Tag: 2021 NFL season

Commanders re-sign kicker Joey Slye

Washington brings back kicker Joey Slye on a two-year deal.

The Washington Commanders released longtime kicker Dustin Hopkins on Oct. 20 last season. Hopkins, who had been Washington’s kicker since Sept. 2015, struggled with consistency, and head coach Ron Rivera felt it was time for a change.

That led the Commanders to Chris Blewitt, which was an epic mistake. Blewitt made only two of his five field-goal attempts, as all three misses were blocked.

Fortunately for Washington, Robbie Gould of the San Francisco 49ers returned from an injury on Nov. 2, and the Niners released his temporary replacement, Joey Slye. The Commanders released Blewitt and signed Slye.

Slye was outstanding but suffered a hamstring injury in a Week 12 win over the Seattle Seahawks and missed several weeks. He returned late in the season and picked up where he left off. Overall, Slye made all 12 of his field-goal attempts, including one from 56 yards out, in six games for Washington.

Slye connected on nine of his 10 point-after attempts as his only miss was blocked.

The Commanders placed a tender for 2022 on the restricted free agent last month. On Monday, Washington rewarded Slye with a two-year deal worth $5 million, per Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network.

Originally an undrafted free agent from Virginia Tech in 2018, Slye has kicked for the Giants, Panthers, Texans and 49ers, enjoying success at each stop, but mainly as an injury fill-in. Now, Washington views Slye as the guy moving forward.

 

Taylor Heinicke had 2 of the NFL’s most improbable completions in 2021

Taylor Heinicke may not be Washington’s quarterback of the future, but he provided plenty of highlights in 2021.

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbykgy681k112p8 player_id=none image=https://washingtonfootballwire.usatoday.com/wp-content/plugins/mm-video/images/playlist-icon.png]

When Ryan Fitzpatrick went down in the second quarter of Washington’s Week 1 game against the Los Angeles Chargers, it opened the door for playoff hero Taylor Heinicke to audition at quarterback for the Commanders.

Heinicke had some good moments, such as his performances in wins over the Giants and Falcons early in the season. There were lows, too, such as a tendency to force the ball into coverage when things break down around him.

Heinicke also played well during Washington’s four-game winning streak midway through the season to get the Commanders back into playoff contention. However, it was short-lived, and while Heinicke proved he belonged in the NFL, it was also evident Washington would continue its desperate search for a quarterback.

But Heinicke did provide Washington fans with some exciting moments in an otherwise disappointing 2021 season. In the aforementioned win over the Giants in Week 2, Heinicke’s fourth-quarter performance led the Commanders to their first win.

In particular, his touchdown pass to tight end Ricky Seals-Jones with 4:33 remaining was one of the season’s highlights for Washington. In its 2021 season review, NFL’s Next Gen Stats ranked the pass as one of the most improbable completions of the season, specifically ranking the throw No. 13 with a completion probability of just 13.7%.

As spectacular as that play was, Next Gen Stats had another of Heinicke’s completions ranking even higher. His touchdown pass to Cam Sims against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 14 ranked No. 6.

So, while it’s fair to say Washington needs a new quarterback, it’s also reasonable to say Heinicke did do some good things in 2021.

 

You know where to find the Jags in final NFL Network league power rankings

The Jaguars finished with the worst record in the NFL, and they remain on the bottom of the final power rankings.

With the Super Bowl in the books, the Jacksonville Jaguars would like nothing more than to put a disastrous 2021 season behind them and look toward the future. Before we can do that, however, NFL Network released its final league power rankings for the year.

The Jags were basically permanent residents at the bottom of the NFL power rankings for most of the season, and more than a month removed from this team’s last game in the 3-14 campaign, that’s still where it finds itself.

Here’s what Dan Hanzus wrote about Jacksonville, who fired head coach Urban Meyer after 13 games and replaced him with a Super Bowl-winning head coach in Doug Pederson this offseason.

The Jaguars are like the kid (or grown adult Power Rankings guy) who slaps the reset button when things start to go sideways in a game of Tecmo Bowl. The team completely botched Year 1 of Trevor Lawrence with the disastrous Urban Meyer hiring, but landing on Doug Pederson feels like a solid move (even if the circuitous route to the former Eagles coach hinted at continued dysfunction within). A 3-14 season means Jacksonville is armed with the No. 1 overall pick for the second consecutive year to go with more projected cap space than 30 other teams. Time to take another crack at this thing.

As Hanzus notes, this team doesn’t have to have a bleak future in spite of the fact that the way the coaching search played out, to say the least. The Jags have plenty of cap space and the chance to draft a potential All-Pro caliber player with the first pick.

Getting that pick (and this offseason, as a whole) right will be crucial, though. The Jags were in a similar situation last offseason and couldn’t take advantage. They’ve been gifted another chance, and it would be difficult for fans to witness them waste it again.

Who was Washington’s most improved player in 2021?

Who was Washington’s most improved player in 2021?

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbykgy681k112p8 player_id=none image=https://washingtonfootballwire.usatoday.com/wp-content/plugins/mm-video/images/playlist-icon.png]

The 2021 season was a difficult one for the Washington Commanders. On the surface, Washington didn’t take a major step backward, finishing the same amount of wins as the season before. Considering Washington’s moves last offseason, that was a disappointment.

There were the injuries, COVID-19 outbreaks and a historically bad performance from the defense during the first half of the season. Unfortunately for Washington fans, the defense was expected to carry the team until veteran quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick got comfortable with the offense.

We know how that story played out. During Washington’s early defensive struggles, almost every defender struggled throughout the first seven weeks, outside of defensive tackle Jonathan Allen. One of those, cornerback Kendall Fuller turned things around in the second half of the season.

Pro Football Focus recently named their most improved players of the 2021 season for every NFL team and Fuller was that player for the Commanders.

PFF Grade change from 2020 to 2021: 66.7 → 81.5 (+14.8)

Fuller was moved to the outside in his return to Washington in 2020, and it was volatile to say the least. He allowed a career-high five touchdowns and earned his second-lowest PFF grade of his career.

His second-year playing on the outside in 2021 went far better. He finished as the second-most valuable cornerback in the NFL and got better as the year went on. From Week 8 forward, he was the highest-graded corner in the NFL.

PFF used its own grading scale to determine each team’s most improved player. The results for Fuller are undeniable, although Washington fans who watched every game may have a different opinion of Fuller’s season.

The key statement in PFF’s grade of Fuller: “From Week 8 forward.”

That is correct. Fuller was a different player from the Denver game forward. His coverage was improved and his tackling — always a strength — remained outstanding.

As far as the eyeball test watching every game, and not using PFF’s data, I would give linebacker Cole Holcomb credit for a much-improved 2021 campaign. The third-year linebacker took another step forward in his career last season and if Washington can land a true inside linebacker, Holcomb can be even better in 2022 and beyond.

2 Commanders among PFF’s top 101 players of 2021

Two Commanders ranked among PFF’s top 101 players of 2021.

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbykgy681k112p8 player_id=none image=https://washingtonfootballwire.usatoday.com/wp-content/plugins/mm-video/images/playlist-icon.png]

The 2021 NFL season was one to forget for the Washington Football Team — now Commanders. After going to the playoffs in head coach Ron Rivera’s first season in 2020, Washington fell to 7-10 in 2021.

There were many reasons why the 2021 season was such a failure for Washington. First, the team signed veteran Ryan Fitzpatrick and wide receiver Curtis Samuel in free agency to pair with returning stars Terry McLaurin, Logan Thomas and Antonio Gibson. Only McLaurin and Gibson played in more than six games due to injuries.

Then, there was the defense. Miscommunication, underachieving, injuries, and COVID-19 played a part in Washington’s defensive failures in 2021. While the Commanders were historically bad defensively early in the season, the unit played much better in Weeks 7-15 before COVID-19 took its toll.

Which Washington players stood out the most? According to Pro Football Focus, two Commanders ended the season on the analytics site’s top 101 players of 2021: defensive tackle Jonathan Allen and cornerback Kendall Fuller.

Surprisingly, guard Brandon Scherff and wide receiver Terry McLaurin missed the cut. Unlike the NFL Network’s Top 100 players, PFF emphasizes the individual grades the site gives each player.

Here’s what PFF said about Allen, ranked No. 54:

Allen was one of the most consistent interior pass-rushers in the game this season, although he cooled off a little down the stretch. Allen registered 67 pressures overall, upping his career-high by 17. He made 32 defensive stops and recorded an elite 90.9 PFF pass-rushing grade for a Washington defense that vastly underachieved relative to expectations.

And Fuller, ranked No. 73:

Given the overall performance from Washington’s defense, it might be hard to believe that there was anybody who performed well in coverage, but Fuller was that man. He earned his best overall grade and coverage grade since 2017, racking up 14 pass breakups even though he came away with just one interception. Fuller allowed only 9.4 yards per reception and put up an excellent grade against the run.

If you ask Washington fans, many would disagree with Fuller. However, Fuller’s second half of 2021 was much better than his first half of the season.

Seahawks finish 2021 season at No. 21 in NFL power rankings

The Seattle Seahawks have finished the 2021 season at No. 21 in Dan Hanzus’ NFL power rankings following Super Bowl LVI.

Now that Super Bowl LVI is in the rearview mirror, teams around the league start to ramp up their focus on strengthening their 2022 rosters via free agency and the draft. But before any of that takes place, let’s take one last look at another one of the final NFL power rankings to close out the year.

The latest comes from Dan Hanzus of NFL.com, who has the Seahawks finishing the season at No. 21 overall.

“Russell Wilson wants to stick around, and the Seahawks seem unlikely to trade their superstar in a year with an underwhelming QB draft class,” Hanzus asserts. “Absent a blockbuster trade, it’s time to build around Wilson and improve the areas that haunted the Seattle attack — notably, pass protection and third-down efficiency.”

Hanzus’ ranking has Seattle finishing much higher than in most final standings but he’s only being generous for now.

“New defensive coordinator Clint Hurtt will be tasked with improving a unit that struggled to generate pressure and force turnovers,” Hanzus writes. “Seattle needs to make substantial offseason gains to escape the cellar in the hyper-competitive NFC West.

“Another dark January could signal the end of the Pete Carroll era.”

[lawrence-related id=84447]

[listicle id=84473]

Where did Taylor Heinicke land on NFL.com’s QB rankings for 2021?

Where did Taylor Heinicke, Ryan Fitzpatrick and Garrett Gilbert rank among the 62 quarterbacks who started at least one game in 2021?

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbykgy681k112p8 player_id=none image=https://washingtonfootballwire.usatoday.com/wp-content/plugins/mm-video/images/playlist-icon.png]

Three quarterbacks started at least one game for the Washington Commanders in 2021. Ryan Fitzpatrick was signed last March to be Washington’s starter for the 2021 season, but he was injured and lost for the year after only six passes.

That led to Taylor Heinicke taking over under center. After his performance in Washington’s playoff loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Jan. 2021, some in the organization felt he was the better option in training camp.

Heinicke would end up starting 15 games for the Commanders in 2021. Last season, the other starting quarterback for Washington was an unlikely one in veteran Garrett Gilbert. Gilbert was just two days before Washington was scheduled to play Philadelphia after Heinicke and Kyle Allen were both placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list.

This week, Gregg Rosenthal of NFL.com did his final quarterback index of the 2021 season, ranking every quarterback who started at least one game last season.

Heinicke came in at No. 27:

Heinicke probably won’t get another season with 15 starts. Then again, I never would have guessed Heinicke’s spiritual father, Ryan Fitzpatrick, would have three seasons as a primary starter after turning 33. Like Fitzpatrick, Heinicke’s self-belief creates a lot of big plays for both his team and the opposition.

Heinicke played well at times in 2021, but his limitations are often on display. The good news for Heinicke is that he’s proven to be a capable backup in the NFL. There’s nothing wrong with being a backup NFL passer. Ask Chase Daniel. Heinicke can win games for you off the bench, which some other backups cannot do.

Gilbert earned a ranking for his one start — ahead of Fitzpatrick at No. 56.

For the second straight year, Gilbert looked better than expected in an emergency start that he had little chance of winning.

Fitzpatrick, who completed three of six passes for 13 yards, came in at No. 59.

Fitzpatrick suffered a life-changing hip injury after throwing just six passes in Washington. It’s a huge bummer if his otherwise joyous career ends this way, although it hasn’t changed him too much. Nine teams and 17 seasons after breaking in as a seventh-round pick under Mike Martz in St. Louis, Fitzmagic left a legacy unlike any other quarterback of his generation.

It’s a shame Washington fans didn’t get the full Fitzpatrick experience in 2021. Hopefully, the hip injury doesn’t end Fitzpatrick’s career, and he has a chance to at least return as a backup for someone in 2022.

In case you were wondering, the legendary Tom Brady was ranked No. 1 on the 2021 QB index.

Jaguars nowhere to be found on Pro Football Focus’ top 101 players list

Jacksonville was shut out from this year’s list after a league-worst 3-14 finish.

It was a disappointing season across the board for Jacksonville in 2021.

Quarterback Trevor Lawrence was held back (partially by his own mistakes and partially by the play of those around him), and the receiving corps ultimately disappointed after being decimated by injuries. Then on defense, the team showed improvement by the end of the season but was far from good enough to make up for everything else.

After registering a league-worst 3-14 finish, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that the Jaguars didn’t have any players among the league’s best. On Pro Football Focus’ list of the top 101 players in the NFL this year, Jacksonville was M.I.A.

It’s certainly not a surprise that there were no offensive players on this list. The highest-graded player that saw significant game time was receiver Laquon Treadwell, earning a 71.9 grade from PFF.

Defensively, Josh Allen could have had an argument to be here. His 78.6 season grade puts him within the range of some of the lower-graded players on the top 101. He finished with 7.5 sacks and a career-high 71 tackles, but he had problems with inconsistency. He had some huge games, but there were others where he was virtually a non-factor.

It’s not groundbreaking to say that bad teams tend to not have elite players, but this team’s lack of bona fide stars highlights how bad the roster situation has gotten. Jags fans can only hope the team isn’t omitted from this list next season.

Chase Young says recovery is ‘going great’

Chase Young’s recovery from knee surgery is “going great,” and he really likes the new uniforms.

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbykgy681k112p8 player_id=none image=https://washingtonfootballwire.usatoday.com/wp-content/plugins/mm-video/images/playlist-icon.png]

The Washington Commanders had a forgettable season in 2021. There were injuries, COVID-19 outbreaks and the team received very little from its free agent and draft classes. Perhaps most disappointing for Washington was its defense.

Everyone expected Washington’s defense to be the one constant in 2021; however, the unit struggled throughout the first half of the season. Unfortunately, the face of those struggles was often second-year defensive Chase Young.

Fair or not, when fans or media members discussed Washington’s defensive struggles, Young’s lack of sacks was often a topic of discussion. The 2020 NFL defensive rookie of the year had just 1.5 sacks before a knee injury in Week 10 ended his second NFL season.

Young underwent knee surgery in late November to repair a torn ACL. He appeared and spoke to the media at exit interviews after Washington’s final game but has remained quiet for the most part.

Last week, Young joined ESPN’s John Keim on his podcast, titled the “John Keim Report,” and spoke on his recovery, the new name, uniforms and Joe Burrow.

Young, who is training in Colorado this winter, discussed his recovery.

“It’s coming along great, man,” Young said. “I’m already squatting 225. I am already one-leg squats with weight on my back on the knee I hurt. I’m jumping; it’s going great.”

Commanders’ fans certainly hope Young follows a similar path to former college teammate Nick Bosa. Bosa won defensive rookie of the year in 2019, then tore his ACL in 2020 and returned with 15.5 sacks in 2021. Young has the potential for a similar return.

Later, Keim asked Young about the new uniforms, for which he is a big fan.

“The white one is clean,” Young said. “I know every away game we have this year; I am going to love that clean unless we got an alternate. I think the black is my favorite, but the white one and the burgundy one, I will like seeing those when we play.”

And the name?

“I would say the name grew on me,” he answered. “Just seeing the jersey, seeing how things came together, what we’re going to stand for, just being from D.C., I’m ready to go ‘Take Command.'”

Young was on record in November that he didn’t like some of the potential names, including the Commanders. Young may still not like the name, but he understands if the team wins, it doesn’t matter. And he really does seem to like the uniforms.

Young’s latest update on his health is an encouraging one for Washington. For the Commanders to take the next step in 2022, they need a healthy Young back on the field.

Kendall Fuller, Jonathan Allen earn spots on the ‘All-Collinsworth Team’

The “All-Collinsworth Team” isn’t quite the “All-Madden Team,” but an honor nonetheless.

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbykgy681k112p8 player_id=none image=https://washingtonfootballwire.usatoday.com/wp-content/plugins/mm-video/images/playlist-icon.png]

One of the biggest honors for an NFL player from the 1980s until the early 2000s was the All-Madden Team. Yes, the All-Pro teams and Pro Bowl were still around, but if you made the All-Madden Team, that was a different type of special.

The legendary John Madden would name his All-Madden Team after every season. And in an era where Washington was a consistent winner, numerous players, the “Hogs,” to Gary Clark, Darrell Green and others were All-Madden regulars.

Players even received an All-Madden jacket.

Sadly, the All-Madden team is no more. But for players who received the honor in the 80s and 90s, it meant more than the Pro Bowl.

While no one can replace the All-Madden Team, Cris Collinsworth of NBC now does his All-Collinsworth Team. Again, Collinsworth is no Madden — no one will ever replace Madden — but as the majority owner of Pro Football Focus, he offers a different approach in naming his All-Collinsworth Team.

Collinsworth, using PFF grades and his role as the color commentator for Sunday Night Football, has a unique perspective in naming his “best in the NFL” team.

How many Washington players made the All-Collinsworth Team in 2021? Two, both on defense in Jonathan Allen and Kendall Fuller. Here’s what Collinsworth had to say about Allen and cornerback Fuller.

3. JONATHAN ALLEN, WASHINGTON COMMANDERS

Allen ranked second among interior players this year in pressures and first in quarterback hits. While his run blocking was subpar, he tallied a 90.9 pass-rushing grade that ranked third at the position.

3. KENDALL FULLER, WASHINGTON COMMANDERS

Fuller is quite possibly the best tackler at the cornerback position, with a league-leading 64 tackles in coverage. He also regularly forced tight-window throws, allowing a 35.6% open target rate that ranked 20th among cornerbacks. His stick coverage and sure tackling helped him allow only three touchdowns in coverage this season.

Fuller is a bit of a surprise. He struggled at times earlier in the season but played much better in the second half of the season. Allen continues to prove he is one of the best in the NFL at his position.