Category: Washington Rookies

What do the Commanders love the most about CB Mike Sainristil?

The Commanders found a star in Mike Sainristil.

On Thursday, Commanders DC Joe Whitt Jr. was asked what has impressed him the most about rookie cornerback Mike Sainristil.

Whitt didn’t waste anytime answering the question.
“Mikey is just a high-level competitor. That’s what’s impressed me the most. He doesn’t shy away from anybody that’s in front of him.”


Sure enough, Sainristil was lined up outside against the likes of A.J. Brown in Washington’s 26-18 loss to Philadelphia in their Week 11 contest.

In the game, Sainristil not only provided good coverage on most of his assignments but also, for the first game this season, knocked down two passes intended for the receiver to whom he was assigned.

Whitt likes the former Michigan Wolverine’s flexibility and desire to adapt to whatever circumstances the Commanders need that week.

“We ask the young man to play inside and outside early and for the betterment of the defense and say, ‘Okay, we’re going to put you to the field, all right, and you’re going to stay there.’ And he’s made it at home.”

Coaches are always concerned with how well a rookie will adapt to the pro game. Some adapt well, and some seem to have difficulty with the upgrade in talent and complexity of schemes each week.

Whitt is confident in Sainristil’s ability to listen carefully and communicate clearly. Whitt likes Sainristil’s maturity.

“He’s not playing like a rookie, and he doesn’t communicate like a rookie. If you’ve talked to the young man, he’s very polished, he’s very mature. And so, but just the way his competitive spirit is what I’m most impressed with.”

Commanders’ Quinn offers encouraging words for two rookies

Dan Quinn praises a pair of rookies outside of Jayden Daniels and Mike Sainristil.

With the Commanders worn down in the final quarter against the Eagles, the media asked Dan Quinn on Monday if some of his rookies were ready to contribute and get more snaps.

He talked of tight end Ben Sinnott and linebacker Jordan Magee.

“He’s (Magee) certainly working hard at it, and he and [TE] Ben Sinnott are two that are absolutely putting it in. And the guys at the position are also performing well, ” Quinn offered.

Zach Ertz and John Bates have indeed looked good in recent games, which means that if Sinnott gets snaps, it will take them away from Ertz and Bates. Do you really want Quinn to do that right now, this season?

Even more true regarding Magee. From whom is he taking snaps, Bobby Wagner or Frankie Luvu?

“I tried to take Wags out in the Carolina game, he gave me a side eye for like two weeks after that. So, I do love the progress that Jordan’s making, and he is developing on special teams.”

Magee has seen the playing field on special teams since coming off of the injured reserve list .”So, I guess it was maybe in his second week, Jordan had a good tackle on a kickoff, and you could see the guys jumping off the sideline to go find them and congratulate him. So, that’s a good sign.”

Quinn chose to reveal Monday that Magee is not on the scout team in practice. No, Magee is getting some good reps in practice.

“He gets reps in practice, he gets reps into that space, not just on the carded scout team, but in the actual reps, as well. So, he’s making progress. And I would say we’re trending up with him and with Ben. I’d love to get them some more reps, and we’ll see by package and how does it work. But he’s definitely, I feel his speed and his tackling ability. I’m excited about Jordan.”

 

Commanders’ Dan Quinn praises Jamin Davis

Dan Quinn has nothing but good things to say about Jamin Davis.

Think back to when a Washington coach was fed up with a player and finally cut him.

It’s happened more than a few times, and for good reason. Of course, these circumstances do not occur exclusively with Washington. Players sometimes have attitudes, don’t receive coaching well, or don’t accept their role well, and it can lead to trouble.

But not so with Jamin Davis, according to Dan Quinn during his Wednesday press conference. Davis was released Tuesday, and Quinn was asked about it Wednesday.

“We activated Jordan Magee,” Quinn said. “So, just from a roster spot and, man, what a good teammate, Jamin. So, like yesterday, getting a chance to visit with him definitely left a strong impression. And sometimes there’s good that comes after the hard stuff, and he’s somebody that we’ll definitely be watching and pulling for. He really worked hard during his time here.”

It should not be overlooked that Davis went along with the coaches, attempting to learn a new position (DE) in training camp and the preseason. It is not easy to make a transition like that when your college and NFL years have been spent at another position (LB).

Quinn went out of his way to convey that attitude was not the issue with Jamin Davis. Quinn continued that it actually was not an easy decision to release Davis midseason. However, rookie LB Magee has been on IR since getting injured against the Jets in the first weekend of the preseason. So, Quinn is ready to get Magee some game reps and see what he can add to this roster the second half of the season.

“So, at the end, just, it’s always this puzzle you’re trying to put together. And there’s always hard decisions and those are ones that come up. But they’re really hard and this one was hard.”

Will Adam Peters and Quinn bring Davis back to the practice squad, where he can work on developing the skills needed to play defensive end? His final comment concerning Davis did not lead one to that conclusion.

“So, when guys move on from here, I’m hopeful wherever they go, they find the right combination, the right things to allow them to do their thing. So that’s my hope for anybody that goes on from here.”

Commanders activate rookie linebacker Jordan Magee

The Commanders activate rookie linebacker from IR.

Jordan Magee is planning on making his NFL regular season debut on Sunday.

Wednesday afternoon, the Commanders made the decision: they have activated the rookie linebacker out of Temple.

Unfortunately, Magee injured his knee in the first week of the preseason against the Jets. At the time, the Commanders announced that he would need a procedure, but his injury was not season-ending.

So, Magee is brought on to the roster in preparation for the Week 8 home contest against the Bears. To make room for Magee, the Commanders released Jamin Davis, who was in his fourth season with Washington.

Upon watching Magee’s highlight film prior to the draft, analyst Daniel Jeremiah summed up his analysis of Magee with, “He’s instinctive, twitchy and tough.”

The NFL permits a 21-day workout window for players returning from the Injured Reserve list. Magee’s 21-day window was coming to a conclusion. The Commanders determined to work out Magee testing the knee as often as they could. Had the Commanders chosen not to activate Magee on Wednesday, the league rules state Magee would have been out the remainder of the regular season.

The Commanders list Magee as 6-foot-3, 226 pounds. He was clocked with 4.55 speed and was selected 139th overall in the 2024 NFL draft. He will wear No. 58.

Frankie Luvu and Bobby Wagner have been the starting linebackers this season. Magee now joins Nick Ballore, Dante Fowler Jr (listed as LB) and Mykal Walker in the linebackers group on the active roster.

There is not currently a linebacker listed on the practice squad. With Magee leaving the injured reserve, those remaining on Injured Reserve are DT Jonathan Allen, WR Jamison Crowder, DE Javontae Jean-Baptiste and DT Norell Pollard.

A stark contrast between the Commanders and Panthers

The Commanders and Panthers are in totally different places — a good thing for Washington.

The Panthers organization is in bad shape.

Not only are the Panthers 1-5, but they also have the NFL’s worst point differential this season. And it is not even close. How bad is it? Well, after only six games, the Panthers have already been outscored by 100 points, and the closest to them (Jaguars) are a -65.

Therefore, in only six games, the Panthers are averaging not only being the worst team but the worst team by a touchdown more than anyone else.

Their new head coach, Dave Canales, is in his first season as an NFL head coach. Is it perhaps more telling that Canales got the job after only one season as an NFL coordinator?

Which brings us to majority owner David Tepper. Tepper took over the Panthers in 2019, fired Ron Rivera midseason, and has since kept the revolving door busy.

Tepper fired Rivera and appointed Perry Fewell to finish out 2019. Tepper then hired Matt Rhule in 2020, but during the 2022 season, Rhule was given the pink slip, and Steve Wilks was tabbed as interim head coach to conclude 2022.

Frank Reich was Tepper’s next choice as head coach in 2023. However, after only 11 games, Reich was fired, leaving Chris Tabor to finish the season.

Canales accepted the offer, resulting in Tepper being his boss while Canales took on his first NFL head coaching position. By the way, Washington had not yet hired Dan Quinn.

Tepper wanted QB Bryce Young (Alabama) and traded entirely too much, moving from the No. 9 position in the 2023 draft to the top position. C.J. Stroud (Ohio State) was certainly available, but Tepper got his choice.

The Texans rebounded to a winning season in 2023, while the Panthers finished an NFL-worst 2-15. They are still without the top pick in the 2024 draft because Tepper gave it up to get Young in 2023.

How might Panthers fans feel Sunday when watching the Panthers face Jayden Daniels, who could have been their choice this year if Tepper had not traded up for Young?

All week, the Commanders have heard from the DMV fan base, NFL media, and local media that Washington is now the favorite to win the NFC East.

But that is not solely because Washington is invincible. No, the Commanders have several roster needs that will be addressed next offseason.

Yet, for now, Commanders fans can be very thankful that their owner is Josh Harris, not David Tepper, their GM is Adam Peters, their head coach is Dan Quinn, and their quarterback is Jayden Daniels.

 

Ravens and Commanders: Two legit offenses battle in Week 6

The Commanders and Ravens both have high-powered offenses.

The Commanders are facing a Ravens offense that runs the ball incredibly.

After only five games, the Ravens have already rushed for over 1,000 yards (1,056). The Ravens are averaging 6.1 yards every time they run the ball. This is huge because running the ball requires less precision and timing in an offense than passing the ball. In addition, passing also requires throwing a decently accurate catchable ball and someone to catch it.

The Ravens have managed to lead the NFL in yards gained and do it by running the ball conservatively. As a result, they are second in offensive plays from scrimmage, keeping the ball away from their opponents while daring you to stop them from running it down their throats.

All that running back Derrick Henry has managed to do thus far in five games is lead the NFL with 572 rushing yards. Quarterback Lamar Jackson has added 363 rushing yards averaging an impressive 6.8 yards a rush. Henry is not far behind, averaging 6.0 a carry.

Being a predominantly running team, they have still accomplished in five games they are the team that averages an NFL-leading 6.8 yards per offensive play.

Ravens’ linebacker Roquan Smith is apparently quite confident in the Ravens defense as well. He declared Thursday that “Jayden Daniels hasn’t seen a defense like ours.”

Daniels is having quite the rookie season himself. The LSU rookie is completing 77.1% of his passes, which tops the NFL. Daniels is second in the league in yards per passing attempt (8.7). He is third in the NFL in QBR (73.2).

However, perhaps the overlooked factor in this game might be offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury’s running offense for the Commanders. It is not the Ravens rushing attack, but surprisingly, the offensive line that was supposed to be so weak this year has the Commanders third in the league in rushing yards (892). They lead the NFL in rushing touchdowns with 13 (Saints are next with 9). They are averaging 5.3 yards a rushing attempt.

This means the Commanders can both run and pass the ball. Though Roquan Smith confidently declared Jayden Daniels has yet to see a defense like the Commanders, might it also be just as accurate to ask, “In 2024, has the Ravens defense seen an offense like the Commanders?”

 

Robert Griffin declares Jayden Daniels’ Commanders will finish what he started

Robert Griffin says Jayden Daniels will finish what “we” started.

Just when you thought Robert Griffin was turning the corner…

Griffin, who over the years has perpetuated the narrative that he was somehow a victim in Washington and repeatedly inserted himself into the Commanders’ circumstances, might have reached a new low on Thursday.

Griffin tweeted Thursday that rookie quarterback “Jayden Daniels will finish what we started and be the franchise quarterback the city deserves.”

How arrogant and self-absorbed must one be to suggest what this 2024 team accomplishes is somehow finishing what he began?

Griffin recently has been very positive, praising the Commanders. He tweeted that he thought the Commanders were the third-best team in the NFL. Following the Commanders’ victory over the Browns, Griffin tweeted that Washington was the best team in the NFC East and that they were dangerous.

Yet, somehow, he began to think that he must convince the NFL world that this is somehow about Robert Griffin.

Thursday, Griffin was back to what – unfortunately – history reveals he does most often: promote himself. Jayden Daniels is having a fantastic rookie season; the team has already matched the 2023 win total (4). So why is Griffin insisting he be considered part of this team’s narrative?

Think for just a second, Robert. How many players on the 2012 team are still with the Commanders today? That would be zero. When was the last season you had any success, not merely with Washington, but with any other NFL team? That was actually in 2012.

Further, “…will finish what we started?” Robert, what happened after the playoff loss at the end of 2012? Yes, you were injured, and we hated to see that for you. Yet, wasn’t it you, Robert, who told the Shanahans you were no longer playing the offense they had designed for you? Didn’t you then struggle mightily in 2013 and 2014, playing from the pocket?

Didn’t we all learn from that experience that it was the Shanahans’ willingness to think way outside the NFL box that brought you your only success in the NFL?

Therefore, wasn’t it you, Robert, who actually finished what the Shanahans designed for your success in 2012? Wasn’t it you, your poor quarterback play, and then-owner Daniel Snyder who resulted in the firing of the great coaching staff Mike Shanahan had assembled?

The ownership, front office staff, coaches and players are accomplishing in 2024 a cosmic shift for this franchise.

But here you are again, Robert, attempting to con people into thinking this is somehow about finishing what “you” started.

Why do you continue to repeatedly seek admiration and validation for what you “think” you accomplished? Is it any wonder that years ago, someone out there coined for you the nickname “RGME?”

Quick facts from Commanders’ 34-13 win over Browns

Several facts and stats from Commanders’ 34-13 win vs. Browns.

Here are several of today’s quick facts regarding the Commanders 34-13 win over the Cleveland Browns in Landover.

  • The Commanders won their fourth consecutive game Sunday, after losing the season opener. The last time Washington won four straight was in 2021, when Washington was 2-6, won four straight to go to 6-6.
  • With the win, the Commanders are 4-1 for the first time since the 2008 season. But that team fell apart, finishing 8-8.
  • No. 17 Terry McLaurin caught four passes for 112 yards today. It was the 17th game McLaurin has totaled at least 100 receiving yards.
  • With another rushing touchdown today, RB Jeremy McNichols has scored in consecutive games for the first time in his career.
  • With three touchdowns rushing today, Washington has now registered three rushing touchdowns in three consecutive games for the first time in franchise history.
  • The Commanders’ defense held the Browns to 1-13 on third downs, while the Commanders were 8-17 on third downs.
  • Washington accumulated 434 total offensive yards, while the Browns only managed 212. The Commanders averaged 6.7 yards a play while limiting the Browns to 3.6 yards a play.
  • The Commanders are reporting that today QB Jayden Daniels has become the first player in NFL history to have had 1,000+ passing yards and 250+ rushing yards in their first five career games.
  • Scoring 34 points on Sunday, Washington has now scored 30+ points in three consecutive games for the eighth time in franchise history and the first time since 2005.
  • Terry McLaurin reached 400 NFL career receptions. McLaurin, Gary Clark and Satana Moss are the only receivers in franchise history to record 400+ receptions in their first 6 seasons with Washington.
  • Frankie Luvu had 7 tackles (4 solo) a fumble recovery, 2.5 sacks as the Commanders totaled 7 QB sacks. Others who had one were Bobby Wagner (1.5), while Jonathan Allen, Dorance Armstrong, and Dante Fowler each had one.

Commanders bring back one from injured reserve

Commanders make some roster moves, including bringing back a player from IR.

The Washington Commanders made some roster moves on Saturday ahead of Sunday’s Week 5 game against the Cleveland Browns. The biggest move on Saturday was the Commanders bringing back Marcus Mariota.

Mariota was placed on the injured reserve list and missed the first four games due to two injuries he suffered in training camp. First, he tweaked a groin muscle, but then he suddenly missed a practice due to a pectoral injury and was placed on the IR list.

Also announced Saturday afternoon were two elevations from the Practice Squad: CB Kevon Seymour and WR Brycen Tremayne from the practice squad.

Tremayne’s elevation at this time is not a surprise. WR Noah Brown injured his groin and could not practice, and Dan Quinn declared him “out.” In addition, Jamison Crowder, with his injured calf, was placed on the injured reserve list this week, meaning Crowder will miss four games. Thus, the Commanders needed to elevate a receiver.

Seymour is perhaps being elevated because it appears that safety Tyler Owens will most likely not play against the Browns for now. He has an injured shin and has missed practice, and the Commanders may, therefore, activate safety Darrick Forrest, who has been inactive the first four games.

There has been growing hope that defensive end Efe Obada and rookie linebacker Jordan Magee will return from the injured list to the active roster. But it appears that those two players will have to wait another week.

One final question for this week. With the Commanders activating Mariota, will they keep four quarterbacks on their roster (including Sam Hartman)? Or will they make another roster move involving Hartman?

Commanders DC Joe Whitt Jr. is still not satisfied with his defense

Commanders DC Joe Whitt Jr. wants more from his defense.

Commnaders defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. liked the progress he saw Sunday in the 42-14 win over the Cardinals. But he is certainly not happy with his defense thus far.

Whitt didn’t praise his guys for long, choosing to criticize them as well.

“I thought Benjamin St-Juste did a good job of covering even when we were in some of our man looks and spinning out the cover two…So, they were stickier. And we just have to continue that. Our completion percentage against us is higher than I’m used to, so we have to get that down.”

Asked specifically about CB Emmanuel Forbes’ performance against the Cardinals, Whitt didn’t criticize Forbes. But he didn’t exactly praise him either.

“I thought he was in that same group with Mike and Noah. And like I said, Forbes, they all played about the same. They had about the same number of snaps or he might have had more, I don’t know, I think he had 33 snaps in the game.”

At this moment, Whitt suddenly began to defend his decisions regarding playing time, though he was not challenged. “So each week, we’re gonna put the guys out there that give us the best chance. So, we’re looking at that, working through that right now, and then on Sunday, we’ll deploy the men that gives us the best chance to win.”

Last week, after the win over the Bengals, Whitt volunteered that he was waiting for a couple of corners to step up and be the guy that players and coaches could depend upon weekly.

Thursday, Whitt was asked if this week a corner had stepped up to be that guy. “No, not yet,” replied Whitt.

“I think we’ve played solid at points. I need a consistent flow throughout the game. Get up there and challenge and send the ball where we wanna send it consistently. We’ve had opportunities at some interceptions that where we just knocked it down and we didn’t go aggressively to go get it. So they’re a group of talented young men at the corner position, okay, but talent doesn’t mean that we’re playing at the level that we want to play at.”

“So when we do, I’ll tell you, but we’re not right now. And it’s not because of a lack of ability or anything like that. They have the ability. I just have to do a better job of getting them to do it, and we will.”