Tag: 2023 NFL season

Previewing Chiefs’ Week 1 game vs. Ravens on Chiefs Wire Podcast

On the latest episode of @TheChiefsWire podcast: @EdEastonJr’s chats w/ Don Cheadle & @TheJohnDillon speaks to ‘Hollywood’ Brown #BALvsKC

We’re back with an all-new episode of the Chiefs Wire podcast! This week, we’re previewing the Kansas City Chiefs Week 1 matchup with the Baltimore Ravens.

Chiefs Wire Managing Editor John Dillon recently sat down with Chiefs wide receiver ‘Hollywood’ Brown to discuss adjusting to his new team and NFL Rivals, an officially licensed video game of the National Football League and NFL Players Association.

We check in with this past week’s press conferences, which featured comments from quarterback Patrick Mahomes, tight end Travis Kelce, and head coach Andy Reid ahead of Thursday’s game at Arrowhead Stadium. Lastly, Senior Writer Ed Easton Jr. speaks with award-winning actor and longtime Chiefs fan Don Cheadle.

With just hours between the release of the first Chiefs Wire Podcast and Kansas City’s first game of the 2024 season, listeners can look forward to being well-informed about all developments relative to Brown’s injury, the team’s game plan, and get to know better a Missouri native and celebrity member of Chiefs Kingdom.

Check out the link below to get your fill of Chiefs talk ahead of tonight’s kickoff:

Why did the Texans practice in mid-day Houston heat?

The Houston Texans called an audible this week by targeting a week of afternoon practices instead.

As players took to the field for the first time in a new week of training camp, weather conditions reached a new high for the start of practice at the Methodist Training Center.

The Houston Texans usually begin drills by 9 a.m. to avoid the humid conditions that would often touch over 100 degrees last year.

On Tuesday, the sun belted down on C.J. Stroud and the offense as they continued drives in 95-degree heat in preparation for Saturday’s matchup against the New York Giants.

But why? Why would the Texans practice in triple-digit weather when they play indoors at NRG Stadium next door?

“Like I tell our guys, for me, it’s about adversity, and when it hits you, how do you respond?” Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said. “Some guys responded well today, some guys didn’t.”

Thursday practice was different than any other, especially with the Texans returning home for the first time in 11 days. They ran fewer drills. They took extended breaks. They entered the cooling station more than once to regulate their body temperatures.

But weather conditions can be tricky. Some weeks, Houston will deal with the frigid outdoor terrain in places like Kansas City at Arrowhead Stadium or Nashville at Nissan Stadium at the season’s end.

Sometimes, Houston will play under the scorching sun in its matchup against Jacksonville in early December.

Ryans wanted to test the mind and the body on physical and mental toughness.

Some players passed with flying colors. Some failed.

Even those reporting from the sidelines struggled to stay in the sun for two hours.

“How did y’all do in the heat today?” guard Shaq Mason said when asked about the weather. “It was definitely one of the hottest days, but we need days like this.”

Kickoff against New York is scheduled for noon CT.

Why should Commanders fans be excited this season?

Jonathan Allen gives several reasons why fans should be excited in 2024.

Why should Commanders fans be excited about this season?

That was the final question Bryan Colbert Jr. asked Jonathan Allen following practice Friday.

“You should be excited because, regardless of the score, regardless of the record, you are going to be proud of what you see on that field. I can always guarantee that.”

Allen was rather upbeat despite being disappointed when last season came to a 4-13 close.

“There’s a lot of change going on in this organization for the better. The fans are excited, the players are excited.” Allen mentioned how several players have expressed to him how they loved playing for Dan Quinn and Joe Whitt.

“I can see it, the energy they bring day in and day out. They make football, for me personally, fun again. I feel like I am back in high school again, having fun with the guys while also working harder than I ever have before. It’s been incredible.”

When Quinn was hired, it was a surprise because the media had convinced the DMV that the new hire would be Ben Johnson or Mike Macdonald.

“I went into it with an open mind and wanted to see what he was about and how things were going to be run. After listening to his excitement and passion, I knew that I at least wanted to see it. Once I started seeing it, there was no doubt: I wanted to be here.”

Now in his eighth season, has Allen lost any of his drive? “I’m feeling hungrier than I’ve ever been, trying to work harder than I ever have, doing all the little things. I am just excited to be out here.”

How does Allen feel about the Commanders drafting defensive tackle Johnny Newton? “After seeing some of his film, he is definitely a ball player, and I am excited to get to play next to him.”

Daron Payne, former Alabama teammate, joined the Redskins in 2019, and the two have played together since.

“Daron Payne, he just wants to come in and push you, so I always accept that challenge. We always compete with one another; we always push each other to get better.”

What does Allen think about his new defensive coordinator, Joe Whitt? “He’s a guy that I want to play for. I think there’s something to be said when you have a coach who makes players want to play hard for him. He is that coach for me. I’m excited; I love it.”

 

How bad was the Commanders defense in 2023? This 1st quarter stat reveals how bad

Some really ugly numbers here.

During his four seasons as head coach of the Washington Commanders, Ron Rivera’s teams always seemed to get off to a slow start. Without elite quarterback play, it was always difficult for the Commanders to climb out of an early deficit.

In 2023, the defense was supposed to be a team strength. With four former first-round picks in the starting lineup on the defensive front, the Commanders defense should have made life easier for the offense.

Not only did that not happen, but Washington’s defense was even worse than the offense.

Here are the ugly numbers:

Those are some ugly numbers. Last season’s performance led Rivera to fire defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio and secondary coach Brent Vieselmeyer after a blowout loss to the Cowboys.

If you think those numbers are bad, Warren Sharp had another that showed Washington’s defensive ineptitude.

Insanity is the correct word. Quarterback Sam Howell never had a chance. It’s remarkable that the Commanders allowed so many first-quarter points, and that stat alone tells the complete story of the 2023 Washington Commanders.

Washington’s defense will be better under head coach Dan Quinn and defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. in 2024. While the Commanders have some question marks, namely at edge rusher and cornerback, Quinn’s defenses always find a way. If nothing else, Washington will force turnovers — another thing it could not do last season.

Commanders DTs Jonathan Allen and Daron Payne ranked among the top 32 in the NFL

Daron Payne and Jonathan Allen are due for a big bounce-back in 2024.

When Dan Quinn was asked what he liked about the Washington roster he inherited, he didn’t hesitate to mention the defensive tackle group. While he didn’t name Jonathan Allen and Daron Payne, it was clear who he was referring to.

Payne and Allen were phenomenal in 2022, each earning a trip to the Pro Bowl. However, both players had their worst season in 2023. A look up and down Washington’s roster shows multiple players had their worst season one year ago.

General manager Adam Peters, Quinn, and his entire staff have wiped the slate clean, and the players are excited.

This offseason, the Commanders added another talented defensive tackle to the roster: second-round pick Johnny Newton. Once healthy, his presence will allow Quinn and defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. to rotate Allen and Payne more in 2024, keeping them fresh later in games.

In their series ranking the top 32 players at every position, Pro Football Focus ranked Allen (14) and Payne (32) among its top group.

Here’s what PFF said about Allen:

Allen isn’t coming off his best season, but he still racked up 49 quarterback pressures and 37 defensive stops for the Commanders last year.

At his best, Allen is one of the most formidable pass-rushers in the game. He is just two years removed from a 90.9 PFF pass-rushing grade on the back of 67 pressures and double-digit sacks.

And Payne:

Payne isn’t coming off his best year, but he could be a rejuvenated force in 2024 in Dan Quinn’s defense. He totaled 35 quarterback pressures last season, but that was down from 49 the year before. He has notched at least 40 pressures in back-to-back seasons, having had exactly 39 in each of the two years before that.

The powerhouse of a defensive tackle’s best season may be incoming in a new defensive system.

It sounds like PFF believes big things could be ahead for Allen and Payne in 2024 under a competent coaching staff. Payne’s ranking feels low, especially behind a rookie who has never played an NFL snap, but he can prove last season was a fluke.

Both players are motivated to have a big 2024 season.

Sam Howell takes responsibility for his 2023 season with the Commanders

Sam Howell doesn’t throw anyone under the bus, takes accountability for his 2023 play with the Commanders.

One year ago, Sam Howell was taking first-team snaps during Offseason Training Activities (OTAs) for the Washington Commanders. Then-head coach Ron Rivera told anyone who would listen that Howell would be a star, and when the Commanders won a Super Bowl—whether he was there or not—they could send him his Super Bowl ring.

During the first half of last season, Howell was sometimes phenomenal, and Rivera looked like he may be right. However, the Commanders completely fell apart during the second half of the season, losing their final eight games. Howell struggled with sacks and turnovers at different times last season.

While Howell undoubtedly played a significant role in his struggles, he had no help from the coaching staff. Personnel-wise, Rivera ignored the offensive line for four years. And offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy, forever auditioning for a head coaching job, ran an offense that led the NFL in pass attempts—and last in rush attempts.

Everything and everyone was out of sync last season with a lame-duck coaching staff.

That all changed in January when owner Josh Harris fired Rivera. Harris hired general manager Adam Peters and followed that by hiring Dan Quinn as head coach.

With a new regime and the No. 2 overall pick, Howell knew his days in Washington could be over. In March, the Commanders traded Howell to the Seahawks for multiple draft picks.

In Seattle, Howell would be Geno Smith’s backup, but GM John Schneider made it clear how much he wanted Howell.

We hadn’t heard publicly from Howell since the trade until he spoke with the Seattle media after an OTA practice last week. He discussed last season with Washington.

“I think I can play some smarter ball,” Howell said, per Gregg Bell of The News Tribune. “At times, when we were down big in games, I was a little too aggressive. I was just trying to make something happen to get us back in the game. That’s why, you know…the turnovers were just way too high for what I wanted, what the team needed. That’s definitely something I can take from last year.”

As for the Seahawks, new head coach Mike Macdonald is thrilled to have Howell.

“We are excited about Sam,” Macdonald said.

Howell has a chance to be a successful starting quarterback in the NFL. Washington did him no favors in 2023. Meanwhile, the Commanders are also excited about their future with Jayden Daniels.

As far as Howell’s comments, he could’ve done what so many others have and blamed others. He took the high road. That’s Sam Howell.

The Lions were the only NFL defense to prevent this offensive accomplishment in 2023

The Lions were the only NFL defense to prevent opposing offenses from throwing a TD pass to a RB in 2023

The Detroit Lions weren’t notable for a lot of positive defensive accomplishments in the 2023 season. However, there is one specific realm where Aaron Glenn’s defensive unit did something better than any other team last season.

The Lions defense was the only one to prevent opposing offenses from throwing a single touchdown pass to a running back. Six other teams allowed only one TD reception to an opposing running back, but the Lions kept the slate clean in the regular season, according to data from SIS.

Overall, the Lions did a very good job of defending the pass to running backs. Only the New York Giants allowed fewer receptions to RBs (58) than Detroit’s defense (59), and teams didn’t throw to the running backs all that often either; the 86 targeted passes to RBs by opposing offenses tied for 29th.

There are obviously some contextual circumstances at play. The Lions outside cornerbacks were largely inadequate in deeper coverage, and the safeties provided little added help. Quarterbacks also ran well against the Lions, gaining 360 rushing yards, the sixth-highest against any defense. A strong pressure rate from the Lions pass rush also forced opposing offenses to keep a running back in pass protection, too.

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Detroit’s defense was also outstanding in the red zone, where most RB touchdown receptions spawn; the Lions held opponents to the third-lowest red zone TD percentage in the league in 2023, which creates something of a chicken/egg discussion in terms of RB receiving success.

But there is no doubt the Lions covered RBs well, most notably DB Brian Branch and LB Alex Anzalone as well as a strong late-season surge from S Ifeatu Melifonwu in that area.

 

PFF says Andrew Wylie is Commanders’ most underrated player

PFF says Andrew Wylie is underrated.

Who is the Washington Commanders’ most underrated player? If you ask 20 people, you’d likely get 15 different answers, but one answer you wouldn’t get is right tackle Andrew Wylie.

Pro Football Focus thinks otherwise.

PFF recently named one underrated player on all 32 NFL teams, and Wylie was Washington’s pick. Here’s what PFF said about Wylie:

Wylie came over from Kansas City with offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy to play right tackle for the Commanders. Although he gave up a sack in each of his first four games with Washington, Wylie got better as the season went on and eventually earned a 69.2 PFF overall grade — a career-high mark for him on his way to ranking 16th among right tackles.

PFF’s grading system is often controversial. The grades are helpful but don’t always tell the complete story. If you watched all 17 Washington games last season, you’d know Wylie wasn’t very good. Was he as bad as some fans thought? Maybe not, but it was difficult to call the right tackle position a strength.

General manager Adam Peters didn’t replace Wylie this offseason, and he had plenty of cap room to do so. Finding an answer at left tackle was a more significant issue, and the Commanders only addressed that by re-signing veteran swing tackle Cornelius Lucas and selecting Brandon Coleman in the third round of the 2024 NFL draft.

Will Wylie be better in 2024? Peters and the new coaching staff believe so.

 

Montez Sweat strongly preferred Washington’s old name

Montez Sweat liked old name, embarrassed by “Commanders” name.

The Washington Redskins selected Montez Sweat in the first round of the 2019 NFL draft. On Oct. 31, 2023, the Washington Commanders traded Sweat to the Chicago Bears for a 2024 second-round pick.

In Sweat’s five seasons with the team, Washington had three different team names because former owner Dan Snyder was forced to sell in the summer of 2020: Redskins, Football Team and Commanders.

In Tuesday’s episode of the “Green Light” podcast with Chris Long, Sweat was asked about Washington’s various names.

He clearly preferred the “Redskins” moniker.

While Sweat is no longer on the team, having signed a lucrative four-year extension with the Bears, he will endear himself to many Washington fans due to his preference for the old name.

As for the new name, Sweat said he was “embarrassed” when he first heard it.

“Oh my god, when I heard that, bro, I was embarrassed,” Sweat said. “I was so embarrassed that when people asked who I played for, I said Washington.”

Several Washington fans would agree with him.

Sweat appeared in 67 games for Washington, recording 222 tackles, including 47 for loss, 35.5 sacks and 10 forced fumbles.

Former Commanders linebacker Cody Barton signs with Broncos

Bobby Wagner and Frankie Luvu are in, while Cody Barton and others are out.

It’s been a good week for Washington fans hoping for improved linebacker play. The Commanders signed former Panthers linebacker Frankie Luvu to a three-year deal to kick off free agency and followed that up by signing future Hall of Famer Bobby Wagner to a one-year deal.

On Friday, Washington’s starting inside linebacker from 2023, Cody Barton, found a new home. Per his agent, Barton signed a one-year deal with the Denver Broncos for $3.5 million. It’s the same terms he signed for in Washington last March.

Barton started all 13 games in which he played for the Commanders, recording 121 tackles, including three for loss and one interception. But don’t mistake that number of tackles for effective play. While Pro Football Focus can sometimes be controversial with its grading, PFF’s grade of 53.9 for the 2023 season was accurate.

Washington’s linebackers were a weakness during all four seasons under Ron Rivera, but it was particularly bad last season.