Tag: 2023 Commanders 53-man roster

Why the Commanders kept Dax Milne

Milne is back for a third season with Washington.

Commanders fans were very excited watching undrafted free-agent receiver Kazmeir Allen, yet the Commanders coaching staff and front office chose to keep Dax Milne.

There will be those scratching their heads, voicing disapproval, wanting to see Allen running back kicks in 2023 for the Commanders.

Well, if Allen clears waivers he most certainly will be brought back and assigned to the practice squad. The former UCLA Bruin has exhibited a quickness on a few returns that no doubt has caught the coaches’ eyes as well.

However, general manager Martin Mayhew already stated Tuesday regarding his receivers, “You know our top guys are really special. And we think there are some young guys who can develop behind those.”

Terry McLaurin, Jahan Dotson, Curtis Samuel and Dyami Brown are clearly the top four receivers.

Byron Pringle brings three years of experience with the Chiefs and one with the Bears to the equation. If injury occurs to one of the top four, Pringle would be called upon right away.

Mitchell Tinsley (Penn State) is a rookie whom the Commanders kept because he displayed more potential as an actual receiver than Milne and Allen. Washington did not want to expose Tinsley to waivers for fear he could very likely have been claimed.

Thus, the final receiver roster spot came down to Milne and Allen. Yes, Allen flashed more return potential than Milne in the preseason. But he also had two miscues in the final preseason game against Cincinnati.

Some will immediately respond, “But all Milne did last season was catch punts. He did not have breakaway ability.” Yes, you are correct; Milne did not display breakaway ability. Yet, you are also correct; he caught the ball. You can’t return the ball unless you initially field the ball.

The Commanders chose to go with Milne to field the punts for now. As for kickoffs? The NFL has absolutely ruined kickoffs, virtually eliminating them. They have so minimized kickoffs the Commanders may return very few kicks this season.

The Commanders will likely bring back Allen to the practice squad. They will have him learning more about the receiver position and give him lots of reps fielding Tress Way’s punting workouts during the season.

You may be upset for now, but hold on, you may see Allen returning punts in the Commanders future.

But for now, the wiser move was to go with Milne.

Did Jake Fromm do enough for Commanders?

Did Fromm convince Washington coaches to keep three quarterbacks?

Did Jake Fromm do enough to convince the Commanders to keep three quarterbacks?

Sam Howell, of course, is the starter, and Jacoby Brissett is the backup. Did Fromm on Saturday night accomplish enough that the Commanders offensive coaches will want him on the opening-day roster?

Fromm completed 13 of his 18 passing attempts totaling 144 passing yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions. Fromm was sacked twice, finishing the game with a passer rating of 132.6.

The former Georgia Bulldog quarterback began the second half for Washington trailing 10-7 and the ball on his own 6-yard line. In nine plays, Fromm drove the Commanders offense 94 yards, and Washington had the lead 14-10.

On the drive, Fromm completed passes of 22, 9, and 9, setting the stage for his 38-yard touchdown pass to Mitchell Tinsley. Only, replay revealed that Tinsley had stepped out of bounds at the one. Fromm then connected with Brycen Tremayne and Washington led Cincinnati 14-10.

In the final quarter, with Washington leading Cincinnati 14-13, Fromm began throwing again. This time he led the Commanders on a 75-yard scoring drive in eight plays.

With Washington at the Cincinnati 7-yard line, Fromm found tight end Brandon Dillon for the touchdown, which put the Commanders up 21-13 with just over ten minutes remaining.

Now the coaching staff must determine what they are going to do. Roster cuts mean each team must trim down to 53 players.

Will the Commanders keep all three quarterbacks (Howell, Brissett and Fromm)? Might they determine they will need another pass rusher, or offensive lineman, thus keeping only Howell and Brissett?

Another option could see the Commanders go ahead and release Fromm and then resign him to the practice squad, so they can keep him in the building and have that third quarterback in the case of another horrendous season where they are forced to play multiple quarterbacks.

Whatever the Commanders choose to do, this is one of the most difficult aspects for the coaching staff.