The Washington Commanders finalized their initial 53-man roster on Sunday, and there are as many questions as there are answers at one position. Almost every Washington fan and media member has wondered for months what the Commanders’ plan was at center, especially after presumed starter Nick Allegretti was injured on the first day of training camp.
Allegretti missed almost all of training camp, and while the team feels good about him playing in Week 1, what’s the backup plan? That would be sixth-round rookie Matt Gulbin. The rookie predictably struggled in the preseason and in last week’s joint practice with the Ravens. Instead of using training camp to give Gulbin more work at center when Allegretti went down, head coach Dan Quinn and GM Adam
Peters gave most of those reps to journeyman Julian Good-Jones.
This offseason, when asked about Washington's plan at center, Quinn confirmed that he and the team were comfortable with Allegretti or Good-Jones competing at center. Good-Jones was overmatched throughout training camp. He was put into an impossible position from Day 1, through no fault of his own. He became the poster child of Peters’ mismanagement of a position that he clearly doesn’t feel is all that important.
Meanwhile, on Sunday, three different NFL teams traded for a center. Maybe Jordan Meredith or Sedrick Van Pran-Ganger aren’t world-beaters. The same goes for Jarrett Patterson, who was also traded. But Washington shouldn’t have been looking for Dwight Stevenson at this point. Peters should have been looking for experienced depth. Finding players who could play center — and have played center at the NFL level — in case Allegretti would go down again.
Instead, Peters didn’t do anything. He did cut Good-Jones, which had Commanders’ fans celebrating on social media. Again, that was unfair to Good-Jones.
Perhaps Peters will make a move on Monday. He could claim someone off waivers. No one will solve the Commanders’ problems, but they could at least provide some depth and limited upside. Washington’s hopes hinge on Allegretti remaining healthy and providing at least similar results to what Biadasz did over the past two seasons.
Peters and Quinn will meet with the media on Monday. One thing is certain: Peters will be smiling, while Quinn will be fired up.
This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Commanders watched as other teams made moves to improve their offensive lines
