Commanders News: Sam Howell, Kendall Fuller, Ron Rivera and Bill Belichick

Commanders QB Sam Howell's next step

Sam Howell's overall performances through six weeks indicate the Washington Commanders have their guy at the quarterback position following a long, exhausting search. There is a long way to go and the former fifth-round selection is still learning on the job, but not even the North Carolina product's harshest critic could have expected more given his lack of experience coming into the campaign.

If there was one glaring flaw that Howell must overcome, it's taking sacks. The offensive line must do better, but the signal-caller needs to recognize pressure, learn to escape the pocket quicker when things aren't developing, and get rid of the football much more effectively than he has been of late.

There is nothing wrong with throwing it away and living to fight another day once in a while. Something Howell acknowledged as being the next stage of his ongoing development based on comments via the team's website.

"It's tough, but it's just something that I've got to continue to get better at. I think that's the next part of my game where I really need to show growth and development. I feel good about my ability to do that. It's just a matter of going out there in the games and doing it."

- Sam Howell via Commanders.com

Once Howell figures this out, the sky's the limit. After all, everything else is coming on extremely well within a scheme under offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy that's maximizing the tools at his disposal.