Tag: Dan Snyder

Only 3 teams have spent less than the Commanders over the past 3 seasons

Washington has been cheap for years. That will change under Josh Harris in a number of areas.

Remember when the offseason was the Super Bowl for Washington? Back then, former owner Daniel Snyder would fire up his jet and bring some of the top free agents to Washington.

That strategy always backfired. When Bruce Allen took over as Washington’s president in 2010, the franchise changed how it operated in free agency.

For years, the franchise looked for cheap free agents on short-term deals, and the results were as predicted. When Washington did make a splash, such as Josh Norman or Landon Collins, it didn’t necessarily work out either.

That previous cheapness mainly persisted when Ron Rivera took over as coach and defacto GM in 2020. One positive from Rivera’s era was that he did manage to extend some of Washington’s top players.

But Rivera struck out in free agency, too, for the most part, particularly over the last three years.

When the Commanders did spend on outside free agents, they didn’t spend wisely. Overall, though, Washington has been cheap over the past three years, as only three teams have spent less cash than the Commanders, according to Spotrac.

Rivera received much of the blame for that, which is fair. However, Snyder’s cash flow was an issue and played a more significant role in Washington’s lack of aggressiveness in free agency.

Regardless, the Commanders won 26 games in four years under Rivera.

Snyder is gone now, and Allen has been gone for five years. Josh Harris is the new owner, and Adam Peters is the new GM. While the Commanders will primarily be built through the NFL draft, they will use free agency to supplement the roster instead of building the team.

Snyder was known for his cheapness over the years, not investing in FedEx Field or the team’s headquarters in Ashburn. Harris, who didn’t take over until July, has already earmarked $75 million in upgrades at FedEx Field and in Ashburn. Harris has also committed to analytics and sports science.

Times have indeed changed for the Commanders.

How involved is Commanders new owner Josh Harris?

What do you make of Josh Harris being present in the QB meetings at the NFL combine?

Josh Harris certainly grabbed the attention Thursday of those who follow the Washington Commanders.

We learned that the Commanders new owner was present at the 2024 NFL Combine and took part in the interviews of six quarterbacks.

A bit of historical context is that Harris last August was understandably viewed as the savior from the Dan Snyder ownership era. He was applauded, praised, and given the red carpet.

However, the 2023 Commanders’ season frankly fell apart and stunk. I don’t like to be overly negative, but isn’t true that they earned the second selection in next April’s NFL draft?

All Commanders fans understood the need for Harris to act swiftly, fire Rivera, clean house and start afresh. Harris wisely and successfully hired Adam Peters as his new general manager. He, along with help from his hiring committee, then hired Dan Quinn as head coach, and thus far, Quinn has brought in what appears to be a very experienced, capable NFL coaching staff.

Harris is off to a tremendous start in this 2024 offseason. Then came the word Harris was involved in the interviews at the annual Combine. Instant concern was raised by the media and Commanders’ fans.

Why? Because no Washington football fan/media enters this season with a blank slate. We all possess knowledge of the past. Memories have instructed us and, yes, haunted us.

We can’t easily forget the former owner instructing scouts, coaches and front office that he was drafting Dwayne Haskins in the first round of 2019.

We can’t easily forget his trading three first-round draft picks for a college quarterback who never developed into a capable NFL quarterback from the pocket.

We can’t easily forget trades for a declining Donovan McNabb, signing aging free agent veterans like Deion Sanders, Bruce Smith, Andre Reed, Jeff George, and dumping Marty Schottenheimer after only one season.

We can’t easily forget he hired an offensive coordinator (Jim Zorn) before he hired a head coach, then wondered why no capable coach would take the job, so he promoted Zorn to head coach though Zorn had yet to be an NFL or college coordinator.

So, alarm bells are ringing loudly. Red flags are being raised.

But there is also the history of Josh Harris to be considered. Has he shown himself previously to be a meddlesome owner who is foolish and delusional,  thinking he is knowledgeable enough about athletic skills to play team general manager?

So, for now, Harris gets the benefit of the doubt from Commanders Wire. 

Might Harris clarify he is simply learning about the NFL combine process and that Peters will have total freedom in making all player personnel decisions?

If Harris does, he will calm a lot of nerves right now from fans who understandably can’t simply ignore what the past has taught them.

Commanders’ fans surprisingly among the most sober in the NFL

It’s been a rough 20+ years for Washington fans, but better times are ahead.

It’s been a difficult 25 years for the Washington Commanders. It was in 1999 that Daniel Snyder began his reign of terror as owner, alienating one of the most passionate and loyal fan bases in all of sports.

Washington’s attendance plummeted over the years, and the team’s performance on the field gave fans plenty of reasons to drink. However, according to a recent study from BACtrack, Commanders’ fans are among the most sober in the NFL.

The rankings were based on blood alcohol content (BAC) numbers recorded by BACtrack, which showed that Commanders fans had an average blood alcohol content figure of 0.058 when tested, 29th in the NFL.

In a surprise, fans of the Kansas City Chiefs — back-to-back Super Bowl champions — drink the least among NFL fans.

The most “drunk” fans, according to the study? The Tennessee Titans, with a BAC of 0.093.

Now, having undergone two name changes since 2020 and Snyder having sold the team to a group led by Josh Harris after multiple scandals, things are looking better for the Commanders.

From their website, BACtrack explains the methodology:

  • Data was collected anonymously from users of the BACtrack app, which syncs with smartphone-compatible BACtrack breathalyzers. Data used in this report was collected from U.S. users who opted into sharing their data by activating the BACtrack App data storage, having location services turned on, and allowing the BACtrack app to access their smartphone’s Bluetooth. 
  • Over 28,000 unique BAC tests were reviewed for this report. 
  • To identify where fans of each NFL team are located, we utilized a map of NFL fan allegiance using Twitter data created by Matt Sorenson in order to associate BAC results with NFL teams across the country.
  • Data represents positive BAC readings. Regular season game data represents unique BAC tests collected anonymously at 6 AM the day of game to 6 AM the day after the game. 
  • Each team’s specific game schedule was used for their respective fans’ data. Regular season 2023-24 NFL games ran from September 2023 to January 2024.
  • This data does not represent data from all users.

Former NFL player and current analyst hates the Commanders’ name

You can add another to the list who doesn’t like the team name.

When Josh Harris and his ownership group took control of the Washington Commanders in July, they made it clear their immediate priorities were not another rebranding but instead focusing on the upcoming season and improving FedEx Field.

However, they didn’t rule it out, either, with limited partner Magic Johnson saying on NBC’s TODAY Show, “Everything was on the table.”

The rebranding, of course, centers around the team’s name. While many longtime fans hate the name “Commanders,” others are excited about the franchise again since Dan Snyder sold the team.

Fans aren’t the only ones who don’t like the name. Former players have been outspoken regarding the name. Others around the NFL hate the name, too.

Former NFL player Solomon Wilcots has worked in the media world for years. You can add him to the list of those who hate Washington’s name.

“Everyone knows they should change that name, by the way,” Wilcots said on “Grant and Danny” of 106.7 The Fan this week in Las Vegas via Lou DiPietro of Audacy. When co-host Grant Paulsen asked Wilcots if that name worked for him, he quickly replied, “No.”

“Is it good for you?” Wilcots said. “We are all almost unanimous about that. That’s a crowded bus.”

Paulsen then told Wilcots that Harris sometimes chooses to use Washington Football instead of saying “Commanders,” something Wilcots appreciated.

“Smart man! I love Washington Football Team as a name,” Wilcots said. “That was better than this thing.”

The Commanders used the name “Football Team” for two seasons following their initial name change in July 2020.

Washington just completed GM and head coaching searches and must finish its coaching staff. Next, the Commanders look toward free agency and the NFL draft. A new name isn’t in the cards — for now.

Commanders’ huge offseason starts with Josh Harris

Josh Harris has the chance to put his stamp on the organization, and that began with the hiring of Adam Peters.

Daniel Snyder’s departure as the owner of the Washington Commanders was gargantuan, mammoth and colossal.

But as hard as it may be to believe, getting Josh Harris as the new owner might result in an even more significant act in franchise history.

There are other billionaires out there who want to own NFL franchises. But if we learned anything from the last owner, it was that money alone doesn’t guarantee success for a new NFL owner.

Hey, Commanders fans, how would you like to have David Tepper as your new owner? Why did he give up so much when Bryce Young was not clearly the top quarterback in the class of 2023? And why has Tepper already had six interim/head coaches since taking over in 2019?

The former owner in Washington had his forgettable moments. He played general manager, he refused to hire a true general manager and he intruded into more than one NFL draft. Once, prior to hiring a head coach, he hired the team’s next offensive coordinator. Then, when he couldn’t get anyone to take the job as head coach, he promoted that offensive coordinator to the head coach position, knowing the man had never even been an NFL coordinator.

Fast forward to this offseason. Harris, though he has made more money than anyone else in the organization, showed he is secure enough to hire Adam Peters, who has trained to be an NFL general manager.

Second, if Harris permits Peters to hire the man he truly feels is the best fit for the head coach position, then Peters owns the decision. And if Peters owns the decision, it will be up to Peters to sincerely work with and for that head coach.

Third, consider April’s draft. Washington will not only have the No. 2 overall selection, but the possibility exists they could obtain their quarterback for the next decade. Having five of the top 100 selections means Peters will have a tremendous responsibility. It also means he will have a wonderful opportunity to rebuild this roster.

If Harris can remain secure enough to permit football people such as Peters and the next head coach to do their jobs, build trust with them and provide them a respectful working relationship, this franchise could experience something it has not witnessed in a quarter of a century.

It all begins with Harris.

Commanders named ‘worst landing spot’ for QB Kirk Cousins

Cousins is a free agent, but a fit with Washington doesn’t make sense.

The Washington Commanders need a solution at quarterback. No team has more salary cap space this offseason than Washington. And there happens to be a prominent free-agent quarterback who is expected to be available in March.

If you guessed Kirk Cousins, you would be correct.

Wait, Kirk Cousins and Washington? Could that even be possible?

The answer is yes. Cousins wanted out of Washington after six seasons in the burgundy gold. A fourth-round pick out of Michigan State in 2012 — the same draft when Washington chose Robert Griffin at No. 2 overall — and he would overtake Griffin, appearing in 62 games for Washington, with 57 starts.

The team would apply the franchise tag to Cousins twice, and the quarterback would say all the right things about wanting to remain in Washington. However, there was no way he would stay with Daniel Snyder owning the team and Bruce Allen as general manager.

In case you haven’t heard, Allen is long gone, and Snyder no longer owns the team. That would make a reunion at least possible.

Cousins set numerous franchise records that he still holds today. He was having a phenomenal 2023 season until an Achilles injury ended his season. Outside of that injury, Cousins had only missed two starts in the previous eight seasons.

Yes, the Commanders need a quarterback, and the bad blood Cousins likely held for those in power before is gone. But a reunion doesn’t make sense for multiple reasons.

One, Cousins will be 36 in 2024. His window to win is closing while Washington is rebuilding under new GM Adam Peters. The Commanders hold the No. 2 overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft, where they will likely select their quarterback of the future.

Bleacher Report recently previewed some veteran quarterbacks who could be on the move in 2024. Kirk Cousins was tops on the list. Alex Ballentine named Cousins’ best landing spot (remaining in Minnesota) and his worst landing spot: Washington.

He explained:

The Commanders have the opportunity to draft a franchise-altering quarterback with the No. 2 overall pick. It’s a great chance at a clean slate for an organization that is looking to put the days of Dan Snyder behind them and forge ahead under Josh Harris’ ownership.

So while it could be tempting to use their league-leading $84.3 million in cap space to sign Cousins and have an elite mentor for their new rookie signal-caller, it would be bad for all parties involved.

First, it would be a clear downgrade in terms of weapons. All due respect to Terry McLaurin, but he isn’t Justin Jefferson, and Jahan Dotson isn’t Jordan Addison.

Beyond that, it would just set up an awkward situation. The biggest upside to both Caleb Williams and Drake Maye is that either is a Day 1 starter. They both have incredibly high ceilings, but neither will need the ramp-up time to become a starter.

That’s essentially the truth, outside of the awkwardness. Outside of fans who still despise Cousins for some unknown reasons, the awkwardness wouldn’t be an issue. The fit just doesn’t make sense.

The Commanders are building for the future, while Cousins wants to win now. If you’re banking on a reunion between the two sides, you’ll likely be disappointed.

The Commanders are suddenly attracting quality candidates

Times are changing in Washington.

Washington has not attracted a general manager type since Scot McCloughan in 2015.

Then, the franchise aired McCloughan’s dirty laundry and got rid of him. It was the final straw across the league. Dan Snyder and Bruce Allen would not be able to hire those in high demand.

Following Joe Gibbs’ retirement after the 2007 season, Snyder couldn’t get any candidate to take the job. The previous owner had already gone out and foolishly hired Jim Zorn as his offensive coordinator on Jan. 26, 2008. This meant whoever would be the head coach could not hire his own coordinator. What was Snyder thinking?!

After a couple of weeks of rejections and making no progress, the former owner gave up and proceeded on Feb. 9 to promote Zorn (who had never been an NFL coordinator) to be the Redskins head coach.

One foolish move by the former owner was followed by another foolish move by the former owner.

When the former owner fired Jay Gruden, he hired Ron Rivera, who, while with the Carolina Panthers, had actually only achieved three winning seasons. Yet, one of them brought an NFC Championship. The former owner hired Rivera to be not only his coach but his head of player personnel as well.

“Coach-centric” became the oft-used term in Washington.

Was anyone else going to hire Rivera and give him complete control? Even later, the last two seasons witnessed Rivera offering far more for Carson Wentz than anyone else. Then, he not only hired Eric Bieniemy but also handed over the offense to him and gave him the role of Assistant Head Coach. All while, Bieniemy had no one else pursuing his services.

Ah, it is a new era in Washington with the current owner, Josh Harris. The franchise received all sorts of applicants for the general manager job and was also able to hire the guy they wanted, Adam Peters.

Next week, Peters, Harris and his advisors group will embark on hiring the next Washington Commanders head coach.

Things are trending upward, as the franchise will have several top head coaching candidates hoping to be hired by Washington.

There is an old saying, “Everything rises and falls on leadership.”

Josh Harris and his leadership group have suddenly transformed the perception around the league of what it means to work for the Washington Commanders.

Ownership change made a big impact on Commanders’ business in 2023

The Commanders led all NFL teams in attendance growth from 2022 to 2023.

Washington Commanders president Jason Wright said before the team was sold last year that the franchise would see a massive boost in business once the team was sold. In July, a group led by Josh Harris purchased the Commanders from Daniel Snyder for just over $6 billion.

“When there’s an ownership change, we’ll be able to absorb the momentum of that,” Wright said. “They know that. I’m not saying anything that Dan and Tanya don’t know.”

When the deal was finalized in July, there were parties throughout the DMV. Heck, even Harris bought beers for several fans at one event.

Harris spoke of his goals for the Commanders in 2023: Fan experience and improving FedEx Field were among his top priorities. Mission accomplished. Harris and his ownership group immediately invested $40 million in improvements to FedEx Field.

The business did improve. Washington announced a Week 1 sellout. More sellouts followed, but unfortunately for the Commanders, they won only one home game in 2023. So, while they sold out FedEx Field, several games were taken over by opposing fans.

In a new story from Ben Fischer and David Broughton of the Sports Business Journal, Washington led all NFL teams in attendance growth from the 2022 season to the 2023 NFL season.

The Commanders led all NFL teams in attendance growth with a 10% gain in their average crowd size to 63,951, according to an SBJ analysis of published box scores for the 2023 season.

That’s good news for Harris. It also led to an increase in ticket prices, something that didn’t go over well with some.

There is plenty of optimism surrounding the Commanders, despite just completing a 4-13 season. Harris fired head coach Ron Rivera on Monday and immediately went to work reshaping the organization, beginning with a search for the next head of football operations.

It’s been 25 years since Commanders had a GM with power

Washington will have a real GM for the first time since Charley Casserly.

The Commanders have not had a legitimate general manager since Charley Casserly.

Casserly was the Assistant General Manager serving under Bobby Beathard in the 1980s as Washington won two Super Bowls. When Beathard departed, Casserly was promoted to General Manager, and two seasons later, Washington won its third Super Bowl with Coach Joe Gibbs.

However, when previous owner Dan Snyder took the reigns in 1999, Casserly shocked us all, suddenly resigning just prior to the 1999 training camp. It should have raised flags for all of us.

Since that time, Snyder and Vinny Cerrato ran the team, making personnel decisions, and they beget Bruce Allen and then Ron Rivera.

These are times for Washington fans to raise their hopes, believing this owner, Josh Harris, is going to hire a new general manager who will rebuild this roster, draft well in the draft, and spend wisely in free agency.

Yes, whoever is chosen will make poor draft choices and sign unproductive free agents. They are human; they will err.

Yet, shouldn’t there be an encouraged fan base, knowing there have been so many years the once proud franchise has been without good leadership at the top of its football operations?

Ron Rivera was a nice guy, a good guy. He is not to be trashed. He is not to be slandered. Yet, he was ineffective, not producing a winning season in his four seasons. The franchise does need a major overhaul on the football side of the building.

Merely thinking this organization may include not only a coach who thinks what is best for “this” season but will also possess a GM who is thinking, “What is best for the next four years?”

Now that is a refreshing thought, to think this franchise will once again have leadership capable of rebuilding this roster.

Hey, the first hire could occur within the week!

Commanders ranked at the top of 2024 HC vacancies

Another vote saying Washington’s head coaching vacancy is the top available.

How would you rank the six NFL 2024 head coaching vacancies?

Well, Commanders fans are going to like how CBS Sports Will Brinson evaluated the six openings.

Brinson concluded that the Commanders are actually the best opening in the NFL right now for aspiring head coaches. After the ownership of Daniel Snyder (1999-2022 seasons) repeatedly discouraged coaches, players and fans, there is a new sheriff in town now who has a unique opportunity to improve a bottom-tier franchise and instantly become a fan favorite.

Here is how Brinson sees the Washington job as the top spot for those pursuing NFL head coaching jobs.

For nearly 25 years, Dan Snyder made the Washington job a disastrous one. He would attract big-name candidates, because coaching in Washington was a BIG DEAL. This was one of the biggest franchises in the NFL for several decades and Snyder made it almost untouchable. Enter Josh Harris, who has done a great job simply by doing the opposite of Dan Snyder. To wit: Harris didn’t fire Ron Rivera during his first season as owner and handled the entire situation with aplomb. Then he nabs Bob Myers and Rick Spielman to become part of his search committee and there’s hope again in Washington. Things can change (David Tepper seemed like a good owner early) but for now the Commanders top this list because there’s a new, seemingly patient owner in charge and a clear commitment to win while upending the poisonous culture that’s pervaded the beltway for years.

Washington has the No. 2 overall pick, which doesn’t hurt either. (Maybe they can draft Drake Maye, pair him with Sam Howell, hire Mack Brown and guarantee themselves eight wins a year just like the Tar Heels!) Trading away Chase Young and Montez Sweat mid-season isn’t great, but it boosts the draft capital for the incoming coaching staff and by avoiding handing out contracts to former first-round picks, and clears up plenty of salary-cap space.

There’s an opportunity to land a franchise quarterback here, with potentially strong ownership, a fantastic fan base dying for quality football and a new stadium potentially on deck. The Washington job is back to being wildly attractive.

Brinson then ranks the head coaching vacancies as follows: Chargers, Falcons, Raiders, Titans, Panthers.

If you would like to read the other explanations of Brinson’s rankings, here is the link.