Category: Coaching Hires

Marcus Mariota discusses what attracted him to the Commanders

Marcus Mariota discussed Kingsbury’s offense and why he came to Washington.

Marcus Mariota is now training for his fifth NFL team.

Mariota, the second overall selection of the 2015 NFL draft, spoke with the media, Wednesday after the Commanders OTA workout.

Immediately, he was asked not about himself but Jayden Daniels, the second overall selection of the 2024 NFL Draft. “He looks good,” began Mariota. “I think he really moves well and throws the ball well. For a young guy that comes in, he seems to really like to command the offense, and I think that is really important.”

I think it is important to stand in front of these guys, especially older players, nail it, and say, “I got this, I got it figured out,” added Mariota.

He transitioned to saying that it is important for each quarterback to be competitive, which will strengthen the quarterback room as a unit.

Mariota worked under Brian Johnson in 2023, then on the Eagles staff. “Oh, he is awesome,” said the former Oregon Duck quarterback. He had spoken of checking his ego at the door years ago.

When asked about it in a follow-up, Mariota replied, “I think this game humbles you. I was humbled very early on in my career in Tennessee (Titans).

“I love ball; I love being around it. So, regardless of what my situation entails, I put a smile on my face, and I just love coming to work.”

Commanders’ offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury is known for running the “Air Raid” offense in the past. However, Mariota, when asked about the offense, quickly denied the label. “I don’t think you can put labels on it. I think that is a beautiful thing. I wouldn’t want to limit what it looks like.”

Many have voiced things are upbeat in Ashburn this offseason. “There’s a lot of factors that led to me coming here,” explained Mariota. “To be part of a new regime, a new owner, a new staff, new players. It’s a great opportunity to set the trajectory for a franchise. That opportunity itself was something I was excited to be a part of.”

Whether it be the Titans, Raiders, Falcons, Eagles, or now Commanders. Mariota seems to understand you only get so many opportunities in the NFL, and he really seems to want to enjoy this one, and make the most of it.

 

Brian Robinson excited about the Commanders new OC

Brian Robinson Jr. is already a big fan of Kliff Kingsbury.

Kliff Kingsbury is making a good early impression on Commanders running back Brian Robinson, Jr.

Robinson told the media, Wednesday, “I love Kliff. I feel like he does a great job trying to get to know his players and how to know how to best utilize us. I feel like he has been doing a great job of that, and I appreciate him for that.”

Robinson was a third-round selection (98) in 2022 for the Commanders. He was shot just prior to the start of his rookie regular season, and after missing the first four games, he battled his way back to fitness and was ready for NFL action.

On Wednesday, he said he feels the best he has since being drafted to play here. He didn’t explain why he didn’t feel that good last year. In his rookie season, he rushed the ball an average of 17 times a game, compared to only 11 times per game last season.

Yet, the other side of the coin was that Robinson was provided with an opportunity to show what he could do as a receiver, and he certainly did not disappoint, collecting 36 receptions for 368 yards (10.2) and four receiving touchdowns.

However, Robinson really praised Kingsbury for how he leads the offensive team meetings, communicates in those meetings, conducts walk-throughs, and then conducts the actual practices.

“He has great communication and is trying to build a bond in our offense, to make us all come together.”

When asked what differences Kingsbury’s offense might bring, Robinson stated it would be more up-tempo than last year and ” a no-huddle offense.”

Robinson might be asked not to be so open next time about Kingsbury’s offense. But he couldn’t help expressing how he enjoys working with Kingsbury thus far.

Jayden Daniels and the Commanders will face Kirk Cousins in 2024

Washington’s new QB will face the franchise’s old QB in 2024.

What do you think of Jayden Daniels and Kirk Cousins squaring off this season?

They are set to do battle in Week 17, on Dec. 29, in what will be a home game for the Commanders against the Falcons.

Cousins was the lone starter for the 2015-17 seasons for the then-Washington Redskins. There are fans out there that to do this day, possess a disdain for Cousins. They seem to never be able to accept the fact that he did have some success in Washington.

He is often blamed for the 2016 season finale loss to the NY Giants. It is true the Redskins could have qualified for the playoffs with a win that day; however, they fell 19-10 to the Giants.

It is also true that Cousins did throw two interceptions that day.

Of course, as long as we are interested in truth, it is also just as true that Washington, after ten games, was 6-3-1, and then Trent Williams was suspended four games by the NFL for his continued use of marijuana, having already failed drug tests that season. As long as we are talking “truth.”

Cousins did not deliver a playoff win for the Redskins. It is also true that though some vocal fans want to continue to bash Cousins, the Washington offense has not been the same since he last played in Washington.

Another glaring fact is Washington has not even finished with a single winning season record since 2015 and 2016 when Cousins was under center.

Some are quick to say, “Well, 9-7 and 8-7-1 are barely winning seasons.” Of course, that is obvious. It is also just as obvious that Washington has struggled so much at quarterback since his departure, with all their quarterbacks being much less effective than Cousins was in Washington.

Which leads us to Jayden Daniels. Please, please, let’s not weigh him down with outrageous expectations just yet. Yes, he was the second player drafted. However, it will still be his first season in the NFL, and he will not have played against the level of defenders he will see this his rookie year.

He will be learning, and the pace of the game will sometimes be much faster than he has seen. So, let’s keep things in perspective this season and remember Daniels is not the Messiah.

But wouldn’t it be great if he could lead Washington to their best season since Cousins?

Santana Moss likes what he sees in two Commanders rookies

Santana Moss already likes what he sees in a pair of rookies.

First impressions are important in life.

What did former Redskins receiver Santana Moss think this week when he first watched Commanders’ first-round draft choice, quarterback Jayden Daniels?

“First, things looked well. I don’t like to get too high on a kid,” said Moss. I don’t like to put too much pressure on anybody; it doesn’t matter who you are.”

Moss was a guest with the Team 980 show host, Craig Hoffman, on Thursday.

“Looked like a quarterback; looked like a second overall pick quarterback. Some of the things that was glaring was his footwork, how that ball jumped out of his hand. Those things like that, you either got it or you don’t.”

“When you look at a kid that they talk so much about, and that dynamic was because of how well he ran the football, they never try to highlight how well he threw the football.”

Moss told Hoffman he thinks Daniels has shown the ability to both throw and move well, and that is going to be so important because defensive pressure comes so often from those getting bigger and faster.

Hoffman added that he liked how the coaching staff efficiently used the time that all four quarterbacks were passing and how one phase of a drill led to another phase of the game.

With the Jets and Redskins, Moss recalled how he was coached well on some teams and not so well on others. He thought watching the energy and intensity of Dan Quinn might also help explain why the Dallas defense improved in 2021 upon his arrival.

Catching 732 NFL passes for 10,283 yards and 66 touchdowns, Moss knows how to play receiver in the NFL. He told Hoffman he liked what he saw from third-round pick, receiver Luke McCaffrey.

“Every cut, every plant is very violent.” Moss pointed out he could already see McCaffrey has a discipline and a motor. “He doesn’t look like a rookie right now. It’s early, I’m not trying to get too far ahead of myself, but I like what I see.”

What has happened since the Commanders opened on the road?

A lot has happened since the last time Washington opened a season on the road.

The Commanders will open their 2024 season at Tampa on September 8.

How long has it been since the NFL Washington team opened an NFL season on the road?

Well, put it this way: Jay Gruden was the head coach, and Case Keenum was the starting quarterback. Keenum’s backups were Colt McCoy and Dwayne Haskins.

Terry McLaurin was playing in his first NFL regular season game, and the two running backs who had carries for Washington that day were Derrius Guice and Chris Thompson.

McLaurin made a huge splash debut into the NFL that day, catching five passes on seven targets for 125 yards, including a 69-yard touchdown from Keenum. The other receivers catching passes that day other than McLaurin were Vernon Davis, Paul Richardson, Trey Quinn, Kelvin Harmon and Jeremy Sprinkle.

Washington had traveled to Philadelphia to open the 2019 season and started magnificently. Keenum connected with Davis on a 48-yard touchdown and McLaurin on a 69-yard touchdown. Plus, Dustin Hopkins’ 41-yard field goal was sandwiched between, and the Redskins were beating the Eagles at Lincoln Field 17-0.

When Hopkins booted a 48-yarder on the closing play of the first half, the Redskins led the Eagles 20-7. However, Carson Wentz led the Eagles to 25 consecutive second-half points for a 32-20 fourth-quarter lead. The final was Eagles 32-27 over the Redskins.

A great first half had launched the season with great hope and excitement. However, the second half would be a microcosm of the season, as the Redskins began 0-5, and Gruden was fired.

Things were so bad in 2019 when the Dolphins were unsuccessful on a game-ending two-point conversion attempt; it actually saved the Redskins from starting the season 0-10.

The dreadful season saw Haskins celebrating with fans and thus missing the final possession for the victory formation snap against the Lions. The silly act was a sign of Haskins’s future actions with Washington, which resulted in his not lasting two seasons before being released.

In a bizarre twist, the following Sunday, the Redskins went down to Charlotte, defeated the Panthers 29-21, resulting in Ron Rivera being fired by Carolina’s new owner David Tepper.

Washington owner Daniel Snyder hired Rivera as the team’s next head coach one month later. Snyder strangely kicked off the press conference with a mysterious “Happy Thanksgiving, Everybody.”

Next summer, Federal Express owner and Redskins minority owner Fred Smith challenged Snyder that the team needed to change its name from the historic “Redskins.” Nike and Pepsi soon hopped on that bandwagon, pressing Snyder to cave, and the “Redskins” were history.

Rivera then coached the Washington Football Team/Washington Commanders to four consecutive losing seasons and was subsequently fired by new majority owner Josh Harris.

Harris then hired Adam Peters as general manager and Dan Quinn as head coach, who hired his coaching staff. Sam Howell was traded to Seattle, and Peters blew up the roster, signed many free agents, and drafted nine new college players, including LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels, who won the Heisman Trophy.

Isn’t that a tremendous amount of water under the bridge since the last time Washington opened an NFL season on the road?

 

Commanders Zach Ertz ‘extremely excited to be here’

Zach Ertz talks leadership, and his excitement to be in Washington.

“The best teams I have been on have been the hardest working teams.”

Commanders’ new tight end Zach Ertz displayed a businesslike approach Tuesdayas he met with the media on the first day of Organized Team Activities (OTA).

He spoke of head coach Dan Quinn taking ownership of this team from the players, conveying that they would mold this team into their image.

Ertz expressed that Dan Quinn has set a standard and the players will need to hold each other accountable to meet that standard.

Speaking of which, Ertz complimented rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels, stating Daniels is working hard behind the scenes to prepare himself for the season.

The 33-year-old tight end made it clear he was not out there holding the hands of the other tight ends. Yet, he also understands he can’t simply be barking out orders either.

“First, you got to have a personal relationship with someone…….I’m just trying to help them in any way I can. It’s something that at this stage of my career, I have taken a lot more pride in now than maybe I did when younger.”

The three-time pro bowler knows he might not have much longer in the NFL. “I am just trying to maximize this team, anyone I can help, not only tight ends, but any skill position.”

Highlights of touchdowns as an Eagle

“The vets have to set the leadership, how this thing is going to go. We’re going to push each other to be the best version of ourselves that we can.”

Nine years as an Eagle and three as a Cardinal have matured Ertz. On Tuesday, he spoke of communication and leadership as the result of interacting with people.

“I want to be as open as possible,” Ertz said. “That is what guys are going to remember. (These) people are not going to remember my stats, my yards, my catches. When I’m done, hopefully, they remember the relationship I have with them. So, that’s what I’m trying to develop.”

The Commanders’ younger tight ends could certainly learn from Ertz entering his 13th season. The tight ends on the current Commanders roster are Ertz, John Bates, Armani Rogers, Cole Turner, Colson Yankoff, and the newly drafted Ben Sinnott.

Commanders’ Jahan Dotson says Jayden Daniels was the QB he wanted all along

Jahan Dotson thrilled Washington’s new direction.

“It’s been really good energy; really good vibes around the building.”

That has been a constant refrain heard in Ashburn, and receiver Jahan Dotson echoed the positive energy as the Commanders opened OTAs on Tuesday.

When asked about Jayden Daniels, Dotson replied, “I don’t know if I can say this, but that’s the quarterback I wanted. I was happy when we drafted him. I am really looking forward to building a relationship with him, furthering our relationship, as I have known him in the past.”

Dotson elaborated that he met and trained with Daniels in Arizona before he was drafted and before Daniels transferred to LSU.

As for the new offense being installed by offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury, Dotson was quick to clarify that Kingsbury has made it simple to build the foundation right now.

As for the new coaching staff, Dotson expressed, “With new coaching staffs there’s always a lot of positive energy at first. Right now, I feel like the coaches are doing a great job with the morale of the team. Every day, they are making sure when we walk into the building, we walk in with a purpose.”

The former Penn State receiver drafted in the first round in 2022 declared that the energy of the coaching staff is contagious to the players. He thinks the players off the field will build relationships, but he also added that the reps on the practice field are always what a team needs to improve together.

Dotson openly admitted he was not a fan of his production last season. As a result, he said he started putting in the work in February and has set a high standard for himself for this upcoming season.

Commanders fill the last spot of Dan Quinn’s initial coaching staff

Dan Quinn’s coaching staff is complete.

Dan Quinn wanted one final coach, and he got him on Tuesday.

The Commanders head coach, in his first season, has added what the team announced is the last coach for this inaugural season of Quinn’s in Washington.

After serving as the Seahawks linebacker coach since 2018, Glenn now becomes a Commanders coach for Quinn, serving as the assistant special teams coach. Quinn leaves Seattle as one of 14 members of Pete Carroll’s 2023 staff who have relocated to other NFL teams. Carroll was fired after the completion of the 2023 season.

The connection here is that Quinn was the Seahawks defensive coordinator during the 2013 and 2014 seasons. Glenn was employed by the Seahawks as well during those seasons, getting started in Seattle in 2012.

Also on that Seahawks staff those two seasons under Quinn was Ken Norton Jr, the linebackers coach. Norton has joined Quinn in Washington and will be the Commanders linebackers coach.

Also joining Quinn from Seattle is Larry Izzo who had served as the Seahawks Special Teams Coordinator during the 2018-2023 NFL seasons.

Spending his last 12 NFL seasons on the Pete Carroll Seahawks staff, Glenn also coached in the state of Washington with the Huskies as a quality control coach in 2010 and 2011. Prior to the University of Washington, Glenn was a linebackers coach for North Carolina Wesleyan College from 2006-08.

Glenn is married to his wife, Leigh, and they have three sons: Nate, Luke, and Will.

RB coach Randy Jordan leaves Commanders for Titans

Randy Jordan spent 10 seasons in Washington, and reunites with his mentor in Tennessee.

Randy Jordan has determined, after 10 seasons with the Commanders, he is leaving Washington for Nashville.

Jordan was hired by Jay Gruden to be on Gruden’s first Washington staff for the 2014 season. The former North Carolina Tar Heel running back in that 2014 season was beginning a 10-year era of coaching Washington running backs that would persevere all the way through the 2023 season.

The Tennessee Titans are now Jordan’s new employer. The Titans this offseason moved on from head coach Mike Vrabel and have hired Brian Callahan, son of former Redskins coach Bill Callahan.

The Tennessee Titans have been led by four-time Pro-Bowl running back Derrick Henry. Henry has rushed over a thousand yards in five seasons, including two seasons when the former Crimson Tide back led the NFL in rushing.

In 2019, Henry rushed for 1,540 yards while leading the NFL with 16 rushing touchdowns and an NFL-high 102.7 rushing yards per game. The following season, Henry was even better with 2,027 rushing yards, 17 rushing touchdowns and 126.7 rushing yards per game.

In 119 NFL games, Henry has rushed for 9,502 yards and 90 rushing touchdowns, averaging 4.7 yards a carry. Henry is now age 30, and is expected by most NFL analysts to be moving on next season. Henry recently expressed he wants to win a Super Bowl and is not ready to retire.

Jordan was himself an NFL running back, playing for the Raiders (1993), Jaguars (1995-97) and once again the Raiders (1998-2002). Following his playing career, he launched his coaching career with the Raiders in 2003. He then moved on to Nebraska (2004-07), Texas A&M (2008-11) and North Carolina (2012-13) before joining Jay Gruden and the Redskins in 2014.

He rejoins Bill Callahan, whom he has a long history with, in Tennessee.

Commanders’ HC Dan Quinn looking to lead and find team leaders

Dan Quinn discusses his thoughts on leadership.

Dan Quinn knows the importance of teamwork.

Quinn, as a guest on the “Chris Russell Show” (The Team 980) Thursday afternoon, conveyed to Russell he has been on 70 teams in his lifetime. “That feeling of accomplishing things together, that is what I love the most,” said Quinn.

“Who do I keep up with, my old teammates. Those are the guys you fought with, bled with, went through struggles with, and success with. Those are the people I connected with most early. It is still the case today, whether I was coaching college ball or pro ball hearing from people maybe you’ve not spoken with in a long time. You can step into those conversations so quickly, so easily that, to me, is why I love coaching (most), the people you get to do it with. It lights me up.”

Much has been said this week about Quinn being a good leader of men, of teams. So Russell asked directly, “Where does that leadership come from?” Quinn responded, “I’ll set the course, trust me I will. But we will be really, really good when we are excellent in the locker room first…The way we push one another and lead one another that’s when you can become excellent.”

Quinn told Russell there are always times on a team when no one is leading an area and that you need guys who will thus say it is their time to take on some leadership because it is needed. “You do have to be ready when your number is called to say ‘This is my time, I will take it. I will lead the way here.'”

“When you have a number of people that push really high standards, then you can do some special stuff.”

Quinn is fully aware that everything hinges on leadership. He will set the bar high and seek out others to join him and lead others in the organization.

*Tomorrow, how Quinn will address this 2024 Commanders team in particular.