Tag: Adam Peters

Report: Giants hiring Joe Schoen cost them Jim Harbaugh as coach

In 2022, the New York Giants hired Joe Schoen as GM over Joe Hortiz, who reportedly was set to hire Jim Harbaugh as his head coach.

As the New York Giants headed into the 2023 season, they thought they had nailed the general manager and head coaching positions with the hiring of Joe Schoen and Brian Daboll to five-year contracts.

The Giants were coming off a 9-7-1 2022 regular season finish and a trip to the playoffs that included a win on the road. Schoen appeared to be fully in charge and Daboll was the darling of the football world being named the NFL’s Coach of the Year.

But a lot has gone down since then. The Giants’ juggernaut has dropped out of the sky and are in a death spiral. They are 8-23 since the start of the 2023 season and going nowhere fast.

They do not have a franchise quarterback of the future on their roster and many are questioning the competence of the entire organization from ownership on down.

Paul Schwartz of the New York Post, who has been covering the team for over 30 years, believes that if the Giants make changes this offseason, it may not be a clean sweep. They may decide to keep both Schoen and Daboll or they may keep one and let the other go.

Veteran sports author and columnist, Ian O’Connor, looked back at the move to hire Schoen and Daboll and the other options the Giants had available to them with back then.

“The Giants loved Adam Peters as a GM candidate but loved Joe Schoen just a bit more,” O’Connor posted on X. “They thought John Harbaugh’s guy in Baltimore, Joe Hortiz, was a bit nervous in his interview, but he was going to hire Jim Harbaugh as Giants head coach. What could have been?”

Peters was with San Francisco at the time as general manager John Lynch’s assistant. He was hired this past offseason by Washington to be their GM. The Commanders are 9-5 this season and headed towards the playoffs.

Hortiz was the Ravens’ Director of Player Personnel and is now the general manager of the Los Angeles Chargers and did indeed hire Jim Harbaugh as his head coach. The Chargers are 8-6 this season and currently are in the seventh playoff spot in the AFC.

While these other teams are flourishing, the Giants are floundering. Yes, what could have been…?

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Commanders CB Marshon Lattimore erased one side of the field

Marshon Lattimore was phenomenal in his Washington debut.

Marshon Lattimore’s debut with the Washington Commanders could not have gone any better. After missing his first four games since last month’s trade with a hamstring injury, Lattimore played all but two of Washington’s defensive snaps.

So, how did Lattimore do in his Washington debut?

Lattimore was not targeted once, meaning he did not allow a reception against the Saints in his debut. Sure, he was playing his former team against a pair of struggling young quarterbacks, but New Orleans knew better than anyone not to give Lattimore a chance to make them pay.

How did Lattimore feel about his performance?

“I didn’t really get too much action, but just to be out there was a great feeling,” Lattimore said, per Sam Fortier of The Washington Post.

When Lattimore left the field after chatting with his former teammates, Commanders general manager Adam Peters eagerly awaited Lattimore, picking him up and hugging him before they entered the locker room.

Here’s the video, courtesy of All-Pro Reels.

The Commanders were patient with Lattimore, easing him back into the lineup for the most important stretch of the season. On Sunday, Washington hosts division-leading Philadelphia, where Lattimore will likely draw the assignment of covering wide receiver A.J. Brown.

A position that began the season as a weakness looks much different now with Lattimore’s arrival alongside rookie Mike Sainristi.

When Peters traded for Lattimore, he was looking for a player who could shut down one side of the field. Lattimore erased one side on Sunday.

A tough day for Commanders CB Benjamin St-Juste

St-Juste made an impact, but not how he wanted.

The Washington Commanders couldn’t wait to activate cornerback Marshon Lattimore. Acquired last month at the NFL trade deadline, Lattimore did not play in his first four games after the trade due to a preexisting hamstring injury.

Two weeks ago, anticipating Lattimore’s return, the Commanders waived 2023 first-round pick Emmanuel Forbes. Forbes, who struggled badly as a rookie, looked bad in Washington’s Week 1 game against Tampa Bay, and it was clear that the new regime of general manager Adam Peters and head coach Dan Quinn had already seen enough.

The Commanders mainly used a cornerback rotation of rookie Mike Sainristil, Noah Igbinoghene, and Benjamin St-Juste throughout the season because there was little depth. St-Juste struggled, both in coverage and with penalties.

So, upon Lattimore’s Week 15 return, Lattimore took St-Juste’s place in the starting lineup while Sainristil and Igbinoghene continued in their respective roles.

Here’s the snap count for Washington’s cornerback in Lattimore’s first game:

  • Marshon Lattimore: 53/55 (96%)
  • Mike Sainristil: 50/55 (91%)
  • Noah Igbinoghene: 38/55 (69%)
  • Benjamin St-Juste: 3/55 (5%)

Lattimore was not on a pitch count during his first game, which is excellent news for Washington.

As for St-Juste, it’s clear he played so much early in the season because the Commanders had nowhere else to turn. The only positive was they deemed him a much better option than Forbes. With Lattimore back and Sainristil improving each week, St-Juste’s best path toward playing time is taking snaps from Igbinoghene, but that’s unlikely as he’s played well, too.

Let’s review St-Juste’s snaps on Sunday. He played just three defensive snaps and committed a costly penalty on one of those three snaps, wiping out a Dorance Armstrong sack and nine-yard loss. St-Juste was called for illegal use of hands. Had St-Juste not been called for the penalty, New Orleans would’ve faced a fourth-and-17 from its 17-yard line.

The Saints would eventually kick a field goal, meaning St-Juste’s penalty cost Washington three points.

This was one of many costly mistakes made by the Commanders on Sunday.

Peters and Quinn continue to find their guys. St-Juste is a free agent after the season and will likely play elsewhere next season. The three snaps were a career-low outside of two games during his rookie season, where he did not play on defense, only playing on special teams. He’s been a regular starter over the last three seasons.

Commanders land Heisman frontrunner in latest mock draft

Could you imagine this backfield?

Could the Washington Commanders land a Heisman Trophy winner in the NFL draft for the second consecutive year?

In the 2024 NFL draft, Washington held the No. 2 overall pick and selected LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels. Daniels won the Heisman Trophy after a record-breaking final season for the Tigers. Daniels’ arrival has completely transformed the Commanders from a four-win team to a playoff contender.

Currently 8-5, Washington looks likely to make the NFC playoff field, barring an unforeseen collapse.

While the Commanders finally have something to play for in December, it’s never too early to begin looking ahead to next season. That means it’s mock draft time. While Washington is in a much different position than one year ago, the Commanders have several needs.

In a new mock draft for The Athletic, Dane Brugler has the Commanders adding some help for Daniels and the offense. Brugler has Washington selecting Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty with the No. 21 overall pick.

Jeanty is one of the best players in this draft class, full stop. But there aren’t many obvious landing spots for a running back in the top 20, especially if Dallas passes (and I’m not projecting any trades in a mock draft this early in the process).

Washington wouldn’t be upset to see the Boise State standout fall this far. I’ll double check the NFL rule book, but a Jayden Daniels/Jeanty backfield hardly seems fair.

We agree with Brugler. Could you imagine a backfield of Daniels and Jeanty, with Brian Robinson Jr. and Austin Ekeler also around? Providing Washington adds a receiver in free agency, adding Jeanty would give the Commanders one of the upcoming draft’s top 10 players. The only reason Jeanty doesn’t go in the top 10 is because of his position.

Jeanty rushed for 2,288 yards, averaged 7.3 yards per carry and scored 28 touchdowns this season and has the Broncos in the College Football Playoff. Jeanty and Colorado star Travis Hunter are clear favorites to win the 2024 Heisman Trophy.

GM Adam Peters is about drafting the best player available. If Jeanty is there at No. 21, there’s no doubt he’d be the best player remaining on the board.

What are the odds the Commanders land back-to-back Heisman Trophy winners?

Commanders make the right choice with Austin Ekeler

The Commanders placed Austin Ekeler on IR, which was the right move.

The Washington Commanders placed running back Austin Ekeler on injured reserve Saturday. The move means that Ekeler will miss at least the next four games, making him eligible to return for the Week 18 regular-season finale against the Dallas Cowboys.

Ekeler suffered a concussion at the end of last week’s loss to Dallas. It was his second concussion of the season, as he suffered one back in Week 3 and missed the following game.

Washington did the right thing, sidelining Ekeler for at least the next five weeks. Remember, the Commanders have a Week 14 bye.

Since Ekeler entered the NFL back in 2017, he has suffered four documented concussions. That doesn’t take into account any concussions he may have had before his NFL career. No concussion is more severe than another. Each time you suffer a concussion, it’s a head injury and should be treated with extreme caution.

So, while the Commanders are in a playoff race and Ekeler is one of their best players, they do right by the player, something that wasn’t always the case before new owner Josh Harris, general manager Adam Peters and head coach Dan Quinn arrived.

Depending on how Ekeler recovers, he may or may not play again this season.

In the meantime, Washington will try to get it done on offense with running backs Brian Robinson Jr., Jeremy McNichols and Chris Rodriguez. Quarterback Jayden Daniels will also be involved in Washington’s running game.

There are usually very few updates on players in the NFL’s concussion protocol, meaning it could be a while before there is a definitive update on Ekeler.

Dan Quinn should be NFL Coach of the Year for inheriting Ron Rivera’s mess

Saturday’s release of Emmanuel Forbes is further proof of the mess Adam Peters and Dan Quinn inherited.

Another chapter of the miserable four-year reign of Ron Rivera was closed on Saturday. The Washington Commanders released 2023 first-round cornerback Emmanuel Forbes after only 20 games played for the franchise.

The news wasn’t a surprise. Besides a thumb injury that cost him some time early in the season, Forbes has been a healthy scratch for weeks. Over the last five games, Forbes played eight total defensive snaps and was either inactive or did not play in three of those five games.

Head coach Dan Quinn and his staff, known for developing defensive backs, had seen enough of Forbes. With the release of Forbes, none of Rivera’s four first-round picks are in Washington anymore. The Commanders traded Chase Young (2020) last season, released Jamin Davis (2021) this season, traded Jahan Dotson (2022) in the summer, and now waive Forbes.

That’s some historic ineptitude.

That begs the question: What did Rivera accomplish in four years? Don’t even start about the culture. Anytime Rivera was even pushed about his lack of success, the excuses began, starting with the culture. He was changing the culture. Here’s the funny thing: right guard Sam Cosmi didn’t even understand what culture meant until Quinn arrived and actually changed the culture this past offseason.

Never forget Rivera and the Super Bowl comments.

“I don’t worry about being on the hot seat, Rivera said before the 2023 season. “If we go 8-8-1 this year and he fires me, and next year they win the division with 40 of the 53 players we drafted and the same quarterback? I’m vindicated, send me my Super Bowl ring.”

That aged poorly.

What did new general manager Adam Peters think of the roster Rivera left him?

Peters’ pause told you everything you needed to know and that was weeks before the new GM would take a wrecking ball to Rivera’s roster.

Heading into Sunday’s game against the Tennessee Titans, the Commanders sit at 7-5 on the season, currently an NFC playoff team. When you think of what Peters and Quinn inherited, it’s a small miracle this team even won seven games this season. And Washington has five games remaining.

Regardless of what you think about the Commanders’ recent slump, consider where they were. No, it doesn’t excuse the current three-game losing streak, but it should give everyone perspective. For the first in a long time, Washington has professionals in charge.

So, when you’re mad when Quinn doesn’t challenge a call or go for it on fourth down, remember where the Commanders were at this time one year ago.

Do you think Dan Quinn is scrolling social media to see what the media and fans say about him? It’s the same thing with Peters. Do you think he cares what those on the outside think of the job he’s doing? And Quinn certainly isn’t going to lecture a reporter for asking a valid question.

Regardless of what happens during the remainder of this season, Quinn should already be the NFL’s Coach of the Year for his work with the Commanders. Peters should already be the NFL’s Executive of the Year. They inherited a mess, but with five games remaining, they have the team positioned well for the playoffs—with a rookie quarterback.

The departure of Emmanuel Forbes officially closes the book on the Ron Rivera era.

Social media reacts to Commanders releasing Emmanuel Forbes

The top reactions to Washington releasing Emmanuel Forbes.

Former Washington coach Ron Rivera was in the news again on Saturday. And, no, it was not for positive reasons. One day before the Commanders host the Tennessee Titans in Week 13 action, they released 2023 first-round pick Emmanuel Forbes.

Forbes’ release means all the first-round picks Rivera made in his four years as coach/GM are no longer on the roster. This unprecedented level of futility exemplifies the state of the roster that new GM Adam Peters inherited in January.

Chase Young (2020) was traded, Jamin Davis (released in October), Jahan Dotson (traded in August), and Forbes are all gone.

Washington fans have vented about Rivera for years. The rage has become louder since Peters and Dan Quinn took over and had to flip over 50% of Rivera’s roster.

On Saturday, we took to X—formerly Twitter—to react to Forbes’ release.

 

 

 

Do the Commanders still have a kicker problem?

Do the Commanders still have a kicker problem?

For about seven weeks, everything went right for the Washington Commanders. During that stretch, Washington won six of seven games, had an offense and rookie quarterback that were the envy of the NFL, and even found themselves a kicker.

Since then, the Commanders have lost three consecutive games; the offense has struggled, Jayden Daniels has looked like a rookie at times, and, well, maybe they haven’t found a kicker after all.

During Sunday’s loss to the Dallas Cowboys, kicker Austin Seibert missed a field goal and two extra points. The second missed PAT was most costly as it prevented the Commanders from tying the game and sending it into overtime.

Before Sunday, Seibert had made 25 of his 27 field goals and all 22 of his PATs. It’s important to note that he missed the last two games due to a right hip injury before returning on Sunday.

After the game, a lot of unfair hate was directed at Seibert. People often forget it’s just a game. These are human beings, and all make mistakes. Seibert didn’t lose Washington this game. We could go through all four quarters and name 10 plays or players that negatively impacted the outcome.

But it is fair to ask if the Commanders still have a kicking problem. Washington’s kicking woes have only been overshadowed by its QB woes. Fans believed GM Adam Peters found a quarterback and kicker in the same season.

What should Washington do?

The Commanders should stick with Seibert unless he completely falls apart in the coming weeks, as misses happen. He’s proven reliable and consistent. It’s fair to wonder if the hip still bothered Seibert on Sunday. He, of course, denied it and took full responsibility.

Washington has been on the kicking carousel for years. Heck, the Commanders were on it for three months this year after they released veteran Brandon McManus.

The knock on Seibert was his inaccuracy over 50 yards. He did hit one over 50 yards on Sunday and missed another. However, something head coach Dan Quinn said after the game was a bit concerning.

“It’s harder to kick it out than you think,” Quinn said of Seibert potentially kicking the ball out of the back of the end zone. “And so, I thought it was really honestly from the kicking standpoint executed well. If you have to stop your feet and get one to go, that’s the challenge. If you can get it to hit the ground, that’s what you’re trying to do into that spot, but that’s the difference.”

Statistics show it’s not hard for every team — only Washington. Was Quinn saying Seibert’s leg strength is a liability on kickoffs?

Regardless, Washington had chances to bring down KaVontae Turpin on Sunday and failed. Outside of that, the Commanders have been excellent at covering kicks this season.

Sunday was a bad day for everyone in Washington, including Seibert. He deserves the opportunity to make things right next week against Tennessee.

Otherwise, the Commanders go back to the carousel, and that’s not where Quinn or Peters want to go.

It’s clear what the Commanders think of cornerback Emmanuel Forbes

The last four weeks are further proof of what the Commanders think of Emmanuel Forbes.

There was hope for second-year cornerback Emmanuel Forbes this offseason. It was a fresh start for the Washington Commanders 2023 first-round pick under new general manager Adam Peters and head coach Dan Quinn.

As a rookie, Forbes’ position coach had no business being an NFL position coach and was fired after Thanksgiving. However, Quinn, known for getting the most out of defense backs, hired an excellent staff, including defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr., secondary coach Tommy Donatell, assistant defensive backs coach William Gay and defensive pass game coordinator Jason Simmons. Gay and Simmons both played defensive back in the NFL.

Forbes was excited about the changes, and the new staff seemed eager to work with Forbes.

When the Commanders had a joint practice with the Jets this summer, Forbes struggled. But it was practice. Forbes played 55% of the defensive snaps in the season opener against Tampa Bay. He missed the next two weeks with an injury.

Forbes returned in Week 4 in a blowout win over the Cardinals, participating in 56% of the defensive snaps. The following week, against Cleveland, Forbes played only four snaps and was a healthy scratch against Baltimore.

In a Week victory over Carolina, Forbes played 29 snaps, but in the four games since, he has played a total of eight defensive snaps. Despite being active, Forbes did not play a single snap in two of those games. Forbes was active for Washington’s Thursday night loss to the Eagles, but veteran Michael Davis, who had played 32 total snaps all season, played 20 snaps against Philly.

While the Commanders wait for Marshon Lattimore’s debut, it’s clear where they see Forbes. The 16th overall pick in the 2023 NFL draft is clearly at the bottom of the cornerback depth chart and is likely not long for Washington once the season ends.

Forbes’s best-case scenario is that he makes some plays when he gets a chance. Otherwise, some of the knocks against him coming out, such as his size and inability to defend the run, will keep him off the field. Washington’s coaches aren’t biased against Forbes. He had the same opportunity as everyone else, even more so being a recent first-round pick, but has failed to capitalize.

Making matters worse, Peters had to trade future assets to the Saints to acquire Lattimore because Forbes hasn’t developed, and coaches don’t feel like he will.

 

What did Jahan Dotson say about Commanders and Dan Quinn?

What did former Washington first-round pick Jahan Dotson say about his former team?

Jahan Dotson was the object of much criticism during Commanders’ training camp.

He was traded to the Eagles, and for the next three or four days, the main topic on DC Sports radio was body language and its importance in team building.

The biggest surprise was that GM Adam Peters traded Dotson to the NFC East divisional rival Philadelphia Eagles. Peters was heavily criticized for trading Dotson within the division.

However, Dotson has not (yet) had a productive season through nine Eagles games. He has eight receptions for 98 yards and no touchdowns in his nine Eagles games.

When Dotson was asked about Thursday’s opponent, the Commanders, how did he respond?

“You have a great coached team, a great leader of men,” Dotson said of Quinn. “If you can implement the right kind of mindset and the right kind of culture, you can do a lot of great things, and that’s a kudos to coach Dan Quinn. He’s doing a fantastic job. He knows how to grab the room and … he makes it very easy for people to listen to him and do what he asks.”

Being traded by Quinn before he had even completed a single training camp, one might expect much different comments. But apparently, after spending his first two seasons with Ron Rivera and his second one with Eric Bieniemy as offensive coordinator, Dotson was apparently very impressed with Quinn’s coaching and leadership.

What did Dotson have to say about his former Washington teammates? “They have some fantastic players over there and they’re putting their players in some good positions to make plays.”

Credit to Dotson here. He could have taken a shot or two at the new coaching staff that kicked him out the door. However, he took the time to be honest and give credit where it was due.

After all, Dotson played on that 4-13, weak, noncompetitive team that finished next to last in the NFL, earning the No. 2 overall draft pick.

Dotson knows how much worse it was last year; he lived it.