What has happened since the Commanders opened on the road?

A lot has happened since the last time Washington opened a season on the road.

The Commanders will open their 2024 season at Tampa on September 8.

How long has it been since the NFL Washington team opened an NFL season on the road?

Well, put it this way: Jay Gruden was the head coach, and Case Keenum was the starting quarterback. Keenum’s backups were Colt McCoy and Dwayne Haskins.

Terry McLaurin was playing in his first NFL regular season game, and the two running backs who had carries for Washington that day were Derrius Guice and Chris Thompson.

McLaurin made a huge splash debut into the NFL that day, catching five passes on seven targets for 125 yards, including a 69-yard touchdown from Keenum. The other receivers catching passes that day other than McLaurin were Vernon Davis, Paul Richardson, Trey Quinn, Kelvin Harmon and Jeremy Sprinkle.

Washington had traveled to Philadelphia to open the 2019 season and started magnificently. Keenum connected with Davis on a 48-yard touchdown and McLaurin on a 69-yard touchdown. Plus, Dustin Hopkins’ 41-yard field goal was sandwiched between, and the Redskins were beating the Eagles at Lincoln Field 17-0.

When Hopkins booted a 48-yarder on the closing play of the first half, the Redskins led the Eagles 20-7. However, Carson Wentz led the Eagles to 25 consecutive second-half points for a 32-20 fourth-quarter lead. The final was Eagles 32-27 over the Redskins.

A great first half had launched the season with great hope and excitement. However, the second half would be a microcosm of the season, as the Redskins began 0-5, and Gruden was fired.

Things were so bad in 2019 when the Dolphins were unsuccessful on a game-ending two-point conversion attempt; it actually saved the Redskins from starting the season 0-10.

The dreadful season saw Haskins celebrating with fans and thus missing the final possession for the victory formation snap against the Lions. The silly act was a sign of Haskins’s future actions with Washington, which resulted in his not lasting two seasons before being released.

In a bizarre twist, the following Sunday, the Redskins went down to Charlotte, defeated the Panthers 29-21, resulting in Ron Rivera being fired by Carolina’s new owner David Tepper.

Washington owner Daniel Snyder hired Rivera as the team’s next head coach one month later. Snyder strangely kicked off the press conference with a mysterious “Happy Thanksgiving, Everybody.”

Next summer, Federal Express owner and Redskins minority owner Fred Smith challenged Snyder that the team needed to change its name from the historic “Redskins.” Nike and Pepsi soon hopped on that bandwagon, pressing Snyder to cave, and the “Redskins” were history.

Rivera then coached the Washington Football Team/Washington Commanders to four consecutive losing seasons and was subsequently fired by new majority owner Josh Harris.

Harris then hired Adam Peters as general manager and Dan Quinn as head coach, who hired his coaching staff. Sam Howell was traded to Seattle, and Peters blew up the roster, signed many free agents, and drafted nine new college players, including LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels, who won the Heisman Trophy.

Isn’t that a tremendous amount of water under the bridge since the last time Washington opened an NFL season on the road?

 

When they last met: Commanders and Jets

These teams last met in 2019 and it was ugly.

“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.

NY Jets 34, Washington 17 – Week 11, November 17, 2019

Sam Darnold passed for four touchdown passes as the Jets easily defeated the Redskins 34-17 at FedEx Field.

This was one of the more embarrassing games of 2019 as the Jets actually led at one point 34-3 before two late Washington touchdowns made the final score closer than the actual game.

The game was so lopsided that the Jets actually outgained Washington 400-225 in total offensive yards. Darnold completed 19 of his 30 passing attempts for 293 yards, four touchdown passes and one interception. His day computed to a passer’s rating of 121.2.

On the other hand, Dwayne Haskins also completed 19 passes in his 35 passing attempts for 214 yards, two late touchdowns and one interception for a 79.9 passer rating.

The Jets rushing attack was led by Le’Veon Bell as he gained 59 yards in 18 carries and Bilal Powell rushed for 42 yards on 7 carries. The Washington running game was very anemic all day as Adrian Peterson could only generate 25 yards in his 9 carries, and likewise, Derrius Guice only accumulated 24 yards in his 7 carries.

Trailing 34-3 in the final quarter, Haskins connected with Guice on a 45-yard touchdown pass. Then, with only 1:11 remaining, Haskins found tight end Jeremy Sprinkle for a one-yard touchdown to conclude the scoring.

LSU has a strong claim as Running Back U, according to ESPN

The Tigers have had no shortage of talent in the backfield over the years.

Though arguably the most notable LSU grad playing in the NFL right now is a quarterback ([autotag]Joe Burrow[/autotag]), passing the ball has not exactly been the Tigers’ identity over the years.

Instead, this school has tended to produce talented running backs, and quite a few of them, at that. In ESPN’s annual Position U rankings, which use data since 1998 to determine which school has been the most successful in producing running back talent, LSU ranked third behind Alabama and Wisconsin.

It’s easy to see why. Between recent players like [autotag]Leonard Fournette[/autotag], [autotag]Clyde Edwards-Helaire[/autotag], [autotag]Derrius Guice[/autotag] and [autotag]Jeremy Hill[/autotag] and older ones like [autotag]Kevin Faulk[/autotag], there’s been no shortage of running back talent in Baton Rouge.

This season is no different. Despite having a potential All-SEC QB coming back in [autotag]Jayden Daniels[/autotag], this team has a loaded backfield with guys like [autotag]Josh Williams[/autotag], [autotag]Armoni Goodwin[/autotag], [autotag]Logan Diggs[/autotag], [autotag]Noah Cain[/autotag] and [autotag]John Emery Jr.[/autotag] — along with others.

The ground game looks like it will remain a key part of LSU’s offensive identity during the [autotag]Brian Kelly[/autotag] era.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1389]

Contact/Follow us @LSUTigersWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Louisiana State news, notes, and opinions.

Follow Tyler to continue the conversation on Twitter: @TylerNettuno

Who are the best running back duos in LSU history

In the history of the program, LSU has had its fair share of one-two punches at the tailback position.

Two good running backs are better than one.

In the history of the program, LSU has had its fair share of one-two punches at the tailback position. It’s been needed since running back is often a spot where the starter gets banged up.

The SEC was all about the ground game until about five years ago. You needed these running backs to win. In 2004, Auburn rode Ronnie Brown and Cadillac Williams to an undefeated season. The Alabama dynasty was built on having depth at running back.

Here are some of the best running back duos in the history of LSU football.

Washington’s recent history of 2nd-round picks is not very encouraging

Washington has struggled with 2nd-round selections in the last decade. Hopefully, Sam Cosmi was the start of a more successful trend.

We are all certainly hoping tonight that with the 47th overall selection in the 2022 NFL draft, Washington will get it right by finding a productive contributor.

It can’t be ignored, that Washington has experienced many a nightmare when it comes to second-round selections in the last decade. Hopefully last year’s pick, Sam Cosmi, was the start of a more successful trend.

Who are the last 10 players Washington has selected in the second round?

Samuel Cosmi (2021), Derrius Guice (2018), Ryan Anderson (2017), Su’a Cravens (2016), Preston Smith (2015), Trent Murphy (2014), David Amerson (2013), Jarvis Jenkins (2011), Devin Thomas, Fred Davis, Malcom Kelly (2008).

Ok, that was 11, not 10. But how can I talk about Washington’s second-round picks while excluding the horrible memory of the 2008 draft? All three players were receivers (Davis a USC tight end), and endured very disappointing careers. Thomas never flashed, was just a guy. Davis started well, but character issues resulted in a crash and burn sadly for him.

Kelly? Why was he ever drafted in Round 2 when at the time, there were injury concerns? Even worse was when it leaked out some of the football staff actually voiced they wanted to draft Jamaal Charles but were overruled. For younger readers, Charles (Texas) was a four-time Pro Bowler, two-time All-Pro, rushed for 7,563 yards, 44 rushing touchdowns and averaged an impressive 5.4 yards per carry.

Jenkins (Clemson DE) was largely ineffective his entire three years in Washington, even getting suspended for violating the league’s policy on performance-enhancing substances.

Amerson (NC State CB) played on three teams in his six NFL seasons, even later admitting that while with Washington, he had spent many nights playing video games instead of studying opponents and getting enough sleep.

Murphy (Stanford DE) was drafted when Washington traded back with Dallas, who drafted DeMarcus Lawrence. Murphy had some moments but faded, and he too was suspended for violating the league’s policy on performance-enhancing drugs.

Cravens (USC LB) very early revealed himself to have emotional issues and was traded after only one season, only lasting one season in Denver as well.

Anderson (Alabama LB) didn’t start a game his first two seasons, forced five fumbles in season three, but struggled in his fourth and final season.

Guice (LSU RB) was such a train wreck, he was arrested on domestic violence charges, tore an ACL, only played in five games and even LSU erased his stats from their record books because of inappropriate behavior.

Only Preston Smith and Samuel Cosmi look to have been good second-round selections for Washington. Smith in four seasons accumulated 59 QB hits and 24.5 sacks, but he was not resigned and Green Bay wasted no time signing him. Cosmi (Texas OT) only played in nine games in 2021 (started all nine), but performed quite well, and looks to have a promising future as a Commander in the NFL.

Former Washington RB Derrius Guice planning a comeback

Derrius Guice is looking for another chance in the NFL.

Former Washington running back Derrius Guice is planning on an NFL comeback.

The 5-foot-11, 220 pound Guice, a second-round pick in 2018 out of LSU, missed his entire rookie season injuring his knee (ACL) vs the Patriots in the preseason.

He also missed most of 2019, then had a huge game at Carolina, gaining 129 yards, scoring two touchdowns on only 10 rushing attempts. Ironically it was this Washington win over Carolina that resulted in Ron Rivera being fired.

Guice was injured again the very next week against Green Bay, went back on injured reserve (IR), and unbelievably has played in only five NFL games.

On their radio program Monday, J.P. Finlay noted that Guice had more IR stints than NFL touchdowns. Brian Mitchell joked, Guice had more IR stints than Mitchell did in his 14-year NFL career.

Guice, who is still only age 24, worked out for a group of NFL scouts at a California HUB camp. But talking only about the injuries for Guice avoids the troubling aspect of Guice.

Guice was suspended by the NFL for six games because of his violation of the personal conduct policy due to off-field troubles. There was a felony charge, four misdemeanors regarding domestic violence toward his girlfriend and destruction of property. Washington released Guice only two hours after hearing of his arrest on August 7, 2020. Washington obviously had heard of other incidents, and immediately severed their ties with Guice.

Guice never stood trial; thus he was never proven guilty by a trial, nor was he proven innocent. There was a financial settlement that essentially ended the case, and the charges were subsequently dropped in 2021.

The “other incidents” were at LSU, accusations that Guice has repeatedly denied. But if objective thinkers, don’t we have to ask ourselves, why would LSU go as far as literally removing Derrius Guice’s name from their record books?

Guice had been accused of sexual misconduct at LSU; the university looked into it enough that they made the determination to actually erase his accomplishments while part of the LSU football program. Have you ever heard of such?

Guice displayed talent and toughness in his brief NFL first act. Seeing he would come cheap, being able to sign as a free agent, it is likely Guice will be signed and given another chance by an NFL franchise.

 

Tyrion Davis-Price breaks LSU single-game rushing record

Tyrion Davis-Price sets a school record for LSU with 287 rushing yards against Florida

Tyrion Davis-Price broke LSU’s school single-game rushing mark by shredding Florida’s defense for 287 yards.

The Tigers downed the Gators, 49-42, amid much buzz over the status of Coach Ed Orgeron’s position.

Much of it was thanks to Davis-Price, who carried the ball 36 times and scored 3 touchdowns. He had an 18-yard scoring run in the second quarter, a 40-yarder in the third, and a 25-yard scamper in the fourth.

What is interesting is the ESPN broadcast said Davis-Price broke Leonard Fournette’s mark of 284 yards.

However, a look at the school media guide shows a rushing performance of 285 yards credited to LSU.

That performance and three of the top four are credited to LSU. Some research shows Derrius Guice had a 285-yard game in 2016 against Texas A&M.

Guice was a central name in the school’s sexual harassment scandal and is banned by LSU.

Davis-Price with some impressive stats for a Tigers team that needed a victory.

By the numbers: How running backs have performed under Ed Orgeron

Looking at the numbers for running backs in the career of Ed Orgeron.

At LSU, playing running back has some big shoes to fill. It dates back to the first-ever No. 1 overall draft pick in school history, Billy Cannon. He was selected by the Los Angeles Rams in the 1960 NFL draft. Cannon was also taken by the Houston Oilers in the AFL, where he spent his first four seasons. He also played for the Raiders and Chiefs in his 11-year career.

Other top backs include Leonard Fournette, Kevin Faulk, Dalton Hilliard, Joseph Ossai, Spencer Ware, and the latest being Clyde Edwards-Helaire. This season the duo of Tyrion Davis-Price and John Emery Jr looks to be next on the list. They need to have much better campaigns than they did a season ago.

[lawrence-related id=23103]

[listicle id=23085]

Much as we did with the quarterbacks, a look at the leading rusher for Ed Orgeron every year as a head coach.

Former Washington running back Derrius Guice suspended 6 games by the NFL

Former Washington running back Derrius Guice was suspended six games by the NFL.

The NFL suspended former Washington running back Derrius Guice for six games for violating the league’s personal conduct policy.

Guice was arrested last summer in Virginia after being charged with one felony count of strangulation and three counts of assault and battery due to three separate domestic violence incidents in 2020 involving his ex-girlfriend.

Washington released Guice shortly after his arrest.

The felony strangulation charge was dropped earlier this year and the other charges were dropped this summer when Guice and the woman reached a settlement.

Guice has faced his share of troubles in recent years. Two women accused Guice of rape during his time at LSU.

Guice was drafted in the second round of the 2018 NFL draft and missed his rookie season with a knee injury. He appeared in five games for Washington in 2019, rushing for 245 yards and scoring three total touchdowns.

 

A look at the LSU Tigers all-time leading rushers in school history

Plenty of notable running backs have played at LSU, but which Tigers are among the best ever?

There have been plenty of notable running backs throughout the years to come through Baton Rouge, Lousiana. One of the more notable names in Louisiana State Tigers history didn’t have eye-popping numbers by today’s standards but he made his mark. Billy Cannon was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame, was named a two-time SEC Player of the Year, and won the Heisman Trophy in 1959. His No. 20 jersey was retired by the Tigers.

From Billy Cannon to Clyde Edwards-Helaire and everywhere in between, the Tigers have seen success in their running game. Notable names that went onto the NFL include Leonard Fournette, Derrius Guice, Kevin Faulk, Joseph Addi, and Jeremy Hill.

LSU Wire breaks down the all-time leading rushers in Tigers history: