Tag: Commanders new owner Josh Harris

Josh Harris’ wife, Marjorie, a very pleasant guest on local radio

Marjorie Harris spoke on the importance of community for the Commanders.

“We are going to be in the community. It’s what we do, it’s what we like to do,” explained Marjorie Harris.

Wife of Commanders majority owner, Josh, Marjorie is the chair of the Washington Commanders Foundation. Marjorie appeared on the Grant and Danny Show Wednesday on 106.7 The Fan in Washington, D.C.

Marjorie, along with the 2024 rookie class, Washington Legends, and Commanders employees, were hosting a Day of Service in three area locations.

Interestingly enough, Grant Paulsen began by asking whether she preferred “Marjorie or Mrs. Harris.” Think Daniel Snyder insisting on being addressed as Mr. Snyder. However, in this case, Marjorie replied that she preferred Marjorie and that “Mrs. Harris is my husband’s mom.”

Marjorie committed Wednesday to being a very active community service day. She was talking with Grant and Danny from an elementary school, and she displayed a sense of humor, informing Grant and Danny that she could assure them she was not purchasing any beers for the elementary students.

Rather than simply raking in their millions and keeping it to themselves,  Marjorie explained to Grant and Danny that Wednesday was their first day of giving back to the community.

“This is part of buying a sports team. To us, this is a community asset, and we believe in sharing with the community.”

Marjorie enjoyed the fact that several team members had joined in the efforts across town on Wednesday. “I think this is a part of the culture of the organization that we’re building…We want everyone that is a part of it to feel the same way that we’re here to build a championship team, and at the same time, give back to the community and make sure that as we succeed on the field, the city succeeds as well.”

There was a lot of fun during the on air exchange as Marjorie displayed a sense of being able to relate well personally with Grant and Danny, and they were enjoying her not taking herself too seriously as well. She even commented humorously regarding the handshake last year on national television between her husband, Josh, and Joe Buck.

It was a good start for Marjorie in the community, and hopefully, many will begin to take part in her efforts to lead the Commanders in Community Service events.

ESPN’s Mina Kimes: Commanders’ Dan Quinn on the hot seat

This is just silly.

Thursday once again reminded us that those who cover the NFL nationally might see the Commanders much differently than those residing in the DMV.

“The Mina Kimes Show,” featuring Larry (ESPN product) with guest Kevin Clark, found Kimes and Clark discussing whom they felt were the top ten current NFL coaches.

After each produced their top ten and the reasons why, the two transitioned to discussing which five NFL head coaches are “on the hot seat.” These five coaches could very well lose their jobs if they don’t have a successful 2024 season.

Both Kimes and Clark agreed that the top two NFL coaches on the hot seat are Robert Saleh (Jets) and Mike McCarthy (Cowboys). Clark felt Nick Sirianni (Eagles) is his third on the hot seat, declaring the Eagles is a really good job, and therefore, there will be candidates interested, and the ownership will also be interested in those candidates.

Kimes then declared that all four NFC East coaches could be on the hot seat. Interestingly, Clark had already said “three;” however, when Kimes stressed all four, Clark backed down, saying, “I completely agree.”

Well, you didn’t completely agree a minute ago, and she has not even defended her claim, and you now already “completely” agree? It was strange.

“Dan Quinn did not make my top five (list), but he could,” said Kimes. “If there is one coaching hire who might be one and done, it would be him. I cannot believe he was their first choice.”

Clark quickly responded, “What gave that away?”

“I am very nervous about the situation Jayden Daniels is walking into behind that offensive line,” continued Kimes. And if it looks bad, to me, new ownership, I could see him (Quinn) getting the axe.”

Clark added, “The thing about Dan Quinn, he is going to be a victim of his own success, if Jayden Daniels looks good. People are going to want that job in a way they didn’t want it three months ago.”

“There will be people calling Adam Peters, ‘Just saying, I might be available this year,'” added Clark.

Remarkably, Kimes pointed to new ownership (Josh Harris Group) and then explicitly declared she could see the new ownership firing Quinn.

Wait, why?

What about Josh Harris has pointed to him being impatient? What about Josh Harris has she observed that could result in Harris wanting to rid himself of Quinn after only one season?

Remember, Harris is the guy hiring and permitting Adam Peters to hire a new front office.

Consequently, why would you begin to agree with Kimes here? All the evidence points to Harris permitting Peters to execute a long-term plan. Remember several of the free agent signings were only one-year deals?

Both Kimes and Clark are incorrect in their assessment of the Commanders’ direction. Josh Harris is not quick to pull the trigger. Harris has not shown himself to be near-sighted or quick-tempered.

Dan Quinn is not on the hot seat.

PFT says Commanders treated QB prospects like ‘lab rats’ during interviews

More nonsense from from Washington’s favorite critic.

Pro Football Talk blasted the Commanders on Friday.

The Commanders had entertained multiple players, including four quarterbacks, earlier in the week. It was a job interview, and apparently, Josh Harris and the Commanders were really out of line, according to Mike Florio and Myles Simmons.

“I think it is imperative to bring in these guys (quarterbacks) one at a time, know everything you can about them, get them all in with you. And that is where this has kind of gone off the rails for the Commanders. Because I’m hearing belief that maybe Jayden Daniels is not all that interested now in going to the Commanders,” Florio said during Friday’s installment of “PFT Live.”

Simmons replied: “You can pick up another asset (not picking Daniels and trading down), but is that going to be worth it if you are playing games and you don’t get the exact quarterback that you sensibly have fallen in love with throughout this draft process? To me, that would not make much sense. But, there are a lot of things about the way the Commanders have gone about, let’s call it, the last week that have not made much sense to me.”

Added Florio: “Here is the other thing I’ve picked up from somebody that I trust immensely, who is very plugged into the ownership scene. Josh Harris? A lot more involved than they thought he would be. … They brought them all in on the same day because that’s the day Mr. Harris was available to see them. That’s the only plausible explanation for having them there.

“Here is the danger, the David Tepper danger. This is when the owner is involved in any way. … At the end of the day, if you get it wrong, you better get it wrong with the guy the boss wanted. Your worst-case scenario is, the boss wanted this guy, and you went with that (other) guy, and that guy stinks. … Your long-term job prospects are best suited by giving the boss what you think the boss wants, and it all comes down to how vocal the boss is.

“You are the No. 2  guy. The people who know what they are doing, have Jayden Daniels as the clear No. 2 guy. So, when you have your visit to this team, that wants you supposedly, and the day is diluted by the three other quarterbacks being there. At some level you are going to be pissed. … There’s red flags there, and it all flows back to how the Commanders have handled it. It’s not anything about Jayden Daniels. It’s how the Commanders have handled Jayden Daniels.”

Wow, has it not yet occurred to Florio that comparing Harris to Tepper is extremely unfair to Harris? If Harris proves himself to be a Tepper, then yes. But for now, doesn’t that seem like attacking Harris prematurely?

Second, do Florio and Simmons fail to comprehend the Commanders have not presented any signs whatsoever that Daniels is obviously their guy?

Third, they are flat-out wrong because several analysts also think Drake Maye should be the second selection. The situation is not as simple as Florio and Simmons erroneously believe it to be.

Fourth, are any of the other quarterbacks who visited complaining about the process? So how can Florio and Simmons logically conclude it has to be the Commanders at fault in how they handled Daniels this week?

Simmons then proceeded to say twice the Commanders’ process was “disrespectful” to the prospective quarterbacks, expressing, “I am confused by this approach.”

Though Adam Peters and Lance Newmark stated there were both individual meetings and group time, this simply does not satisfy Florio and Simmons. Florio then called it “the strategy the Commanders concocted; I know people and am a student of the human condition. It’s disrespectful, it’s disrespectful to all of them.”

Florio then said the Commanders were treating the quarterbacks “like lab rats in a weird sort of way. … Let’s just put them in a room together and see how they act. Maybe one will kill the other three, and that will clearly be the right choice for us. … There is an element of evil scientist that comes through this, that is just offputting to me as an outsider.”

Florio then called it “this weird power-trip [expletive].”

Here is the video of their entire discussion:

 

 

Commanders’ Rivera a big help to owner Josh Harris

Ron Rivera made life a bit easier on Josh Harris last week.

In the last week Commanders head coach Ron Rivera has certainly made new owner Josh Harris’ job easier.

Washington lost 31-19 at home last week to the anemic N.Y. Giants. Then turned around on Thursday and looked even worse (much worse) at Dallas, being embarrassed 45-10 on national television.

What was Harris to do? How was Harris to respond Friday?

Enter head coach Ron Rivera.

Rivera reportedly contacted Harris with his plan Friday morning and Harris gave the nod to Rivera to proceed with his plan. Gone are defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio and defensive backs coach Brent Vieselmayer.

As a result, Harris did not have to fire two coaches with five games remaining. Even more, instead of the constant speculation of when and what Harris was going to do, asserting his authority over the mess. The speculation is now removed; Harris can wait another five games and begin cleaning house.

I hate to say it, but the Cowboys also revealed that they had no respect for the Commanders going into last week’s debacle. I mean, Dak Prescott even went to head coach Mike McCarthy asking if he could eat turkey on the sideline during the game.

What’s more, Jerry Jones and McCarthy went along with it. No respect! They view Washington as a clown show. So, with the game easily in hand, there was Prescott on the sideline eating his turkey. It certainly helps Harris discern how the Commanders’ team is viewed around the league.

Speaking of no respect, which players has Harris himself, already determined must go? The linebackers can be seen weekly, chasing after receivers with the ball in their hands.

Benjamin St-Juste and Emmanuel Forbes sure get picked on by other teams don’t they? Imagine what Rivera will attempt to scheme for Miami when the 8-3 Dolphins come to town Sunday?

Tua Tagovailoa has completed 69.8% of his passes in 2023. He has passed for 22 touchdown passes, along with ten interceptions. Rivera will need something to impact the Dolphins passing game. Tua’s passer rating is 103.7, and his QBR is 59.5.

Rivera will have his hands full with the Dolphins offense, and perhaps he will be focused on having to develop the defensive game plan himself.

Will Rivera still insist on telling us this week about the “growth and development” of his young guys?

Commanders’ Rivera feels ‘everybody is coming together’

Rivera is pleased with the team’s mindset heading into Thursday night.

Ron Rivera really liked how his players put the Buffalo fiasco behind them quickly.

“The execution was really good, I thought at times and so I think that really spoke well to the guys practicing, preparing all week coming off of the Buffalo game. I thought the guys came in and had a really good Wednesday.”

Rivera also thinks new offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy is still getting to know his offensive personnel and they are still learning the new offensive system.

“I think a lot of what’s happening is everybody’s kind of still learning. We’re still in that phase. I mean, you can say all you want about having OTAs, minicamp, training camp, preseason games, but now with the actual games itself, now you know exactly what you got, what you’re doing out there and you feel as if everything’s coming together”

One calendar year can be significantly better. You recall last year, the Chicago game in Week 6 is when Washington fans showed up in Chicago wearing bags over their faces, and many chanting, “Sell the team.”

Rivera said he feels “Very fortunate. Things have changed, and it’s been different. It’s been refreshing…It’s one of those things that we’re very fortunate to be where we are. What Mr. [Josh] Harris and his group have brought has been very different, and it’s allowed me, it’s allowed us, to keep the focus on football, the players, as it should be and what we do on the field.”

As the team couldn’t wait to get on the field against the Eagles, turning the page from the Bills embarrassment, Rivera is hoping the team wants to turn the page from the Eagles to the Bears exclusively.

“…I’ve tried to talk to as many of the players as I can and just touch bases, see where everybody is, and the responses have been terrific. They really have. They’ve been tremendous. There’s a sense of eagerness right now. You know, it’s funny; I felt that on Wednesday, and I know I told you guys last week that I thought we had a good Wednesday. I felt that way about yesterday, coming in, and just in less than 24 hours, they were back here, and you know, there is this little bit more maturity, I think, and kind of in a really good way.”

Virginia Governor seeking Commanders stadium in Virginia?

The Virginia Governor has made it clear he wants a new stadium in the Commonwealth.

Josh Harris is in a win-win situation right now.

According to A.J. Perez of Front Office Sports, Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin scheduled a special session of the General Assembly for next Wednesday where an amendment to study a new Commanders stadium could be on the budget.

Plainly speaking, public perception was so bad under the ownership of Daniel Snyder that new owner Josh Harris is reaping the benefits of a honeymoon period and then some.

Harris is loved by fans; players and coaches have spoken their praise. Ticket sales for the 2023 season have increased. Excitement is in the air.

Daniel Snyder was blocked in his efforts for a new stadium by the city of Washington, Virginia and Maryland. He was not going to be able to do business to get a new stadium.

With Snyder out of the way, those seeking to do business with the Commanders are going out of their way to consider the possibilities of doing business with Harris and his ownership group.

Recently Youngkin attended the Commander’s training camp. In addition, Younkin recently said,  “I do believe that Virginia would be a great place for the Commanders to not just have training camp, not just have their headquarters, but in fact to play all their games.”

These reports on Wednesday might actually be premature. It is not known what adjustments are being proposed for the budget by Youngkin, and it is also not known what the details will be for a study provision in the budget regarding a new Commanders stadium in Virginia.

The team’s facilities and practice fields are already in Virginia. The property is currently in Ashburn, and previously the team facilities were in Herndon. Northern Virginia, in the past, was Redskins country just as much as Maryland. The number of fans attending games who reside in Virginia is no doubt more than those actually living in the city.

However, wherever the stadium is being considered, one thing that is altogether certain is that the other two locations in the DMV will complain, declaring it should be in their area.

With ongoing investigations by both the NFL and legal authorities into the conduct of the former owner, Snyder increasingly found it difficult to have ongoing discussions regarding a new stadium.

The future is unknown regarding a new Commanders stadium, but aren’t things trending upward for Josh Harris?