By james art 
The Washington Commanders are one win away from being the NFC’s representative in the Super Bowl.
With new faces taking over key spots in the Commanders organization (ownership, general manager, head coach) and a rookie who is talented without regard for pressure and incredibly clutch, the team is now on the verge of advancing to the championship game.
A 4-13 team last year, the quarterbacks can’t help but inspire other teams to believe they can do the same.
They included the Patriots.
They were a 4-13 team this past season, wiped out most of the coaching staff after the season and, like the Commanders, have a franchise quarterback who could spark a similar turnaround if Mike Vrabel and the Patriots play their cards right.
Drake May was drafted one spot behind Jaden Daniels, the Commanders’ second overall pick.
At 22, May is two years younger than Washington’s star point guard. He didn’t have anywhere near the experience Daniels had in college (55 starts for Daniels vs. 26 for May) heading into his rookie season, so he could theoretically reach the Commanders’ quarterback level, or perhaps beyond, in the due time.
The problem is, it’s not that simple.
Even with Vrabel taking over for Josh McDaniels running the offense and newfound optimism fueling the fan base, there’s still a lot that needs to happen to get May and the Patriots from point A to point B.
The Commanders’ pattern wasn’t just about selecting Daniels before May in the draft.
Along with the talent already on the roster, GM Adam Peters has made some incredibly astute moves to bolster the roster and build around his young quarterback. The Chiefs entered free agency with the most cap space and Peters used it.
But first, he jettisoned anyone who didn’t fit the program he was trying to build (Jahan Dotson, Jamin Davis, Emmanuel Forbes Jr.). He then brought on board the right mix of veterans on both sides of the ball to complement the youth and back up Daniels.
On the defensive side, Peters signed defensive end Dorrance Armstrong, linebackers Bobby Wagner and Frankie Louvoux, edge rusher Dante Fowler and traded for corner Marshawn Lattimore. While this unit isn’t the team’s strength, it was good enough for the Chiefs to make an unexpected splash in the postseason.
Offensively, Peters signed center Tyler Biadasch, guard Nick Allegretti, running back Austin Ekeler, tight end Zach Ertz and wide receiver Jamison Crowder.
These players aren’t superstars in their own right, but they’ve proven to be good additions to the team’s overall lineup. They complemented the talent the Commanders already had on the roster.
“I don’t think it’s anything the commanders have sprinkled in the veteran guys,” former NFL linebacker Matt Hasselbeck said on the latest Foxboro Eye podcast. “Zach Ertz, the tight end, Bobby Wagner, the middle leader, they’ve been there, done that.”
In other words, they’ve won Super Bowls.
With the players he has targeted and signed, Peters has made sure to fortify the trenches on both sides of the ball. The good news? It was a Vrabel trademark. He was a big believer in building teams from the trenches out.
So whoever is calling the shots for the Patriots with the personnel, be it Vrabel, Eliot Wolf or Ryan Cowden, they have to be as good as commanders when it comes to evaluating the right players to add to the mix.
Together with the defender, this is the ticket to transformation. Hasselbeck, who makes a weekly appearance on “The Herd with Colin Coward,” agreed.
“You can have a great franchise quarterback, but finding those glue guys, those veteran leaders in your locker room, that’s just as important,” Hasselbeck said.
Daniels has been insanely good during games. He was the tone commanders and leader. Off the field he hasn’t had to accept that mantle and it’s helped his cause. He was able to rely on others.
“There are other people who carry the water in terms of leadership. I think it’s a pretty good lesson to learn,” Hasselbeck said. “I’m a huge believer in Drake May, I even came out. I thought Drake might be the first overall pick. Him or Jaden … His upside is right up there with (Daniels). “
Like the Commanders who brought in an experienced coach in Dan Quinn and a proven offensive mind in Kliff Kingsbury, the Patriots did the same with Vrabel and Josh McDaniels. Like Kingsbury with Daniels, McDaniels needs to bring out the best in May.
Unlike Daniels, who has Terry McLaurin, May doesn’t have a star receiver of his caliber. This is a must on the Patriots’ to-do list. As for Vrabel, he needs to build the kind of culture that fosters winning.
“Winners come in all shapes and sizes. We will have leaders. The leaders will identify themselves,” Vrabel said during his opening press conference. “Leaders will be the ones who define the culture. Culture will be what drives and gives you the results we are all after. “
Vrabel said it’s up to him and the staff to figure out who the right players are and where those players fit best.
“Maybe they are the best and the right ones,” he said. “That would be wonderful.”
It certainly works for commanders.
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