Tag: Commanders GM Adam Peters

Commanders’ Kingsbury: ‘McCaffrey has done everything we’ve asked’

Someone needs to step up. Does Kliff Kingsbury think it will be Luke McCaffrey?

Do you remember the show, “Who Wants to be a Millionaire?”

The show was a smash television hit, and Thursday, Commanders’ offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury referred to the million-dollar question.

He talked of the Commanders’ offense now needing to find extra offense, and it was the million-dollar question of from where it was going to be produced.

Listening to Kingsbury, he suddenly presented some of the options that have been running through his head, but he certainly was broad enough, he didn’t actually give away anything to the Saints or Eagles.

“Do we need to have different sets and run the ball more, or can we take more shots now? Is that something that’s going to help us get those yards back and maximize the guys who will be playing. And that’s what we gotta figure out over this next couple game stretch is where does that come from?”

Kingsbury was also correct, noting that Noah Brown and Austin Ekeler both have very physical, aggressive styles in their play.

“It’s hard to replace two guys like that, the production they had and just the type of teammates and the effort they played with. But young guys get the opportunity, and we kind of see where it fits.”

Kingsbury was asked about the Commanders’ third-round selection (100 overall) in the 2024 draft, Luke McCaffrey. “Yeah, I mean he’s a talented young man, we’ve asked him to play inside and outside because he can handle it. And that’s a lot on a young player.”

Kingsbury praised the other receivers, Olamide Zaccheaus and Dyami Brown, saying, “It’s a loaded receiver room that there’s a bunch of guys that can do a bunch. I know they don’t get the notoriety that some people talk about, but the way they play, the way they perform, it’s been a good group for us.”

Remember, GM Adam Peters drafted McCaffrey based on his athleticism and intelligence, believing that McCaffrey, who only played the position his last two years in college, was going to grow and develop.

Kingsbury declared he is pleased with McCaffrey thus far, saying, “…he’s done everything we could have asked from him, but other guys have made plays and it’s just a crowded room right now.”

McCaffrey will certainly be getting more snaps this week, so perhaps he will see more targets and receptions against the Saints in New Orleans.

Adam Peters continues strengthening Commanders

Adam Peters continues to make all the right moves.

On Wednesday, in his press conference, Commanders’ general manager Adam Peters said, on more than one occasion, that he wanted to do what was good for the team.

Who could dare argue that Peters has done a fantastic job of repeatedly addressing the roster and seeing what changes he can make that are good for the team?

When hired, David Aldridge of The Athletic asked Peters what he thought of the roster. Peters didn’t reply immediately. He paused, took a breath, and replied that there were a few cornerstone pieces to the roster, and he had a lot of work to do.

And work is what Peters has done. He did not tweak Ron Rivera’s roster. Peters overhauled Rivera’s roster. After training camp, when the roster was reduced to 53, 30 were those brought in by Peters since taking the job.


Rather than being satisfied with his efforts,  Peters immediately returned to the driver’s seat and made quite a few decisions in the next week. He signed receiver Noah Brown (cut by the Texans), traded defensive tackle John Ridgeway to the Saints, signed linebacker Nick Bellore (released by the Seahawks), re-signed tackle Sam Cosmi to a four-year contract, and released receiver Byron Pringle; these all before the opener.

Once the season began, Peters released kicker Cade York, but the Jets released kicker Austin Seibert, so Peters quickly grabbed Seibert.

A few weeks later, veteran DT Jonathan Allen was lost for the season, and DE Javontae Jean-Baptiste was placed on injured reserve for at least four weeks. Well, the Jets had just released DE Jalyn Holmes. Instead of promoting a DE from the practice squad, Peters felt that the best thing for the team was to sign Holmes to the active roster. Holmes played only 11 defensive snaps against the Bears, but one of those, he had a quarterback sack.

Two weeks ago, Peters released Jamin Davis, a first-round draft choice by Rivera in 2021. This week, he traded for veteran Saints corner Marshon Lattimore and released DE Efe Obada, making room for Lattimore.

On Wednesday, Peters released WR Mike Strachan. Why? With DE Clelin Ferrell’s knee still not 100%, Peters brought back Obada to the practice squad, doing what he thinks strengthens the Commanders.

What does Dan Quinn communicate and enforce to new Commanders?

Dan Quinn is mindful of disrupting the team’s chemistry, but his rules are the same for all players.

Dan Quinn knows having the right people in the mix is paramount.

The Commanders are 7-2. They display wonderful chemistry, buy in, and are often heard referring to “the brotherhood.”

However, a decision was made Tuesday to bring in a new player—not just any player. This is not simply a new guy going onto the practice squad. No, Marshon Lattimore will be a starter, and he is accustomed to being a big fish in a small pond.

Quinn was asked how bringing a player like Lattimore might affect this team’s good chemistry.

“Yeah, (GM) Adam (Peters) is very mindful of that, and he knows the importance of that with the team and he knows I share that opinion with him, asserted Quinn. “Having the right people is the first thing, if that’s the first thing to get right. And so that’s where, if that part’s not right, then that’s the end of the line.”

Quinn went a bit further, revealing that it is important to set healthy boundaries and expectations for both new players and all remaining players.

“That goes for everybody that we bring in here, and we want to make sure coming here is unique and a really cool experience. And I told him today in front of the team, I said, ‘You can ask anybody here, man, we’re all here to help and support you and onboard you fast.'”

It was also important for Lattimore to learn that he is expected to treat everyone on Quinn’s team with respect, whether they are rookies, hall of famers, or practice squad players.

“We’re all on the same page here, so it doesn’t have to be, ‘I’m not going to talk to him as rookie.’ That’s no, no, no, that ain’t how we roll, man. Everybody on this team, we’re here to help support anybody that comes in and the message will be the same from all the guys.”

Dan Quinn understands that being an effective leader means conveying responsibilities, expectations, and cultural norms to your teammates in the organization.

 

How are Commanders proceeding with Marshon Lattimore’s injury?

How are the Commanders proceeding with Marshon Lattimore’s injury?

Marshon Lattimore was considered a can’t-miss draft choice, being taken 11th overall by the Saints in 2017.

In addition, he has been a Pro-Bowler for four seasons; however, Lattimore only played seven games in 2022 and ten games in 2023 and has missed two of nine games this season.

Consequently, how did Lattimore’s injury affect an assessment by Adam Peters and Dan Quinn?

“He has a hamstring injury right now and just got in today. So, we’re just evaluating that.”

Peters then disclosed that before a deal was made, his medical team was permitted access to Lattimore’s injury history and records with the Saints.

“In terms of due diligence, when you’re doing a trade like this and there is a player that could be injured, our trainer will talk to their trainer, they’ll allow us to get the medical records and all that, so we understand the full picture, the full scope of the injury or just their injury history really.”

Apparently, there were no alarms scaring off the Commanders, as the deal was completed on Tuesday. So, when will Lattimore be on the field practicing and playing for the Burgundy and Gold?

“We got all that information and really (are) just taking it day-to-day and he won’t practice today, so you won’t see him out there today. But we’ll just take it day-by-day and put him out there when he is ready.”

Could Lattimore be making his debut with the Commanders in a Thursday Night divisional game in Philadelphia?

When they last met: Commanders and Giants

What happened the last time these rivals met?

“When they last met” is an ongoing series during the NFL season, recalling the preceding game between Washington and the next opponent on the Commanders’ schedule.

Washington 21, NY Giants 18 – Week 2, September 15, 2024

Austin Seibert, playing in his first NFL game of 2024, successfully kicked seven field goals, the last of which gave the Commanders a walk-off 21-18 victory over the New York Giants in Landover, Maryland.

GM Adam Peters claimed Seibert after Washington released kicker Cade York.

On the other side of the field, the Giants lost their kicker, Graham Gano, which resulted in the Giants attempting two-point conversions twice but missing both of them.

Quarterback Jayden Daniels was spectacular over most of the field, completing 23 of his 29 passing attempts for 226 yards and no interceptions. However, Daniels was sacked five times, and the Commanders never reached the end zone.

Instead, Seibert was called upon and came through with field goals from 27, 45 and 26 yards in the first half, keeping Washington close to the Giants, as they trailed only 12-9.

Seibert tied the game in the third quarter with a field goal from 27 yards. He then gave the Commanders a 15-12 lead, connecting from 29 yards with 2:47 remaining in the quarter.

In the final quarter, trailing 18-15, the Commanders got into position, allowing Seibert to tie the score from 33 yards with 7:12 remaining.

When the Giants turned the ball over on downs, Daniels drove the Commanders down the field one last time, and Seifert’s 30-yard field goal as time expired, gave Washington their first victory of 2024, evening their record at 1-1.

While Daniels manufactured a 99.1 passer rating, Brian Robinson churned up 133 rushing yards on his 17 rushing attempts, and Zach Ertz led the Commanders with 62 receiving yards on his four receptions. Washington moved the ball so well all day that punter Tress Way was never needed to punt.

What did Commanders’ roster move say about Brian Robinson’s status?

What did Saturday’s roster move tell us about Brian Robinson Jr?

Saturday, the Commanders elevated running back Chris Rodriguez from the practice squad to their roster.

Why did the Commanders make the move, elevating Rodriguez?

It’s simple, really. Starting running back Brian Robinson, Jr. is ailing.

Robinson has gained 461 yards in his 101 rushing attempts, averaging 4.6 yards a carry. Six times, he has scored a rushing touchdown, and 27 times, he has moved the chains with a first down.

But Robinson is battling a hamstring issue. He has missed practice this week and was listed as questionable. So don’t be surprised if Dan Quinn and Adam Peters decide to sit Robinson and have him “inactive” against the Giants on Sunday.

If the Commanders can win over the Giants, Quinn and Peters might have a more difficult decision concerning Robinson. The next opponent on Sunday, Nov. 10, is the Steelers, followed by the Eagles (Thursday, Nov. 14). Would they play Rodriguez against the Steelers and perhaps have to sit him again against the Eagles? Or might they sit Robinson against the Steelers and play him against the Eagles?

Rodriguez played college football at Kentucky, and Washington selected him in round 6 (193 overall) of the 2023 draft. In 2023, he carried the ball 51 times for 247 yards, two touchdowns, and 12 first downs.

Michael Wiley appeared ahead of Rodriguez throughout the preseason, but again, the Commanders have chosen the more experienced Rodriquez.

Austin Ekeler and Jeremy McNichols will shoulder most of the running back load, while Rodriguez will mostly play special teams and perhaps get some running back carries. The Commanders have been careful not to overuse Ekeler when running the ball inside.

Commanders sign a defensive tackle to practice squad

The Commanders make a move after losing Jonathan Allen for the season.

Adam Peters didn’t take long. On Tuesday, the Commanders general manager signed a defensive tackle.

In Sunday’s loss to the Ravens, eight-year veteran Jonathan Allen tore a pectoral muscle, which requires surgery and will miss the rest of 2024. Consequently, the Commanders desperately need their present defensive tackles to step up big time.

According to Mike Garafolo, Peters has added one more defensive tackle to the team, signing Carl Davis to the practice squad.

Davis was with the Cowboys in 2023, so he is known by both Dan Quinn and Joe Whitt Jr. Davis is 32, so Peters is not looking to Davis for a long-term solution but is adding him for this season if he is needed.

At 6-foot-5, 335 pounds, he is more of a run-stopping tackle like Phidarian Mathis (6-4, 312). In the 2015 NFL draft, the Ravens selected Davis 90th overall (round 3) out of Iowa.

Understand, this is only a depth signing for this season. Peters does not have some vision of Davis at this stage of his life/career coming in and being a Dave Butz or Darryl Grant.

Davis has appeared in 75 games in his eight NFL seasons, starting 19. He has played for the Ravens (2015-17), Browns (2018), Colts (2019), Jaguars (2019), Patriots (2020-22), and Cowboys (2023).

Ben Standig reported that the Commanders also worked out defensive tackles Deadrin Senat and Jonathan Marshall, electing to sign Davis. Senat (age 30) was the Falcons’ 2018 90th overall selection. He has played in 37 games for the Falcons and Buccaneers, starting two. Marshall (age 27) was drafted 207th by the Jets in 2021 and has appeared in four games.

How ready are the Commanders at offensive tackle?

How ready are the Commanders at offensive tackle?

It’s hard to believe but Jayden Daniels may not actually be the biggest question for the Commanders in their season opener in eight days.

Yes, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers were a playoff team last year and yes, the season opener is at Tampa on a Sunday afternoon.

Daniels will face a much fiercer test than he has in the preseason, there is no debating this. But a large factor in how much pressure Daniels sees may be the play of the Commanders offensive tackles.

Andrew Wylie is plugged in at right tackle, and Cornelius Lucas is still the starter until we hear differently from Dan Quinn. Brandon Coleman had a pectoral injury and did not play a snap in the three preseason games.

Coleman is again back working with the team on the field with no restrictions. The TCU rookie said he feels great and is ready to go. So, what happens Sunday in Tampa if Coleman works out all next week?

Will the Commanders make him active? If so, will he play a few series, though he did not play in the preseason?

If he plays three or four series, then Lucas could be much less exhausted in the fourth quarter than if he played the entire game in the Florida heat.

The other tackle on the roster is Trent Scott. Returning from injury, Scott is listed as Wylie’s backup at right tackle.  Chris Paul was asked to play tackle in the preseason, but with Coleman returning, Paul will now be listed as a backup at both guard positions.

Paul was willing to go way outside his comfort zone and play tackle for the good of the team to meet their need at the time. He retains his spot on the roster as a guard.

There is no tackle on the practice squad currently. Certainly, they know much more than we do about why they don’t have a tackle on the practice squad.

Lastly, fans will complain, but they must be reminded that Adam Peters attempted to trade back into the first round to draft a starting tackle; however, he saw the asking price as too much and did not pull the trigger on the trade.