Category: Around the NFC East

Commanders’ Josh Harris proud of the Commanders and past year

Commanders owner Josh Harris is proud of his team.

What is Commanders’ owner Josh Harris most proud of from this last year?

Harris conducted his annual end-of-the-season press conference Monday with the local media.

Harris said he is proud of much of last year, but first would be the leadership.

“I think I made the right leadership choices, and [Team President] Mark Clouse is now in the building, in the business, and we’re going to be a leader on the business side.”

Harris inherited Jason Wright, but much of the business side had received bad publicity from major disappointments in supervision and execution. Clouse has an actual record of running a business; thus, Harris wanted to make this move.

“My most important three jobs were picking a coach, picking a GM, and then picking someone to lead the business. And I feel great about where we are and the leadership we have in place.”

“I feel super proud obviously of how excited and happy the Washington community is too, and the reawakening of Washington football. And that’s everything from how we played on the field and what we did on the field. And really, I mean, obviously, we won four games last year, and to be going to the NFC Championship, how can you not be proud of that?”

Harris knows, experientially, having grown up in the DMV, what this team meant to the community under Vince Lombardi, George Allen, Jack Pardee, and Joe Gibbs. He desires the Commanders to be an encouraging force, a source of happiness.

“There’s very few things in the DMV that unites the whole DMV, and the Washington Commanders is front of the list. And so, that’s probably the thing I feel most proud about, that people here are appreciative of Washington football again like I felt when I was growing up. And so, let’s keep it going.”

Harris speaking openly and candidly with the media and answering questions is a refreshing change.

Commanders’ Johnny Newton will work with Jonathan Allen this offseason

Jonathan Allen took the rookie under his wing this season.

Jonathan Allen and Johnny Newton are already planning offseason workouts.

Monday was the mandatory cleaning out of lockers for the Washington Commanders, their season having ended Sunday with a very disappointing 55-23 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC Championship game.

Newton, a rookie from Illinois, spoke with Scott Abraham of 7 News DC. During the interview, Newton revealed that he and fellow defensive tackle Jonathan Allen are already planning on working out together, with skills work included for Newton’s development.

Though he has only been in the NFL one season, Newton mentioned that he understands there will be numerous teammates on this surprising 12-5 team who will not be here next season. “I am just glad I was able to spend this time with my brothers,” said Newton. “I know I have a brother in a lot of these players.”

Abraham mentioned that several players on Sunday expressed they “never want to have this feeling again.” Newton quickly responded, “I am a sore loser; I hate losing. The feeling I felt yesterday, I am never going to feel again.”

Well, I recall in my early 20s, Dan Marino, in his second season, leading the Miami Dolphins to the Super Bowl. He most likely thought he would make it to another Super Bowl. Undoubtedly, he worked hard and worked with teammates to return to the Super Bowl. However, every single season for the remainder of his NFL career ended with losses, keeping him from another Super Bowl.

It has been said various ways and many times, “At the end of the day, you can’t control the results; you can only control your effort and focus.”

But yes, Commanders’ Wire certainly hopes the best for Johnny Newton and the Commanders in 2025.

Commanders’ Dan Quinn says trust is key to team’s success

Trust a key element in Washington’s recent success.

Sometimes, teams embrace a pressure moment; sometimes, teams shy away from the tense moment.

Commanders head coach Dan Quinn was asked Thursday if this team embraces the late game moments more than others, and if so, why.

Quinn’s reply reminds me of the sociological observation that love begets more love. Hate begets more hate. These are things we have noticed over the years in society. Quinn revealed in his reply he believes this and believes it is true in football as well.

So, why do the Commanders seem to welcome the tight, nail-biting finishes?

“We do embrace it for sure,” expressed Quinn. “I think it’s because of the volume of times we’ve been in it. I think that, the experience into those spots, like I talked about earlier, the hard fights doing it together, you do gain confidence from going through that.”

Quinn would know experientially more than any of us. We’ve only observed it from afar. Quinn has lived it.

“They’ve been in a lot of close games, not just over the last month or so, but really the entire season with the exception of the first game. And you do grow together, and these guys have really bonded and connected, and they trust one another, and I think that’s a big deal.”

It all began in Week 2 when Jayden Daniels led a scoring drive, resulting in kicker Austin Seibert’s final play, a game-winning field goal. The following week, Daniels, on a third-and-7, hit Terry McLaurin for a 27-yard game-clinching touchdown.

There was the ever-unforgettable ‘Hail Mary’ in a Week 8 win over the Bears. And now the last five consecutive games have come down to the final seconds, all becoming Washington wins.

“They trust one another; that’s a big deal. Not every team has that.”

 

Commanders introduced their new GM Adam Peters one year ago

It’s been one year since the Commanders hired Adam Peters.

January 15, 2024, the Washington Commanders introduce Adam Peters as their new general manager.

Just three days earlier, Adam Schefter had tweeted, announcing the Commanders were hiring Peters.

Ironically, just days earlier, when clearing out his locker, guard Sam Cosmi said on camera, “I want to be around a winning culture. I want to be around winning teams. That’s up to Mr. Harris and the other owners to figure out.”

The Commanders had just finished 4-13, having been blown out several times and not even fielding a competitive team. Harris fired GM/HC Ron Rivera, saying, “We didn’t get it done on the field, so we’ve decided to take a new direction.”

Harris immediately announced that he would lead the search for a new general manager, assisted by his ownership partners. Harris then surprised everyone by bringing in two additional experienced executives: Bob Myers (Golden State Warriors) and Rick Spielman (Minnesota Vikings).

Peters quickly convinced them he was a good, experienced, and knowledgeable candidate. On the 15th, when he was announced as the new GM, Peters described Washington as “a cornerstone franchise, a pillar of the NFL.”

Peters spoke of the new ownership group, making this a very enviable job, a job he wanted. He referred to the new ownership group as good human beings and said that he would keep adding to that in those he would hire.

At the press conference, Peters was humbly reminded by the sound of one of his very young daughters asking if he would come back to their hotel and be with them. It was adorable, reminding us that we want an intelligent, winning GM, but Peters is first a husband and second a father.

When asked about the roster he was inheriting, Peters noticeably paused, then spoke of a few cornerstone pieces, but honestly said he had a lot of work to do.  Little did we know…

“First thing is a head coach,” proclaimed Peters. “We’ve got to find a great head coach. We will find a great head coach. I’m confident of that.”

Peters would hire Dan Quinn, and this was to the displeasure of much of the fan base. But Peters was correct, and the many who were unhappy with Peter’s choice of Dan Quinn would soon be proven wrong.

In April came the draft. Peters selected Jayden Daniels, Johnny Newton and Mike Sainristil.

In only one season, they’ve gone from 4-13 to winning a 13th game in the Wild Card, defeating the Bucs 23-20.

It’s early, but at least we can ask, “Will Adam Peters and Dan Quinn become this generation’s Bobby Beathard and Joe Gibbs?

They have already provided evidence, leading us to hope they might just be.

Commanders’ Quinn wants a brotherhood not a neighborhood

Players praise Dan Quinn’s culture. Quinn is appreciate of what they’ve built.

A parent enjoys hearing their child declare the values they’ve been taught. So, this week, Commanders players have been heard declaring their beliefs.

Veteran wide receiver Jamison Crowder this week said, “It’s definitely been a different vibe — just the atmosphere, the culture is different.”

“A lot of that’s a credit to DQ (Dan Quinn) and what he’s done to kind of restructure and revamp the energy in the building.”

Sam Cosmi spoke out as well in support of Quinn.

“We’ve been through the wringer, for sure,” Cosmi said. “It’s nice to be on the other end of something special.” Cosmi also said he is learning to play for someone other than himself, which matters more.

So, on Tuesday, Quinn was asked to convey this thought upon hearing Cosmi talk highly of the new culture Quinn has brought to the team.

“Yeah, that’s awesome to hear because it is about the connection. And if the connection is stronger, the commitment is also stronger. And so, when he and his teammates are that connected to one another, saying, ‘Man, I’m not going to let you down. I’m absolutely going to take the extra step, go the extra mile’.”

The neighborhood, where folks are nice, is one thing, but it falls far short of brotherhood. Brotherhood is what Quinn has been talking all season to his team. In the last month, we’ve heard many players now buying in talking about the brotherhood Quinn has brought to this team.

“There’s a big difference between brotherhood and neighborhood, ‘How you doing? Okay, good. Nice to see you,’ and you keep on walking. Brotherhood, you don’t do that, and so the fact that he (Cosmi) recognizes that connection that’s a big deal.”

Why are the Commanders playing the Lions?

A look at the NFL playoff bracket and why it’s the Lions and Commanders.

Some fans may be wondering where the NFL playoff bracket is.

Well, the NFL does provide a bracket, but then again, it is not a tournament bracket as you have come to expect from the NCAA March Madness brackets posted when conference basketball tournaments are concluded.

The NCAA basketball bracket is locked. Locked in the sense that all the second-round opponents are established by the bracket and will not be changed regardless of who upsets whom.

The NFL, however, does not employ a locked/settled bracket. What we mean by this is the NFL looks for ways to help the top-seeded team that has earned the honored position.

Seven teams from the AFC and seven from the NFC qualify for a playoff birth. The number one-seeded team in each conference (Detroit in the NFC and Kansas City in the AFC) receives a rest or bye in the first round.

After the first round is completed, the decision is made to have the top-seeded team host the lowest-seeded team that won a first-round playoff game.

For instance, had Green Bay, the NFC’s seventh seed, defeated the second-seeded Eagles, the Packers would have been sent to Detroit to face the top-seeded Lions.

As it is, the Packers (seventh seed) lost to the Eagles. Thus, according to the NFL playoffs policy, the lowest seeded team that advanced winning in the first round (Commanders), is pitted against the number one seed for the second round game.

The second-seeded Eagles automatically face the only other NFC team to advance in the first-round games. In this case, that would be the Los Angeles Rams.

Why does the NFL conduct their playoffs in this manner? Well, it allows the NFL to reward the top-seeded team in each conference for two weeks in the postseason. Thus, the regular season games late in the season also mean more for the teams playing for that top-seeded spot.

Commanders’ DC Joe Whitt Jr: ‘We need to win this football game’

Joe Whitt Jr. makes it clear why this game is important heading into the playoffs.

Joe Whitt had heard enough Thursday with the media.

Whitt was asked if momentum going into the playoffs was important to him. He responded that he knows winning is important, and positive vibes come with it, so he thinks it is important for us to do that.

However, the very next question asked how he balances winning with keeping players healthy and ready for the playoffs. Whitt even declared, “That is not my job; that is Dan’s job. He’s the one who handles that.”

Whitt proclaimed, “I am going to call it (defensive plays) to win it.” To which, the right hand was then raised slightly and coming down gently but pointedly to the table, Whitt declared slowly but confidently, “We need to win this football game.”

Whitt continued, “Period. That’s what it is; it’s a divisional game, it’s the Dallas Cowboys. We keep the sixth seed. We need to win this football game. So, everything else doesn’t really matter. From my standpoint, we are going to do everything we can to win this football game.”

Whitt was tired of the insinuation or assumption that the Commanders (Whitt in particular) would lay down in this final game to rest up for the playoff game the following weekend.

Yes, the Eagles will rest some players. However, as the number two seed, they can afford to do so because they know they will play their first-round playoff game at home at Lincoln Financial Field.

It’s also true that the Rams will rest several players. But again, the Rams know they will be playing a home playoff game next week.

On the other hand, Whitt is looking at it from the perspective of the sixth seed. He wants to win, keep the seed, and thus play for the Rams or Buccaneers. He thinks, “Why would I want to have to go to Philly in that weather a couple of weeks after they just lost to us in Landover?”

One strategy for one team is not necessarily the best strategy for another. Joe Whitt is right: The Commanders need to win this game on Sunday in Dallas.

Commanders’ win was a roller coaster and a rescue

Jayden Daniels rescued the Commanders on Sunday.

The Commanders were in deep trouble and needed to be rescued.

In their Week 17 home finale, the Commanders were down 17-7 at the half to the Falcons on Sunday night. The Falcons were the more intense team and had earned their ten-point lead.

The Falcons convincingly outplayed the Commanders in the first half. The Falcons led in first downs 16-8, rushing yards 101-47, passing yards 98-69, total yards 199-116, and penalty yards 10 to Washington’s 50.

Washington’s only points had come when Quan Martin’s interception and return left the Commanders a short field of only 38 yards.

Dan Quinn’s halftime speech must have been good. The Commanders emerged a completely different team. In the third quarter, Washington drove 69 yards for a touchdown and then 70 yards for a touchdown, while the Falcons’ offense did not produce a first down.

Leading 21-17, Washington drove another 52 yards, but the drive ended in Zane Gonzalez’s field goal when a holding call on G Sam Cosmi nullified a touchdown pass from Daniels to Olamide Zaccheaus. The game was most likely settled if the Commanders had gone up 28-17.

However, only trailing 24-17, the Falcons felt they had new life, and as a result, they drove 68 yards for a touchdown on the 12th play, tying the score at 24-24.

Zaccheaus had a first down in his hands from Daniels but unfortunately let the ball zip right through his hands, forcing a Tress Way punt.

What followed was a pure gift to Washington. Falcons head coach Raheem Morris inexplicably froze, permitting all sorts of time to melt away, robbing the Falcons of two to three passing attempts, which could have easily resulted in a much shorter field goal than the 56-yard attempt Riley Patterson missed.

Yes, NFL head coaches know much more than NFL fans can imagine. Nevertheless, even many fans know you don’t leave two timeouts on the scoreboard, robbing your team of an opportunity to run a few more plays to get into more effective field goal range.

The overtime was mostly Jayden Daniels. He reminded me of how Michael Jordan or Larry Bird used to take the crucial shots or how Kareem Abdul Jabbar, so many times, was unstoppable with basketball’s all-time most lethal weapon…his sky hook.

In the overtime’s only possession, Daniels ran the ball six times for 42 yards and completed all five passes for 32 yards with the game-winning touchdown pass to tight end Zach Ertz.

The Commanders were dead at the half, dominant and in control, but couldn’t put away the Falcons. Next, they were gifted with inexcusable time management, allowing Jayden Daniels to slam shut the door on Atlanta.

In the end, Jayden Daniels came to the rescue.

Commanders’ Dan Quinn: ‘I’ve had a blast coaching this team’

Dan Quinn reflects on this special season.

Dan Quinn interviewed for a job where the team lost their last nine games of 2023, and several were truly an embarrassing butt-whooping.’

He was named the head coach of the Washington Commanders, and one thing that jumped out to me was Quinn’s gratitude for getting another opportunity to be an NFL head coach.

Monday, he was asked by the local media if he’d reflected on this past year and how far he’s come.

“If I would reflect on that, man, I’d say I’ve honestly had a blast coaching this team because we’ve been working hard on our identity,” Quinn said Monday. “And to have a group that connected like they are, that’s a big deal because not every team has that.”

The fan base in the DMV certainly wanted better than 4-13 and better than the several blowouts Ron Rivera had last season, not being competitive. But no one expected this journey all the way to the NFC playoffs in the very first year for Quinn and first-year GM Adam Peters.

“For me to get to see a front row seat at that journey and be along on that ride with them, I’ve got a lot of gratitude for it. So, I would say probably the two things that come up for me are joy, because I’ve wanted to make sure the circumstances don’t determine that. I’m absolutely pumped to be here on the best of days and the hardest of days.”

Quinn doesn’t just say these things; he has displayed this occasionally this season. He is so positive, seeing the opportunities before him and the team. He exudes a confidence stemming from that joy that they can find a way to succeed.

On more than one occasion, the former Falcons head coach has gone out of his way to thank by name various coaches on his staff and various employees, such as the medical staff.

“I also have a lot of gratitude for what this team is and what they stand for. So, to me, those would be the two things looking back on it.”

As prolific author Tim Keller said in his last years, “It’s one thing to be grateful. It’s another to give thanks. Gratitude is what you feel. Thanksgiving is what you do.”

Quinn has exhibited the security to name names of others in the organization when giving thanks this year. He gives thanks publicly because inwardly, he is truly grateful.

 

 

Commanders roster moves: Another high Ron Rivera draft pick released

Jonathan Allen is officially back. Another high draft pick is gone.

It’s Saturday, and the Washington Commanders have made a few roster moves.

First, they have activated Jonathan Allen from the injured reserve list. Allen partially tore a pectoral muscle back in a Week 6 contest against the Ravens and was expected to be out the remainder of the season.

Secondly, the Commanders have waived defensive tackle Phidarian Mathis. Washington drafted Mathis in the 2022 NFL draft (No. 47 overall).

Thirdly, the Commanders have elevated two players, cornerback Kevon Seymour and wide receiver Brycen Tremayne, from their practice squad to the active roster for Sunday’s game against the Falcons.

Seymour was a sixth-round pick by the Buffalo Bills out of USC in 2016, appearing in 64 games, starting seven prior to being signed by Washington in September. However, the NFL recently suspended Seymour for six games for violating the NFL’s performance-enhancing substances policy.

Tremayne was undrafted out of Stanford and signed by Washington in 2023. He did not appear in a game in 2023 and was elevated once this season for the Browns game on October 6.

Allen is a welcome addition to the team, having been a defensive line anchor for eight seasons. Allen can now contribute to a team with a winning record for the first time in his career since joining Washington in the 2017 draft.

Sadly, Mathis is another reminder of how poorly former GM/HC Ron Rivera drafted. Mathis was immediately declared to be an example of Rivera again reaching in the draft because nearly all drafting services had Mathis to be drafted in rounds three or four.

Mathis had been a healthy scratch, made inactive in the last three games, while defensive tackle Carl Davis was elevated each game to play instead of Mathis.