Tag: Daron Payne Jonathan Allen

Commanders DC Jack Del Rio pleased with his defense

Jack Del Rio praised his defense and coaching staff, but understands the challenge Minnesota presents on Sunday.

Jack Del Rio knows this week’s opponent, the Minnesota Vikings, presents his defense with many challenges. Yet, he did offer plenty of praise for his defense as a whole Thursday when he met with the press.

Del Rio has employed a five-man front at times in several games this season.

“That was our approach based on last week’s opponent (Colts) and our game planning. Every week we try to put together a plan to stop the people that we’re going against and utilize those we have available. I thought the guys handled it well.”

The Vikings (6-1) winners of five straight certainly have offensive weapons that concern Del Rio. Regarding WR Justin Jefferson, “He has a lot of talent, size, speed, athletic ability, route running, hands. He’s a good player.”

“I think [Vikings HC] Kevin [O’Connell] has done a great job up there. Kirk’s a good player. He’s been a good player for a long time. The right head coach at the right time for Kirk and his career.  They can run it; they can throw it, the boot game, and play action games. It’s legit.”

Del Rio praised his defensive coaching staff.

“The position coaches are breaking down our next opponent already. So they’re working ahead in their respective areas. It’s the power of the staff, the group working on what is best, thoughts, ideas within our system. We like to bring a plan together and take it to the players.We’re still in the middle of it as we get this red zone and third down day in today, it’s a big day. It’s a lot of work.”

A position coach Del Rio singled out was DL coach Jeff Zgonina. “Well, Jeff has to get some credit. I mean the group’s responded well to him. We brought a young guy in that ended up playing. JR [Jon] Ridgeway. To bring him along and have him play as big impact as he did last week in the game, that’s gotta be a credit to the coach to get him ready.”

Del Rio a fine former linebacker himself, really likes his defensive line play.

“Big Jon [Allen] and Daron [Payne]  have been playing terrific and played very well in last week’s game. The entire group is prepared to understand what the responsibilities are and we’re working well together, playing with good efforts. We roll them all throughout the game.”

Ridgeway has shown Del Rio some promise to plug up the inside.
“That was big Phil’s [DT Phidarian Mathis] role until he got hurt. He [Ridgeway] stepped in; we were fortunate to be able to pick him up on waivers and added a guy that we liked in the draft coming out. He’s been a great addition for us.”

Del Rio named two defensive backs deserving praise last week. Kam Curl was given the green dot last week in the absence of Cole Holcomb. “He’s the guy we want to have on the field all the time. Also, Benjamin St- Juste, “He has done great; he’s matured. He’s been really good throughout the offseason. He’s very professional and working the right way, playing good football for us.”

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When they last met: Washington and Dallas

The Commanders are hoping for a much different result this time around.

“When they last met” is an ongoing series during the NFL season, recalling the preceding game between Washington and the next opponent on the Commanders’ schedule.

Dallas 56, Washington 14 – Week 16, December 26, 2021

The Dallas offense reached the end zone five consecutive possessions on their way to a 56-14 romp of the Washington Football Team at AT&T Stadium in Arlington.

It may have been the worst performance by Washington in a decade. Not only did Dallas move the ball up and down the field in those five consecutive possessions, but they also recorded a defensive touchdown and a special teams touchdown.

The Washington defense yielded four Dak Prescott touchdown passes to four different receivers (Ezekiel Elliott, Dalton Schultz, Terence Steele, Amari Cooper).

DeMarcus Lawrence intercepted a Taylor Heinicke pass, returning it 40 yards for a touchdown and Chauncey Golston recovered a blocked Tress Way punt in the end zone for another score.

Trailing 21-0 in the second quarter, Heinicke had passed to Antonio Gibson for an 8-yard touchdown. In the final quarter, trailing 56-7, from the 13 yard-line Heinicke connected with John Bates who was hit at the two-yard line, fumbled and recovered in the end zone for the game’s final score.

Unfortunately for Washington, the most remembered moment of the Sunday Night massacre occurred on the Washington bench. In the second quarter, trailing 28-7, frustration building, the Washington defense was on the bench. Daron Payne voiced something to Jonathan Allen, and Allen replied; Payne then poked Allen in the head, and Allen rose to his feet and struck Payne.

 

Washington sideline fight a focus on Monday morning

The former players reacted differently than those who didn’t play the game. That sideline altercation is in the past.

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As expected, the Monday morning sports shows each used a segment discussing the sideline altercation between Washington defensive tackles Jonathan Allen and Daron Payne.

ESPN’s First Take Ryan Clark, “No, it is not necessarily a big deal. I don’t look at this and say these two guys should be admonished for what they did. But you do have to be better than this. When you are getting your butts handed to you, the way the WFT was, don’t be fighting each other. Go fight (your opponent) on the field.”

Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio commented that he really thought the two might continue to argue and fight with each other on the field, seeing they lineup next to each other as defensive tackles.

Mike Golic added, “I have a feeling those two are going to be just fine because this stuff does happen, but it happens more often than not in the locker room. You have it, it is frustration, and then it is over and you move on.”

On ESPN’s Get Up, former NFL Defensive Coordinator and Head Coach Rex Ryan commented, “I like what they said that they are brothers and that is going to happen. But I still think they got some issues. They are going to have to get it resolved and sit down man-to-man…”

Coach Ron Rivera had revealed in the post-game press conference he was unaware it had even transpired until he was informed about it later. Rivera also added he had already talked to both of Allen and Payne. When asked what the players had said to him, he quickly asserted, “What my players say to me is really nobody’s business.”

Washington embarrassed by Cowboys on Sunday Night Football

It was an embarrassing performance from Washington — from start to finish.

The Dallas Cowboys got off to another fast start, like they did two weeks ago against Washington.

However, tonight they did not lose their intensity and permit Washington back in the game, as the Cowboys routed Washington 56-14 on NBC Sunday Night Football at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

Dak Prescott found his receivers open all night, completing 28 of his 39 attempts for 330 yards and four touchdowns with no interceptions.

After having to punt on their first possession, Dallas then scored on five consecutive offensive possessions and threw in a DeMarcus Lawrence 40-yard interception return of Taylor Heinicke as well.

Dallas also scored on a tackle eligible pass that was wide open, and on a Tress Way punt being blocked.

Things were so bad for Washington during the first half that on the Washington bench, Daron Payne was seen poking Jonathan Allen on the left side of his face, to which then Allen rose to his feet and punched Payne. The two defensive tackles were then separated by teammates.

Washington appeared a step slow all night, not being able to cover Dallas receivers, nor slow down a terrorizing Cowboys’ pass rush that sacked Washington quarterbacks five times, added five additional QB hits and recorded a suffocating ten tackles for a loss.

When it was 35-7 in the second quarter, veteran play-by-plan announcer Al Michaels then interjected, “If this were a fight, it would be a TKO right now.”

Well, it wasn’t a boxing fight, and Dallas proceeded to score 21 more consecutive points before Washington finally scored on a John Bates’ reception and fumble recovery with just under three minutes to remaining.

Another thing that was disturbing was Heinicke taking a crown-of-the-helmet blow to his chest, kneeling on the turf and none of his linemen attempting to stand up for him or help him up to his feet.

Clearly, Dallas is the superior team, and Washington after winning four straight has now lost three consecutive games, to divisional rivals Dallas and Philadelphia.

 

Washington embarrassed, imploding on national TV

It was a nightmare first half for the Washington Football Team.

“If this were a fight, it would be a TKO right now”, said NBC play-by-play announcer Al Michaels during the first half of tonight’s Washington at Dallas NBC Sunday Night game of the week.

But it is not boxing, and the officials did not stop the slaughter.

Thus, Dallas stopped Washington again, and when they took over their next possession at the 11-yard line, Dak Prescott attempted 12 passes on the 12-play 89-yard drive concluding with a 13-yard touchdown to Amari Cooper and Dallas led 42-7.

42-7.

The 42 points for Dallas tied the most ever for the Cowboys in a half since they scored 42 against the Eagles October 19, 1969.

The Washington defense has provided absolutely no resistance to Dallas tonight. Prescott is 27-35 for 321 yards in one half! The Cowboys have also rushed for 73 yards on 15 carries (4.9 ypc).

The Washington defense has been totally embarrassed, and on the sidelines Daron Payne was seen speaking at Jonathan Allen poking him in the face, and Allen responded rising to his feet throwing a punch at Payne.

The team is imploding right before our eyes on national TV.

Meanwhile, the WFT offense has been controlled and frankly dominated by Dallas. Taylor Heinicke is only 5 for 14 for 93 yards and already has two interceptions, one a touchdown by Demarcus Lawrence on a 40-yard return.

The Dallas front seven is dominating Washington, penetrating and making life nothing short of miserable for Taylor Heinicke.

How much worse it may get, only time will tell.

 

 

Redskins ‘potential’ doesn’t impress new DC Jack Del Rio

Del Rio knows that the Redskins have a lot of talent on defense, but unless that brings results on the field it doesn’t mean much.

Much has been made about the need for Washington’s offense to take the next step into relevance with such a young core of high-ceiling players, but in order for the team to see instant results, it’s the defense that needs to step up to the plate.

After being projected by some to finish as a top-10 defense in 2019, the Redskins did nothing but disappoint. They finished the year ranked 27th in the NFL when it comes to total yards allowed and total points given up, and they were dead last in the league when it comes to third-down conversions, allowing opposing teams to move the chains 49 percent of the time.

With a stacked defensive line, a young and budding defensive secondary, and a potentially solid core of linebackers, the Redskins have great potential to be good in 2020. However, don’t mention that to Jack Del Rio, the new defensive coordinator in Washington. He doesn’t want to hear anything about potential. All that he cares about is results.

“It’s interesting to me that so much is made this time of year with thoughts on potential, Potential really doesn’t matter,” Del Rio said, via The Athletic.“It doesn’t really amount to much. To me, it’s more about what we can get done and the work that we’re willing to put in and the idea that ‘Look, we’re going to become a respected unit, OK?’ We’ve got to learn how to commit to doing what is best for each other and what is best for this football team.”

Del Rio has a point. Montez Sweat and Chase Young have the potential to be a force on the outside, terrorizing opposing quarterbacks, but it doesn’t mean squat if they’re rendered irrelevant by NFL offensive lineman. Daron Payne and Jonathan Allen have had their potential raved about for years now, but until it amounts to something on the field, how much is that helping the Redskins?

“I believe in having a defense that understands where it belongs, that is accountable to each other, that plays hard, that plays fast, that plays physical, that plays tough,” Del Rio said. “That toughness is not just a physical toughness but a mental toughness as well. We have a ways to go, and the communication is going to be important, and the understanding of how we all fit together is going to be important. Those are just some of the principles that I believe in.”

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