Reasons to be excited and concerned about the 2022 Commanders

Offensive Line – Excited

Two years ago, when trying to understand how that Washington team could be contention for the NFC East, I wrote that Washington’s no-name offensive line was the best in the division. Part of that had to do with devastating injuries to both Dallas and Philly, and part had to do with Dave Gettelman’s cockeyed sense of what makes for a good lineman. But most of it had to do with some tough players and one great position coach.

John Matsko has genuine talent to work with this season, and from one through eight, this shapes up to be a good O line. The player I am most excited about is Saadhiq Charles.

When he was drafted, we all drooled over a physically gifted left tackle from a prestigious SEC program. Obviously, this guy could play, right?

We then had to take a step back and realize that Charles was a 20 year-old young man with one solid year of play at a high level in college. It would have been insane to assume that he could step onto the field against Brandon Graham and Leonard Williams and hold his own.

Then we learned his arm length made him profile better at guard. Then he got hurt, two plays into his NFL career. Things did no look good.

But Charles has grown, and though the sample size is still too small, he looks like a true pro now. And he could be special.

Add in Wes Schweitzer and Cornelius Lucas – two of the very best back-ups in the league – and this is a line to get excited about.

Which is good, because…

Trai Turner – Concerned

Trai Turner is supposed to lock down the left guard position. Due to his youth, his past success, and his relationship with Ron Rivera, Turner has been rumored to be coming to Washington – oh, it seems like since the days of Jim Zorn. They finally inked him this off-season.

And we have yet to see him.

Turner had three injury-plagued years between 2018-2020, but he was healthy last year. Still, Pittsburgh showed no interest in re-signing him. There is a pretty big question out there about what he has left to offer, and until we see him on the field, that question will remain.

Offensive lines need cohesion and consistency and that only comes through repetition. Fortunately, with Charles and Scwheitzer available, the Washington Commanders have other places to turn should Turner not work out.

(ADDENDUM – Cole Turner? Will we ever see him? Maybe we should avoid Turners in the future. Just a thought, Scott.)