ASHBURN — When he steps onto the practice field these days, Sam Howell is tuned in to the guidance coming his way from Eric Bieniemy, the offensive coordinator the team hired in February. But the quarterback is also hearing another voice he might have overlooked in the past: his own.
The Commanders have the second-year signal-caller mic’d up during practices this spring so that Howell and the coaches can review how the quarterback sounds in the huddle and at the line of scrimmage. The tactic, borrowed from coach Ron Rivera’s days in Chicago under Lovie Smith, has been used to monitor Howell’s development as a leader.
Howell said the feedback gives him a chance to learn — even if he was surprised when he was first told of the plan.
“When they first said they were gonna do it,” Howell said, “I was kind of shocked ‘cause I’ve never heard of somebody doing it. But I think it’s a great idea.”
Now that Howell has gone from a fifth-round backup to Washington’s likely starter, there are several added responsibilities for the 22-year-old. That starts in the huddle, where Howell is expected to command the offense — in how well he understands the play call and how well he communicates it to the rest of the group.
Bieniemy’s offense, players say, is particularly “wordy” in that play calls are long. The coordinator, too, wants Howell to “over-communicate” and enunciate clearly so that teammates don’t miss a word, Howell says. And so far, the quarterback is passing the test — Rivera told reporters Wednesday that Howell has taken command of the offense.
In the few times they’ve reviewed how Howell sounds, Rivera said he’s started to notice a difference in his tone.
“You see the extra things that he’s supposed to do in terms of setting the example,” Rivera said of Howell. “All the (great) quarterbacks do that. They do the little things, the little details. They do ‘em really well. You see him taking responsibility for something that happens out there.
“So, if something goes awry, he steps up right away and tries to get it corrected and if it’s his fault, he’ll let everybody know. You see him go over and talk to guys, so there’s a communication element that’s important that they’re all on the same page.”
That aspect of Howell’s personality isn’t necessarily new. Rivera said he saw glimpses of that in Howell’s debut last season in Washington’s Week 18 over the Dallas Cowboys. Beyond that, Howell has years of experience playing the position — he started three seasons at North Carolina, where he was tasked with leading teammates.
But Howell wasn’t asked to lead last season. For most of the season, he spent the year developing behind Carson Wentz and Taylor Heinicke. He worked as a scout team quarterback and focused on improving his footwork behind the scenes. It was only until the Commanders were eliminated from playoff contention that he got a chance to play.
Howell’s situation is different now. As part of his responsibilities, the quarterback will have to impress teammates and get them to buy in. Star wide receiver Terry McLaurin praised Howell’s “quiet confidence,” while tight end Logan Thomas said Howell hasn’t “batted an eye” in having to step up.
Running back Antonio Gibson, though, didn’t sugarcoat what’s now expected of Howell, either.
“He has to be,” Gibson said when asked if Howell has been more assertive this offseason.“That’s a big step up (to go) from QB3 to QB1. You can see it.”
As much focus as there’s been on Howell’s leadership, the Commanders’ prospects for this coming season will likely ultimately rest on how the quarterback performs on the field.
In the sessions open to reporters, Howell hasn’t been perfect. Last week, the quarterback threw an interception to safety Percy Butler — and was chastised by Bieniemy for not running back on the play. Then on Wednesday, Howell was picked off again when rookie Quan Martin broke up a pass that landed in the hands of linebacker Cody Barton. Bienemy also harped on several of Howell’s passes being deflected, yelling that there were “way too many balls on the ground.”
But Howell has had highs, too. His best throw Wednesday came on a ball down the sideline to tight end Cole Turner. The quarterback was sharp on a variety of quick and intermediate throws that required precise timing.
After the last team period of the afternoon, Howell gathered with Bieniemy. As has become the norm at practice, the two debriefed for a quick conversation on the quarterback’s decision-making. Moments earlier, Howell failed to hit Turner in the corner of the end zone as time expired. The quarterback appeared to rush the throw, not giving his target a chance.
Howell said he welcomed the feedback.
“I think a lot of people probably wouldn’t have expected this outcome but I’m just gonna try to do everything I can to just take this opportunity and just try to take advantage of it,” Howell said. “I’m gonna give this team and give this organization everything that I have and just try to do everything I can to help this team win.”
• Matthew Paras can be reached at mparas@washingtontimes.com.
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