Tag: Dan Quinn Commanders HC

Cowboys writer says Commanders signing already a flop

Some over-the-top comments regarding the Commanders and Dan Quinn.

A writer covering the Dallas Cowboys went on record Friday, stating he believes one Dan Quinn signing might already be a flop.

Jerry Trotta, who writes for “The Landry Hat,” asserted the new Commanders head coach, “Quinn overspent on a pair of Cowboys free agents in Dorance Armstrong and Tyler Biadasz and signed a 33-year-old tight end in Zach Ertz who’s played only 17 games the last two seasons.”

I actually admit to being concerned regarding Ertz, not knowing what he might still be able to contribute in 2024 for the Commanders.

Trotta then continued a step further, saying, “Any of those moves could blow up in Quinn’s face, but there’s one marquee signing that already looks like a flop: running back Austin Ekeler.”

Ekeler had appeared on the “Up and Adams” show with Kay Adams, stating that the Chargers were going a different direction, deciding to sign bigger running backs. So, Ekeler signed with Washington.

This reason didn’t satisfy Trotta, who called Ekeler’s reason “ludicrous.” Yet, Trotta doesn’t seem to understand that though Ekeler carried the ball 206 and 204 times during the 2021 and 2022 seasons, the 5-10, 200-pound running back is now entering his eighth NFL season.

The Commanders are not planning on using Ekeler to carry the ball 200+ times in 2024. If he reaches that many carries it will only be because Brian Robinson and Chris Rodriguez were both injured during the season.

The Commanders hope to assign Robinson and Rodriguez the workload of carrying the ball between the tackles, permitting Ekeler to be utilized more in space as a third-down back or pass-receiving back.

Trotta concluded, asking his readers, “You think Quinn already regrets signing Ekeler?”

Frankly, isn’t it much too early to make such an assumption?

Ekeler’s contract is only for two years. The Commanders can get the most out of Ekeler over two seasons by not pounding a 200-pound back too often, especially when they have guys like Robinson and Rodriguez, with younger bodies with less wear and tear, who can get the tough yards.

Perhaps, might his wishes that Quinn is not successful in Washington, be clouding Trotta’s judgment?

After all, we all (myself certainly included) have our own biases, and they reveal themselves from time to time.

How similar are the Commanders teams of 1994 and 2024?

There are some striking similarities, but one major difference.

The parallels are striking.

The Washington Redskins finished a terrible 4-12 in 1993, fired their head coach Richie Petitbon, hired a new head coach in Norv Turner, owned the third selection in the 1994 NFL draft, and then used it to choose a mobile SEC quarterback out of Tennessee, Heath Shuler.

Fast-forward exactly 30 years, and the Commanders (I still don’t like the name) were horrible, finishing 4-13. So they fired their head coach, Ron Rivera, and hired a new head coach, Dan Quinn.

This team had the second overall selection in the NFL draft and also went to the SEC for a mobile quarterback, drafting LSU Heisman winner Jayden Daniels.

If that is not enough for you, both quarterbacks were known for their mobility in college, and yes, both would wear jersey number 5 for Washington.

But that is where the similarities come to an end, an abrupt end.

Shuler held out, was late coming to training camp, didn’t know the offense, and immediately demonstrated to some veterans in his first workouts that he couldn’t play in the pocket in the NFL.

Daniels did not miss a workout in the offseason. He has already demonstrated that he can pass the football while in the pocket. He goes to bed early, gets up early, and gets to work early to lead an NFL football team.

Daniels has already signed up for four years and last week replied to a reporter that he is not an NFL star quarterback, saying he is a rookie and hasn’t accomplished anything yet in the NFL.

Don’t you just love the sound of a young man who has his feet planted firmly on the ground?

Shuler’s rookie 1994 season saw him only complete 45 percent of his passing attempts, for 10 touchdowns and 12 interceptions, and he won only one of his eight starts.

Yes, there are several similarities, but the differences?

The differences are substantial. Those differences assure Commanders fans that Jayden Daniels is no Heath Shuler.

Commanders’ trio of Harris, Peters and Quinn united as one

Washington’s leadership trio clearly united as one on draft night.

The Commanders released their new draft video, “Commanders Log,” Thursday.

The video is entitled, “At the Top of the Pile,” and for good reason. Head coach Dan Quinn is seen explaining what he feels is most important in whom they will draft with the No. 2 overall selection. “I think as a rookie coming in, the number one trait, top of the pile, is a true competitor. Somebody that is absolutely willing to go the distance. To get better, to find the edge, to find what that can look like. So, at the top of the pile, making sure the competitor is right, because the best of the best teams, you better have that part right first.”

So twice, before they select Jayden Daniels, Quinn used the phrase “top of the pile.”

On draft night, as Caleb Williams was announced as the Bears’ first overall selection, Peters and Quinn immediately fist-pumped. What is noticeable is that there was no dialog about whom the Commanders might select.

Their minds were already certain; it was without question going to be Jayden Daniels. In fact, Quinn jokes about making the pick immediately.

Majority owner Josh Harris asks Peters and Quinn, “Are you guys going to wait?” This reveals that when some suspected during the NFL Combine that Harris was too involved and was not going to permit Peters and Quinn to lead, they were mistaken.

Harris clearly is seen leaning on Peters and Quinn to make the personnel decisions. Quinn replies to Harris, “Yeah.” Peters then explains, “They (the NFL) want you to wait a few minutes.”

Knowing they were on camera, Harris suggested humorously, “Let’s huddle like hrrrrr,” and then he laughed. So Peters jokingly responded, “Do you guys want to deliberate a little bit?” To which all three broke out in laughter.

This reveals there was not a serious tone, a tone of doubt, or a question about whom Peters was selecting. The trio were completely relaxed, having fun, enjoying the moment, and even joking with each other.

Quinn then succinctly expressed, “Cool moment. Let’s do it.”

Peters joked that they were going to be doing a lot of hugging, and again, Harris delivered a hearty laugh. They joked about whether they would hug now or after the phone call to Daniels. Again, they were laughing, not taking themselves too seriously, but enjoying the moment of their first selection together.

With that, Peters made the call to Daniels, informing him he was going to be a Washington Commander.

Jayden Daniels: ‘I didn’t get a vibe the Commanders would take me’

Daniels said he wasn’t sure he’d be the Commanders’ pick at No. 2.

Dan Quinn was impressed with Adam Peters from the time he first was named the new head coach of the Washington Commanders.

In their new video, “Top of the Pile,” Quinn expressed that prior to the draft, he had enjoyed traveling with Peters, scouting and discussing prospects. “Man, have I been impressed with how on point they (Peters and his staff) are and ready for this moment (NFL draft).”

LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels, on the video, reveals he wasn’t sure who was going to draft him on draft night. “If I’m being honest, I didn’t really get a vibe that the Commanders would take me. They did a good job of keeping everything in-house, of not letting out leaks or showing favoritism.”

“I had a good feeling that they liked me a lot, but the draft can play any type of way. I didn’t know I was going to be a Commander until my phone started ringing.” It was Adam Peters’s call to welcome Daniels to the Commanders and to express he was proud to select Daniels to be the one to represent the franchise.

“It was a surreal moment,” said Daniels. “To really just see your phone ring and talk to AP (Peters), Josh, DQ and tell them thank you for choosing me, believing in me.”

“I teared up a little bit. My family teared up because they have seen me work hard to get to this point, so it was an emotional time,” said Daniels.

Daniels says that when he walked out onto the stage, he saw Commanders’ fans going crazy and cheering, so he naturally responded with a scream of joy.

Quinn took a moment to assure and encourage former Redskins quarterback and Super Bowl XXII MVP Doug Williams, “You’re going to be a big part of him (Daniels). I couldn’t think of anybody better to be around than you if I was a QB coming up.”

Williams responded, “I’ve been knowing him a little bit; I’ve known him since (he was) 18.” Quinn replied, “You’re going to know him a lot better soon.”

Commanders LB Jamin Davis sees a new opportunity

Davis excited about the possibilities of rushing the passer more.

Jamin Davis knows this upcoming season is crucial for him.

Davis spoke with the media, on Wednesday at the OTA in Ashburn.

When asked about the new defense being installed by the new coaching staff, Davis didn’t hesitate in saying, “It’s giving me a chance to just really cut it loose and just go hunt some quarterbacks, honestly.”

The fourth-year linebacker out of Kentucky was surprisingly selected 19th overall by Ron Rivera in the 2021 draft. Davis has had flashes where his athletic ability was observed but he is certainly aware he has not performed near the expectations of a 19th overall selection.

He spoke vaguely of wanting to do something in his past Washington defenses, “but never had an opportunity to do so and I am going to put my best foot forward.”

When asked about this being the final year of his first NFL contract, Davis responded that he doesn’t think about that at all. But then, interestingly offered, “It’s just another chip on your shoulder. You go out there and you try to make some noise as much as possible and hopefully, you do what you can to stay here.”

Davis was thus admitting, he feels he must have his best season thus far, or he will not return in 2025.

Joe Whitt Jr., the Commanders defensive coordinator has Davis’ attention. Davis pointed out that Whitt “comes to work every day and does whatever he needs to do to make this team and defense go in the right direction.” Davis continued, “I don’t think Coach Whitt was BSing around when he said it was a run and hit defense.”

With the Commanders having signed veteran linebackers Bobby Wagner and Frankie Luvu, they will likely be starting. What does this mean for Davis’ playing time?

He may be used more as a pass rusher in 2024. He even offered Wednesday, regarding his working some extra with assistant coach Ryan Kerrigan, “He’s been extremely helpful actually. We have been doing things on the side, drills after practice, watching whatever film so I can see what footwork I need to possibly get there a step quicker. Having a guy like that on staff is really beneficial so you can hopefully try to go get his sack number.”

Kerrigan in his ten seasons with Washington accumulated 147 QB Hits in addition to his 95.5 QB sacks. Davis is thinking more about getting after quarterbacks in 2024.

WUSA9 becomes the DMV’s official station for the Commanders

Inside the Commanders’ partnership with WUSA9.

“WUSA9 is now the DMV’s official station for the Washington Commanders.”

That was the announcement made Tuesday by station sports director Chick Hernandez and Commanders head coach Dan Quinn.

In announcing the deal WUSA declared they will have five exclusive shows, as well as broadcast two of the three preseason games for the 2024 season. Hernandez will be the play-by-play announcer for those games.

The five shows announced by WUSA are:

COMMANDERS WEEKLY: Thursdays at 7 p.m.; Airing Sept. 12, 2024 through Jan. 9, 2025

This will be a 30-minute program highlighting the Commanders’ community outreach and inspiring stories and will be hosted by Chick Hernandez.

COMMAND CENTER: Saturdays at 11:35 p.m.; Airing weekly beginning June 8

Bryan Colbert Jr will continue to host and continue to be joined by former Washington Redskins players London Fletcher, Santana Moss, Logan Paulsen and Fred Smoot.

THE PLAYER’S CLUB: Sundays at 12:05 a.m.; Airing Sept. 1, 2024 through Jan. 12, 2025

This will be hosted by Fletcher, Moss and Smoot.

THE GAMEPLAN: Sundays at 8:30 a.m.; Airing Sept. 1, 2024 through Jan. 12, 2025

This show will be hosted by Colbert and Paulsen, with special recurring guest Commanders head coach Dan Quinn.

COMMANDERS KICK-OFF: Sundays at 11:30 a.m.; Airing Sept. 8, 2024 through Jan. 5, 2025

WUSA sports hosts Chick Hernandez and Wisdom Martin will lead the show.

Hernandez said he and Quinn will also sit down together on Mondays during the season:

“There’ll be some laughs and of course, if there’s some losses, there’ll be some tough times.”

Quinn responded, “Basically, what that day is, whether it’s for a coach or for a ball player, that’s tell the truth day. This is what happened in the game. And so, on that day we put up the things that we did well. But we also put up the things that need attention or work on. Here’s the lesson, you know, moving forward.”

“Because if you don’t get to the truth, after a win or a loss, you could be missing something. So, we will always do those and debrief the game after action, going back to the military term, like an after-action report, to say, this is what went well, this is what needs attention. This is what we are going to do moving forward.”

“So, those days telling the truth with you and I, that will be no different than what we’ll do with the team, to make sure that we all know how we are going to go about our business together.”

Rick ‘Doc’ Walker likes what he sees in the Commanders, but…

Doc Walker likes what he sees from the Commanders so far, but he puts things in perspective.

“The only interest I have in tackle football is seeing them in full pads and in a competitive environment.”

That response was Rick “Doc” Walker‘s when Kevin Sheehan asked him on Friday’s podcast what he thought about the Commanders after their OTA workouts last week.

Ask anyone else in the media and their likely first response has been Jayden Daniels and the assembling by head coach Dan Quinn of an impressive coaching staff.

Who else but Doc Walker would downplay the OTA workouts because they were not in full pads and true football contact? But that is “Doc,” and he is not going to change now.

There is some shtick to Doc; of course there is. But there is also something fresh about Doc that I have loved for years. He knows football is so much a contact sport. The contact affects so much of what goes into a player’s mind, how he plays with pain, how he reacts to contact. For Doc, it’s almost as simple as, “as long as they are only in their gym clothes, they are not yet playing actual football. So, let’s discuss it when they are playing actual football.”

Walker clarified, “Oh, I like them, but what do you want me to do? The guy won the Heisman Trophy. Am I supposed to be excited that he can throw a ball in practice?”

“I am positive about everything I have seen and heard to this point…I was high on Dan Quinn before they hired him.”

But what about Quinn’s team losing in the Super Bowl after holding a 28-3 lead? “His failure was in the Super Bowl. If that is your form of failure, I’ll take it.”

Walker did state he is very impressed with some of the new people hired by the Commanders “because you really do need good character people to be successful in any business.”

“I like this group, I really do. I would be surprised if this group fails…I don’t think they are going to fail miserably like that last group. This is a group that has really good intentions. If they stay healthy I do think they will be pretty hard to beat.”

Leave it to “Doc” to remind us that football isn’t football until players are in pads and making full contact.

Touching the brakes a bit to slow us down, keeping it real, that’s Doc. Thanks, Doc.

Overreaction Saturday to Commanders coach Dan Quinn’s T-shirt

Trying to make sense of some people’s overreaction to Dan Quinn’s shirt.

The most excitement at Commanders’ rookie minicamp Saturday was actually a T-shirt.

Yes, Dan Quinn’s T-shirt is what caused the biggest stir.

Quinn’s T-shirt was short sleeves, black in color, with a capital “W” above the word “Commanders.”

But the T-shirt also contained two feathers reminiscent of the old Washington Redskins logo.

Many Commanders fans were excited, seeing that they don’t like the “Commanders” brand, which dates back to the efforts of Daniel Snyder and Jason Wright.

Saturday, many fans declared the Harris Ownership Group (HOG) was again being subtle, asking Quinn to wear the T-shirt to honor the past when “Redskins” was the team name. While some, like Scott Abraham, simply voiced their approval of the shirt.

Actually, we have no idea if the HOG was involved in this in any way. It could actually be something as simple as Dan Quinn played his college ball in the area, is familiar with the history, saw the shirt and thought it was a neat reminder of some of the glory days of Joe Gibbs’ teams.

ESPN’s Jason Reid disapproved, tweeting Quinn alone was responsible for what he wore Saturday and that others in the organization should have taken great measures to stop Quinn from wearing the shirt.

Goodness, why was Reid suggesting Quinn’s shirt was so horrible and ill-advised? Had Quinn worn a shirt endorsing Joseph Stalin?

Reid tweeted several more times, insisting his concern was not about racism but more interested in the shirt, bringing up the old name of the team again. He later suggested a concern was the licensing of the shirt.

Were we supposed to believe that was why he had earlier tweeted, “Why? I mean, why?”

Also, he posted the Commanders “can’t get outta their own way, my man.” Why was Reid suggesting Quinn had really done something wrong? Quinn’s shirt had illustrated this team simply can’t help itself? Really?

Quinn committed no great blunder on Saturday. Plain and simple, Quinn was not an example Saturday of the organization simply not being able to get out of its way.

Nor did Quinn’s T-shirt prove the HOG is dumping the “Commanders” any day now. Yes, the HOG has inherited a branding flop, but if there is going to be a name change, it will most likely not be “Redskins,” nor will it occur anytime soon.

Formern Commanders DE James Smith-Williams signs with Falcons

Smith-Williams’ departure makes it official. The book on the 2020 NFL draft is closed in Washington.

In the latest free agent signings, James Smith-Williams has departed the Commanders to join the Falcons on a one-year deal.

Drafted in the seventh round (No. 229) in the 2020 draft by Washington, the former North Carolina State Wolfpack defensive end played four seasons for the Burgundy and Gold.

When Chase Young went down in 2021 with a season-ending knee injury, Smith-Williams noticeably improved the Commanders defense for the remainder of the season. His defense against the run proved to be a contributing factor to the team winning four consecutive games when he entered the lineup.

He started the last six games of that 2021 season, recording 30 tackles (11 solo, 19 assisted), including four for a loss, 2.5 quarterback sacks, and five additional QB hits.

Smith-Williams started 14 games in the 2022 season, contributing 23 tackles (12 solo, 11 assisted), including five tackles for a loss, three QB sacks and 16 QB hits.

In his final season (2023) in Washington, injuries limited him to 13 games (7 starts), 22 tackles (11 solo, 11 assists), two tackles for a loss, one quarterback sack, and eight quarterback hits.

Here are highlights from his last two Washington seasons.

When the 2024  free agent signing period launched in March, the Commanders new administration determined to sign Dorance Armstrong Jr. and Dante Fowler Jr. both defensive ends who had played for new head coach Dan Quinn in Dallas.

Then, the Commanders signed Clelin Ferrell, a former 49ers defensive end, whom new GM Adam Peters knew from his time as the assistant general manager in San Francisco.

The Commanders had also determined, this offseason, to re-sign Efe Obada over Smith-Williams. Obada has played both inside and outside on passing downs, accumulating 15 career sacks in his 74 NFL games played.

A couple of things are noteworthy. New Falcons free agent quarterback Kirk Cousins has the same agent as Smith-Williams (Priority Sports & Entertainment), and current Falcons assistant general manager Kyle Smith was with Washington and ran the draft board during the 2020 draft, Ron Rivera’s first with Washington.

Report: Commanders and Patriots are ‘apprehensive to trade down’

A new report suggests the Commanders and Patriots are reluctant to move down.

The NFL owners meetings are taking place this week.

There is discussion and voting regarding rule changes, and the media, of course, is finding ways to still talk about the draft ad nauseam until the day it arrives, Thursday, April 25.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter Monday recalled, “At the meeting last year, lots of talk on Aaron Rodgers and Lamar Jackson. This year, it will be the teams trying to come up to Washington’s spot at 2 and New England’s spot at 3 in the draft. Though, both teams are apprehensive to give up those picks.”

The thinking behind such a comment is that both the Commanders and the Patriots are in such dire need of a starting quarterback that they will be more inclined to not want to move back in the draft, choosing to stay put at No. 2 and 3 and therefore selecting their new respective quarterbacks.

Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy had his pro day last week and impressed, making a good enough showing that he is being projected even higher up the draft board by increasing numbers of analysts.

He is a good enough athlete that he has entered the second tier of Drake Maye, Jayden Daniels, and now McCarthy. McCarthy had initially been graded much lower due to the fact that the Michigan offense was a run-dominated offense.

Commanders head coach Dan Quinn recently referred to Daniels simply as a “game changer.” The signing of Marcus Mariota, also led to many instantly responding it meant the team was going to draft Daniels. But this conveniently ignores the Commanders actually first pursued Sam Darnold prior to Mariota.

All three of the second-tier quarterbacks have much growing to do in their NFL careers. Yet, they have displayed enough talent and mobility that they are considered to be high first-round selections.

If you are the Patriots or Commanders, you don’t want to get too cute here and trade down too far, not obtaining a quality quarterback in the draft.

Thus, the teams might indeed be increasingly apprehensive to trade down, just as Schefter expressed on Monday.

We still have another month of this…