Tag: Dante Fowler

Commanders DE Dorance Armstrong weighs in on Cowboys’ struggles

What does Commanders DE — and former Dallas Cowboy — Dorance Armstrong think of his former team’s struggles?

Defensive end Dorance Armstrong Jr. spent the first six seasons of his NFL career with the Dallas Cowboys. A fourth-round pick from Kansas in the 2018 NFL draft, Armstrong played his final three seasons in Dallas for Dan Quinn.

When Quinn departed Dallas to take the head coaching position with the Washington Commanders, Armstrong saw an opportunity and followed him. It’s been a good move for Quinn and Armstrong. Washington is 7-4, led the NFC East for much of the season, and remains firmly in the playoff mix.

This Sunday, Armstrong faces his former team for the first time. Things aren’t going so well in Dallas, as the Cowboys hold a 3-7 record and have lost five consecutive games.

What does Armstrong think about seeing the Cowboys from the other side?

“Obviously, when you play the team you came from, you have a more…..more urgency or something, I don’t know what it is about that, but that’s what it is right now for me,” Armstrong said.

With so many former Cowboys on Washington’s current roster, including Armstrong, Dante Fowler Jr., Tyler Biadasz and Noah Brown, they see the Cowboys’ current struggles.

So, has Armstrong paid attention to Dallas’ current struggles?

“Me, personally, yeah, I watch here and there,” Armstrong said. “Most of them are still my guys, for real, but I watch ’em; I see what’s going on.”

Armstrong was then asked what his thoughts were on the 2024 Cowboys.

“It’s not good, I’ll just say that,” Armstrong said with a smile.

Dallas allowed several players to depart in the offseason, some of whom followed Quinn to Washington. Each of those former Cowboys has played a pivotal role in the Commanders’ impressive turnaround.

 

Commanders receive positive injury news ahead of Week 12

The Commanders could get some defensive help back in time for Week 12.

The Washington Commanders could receive some pass-rush help ahead of their Week 12 game against the Dallas Cowboys.

On Wednesday, Washington opened the 21-day practice window for rookie defensive end Javontae Jean-Baptiste. Jean-Baptiste was placed on injured reserve after the Week 6 game at Baltimore and missed the last five games. Before his ankle injury, Jean-Baptiste had played in every game, recording 14 tackles, including one for loss, one sack, four pressures, and two QB hits. Jean-Baptiste did this in a part-time role, playing in 36% of Washington’s defensive snaps.

The 6-foot-5, 260-pound Baptiste showed promise throughout the summer and early this season, giving the Commanders positive contributions from the bench.

The 21-day practice window means Washington has 21 days to either activate Jean-Baptiste to the 53-man roster or place him on season-ending IR.

Dante Fowler Jr. leads Washington with 8.5 sacks, with linebacker Frankie Luvu right behind with seven. Dorance Armstrong is next with three sacks.

Jean-Baptiste participated fully in Wednesday’s practice, which is a positive sign that he’ll be activated in time for Sunday’s game against the Cowboys. The Commanders will need to make a roster move to accommodate Jean-Baptiste.

Quick facts from Commanders’ Week 11 loss to Eagles

Some quick numbers and facts from the Commanders’ loss to Eagles.

The Commanders led going into the final quarter and then were totally outplayed in the last 15 minutes, falling to the Philadelphia Eagles 26-18.

Here are some of the quick facts from the fourth loss of the Commanders’ season:

  • The most basic fact is that the Commanders were outscored 20-8 in the final quarter. What’s more, they have been outscored 39-11 in the final quarter in the last three games.
  • For the first time this season, the Commanders have lost two consecutive games.
  • When Jayden Daniels threw an interception in the fourth quarter, it was the first Commanders’ turnover in their last six games.
  • Speaking of six games, the Eagles have now won six straight.
  • The Commanders gave up 228 rushing yards on 40 carries by the Eagles, including 146 yards in 26 carries by Saquon Barkley.
  • The Commanders were out-gained by the Eagles 434 to 264, averaging 4.2 per play to 6.2 for the Eagles.
  • The Commanders were only 3-12 on third downs.
  • The Commanders’ ground game was beaten badly by the Eagles 228-93 yards.
  • Terry McLaurin was shut down tonight, not receiving his first target/reception until 10:27 in the final quarter, with one 10-yard reception.
  • The Commanders’ defense held the Eagles out of the end zone in the first half. This was only the second game this season in which the Eagles have not scored a first-half touchdown.
  • With tonight’s 146 rushing yards, Saquon Barkley now has six games this season where he has rushed for 100+ yards.
  • The Eagles entered the game with 19 sacks during their five-game winning streak, and they added three more tonight.
  • Dante Fowler came into the game with 8.5 sacks this season and eight in the last six games. He did not record a tackle or assist Thursday.
  • Austin Ekeler and Zach Ertz led the Commanders in receiving yards with 89 and 47 yards, respectively.
  • It was exactly two years ago tonight that the Commanders went to Lincoln Financial Field and upset the 8-0 Eagles 32-21 on Monday Night Football.
  • With his reception, Terry McLaurin became the sixth player in Washington NFL franchise history with 6,000 receiving yards, joining Art Monk, Charley Taylor, Gary Clark, Santana Moss, and Bobby Mitchell.
  • The Eagles entered the game as a 4.5-point favorite, and with the win tonight, they have now defeated Washington six of the last seven times the two teams have faced each other.
  • Tonight’s game was Zach Ertz’s first game in Philadelphia since being traded by the Eagles to the Cardinals in October 2021.

Commanders vs. Giants Player of the Game: OLB Dante Fowler Jr.

Dante Fowler Jr. is the Commanders’ Week 9 Player of the Game.

The Washington Commanders defeated the New York Giants 27-22 Sunday from MetLife Stadium. With the win, Washington improved to 7-2 and remained first in the NFC East.

Rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels was outstanding again, completing 15 of 22 passes for 209 yards and two touchdowns. Washington also received contributions from Terry McLaurin (two touchdowns), Noah Brown (five receptions, 60 yards), and Chris Rodriguez Jr. (52 rushing yards). Still, none come away with Week 9 Player of the Game honors.

Washington’s Week 9 Player of the Game is veteran edge rusher Dante Fowler Jr. Fowler recorded six tackles, including two for loss, two sacks, two quarterback hits and one forced fumble. Fowler’s sack and forced fumble on Giants quarterback Daniel Jones helped lead to Washington’s first touchdown — a lead the Commanders never relinquished.

Fowler was active throughout the game and now has 6.5 sacks on the season, putting him on pace to break his personal best of 11.5 sacks, set back in 2019. Fowler, a 10-year veteran, leads the Commanders in sacks and now has more sacks than the two defensive ends Washington traded — Montez Sweat and Chase Young — combined.

Fowler and the Commanders face the Pittsburgh Steelers next week.

 

WATCH: Commanders LB Dante Fowler Jr. with a pick-6

Commanders LB Dante Fowler returns an interception for a touchdown in Week 7.

Who scored the first points in the Week 7 matchup between the Washington Commanders and Carolina Panthers?

You’d be correct if you said linebacker/defensive end Dante Fowler Jr.

That’s right, the veteran edge rusher, in his first season with Washington, intercepted Carolina quarterback Andy Dalton on the opening possession and returned it 67 yards for a touchdown.  It was Fowler’s third-career touchdown, but the first interception he returned for a score. Fowler has had two previous fumble recoveries, which he returned for touchdowns.

Here’s the play:

Fowler’s interception return for a touchdown was a preview for what was to come for the Commanders, who led the Panthers 27-0 at halftime. Unfortunately, Washington lost rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels in the first half with a rib injury and was ruled out for the game.

In some good news, Daniels’ mother revealed that the rookie quarterback was fine on X.

Quick facts from Commanders’ 34-13 win over Browns

Several facts and stats from Commanders’ 34-13 win vs. Browns.

Here are several of today’s quick facts regarding the Commanders 34-13 win over the Cleveland Browns in Landover.

  • The Commanders won their fourth consecutive game Sunday, after losing the season opener. The last time Washington won four straight was in 2021, when Washington was 2-6, won four straight to go to 6-6.
  • With the win, the Commanders are 4-1 for the first time since the 2008 season. But that team fell apart, finishing 8-8.
  • No. 17 Terry McLaurin caught four passes for 112 yards today. It was the 17th game McLaurin has totaled at least 100 receiving yards.
  • With another rushing touchdown today, RB Jeremy McNichols has scored in consecutive games for the first time in his career.
  • With three touchdowns rushing today, Washington has now registered three rushing touchdowns in three consecutive games for the first time in franchise history.
  • The Commanders’ defense held the Browns to 1-13 on third downs, while the Commanders were 8-17 on third downs.
  • Washington accumulated 434 total offensive yards, while the Browns only managed 212. The Commanders averaged 6.7 yards a play while limiting the Browns to 3.6 yards a play.
  • The Commanders are reporting that today QB Jayden Daniels has become the first player in NFL history to have had 1,000+ passing yards and 250+ rushing yards in their first five career games.
  • Scoring 34 points on Sunday, Washington has now scored 30+ points in three consecutive games for the eighth time in franchise history and the first time since 2005.
  • Terry McLaurin reached 400 NFL career receptions. McLaurin, Gary Clark and Satana Moss are the only receivers in franchise history to record 400+ receptions in their first 6 seasons with Washington.
  • Frankie Luvu had 7 tackles (4 solo) a fumble recovery, 2.5 sacks as the Commanders totaled 7 QB sacks. Others who had one were Bobby Wagner (1.5), while Jonathan Allen, Dorance Armstrong, and Dante Fowler each had one.

Can Carl Lawson fill the old Dante Fowler role on the Cowboys defense?

Carl Lawson may fit neatly into Dante Fowler’s vacated role as pass rushing specialist. | From @ReidDHanson

When Dante Fowler left Dallas in free agency, it was seen as a blessing in disguise to many. It wasn’t because Fowler was a poor player or poor teammate in the locker room – quite the contrary – it’s just Fowler was a bit of a progress stopper to various young and ascending pass rushers on the Cowboys. His opportunities were opportunities that could be going elsewhere.

In 2023 for example, Fowler only played 65 snaps on running downs. 206 of his 275 snaps were in pass rushing situations. While other players were grinding out the season taking whatever snaps they could get, Fowler was getting the golden opportunities where he could pin his ears back and go hunting quarterbacks. He performed fine in this role tallying four sacks and 12 pressures, but it was hard not to wonder what someone like Sam Williams could do with those same golden opportunities.

For a brief moment it appeared Cowboys fans would finally get a chance to see that happen, until of course Williams was lost to a season-ending knee injury early in training camp. To compensate for the loss the Cowboys signed veteran pass rusher Carl Lawson. Now, instead of a young ascending player taking over Fowler’s glamorous role as pass-rushing specialist, the Cowboys potentially have Lawson on roster to take on coveted assignment.

Lawson certainly looks the part.

Strength and conditioning have never been his problem. At age 29 he’s one of the most technically sound and physically fit edge players in the league. Finally healthy after a nightmarish 2023 campaign, he’s looking to make a big impact in 2024 for the Cowboys. If he acquires Fowler’s premium opportunities, there’s no reason to think he can’t bounce back here late in his career and duplicate Fowler’s numbers from last season.

The trickledown effect is significant. It will allow the Cowboys to use the rookie Marshawn Kneeland to his strengths rather than to cover the defense’s weaknesses. Kneeland is an extremely well-rounded player but he is unpolished as a pass rusher. He can be used in obvious passing situations, he’s just not the ideal solution.

Chauncey Golston is another player who can factor into the mix at defensive end. The fourth-year player has split time between defensive tackle and edge throughout his career. He’s not much of a pass-rusher but can play the run as well as anyone from an edge position.

Lawson taking Fowler’s old role as pass rushing specialist might just work to everyone’s strengths. The question is, is he up to the task?

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9 Cowboys who could follow Dan Quinn to Washington in next 2 years

It’s common practice for players to follow a coach to a new venue. Which defenders could trail Quinn to the east coast? | From @KDDrummondNFL

One would imagine that a ton of Cowboys defenders enjoyed their time under Dan Quinn’s leadership. His ability to motivate and lead is often cited as his best quality, and that’s for a defensive coordinator who has had three straight top-five defenses in Dallas on top of back-to-back No. 1 defenses in Seattle. In between was a stint as head coach of Atlanta that included a trip to the Super Bowl without having a top defense.

So it stands to reason, with a new franchise QB incoming and a ton of cap space, Washington is going to be an intriguing destination for Quinn’s disciples. Some will be able to join him this year, others will have to wait a year until their contracts expire. Here’s a look at two years worth of Cowboys free agents who could end up following Quinn to the nation’s capital.

 

3 Cowboys defenders likely to follow Dan Quinn if he leaves Dallas

If Dan Quinn leaves the Cowboys in the offseason here are three defenders who are likely to follow him out of Dallas. | From @ReidDHanson

Over the past three seasons Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn has enjoyed celebrity status in Dallas. The former Super Bowl head coach transformed a fledging defense under Mike Nolan into a one of the NFL’s best, almost overnight.

Leading the NFL in turnovers for two consecutive seasons was said to be impossible, yet Quinn achieved it in 2021 and 2022. He was able to lure veteran players into rotational roles. Dallas retained up-and-comers on affordable deals. Quinn moved players to new roles and positions with shocking success. His proficiency in Dallas has earned him top status around the NFL. He’s been an annual name on head coaching interview lists each offseason and each season the Cowboys have felt generally blessed to somehow retain him.

That might change in 2024.

Upheaval is expected following the Cowboys’ 48-32 loss to the Packers in the wild card round of the playoffs. Dallas was humiliated at home and Quinn’s defense played a significant role in that loss. He’s already been linked to vacancies around the NFL and given his tenuous status in Dallas, may see 2024 as the perfect time to jump ship.

But Quinn is a player’s coach. His guys love him and based on the players who’ve come to Dallas to work with him over the years, his players also follow him. So, if/when Quinn leaves the Cowboys, who can be expected to follow him out of town?

This Cowboys’ 4-man combo is tops among 86 NFL pass-rush groups

The Cowboys have a handful of winning combinations rushing the passer in 2023, but one foursome stands out from the rest in the NFL, finds @ReidDHanson.

When it comes to pass rushers, the Cowboys have an embarrassment of riches on their hands. Not only does Dallas field one of the best rushers in the game in Micah Parsons, but they also have Pro Bowler DeMarcus Lawrence, Dante Fowler, Dorance Armstrong and Sam Williams.

And that’s just outside players.

Inside, the Cowboys have Osa Odighizuwa, Neville Gallimore and Chauncey Golston applying pressure. The last two may not be well-regarded pass rushers, but Odighizuwa is currently second in the NFL in DT pass rush win rate, despite being double-teamed 66 percent of the time this season.

With so many talented pass rushers across the defensive line, it’s difficult to tell which is the best combination in Dallas. When the passing situation is obvious and the Cowboys are pinning their ears back and hunting for quarterbacks, who makes up the best NASCAR package?

Arjun Menon, formerly of PFF, ran the numbers across the league and found out. Not only did he determine who the Cowboys’ top four-man passing rushing combination is, but also how that group stacks up across the NFL.

Filtering for plays in which there were only four pass-rushers with a minimum of 10 snaps together, it was determined Fowler, Lawrence, Armstrong and Parsons are the best foursome in Dallas.

In a field of 86 qualified groups, the Cowboys’ top grouping finished tops in the league. Their 90.91% pressure rate isn’t just astonishingly high, but it’s over 20 percent higher than the second most efficient foursome.

It’s immediately apparent to anyone looking at these four players, the Cowboys top foursome is comprised solely of EDGE players.

By reducing Lawrence and Armstrong inside, the Cowboys can load up on speed and explosiveness. Since this package is reserved for obvious passing situations, there is a greatly reduced fear of the run so stoutness can safely be sacrificed for speed.

Since Dan Quinn is a defensive coordinator who’s naturally adverse to blitzing, the Cowboys also stunt at a high rate. By twisting his ends and tackles he can create confusion with blocking assignments. It changes angles and can expose inexperienced offensive linemen.

Obviously in base or even standard nickel personnel, the Cowboys would have one or two DTs inside who can hold up against the run. But even that has elite pass rush potential. As alluded to earlier, Odighizuwa is amongst the best in the league in creating pressure. Double-teams don’t even stop him.

But even Golston has some potential bubbling beneath the surface. His one sack this season isn’t going to get his picture on a Wheaties box, but according to PFF, Golston’s 21.2 win percentage ranks him fifth amongst DTs, slotting him right between Aaron Donald and Chris Jones this season.

At the end of the day, the Cowboys have a handful of good players capable of rushing the passer with high-end efficiency. But on obvious passing downs, the top combination is clear because they’re not just the best on the team, they’re the best in the NFL.