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What Does Ron Rivera Know That the Rest of the NFL Doesn’t?

You want to give Ron Rivera the benefit of the doubt. The Commanders coach built a winner in Carolina and helped Cam Newton become a superstar. He gave a sullied Washington franchise credibility (for a few weeks, anyway). He faced the nastiest of opponents in cancer and kicked its lame rear end.

 

So, what does Rivera see in QB Carson Wentz?

 

Why did he sign off on the trade that brought Wentz, who wore out his welcome in Philadelphia and Indianapolis, to Washington?

 

Everyone loves a comeback story. Everyone loves a second chance. Wentz had his in Indy, where he failed to get a talented Colts team to the playoffs. With a playoff berth on the line in Week 18, Wentz flopped like a fish on a dock. He went 17-of-29 for 185 yards with one touchdown and one pick against a Jacksonville team that had nothing to play for.

 

Wentz has a terrific, young receiving corps led by Terry McLaurin and Jahan Dotson. The Commanders have as imposing a front four as any team in the league once Chase Young returns from a knee injury.

 

The Commanders have been known more for their horrific culture and hostile workforce for women, than football of late. There was enough noise surrounding this team without trading for a QB who was not missed in his first two stops.

 

What does Rivera know? It’s one of the great questions heading into the 2022 season.

 

BET BETTER WITH BETBASICS: The Commanders and McLaurin agreed on a three-year, $71 million contract this offseason, one of the smart decisions the franchise has made. The former Ohio State star has basically posted three straight 1,000-yard seasons (he had 919 as a rookie) without a bigtime threat on the opposite side of the field.

 

Enter Dotson, the team’s first-round draft choice out of Penn State. Dotson was the most sure-handed receiver in this year’s draft. On 138 targets last season, Dotson had two drops.

 

Rumor has it Allstate wants to sign his hands.

 

This is good news for Commanders’ fans but not necessarily for McLaurin, who’s averaged 74 catches per season. He must adjust to a new QB in Wentz, and Dotson should steal targets. So should a healthy Logan Thomas at TE. McLaurin will hit that mark, but he won’t break his career-high of 87 catches set in 2021.

 

ACE IN THE HOLE: Speaking of Thomas, after a breakout season in 2020  when he had 72 catches and six touchdowns, the converted college quarterback blew out his knee last season. He’s expected to play in the opener, which would mean a remarkable recovery.

 

At 6-foot-6, 250 pounds, Thomas is a big target. His knowledge of defenses from his time as Virginia Tech’s QB makes him even more dangerous. He might turn out the be Wentz’s favorite target.

 

MUST-WATCH TV: Let’s go all the way to Week 18. The Commanders host their bitter rivals, the Dallas Cowboys. We have a sneaking suspicion the Washington Football Team will be in position to keep the Boys out of the playoffs with a victory. It could be one of the few bright spots in which could turn out to be Rivera’s last season in Washington and Mike McCarthy’s in Dallas.

 

 

 

author
Lenn Robbins
Sports Journalist
Hi, I'm Lenn Robbins, a long-time sportswriter who still holds the detention record at Bildersee Junior High School in Brooklyn, N.Y., where I was born and raised. I came out of the womb a Mets fan, was baptized a Knicks fans and through the power of TV, became a Cowboys fan, which explains why I'm in group therapy. The name of my fantasy football league team is Sexual Chocolate. Anyone who can explain the origin of said team name, please h
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