Rookie QB Sam Howell continues to show promise
Breaking down rookie QB Sam Howell in the Commanders second preseason game.
Commanders rookie quarterback Sam Howell continues to show promise in preseason, following up an impressive performance against the Panthers last week with another solid outing against the Chiefs. Howell completed 10 of 18 passes for 122 yards and an interception. He was by no means perfect and he’s certainly not ready to challenge Carson Wentz for the starting job as some fans have been suggesting, but he has displayed some encouraging traits that with some work could develop into starting traits in the future.
One of Howell’s first throws was a great example of the encouraging parts of his game.
On this play, Howell looks to throw a comeback route to his right from the far hash. This is a long distance throw that needs velocity to drive the ball to the receiver so it’s not a floaty pass that gives the defender a chance to recover and make a play on the ball. The ball also needs to be out on time to maximise separation in case the corner in coverage is able to stick tight to the receiver. Howell executes a play-action fake before dropping back. He reaches the top of his drop and then takes a hitch step to gather himself and take all his momentum towards his target.
If I’m being picky, I’d like to see this ball come out just a tick earlier. He begins his throwing motion as the receiver is coming out of his break, when ideally the ball would be coming out at that point. However, he’s able to generate so much velocity on the throw that it doesn’t matter. He keeps his front shoulder in place, giving him the ability to rotate around it and drive the ball on a rope to its target. Not only is it a strong throw, it’s an accurate one and the receiver is able to make the catch and turn up the field for a first down.
Like last week, there were a couple of throws like this one where the end result was an impressive throw, but there were things to be improved on.
This was another one of Howell’s impressive throws. The Commanders run a sail concept from a trips formation to the right. The outside receiver runs a deep post while the tight end runs the sail. The slot receiver runs a pivot route, working inside before breaking back out to occupy the flat. Overall, Howell does a really nice job here. As he drops back, he feels pressure off the right side. He doesn’t panic, instead calmly stepping up into the pocket with a series of hitch steps to allow his blocker to run the defender by him. Howell keeps his eyes down the field and eventually pulls the trigger on the sail route to the tight end. Like before, we see a terrific throw with great velocity that hits the receiver in stride for a first down.
Again, we can be a bit nit-picky about this play with regards to his footwork. Typically a sail concept like this would come with a seven-step drop and maybe a hitch or two. Obviously, Howell’s drop gets interrupted by the pass rush off the edge and has to step up to avoid it, which is fine. But he then takes four hitch steps up in the pocket, all with different stride lengths and foot placements that don’t look particularly smooth. Ideally Howell can take a few smoother and more consistent hitch steps, but ultimately he managed to get himself in position to deliver a quality throw.
One of Howell’s more interesting throws came late in the fourth quarter to receiver Dax Milne.
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