Tag: DE Clelin Ferrell

Commanders’ inactive list vs. Cardinals

The inactives are in for the Commanders and Cardinals.

Only 46 players are declared “active ” on the 53-man rosters each week, while the remaining are declared inactive.

Here are the inactive players for the Commanders and Cardinals today in Arizona for the 4:05 scheduled game.

COMMANDERS

  • QB Sam Hartman (emergency third quarterback): Naturally, Hartman will be inactive each week unless there is another quarterback injury.
  • S Darrick Forrest: This is the fourth consecutive week Forrest has been inactive; however, defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. publicly praised Forrest as a person and a player this week. He is certainly not in a proverbial doghouse.
  • RB Austin Ekeler: After a concussion in the Week 3 game in Cincinnati, Ekeler went through the NFL protocol this week.
  • LB Dominique Hampton: The rookie out of the U of Washington, is again “inactive” his fourth consecutive week.
  • G Chris Paul: Paul appeared in 11 NFL games prior to 2024 but has been inactive all four games this season.
  • WR Jamison Crowder: The former Duke receiver/returner has been active for the games against the Bucs and Bengals but inactive against the Giants and Cardinals.
  • DE Clelin Ferrell  The Richmond native has a knee injury that has him inactive the last two games (Bengals, Cardinals) after being active the first two games (Bucs and Giants).

CARDINALS

  • TE Trey McBride
  • DL Khyiris Tonga
  • S Darren Hall
  • LB Jesse Luketa
  • OL Jon Gaines II
  • WR Xavier Weaver
  • DL Naquan Jones

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.

Commanders’ Week 4 game captains and injury report

Quinn named three deserving captains and an injury update for the game at the Cardinals, Sunday.

Friday, Dan Quinn met with the media informing them of the Week 4 game captains and injuries update.

Quinn stated the captains for Sunday against the Cardinals will be guard Nick Allegretti, safety Quan Martin and running back Jeremy McNichols.

All three players have been praised this week, so it is no coincidence of their being rewarded this week. In the Week 3 win at Cincinnati, tight end Zach Ertz caught a Jayden Daniels pass, but fumbled when hit. Fortunately for the team, Allegretti was not standing there watching the play. No, immediately following the reception, Allegretti began running downfield to trail the play. When the loose ball hit the turf, there was Allegretti to alertly pounce on it, recovering Ertz’ fumble, keeping the drive alive.

Safety Quan Martin has been mentioned by name by defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. Whitt named Martin as one of his four players who are meeting the standard he set in training camp. Again this week, Whitt named Martin as a player Whitt really thinks is playing well.

McNichols seized the attention of coaches, teammates and fans for the way he played tough when called upon when Austin Ekeler was knocked out of the Bengals game with a concussion. In particular, on the 3rd & 7 with 2:15 remaining, when Daniels dropped back, the Bengals sent a couple of blitzers. McNichols picked up on blitzer, not only in the technical term, but literally lifted him off of the ground in a beautiful blitz pick up. This was the inside blitzer, who, had he not been picked up, Daniels would never have had time to make his game-winning touchdown toss to Terry McLaurin.

Those injured who will not play against the Cardinals? Quinn declared Clelin Ferrell (knee), Austin Ekeler (concussion) and Jamison Crowder (calf) as out for Sunday’s game.

Who are the Inactives for the Commanders vs the Bengals?

Each NFL team must list seven players inactive, allowing only 46 to be active during regular season games.

NFL teams rosters are 53 men; however, only 46 are active each game.

Here are the inactives for tonight’s Week 3 contest between the Washington Commanders and the Cincinnati Bengals.

COMMANDERS

  • CB Emmanuel Forbes
  • QB Sam Hartman
  • S Darrick Forrest
  • TE Colson Yankoff
  • LB Dominique Hampton
  • G Chris Paul
  • DE Clelin Ferrell

Dan Quinn mentioned Saturday that Emmanuel Forbes, recovering from thumb surgery, might return for Week 4.

Sam Hartman, barring injury, will most likely be inactive for all 17 games this season.

Darrick Forrest has yet to play in 2024, being inactive in all three games.

This is the first game Colson Yankoff is being listed as inactive.

This is the third consecutive game Hampton is an inactive player.

Chris Paul has been inactive for all three games in 2024.

This is the first game Clelin Ferrell is inactive (knee injury).

BENGALS

  • WR Trenton Irwin
  • G Jaxson Kirkland
  • TE Tanner McLachlan
  • TE Tanner Hudson
  • DT Sheldon Rankins
  • DT B.J. Hill

Clelin Ferrell ‘out’ for Commanders on Monday vs. Bengals

What does this mean for Jamin Davis and Javontae Jean-Baptiste?

Head coach Dan Quinn likes to be positive, but on Saturday, he announced that the Commanders would not have Clelin Ferrell on Monday.

The former Clemson defensive end started both of the first two games and also collected a quarterback sack in each game. However, Ferrell’s left knee problem is still lingering; therefore, he wasn’t able to practice Saturday, so the team has already declared he won’t be available Monday against the Bengals.

“He’s a warrior presence for us in terms of the toughness and all that he brings,” said Quinn. “But it just hasn’t turned quickly enough for him to be fully him.”

This is not good news, seeing that a key to Monday’s game is that the Commanders absolutely must get to quarterback Joe Burrow. If they don’t manufacture enough hurries, quarterback hits, and quarterback sacks, the Bengals’ receiving group will most likely dominate the Commanders secondary.

This would indicate that Jamin Davis, who was inactive against the Giants, will now fill Ferrell’s spot on the active roster against the Bengals. Quinn had ample opportunity to discuss this, but what is worth noting is how Quinn used his opportunity Saturday to refer to rookie end Javontae Jean-Baptiste.

“I would say with Javontae, I’ve really felt the pass rush starting to turn. He spent lots of time with (DL coach) Darryl (Tapp) and (pass rush specialist) Ryan (Kerrigan) over the last few weeks. And it doesn’t come at once; these bursts, they happen again. I felt that with him this week. He’ll get more reps, he’s earned them, he’s ready for it.”

Consequently, it appears Jean-Baptiste will get more of the snaps and that Davis and Dante Fowler will also get an increase in game snaps.

In the first two games, Ferrell had contributed four solo tackles, two tackles for loss, two quarterback hits, and two quarterback sacks.

 

The Commanders defense will look drastically different in Week 1

Washington’s defense will look drastically different on Sunday.

The Commanders wanted and needed a much different defense in 2024.

GM Adam Peters, head coach Dan Quinn and defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. are only starting three players at the same position this season. Jonathan Allen and Daron Payne are again at defensive tackle, while Benjamin St-Juste is again starting at corner.

If the Commanders start three corners against the Bucs, it will be St-Juste, Mike Sainristill, and Emmanuel Forbes. Forbes started six games in 2023, but Kendall Fuller started 15 and is now a Miami Dolphin.

https://Twitter.com/JayDanielsMVP/status/1827711554747523274

At safety, Kam Curl and Percy Butler have been replaced with Jeremy Chinn and Quan Martin. Martin has been moved from a nickel back to safety, and Butler is now a backup.

Last year’s linebackers, Cody Barton and Jamin Davis (13 starts each), have been replaced with new starters Frankie Luvu and Bobby Wagner. Dante Fowler has been listed as a 12th starter at outside linebacker/edge rusher.

Montez Sweat and Chase Young were traded for draft choices, and this year’s starters at defensive end are Clelin Ferrell and Dorance Armstrong.

Peters in that introductory press conference said when asked about the roster (after a pause) “…We have a lot of work to do.” Peters only had so many draft choices, so he made a couple of trades, signed many free agents, and most to one-year deals. The man has been industrious because he realized he needed to be.

The defense is thus undergoing a major remodel, mostly a remake, a revamp. But more importantly, it had to be upgraded. Considering they gave up the most passing touchdowns and the most points in the league last year, this defense needed to be overhauled and rehabilitated.

Peters has done the work on paper. What Quinn and Whitt have accomplished on the practice field and in the meeting rooms remains to be seen.

Here’s hoping that on Sunday, the restored and reassembled defense gets off to a good start.

Several Commanders defenders must stand out vs. Dolphins

Some defensive players who need to stand out against the Dolphins.

It’s not too complicated; who was the worst defense in the NFL last season?

For starters, the Commanders gave up the most in the entire league, surrendering 518 points.

If that is not enough, the Commanders surrendered 6,612 yards, and the closest to Washington was the Bengals, with 6,368. Imagine giving up 5.9 yards every play, and that’s just what the Commanders did, second only to the Bengals, who surrendered 6.0.

The passing defense was so bad that it gave up 4,447 passing yards (dead last) and 39 passing touchdowns, again, dead last.

Saturday against the Dolphins, some returning players are going to need to stand up and frankly show they want to make the 53-man roster. So, let’s start by looking up front at who needs to make a good impression.

Defensive tackle Phidarian Mathis was a second-round Ron Rivera selection (2022), and he needs some good tape soon. Returning ends KJ Henry and Andre Jones, chosen by Rivera in 2023, need to make some plays if they are to convince coaches not to replace them.

Not to be overlooked is defensive end Clelin Ferrell. He was not drafted by Rivera but signed by Adam Peters as a free agent. Amazingly, the Raiders selected him 4th overall in 2019. Yet, he only received a one-year deal from the Commanders that no one else was looking to better. Ferrell needs to show Dan Quinn and Peters he can play effectively, producing a pass rush on the edge.

Then there is Jamin Davis. He is going to see time again at defensive end. Davis made some nice plays against the run while also giving up a big run of 20 yards. He has also been working with assistant coach Ryan Kerrigan, attempting to learn and develop some pass-rushing moves.

Peters said he had a lot of work to do when he took the job, rebuilding the roster. It’s up to these players to step up and keep their jobs and their place in the NFL.

 

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 new DE Clelin Ferrell: ‘I don’t expect anything’

Clelin Ferrell grew up a Washington fan and fondly recalls some of his memories.

The Commanders have signed an NFL player who grew up a Washington Redskins fan.

Former San Franciso 49ers defensive end Clelin Ferrell, who last week signed a one-year deal with Washington, met with the media on Monday.

Ferrell talked of growing up in Richmond, of attending some training camp days back when the Redskins trained in Richmond.

He also mentioned that he was actually in attendance at the 2012 season Playoff game at FedEx Field between Seattle and Washington. That game took place on January 6, 2013. Consequently, Ferrell was a 15-year-old high school student.

Today, 11 years after that playoff loss to the Seahawks, Ferrell sat before the media, enjoying the fact that he was now, for the first time, a part of the Washington franchise.

“I wanted to be a part of a place where we could really build, and what better place than where I grew up?”

His assistant defensive line coach in San Francisco was Darryl Tapp. Tapp played for the Redskins for one season (2013). When asked if Tapp coming to the Commanders coaching staff influenced his decision to play for Washington, Ferrell responded, “It was major. He is one of the biggest reasons why I am here. Obviously Tapps is homegrown too, he’s from Virginia…He’s someone who can bring the best out of me.”

Ferrell, who played his college ball at Clemson, was selected fourth overall by the Raiders in the 2019 NFL draft. His career has not gone as anticipated for one being drafted so high.

In his four seasons with the Raiders, he started 15 games in his first season, and 11 in his second. Though he played in 16 and 17 games his last two Raiders seasons, he started only a startling 0 and 4 games.

In his one season with the 49ers (2023), he started all 17 games, produced 3.5 sacks, 6 tackles for a loss, and 13 QB hits. These are not what was expected for a fourth-overall selection.

He turns 27 in May, yet there remains the fact that Adam Peters still only offered Ferrell this one-year deal and that Ferrell accepted the offer. In being the fourth overall selection five seasons ago, did he apparently not receive a three-year deal that would have taken him through his age-29 season?

GM Adam Peters, in signing Ferrell to this one-year contract, has provided Ferrell with an incentive to produce. If he produces enough, he will have the opportunity to sign another contract.

When asked what he expects from his role with the Commanders, Ferrell responded, “I don’t expect anything. I think for me the biggest thing is that I am going to earn everything I get. I know we start on April 2…In the end, I want to be somebody who is respected, who earns everything that anyone gives them.”