Tag: Da’Ron Payne

What kind of compensation could the Commanders receive by trading Jonathan Allen?

If the Commanders traded Allen, what type of return could they receive? Here’s one potential offer.

Will the Washington Commanders keep or deal defensive tackle Jonathan Allen?

That’s one of the early stories of the NFL offseason after Allen indicated late last season — on more than one occasion — that he was tired of losing and didn’t want to go through another rebuild.

Since the season ended, the Commanders have hired Adam Peters as general manager and Dan Quinn as head coach. Since hearing the new regime out, Allen’s stance has changed. It’s important to note that Allen never requested a trade or said he wanted out, but he answered a question that he did think of what it could be like playing somewhere else.

“I’m excited, man,” Allen told JP Finlay at a media event earlier this month. “Mr. Peters and Coach Quinn, I think we’ve done a lot of great things; we’ve brought in a lot of winners, guys who’ve been to Super Bowls, guys who have been a part of winning Super Bowl organizations. I am excited.”

Allen, 29, has been one of the NFL’s best defensive tackles since entering the league in 2017. He has two years remaining on an extension he signed in 2021, but there is no guaranteed money left on his deal.

For his part, Quinn has mentioned how he’s excited to coach Allen and Daron Payne since taking the job. What does that mean? Nothing, because the new staff is still undergoing player evaluations before turning to free agency preparation.

Next week is the NFL combine, and that’s where many offseason rumors begin. Could an Allen trade be discussed next week?

Bleacher Report recently featured a story involving five trade packages to “create the next great defenses.” One of those trades had Allen going to the Green Bay Packers.

Here’s the trade and B/R’s logic:

Trade offer: Jonathan Allen for 2024 second-round pick (No. 41) and 2024 fifth-round pick (No. 168)

Are the Washington Commanders going to embrace an even larger teardown? And exactly how discontented is Jonathan Allen?

Those answers will shape the reality of this hypothetical.

Nevertheless, both questions are fair to ask. Washington dealt edge-rushers Montez Sweat and Chase Young near the 2023 trade deadline, and Allen’s frustration hit a breaking point with an understandable midseason rant after an ugly loss to the hapless New York Giants. He recently said he doesn’t want to be part of another rebuild, either.

All of that context may lead to Washington dangling Allen in a trade, and the Green Bay Packers should quickly pick up the phone.

Despite the team’s surprise playoff bid, Green Bay’s defensive line lacked bite for much of 2023. Four different teams rushed for 200-plus yards on the Packers, which is just miserable.

Flipping a second-round pick for Allen—an immediate, unquestioned upgrade—would be a sensible move rather than hoping a Day 2 pick quickly pans out. Green Bay has quarterback Jordan Love in a low-cost contract and can open the needed cap space for Allen by moving on from oft-injured lineman David Bahktiari.

There are reasons for trading Allen. Another second-round pick would give Washington four picks in the top 41, allowing the Commanders to add plenty of young talent to both sides of the ball.

There are also reasons not to trade Allen. He’s still an excellent player and a valuable leader. The Commanders could have a quick turnaround under Quinn if they add — and retain — the right pieces.

If the Commanders moved on from Allen, they have a pair of third-year defensive tackles, Phidarian Mathis and John Ridgeway, who could battle for the right to start beside of Daron Payne. However, neither player is Allen.

This should be a fascinating offseason for Washington and its new leadership group.

New Commanders’ D-Line coach Darryl Tapp ready to work with Daron Payne, Jonathan Allen

Tapp is ready to help Payne and Allen return to form in 2024.

Darryl Tapp played 12 seasons in the NFL after an All-American career at Virginia Tech. Now, Tapp is coming home.

Tapp, a Chesapeake, Virginia native, was hired last week as the Washington Commanders’ new defensive line coach under Dan Quinn. Tapp, who grew up rooting for the then-Redskins, played for Washington in 2013 under Mike Shanahan.

Tapp began his coaching career in 2018, one year after his playing career ended, at Central Michigan. He quickly moved up the ranks, going to Vanderbilt in 2019, before returning to his alma mater in 2020 as Virginia Tech’s co-defensive line coach.

However, in 2021, Tapp received the opportunity of a lifetime to head to the 49ers as Kyle Shanahan’s assistant defensive line coach.

As a part of Quinn’s much heralded coaching staff that perfectly blends youth and experience, Tapp is charged with leading Washington’s defensive line room. In doing so, he has the opportunity to coach arguably the NFL’s top defensive tackle duo, Daron Payne and Jonathan Allen.

That opportunity is not lost on Tapp.

“It’s exciting to be around them. I’ve always been an admirer of the game that those guys put on film, like true animals out there,” Tapp said this week on “Grant and Danny” of 106.7 The Fan, courtesy of Lou DiPietro of Audacy.

“We’re going to do our best — me, Dan (Quinn), (defensive coordinator) Joe Whitt, and my assistant (assistant DL coach) Sharrif Floyd — to put those guys in the best position to make plays. Whatever vision of a player that they want to be that’s in their head, we’ll do our very best to help them meet that vision. That’s where our mindset is, and that’s what we’re trying to get accomplished.”

This is not only an opportunity for Tapp but also for Payne, Allen and some of Washington’s young defensive linemen. The 2023 season was a down one for Payne and Allen, but they remain a centerpiece for Washington’s defense, something Quinn has mentioned in more than one of his interviews since landing the job.

 

Dan Quinn wants Commanders to be ‘explosive and physical’

Quinn discusses Joe Gibbs and looks forward to coaching Jon Allen and Daron Payne.

Dan Quinn knows fellow NFL players and coaches can become life-long friends.

Friday, while a guest on the “Kevin Sheehan Show” (The Team 980), Quinn spoke of “this connection you have with them going through it together. A guy there is hurt, battling, going through it; those are really cool moments where you see what somebody is made of.”

He talked of how, in NFL football, “they get pushed to the absolute limit. When you put it all out there and be willing to step all the way out there to the edge, that is not easy. When you are in that environment, you do get closer and connected. If you really stay tight, that bond is not changing in three months or three years or thirty years. You can slip back into that conversation knowing, ‘hey man, we did it together, walked through it together’. There is a respect that comes through those moments that you never lose.”

Sheehan inquired if Dan had reached out to the franchise’s most successful coach Joe Gibbs, before taking this job. Quinn shared that he had actually visited with Gibbs prior to his taking the Atlanta Falcons job. “The reason I had asked to meet with him was because he had the most unique background of having much success with different quarterbacks. I really wanted to find out why.”

Indeed Gibbs remains the only NFL coach to win three Super Bowls with three different starting quarterbacks (Joe Theismann, Doug Williams, Mark Rypien. In addition, none of the three will ever be a Hall of Famer.

“I wanted to find out what were some of the important things to him at the time. I didn’t meet with him this time, but it was certainly nice to get a call from him after I was already here.”

When Sheehan asked Quinn what he was learning about the Commanders’ current roster, Quinn responded, “Certainly defensive tackle, that is the strength. Those two (Jonathan Allen, Daron Payne) are tough to block in a lot of ways…I can’t wait to coach both of them honestly.”

Quinn expressed that over the next two weeks, all the coaches will be looking at the film of the Commanders and evaluating, what are the best skills of the players and in what ways they can be most utilized.

The new sheriff is going to be making his message clear to his staff and then players. He conveyed to Sheehan what he is looking for the identity of this team to become, “You want to be explosive and physical. That is what you keep looking for. Is it demonstrated on tape?”

Cowboys hire former Commanders defensive line coach

Dallas hires one of Ron Rivera’s former assistants.

The Washington Commanders took from the Dallas Cowboys this offseason by hiring defensive coordinator Dan Quinn as their next head coach. Quinn brought secondary coach and pass game coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. with him to Washington as his new defensive coordinator.

That meant the Cowboys had some holes to fill. They interviewed former Commanders head coach Ron Rivera to replace Quinn, but that job went to former Vikings coach Mike Zimmer. Zimmer served as the Dallas defensive coordinator from 2000-06.

Following Quinn and Whitt out of Dallas was defensive line coach Aden Durde. Durde, who followed Quinn to Dallas from Atlanta, was the Cowboys defensive line coach over the past three seasons.

As Washington officially announced its new coaching staff on Thursday, most of its former staff members were free to seek employment elsewhere. The Commanders retained four coaches from Rivera’s former staff. One member of Rivera’s former defensive staff will join Zimmer in Dallas.

Jeff Zgonina, who joined the Commanders in 2020 as the assistant defensive line coach, was promoted to defensive line coach in Aug. 2022 when Rivera fired Sam Mills III. He will join Zimmer as his new defensive line coach.

When Zgonina was promoted in Washington, Rivera hired franchise legend Ryan Kerrigan as the assistant defensive line coach. Quinn retained Kerrigan.

Zgonina played 17 years in the NFL, retiring after the 2009 season. He began his coaching career with the Texans in 2013. In addition to his time with Houston and Washington, Zgonina has coached with the Giants and 49ers.

Zgonina earned rave reviews from some of Washington’s defensive linemen, including Jonathan Allen and Daron Payne.

5 takeaways from Commanders’ coordinators introductory press conference

A great first day for Washington’s new coordinators.

The Washington Commanders officially announced their 2024 coaching staff Thursday, and coordinators Kliff Kingsbury (offense) and Joe Whitt Jr. (defense) met with the local media.

A hot topic for Kingsbury was the quarterback position. Kingsbury has coached quarterbacks such as Patrick Mahomes, Johnny Manziel, Baker Mayfield, Kyler Murray, and, yes, presumed No. 1 overall pick Caleb Williams. As expected, Kingsbury didn’t reveal much on that subject.

As for Whitt, he was direct, honest, passionate and enthusiastic.

Kingsbury didn’t give any details about the current roster, while Whitt did offer some details on some of Washington’s young players.

Here are five thoughts/takeaways from Kingsbury and Whitt’s media session.

6 Commanders’ players who will benefit the most from a coaching change

These players will benefit from Washington’s coaching changes.

The Washington Commanders look a lot different now than they did one month ago. Sure, the roster hasn’t changed yet, but beginning with new general manager Adam Peters and head coach Dan Quinn, Washington’s vision is beginning to take shape.

The day after Quinn’s hiring became official, we learned who would lead the Commanders’ offense and defense. Washington hired former Cardinals head coach Kliff Kingsbury as offensive coordinator, while Joe Whitt Jr. followed Quinn from Dallas to be his defensive coordinator.

Quinn’s coordinator hirings drew praise from around the league.

From their responses on social media, some Washington players appear to be happy with the coaching moves.

We look at six players who will benefit the most from the coaching moves.

Dan Quinn: Commanders will not be a rebuild

Dan Quinn had another word instead of rebuild. Also, two positions from Washington’s roster stood out to Quinn.

Dan Quinn had a lot to say on Monday, and he was clear he is not looking to rebuild.

Quinn, in his introductory press conference, did point out two position groups that he felt were strong for the Commanders. It also may have been his way of being positive, not to mention how Ron Rivera left gaping holes in this roster with non-productive drafts.

“This is a recalibrate, finding our north again. You will not hear me say the word rebuild at all… There is no timeline, but we will push it hard to see how good we can get and how fast we can get there.”

Quinn has been a head coach previously in Atlanta. He won in Atlanta, and he lost in Atlanta. He was hired, and he was fired. He knows in the NFL, if you don’t get it done, they will find someone else to get it done instead of you.

The most recent Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator knows this will not be easy, but he also provided a glimpse into how he will be approaching this challenge of having a winning season. “There’s nothing I enjoy more than doing hard s_ _ _ with good people.”

Indeed it will be a challenge. Washington has not recorded a winning record since Kirk Cousins was the starting quarterback in 2015 (9-7) and 2016 (8-7-1).

Quinn did name two positions that he felt the Commanders have some depth, alluding to the defensive tackles and wide receivers groups. “Man was I impressed by the inside of the defense, with the defensive tackles. That’s the spot that jumped out at me. Then the skill at wide receivers.”

Daron Payne (13 tackles for a loss, 11 QB hits) and Jonathan Allen (10 tackles for a loss and 19 QB hits) led inside of the defense. Terry McLaurin had a fourth season of 1000+ receiving yards, while Curtis Samuel and Jahan Dotson collected 62 and 49 receptions, respectively. Dyami Brown has all the speed needed but, once again, only contributed 12 receptions in 2023.

5 takeaways from Commanders coach Dan Quinn’s opening press conference

Some thoughts from Quinn’s first press conference, including the fact he will not call plays.

The Washington Commanders introduced new head coach Dan Quinn to the local media and fans on Monday, and he talked for close to an hour, answering every question.

They say everyone wins the press conference, and if we judge by those standards, Quinn knocked it out of the park. While the press conference means little, perhaps Quinn’s passion and sincerity helped win over some fans disappointed that the Commanders didn’t hire an offensive-minded coach.

So, what stood out from Quinn’s introduction to Washington?

Here are five takeaways from Quinn’s opening press conference.

Commanders DT Jonathan Allen excited about the future: ‘I want to win here’

Jonathan Allen is looking forward to the new regime.

The Washington Commanders’ offseason will be one of change. That change began when the team fired former head coach Ron Rivera and hired new GM Adam Peters.

On Thursday, the Commanders finally found their head coach: Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn.

The Commanders’ next step is filling out a coaching staff and preparing for free agency. But before Washington gets to free agency, it will have decisions to make about the current roster.

How many of the dozen or more free agents will the Commanders look to retain?

And what about defensive tackle Jonathan Allen? Allen, you recall, expressed frustration multiple times during Washington’s eight-game losing streak this season. While he never said he wanted a trade, he did admit he thinks of what it would be to play somewhere else.

Was that just the emotion after a game talking?

On Friday, hosts from the two most popular sports radio stations in the DMV gathered at the Bethesda Theater in Bethesda, Md., with Allen as the special guest.

Allen spoke candidly about the recent changes with the Commanders and his future.

“I’m excited, man,” Allen said told JP Finlay. “(GM) Mr. (Adam) Peters and Coach (Dan) Quinn, I think we’ve done a lot of great things; we’ve brought in a lot of winners, guys who’ve been to Super Bowls, guys who have been a part of winning Super Bowl organizations. I am excited.”

Allen then discussed how much he wanted to win in the burgundy and gold.

“It matters a lot; my goal has always been to win a Super Bowl,” he said. “But, I want to win it here. Obviously, winning a Super Bowl someplace else would be great, but it wouldn’t be the same as winning it here. I went to high school in this area; I grew up a Washington fan, so, obviously, I want to win here.”

Allen and fellow defensive tackle Daron Payne are two players who could benefit most from Dan Quinn’s hiring. While anything can happen, it’s certainly a good sign for Allen’s future in Washington if he and Peters have already spoken.

Commanders DT Phidarian Mathis looks to turn things around in 2024

2024 will be a make-or-break year for Phidarian Mathis.

Washington defensive tackle Phidarian Mathis hasn’t exactly lived up to expectations since being picked No. 47 overall in the 2022 NFL draft.

As a rookie, Mathis injured his knee on the third play of his NFL career and missed the remainder of the season. In 2023, a calf injury cost him seven games. Through two NFL seasons, Mathis has played a total of 206 defensive snaps.

In his 206 snaps, Mathis has just eight tackles and no sacks.

With a new general manager in town and new coaches to follow, Mathis must produce in 2024 to stick around. He’s no longer viewed as a second-round pick. He understands the urgency and plans on having a strong offseason.

“I just want to come back next year and just have a full year and turn everything around,” Mathis said, per commanders.com. “Mentally, it took a toll on me bad. You’ve got people who have expectations for you. You got family expectations, you’ve got expectations for yourself. It’s kind of overwhelming because you know what you can do, and you keep having setbacks after setbacks; it’s kind of a mental game for me. It kind of took me into a deep depression. I was kind of down all year long just knowing I was supposed to be out there, and I wasn’t able to be out there.”

Mathis plans on coming back as a different player beginning in the spring.

“I just want to improve all around, my game. I want to come back a different person, have a different mindset, a different mentality. I just want to come back a different guy. I know I’m gonna come back a different guy, and I’m gonna put more on tape. I’m going to work so hard until I can’t no more. I know this is an important year for me just to show everybody who I really am.”

Mathis, and fellow third-year defensive tackle John Ridgeway are under contract for two more seasons. Starters Jonathan Allen and Daron Payne also return, although there is speculation Allen could be traded. Regardless of Allen’s status, 2024 is a make-or-break year for Mathis.