Tag: Daron Payne

Washington Commanders linebacker Frankie Luvu embraces the underdog mentality

Frankie Luvu has been an underdog his entire career, and continues to embrace that mentality heading into his first season with the Washington Commanders

Frankie Luvu may very well be the most underrated linebacker in the NFL, and is arguably the most underappreciated player in the league, period.

The veteran linebacker is heading into his seventh season in the NFL, and his first with the Washington Commanders after putting pen to paper on a three-year, $36 million dollar deal.

Speaking on his new contract, and new team, Luvu tells Touchdown Wire that the plans in store for him, as well as the overall outlook of the franchise, made Washington his ultimate destination.

“Just the opportunity and what they have planned for me,” Luvu said. “The culture. Talking to the coaching staff and everyone now that I’m here, I know they’ll know how to utilize me in every way in this defense.”

Luvu added that playing for new head coach and defensive guru Dan Quinn is something that he is very much looking forward to in this new endeavor with Washington.

“Man, I can’t wait,” Luvu said with an excited grin. “Everybody speaks highly of him, and rightfully so. You see what he’s done with the guys that he’s had over the last few seasons in Dallas, and I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else but under his wing.”

Luvu isn’t the only linebacker Washington added to the middle of their defense, though. The Commanders signed future Hall of Famer Bobby Wagner to play alongside Luvu — a move that has the former Carolina Panther very galvanized.

“Bobby is the epitome of what it means to be a linebacker in this league,” Luvu said. “How he walks in the building, his habits, how he takes care of his body, how he watches tape- what more can I ask for in a guy to come in and learn from? To pick his mind and better my mind, make myself better. Every day, we’re in the room competing, talking, and building that bond and chemistry, and it’s an absolute blessing to be in that room with him.”

Luvu spent the previous three years of his career with the Carolina Panthers. While there was constant turnover in terms of head coaches and quarterbacks, Luvu doesn’t have a bad word to say about his time in Charlotte.

“I can say I had a good time in Carolina,” Luvu said. “The relationships I built out there with all the coaches, all my teammates- I’ll always have love for them, as well as the organization and the city of Charlotte. I look at every year as a blessing. I had three years out there to build my name and build my brand. And because of that, I have new opportunities in Washington where I feel like the sky is the limit.”

Luvu has consistently been one of the league’s top off-ball linebackers. He finished last season in the top 25 in total tackles and once agin being one of PFF’s highest rated linebackers with an overall grade of 80. Despite his production, though, few seem to mention him in the same breath as the Fred Warners and Roquan Smiths of the NFL — something that Luvu himself says just adds more fuel to his fire.

“That’s just another chip on my shoulder, man,” Luvu said. “I came in undrafted and now I’m going into my seventh year in the league. I’ve been an underdog, doubted, counted out my whole life. That’s just the type of mentality I’ve had, and what’s got me this far. So when I see the headlines of ‘underrated linebacker,’ that’s just more wood to the fire for me.”

Not only is Luvu a perennial underdog, so too is his new squad. The Commanders haven’t won more than 10 games in a season since 1991, a streak that the Washington State product and the rest of the veterans on the team are hoping to break.

“I truly believe we’ve got a good squad,” Luvu said. “Having Bobby in there, Jonathan Allen, Daron Payne, Jeremy Chinn. Plus on offense you bring in a guy like Austin Ekeler, who is one of those top guys at the running back position, Terry McLaurin- we have the guys. Now it’s just a matter of us being able to put it all together. Vets like myself and those names I just mentioned, we just have to lead from the front.”

The Commanders will all but certainly be riding the hand of a rookie quarterback this season, which will have its own set of built-in challenges. However, if the team can lean on their defensive stars and whomever their rookie quarterback is can make enough plays to win games, who’s to say they can’t have ride all the way to surprising the NFL with a playoff berth?

Daron Payne excited about Commanders many changes

Daron Payne excited about all of the new faces and changes with the Commanders.

The Dan Quinn era has begun for the Commanders.

Defensive tackle Daron Payne spoke briefly with the media Wednesday.  When asked a football question, he responded, “Right now, we are just trying to do our best to get to know each other. We are just trying to learn our coaches, our players. That’s the big emphasis right now.”

Indeed, it was only the second day since the Commanders began their offseason team workouts. Payne talked about how, this time, there are a lot of new faces, new players, and new coaches.

When asked about learning some of the new schemes, Payne quickly shut that down, saying, “No, we haven’t gotten that far yet. We have just been training and, like I said, trying to get to know each other. But we will probably pick that up soon.”

The former Alabama defensive tackle was asked about the free agency period and all the signings by the Commanders. “Man, we got a bunch of change. Like right now I share a locker next to Bobby Wagner. That’s a real big name for us. It’s going to be fun. We got some good edge guys that can get after the quarterback. I am excited to see what the coaches can bring for us, like the schemes.”

Payne volunteered there is a new excitement for him personally going into this year. He likened it to when he was a freshman and excited to begin his college journey at Alabama. I got it again when I was a rookie coming here. So, it feels like the same type of energy.”

Payne insisted he is open to whatever the new coaches bring in the scheme, saying, “I am open to anything; I just love playing D line.”

 

Former Washington linebacker Reuben Foster shines in UFL debut

Reuben Foster shines in UFL debut.

Reuben Foster was once a can’t miss-prospect. A star linebacker at the University of Alabama, Foster was a first-round pick in the 2017 NFL draft by the San Francisco 49ers.

Unfortunately, things didn’t work out for Foster in San Francisco, as Foster battled some off-field issues and was released in November 2018.

Washington, badly needing linebacker help, claimed Foster on waivers. Then-Washington president/general manager Bruce Allen took heat for the move as Foster was released by the 49ers due to a domestic violence arrest.

However, Washington stated it had done homework on Allen, with several of his former teammates on the roster, including Jonathan Allen and Daron Payne, they felt comfortable with Foster’s character. Foster was eventually cleared of the charges and the NFL reinstated him to Washington’s roster.

Big things were expected of Foster, who had drawn praise from his coaches and teammates, but in May 2019, his NFL career changed forever. In an offseason practice, Foster tore his ACL and LCL. He spent the following two seasons on Washington’s roster but would never play in a game.

In January 2024, Foster was selected by the Houston Roughnecks in the UFL draft. The United Football League was a new spring league combined of former XFL and USFL teams.

On Sunday, Foster made his UFL debut, recording six tackles, an interception and a fumble recovery.

What a performance from Foster.

There was a scary moment late when Foster went down with an apparent injury. Afterward, it appeared that Foster was fine.

Next week, Foster returns to the DMV when the Roughnecks face the D.C. Defenders at Audi Field.

Commanders GM Adam Peters: ‘We’re not interested in trading’ Jonathan Allen

Jonathan Allen isn’t going anywhere.

One of the biggest questions surrounding new Washington general manager Adam Peters this offseason is what he would do with defensive tackle Jonathan Allen.

Allen is under contract for two more seasons but expressed frustration last season after the Commanders continued losing. A 2017 first-round draft pick, Allen has spent his entire career in Washington. When asked if he envisioned playing for another team, the longtime team captain admitted it was something he had thought about, but winning in Washington was always his goal.

At a function with some of the local media last month, Allen seemed optimistic about Washington’s future.

While some predicted that Peters could move Allen and receive more draft compensation, that’s not going to happen.

At the NFL’s Annual League Meeting this week, Peters met with the media, and he was asked about Allen.

“We’ve had some great talks with Jonathan and can’t wait to work with him,” Peters said. “He’s awesome. He’s a great, great young man and he’s a great player. And, so, I’m really excited to work with him. We are not interested in trading him.”

That’s a fairly definitive no from Peters on trading Allen. Could he be posturing? Sure, but there’s nothing to gain here. Head coach Dan Quinn was probably excited to build his defense around Allen and Daron Payne.

The next matter is Allen’s contract. He has two years remaining but no guaranteed money. Would Peters want to give Allen some guarantees over the final two years?

Regardless, all signs indicate Allen will remain with the Commanders in 2024 and could benefit greatly from playing for Quinn.

Commanders have the 11th-most expensive defense in 2024

Adam Peters is slowly reshaping the NFL’s worst defense.

The Washington Commanders entered free agency with over $90 million in available salary cap space. Washington general manager Adam Peters had some money to spend but several holes to fill on both sides of the ball.

Early in free agency, Peters aggressively filled some of the Commanders’ needs on the offensive line, at linebacker and edge rusher. He even worked to shore up Washington’s special teams by signing a new kicker and long snapper.

However, Peters spent wisely across the board. There were no record-setting deals that reset the market at their respective positions. Instead, Peters and head coach Dan Quinn worked to improve the 2024 roster while remaining flexible in 2025 and beyond.

On Saturday, we looked at Washington’s offensive spending for 2024. Currently, the Commanders have the fifth-cheapest offensive roster for next season. That will change after the 2024 NFL draft when Washington likely selects a quarterback at No. 2 overall.

But what has Washington done to improve the defense?

Per Over the Cap, the Commanders have the 11th-most expensive defense in 2024. Washington has significant money tied up in defensive tackles Daron Payne and Jonathan Allen. Also, linebacker Jamin Davis and cornerback Emmanuel Forbes are on first-round contracts.

To improve the NFL’s worst defense, Peters signed linebackers Bobby Wagner and Frankie Luvu — both will start. At edge rusher, the Commanders signed Dorance Armstrong, Dante Fowler Jr. and Clelin Ferrell. Armstrong signed a three-year deal, while Fowler and Ferrell agreed to one-year pacts. Washington also re-signed defensive end Efe Obada.

Washington has almost $106 million committed to the defense in 2024. The Pittsburgh Steelers have the NFL’s most expensive defense ($160.3 million) but the NFL’s cheapest offense ($64.8 million). The Commanders currently have $82.8 million committed to the offense thus far for 2024.

Wagner ($6.5 million), Armstrong ($4.9 million), safety Jeremy Chinn ($3.9 million) and Luvu ($3.9 million) have four of Washington’s top 12 cap hits for 2024.

Payne ($21.6 million) and Allen ($21.4 million) have the second and third-highest cap hits for 2024 behind wide receiver Terry McLaurin.

Updated depth chart projection for Ravens offense

We’re updating our Baltimore #Ravens projected offensive depth chart after a slew of roster moves and ahead of preseason matchup vs. Commanders via @Thacover2NFL

The Ravens are just 48-hours away from their second preseason matchup of the summer when they travel to face the Washington Commanders at FedEx Field on Monday at 8 p.m. ET, and you can watch on ESPN.

Baltimore is favored in a game where most of their starters will sit, while several key rookies and veterans will compete for final remaining roster spots.

With cutdown day fast approaching, we’re providing an updated regular season depth chart prediction ahead of Monday night.

Ravens stock watch: Who’s up, who’s down heading into preseason matchup with Commanders?

We’re looking who’s seen their stock rise and stock fall ahead of the Baltimore #Ravens preseason matchup against the Washington Commanders via @thacover2NFL

The Ravens are starting to form their 53-man depth chart and as the team prepares for a preseason tilt against the Commanders, several stock portfolio’s are starting to take shape.

Baltimore has a loaded roster, with more players on the roster bubble, than available slots on the depth chart.

With the team wrapping up a morning session ahead of Monday’s national television appearance, we’re looking at who’s stock is up, and who’s stock is declining.

The hype about Zay Flowers is real and he’s excluded from the list because his stock pprtfolio is obviously high.

Highlights and notes from Ravens second joint practice with Commanders

We’re looking at highlights and notes from the Baltimore #Ravens second and final joint practice with the Washington Commanders via @Thacover2NFL

The Ravens and Commanders hooked up for the second of two joint practices at the Under Armour Performance Center.

It was a difficult day with the news that Marlon Humphrey needed to have foot surgery that would require a month of rehab.

The Baltimore defense picked up the slack, pressuring Sam Howell throughout the 11-on-11 period.

Here are highlights and notes from Day 2.

Takeaways and observations from Ravens first joint practice with Commanders

We’re looking at takeaways and observations from the Baltimore #Ravens first joint practice with the Washington Commanders via @Thacover2NFL

The Ravens and Commanders squared off for their first of two joint practices Tuesday and the rivals didn’t hold back any intensity or physical play.

There were scuffles in the later portions of practice, and deep balls galore from star quarterback Lamar Jackson.

“That’s the bottom line; we got a lot of work done,” Harbaugh said. “Joint practices are a challenge, always, obviously, because you’ve got two teams out here, and there is a lot of pride. I thought it was a really good practice. We had a couple dust-ups, which you don’t want to see, but it’s not really unexpected. I thought they got handled pretty quickly.”

With Day 2 of practice set to begin shortly, here are takeaways and observations from Day 1.

Highlights and notes from Ravens first joint practice with Commanders

We’re looking at highlights and notes from the first joint practice between the Baltimore #Ravens and Washington Commanders via @thacover2NFL

The Ravens and Commanders just commenced a scrappy, physical joint training camp practice in Baltimore on Tuesday morning.

Lamar Jackson and Odell Beckham continue to build chemistry, connecting on a deep passing attempt early-on.

Washington rookie cornerback Emmanuel Forbes plays with an edge and SEC swagger, getting involved in two training camp scuffles.

With the two teams set to practice again on Wednesday, we’re looking at highlights and notes from Day 1.