Tag: 2023 Commanders Defense

Commanders Del Rio knows his unit can reduce the big plays

Jack Del Rio talks the importance of eliminating the big plays.

Jack Del Rio saw a good effort against the Patriots Sunday; then suddenly, the Commanders gave up two big plays.

“I thought we did a good job defensively last week. We had two plays that got away from us. One in the pass, one in the run. And other than that, we played real, real well.”

Indeed, the Commanders defense limited the Patriots on the way to a 20-17 victory. The two big plays?

Washington led 10-7, and the Patriots, from their own 16, had a 1st & 10. Lining up three eligible receivers tightly on the right side, Mac Jones faked a handoff and then found JuJu Smith-Schuster running across the field from tight right to the left side wide open. Smith-Schuster made the catch at the 23 and was pushed out of bounds on the 36, a 20-yard gain.

On the very next play, Washington ran a stunt, and linebacker Jamin Davis did not plug the closest gap to the right of tackle Daron Payne. New England’s Rhamondre Stevenson exploded through the hole into the secondary. He was met by safety Percy Butler, but he missed the tackle on Stevenson, who then raced 64 yards for a go-ahead Pats touchdown.

In two plays, the Commanders defense had surrendered 84 yards and a touchdown.

So, when defensive coordinator Del Rio was asked Thursday what is keeping this unit from rating as highly as the defensive unit last season in 2022.

“Yeah, explosive plays allowed. That’s been the big problem. We’re playing solid in a lot of areas, but the explosive plays allowed. Many of them kind of gift-type situations are the ones that keep us from ranking well and being able to beat our chest and say, look at our rank right here, which doesn’t mean a whole lot. I think what really means the most is give your football team a chance to win, play complementary football, and make sure we’re getting the ball back for our offense as often as possible.”

One player who was giving up some explosive plays prior to last week was rookie corner Emmanuel Forbes, Jr.  However, last week, Forbes played well enough that PFF graded Forbes as the highest Commanders defensive player last week. The performance pleased Del Rio.

“I think he’s just working at it. You know, he’s a good young player. We believe in him. He’s just gotta grind and work. That’s what he has done, and that allowed him to get himself back in the game, and then he played well.”

 

Jonathan Allen: Commanders defense is going to improve

Allen promises Washington’s recent run of defensive ineptitude will not continue.

“If it was an easy answer we would have it fixed.”

That’s how Commanders defensive tackle and captain Jonathan Allen answered his first question on his weekly Monday appearance with
“The Sports Junkies” on 106.7 The Fan in Washington, D.C.

Allen then said that, first and foremost, every player needs to take accountability. Next, Allen touched on human nature, displaying maturity when he wisely said, “I think everyone’s going to be looking for an easy way out, a quick way to fix the solution overnight.”

The seventh-year veteran said they need to look at the game film and determine to do the little things right, “fundamentally sound football.” Say what you want about Allen, but he repeatedly reveals he learned a great deal from Nick Saban, his coach at Alabama. He sounds like Saban so often.

Here is the video of the show segment. For now, here are some selected quotes from Allen.

“In the NFL, one thing about defense is any plays you struggle with, you are going to see them again…so we have to get better at the things we are struggling with.”

“We are definitely struggling right now, but we are going to improve,” Allen assured the Junkies.

“I need to play with more energy, more effort, better technique, go back to the fundamentals”, Allen insisting it starts with himself.

When asked regarding head coach Ron Rivera not being fiery on the sidelines, not even addressing the team during halftime against the Bears, Allen responded quickly.  “I think it is easy when you are not a part of it to say we need this or we need that. I know for me personally, I am very motivated in what I do. I’ve played for Coach Saban, one of the most fiery coaches of all time. I pride myself in being a very self-motivated person.”

“Obviously, when things are going well, people want to see the passion. They want to see that we care. One thing I can guarantee without a shadow of a doubt is we care. Obviously, this one hurt for the fans. It hurts for the players and coaches as well.”

“I understand the frustration, I’m not calling out anybody, not blaming anybody, but I promise you, this isn’t going to continue.”

Might what the Commanders defensive unit needs most is to listen to and follow the example of Jonathan Allen?

Commanders defensive depth suddenly questioned

Suddenly, Washington’s safety depth will be tested, and some young players have an opportunity.

It was July 27, 2023, and Commanders Training Camp was launching a new era.

The defense had finished the 2022 season ranking first in the NFL in third-down defense, allowing the smallest percentage of third-down conversions in the league.

Fast forward two months and one week. On Monday (10/09/23), head coach Ron Rivera announced two key players were headed to the injured reserve list. Safety Darrick Forrest injured a shoulder in the last game against the Bears during the third quarter.

In addition, Safety Jeremy Reaves injured his knee against the Bears. During a punt, Reaves went down and could be seen during the live coverage of the play, immediately reach for and clutching his knee in pain.

Even further, during his press conference today, when Rivera announced the two significant players going to the IR list, he only stated they were awaiting further word, determining the severity of the two injuries.

What sort of depth do the Commanders possess, losing Reaves and Forrest? Safety Percy Butler appears to be the next man up. Butler (6-0, 190) was Washington’s fourth-round choice (113 overall) in the 2022 NFL draft.

Butler certainly possesses the physical skills. He’s faster than Forrest, but is he ready to recognize his assignments in coverage from play to play, reacting at game speed?

Reaves was a punt coverage demon in 2022, earning his Pro Bowl spot. Who will step up and be that first guy down on the punt coverage team making so many plays in Reaves absence?

The first name that comes to mind is cornerback Christian Holmes. Holmes (6-1, 205) played his college ball at Oklahoma State. In the 2022 draft, Washington selected Holmes in the 7th (final) round with the 240th overall selection. Holmes has already been playing on the punt coverage team, so who will be the new person to play on punt coverage?

Terrell Burgess (safety), who was with the Commanders in training camp and the preseason looks to be a candidate to be elevated to the active roster.  He was drafted by the Rams in the 2020 draft, in the third round (104 overall).

After playing his college ball at Utah, Burgess saw action in seven games in 2020 and 16 in 2021, both with the Rams. In 2022 he participated in seven games with the Rams and one with the Giants.

As for Reaves, the fan favorite took to social media to thank the fans for their love and well wishes.

4 reasons the Commanders should be concerned about the Bills

Which four things should concern the Commanders most about the Bills?

The Bills offense averages 5.4 yards per play

The 5.4 yards per offensive play is 8th best in the NFL after two weeks. Running back James Cook (Dalvin’s younger brother) is having huge success in the first two weeks, averaging 5.8 yards on his 29 rushing attempts, totaling 169 yards.

The combination of James Cook moving the chains and opening up the possibility of the play-action passing game should greatly concern the Commanders defensive personnel.

Josh Allen has the physical ability to win any week

After Josh Allen threw three interceptions in the Bills opener against the Jets, all Allen did last week was the exact opposite. He passed for four touchdowns, had no interceptions, for 274 yards and a passer rating of 124.5. The Commanders’ pass-rushing personnel must maintain lane integrity. It does more harm than good to simply rush wide, leaving gaping holes for Allen. He is explosive and can easily exploit a team whose pass-rushing is undisciplined. Allen can then extend plays by either finding a receiver downfield or utilizing his open-field running ability.

The Washington pass defense gave up huge completions last week

Last week against Denver, the Commanders defense surrendered on the first three Broncos possessions, drives of 61, 75 and 90 yards. In addition, each culminated in a Broncos touchdown. After the Commanders defense had seemed to take control of the game, they again succumbed, yielding 61 and 87 yards on the Broncos’ last two possessions. Against Denver, the Commanders allowed three passes each gaining at least  50+ yards.

The Bills pass defense is overlooked

Sam Howell being sacked ten times in two games ties for third worst in the NFL with Chicago’s Justin Fields. Only Houston’s C.J. Stroud (11) and the NYG Daniel Jones (12) have been sacked more often. In addition, Howell endured 8 quarterback hits last week against Denver.

The Bills’ defense has yielded only 26 first downs, which ties for second-best in the NFL. Their pass defense has also only surrendered 30 completions, which is third-best in the league. They are getting off of the field, having only allowed 17 passing first downs and five rushing first downs, which is tied for 5th best. Also, the Bills have permitted only a 73.2 passer rating thus far, which is 5th best.