Tag: Commanders HC Dan Quinn

An alarming Commanders’ realism and truth

Some alarming truths about Washington’s defense.

The Commanders won their ninth game of the 2024 season Sunday when they held on for a 20-19 escape from the New Orleans Saints.

Washington led 17-0 early in the third quarter. The last half-hour was troublesome for the Commanders and disappointing for fans.

Plain and simple, though I wish it were much, much different; the Commanders weren’t good enough to defeat a bad Saints team on Sunday. They couldn’t run the ball when needed in the second half, and they couldn’t effectively protect Jayden Daniels, giving up eight sacks.

In the final 25 minutes of the game, Joe Whitt’s defense resembled the version from the Week 11 loss to the Eagles. On the Saints’ last four offensive possessions, the Commanders’ defense was… well… poor.

I hesitated because I honestly wouldn’t say I like to overstate things. But consider this: the Saints, on their second-half possessions, drove 71 yards for a touchdown, 51 yards for a field goal, 59 yards for a field goal, and 56 yards for a touchdown.

Keep in mind, on Sunday, the Saints lost running back Alvin Kamara during the game due to injury, and they never had wide receiver Chris Olave nor quarterback Derek Carr.

In addition, keep in mind that the Commanders’ defense was outplayed late by the Bears, Giants, Steelers, and Eagles for four consecutive weeks. Yes, Chicago outscored Washington 15-0 before the ‘Hail Mary’ rescued them.

The reality is that the Commanders’ second-half defense has become an ongoing problem. It’s a dilemma, a predicament.

This has to be a significant part of Dan Quinn’s, ‘Tell the Truth, Monday’ in Ashburn.

Who will be the Commanders’ game captains vs. Saints?

Dan Quinn explains why he picked the Commanders’ Week 15 captains.

Commanders’ head coach Dan Quinn made his weekly announcement of captains for this week’s upcoming game.

The three captains for the game against the Saints in New Orleans on Sunday will be tackle Cornelius Lucas, defensive tackle Johnny Newton, and tackle Trent Scott.

Lucas had a good game starting at right tackle for the injured Andrew Wylie against the Titans.

“Big Luke has made a big impact on his community in Louisiana, and he’s done that here too,” expressed Quinn. “He played left tackle, started right tackle and so he kind of steps up when those things are called for. I think that speaks to his off-the-field work as well.”

Newton had played some in each game but was thrown into the fire when starter Jonathan Allen tore a pectoral muscle, requiring surgery.

“JZ’s put in a lot of work that’s unseen, coming off the surgeries and coming in. And so, we’re now getting to see some of that work showing up. And so, I thought that’ll continue on this weekend.”

Scott has seen some action at tackle this season, spelling the injured Andrew Wylie or Brandon Coleman. Readers may recall he caught a touchdown pass earlier this season on MNF against the Bengals on a “tackle eligible” play.

“The last one we chose was Trent Scott. And so just energy and the connection of the team, what he does, both sides, number of positions, and so his impact on and off the field. What a lot of people probably don’t know is that today he’s also earning his master’s degree from Grambling State. So, I thought here’s a guy digging in to get better all the time. And kind of just shows who he is and what he stands for and the impact that he makes.”

Quinn later clarified that Scott earned the degree today and will walk in the Spring at Grambling State. Quinn added that he respects people who put in extra work and that Scott is another example of that to the team, who earned the right to be a team captain.

Who is newest Commander, K.J. Osborn?

Getting to know new Commanders WR K.J. Osborn.

The Commanders, having lost their third and fourth leading receivers to injury, signed receiver K.J. Osborn on Wednesday.

Osborn was available because the New England Patriots released him just one day earlier. After playing his first four NFL seasons with the Minnesota Vikings, Osborn had signed a one-year deal with the Patriots as a free agent.

Playing in only seven games, Osborn had a very unfulfilling season with the Patriots. He only caught seven receptions for 57 yards and one touchdown, averaging 8.1 yards per catch.

However, with Noah Brown and Austin Ekeler missing from Jayden Daniels’ toolbox, Commanders general manager Adam Peters wasted no time. Choosing not to simply wait and see if Jamison Crowder could make it back to health, Peters went outside the team to look for an answer.

Osborn played college ball at Buffalo and then the Miami Hurricanes. He was drafted in the fifth round (176th overall) of the 2020 NFL draft.

The Commanders really need help, and Peters and Dan Quinn are hoping Osborn can be a quick fix. He seems to have been a good teammate and locker-room guy in New England.

After releasing Osborn, Pats Coach Jarod Mayo offered this: “It was a mutual thing,” said Mayo. “Even when he was inactive, he was just a great professional, a great person, and a great leader. It just didn’t work out, and we decided to part ways.”

Osborn has also proven himself to be both courageous and unselfish. A couple of years ago, visiting friends in Austin, TX, Osborn, a passenger in an Uber, pulled over to the side of the road to assist and pull a driver out of his burning car.

Osborn is still only age 27, and with the exception of Crowder, he has more experience than the other Commanders receivers to whom the Commanders would be looking to step up in replacing Noah Brown.

In his last three seasons in Minnesota, Osborn caught 50, 60, and 48 passes for 655, 650, and 540 yards, respectively.

It is also worth noting that Osborn does have some NFL experience returning kickoffs and punts. It is not extensive, but he has returned 14 kickoffs and 11 punts.

Osborn was involved in a 2020 draft trade that saw the Vikings receive Jeff Gladney, Osborn, and D.J. Wonnum, while the 49ers received a draft pick that they used to select Brando Aiyuk.

Commanders expecting two injured players to return vs. Saints

The bye week was good for some injured Commanders.

The Commanders are expecting starting right tackle Andrew Wylie to be ready for Sunday’s game in New Orleans against the Saints.

Wylie suffered a concussion against the Cowboys, sat out the game against the Titans, and appears to have benefited from the extra rest during the bye week.

Cornelius Lucas filled in quite well for Wylie in the Titans game, helping the Commanders rush for 267 yards on 45 rushes, averaging 5.93 yards per attempt.

Some have suggested that Lucas’ play against the Titans was so good that Wylie’s job could possibly be up for grabs. But Wylie is valuable in the screen game and gets down the field well into the second level of the defense. Look for Wylie to remain the starter, allowing the Commanders to use Lucas as a swing tackle.

The other player who missed the Titans game due to a concussion was RB Austin Ekeler. Ekeler will definitely not be back for the Saints game because the Commanders placed Ekeler on the injured reserve list, meaning he will miss four games minimum. The earliest Ekeler could return thus is the season finale in Dallas. However, if Jeremy McNichols and Chris Rodriguez continue to play well, don’t expect Ekeler back to face the Cowboys.

Defensive end Clelin Ferrell has battled an injured knee for most of the season. He picked up a sack in both of the first two games but has been slowed by the knee, but he continues to push through, playing ten games this season.

Cornerback Marshon Lattimore appears ready to make his Commanders’ debut against the Saints.

Dan Quinn told the press on Monday that Lattimore was running harder during the bye week, hitting all the markers and doing the required work. Quinn also mentioned that Lattimore has done the strength work and passed their tests thus far.

What Commanders’ Dan Quinn said on ‘Tell the Truth Monday’

Dan Quinn is focused on this week — and this week only.

Dan Quinn is such a patient man with the press.

Monday, Quinn was again before the press after a bye week. He had taken several questions, answering the questions focusing on the process of work, habits, culture, and this week’s opponent, the New Orleans Saints.

Then Scott Abraham (Washington’s ABC7) asked, “To your point of enjoying the process of winning, in its simplest form right now, your team controls its own destiny.”

This is where the dialog began.

That’s true, the Commanders are in the seventh seed spot in the playoff race. Win out, and they are in.

Abraham continued, “Do you emphasize that to your players, ‘Hey, the ball is in our court,’ and how exciting is that to be in this position?”

Without hesitation, Quinn responded, “Scott, you must have just logged on. There is zero chance we are talking about four weeks down the road.” Quinn then laughed so as not to make it too stern of a rebuke.

Going a step further, Quinn reached out in friendship, “But what I can tell you my friend, is that we really try to stay into the here and now. Honestly, what I talked about with the team was a concept of base camp. We are not at the bottom, but we’re no where near the summit. You just try to get to the next camp and then the next one.”

“So, if we continue to chase that, Scott, that’s where it’s at for us.”

“So, for us this week, we’re going to constantly chase, can we get better, and do everything we need to do to get ready for New Orleans?”

“The following week, we will do the same. I try to make it a discipline. Can we be disciplined enough to not look three and four weeks down the road?”

“That’s what we will constantly go after. So, sorry to spoil your moment there, but I did have to correct you there on that one.”

It was textbook, about how to tell the truth yet make an effort to be kind.

Good job, Monday, Coach Dan.

Best for the Commanders: Chase Young or Dante Fowler?

The Commanders face Chase Young this week.

Chase Young or Dante Fowler?

Bet you probably never thought you would be asking yourself that question.

Fowler, a current Commanders defensive end, not only likes to wear jersey number six but has also played on six NFL teams in his nine NFL seasons.

Young, was not only a first-round draft choice like Fowler, but he was more than a few times said to be “a generational talent,” leading up to his being selected second overall by Washington GM and HC Ron Rivera in the 2020 NFL draft.

Most fans don’t realize Fowler was the third overall selection in the 2015 NFL draft. Yet, Fowler suffered a season-ending injury his rookie season before he even saw a regular season game. Then came 2016 and 2017, when Fowler had only started one game.

There were two seasons with the Rams (2018-19), two with the Falcons (2020-21), and Cowboys and Dan Quinn (2022-23), and with Quinn now in Washington in 2024.

Young was the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2020. However, he then determined that though 89 players showed up to work in the offseason team workouts, he didn’t need to. He frustrated coaches in 2021, rushing recklessly away from the assigned pass-rush lanes.

A serious knee injury ended his highly disappointing 2021 season. In 2022, he again disappointed coaches by not returning when doctors said he was ready.

Young was traded to the San Francisco 49ers during the 2023 season. He was on a Super Bowl team, yet he was caught on camera several times simply not putting in the effort needed.

Consequently, Young became a free agent and looked for the best deal he could receive from an NFL team. That team was the New Orleans Saints, the Commanders’ next opponent.

Fowler is having his best NFL season since 2019 (Rams) when he generated 11.5 sacks, 16 TFL and 16 QB hits. With four games remaining, Fowler has racked up 8.5 sacks, 30 tackles (19 solo, 11 assisted), and 11 TFL. Fowler even has a pick-6 against the Panthers this season.

Young, on the other hand, collected 7.5 sacks and 10 TFLs in his rookie season. He did have 7.5 sacks in 2023, yet his tackles were much less. This season for the Saints, Young has 3.5 sacks, 22 tackles and six TFLs.

One would think Young has had Sunday vs the Commanders marked for some time now.

Fowler probably won’t say anything all week. But he will show up Sunday and make some nice defensive plays.

NFL analyst predicts Eagles will sign away Commanders defensive leader

Could the Eagles attempt to steal one of the Commanders’ top defensive players from this season?

It’s the Commanders’ bye week, but earlier this week, speculation emerged that the Eagles would pursue and sign one of their top defensive players away from the Commanders.

It is no secret to Commanders fans that GM Adam Peters signed many players on one-year deals. You can’t blame him; he inherits a roster full of holes. Wisely, Peters put most of his free agents in contract years with one-year deals, and as a result, he has seen much benefit on the field.

Defensive end Dante Fowler Jr. is one of those contract-year free agents who has performed well for the Commanders. Fowler was with head coach Dan Quinn in Atlanta in 2020 and then again with Quinn in Dallas for the 2022 and 2023 seasons. In fact, their relationship dates back to when Quinn recruited Fowler to the University of Florida and coached him there.

With four games remaining this season, Fowler has already totaled his second-highest sack total in his nine-year career, with 8.5 in 2024. He will be a free agent next off-season.

Matt Holder of Bleacher Report has publicly stated that he sees the Eagles signing a pass-rushing defensive end, and he believes Fowler is one they will aggressively pursue.

Graham (Brandon) is expected to retire at the end of the year, and Josh Sweat is an impending free agent. While Nolan Smith could take over as the starter moving forward, the defense could still use some pass-rush help. That’s where Fowler comes in, as he’s been having a strong campaign with 8.5 sacks this fall heading into the weekend. While the 30-year-old who turns 31 in August has never been much of a run defender, he can get after the quarterback with over 50 career sacks.

In addition to Fowler generating 8.5 sacks, he also has 19 solo tackles, 11 assists, 11 tackles for a loss, and 10 quarterback hits. Fowler leads the Commanders in sacks and tackles for a loss.

Fowler could demand a pay raise from the Commanders next off-season. If the Commanders don’t aggressively sign him and grant him a good raise, other teams looking for one or two years could swoop in and steal him from them.

But again, this is clearly speculation by Holder of Bleacher Report, a result of his reporting on the Eagles. Commanders Wire is simply informing Commanders fans of what is being circulated about the team.

Commanders release CB Emmanuel Forbes

Emmanuel Forbes is gone.

As expected,, the Commanders have made a couple of roster moves, two of which involve big names.

The Commanders released cornerback Emmanuel Forbes on Saturday, determining to cut the cord now and move on from him despite his being a first-round draft selection just one year ago.

The Commanders have given Forbes every chance they can. But he simply hasn’t made any impact whatsoever. He doesn’t even contribute on special teams. So, Adam Peters and Dan Quinn have decided to do what they feel is best for the team and the overall roster.

Secondly, the Commanders placed RB Austin Ekeler on injured reserve. Suffering his second concussion this season, the Commanders apparently feel they should give Ekeler at least the four weeks with no contact and then see if he is ready to proceed further.

Thirdly, after K Austin Seibert was placed on injured reserve earlier in the week, the Commanders elevated K Zane Gonzalez from the practice squad. The move was expected, as Gonzalez has performed well this season.

Finally, with Forbes released, the Commanders elevated DT Carl Davis off the practice squad.

It is amazing to think that just one year ago, Ron Rivera was filmed driving on his way to the Ashburn team facility. On the video, Rivera is seen and heard proclaiming he wants to draft Forbes that night.

When it was time for the 16th selection, Rivera and the Commanders chose Forbes to be their guy. He struggled all of 2023. This season, the Commanders wanted to have Forbes and Benjamin St-Juste starting as outside corners, but that never developed for the team.

On Friday, the Commanders declared CB Marshon Lattimore doubtful for Sunday vs. Tennessee. Lattimore came to Washington in a trade with the New Orleans Saints. He has missed all three of his games since the trade. In addition, the Commanders have lost all three of those games to the Steelers, Eagles, and Cowboys, respectively.

On Friday, the Commanders distinguished between RT Andrew Wylie and RB Austin Ekeler, who are both recovering from concussions, and ruled them out of Sunday’s game against the Titans.

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.”

Dan Quinn makes it clear what he thinks about Commanders QB Jayden Daniels in cold weather

Dan Quinn is not worried about cold weather and Jayden Daniels.

Winter is setting in the DMV area, and Dan Quinn was asked about it Friday.

One of the media members asked about quarterback Jayden Daniels’s reaction to the cold weather. Here is the video of this portion of Quinn’s press conference.

Indeed, the prediction for Sunday is the high temperature will be 44, with a morning low of 24. This means when the players are warming up on the field around 11:30, it will be about 40 degrees, with the high temperature coming around halftime.

“We’ve been out in practice all week and so, looking at similar practice, so that’s for him and for all his teammates. We’re an outdoor team, and this is where we play, man,” replied Quinn.

Quinn wasn’t upset, but he certainly didn’t like the question. This was revealed when he elaborated a bit further.

“So, we practice outside for a reason. We only had one practice inside since training camp. And so, it didn’t have to go in there at all, didn’t have to go outside. We had one last Friday that we had to, but by and large we’re going to practice outside as often as we can and he’s done a good job with that.”

Quinn was then asked a surprising question if Daniels playing in warm weather had come up during the draft process. His response?  A simple, single word, “No.”

The follow-up came immediately, asking, “Is that something you think about with a team in general? You practice outside, was there anything else you can do to prepare?”

Shaking his head side to side, Quinn replied, “No.”

To me, the most telling element of the exchange is how Quinn immediately turned his head to the other side of the room, his body language suggesting, ‘Next question, and about something else.’

Wouldn’t you know it? The next question asked what winter element gives quarterbacks trouble when playing in the cold.

“Wind for sure, yeah. Because that, the gusts and that can go because there’s different kinds. Like if it’s snowing, it’s not as cold as some other days that you can get really cold, like the minuses and those things. But yeah, definitely wind’s the biggest one.”

For those wondering why weather was a focus during the Friday press conference, Jayden Daniels was born and raised in California. He played high school football at Cajon H.S. in San Bernardino, CA.

Daniels then played his first three college years at Arizona State before playing his last two seasons at Louisiana State University (LSU).

In Quinn’s defense, perhaps the subject of Daniels in warmer weather never came up prior to the draft because to he and Peters, if Daniels was available, they were hands down going to select Daniels.