Category: Latest Washington News

WATCH: Sam Howell finds Antonio Gibson for Commanders first touchdown

Sam Howell with some impressive work in the first half.

The Washington Commanders planned to have their offensive starters play around one quarter in Monday’s preseason game against the Baltimore Ravens. However, with a young quarterback and a new offensive coordinator, head coach Ron Rivera chose to go a little longer with his starters.

Outside of one negative play, in which Howell took a 13-yard loss on a sack on Washington’s first drive, it was an excellent outing for the second-year signal caller.

Speaking of that sack, on the very next play facing a third-and-15, Howell goes through his progressions before finding tight end Cole Turner for a 17-yard gain and a first down.

Check it out:

Excellent throw from Howell.

The Commanders would eventually finish the drive with a short field goal from Joey Slye.

Later in the half, Howell led another impressive drive and, on third down, finds running back Antonio Gibson for a touchdown to give the Commanders the lead.

Commanders WR Dyami Brown says don’t underestimate QB Sam Howell

Brown and Howell set records together at UNC.

Dyami Brown arrived at North Carolina in 2018. As a true freshman, Brown played in 10 games, catching 17 passes for 172 yards and a touchdown.

Not a bad debut for a true freshman.

One year later, another true freshman would arrive in Chapel Hill and help Brown set records for the Tar Heels. True freshman quarterback Sam Howell arrived in 2019 and immediately became UNC’s starting quarterback.

In 2019, Brown caught 51 passes for 1,034 yards, averaging 20.3 yards per reception, with 12 touchdown receptions. How did he follow that up in 2020? Brown caught 55 passes for 1,099, averaging 20 yards per catch, with eight touchdowns.

Howell would enter the 2021 NFL draft, while Howell returned for one more season in Chapel Hill.

Things didn’t go great for either player in 2021. Howell lost all of his weapons, including his top two receivers and top two running backs, to the draft, while Brown struggled as a rookie with the Washington Commanders.

Howell would rebound and finish his final college season on a strong note, but he would fall to the first pick in the fifth round of the 2022 NFL draft — to the Commanders.

That meant Howell and Brown, who set records together in college, would reunite in Washington.

Last week, Commanders head coach Ron Rivera named Howell the starting quarterback. Howell has worked with the starting offense all offseason and training camp, building a rapport with his offensive weapons. He’s also picked up where he left off with Brown, whose strong offseason has continued into training camp.

The pair have worked out together away from the facility throughout the offseason, and Brown recently discussed Howell after a training camp practice.

“We just want to go out there and show what we can do,” Brown said, per Zach Selby of commanders.com. “We still have a lot of guys that can go out there and do some things and can prove themselves, even myself. But I think we just want to take this game, and we always wanna come out with a win, but at the end of the day, we just wanna show what we can do.”

Brown believes the sky is the limit for his friend and former college quarterback and current NFL quarterback.

“I don’t underestimate the man at all,” Brown said. “I’ve seen him do a lot, and I think he can do more than whatever he’s been doing. I just have all faith in him.”

Howell still must prove things on the field in 2023, but more people continue to jump aboard the Howell train heading into the regular season.

Commanders season opener in 21 days: Washington’s best No. 21

Some excellent players have worn the No. 21 jersey for Washington.

Commanders Wire continues a countdown to Washington’s season opener for 2023 in 21 days. Who was the team’s best player wearing No. 21?

Three players stand out above the others, deserving recognition. They are Sean Taylor, Terry Allen and Earnest Byner. Personally, I have no doubt Sean Taylor possessed the most physical ability and, barring injuries, would have become the best in franchise history wearing No. 21.

But this is about who accomplished the most in franchise history wearing No. 21, so here we go.

Sean Taylor (2004-07), in his four Washington seasons, intercepted 12 passes, defended 43 passes, forced 8 fumbles, and had 2 quarterback sacks. Taylor was credited with 305 tackles (243 solo, 62 assists), including 6 for a loss, and 2 QB hits. He is perhaps known for his two biggest plays which both occurred in the 2005 season. Against Philadelphia in the season finale, Taylor picked up a fumble and raced 39 yards down the left sideline for a touchdown. In the playoff game at Tampa Bay, Taylor again picked up a fumble and returned it 51 yards for a touchdown helping Washington defeat Tampa Bay. Taylor’s life was tragically cut short in 2007 when he was shot/murdered in his own home by intruders and died a few days later. Taylor was voted one of the 80 Greatest Redskins in 2012. His jersey was retired during the 2021 season.

Terry Allen (1995-98), after having been with Minnesota since 1991, came to Washington in 1995. He accomplished back-to-back 1,300-yard rushing seasons: in 1995 (1,309) and 1996 (1,353). Allen also led the NFL in rushing touchdowns in 1996 with 21 and was AP 2nd Team running back. In his four Washington seasons, Allen gained 4,086 yards rushing for 37 touchdowns and 202 first downs. He also caught 100 passes for 726 yards and 2 receiving touchdowns. Allen was voted one of the 70 Greatest Redskins in 2002.

Earnest Byner (1989-93) rushed for over 1,000 yards in 1990 (1,219) and 1991 (1,048). In 1992, Byner played injured and fell short by two yards of a third consecutive 1,000-yard season. Byner was such a dependable runner, blocker and pass receiver that in the 1990 season, he led all NFL players with 328 touches (combined rushes and pass receptions). In the Super Bowl championship season of 1991, Byner again touched the ball more than any Washington player, earning 308 combined rushes and pass receptions averaging 4.4 yards per touch. Byner was a Pro Bowler in 1990 and 1991, and in the 1991 season, he was AP Second Team running back. Byner went over 1,000 yards from scrimmage four consecutive seasons for Washington:  1989 (1,038), 1990 (1,498), 1991 (1,356), 1992 (1,336). In his five Washington seasons, Byner gained 5,527 yards from scrimmage (4.7 yards per touch) and scored 29 touchdowns. Byner was voted one of the 70 Greatest Redskins in 2002.

 

Why Commanders vs. Ravens is so important for rookie defensive ends

Monday presents a massive opportunity for rookie defensive ends Andre Jones Jr. and K.J. Henry.

Monday’s preseason game for two defensive players could be huge.

The Commanders will host Baltimore Ravens in the preseason contest. For the Commanders, they have two rookie defensive ends for whom this game could be very large.

Though drafted in the fifth round at 137 overall, K.J. Henry, a defensive end out of Clemson, was expected to push and make the team. Unexpected was seventh-round choice (and 233 overall) defensive end Andre Jones out of Louisiana.

Jones has, honestly, looked better in camp thus far. With only three preseason games, Monday’s against the Ravens could play a large role in the future of both players.

The Commanders can only keep so many defensive ends on a 53-man roster. NFL teams must trim their rosters from 90 to 53 players before the NFL league-wide deadline of August 29 at 4 pm.

Everyone knows the Commanders plan to start Montez Sweat and Chase Young at the defensive end spots. Next, come the primary backups. At the beginning of camp, there was no doubt those two were James Smith-Williams and Casey Toohill.

How many defensive ends are the Commanders going to keep on their 53-man roster? If there are five defensive ends, this would indicate room for only one more.

Thus far, Efe Obada has been working primarily on the inside, and the Commanders have listed Obada on the depth chart at defensive tackle, but he does possess position flex; thus, he could play both tackle and end.

Is the final defensive end spot up for grabs between Henry and Jones? Both rookie ends are going to be watched closely Monday as the defensive coaches are looking for evidence regarding whom they should keep on the roster.

If the Commanders keep ten defensive linemen, the ability to play both end and tackle will be huge for guys like Smith-Williams and Obada. Those smaller and, thus, not asked to play inside at tackle, need to display both the ability to set the edge against the run and rush the passer.

Something coaches are not going to ignore is that Sweat, Young, Smith-Williams, Toohill and Obada are all entering the final season of their contracts.

If the Commanders determine to only keep four linebackers they could stash one or perhaps two linebackers on the practice squad. They could also keep an extra defensive end on the roster because they are quick enough to play well on the special teams. If they do keep an extra defensive end, could it mean they keep both Henry and Jones on the roster, utilizing both on coverage teams?

Speaking of defensive ends, this game against the Ravens could thus loom very large for the other defensive ends, underdogs looking for a roster spot, such as Joshua Pryor and Will Bradley-King.

How to watch Ravens vs. Commanders: Time, TV and streaming info for preseason Week 2

Here’s everything you need to know in order to catch tonight’s preseason game between the Commanders and Ravens.

After a contentious two days of joint practices last week in Owings Mills, the Baltimore Ravens travel to FedEx Field to face the Washington Commanders in Week 2 of the preseason.

The Ravens enter Monday night winners of 24 consecutive preseason games. Commanders guard Sam Cosmi is not too impressed. Meanwhile, Washington won its preseason opener, 17-15, over the Cleveland Browns last week.

During last week’s joint practices, multiple fights broke out. One saw Washington rookie cornerback Emmanuel Forbes and Baltimore wide receiver Tylan Wallace exchanging punches. It quickly ended. Next, we saw Ravens tight end Mark Andrews cheap shot Commanders cornerback Danny Johnson and injuring him in the process.

So, yes, while this is another preseason game, don’t think these two teams Beltway “rivals,” don’t want to beat one another.

Below is everything you need to know in order to catch the game on TV or streaming.

Baltimore Ravens at Washington Commanders – Aug. 21, 8 p.m. ET

TV channel: ESPN

Streaming: FuboTV (try it free)

Radio: BIG 100 [Washington, D.C], ESPN Radio, SiriusXM NFL Radio

Location: FedEx Field

Forecast: Partly cloudy, 85 degrees, N 1 mph wind

Referee: Ron Torbert

Odds: Ravens -1, O/U 38, per BetMGM

Joey Slye wins kicking job as Commanders make roster moves

Slye will be Washington’s kicker again in 2023.

The Washington Commanders were off from practice Sunday as they prepare for Monday’s night preseason game against the Baltimore Ravens from FedEx Field.

While the players received a much-needed day off, the front office was busy making tweaks to the roster. With the new NFL rule that all roster cuts can be made at once, the new deadline for teams is Aug. 29 to trim rosters from 90 players to 53.

On Sunday, the Commanders cut two players — and signed two, keeping them at 90 players.

The outgoing players are kicker Michael Badgley and wide receiver Jalen Sample. Washington signed defensive tackle Isaiah Mack and punter Michael Palardy to replace them.

Badgley was signed just before training camp to compete with Joey Slye. The Commanders like Slye. He has a strong leg, has made some big field goals and is excellent on kickoffs. He made 25 of 30 field goals in 2022 but missed four PATs.

While Badgley pushed Slye, it was clear that the incumbent was the clear winner this summer. Slye will enter his third season with Washington.

Sample was a 6-foot-4 undrafted free agent from Minnesota State-Mankato who was stuck down the depth chart at one of the strongest positions on Washington’s roster.

Mack is a 6-foot-1, 299-pound defensive tackle from UT Chattanooga. He entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent in 2019 with the Tennessee Titans. He has also spent time on the rosters of the Patriots, Broncos, Steelers, Ravens, Seahawks and Jets. The Jets released Mack on Aug. 8 after he was signed in January. He has appeared in 23 games with 11 tackles.

Palardy, 31, has been in the NFL since 2014. He has spent time on the rosters of the Raiders, Rams, Panthers, Ravens, Colts, Browns, Falcons, Panthers [again], Dolphins and Patriots. His longest stint was with Carolina from 2016-20, when he was current Washington head coach Ron Rivera’s punter. He has punted in 80 career games and averaged 44.9 yards per punt.

Palardy is the second punter Washington since this preseason due to a minor back injury to Tress Way. Like he did in last week’s preseason opener, Way will hold in the game, but will not punt, opening the door for Palardy.

 

Has Ron Rivera spoken to Josh Harris about any of the Commanders upcoming free agents?

Could the Commanders get extensions done for some of their key players now?

The Washington Commanders have been in a holding pattern financially for much of the year due to the pending sale of the franchise from Daniel Snyder to Josh Harris.

The sale became official last month, with Harris and his partners officially taking over on July 20.

Washington took care of one of its best players in March, signing defensive tackle Daron Payne to a four-year, $90 million extension. Payne was in a different situation as he was set to play the 2023 season on the franchise tag.

The Commanders have some key free agents to deal with after the upcoming season. Defensive ends Montez Sweat and Chase Young, safety Kamren Curl, running back Antonio Gibson and wide receiver Curtis Samuel are among Washington’s 2024 free agents.

The Commanders would like to keep most of these players, but with the salary cap, that’s likely impossible. When Rivera spoke about possible extensions for players like Sweat and Curl earlier in the offseason, he acknowledged the team was in a holding pattern due to the ownership situation.

On Saturday, Rivera was asked about his conversations with Harris.

“They’ve gone well, and they stand in a good situation,” Rivera said. 

Have the two sides talked about contract extensions for some of those key players?

“Those are all things that are all part of our discussion,” Rivera said. “And again, these are things that we talk about; we’re working into. There’s a lot to do, and to assume anything’s going to happen immediately is unfair because they are still learning and understanding us, and we’re still talking with them and trying to get things lined up and in order.”

The Commanders have plenty of cap space in 2024. Certainly, some of those players will return to Washington, but could Harris wait and see what happens on the field in 2023 before agreeing to any extensions?

It would be wise for the Commanders to get in front of some of these potential deals, particularly for Sweat and Curl. It would then allow Washington the flexibility of applying the franchise tag to Young if he has a big season.

 

Emmanuel Forbes has a big day on Saturday

It was the last day for fans at training camp and Forbes had himself a good day.

The Washington Commanders selected Emmanuel Forbes in the first round of the 2023 NFL draft to create turnovers. In three seasons at Mississippi State, Forbes had 14 interceptions, six of which he returned for touchdowns, setting an FBS record.

Since arriving for rookie minicamp in May, Forbes has continued to make an impact, impressing coaches and teammates.

Throughout the summer, Forbes has been matched up against Washington’s outstanding wide receivers, Terry McLaurin and Jahan Dotson, more than holding his own during some of those battles. Last week, in the joint practices with the Baltimore Ravens, Forbes went one-on-one with Baltimore receivers Odell Beckham Jr. and others. He won some and lost some, but the experience continues to prepare Forbes for his first NFL season.

On Saturday, the last day of training camp in front of the team’s fans, Forbes put on a show. He intercepted one pass in the end zone and made another impressive play in the end zone, breaking up a pass to McLaurin.

Next up for Forbes is the second preseason game on Monday against the Ravens. Baltimore fans have poked at Forbes all week on social media after he got into a fight with one of the Ravens’ backup wide receivers last week during practice.

Commanders season opener in 22 days: Washington’s best No. 22

22 days until the Commanders open the 2023 NFL season. Who wore the No. 22 best?

Commanders Wire continues a countdown to Washington’s season opener for 2023 in 22 days. Who was the team’s best player wearing No. 22?

Three players deserve mention who wore No. 22 in franchise history.

Curtis Jordan (1981-86), after five seasons in Tampa Bay, came to Washington for six seasons. A safety, Jordan started 57 games for Washington, intercepting 11 passes, and recovering five fumbles (one touchdown). Jordan was a member of the 1982 Super Bowl championship team and the 1983 Super Bowl team.

Carlos Rogers (2005-2010) was drafted 9th overall by Washington in the 2005 NFL draft. In his six Washington seasons, Rogers started 68 games at corner, intercepting 8 passes (one touchdown), defended 76 passes, forced 4 fumbles, and recovered 3. He was credited with 302 tackles (206 solo, 42 assists), including 7 tackles for a loss. Rogers led the NFL in 2008 with 24 passes defended.

Mike Thomas (1975-78) was a running back Washington drafted 108th overall in the 1975 draft. Thomas was a pleasant surprise when he rushed for 919 yards and was voted AP Offensive Rookie of the Year. In his second season, he rushed for 1,101 yards, averaging 4.3 a carry and was a Pro Bowler. He rushed for 3,359 yards and 15 rushing touchdowns in his four Washington seasons. A good receiver out of the backfield, Thomas was on the receiving end of 131 receptions for 1,405 yards (10.7 average) and 11 receiving touchdowns. In a 1976 game against the St Louis Cardinals, Thomas exploded for 195 yards rushing.

 

Sam Cosmi doesn’t think too much about the Ravens’ preseason winning streak

Washington fans will love Cosmi for his thoughts on the Ravens’ preseason win streak — and guarantee.

The Baltimore Ravens have won 24 consecutive preseason games, with their last preseason loss coming back on Sept. 3, 2015.

While no one cares about a preseason record, the Ravens and head coach John Harbaugh take pride in the streak.

“It’s important to them for the rest of their life, and therefore it’s important to me,” Harbaugh recently said. “So, it’s meaningful in that sense, but we’re playing a game. We have a lot of goals, a lot of things that we’re trying to accomplish.”

On Monday night, the Ravens come down to FedEx Field for a preseason game with the Washington Commanders. The two teams were together last week for a pair of joint practices, and tempers flared.

Commanders right guard Sam Cosmi isn’t that impressed with the Ravens’ preseason streak.

“I think it’s a stupid record,” Cosmi said when JP Finlay asked him if he had thought about Baltimore’s streak. “I mean, who gives a s–t about preseason games. I mean, if we beat it, great…..we’re going to beat it, so there we go.”

That should go over well with Ravens fans.

Washington has lost multiple preseason games to the Ravens since 2015. Could Monday be the night this streak ends?