Tag: chris rodriguez

Commanders 2023 training camp roundup: Highlights and videos from Day 7

A roundup of highlights and notes from those in attendance at Day 7 of Commanders training camp.

Washington Commanders offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy was in no mood to play Wednesday. It was Washington’s second day of practicing in pads on Day 7 of training camp, and referees were on hand.

The Commanders are still in the middle of learning Bieniemy’s new offense, which features plenty of shifts and motions. Since there were officials at practice, that led to some pre-snap penalties.

Bieniemy was none too pleased with his unit.

Washington’s defense held the advantage for much of Wednesday’s practice.

What else happened Wednesday? We offered our takeaways earlier, but here are some of the top highlights/videos from some of those in attendance from Day 7 of training camp in Ashburn.

Commanders’ training camp: Takeaways and observations from Day 7

Another day in pads. Some takeaways from Day 7.

The Washington Commanders were in pads for the second day in a row on Day 7 of training camp Wednesday.

On Tuesday, the offense had some positive moments, including a big catch from wide receiver Terry McLaurin. For the most part, though, Tuesday’s practice was even.

On Wednesday, the advantage went back to the defense. Washington’s defense bottled up the running game for the most part, frustrating the offense, which led to a minor scuffle.

Here are some notes and observations from Day 7.

Ranking Commanders 25 most important players for 2023: No. 13

Will Robinson rush for 1,000 yards in 2023?

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As we look toward the 2023 regular season, we count down the most important players for the Washington Commanders ahead of training camp. On Thursday, No. 14 was rookie cornerback Emmanuel Forbes.

We continue our countdown today with No. 13, running back Brian Robinson Jr.

Robinson’s selection in the third round of the 2022 NFL draft was a mild surprise. Drafting a running back there was not a surprise, but some were critical of Washington’s selection of Robinson. The Commanders loved Robinson, and from the moment he touched the ball in the first preseason game, it was clear he was their No. 1 running back.

Robinson rushed for a touchdown in his first preseason game. He ran with power, patience and vision. Sadly, just before the season began, Robinson was shot twice in the leg in an attempted robbery. Fortunately, after Robinson underwent surgery, he was able to return in Week 5.

He quickly entered the mix and, in Week 6, rushed for 60 yards and followed that up with 73 yards in Week 7 — both wins.

Robinson finished his first NFL season by playing in 12 games, rushing for 797 yards, two touchdowns, and averaging 3.89 yards per rushing attempt.  While those numbers may not look impressive, consider what Robinson went through in a matter of months. In addition, Washington’s offensive line was terrible, and the Commanders were plagued by inconsistency at quarterback.

Under new offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy, Robinson is the guy. However, Antonio Gibson will likely be the third-down back, and don’t count out rookie Chris Rodriguez getting some touches.

The Commanders are counting on a second-year jump for Robinson, thanks to an improved offensive line and the hiring of Bieniemy. A strong running is critical for young quarterback Sam Howell.

Is the Commanders’ running game an X-Factor in 2023?

What should we expect from the Commanders running back in 2023?

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When everyone talks about new offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy, much of the focus is on quarterback Sam Howell and the passing game. But Bieniemy, a former NFL running back and longtime running backs coach, understands the importance of a strong ground game.

The Commanders have a pair of talented backs in Brian Robinson Jr. and Antonio Gibson. Both former third-round picks have had success in the NFL, and their different skill sets present Bieniemy with some intriguing options on offense.

Gibson, who rushed for over 1,000 yards in 2021, is a former college wide receiver and, under Bieniemy, could be used more in space in 2023. Robinson is a power runner who thrives between the tackles. However, Gibson can run between the tackles, while Robinson has proven he can catch passes out of the backfield, giving Washington some flexibility with each back.

How important are Robinson and Gibson to the Commander in 2023?

Andy Benoit of The 33rd Team calls the combination Washington’s biggest X-Factors in 2023.

New assistant head coach Eric Bieniemy is a well-known offensive coordinator but unknown play-caller. He headed up the run game scheme for most of his 10 years in Kansas City, and it reasons that “the run game” will be the starting point for his Washington Commanders offense.

There is no Kelce or Tyreek Hill on the roster, and there certainly is no Mahomes. Whether the starting quarterback winds up being 2022 fifth-round pick Sam Howell or serviceable journeyman Jacoby Brissett, the Commanders will be playing with a quarterback whom they want dropping back, say, 35 times a game, not 50.

With an offensive line that is at best good but not great, the Commanders will be reliant on their ball carriers to generate the occasional big play on their own and, more regularly, turn 4-yard runs into 7-yard runs. It remains to be seen if second-year pro Brian Robinson and fourth-year pro Antonio Gibson are up to that task.

Robinson has more buildup speed than burst. He can get tough yards inside. The question: Can he create his own space? Or is he just a slightly more dynamic Najee Harris (i.e., stiff and easily replaceable)? Gibson, a 6-foot-2, 220-pound strong finisher, is stylistically similar to Robinson but with a little less power and a little more versatility, especially as a receiver. The Commanders will need these guys to be a productive, high-volume two-headed monster.

It’s tough to dispute anything Benoit said here. He appears to have a solid grasp on Washington’s running back situation. There are similarities between the two backs; each offer something different, giving Bieniemy plenty of options on all three downs. And the pair are similar enough that Gibson can spell Robinson for a series, or vice versa, and that Gibson isn’t merely just a third-down back.

It will be interesting to see how Bieniemy employs the duo — and rookie Chris Rodriguez Jr. — in 2023. Bieniemy is a big fan of Rodriguez and played a big role in Washington selecting him in the 2023 NFL draft.

With the Commanders expected to start Sam Howell at quarterback, a ground game is essential for the young signal-caller.

The Commanders have a specific type at running back

The Commanders have a deep backfield in 2023 and all share on trait.

Since Ron Rivera took over as head coach of the Washington Commanders in 2020, he has brought in a running back every year. Antonio Gibson, Jaret Patterson [undrafted], Brian Robinson Jr. and Chris Rodriguez Jr. have all been brought in by the Commanders over the past four seasons.

One thing the three drafted running backs have in common: They all played at the Reese’s Senior Bowl, giving Washington’s coaches and scouts an up-close look at them for a week ahead of the draft.

Not only did all three play at the Senior Bowl, but they also have something else in common, according to Senior Bowl executive director Jim Nagy: They are hard to tackle.

Gibson came first in 2020. A third-round pick from Memphis, Gibson played wide receiver in college and transitioned into a full-time running back in the NFL. As a rookie, he rushed for 795 yards and scored 11 touchdowns. He followed that up with 1,037 rushing yards and seven touchdowns in 2021, but he struggled with fumbles.

That led the Commanders to add Robinson in the third round in 2022. Robinson missed the first four games after being shot twice in the leg in August but miraculously returned in Week 5. Robinson would lead the Commanders with 797 rushing yards.

Rodriguez is the latest addition, coming to Washington via the 2022 NFL draft. Rodriguez rushed for 3,643 yards and 33 touchdowns at Kentucky in the rugged SEC. Former Washington general manager Scot McCloughan called Rodriguez a “poor man’s Marshawn Lynch” and said he gave him a second-round grade.

With J.D. McKissic gone due to a neck injury, Gibson will assume more of his role as a third-down back who can make an impact on passing downs. Rodriguez will give both a breather.

Rivera’s goal at running back is to wear teams down with big, bruising, hard-to-tackle backs in the fourth quarter. Whenever Washington has employed that strategy it has worked.

With new offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy, the Commanders’ offense could be fun to watch in 2023. Washington has a deep stable of backs and one of the best wide receiver trios in the NFL. Much of the team’s success will center around quarterback Sam Howell and offensive line improvements.

Ron Rivera remains high on Antonio Gibson heading into 2023

While everyone is excited about Brian Robinson Jr. and Chris Rodriguez Jr., don’t forget about Antonio Gibson and everything he brings to the table.

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The Washington Commanders have an exciting and deep backfield heading into 2023. Last year’s third-round pick, Brian Robinson Jr., had an excellent rookie season despite being shot twice in the leg just before the season began.

In last month’s 2023 NFL draft, the Commanders selected Kentucky running back Chris Rodriguez Jr. in the sixth round. And according to head coach Ron Rivera, new offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy had a big say in Rodriguez’s selection.

“I know Eric really liked Christopher [Rodriguez Jr.], so that was one of the pluses for when he was available when we were picking,” Rivera said Friday after rookie minicamp.

Remember, Bieniemy is a former unanimous All-American running back and played the position for nine seasons in the NFL. He knows running backs.

While it’s easy to get excited about Robinson and Rodriguez, Rivera cautioned everyone not to forget about Antonio Gibson. Gibson was Washington’s third-round pick in 2020 and was outstanding in his first two NFL seasons, but his fumbling issues in 2021 led to Washington looking for more help in the backfield last offseason.

With J.D. McKissic gone due to a neck injury, Gibson, a former college wide receiver, will continue to see more of a role in the passing game. It’s that dual role in which Gibson could truly excel.

“I’d like to see Antonio get a few more tries, obviously last year, but Antonio’s shown tremendous growth and we’re pretty excited about who he could be,” Rivera said. “This is a guy that played wide receiver at one time coming out and one thing that he did have was every nine touches resulted in a touchdown, so we’re looking for some production from him as well and we’re looking to see that he does fit in into the scheme of things as far as what Eric Bieniemy wants to do with the offense.”

Rivera wasn’t asked about Gibson either. He was talking about Rodriguez and made sure to let everyone know that Gibson is around and will play a big role in Washington’s offense under Bieniemy in 2023.

If he can remain healthy, Gibson could cash in next offseason when he is scheduled to become a free agent.

Commanders sign 3 members of their 2023 rookie class

K.J. Henry among the rookies to sign Friday.

The Washington Commanders opened their two-day rookie minicamp Friday in Ashburn, providing the perfect time to sign some of their seven draft picks.

Therefore, Washington got to work signing three members of the 2023 NFL draft class. The Commanders signed the following three players Friday:

  • DE K.J. Henry, Clemson, fifth-round pick
  • RB Chris Rodgriguez Jr., Kentucky, sixth-round pick
  • EDGE Andre Jones, Louisiana, seventh-round pick

The Commanders moved up in the fifth round to select Henry, and he could figure into Washington’s two-deep as a rookie behind Chase Young and Montez Sweat.

Rodriguez had an outstanding collegiate career for Kentucky in the SEC. Former Washington GM Scot McCloughan said he had Rodriguez graded as a second-round selection.

Jones is another pick for the future, with the Commanders’ top five defensive ends on expiring contracts after 2023.

 

Senior Bowl executive director likes the Commanders’ 2023 draft haul

Jim Nagy believes the Commanders got several good players.

There is perhaps no better “draft analyst” than Senior Bowl executive director Jim Nagy. The Senior Bowl is the most prestigious showcase for draft-eligible players, and it’s Nagy who helps evaluate those players to invite to the Senior Bowl.

Additionally, Nagy is a former longtime NFL scout with several teams, such as the Green Bay Packers, New England Patriots, Kansas City Chiefs and Seattle Seahawks. Nagy was a part of four Super Bowl winners during his time working in the NFL.

On Friday, Nagy was a guest on the “Grant and Danny” show on 106.7 The Fan in Washington, D.C., to discuss the Washington Commanders’ 2023 NFL draft.

Three Washington draftees playing in the Senior Bowl, and a fourth, offensive lineman Braeden Daniels, was set to play before he missed the game due to injury.

What did Nagy think, overall, of Washington’s class?

They’ve drafted a bunch of good players,” Nagy said via Lou DiPietro of Audacy. “I’ve been on the phone with some guys in the front office talking about some of these guys; Quan Martin, K.J. Henry, and Chris Rodriguez were all our guys, Braeden Daniels was committed before he got injured, and we evaluated Ricky Stromberg but didn’t invite him.”

Keep in mind, Nagy didn’t focus on Washington’s first-round pick, cornerback Emmanuel Forbes, who was an early entrant into the draft and was not eligible for the game.

Here is some of what he said about each player, beginning with second-round pick, Jartavius “Quan” Martin:

You hope anyone you draft in the first three rounds gets on the field, and he’s easy because you can plug him inti a lot of different spots. He has a lot of range at free safety, can do some nice things inside at nickel corner, and with that speed, you could probably play him outside in a pinch. He was one of the top guys in the draft, not just at DB, in terms of positional versatility.

Nagy is the latest to sing the Commanders’ praises for landing Clemson EDGE K.J. Henry in the fifth round:

He’s going to be a fan favorite and media favorite. He’s a product of that Clemson culture, they do a great job of making their guys grow up. The common theme on that team is that they had a bunch of talented guys who were bit by the injury bug and needed to have good years, and K.J. did that. He’s long, he can run, and he plays so hard – there’s some overachiever to K.J. Henry. He’s got his stuff together, and to me, I love when you can find a guy who is talented but also has that overachiever mindset.
Another really good value pick to me.

Nagy is right about Henry. He’s already a fan favorite. With his multiple interviews and his dad wearing an old Washington jersey after he was drafted, Henry is off to a great start with Commanders’ fans.

As for the sixth-round pick, running back Chris Rodriguez Jr., Nagy believes the Commanders have found another hit:

Love his character. On the field, he runs really hard, and I think that pick speaks to what Coach Rivera wants as an offensive identity. Chris is a little different athlete than Brian Robinson, but they’re the same downhill tough guy, the type of guy you want late in the year. Not all sixth-round picks hit, but I think this one will for the Commanders.

Nagy also believes Daniels is an eventual starter somewhere.

Legit guard/tackle flexibility, could see him playing both spots honestly. He can play both guards and right tackle, and we projected him as a starter-level player.

Obviously, not all draft picks will be successful, but if Washington hit on multiple picks in 2023 it would go a long way in fortifying an already underrated roster.

Multiple college coaches view Commanders RB Chris Rodriguez Jr. as a sleeper

Chris Rodriguez is considered one of the “sleepers” of the 2023 NFL draft.

The Washington Commanders were always honest that they would likely draft a running back. With a backfield led by Brian Robinson Jr. and Antonio Gibson, the Commanders wanted to add another young back to the mix, particularly with J.D. McKissic [neck] no longer on the roster.

And in the sixth round of the 2023 NFL draft, the Commanders selected former All-SEC running back Chris Rodriguez Jr. of Kentucky.

The first thought is that Rodriguez wasn’t replacing what McKissic brought to the table. Instead, he’s closer to Robinson’s style, Washington’s starting running back. However, the Commanders believe Gibson — a former college wide receiver — can handle McKissic’s former role in the passing game.

As for Rodriguez, some believe he could be a real sleeper for Washington. Over 30 college coaches recently spoke to ESPN discussing the 2023 NFL draft, from the quarterbacks to some sleepers in each round, and Rodriguez was mentioned.

Coaches like Rodriguez’s 217-pound frame and think he can have a solid pro career in the right offense.

“Real good player,” a Power 5 defensive coordinator said. “He’s got some sturdiness to him that’s going to be required at the next level. He’s a good-sized kid.”

Added an SEC coordinator: “Not a superstar, but he can be productive.”

When you rush for over 3,600 yards and score 36 touchdowns in the SEC, you’re a quality player. Remember, Rodriguez was running behind Kentucky’s offensive line — not Georgia’s or Alabama’s OL.

Rodriguez’s combination of size, power, vision and patience could make him a key part of Washington’s offense in the coming seasons.

Chris Rodriguez looks like another NFL running back

Rodriguez looks a lot like Brian Robinson Jr. — and that’s a good thing.

Watching the Chris Rodriguez senior highlights video from his days as a Kentucky running back left me thinking about how much he looked like another NFL running back.

Rodriguez drafted in the 6th round (193 overall) by the Commanders, has many similar plays to a young NFL running back. While watching Rodriguez’s highlight video, it struck me that many of his runs are similar to what Brian Robinson Jr. provided at Alabama and during his first NFL season with Washington.

Rodriguez, like Robinson, does not have nearly the explosive quickness of Antonio Gibson, Saquon Barkley, Tony Pollard, D’Andre Swift other starting running backs in the NFC East.

Yet, the former Kentucky Wildcat in his highlight video repeatedly bounced off of would-be tacklers, broke arm tackles and bullied his way to positive yardage.

Robinson broke tackles all season in his 12 games for the Commanders, rushing 205 times for 797 yards. In the NFL defenses react much quicker, making it much more difficult to break off a long run. Robinson’s long run of 2022 was only 24 yards.

Rodriguez exhibits a running style very similar to Robinson, and like Robinson, he too does not possess the breakaway speed of Gibson. Consequently, it appears Gibson will be the primary back in 3rd-down passing situations, while Rodriguez will be asked to provide Robinson a breather from time to time.

However, returning running backs Jaret Patterson and Jonathan Williams will have much to say about this in training camp as they set to do battle to retain their roster spot.

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