I’ve often found I understand an issue better, if I listen to both sides presenting their cases.
“Speak for Yourself” hosts Marcellus Wiley and Emmanuel Acho vigorously debated the question, “Can Carson Wentz resurrect his career in Washington?”
Acho took the affirmative in the debate citing that Wentz has not had a very productive crop of receivers as an Eagle or Colt. Acho then stated he believes Terry McLaurin of Washington with 1,000 yards receiving the last two seasons, will be a big asset for Wentz this upcoming season. Acho is a big believer in McLaurin and believes this will be the first time Wentz has a true No. 1 receiver in the prime of their career. He pointed to Washington bringing in Wentz with both McLaurin and Antonio Gibson, a 1,000-yard rusher, in the same lineup.
Acho seemed to fall into the same errors we heard all last offseason when he stated Wentz was going to a team that has a dominant defense. I don’t know what these analysts watch, but Washington’s defense played well at times but was never “dominant” in 2021.
Wiley answered the proposition in the negative while also poking fun referring to the “Commodores” rather than the “Commanders.” He referred to the “nine lives” of Wentz, now being sent to his third team in three years.
The former NFL defensive lineman believes Wentz had one great season and the rest of his NFL seasons have made his great season an anomaly. Wiley pointed to Frank Reich and Wentz’s reuniting in Indianapolis was the marriage Wentz desperately needed. Yet, it ended in divorce after only one season when Wentz failed to be the leader Reich wanted.
Acho asserted, that in 2021 the only quarterbacks who threw for 27 touchdowns with 10 interceptions or less were Russell Wilson, Kirk Cousins, Aaron Rodgers and Carson Wentz. He even stated the large improvement in Buffalo QB Josh Allen, might have also been more about the Bills’ acquisition of receiver Stefon Diggs.
Wiley countered Wentz being the No. 2 overall selection in the 2016 draft, has been primarily an underachiever. He has lowered the bar of expectations for him across the league and will not measure up to Dak Prescott in the NFC East. He doesn’t believe Wentz was as good as the retired Philip Rivers who came back for one season for the Colts. Wiley believes there were leadership issues where Wentz was lacking.
