Is Sam Howell the Commanders' QB of the future? Film Breakdown
In this film breakdown, we take a look at Washington Commanders QB Sam Howell, who I see as a top-half QB that can absolutely win you games.
In this video, I break down Sam Howell's strengths and weaknesses, as I see them, and even though he started 1 game last year, I'm evaluating him as a rookie. He's got tremendous arm strength, he's a decisive passer, and he does well out of the pocket too. Some of his big weaknesses like sacks taken and INTs are partially his fault, but also a product of the Commanders' pass-heavy offense. Sheer volume of dropbacks and attempts is going to lead to higher numbers in some of those categories for him.
Washington Commanders QB Sam Howell Film Breakdown
Sam Howell has shown a lot of promise to be the QB of the future for the Washington Commanders. Notably regarded as 'chaotic good,' Howell exhibits a high level of play, although he does have a tendency for occasional negative plays that he needs to address. He was only given limited experience facing live pass rushes in his rookie year, so seeing his calm demeanor in the pocket is an assuring sight.
Howell ranks highly in the NFL for his deep passing, which is a vital component of Eric Bieniemy's offense. His arm strength and accuracy are instrumental in executing successful deep passes. His touch along the sidelines and ability to place deep shots precisely are showcased as significant strengths.
However, there have been instances of dropped passes by receivers on these challenging catches. In terms of aggressiveness, Howell's willingness to push the ball downfield is recognized as an asset, contributing to the offense's explosiveness. He also exhibits efficiency in the quick game, making decisive and timely throws, and has an acute understanding of ball placement. Howell has the ability to manipulate defenders and maintain accuracy over short middle-field throws.
Howell's arm velocity is another attribute, allowing him to fit the ball into tight windows within zone defenses. His accuracy on the run and ability to keep his eyes downfield are seen as advantageous, making him a quick decision-maker on off-schedule plays. On the other hand, Howell has shown some weaknesses. His sack rate, which was at one point on pace to set a record, is partially attributed to the team's focus on deep, long-developing plays.
Sack responsibility often lies with a combination of factors including offensive line performance and Howell's own decision-making. Howell's interception rate is not the lowest, but it is balanced by his high volume of attempts and big-time throws. The interceptions can typically be categorized into issues with accuracy, processing speed, and over-aggressiveness. While not tricked by coverage, Howell sometimes needs to improve his processing speed and learn when to be conservative to reduce turnovers.
In summary, Howell has exceeded expectations and is seen as the QB of the future for Washington, with a strong foundation offensively and a good receiving core. If Howell could reduce turnovers and sacks, with more experience and slight adjustments to his playing style, we are looking at a top half of the pack quarterback.
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