JohnnyU
Footballguy
Unless they are offered something they like
skol asylum
Footballguy
Ok, so if I'm MN i'd offer 3 1sts and a future 3rd for the 1.2 and Howell. What does Washington do at QB then? Not my problem. 
Hot Sauce Guy
Footballguy
It would have to wow them, because they’ll be right back out there trying to back up their draft pick if they move their backup.
Brunell4MVP
Footballguy
All these QB needy teams have the ability to draft McCarthy, Penix, Nix, etc. even after the first 3 QBs go off the board Why would they give up anything for Howell when those guys could be just as good. And WAS has no reason to trade him. I just don't see the market
JohnnyU
Footballguy
They wouldn’t take a 2nd?
Brunell4MVP
Footballguy
Sure. Who is offering? Doubtful anyone. That's why there's no market. For instance if I'm MIN and I can get Penix in Round 2, I'm not giving up that pick for Howell.
JohnnyU
Footballguy
I'm not sure I wouldn't want Howell over Penix.
BespokeJort
Footballguy
As a hawks fan I don’t hate it. Feels like a decent landing spot for Howell as well as I never really expected him to be a 2024 starter for a non-disaster team after the end-season flameout. Good weapons, someone to learn behind for a year who isn’t an entrenched franchise guy who’s a lock to be starting there for 3+ years, etc
Donnybrook
Footballguy
Many I should just become a Seahawks fan. Jon Schneider is the best GM IMO.
pollardsvision
Footballguy
This is fantastic. Such a great spot for Howell.
And a great move by the Seahawks. Paid almost nothing, and he's a good young QB.
The team that should have done this is the Broncos. But we know Seattle is little smarter than Denver when it comes to QB moves.
And a great move by the Seahawks. Paid almost nothing, and he's a good young QB.
The team that should have done this is the Broncos. But we know Seattle is little smarter than Denver when it comes to QB moves.
Mister CIA
Footballguy
I approve.
Brunell4MVP
Footballguy
Chalk me up as an idiot. Cause as a WAS fan I never would have shipped him out of here for a mediocre pick swap. I think he was worth more than that as a quality backup. Hate to see him go. The WAS brain trust obviously 1) didn't want two young QBs on the roster and 2) doesn't think much of Howell or they would have never shipped him outta here. I'd rather have Howell than Mariotta. I think this may bite them if Maye/Daniels takes a long time to get started because Mariotta sucks. WAS radio talking about it like a win. Not IMO
ffmail4me
Footballguy
Yep, congrats Seattle you fleeced us for a very good young QB. NO ONE would have had success behind that awful o-line and awful OC last year. I think he will beat out Geno sooner than later. The trade details were incorrect through in that first post, Washington gave up Howell, 4th and 6th, and we got back 3rd and 5th. But still, that's cheap for a player with Howell's upside and friendly contract.
BLOCKED_PUNT
Footballguy
so much this, emphasis on awful OC. I was starting to think I was the only one that thought Beinemy was overated.
massraider
Footballguy
New staff. You would like to think they would salvage as much of the roster pass possible, but usually they toss everything
