Tag: Anthony Lynn

Commanders sign running back Jeremy McNichols

The Commanders add another veteran to the running back room.

The Washington Commanders added to their backfield on Monday, signing veteran running back Jeremy McNichols.

McNichols, 28, was a fifth-round pick of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the 2017 NFL draft out of Boise State. McNichols was released during final cuts and signed to the 49ers’ practice squad. He was promoted to the active roster in November and released during San Francisco’s final cuts in 2018.

He split the 2018 season between the Indianapolis Colts, Denver Broncos and Tennessee Titans. He was again waived during Tennessee’s final roster cuts in 2019 and signed with the Chicago Bears. The Bears waived him in December, and he signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars for the remainder of the season.

In 2020, McNichols returned to the Titans, where he’d remain for two seasons. He had brief stints on the offseason rosters of the Falcons and Steelers in 2022 before returning to San Francisco in 2023. He spent time on the 49ers’ practice squad and 53-man roster last season and was released in January.

McNichols has 90 rushing attempts for 364 yards and a touchdown in his NFL career. He has appeared in 37 career games and all but two of his rushing attempts came with the Titans. He also has 40 receptions for 295 yards and a touchdown.

Washington has starting running back Brian Robinson Jr. and 2023 sixth-round pick Chris Rodriguez Jr. returning in 2024. The Commanders also signed veteran Austin Ekeler to be more of Washington’s 1b to Robinson’s 1a in 2024.

McNichols’ connections to Washington are general manager Adam Peters and running backs coach Anthony Lynn.

Commanders agree to terms with Chargers RB Austin Ekeler

The Commanders are expected to sign one of the NFL’s top backs in recent years to pair with Brian Robinson Jr.

The Washington Commanders are staying busy. Shortly after agreeing to terms with Panthers linebacker Frankie Luvu on the first day of the legal tampering period Monday, Washington also agreed to terms with longtime Los Angeles Chargers running back Austin Ekeler.

Ekeler, who will turn 29 in May, agreed to a two-year deal with Washington, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.

An undrafted free agent from Western Colorado in 2017, Ekeler has been one of the NFL’s best running backs for the past few seasons. The 2023 season was a down one season for Ekeler, after rushing for over 900 yards and 13 touchdowns with 107 receptions and five receiving touchdowns in 2022.

Considered one of the NFL’s premier pass-catching backs, Ekeler replaces Antonio Gibson, who left Washington for New England.

For his NFL career, Ekeler has 4,355 rushing yards, 39 rushing touchdowns and an average of 4.4 yards per attempt. He also has 440 career receptions for 3,884 yards and 30 touchdowns.

Ekeler played the first four seasons of his career under new Commanders running backs coach Anthony Lynn, who was his head coach with the Chargers.

WATCH: Commanders RB Brian Robinson Jr’s top plays from 2023

The top highlights from Brian Robinson’s 2023 season.

Washington Commanders running back Brian Robinson Jr. took a big jump in his second NFL season. While Robinson’s rushing yards didn’t take a massive leap — he rushed for 64 fewer yards in 2023 — don’t blame him.

Washington was last in the NFL in rushing attempts in 2023, while Robinson’s yards per attempt were up from 3.9 to 4.1.

Robinson really stood out as a receiver in 2023. After catching nine passes in 12 games as a rookie, Robinson caught 36 passes for 368 yards with four receiving touchdowns last season. Robinson accounted for 1,101 yards and a team-leading nine total touchdowns.

Imagine if the Commanders had committed to running the ball in 2023.

The good news is Robinson will be a featured offensive piece for new coordinator Kliff Kingsbury in 2023. Additionally, running backs coach/run game coordinator Anthony Lynn is known for assembling a strong running game.

Here’s one final look back at 2023 with Robinson’s top plays.

Commanders new RB coach Anthony Lynn is a big fan of Brian Robinson Jr.

Good news for Brian Robinson Jr.

Washington Commanders running back Brian Robinson Jr. took a big step in his career in 2023. After missing the first four games of his NFL career in 2022 after suffering gunshot wounds in an attempted carjacking, Robinson somehow was able to return in Week 5 and have a solid rookie season.

Even more remarkable is that Robinson was never 100% but still managed to rush for 797 yards and score three touchdowns in 12 games.

Robinson was better overall in 2023 despite fewer rushing yards. In 15 games, he averaged 4.1 yards per attempt and ran for 733 yards and five touchdowns. But it was his work in the passing game where Robinson flexed his versatility. He caught 36 passes for 368 yards and four more touchdowns.

Robinson would have easily gone over 1,000 rushing yards if former offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy had committed to the run more. Washington was last in the NFL in rushing attempts.

Bieniemy is gone. Enter Kliff Kingsbury. While the former Arizona Cardinals head coach is known more for his connection to the Air Raid offense, Kingsbury does run the ball. And even better news for the Commanders and Kingsbury, they hired former Chargers head coach Anthony Lynn away from the San Francisco 49ers as the new running backs coach and run game coordinator.

Lynn is one of the most respected coaches in the NFL and is known for his work with the running game. He played for Mike Shanahan and spent the last two seasons under Kyle Shanahan. Now, he brings that expertise to Washington to help Kingsbury.

Lynn is excited to be in Washington, and he’s also a big fan of Robinson.

On Wednesday, Washington’s assistants met with the local media and discussed numerous topics, and Lynn asked about the Commanders’ star back.

If healthy, Robinson is about to have his best NFL season yet. He’s been excellent through two seasons despite facing different obstacles. His growth in the passing game will help him stay on the field for three downs next season. And Lynn will give the Commanders a competent running game.

You can also expect new general manager Adam Peters to invest heavily in the offensive line this offseason. Additionally, Robinson’s former backfield mate Antonio Gibson is scheduled to be a free agent. Washington will bring in another back, but Robinson is the unquestioned starter in 2024.

New Commanders assistant Anthony Lynn loves the team’s leadership

Lynn praises Dan Quinn and Adam Peters’ leadership and explains why he left the 49ers for Washington.

Two weeks ago, San Francisco’s assistant head coach and running backs coach, Anthony Lynn, was coaching his team to a tie in the Super Bowl, which they eventually lost in overtime.

He was not fired, and yet he decided to come to Washington, where he will not be an assistant head coach.

Nor will Lynn be the offensive coordinator. That job had already been filled by former Cardinals head coach Kliff Kingsbury. So why did Lynn decide to leave a better organization with much better offensive personnel?

“I love the leadership here; that’s what brought me here, Dan Quinn and Adam Peters and even the president Jason Wright.”

“Dan and I came up the same way; we had the same agent. He connected us together and said you guys are so much alike; I want you to meet each other. We’ve been friends ever since.”

An opportunity appeared, and so Quinn offered Lynn to come be his running game coordinator. Lynn jumped at the chance.

“We’ve talked about doing it together one day. He went to the Falcons, and I went to the Chargers as head coaches, so it didn’t work out for us, but now we are here.”

Why would Lynn leave an offense that included Christian McCaffrey, Deebo Samuel, Trent Williams, Brock Purdy and George Kittle? In addition, why would he leave the NFC Champions and come to the last-place Commanders?

“I just know what type of man he is. I know what type of leadership the organization has now. You bring Adam Peters here, I’ve worked with Adam the last two years in San Francisco. He is awesome.”

When asked by Scott Abraham what he thought the coaching staff may have in common, Lynn responded succinctly, “Good people; Dan brought the right people into the building.”

You can listen to Lynn here, courtesy of 106.7 The Fan.

5 things to know about new Commanders defensive line coach Darryl Tapp

Getting to know Darryl Tapp.

The Washington Commanders finalized their coaching staff on Wednesday with three more hires: defensive backs coach Tom Donatell, running backs coach/run game coordinator Anthony Lynn and defensive line coach Darryl Tapp.

Lynn grabbed the headlines as a former head coach of the Los Angeles Chargers and a respected longtime NFL coach. However, Tapp, 39, was another big hire for the Commanders. An up-and-comer, Tapp spent the past three seasons with the 49ers as an assistant defensive line coach.

Now, with Washington, Tapp gets a chance to lead the room.

Here are five things to know about the Commanders’ new defensive line coach.

Commanders’ Dan Quinn promised people wanted to come to Washington

Dan Quinn said people want to be in Washington. He’s right.

Dan Quinn wasn’t kidding.

With new coaching staff hires on Wednesday, it reveals Quinn wasn’t exaggerating when last week he promised, “There are people that really want to be here.”

Quinn said in his introductory press conference he learned a lot from his head coaching experience in Atlanta and that if he could get one more shot at an NFL head coach position, he would make the most of what he learned.

Consequently, in this last week, Quinn has retained Ryan Kerrigan, Tavita Pritchard, and Bobby Engram from the staff of the 2023 Commanders. Also added to Quinn’s staff in the last week have been Brian Johnson (offensive pass-game coordinator), Jason Simmons (defensive pass-game coordinator), Larry Izzo (special teams), Bobby Johnson (offensive line), John Pagano (senior defensive assistant), Ken Norton Jr., (linebackers), David Raih (tight ends), Sharrif Floyd (assistant defensive line), Tom Donatell (defensive backs), Darryl Tapp (defensive line), and Anthony Lynn (running backs/offensive run-game coordinator).

Lynn has head coaching experience (Chargers) as does Kliff Kingsbury (Cardinals). Lynn played for and coached under Mike Shanahan and, most recently, was on Kyle Shanahan’s 49ers staff.

Simmons, 47, played defensive back in the NFL for a decade and has coached DBs with the Packers, Panthers, and Raiders.

Donatell played defensive back at Iowa and has served on Pete Carroll’s staff with the Seahawks, worked with Norton for three seasons, and most recently served on Brandon Staley’s staff with the Chargers.

Johnson (Brian) most recently was the Eagles OC employing an innovative run-pass option offense led by Jalen Hurts. Previously, he worked on the Dan Mullen staff at Mississippi State (Dak Prescott) and then Florida (Kyle Trask).

Johnson (Bobby) had the misfortune of the Giants offensive line spending more time in rehab than on the field, thus giving up the most sacks in the NFL. But the previous season, the Giants made the playoffs and won a playoff road game, utilizing an effective running game with Saquon Barkley and Daniel Jones.

Do you notice a trend? Both Johnsons have worked with systems utilizing a running quarterback. All three of the top quarterback draft prospects, Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels, and Drake Maye, are dual-threat quarterbacks. Come to think of it, so is Sam Howell.

Add to that, Lynn comes from the 49ers rushing attack as the running backs coach. Don’t make the mistake of thinking Kingsbury will only be throwing the ball in 2024. He is surrounding himself with people who know how to creatively run the ball in their schemes.

This coaching staff is loaded with experience, knowledge and talent.

All of them will not be able to be powerful and the smartest man in the room. It will be up to them to lay aside their egos and accept their assigned roles on Quinn’s staff.

But compared to the Ron Rivera staff of the last four seasons, couldn’t Quinn’s team be a much better-coached team?

Isn’t it fun thinking about how much better this franchise is already trending upward?

Twitter reacts to Commanders’ coaching staff hires

The reactions are mostly all positives for the Commanders’ new coaching staff — and assistant GM hire.

Washington Commanders owner Josh Harris said one of new coach Dan Quinn’s strengths was his ability to bring elite people with him to Washington.

In two weeks on the job for the Commanders, Quinn has put together an impressive coaching staff consisting of two former head coaches (Kliff Kingsbury & Anthony Lynn) and four former coordinators (John Pagano, Ken Norton Jr., Brian Johnson & Larry Izzo), along with other respected coaches from around the NFL.

Quinn’s staff features a good mix of young and veteran coaches. Except for Washington’s hiring of offensive line coach Bobby Johnson — formerly of the Giants — the fan base has been excited about most of the hires.

Washington’s staff has been widely praised across the NFL, too.

On Wednesday, the Commanders hired Lynn, Darryl Tapp, and Tom Donatell. New GM Adam Peters also hired Lance Newmark away from the Detroit Lions as his assistant GM. Fans were having a good time with the moves.

It’s indeed a new day in Washington.

Here are some of the best reactions across X — formerly Twitter — regarding the Commanders’ new hires.

 

Commanders hire Darryl Tapp as defensive line coach

The Commanders hire Darryl Tapp away from the 49ers as defensive line coach.

The Washington Commanders made another impressive hire for new head coach Dan Quinn’s coaching staff on Wednesday. After hiring Anthony Lynn away from the San Francisco 49ers, Washington returned to San Francisco, hiring its assistant defensive line coach, Darryl Tapp, as the Commanders’ new defensive line coach.

Tapp, 39, had a Hall of Fame college career at Virginia Tech before entering the NFL as a second-round pick of the Seattle Seahawks in 2006. He would enjoy a 12-year NFL career, including a stop with Washington in 2013. He last played in 2017 with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

He quickly began his coaching career in 2018 as a defensive quality control coach at Central Michigan. In 2019, Tapp moved to Vanderbilt and was the quality control/special teams coach before returning to Virginia Tech in 2020 as the co-defensive line coach.

Tapp’s coaching ascent continued in 2021 when he joined the 49ers as an assistant defensive line coach. He served under then-defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans (his former teammate with the Eagles) and respected defensive line coach Kris Kocurek.

The Commanders’ coaching staff is nearly complete. Washington had two positions open on the defensive staff Wednesday before hiring Tom Donatell as defensive backs coach and Tapp as defensive line coach. Earlier this week, the Commanders hired Ken Norton Jr. as linebackers coach.

Washington also hired Sharrif Floyd as assistant defensive line coach and franchise legend Ryan Kerrigan returns as a pass rush specialist/assistant linebackers coach.

Commanders hire Anthony Lynn offensive run game coordinator

A big hire for Dan Quinn.

Another day, another big Dan Quinn hire for the Washington Commanders.

On Wednesday morning, Adam Schefter reported the Commanders were hiring veteran NFL coach Anthony Lynn as the offensive run game coordinator.

The team has not officially announced the coaching hires, so some coaches’ titles aren’t yet known. Schefter says Lynn will be the run game coordinator for new offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury. The Commanders have yet to name a running backs coach, so Lynn could also fill that role.

Lynn, 55, is a former head coach for the Los Angeles Chargers. In four years with the Chargers, Lynn had a record of 34-33, which includes a 1-1 postseason record.

A former NFL running back, Lynn began coaching in 2000 under former Washington coach Mike Shanahan with the Broncos. Lynn’s final three seasons as a player came under Shanahan.

He’s been the running backs coach for numerous NFL teams and had a stint as the offensive coordinator for the Lions in 2021.

Lynn spent the past two seasons with the 49ers as an assistant head coach/running backs coach under Shanahan’s son, Kyle.

Lynn is praised for his leadership and his work in the running game. With Kingsbury’s expertise in the passing game, this looks to be another excellent hire for Quinn and the Commanders.