Tag: Dan Quinn

X reacts to suggestion that Bears should hire former Commanders coach Ron Rivera

At least one person thinks the Bears should consider hiring former Commanders coach Ron Rivera.

Ron Rivera had a solid nine-year NFL playing career, playing in 137 games, winning a Super Bowl, and was a key member of the 1985 Chicago Bears, arguably the greatest defense ever.

After his playing career, Rivera jumped into coaching. Fourteen years after his coaching journey began, Rivera landed his first head coaching job with the Panthers in 2011. He spent almost nine full seasons with Carolina, leading the Panthers to one Super Bowl appearance. After being fired from Carolina, Washington hired Rivera as head coach.

With Washington, Rivera also served as the head of football operations, although it wasn’t a part of his official title. Rivera spent four seasons as head coach of the Commanders before he was fired in January.

In 13 seasons as an NFL head coach, Rivera finished with a 102-103-2 record, with a 3-5 postseason record.

Working in the media this year, the 62-year-old Rivera still wants to coach. And one longtime NFL columnist believes Rivera’s former team, the Bears, should hire him.

Dan Pompei of The Athletic penned a column saying that the struggling Bears, who will likely fire head coach Matt Eberflus after this season, said Rivera would make Chicago players “accountable.” Additionally, Pompei said the Bears ignoring Rivera would be a mistake, similar to not interviewing another Chicago player-turned-coach, Jim Harbaugh.

Let’s note that Harbaugh, in his first season as the Chargers head coach, has a career NFL record of 52-25-1 and an NCAA record of 133-52. He’s led a team to the Super Bowl and won a national championship.

The mere notion of Rivera landing another head coaching job had Washington and Chicago fans reacting on X — formerly Twitter. The reactions weren’t positive.

Here are some of those reactions:

The mention of Rivera as a possible candidate had one Bears fan saying he’d switch teams.

This fan nailed it with his thoughts:

The Commanders are 9-5 under new head coach Dan Quinn — one year after Rivera led Washington to a 4-13 record. New general manager Adam Peters has flipped over half of the roster Rivera built, including jettisoning his last three first-round picks.

Commanders rule out DT Jonathan Allen for Week 16 vs. Eagles

Jonathan Allen will not return — yet.

Jonathan Allen’s return will have to wait another week. The Washington Commanders ruled out the veteran defensive tackle for Sunday’s Week 16 showdown against the Philadelphia Eagles.

Allen, who tore his pec in a Week 6 loss at Baltimore, returned to practice this week when the Commanders opened his 21-day practice window. Washington has 21 days to activate Allen to the 53-man roster, or he’ll miss the remainder of the season. When the team opens a practice window for a player, the player is generally close to returning.

News first broke of Allen’s potential return late last week. John Keim of ESPN reported that Allen’s torn pec was only a partial tear and that he was attempting to return this season. Head coach Dan Quinn confirmed that Allen was working his way back. 

Quinn said the following regarding Allen on Friday:

“So, he had a really good week,” Quinn said. “I was very encouraged and we’re just going to keep progressing to make the steps. I’d be encouraged heading into next week as we’re going through it, but he did an excellent job; I was really impressed. So, that’s the only player we’ll rule out.”

Washington’s defense has continued to improve throughout the season. The Commanders rank 11th in total defense and fifth in pass defense. However, they are 25th against the run. Allen’s potential return would be welcome news.

 

Commanders’ Dan Quinn discusses injuries and others stepping up

Dan Quinn discusses injuries and roster construction.

Dan Quinn doesn’t want to be crass and heartless when his players are injured.

During his press conference with the media on Wednesday, Quinn was asked about tight end Zach Ertz and safety Jeremy Chinn’s injuries against the Saints on Sunday and how he responded.

“You don’t want to be callous to say, ‘Oh this next man up or that.’ That’s not what we say at all.”

Yet, Quinn said his role is to lead the players to get “back into the mode of the game and responsibilities. And that, as a coach, the good news is that when you’re seeing a player getting up and walking off that they’re with the best of the best in terms of the medical side. And I have certainly been impressed over the weeks of when I’ve seen people respond in action here.”

Quinn elaborated further he appreciates his medical staff and pointed to recent injuries to Austin Ekeler and Noah Brown in how the staff was thorough and diagnosed significant issues, and he respects their work, saying, “And I have certainly been impressed with our team.”

The ‘next man up’ is always a theme. However, because the nature of pro football is so violent, guys are going to go down unexpectedly. Quinn elaborated on how he tries to get everyone on the roster and practice squad to be prepared.

So Quinn takes starters out of practice at various times, inserting reserves into their roles, to see how the players respond.

“So, each player in the game plan, they’re responsible for that for the week. Even if they’re unlikely to play in that game, you just don’t know when a guy gets sick, something happens at a practice and the next person has to be available. So, I think it’s important that of the, like we said, we look at this as not a 53 or even a 48-man roster, but 65 where it’s everybody can be into that.”

Quinn has a rule that, in practice, all players play. “If you really want a competitive team, the pressure has to be on everyone to deliver. You don’t know who could win the game for you. And so, you have to put that pressure on them to get that done.”

Commanders could get DT Jonathan Allen back soon

More good news for Jonathan Allen and the Commanders.

We learned last week that Washington Commanders defensive tackle Jonathan Allen could return this season. Allen tore his pec in a Week 6 game at Baltimore. And while a torn pec is often a season-ending injury, Allen’s was only a partial tear, giving the Commanders hope that he could return this season.

On Wednesday, Washington opened Allen’s 21-day practice window, meaning it has 21 days to either activate him from injured reserve to the 53-man roster or end his season. When a team opens an injured player’s 21-day window, they are likely close to a return.

Head coach Dan Quinn spoke about Allen’s potential return on Wednesday.

“Yeah, well first I think it’s a remarkable part of the rehab, for him to go through it,” Quinn said. “There’s a lengthy protocol in the return to make sure we don’t miss a step along the way. For us, you’ve heard us say protecting the team, that’s the player too. So, we did that with Marshon [Lattimore] too and [Allen’s] really worked hard to get ready into this space. So, we’ll just kind of take it, practice as we’re going, but he’ll be back in with the team today and going through it.”

Allen did practice but was limited.

Allen’s potential return comes when the Commanders are battling to make the playoffs. At 9-5, Washington currently possesses the seventh and final seed in the NFC playoff field. The Commanders host the Eagles this weekend and close the season against the Falcons and Cowboys.

Commanders Dan Quinn joined some elite company with Week 15 win

Dan Quinn did something only one other coach in Washington franchise history has done.

Dan Quinn is already in rare company.

With the 20-19 Commanders’ win over the Saints in Week 14, Dan Quinn reached his ninth win of the season.

The franchise has been led so poorly from the top that this 2024 season is the first nine-win season since Jay Gruden was the head coach, Kirk Cousins was the starting quarterback, and Sean McVay was the offensive coordinator in 2015. The only current player from that 2015 season was punter Tress Way.

Also, with that ninth win of the season, Quinn becomes only the second Washington head coach to have won nine games in his first NFL season with the franchise.

George Allen came to Washington in 1971, taking over a team that had finished 6-8 in 1970. Allen made numerous trades in the offseason but lost his starting quarterback, Sonny Jurgensen, to a broken shoulder in the preseason and Charley Taylor in the fifth game to a broken ankle. Yet the Redskins finished 9-4-1 and were the fourth and final team to make the NFC playoffs before losing in the first round to the NFC West champ 49ers in San Francisco 24-20.

The great Joe Gibbs came to Washington in 1981, taking over a team that was 6-10 in 1980. Gibbs lost his first five games and has often told of how then-owner Jack Kent Cooke asked to meet with Gibbs. Gibbs has commented that he thought he might get fired before winning even a single game.

Gibbs wasn’t fired, but he did manage to get the team to play his brand of football. They won eight of their final 11 games, finishing the season at 8-8.

Marty Schottenheimer came to Washington to succeed Norv Turner, whom owner Daniel Snyder had fired during the 2000 season in which the Redskins finished 8-8.

Schottenheimer inherited Jeff George as his starting quarterback, whom Snyder had brought to the team. Marty’s 2001 team started miserably, so miserably George was not only benched, he was released. The Redskins started 0-5, finished strongly at 8-8. But Snyder fired Schottenheimer.

How many games did Boston / Washington first-year head coaches win in their inaugural seasons?

  • 2020 Ron Rivera 7-9
  • 2014 Jay Gruden 4-12
  • 2010 Mike Shanahan 6-10
  • 2008 Jim Zorn 8-8
  • 2004 Joe Gibbs (2.0) 6-10
  • 2002 Steve Spurrier 7-9
  • 2001 Marty Schottenheimer 8-8
  • 1994 Norv Turner 3-13
  • 1993 Richie Petitbon 4-12
  • 1981 Joe Gibbs (1.0) 8-8
  • 1978 Jack Pardee 8-8
  • 1971 George Allen 9-4-1
  • 1970 Bill Austin 6-8
  • 1969 Vince Lombardi 7-5-2
  • 1966 Otto Graham 7-7
  • 1961 Bill McPeak 1-12-1
  • 1959 Mike Nixon 3-9
  • 1954 Joe Kuharich 3-9
  • 1952 Curly Lambeau 4-8
  • 1950 Herman Ball 3-9
  • 1946 Turk Edwards 5-5-1
  • 1944 Dudley DeGroot 6-3-1
  • 1943 Dutch Bergman  6-3-1
  • 1936 Ray Flaherty 7-5
  • 1935 Eddie Casey 2-8-1
  • 1933 Lone Star Dietz 5-5-2
  • 1932 Lud Wray 4-4-2

Commanders give concerning injury updates to a pair of key starters

Two key Commanders could be in jeopardy of missing Week 16 game vs. Eagles.

The Washington Commanders entered Sunday’s game against the New Orleans Saints without two of their top four receivers. Running back Austin Ekeler landed on injured reserve after Week 12 with a concussion, while wide receiver Noah Brown was placed on IR on Saturday.

That left wide receiver Terry McLaurin and tight end Zach Ertz as Washington’s primary pass catchers.

McLaurin was phenomenal again, catching seven passes for 73 yards and two touchdowns. He has 11 receiving touchdowns, second in the NFL to Ja’Marr Chase — with three games remaining.

Ertz made his presence felt on Sunday, too, making a beautiful one-handed catch, giving the Commanders a first-and-goal from the three-yard line. However, on the play, Ertz landed hard on the ground and slowly got up before entering the medical tent.

He was quickly ruled out with a concussion.

In the second half, starting safety Jeremy Chinn also departed the game with a concussion and did not return. Now, both key starters are in the NFL’s concussion protocol ahead of Washington’s important Week 16 showdown against the Eagles.

“Both Zach and Jeremy are in our concussion protocol, and so we’ll follow each step along the way,” Quinn said Monday. 

Quinn was asked specifically about Ertz and if his absence changes the usage of specific players and formations.

“Yeah, as it goes you would, there’s a couple of ways to think about that,” Quinn continued. “It could be some of the big guy stuff in the run game, just like you suggested, which is definitely a viable plan. And then there’s also the other way, how do you incorporate the backs more they can get outside to move and different types of sets. So, some don’t include a tight end with two halfbacks in the game and three receivers. And so, utilizing different packages will be part of that.”

Ertz has been a safety valve for quarterback Jayden Daniels this season.

Chinn has started every game for Washington and is second on the team in tackles with 93, trailing only Bobby Wagner.

Losing either or both would severely limit the Commanders’ chances of upsetting the Eagles next week.

Commanders’ Dan Quinn taking the ‘high road’ in NFL officiating mess

Dan Quinn takes the high road.

What did Washington Commanders head coach Dan Quinn think of the egregious NFL officiating mistake at the end of Sunday’s game between his team and the New Orleans Saints?

Quinn took the podium after the Commanders’ 20-19 win, which moved them to 9-5 on the season and increased their playoff odds. While Quinn was relieved to discuss the win, reporters wanted his take on how the officials incorrectly stopped the clock with nine seconds remaining, giving the Saints an extra almost four seconds to score a touchdown and go for the win.

Quinn said he’s taking the high road.

“I don’t, and I am going to absolutely take the high road right now about that,” Quinn said. “I saw a quick video of that and, so I will wait for the response from New York, but those three seconds are critical, I’ll say that.”

After a brief pause, Quinn laughed and said, “We’re onto Philadelphia.”

We have a feeling Quinn wouldn’t have been so nice about this had the Saints converted on the two-point play, which would have cost Washington the game.

The Commanders won the game, which was full of terrible officiating, so those controversial calls do not sting as much. Regardless, even if Quinn expressed his outrage publicly, what would come out of it? He’d be fined. That’s how the NFL works.

Fortunately for Washington, the NFL will send a worthless apology letter this week. At some point this season, unless you’re in Kansas City, you’ve likely received one or more of those letters.

Commanders coach Dan Quinn on expectations for Marshon Lattimore

Commanders coach Dan Quinn shared some insight on Marshon Lattimore’s practice plans and set expectations for the former Pro Bowler against his old team:

For the first time since the Washington Commanders acquired Marshon Lattimore via trade with the New Orleans Saints, things are finally trending toward the Pro Bowl cornerback making his debut against his former team this weekend.

Lattimore began practicing fully this week with no limitations, putting him on track to suit up for Sunday’s matchup. Commanders head coach Dan Quinn shared his thoughts on potentially adding Lattimore into the lineup.

“It’s a big deal, to add a player of this caliber after the trade deadline, it just doesn’t happen that often,” Quinn told reporters Wednesday. He also made it a point that they will be cautious with the player, making sure that he’s fully equipped to get back on the field after dealing with a nagging hamstring injury for the last month.

“We’ll take it through the whole week. We’re not going to miss one step with him and the practicing and hitting all the markers. If it trends that way good, then (he will) go,” Quinn said.

Quinn knows exactly how impactful a player of Lattimore’s caliber can be, having coached against him twice a year during his tenure as head coach of the Atlanta Falcons. Lattimore and the Saints went 2-5 against Quinn with the shutdown corner erasing Julio Jones and most other receivers the dirty birds threw at him. Now he’s returning to New Orleans as a visitor.

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Commanders, Jayden Daniels have lost No. 3 and No. 4 receivers

Jayden Daniels has now lost two of his top four weapons in recent weeks.

Jayden Daniels and the Commanders received some more bad news on Wednesday.

Coach Dan Quinn declared to the media that there had been a significant injury to receiver Noah Brown.

“He’s going to be out for a while and so he had a significant internal injury from the game. And so, that’s going to knock him out for a while. And we love him and his play style, the identity of how he goes. And so, that one hurts.”

Brown contributed to special teams with his physical nature and aggressive play. On offense, Brown was a good blocker on the perimeter, helping with the running game.

Now, about the receiving. Brown used his body well on slants, utilized his size well, and had the ability to beat corners and draw interference penalties.

Daniels, the Commanders quarterback has now lost his No. 3 and No. 4 targets in consecutive games. Against Dallas, he lost running back Austin Ekeler when he suffered a late-game concussion. The following week, Daniels lost Brown in the Titans game.

Yes, Terry McLaurin leads the team with 896 receiving yards, and Zach Ertz is second (501). However, Brown was third (453), and Ekeler was fourth (346).

Brown and Ekeler were also third and fourth, respectively, in receptions, with 35 and 33. How about yards per reception? Brown was second (12.9) and Ekeler fourth (10.5). Brown and Ekeler were also third and fourth in receptions per game and second and fourth in receiving yards per game.

Consequently, please make no mistake: Jayden Daniels has taken a significant hit as we reach the season’s final four games.

Will someone step up and fill the void in Brown and Ekeler’s absence? Dyami Brown, Luke McCaffrey, and Olamide Zaccheaus will each contribute in the passing game and as blockers in the run game.

Who will take Brown’s roster spot? The likely candidates to vie for the roster spot are WR Jamison Crowder and TE Colson Yankoff, both on injured reserve currently. Four candidates on the practice squad are TE Cole Turner, WR Michael Strachan, WR Mitchell Tinsley and WR Brycen Tremayne.

On Wednesday, the Commanders also signed receiver K.J. Osborn from waivers. The New England Patriots recently released him. He will bring one more receiver with some experience to compete for Brown’s roster spot this last month of the season.

 

Good news: Commanders CB Marshon Lattimore practiced fully

All signs point to Marshon Lattimore playing against his old team on Sunday.

The Washington Commanders returned to practice on Wednesday, and Dan Quinn offered some good and bad news. First, Quinn informed the assembled media that wide receiver Noah Brown would likely miss the remainder of the season. However, in some good news, Quinn said he expected cornerback Marshon Lattimore to practice.

“I think specifically with Marshon, that’s a big deal for us to add a player of his caliber to our team,” Quinn said of Lattimore. “And so, not to make it one different than the other, but anytime you can add competition to a group, it’s a really big deal. And Marshon’s certainly trended in the right direction for us to play and so, we’ll take it through the whole week.”

Lattimore was indeed on the practice field with no limitations.

The Commanders acquired Lattimore on November 5, at the NFL trade deadline. At the time of the trade, Lattimore was dealing with a hamstring injury, and Washington has been cautious regarding his recovery. The Commanders play Lattimore’s old team, the Saints, on Sunday.