Will Washington Commanders TE Cole Turner's Role Expand as Offense Grows?
The Washington Commanders used eight different personnel groupings and alignments in the first 15 plays of their Week 9 win over the New England Patriots.
As a hint to what Commanders assistant head coach and offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy wanted to achieve with that approach, we can assume the idea was to give the Patriots as many different looks as possible.
But that's not the only reason Washington's offensive play-caller rolled out so many different looks last weekend.
"Just diversifying everything, just making sure we're presenting different looks, just to give everybody an opportunity to get involved," Bieniemy said. "And that way - if you've played this game, if you've been a part of it - when guys feel like they're involved they have a tendency to go out there and play a little bit harder. And my whole thing is just making sure everybody understands that they have a piece of the pie and they're just as important as any man in that locker room."
Washington Commanders tight end Cole Turner (85) reacts after catching a pass form first down during the first half against the Arizona Cardinals at FedExField.
Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
It's a smart approach to making sure a roster with plenty of playmakers stays engaged and is tuned in to what's happening on the field.
One player missing from the growth of the playbook, however, is second-year tight end Cole Turner.
In the first three weeks of the season, Turner played a total of 64 snaps on offense, not a bad total for a third-string tight end.
Since then he hasn't played in more than 14 in a single game and has 40 in the last six contests including Week 8 against the Philadelphia Eagles when Turner was inactive for the game.
We asked Bieniemy what Turner has to do to ensure he's a part of the Commanders' growing offense.
"Cole is a hell of a player and the beauty of it is just watching him grow and mature and just becoming an all-around player," Bieniemy said. "Because you never want to just have one section of your game that's dominant over the other. So you just want to continue working so that he can become the most complete player that he can become."
Turner had 11 targets from quarterback Sam Howell in those first three weeks.
That usage has dipped to just one since September 24th despite Washington having a top 10 tight end group in targets and receptions this season.
In order for Turner to get himself inserted into Bieniemy's offense once again he's going to need to make strides as a blocker so that he can once again get on the field to show his ability as a receiver.
Because every week we don't see him getting back into the fold the excitement that was once stirred by his fit in this new Commanders moves closer toward concern and discontent.
