Tag: Doug Williams

One year ago, Commanders name Dan Quinn new head coach

Looking back on the one year anniversary of the Commanders hiring Dan Quinn.

“We’re going to start right now; the first thing is a head coach; we’ve got to find a great head coach.”

That’s what Adam Peters said the day he was hired to be the new Commanders general manager.

One year ago, on February 3, the new coach Peters had found was announced as Daniel Patrick Quinn.

In the night, Quinn and his wife, Stacey, were greeted walking off the airplane by Peters and his wife, Jennifer.

The following day, Quinn walked into the Ashburn team facility to be greeted by Peters, Jason Wright, Doug Williams, and many employees. In the lobby, Peters pointed to the three Super Bowl Trophies won by Joe Gibbs (1982, 1987, 1991), and Quinn responded, “Makes us think about it every day when we walk in.”

Quinn received a phone call. It was Gibbs who began, “Hey, welcome aboard, man. Here we go, here we go.” Gibbs had arrived in 1981 to a team that had not made the playoffs since 1976 and had finished 6-10 in 1980 under Jack Pardee.

Quinn told Gibbs he had thought about Gibbs driving up to the facility and walking into his old office. Quinn thanked Gibbs for giving him some time to talk to Quinn when he became head coach of the Falcons and that it meant a lot to Quinn.

At his press conference, he said it was a privilege to have been chosen to coach for this franchise and that he realized it takes time to build trust from the fan base, players, staff, and entire organization. But he couldn’t wait to start earning that trust.

“There is nothing I enjoy more than doing hard s–t with good people,” said Quinn…We will hit the ground running; there is lots to do.”

Quinn then stressed, “You will not hear me say the word ‘rebuild’ at all. This is a ‘recalibrate,’ finding our north again.”

“I want to make sure, above all things, that our identity takes place about how we play football. You’ve got to be bold; you’ve got to be aggressive. When people watch us play, they know what Commanders football looks like.”

“We are going to be explosive; we are going to be physical. There’s a lot to get done, but I honestly do not see that word as part of my thinking at all.”

That was Dan Quinn’s first day on the job, one year ago, February 3, 2024.

Quinn names Commanders’ captains for postseason

And a very special honorary captain.

Dan Quinn continued his Friday tradition of naming the captains for the upcoming Commanders game.

During the regular season, Quinn, on Fridays, would name the three captains for that weekend’s game. This time, Quinn announced there would be five captains, not three. In addition, he referred to them as “captains elected by the team.” The five captains are WR Terry McLaurin, LB Bobby Wagner, TE Zach Ertz, S Jeremy Reaves, and QB Jayden Daniels. Quinn then announced that Doug Williams would serve as an honorary captain.

McLaurin, age 29, and in his sixth season, led the team with 82 receptions, 1,096 yards, 13 receiving touchdowns, 13.4 yards per reception, and 56 first downs.

Wagner, age 34, led the team in tackles (132), solo tackles (75), assists (57), and tied for the team lead in fumble recoveries (2).

Ertz,, also 34, stayed healthy enough to start and play all 17 games, catching 66 passes for seven touchdowns and 38 first downs.

Reaves is still recognized by his teammates as a leader on the coverage units. Quinn Friday told of how, in the very first OTA, Reaves came to work right away and impressed Quinn with an interception he made that day.

Daniels is the only rookie to be named a postseason captain. He rushed for 891 yards, an average of 6.0 per carry. He also passed for 3,568 yards, completing 69 percent for 25 passing touchdowns and nine interceptions. Quinn stated, “I thought, what a great tribute by his teammates to name him. I thought just humble; he’s hungry and ready for the moment.”

Quinn said he “added a captain,” referring to Williams, who serves as Senior Advisor to the General Manager Adam Peters. “And I think it’s hard to describe his impact on our team, his support, and I love that dude.”

Quinn expressed Daniels and Williams are “very connected and it’s nice for both of them to see this relationship…That’s their relationship, and so the only things, whether it’s quarterback-wise or being in this community, that Doug has a special lens for that. And I think he is the best person to share that. And you feel Doug’s support.”

Commanders safety Jeremy Reaves wins prestigious award

It’s the latest honor for the beloved Reaves.

Tuesday, the Commanders announced their 2024 Ed Block Courage Award recipient is veteran safety Jeremy Reaves.

Each December, NFL teams vote for the player from their team who is a role model in courage, inspiration and sportsmanship.

Reaves, 28, played his college ball at South Alabama and went undrafted by all 32 NFL teams.

Although he has been released several times during his career, he illustrates what can happen when a player works hard, keeps coming back, and contributes to Washington. He has played in 60 NFL games, starting 11.

Block was an athletic trainer for the old Baltimore Colts from the 1954-1977 seasons after serving as a U.S. Army officer in World War II. He was also a physical therapist for disabled children in Baltimore.

Next March, the recipient from each of the 32 teams will receive their award at a banquet in Baltimore. Reaves and the other award winners will receive a helmet engraved with his name, team, and season. The helmet also included the team’s logo.

The NFL began presenting the award during the 1984 season, and the Redskins’ first recipient was offensive tackle Mark May. Last year, the Commanders voted offensive lineman Tyler Larsen as the winner.

Some other notable Washington Redskins / Commanders to have been voted to receive the award were:

  • Doug Williams 1988
  • Joe Jacoby 1990
  • Don Warren 1991
  • Art Monk 1993
  • Mark Schlereth 1994
  • Darrell Green 1998
  • Chris Samuels 2002
  • Marcus Washington 2007
  • Robert Griffin 2013
  • DeAngelo Hall 2017
  • Alex Smith 2019
  • Brandon Scherff 2020
  • Brian Robinson Jr 2022

Former Bucs QB named as semi-finalist for Pro Football Hall of Fame

The Bucs can add another name to the fold in the form of a contributor role from one of their earlier quarterbacks in franchise history.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have a long and storied history, including several Hall of Famers like Ronde Barber, Derrick Brooks, and Lee Roy Selmon. In 2025, the Bucs can add another name to the fold in the form of a contributor role from one of their earlier quarterbacks in franchise history.

The Pro Football Hall of Fame announced nine semi-finalists for its contributor induction spot, and former Bucs quarterback Doug Williams made the cut.

Williams played quarterback for the Bucs from 1978 to 1982. He passed for 73 touchdowns and went 33-33-1 as the team’s starter. He parlayed his time in Tampa Bay into time in Washington, where he made history as the first to start in and win a Super Bowl, he was also named the MVP in that Super Bowl.

Since his playing time ended, he has worked in several front offices and has played a major role in increasing the chances of black quarterbacks succeeding.

Doug Williams one step closer to the Pro Football Hall of Fame

Could Doug Williams land in the Pro Football Hall of Fame?

Who will be the next member of the Washington NFL organization to enter the hallowed halls of the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio?

Will it be Brian Mitchell, London Fletcher, Joe Jacoby, or someone else?

Or could it be Doug Williams?

On Wednesday, the Pro Football Hall of Fame trimmed its list from 47 to 25 candidates in the contributor category for selection into the 2025 class. Williams was one of those 25 nominees.

Here’s what the HOF statement said about Williams’ candidacy:

Career with Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1978-1982) and Washington Redskins (1986-89) included historic moment as first Black quarterback to start and win a Super Bowl (XXII) with an MVP performance; credited with creating opportunities for future Black athletes

In addition to his outstanding playing career, Williams had two successful stints as a college head coach at his alma mater (Grambling) before returning to the NFL and working in personnel. Williams returned to Washington in 2014 as a personnel executive. He’s remained with the franchise since and is currently a senior advisor to general manager Adam Peters.

The next step is for the Hall’s Contributor Blue-Ribbon Committee to trim the list to nine names, which will happen in two weeks. Ultimately, the process will end with one of these 25 names going into the 2025 Pro Football Hall of Fame class.

Michael Vick interview with Commanders QB Jayden Daniels will air ahead of Week 5

Vick and Daniels even took a photo with the legendary Doug Williams.

Jayden Daniels is having a record start to his NFL career. Daniels has the Washington Commanders at 3-1 and has completed 82.1% of his passes for 897 yards with three passing touchdowns. He’s also rushed for four touchdowns.

Daniels is the talk of the NFL, not only for his terrific play but because he has immediately helped transform the Commanders from a doormat to an NFC contender.

Everyone wants to talk about Daniels. Everyone wants to talk to Daniels. Recently, legendary dual-threat quarterback Michael Vick traveled to Ashburn to visit with Daniels. Vick works for FOX Sports and sat down with Daniels in an interview that will air ahead of Sunday’s Week 5 game against the Cleveland Browns.

Daniels and Vick exchanged signed jerseys and took a photo that went viral on Wednesday. Doug Williams, Washington’s legendary quarterback who is now a team executive, posted a photo of the three from Commanders’ headquarters.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DAn08P5xpN2/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

Williams wrote the following:

Man what a blessing… Mike Vick visited Park yesterday and it was great!!! What’s the chances of being able to jump in a photo with these guys/ what a blessing… it’s just good to see where we have come, once you are afforded an OPPORTUNITY…. Say no more

The Commanders shared the photo on their X page.

To catch the interview, tune into FOX at Noon ET on Sunday.

Lamar Jackson to be featured in Michael Vick’s docuseries on evolution of the black QB

Former Philadelphia Eagles star Michael Vick to lead a new, 8-part Amazon Prime docuseries on the evolution of the Black quarterback in America

Michael Vick, the executive producer, will be coming to a television screen near you, thanks to a partnership between the former No. 1 overall pick and SMAC Productions–Fubo Studios.

NFL on Prime Video announced Vick’s new, 8-part docuseries on the evolution of the Black quarterback in America, which will premiere September 24.

He will interview players and coaches in the docuseries, including Patrick Mahomes, Cam Newton, Warren Moon, Doug Williams, Tony Dungy, and Andy Reid.

It’s the first project for the newly formed Fubo Studios.

“I’m excited to be a part of this project because as a kid, I just wanted to have a shot at playing in the National Football League. Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would be the first African American quarterback drafted #1. I know that was a big step for us in society,” Vick said in a statement. “I was always told that I revolutionized the quarterback position, but I also like to give credit to the ones who I idolized as a kid and who paved the way like Randall Cunningham, Steve McNair, and Donovan McNabb. When you look at the evolution of the Black quarterback, it’s because of the people that came before us. And now, I’m thankful for the dual threat concept that has changed the game for the better.”

The Fox NFL analyst and his wife, Kijafa Vick, SMAC Productions’ Constance Schwartz-Morini, and Fubo Studios’ David Gandler and Pamela Duckworth serve as executive producers. Fred Anthony Smith, vice president of non-scripted at SMAC Entertainment, is set to direct and executive produce the series.

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Several former Eagles to appear in Michael Vick’s docuseries on evolution of the black QB

Former Philadelphia Eagles star Michael Vick to lead a new, 8-part Amazon Prime docuseries on the evolution of the Black quarterback in America

The NFL was a league that once had a dark history of slighting and disrespecting black quarterbacks. Still, Philadelphia and the Eagles organization has been the gold standard in reversing the trend.

The Eagles made Randall Cunningham the franchise’s first black quarterback.

Drafted 37th overall in the 1985 NFL draft, Cunningham played 11 seasons in Philly before injuries caused him to be benched in favor of another black quarterback, Rodney Peete, in 1995.

Cunningham, Peete, Donovan McNabb, and Michael Vick led Eagles teams to the playoffs. Vince Young spent a season with the franchise, and Jalen Hurts has taken over the reins from Carson Wentz this season as he looks to lock in his spot long-term.

Michael Vick, the executive producer, will be coming to a television screen near you, thanks to a partnership between the former No. 1 overall pick and SMAC Productions–Fubo Studios.

NFL on Prime Video announced Vick’s new, 8-part docuseries on the evolution of the Black quarterback in America, which will premiere September 24.

He will interview players and coaches in the docuseries, including Patrick Mahomes, Cam Newton, Warren Moon, Doug Williams, Tony Dungy, and Andy Reid.

https://Twitter.com/NFLonPrime/status/1830591759837229309

It’s the first project for the newly formed Fubo Studios.

“I’m excited to be a part of this project because as a kid, I just wanted to have a shot at playing in the National Football League. Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would be the first African American quarterback drafted #1. I know that was a big step for us in society,” Vick said in a statement. “I was always told that I revolutionized the quarterback position, but I also like to give credit to the ones who I idolized as a kid and who paved the way like Randall Cunningham, Steve McNair, and Donovan McNabb. When you look at the evolution of the Black quarterback, it’s because of the people that came before us. And now, I’m thankful for the dual threat concept that has changed the game for the better.”

The Fox NFL analyst and his wife, Kijafa Vick, SMAC Productions’ Constance Schwartz-Morini, and Fubo Studios’ David Gandler and Pamela Duckworth serve as executive producers. Fred Anthony Smith, vice president of non-scripted at SMAC Entertainment, is set to direct and executive produce the series.

WATCH: Commanders QB Jayden Daniels arrives at first game in Doug Williams jersey

Jayden Daniels showed up to his first NFL start in style.

Washington Commanders rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels arrived at his first NFL game in style. The Commanders play the New York Jets at MetLife in the 2024 preseason opener, and Daniels arrived wearing Doug Williams’ iconic No. 17 jersey.

Williams, of course, played for Washington from 1986-89 and led the franchise to a 42-10 win over the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl XXII. He completed 18 of 29 passes for 340 yards and four touchdowns and was named Super Bowl MVP.

Williams returned to the organization in 2014 where he has served in numerous roles. New general manager Adam Peters named Williams his senior advisor this offseason.

The legendary Williams has served as a mentor to Daniels since their arrival in April’s NFL draft.

Daniels led the Commanders to a touchdown on his first drive as an NFL quarterback.

Commanders announce several moves, including promotions

Doug Williams has a new role, too.

It’s been a busy offseason for the Washington Commanders. It all began on Jan. 8, when owner Josh Harris fired head coach Ron Rivera. Within a week, Harris hired general manager Adam Peters to start a new era.

Next came the hiring of head coach Dan Quinn, who hired an impressive coaching staff. Peters essentially left the front office intact, except for hiring Lance Newmark away from the Detroit Lions as his new assistant general manager.

The lack of front-office movement was no surprise, considering every NFL team was in the middle of draft preparation. Scouts and executives usually have contracts that run through the NFL draft, meaning that type of movement is reserved for after the draft.

Once the draft ended and the calendar turned to May, Peters began making moves to shape the front office in his vision. Several former executives and scouts were allowed to depart, and Peters replaced them with qualified and respected candidates from across the NFL.

On Tuesday, the most newsworthy item was Washington and vice president of football strategy Eugene Shen parting ways. Shen was hired in October to lead Washington’s analytics program under Harris. However, Peters hired Brandon Sosna away from Detroit last month as the new senior vice president of football operations. Sosna will lead the analytics department.

The Commanders and Shen parted on amicable terms and it appears as if he could be moving into another role for Harris Blitzer Sports Entertainment.

Several in the organization received promotions, including Sean DeBarbieri to vice president of football communications. Rob Rogers, who was Washington’s chief contract negotiator, goes from senior vice president of football administration to VP of football administration. Rogers will likely report to Sosna and, of course, Peters.

Also, team legend Doug Williams, who has held several different roles in the organization since his return to the front office in 2014, is now a senior advisor to Peters and not team president Jason Wright. Peters mentioned Williams specifically after the draft

Under former coach Ron Rivera, Williams was removed from the personnel department in 2020, a move Peters reversed.

Here’s a look at the new moves the Commanders announced on Tuesday.

Washington Commanders