Tag: Daron Payne

Jonathan Allen’s injury is sad news for him and the Commanders

Allen’s loss is sad news for him — and for the Commanders.

Jonathan Allen waited eight years to play on a good team. The veteran defensive tackle remains a key part of the Washington Commanders, which is 4-2 and leading the NFC East.

Unfortunately, Allen’s season is over. And with one year remaining on his contract, it’s fair to wonder about his future with his hometown team and the only NFL franchise he’s ever known.

Allen left Sunday’s loss to the Baltimore Ravens in the third quarter with a pec injury. He was quickly ruled out, but there was optimism afterward that he’d be back this season. On Monday, it was revealed that Allen’s pec was torn, and he would be out for the year. Allen will get a second opinion, but the odds are his season is done.

That’s a shame for Allen and for the Commanders. The 29-year-old two-time Pro Bowler had two sacks for Washington this season and played well in the Commanders’ wins over the Cardinals and Browns.

Allen has been a model employee for Washington through the worst of times. He has always stood up for his coaches and teammates, played hard, and produced regardless of what was happening around him. When the Commanders rebranded in 2022, the franchise rightly made him and wide receiver Terry McLaurin the focus—two good guys who’d been here through thick and thin.

Criticism has been aimed at Allen over the last two years, mainly because of his frustration last year. At one point, Allen questioned whether he wanted to remain with Washington. So, the social media world attacked Allen for his pre-game speeches and lack of production last season, forgetting everything he’s done for the franchise.

In the offseason, Allen was re-energized by the new regime.

Is he the same player as he was three years ago? Maybe, maybe not, but general manager Adam Peters and head coach Dan Quinn did not want to trade him, and they essentially cleansed the roster in the offseason. I bet if you ask Quinn and Peters privately what they think of Allen, it would be different than what some think on social media.

Then, there’s the football impact. Sure, Washington’s defense is struggling right now. Up until Sunday, there had been signs of improvement. The Commanders’ weaknesses at cornerback are a significant problem.

Regardless of what the stats tell you, Washington will miss Allen. He remains a good player and a respected leader.

The good news is that the Commanders used a second-round pick on Johnny Newton in the 2024 NFL draft. Newton’s snaps have increased in recent weeks, and he now appears poised for a significant role alongside Daron Payne and Phidarian Mathis moving forward.

It was a tough day for the Commanders in what has been a fun year, especially since the NFL season began last month.

We wish Allen the best and hope he has a speedy recovery.

Who are the Commanders’ captains for Week 6?

Who are the Week 6 captains and which jerseys will Commanders wear vs. Ravens?

The Washington Commanders revealed their game captains for Sunday’s Week 6 showdown against the Baltimore Ravens.

  • DT Daron Payne
  • RT Andrew Wylie
  • LS Tyler Ott

Head coach Dan Quinn discussed the Week 6 captains on Friday.

Start off by giving you the captains as we get started for this week’s game,” Quinn said. “Offense will be Andrew Wylie, and defensively be Daron Payne and on special teams Tyler Ott. All these guys bring unique stuff to our team. Kinda talked about the consistency of Andrew, the length he’s willing to go for these guys and all the toughness. With Daron, we thought of the word is he’s got a real edge about him and that focus, and we love that he brings it. And then Tyler, always at the front and center of stuff, but just really, really high standards about how he goes about his stuff. So, a lot of respect for those three and they’ll lead the way Sunday.”

In addition to the captains, the Commanders also revealed their uniform combination for Sunday’s showdown in Charm City.

It will be white jerseys and burgundy pants for the Commanders against the Ravens.

Washington looks to improve to 5-1 against the 3-2 Ravens.

Commanders DT Daron Payne: ‘It feels good to have a good team’

Daron Payne is thankful to finally have a “good team.”

Daron Payne has been with the Washington Commanders longer than anyone on the current roster outside of punter Tress Way and fellow defensive tackle Jonathan Allen.

A first-round pick in the 2018 NFL draft, Payne is in his seventh NFL season, and he knows this one is special. After Sunday’s 42-14 blowout win over the Arizona Cardinals, the Commanders improved to 3-1 after their third consecutive victory.

After the game, everyone was all smiles, including Payne.

“It feel good to have a good team,” Payne told reporters. “I’ve been here a long time and been through a a lot. So, it’s just good to come out on top on games like this.”

What does Payne think about having a quarterback like Jayden Daniels?

“I love just being able to sit on the sidelines, drink my Gatorade, and come back out there after they just scored. It’s nice,” Payne answered.

The Commanders are scoring a lot. Washington has punted just one time over the last three games and only turned the ball over once through four weeks. The Commanders are averaging 30.3 points per game, which is No. 3 in the NFL.

 

 

Which four Commanders fit DC Joe Whitt’s playing style?

Which four Commanders have stood out to DC Joe Whitt Jr?

“Last week was still not “the play style” that we are desiring.”

That was how Commanders defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr began very early in his Friday time with the press.

Whitt did counter that the Week 2 game against the Giants was better than the opener against the Bucs.

“Give credit to both teams we have played, but a lot of our third-down ills are mistakes that we are making on different levels.” He said some were corrected in the second week, but some were still not, and the Commanders will correct them.

Whitt acknowledges his defense has made some positive plays but is frustrated with the reality that the defense is not getting off the field enough. “We’re causing some negative plays on first and second downs, but we get to third downs and for one reason or another (pause). We’ve had five penalties on defense, all five have come on third down. That’s something that can’t happen.”

Whitt made it clear he is concerned about Bengals receiver Ja’Marr Chase, comparing him to Davonte Adams and alluding to a game in which Chase beat two double teams against the Cowboys.

It is no secret the cornerbacks have struggled. Whitt confirmed this Friday, saying, “We’re looking for the combination that’s going to give us the best chance…It will be a week-to-week deal throughout the defense of we think is going to give us the best opportunity to win the game we are about to face.”

When asked about Jonathan Allen and Daron Payne’s play, Whitt talked of rushing as a collective unit, staying in one’s rush lane being essential for all the defensive line.

Whitt later returned to “the play style,” pointing out Bobby Wagner, Frankie Luvu, Ben (St-Juste) and Quan (Martin), “Those four men have been playing the play style.”

He also praised safety Percy Butler for making some nice open-field tackles that were difficult.

Commanders trade DT John Ridgeway to the Saints

The Commanders add another draft pick for 2025.

One day after the Washington Commanders finalized their initial 53-man roster, general manager Adam Peters traded one of the players who made the roster.

Nicki Jhabvala of The Washington Post reported the Commanders were interested in trading third-year defensive tackle John Ridgeway. Several teams reportedly expressed interest in Ridgeway, but Washington didn’t strike a deal. On Wednesday afternoon, the Commanders found a trade partner for Ridgeway, sending him to the New Orleans Saints.

Ridgeway had a strong preseason, but with Jonathan Allen and Daron Payne in front of him, along with the presence of fellow third-year DT Phidarian Mathis and rookie Johnny Newton, the Commanders had a surplus at the position.

In return, the Saints send a 2025 sixth-round pick to Washington for Ridgeway and a 2025 seventh-round selection. The Commanders had multiple seventh-round picks in 2025 due to last week’s Jahan Dotson trade.

Ridgeway, the Cowboys’ fifth-round pick in the 2022 NFL draft, was waived early in the 2022 season, and the Commanders claimed him. In two seasons with Washington, Ridgeway appeared in 32 games with six starts, recording 55 tackles.

Commanders work out veteran defensive tackle

The Commanders brought in a veteran DT for a workout.

The Washington Commanders believe you can never have enough defensive tackles. On a roster that features stars Daron Payne and Jonathan Allen, second-round rookie Johnny Newton and promising third-year players John Ridgeway and Phidarian Mathis, Washington may have the deepest group of interior defensive linemen in the NFL.

But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t do your due diligence.

According to agent Brett Tessler, the Commanders brought in veteran defensive tackle Taylor Stallworth for a workout on Thursday.

The 28-year-old Stallworth entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent in 2018 with the New Orleans Saints. In his six-year career, Stallworth has had stints with the Saints, Colts, Chiefs, Texans, Panthers, Titans and 49ers. He has appeared in 57 games with two starts. Stallworth has 52 career tackles and 4.5 sacks.

He was last with the 49ers in December when they signed him to their practice squad. He did not appear in a game for San Francisco.

Stallworth’s primary connection to Washington would be general manager Adam Peters. Peters was with the 49ers when they signed Stallworth.

Stallworth’s signing doesn’t appear imminent, and this could be a case of Washington wanting to work him out to see what kind of shape he’s in if they have a need at the position later.

Commanders DT Jonathan Allen ranked among the NFL’s top 100 players for 3rd straight year

Jonathan Allen is once again ranked as one of the NFL’s top 100 players.

The 2023 NFL season was a frustrating one for Washington Commanders defensive tackle Jonathan Allen. After a midseason loss to the New York Giants that began the derailment of a once-promising season, the usually reserved team captain went off in the locker room, frustrated with the team’s constant losing.

Later in the year, Allen again became frustrated, even hinting that he considered playing elsewhere. Overall, it was a tough season for Allen. But it wasn’t just Allen who struggled; the entire team struggled, which explained the 4-13 record.

After making the Pro Bowl in 2021 and 2022, Allen did not make it last season, and his numbers were down. Regardless, he was still viewed as one of the NFL’s best defensive tackles.

The NFL continued its reveal of the league’s top 100 players for 2024 on Thursday, revealing players 51-60. Commanders linebacker Bobby Wagner was ranked No. 59, and wide receiver Terry McLaurin was ranked No. 97.

Allen comes in at No. 54.

Allen earned his third consecutive appearance on this list after recording 5.5 sacks and 19 QB hits, bringing his career total for the former up to 39. Though that’s a bit of a down year for him, he’s also valued by his team and fellow players for his leadership and intangibles, evidenced by the seven-year vet being retained by Dan Quinn to help lead the Commanders into a new era while other pieces were parted with.

Allen is rejuvenated under new head coach Dan Quinn. He and Daron Payne, who also had a down year in 2023, could be in store for a career year under Quinn and defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. The dangerous interior duo will get plenty of opportunities to rush opposing quarterbacks in 2024.

Where did ESPN rank Jonathan Allen, Daron Payne among NFL’s top defensive tackles?

Allen and Payne fall after a difficult 2023 season.

Heading into the 2023 season, the Washington Commanders had two of the NFL’s top defensive tackles and arguably the league’s top combo. Jonathan Allen and Daron Payne were coming off Pro Bowl seasons, and the Commanders rewarded Payne with a four-year extension that made him the NFL’s second-highest-paid defensive tackle at the time.

Unfortunately, the 2023 season didn’t go as anyone envisioned, especially the defense. The Commanders were expected to field one of the NFL’s better defenses, but they were dreadful. Washington finished dead last in multiple statistical categories.

Everyone on the Commanders defense struggled last season, including Payne and Allen. The good news for Washington’s high-priced interior duo is new coach Dan Quinn is excited about coaching them. The players are excited to play under Quinn, too.

What is the leaguewide perception of Washington’s defensive tackles after last season?

ESPN recently ranked the top 10 defensive tackles in the NFL. To arrive at their rankings, ESPN surveyed a combination of coaches, executives and scouts from around the NFL. Allen and Payne both fell short of the top 10.

Allen and Payne were among six defensive tackles ranked in the “honorable mention” category.

Here’s what ESPN had to say about Allen:

Probably had a down year vs. the run but was on a terrible team, and he’s got legit pass-rush skills compared to many others on the list. Still has some prime years left. — NFL scouting director

There’s a reason the Commanders didn’t trade Allen. He has two years remaining on his contract and can still play.

Here’s what ESPN said about Payne:

Excellent run player. Strong and powerful with instincts. Good power rusher, especially in one-on-one situations. — NFL personnel director

You can see why Quinn and defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. wanted to coach Allen and Payne. While the coaches must figure out the rest of the defense, having Allen and Payne in the middle is a fantastic place to start.

PFF ranks Commanders’ defensive line last among the NFC East teams

Is the defensive line still a strength for the Commanders?

Since Washington selected defensive tackle Daron Payne in the first round of the 2018 NFL draft, the defensive line has been a strength. Washington chose Payne one year after it selected his former college teammate, Jonathan Allen, in the first round of the 2017 NFL draft.

In 2019, Washington selected defensive end Montez Sweat and followed that up by choosing Chase Young in the 2020 NFL draft. During the 2020 season, it looked like Washington had the makings of what could’ve been a dominant foursome for a long time.

It didn’t happen. Young never became the player most thought he’d become for different reasons, and he was traded last October. The Commanders also traded Sweat at the trade deadline, too, although because they received an offer they couldn’t refuse. The team didn’t want to trade Sweat.

Washington’s defense, which was expected to be a team strength, was dead last in multiple categories last season. Even Payne and Allen had down seasons.

So, with Payne and Allen back but Sweat and Young gone, is the defensive line still a team strength?

Pro Football Focus recently ranked every NFL team’s defensive line from 1 to 32. Washington was ranked 19th, last of the four NFC East teams.

Last season resulted in unexpected down years from the interior duo of Jonathan Allen and Daron Payne. Allen led the team in quarterback pressures, with 49, but it was his worst PFF pass-rushing grade since 2019 and the worst overall grade of his career.

Rookie Johnny Newton will hope to force his way into the rotation inside and make some noise, but the big issue for this team is on the edge, where new free agent Dorance Armstrong may be the most proven commodity.

It’s hard to disagree that the issue here is on the edge. Washington signed multiple veterans, including Armstrong, Dante Fowler and Clelin Ferrell, but none of the group is in Sweat’s class. Armstrong does appear to have the highest ceiling of the group.

In case you were wondering where the rest of the NFC East ranked:

  • 3. Philadelphia Eagles
  • 6. Dallas Cowboys
  • 18. New York Giants

The Giants’ ranking was a bit of a surprise with the addition of edge rusher Brian Burns and the presence of Dexter Lawrence.

No Commanders make Prisco’s top 100 NFL players list

Two Washington players just missed the cut.

When you don’t win in the NFL, individual players, even great ones, fly under the radar. There is no more prominent team sport than football and the NFL.

The Washington Commanders went 4-13 last season. None of their players were selected for the Pro Bowl Games, whereas a seven-win Washington team sent five players to the Pro Bowl games one year before.

The Commanders made more changes than any other team in the NFL this offseason. They made front-office changes, coaching changes and new GM Adam Peters turned over half of the roster. It was a reset the Washington roster badly needed.

So, it’s no surprise that as we head into the 2024 NFL season, Washington’s players aren’t receiving national praise.

Pete Prisco of CBS Sports recently named his top 100 NFL players for 2024, and he included no Commanders on the list. Wide receiver Terry McLaurin and defensive tackle Jonathan Allen were included in the honorable mention category.

McLaurin and Allen were routinely included on almost every top 100 list over the past few seasons. Daron Payne was included at times, too. But, if we base this list off last season, no Commanders deserve to be on the top 100 list. McLaurin went over 1,000 yards — barely — and Allen had his worst season. Neither was bad, but they didn’t play up to their previous high standards, something each would acknowledge.

Former Washington defensive end Montez Sweat did crack the list at No. 73 after missing these types of lists over the years. Sweat did set a career-high in sacks last season.

It’s a new season. And you can bet that McLaurin, Allen, or any other Washington player doesn’t care about top 100 lists. Both players have spoken about a renewed energy since Dan Quinn and his staff took over this offseason.

If Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels becomes the player many believe, he’ll be a constant presence on these lists for years to come.