Tag: Dante Fowler Jr

Best for the Commanders: Chase Young or Dante Fowler?

The Commanders face Chase Young this week.

Chase Young or Dante Fowler?

Bet you probably never thought you would be asking yourself that question.

Fowler, a current Commanders defensive end, not only likes to wear jersey number six but has also played on six NFL teams in his nine NFL seasons.

Young, was not only a first-round draft choice like Fowler, but he was more than a few times said to be “a generational talent,” leading up to his being selected second overall by Washington GM and HC Ron Rivera in the 2020 NFL draft.

Most fans don’t realize Fowler was the third overall selection in the 2015 NFL draft. Yet, Fowler suffered a season-ending injury his rookie season before he even saw a regular season game. Then came 2016 and 2017, when Fowler had only started one game.

There were two seasons with the Rams (2018-19), two with the Falcons (2020-21), and Cowboys and Dan Quinn (2022-23), and with Quinn now in Washington in 2024.

Young was the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2020. However, he then determined that though 89 players showed up to work in the offseason team workouts, he didn’t need to. He frustrated coaches in 2021, rushing recklessly away from the assigned pass-rush lanes.

A serious knee injury ended his highly disappointing 2021 season. In 2022, he again disappointed coaches by not returning when doctors said he was ready.

Young was traded to the San Francisco 49ers during the 2023 season. He was on a Super Bowl team, yet he was caught on camera several times simply not putting in the effort needed.

Consequently, Young became a free agent and looked for the best deal he could receive from an NFL team. That team was the New Orleans Saints, the Commanders’ next opponent.

Fowler is having his best NFL season since 2019 (Rams) when he generated 11.5 sacks, 16 TFL and 16 QB hits. With four games remaining, Fowler has racked up 8.5 sacks, 30 tackles (19 solo, 11 assisted), and 11 TFL. Fowler even has a pick-6 against the Panthers this season.

Young, on the other hand, collected 7.5 sacks and 10 TFLs in his rookie season. He did have 7.5 sacks in 2023, yet his tackles were much less. This season for the Saints, Young has 3.5 sacks, 22 tackles and six TFLs.

One would think Young has had Sunday vs the Commanders marked for some time now.

Fowler probably won’t say anything all week. But he will show up Sunday and make some nice defensive plays.

Washington legend Ryan Kerrigan talks helping Commanders’ pass rushers in 2024

Ryan Kerrigan discusses Washington’s success in 2024.

Ryan Kerrigan is quickly making his mark three years into his coaching career.

The Washington legend, who spent 10 of his 11 NFL seasons with the burgundy and gold, retired in 2022 and immediately jumped into coaching. Former Washington coach Ron Rivera hired Kerrigan as an assistant defensive line coach.

Earlier this year, Kerrigan was one of only a few coaches that new head coach Dan Quinn retained. Quinn gave Kerrigan a new title: Assistant linebackers coach/pass rush specialist.

This summer, Quinn praised Kerrigan for his work with former Washington first-round pick Jamin Davis. Davis had switched from linebacker to defensive end, and Kerrigan spent extra time during and after practice working with him. While Davis was later released this season, that work left an impression on Washington’s coaching staff. 

On Thursday, defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. was the latest to praise Kerrigan for his work with veteran edge rusher Dante Fowler Jr. Fowler, who leads the Commanders with 8.5 sacks, is on pace to break his career high of 11.5 sacks, which he set in 2019 with the Rams. 

“The past couple years, his sack numbers haven’t been as high,” Whitt said of Fowler. “He’s won, he’s beat the tackle, he just hasn’t controlled and finished on the quarterback. And I give all that credit to Ryan Kerrigan. He’s done just a heck of a job taking Dante, and once you get past the tackle, control to the quarterback and finish. That’s really what he’s worked with him for a long time and it’s showing. And then the production that Dante’s having. So, that’s all Ryan right there.”

On Friday, we finally heard from Kerrigan, who explained his work with Fowler.

Kerrigan spoke about Fowler finishing at the top of the rush and how the veteran is playing at a high level so deep into his career.

Washington’s all-time sack leader also discussed Whitt and what working for the new coach was like.

“It’s been awesome,” Kerrigan said. “His demeanor with the players is outstanding. A guy that I feel like as a player, you wanna go play for him. He’s honest.”

Finally, we get to hear what Kerrigan thinks of all of Washington’s changes and how fun things are.

“It’s been great; I mean, it’s awesome,” Kerrigan said with a smile. “We obviously got a long way and are far from where we want to be, but it’s been cool. It’s cool to see the resurgence in the fans at the stadium. Just the energy around the building has been awesome. It’s been really fun to come to work everyday and I think that permeates not just the staff but the players alike and and really just everybody in the building.”

For longtime Washington fans, it’s good to see Kerrigan as a part of a winner in the burgundy and gold.

Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy wants these 2 Commanders to have a terrible game Sunday

Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy hopes these two Commanders struggle on Sunday.

The Washington Commanders (7-4) host the Dallas Cowboys (3-7) in a battle of NFC East rivals heading in opposite directions.

The game features a reunion of sorts for several Commanders going up against their former team. Washington head coach Dan Quinn is in his first year as Washington’s head after three seasons as the Cowboys defensive coordinator.

Quinn didn’t come to Washington alone. Former Cowboys Dante Fowler Jr., Dorance Armstrong, Tyler Biadasz, and Noah Brown are playing pivotal roles in the Commanders’ remarkable turnaround.

As the Cowboys prepared for Sunday’s game against Washington, head coach Mike McCarthy spoke about some of his former players.

“Those guys went with an opportunity that they felt they needed to do,” McCarthy said on Wednesday via Garrett Podell of CBS Sports.

“Everybody’s situation is different. I’m proud of those guys. They’re playing very well. Dante’s off the charts. DA is so damn consistent in the way he’s played. The video I’ve seen of him, I’ve been very impressed. That’s how this game works. The financial component, it changes your team every year. That’s why this is always such a challenge. It changes the dynamic.”

McCarthy then joked that he hoped Armstrong and Fowler were terrible on Sunday.

“I’m happy that they got a great opportunity, and I hope they play like s–t Sunday.”

McCarthy was clearly having fun. He coached Armstrong for four seasons and Fowler for two. McCarthy didn’t mention Biadasz and Brown; he was more specifically discussing Washington’s defense.

Fowler is having a career renaissance with the Commanders, leading the team with 8.5 sacks, while Armstrong has stabilized the defensive end position. Fowler is on pace to set a new career-high in sacks.

Commanders DC Joe Whitt credits Ryan Kerrigan

Ryan Kerrigan earns praise from from DC Joe Whitt.

Ryan Kerrigan is one of the greatest players in the 90-plus-year history of the Washington NFL franchise. A first-round pick in the 2011 NFL draft, Kerrigan played 10 seasons in the burgundy and gold before former coach Ron Rivera foolishly allowed Kerrigan to play his final season elsewhere.

Kerrigan set the franchise record for sacks with 95.5, and after playing the 2021 season with the Philadelphia Eagles, he returned to Washington to retire, where he immediately jumped into coaching.

In 2022, Kerrigan was named the Commanders’ new assistant defensive line coach, a role he held for two seasons until Rivera was fired after the 2023 season. New head Dan Quinn kept Kerrigan, naming him the new assistant linebackers coach/pass rush specialist.

Earlier this season, head coach Dan Quinn praised Kerrigan for his work with former first-round pick Jamin Davis. While Davis was ultimately released after changing positions, coaches were impressed with the work and time Kerrigan spent with Davis to learn a new position.

As it turns out, Davis isn’t the only player Kerrigan has helped this season.

Defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. praised Kerrigan for his work with veteran edge rusher Dante Fowler Jr. Fowler leads the Commanders with 8.5 sacks, and the 10-year veteran is on pace to set a new career-high in sacks.

“The past couple years, his sack numbers haven’t been as high,” Whitt said of Fowler. “He’s won, he’s beat the tackle, he just hasn’t controlled and finished on the quarterback. And I give all that credit to Ryan Kerrigan. He’s done just a heck of a job taking Dante, and once you get past the tackle, control to the quarterback and finish. That’s really what he’s worked with him for a long time and it’s showing. And then the production that Dante’s having. So, that’s all Ryan right there.”

That’s high praise for the beloved Kerrigan. Consider that Fowler has been with Quinn for years, dating back to when he was a college player at Florida. He’s been with Whitt since 2020. They know him well and recognize that it was Kerrigan who helped Fowler take another step in his career at 30 years old.

Some coaches make it in the coaching world because of their name and who they know. Kerrigan isn’t the type to rest on his name. After a terrific playing career, the future is even brighter for the 36-year-old Kerrigan in the next phase of his football career.

 

Commanders’ Quinn expects more from the D-Line vs. Cardinals

The head coach expects more from his DL vs. Cardinals.

Though the Commanders’ offense is now rolling, the defense has been extremely disappointing through the first three games this season.

The defense has surrendered the second-highest yards per play in the NFL (6.6). Three teams have produced only one takeaway, and the Commanders are one of them. Only the Colts have given up more first downs (71) to Washington’s 70.

In scoring percentage defense, the Commanders are so bad that they are dead last in the NFL, permitting a score on 69 percent of the opponents’ possessions. How bad is it? Well, the Rams are second at 55 percent and the Jaguars third at 53 percent.

So, on Friday, a member of the press asked Dan Quinn, “What are you looking to see from the defensive line this week?”

“Number one, I have a lot of respect for (RB) James Connor,” opened Quinn. “He’s a factor. They have a good run game and the play passes that go off of it. So, being stout, being physical up front, that is going to be a key. Then finding ways on third down to making our presence felt, to when can get the individual rushes to go.”

Playing a mobile quarterback like Kyler (Murray) presents its own challenges. So, having the discipline from them to do that, will be front and center for us.”

Daron Payne, Jonathan Allen, Clelin Ferrell, Dorance Armstrong, and Dante Fowler have all really struggled. The Commanders need healthy substitutions from Johnny Newton, Phidarian Mathis, and Javontae Jean-Baptiste.

As Quinn was succinct and direct in his response, so too must the Commanders be direct in responding. Otherwise, Kyler Murray, James Conner, and the Cardinals’ offense will make Commanders Nation miserable on Sunday.

What stood out the most for Quinn in Commanders’ upset win?

What impressed Dan Quinn the most from Washington’s win?

Dan Quinn noticed something very early in Monday’s game against Cincinnati that he really liked.

The Bengals came out swinging, only needing six plays to go 71 yards on their first possession for a quick 7-0 lead.

“Early on, going for it on 4th down to extend our first drive, to go down and get points,” Quinn said, something that he thought was important Monday. “Cincinnati came down and scored right away. For us to come back and go right down and get points was like, ‘Hey man, we are about this fight today too.'”

Quinn said the execution and scoring on the Commanders first possession was saying, “We are here to bring it as well. And we’re going to be aggressive and take our chances when they come up. So, I’d say the way that the guys got ready, assuming there was going to be some third and fourth downs that we had to go nail. That would be one for me right off the get-go.”

Indeed, the Commanders were successful on five of nine third downs, and even more significantly, they were successful all three times they went for it on the fourth down.

The Bengals went up and down the field all night on Washington. They did not have to punt either, like the Commanders. Cincinnati outrushed Washington 124-108 and outgained them in passing, too, 312-248.

On the defensive side, perhaps the difference in the game was that the Bengals outgained the Commanders 7.3-6.2 in yards per play. Twice, the Commanders’ defense inside the red zone forced the Bengals to kick field goals. Instead of a possible 14 points, the Bengals came away with only 6 points.

Thus, the Commanders came away with their second win of 2024.

Rookie DT Johnny Newton: To be with Commanders is like a dream come true

The rookie defensive tackle has long admired new teammates Jonathan Allen and Daron Payne.

Jer’Zhan “Johnny” Newton is living his dream.

Bryan Colbert Jr. hosted another episode of “Raising Hail with the Rookies,” and Newton was his guest.

Newton was chosen No. 36 overall by the Commanders in April’s NFL draft. The former Illinois defensive tackle had been expected by nearly every analyst to be chosen in the first round. However, he fell to the Commanders at the fourth selection of round two.

“Kids dream about this. I still feel like a kid, you know,” began Newton. Arriving for his rookie minicamp and seeing guys with their uniforms, Newton said to himself, “It’s actually real. I’ve been playing football since I was five. So to be here is actually like a dream come true.”

How about on draft night, when Commanders GM Adam Peters called Newton? “I was trying to keep my composure…I was projected for Day One, so I was waiting for that call. I didn’t get upset about it, but it gave me that chip on my shoulder.”

Newton says that when he hung up with Peters, he told his family that he was going to be chosen by the Commanders, hugged his mom, and instantly broke down crying.

The rookie defensive tackle credits both his parents for being supportive of him in his football and basketball growing up. He talked of how he has no hard feelings about not being drafted in the first round, and he understands it is a business. “But I know there wasn’t 32 people better than me. But there is a plan for everything; it was already written. Now I just got to execute it and play to my God-given ability.”

When he was in middle school and began playing defensive line, he remembers Jonathan Allen and Daron Payne, both at Alabama. He also recalls Dante Fowler playing for the Florida Gators. Now, Johnny has become their teammate.

Commanders release DE Shaka Toney

Toney was just reinstated last week.

That didn’t take long. Days after the NFL reinstated defensive end Shaka Toney from an indefinite suspension for gambling, the Washington Commanders released him on Monday.

Toney, a seventh-round selection in the 2021 NFL draft from Penn State, played two seasons for the Commanders, appearing in 26 games, finishing with 16 tackles, including two for loss, three quarterback hits and 1.5 sacks.

The 6-foot-2, 240-pound Toney faced long odds at making Washington’s roster in 2024. While the Commanders are without their top four edge rushers from a year ago, new general manager Adam Peters rebuilt the position this offseason, adding veterans Dorance Armstrong, Dante Fowler Jr. and Clelin Ferrell.

Armstrong and Fowler are close with new head coach Dan Quinn, while Ferrell followed Peters and new defensive line coach Darryl Tapp to Washington from San Francisco. The Commanders also re-signed veteran Efe Obada.

Additionally, Washington returns second-year edge defenders K.J. Henry and Andre Jones Jr., both of whom showed potential at times last season.

With nine picks in this week’s 2024 NFL draft, the Commanders are expected to select an edge rusher at some point. Washington hosted multiple edge defenders on top 30 visits.

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.

Commanders plan to sign Cowboys defensive end Dorance Armstrong

Dorance Armstrong has 16 sacks over the past two seasons.

Just over one hour into Monday’s legal tampering period, the Washington Commanders are on the board. According to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN, the Commanders plan to sign former Dallas Cowboys defensive end Dorance Armstrong.

Armstrong reunites with Commanders head coach Dan Quinn, his defensive coordinator with the Cowboys for the past three seasons. Also, former Cowboys secondary coach Joe Whitt Jr. is now Washington’s defensive coordinator.

The 6-foot-4, 255-pound Armstrong was a fourth-round pick in the 2018 NFL draft out of Kansas. Armstrong, entering his seventh season in 2024, will not turn 27 until June. In 77 career games with 24 starts, Armstrong has 23.5 sacks. However, his production has ramped up under Quinn’s tutelage, combining for 21 sacks over the past three seasons in a part-time pass-rushing role.

Landing an edge rusher or two is a priority for Washington in free agency. Another former Cowboys’ pass rusher, Dante Fowler Jr., could also follow Quinn to Washington. Quinn coached Fowler at the University of Florida and with the Falcons and Cowboys.

Armstrong is expected to sign with the Commanders on Wednesday when the new NFL league year opens.