Tag: Commanders 2024 defense

What does Dan Quinn think about Daron Payne’s play in 2024?

Is Dan Quinn concerned about Daron Payne?

During his weekly Friday press conference, head coach Dan Quinn was asked a question about Daron Payne.

The Commanders are 7-5 and on a three-game losing streak. They are facing the Tennessee Titans (3-8), who are coming off an upset road win at the Houston Texans last week.

So, why was Payne signaled out as the subject of one of Quinn’s questions?

The reason is that Payne’s play has raised concerns. Is Payne injured? Why is Payne such a non-factor in numerous games? Is Payne being doubled repeatedly, forcing other defenders to make plays?

“Yeah, it’s probably a better one for later. I don’t, just from the comparison side, we’re just working as hard as we can to get him as good as we can,” replied Quinn.

Quinn interestingly responded further by mentioning Titans standout defensive tackle Jeffrey Simmons. “Going against Jeffrey [Simmons] and seeing him playing this week, you see, you’re watching that guy for that week.”

Translation: Simmons is causing us to focus so much on him in every film session and each practice this week. He is one of the better defensive tackles in the league.

As for Payne? In his defense, perhaps since the season-ending injury to Jonathan Allen, Payne is getting doubled more often than usual. Payne has started and played in all 12 games this season, totaling 30 tackles, including 2.5 QB sacks. However, he only has two tackles for a loss and 4 QB hits.

By contrast, Allen only played in six games yet had two QB sacks, two tackles for a loss, and six QB hits. Rookie Johnny Newton also has 30 tackles, with two tackles for a loss and six QB hits.

It does raise questions. But Quinn chose not to take the bait.

“But as we’re going through it, we’re just trying, man, to dig in and say, ‘Where can we improve?’ And that’s not just for Daron but for all the guys. So, probably a better for end of the season kind of comment, honestly.”

Yet, when there was a follow up question regarding Payne’s play this season, Quinn did choose to reply positively.

“I think the square at the line of scrimmage when it’s combination blocks; I think that’s where he plays with very good strength, and those are some things. So, he’s stout at the line. That’s what I’ve seen the most from him.”

Commanders DC: 4 plays cost them the game vs. Ravens

Joe Whitt says four plays cost the Commanders the win.

Did you realize four plays cost the Commanders last Sunday’s game?

On Thursday, Commanders defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. said that in his opinion, four plays cost the Commanders a win against the Ravens last week.

“I hate to keep coming up here and talking about communication because we’ve been good the last couple weeks, but four plays cost us the game,” Whitt said.

Some penalties on the defense seemed to kill the Commanders’ hopes, but no, Whitt did not see those as the issue.

“I’m not even worried about the third-down penalties that extended drives. They didn’t need any help, but that’s football, okay? Sometimes you’re going to get football plays, and you’re going to get a penalty here and there.”

Whitt then turned the responsibility on himself.

“If we don’t give up those four individual plays, we win that game. And I’ll take responsibility for that because they shouldn’t make those mistakes. Defenses that we know and we didn’t get it executed. So, like I said, we’re working to make sure we minimize those mistakes moving forward, but we can’t keep coming up here. I can’t keep coming up here saying the same thing. Gotta get it corrected.”

Why were there communication breakdowns? Whitt expressed two times the communication sent was correct and one other time it was wrong. All three times it cost the defense.

“So, either case, I gotta do a better job of making sure that it’s sent properly, it’s received, and it’s acknowledged, and we play it the right way. It’s unacceptable.”

The Commanders will be without DT Jonathan Allen and DE Javontae Jean-Baptiste on Sunday. Both were placed on the injured reserve list. In response, the Commanders have already added DTs Sheldon Day and Jalyn Holmes to the 53-man roster.

Commanders’ defensive communication and pass rush improved last week

Two areas of the defense drastically improved last week.

Washington defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. was rather defensive in his answers regarding the secondary but he was also rather positive regarding two aspects of the defense’s play against the Cardinals last week.

In previous weeks, Whitt had been rather frustrated with his defense’s communication. However, he was much more pleased with this in the Cardinals game.

“The communication was outstanding. I mean, we cut the missed assignments down a ton. One thing we did coaching wise is we streamlined the call. So, we narrowed the call sheet down some, maybe I was trying to do too much. And so, I was like, ‘Okay, let’s just make sure these guys can set their feet and go play fast,’ and let’s not be cute with anything. Let’s just play fast. And that’s what we did. And the communication was outstanding with the guys. And then they went and played, they hit, they ran. It’s the way it’s supposed to look.”

Sunday, the pass rush kept Kyler Murray contained to such a degree the Cardinals only managed 14 points.

“We rushed as a complete unit. And so, like I said, we wanted to build high walls because we should have had two more where we didn’t build a high wall. We came underneath, and we flushed them, and he escaped. They played more discipline. And if you just execute it the right way and play as a unit and not make any, say, ‘Well, I’m gonna do this. I’m gonna be the lone ranger and I’m gonna do it myself,’ the stats will come.”

Indeed, Murray was held to 142 passing yards, sacked four times and the Commanders also registered 7 QB hits.

It would be great if the Commanders’ pass rush could have a similar performance Sunday at home against the Browns.