Tag: DT Daron Payne

Top Commanders’ starter misses Friday’s practice: Questionable vs. Saints

Could the Commanders be without a key defensive starter vs. Saints?

This time of year, every NFL team has several players battling various injuries, bumps, and bruises.

There are no exceptions; the truth is that some teams have more injuries than others. In the last two games, the Commanders have lost running back Austin Ekeler and wide receiver Noah Brown for the remainder of the regular season.

During his weekly Friday press conference, head coach Dan Quinn was asked if anyone would be listed as out or questionable for the game. Quinn responded, “Noah [Brown], and then yeah, we’ll have the rest of it later, but Noah will be the one.”

Actually, on Friday, there was one more name worth mentioning that Quinn did not say. Starting defensive tackle Daron Payne (injured back) did not practice, and he was, consequently, listed as “questionable” for Sunday’s game in New Orleans against the Saints.

Slightly injured players are most often given a day off/rest day earlier in the week. They then practice on Friday in preparation for the upcoming game. Consequently, Payne’s not practicing on Friday raises questions about Sunday.

The former Alabama DT had his best year in 2022 when he registered 64 tackles, 18 tackles for a loss, 11.5 QB sacks, and 20 QB hits. He was rewarded with a four-year deal in March of 2023.

In 2023, those numbers decreased to 53 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, four quarterback sacks, and 11 quarterback hits.

Thus far, Payne has played in all 13 games this season and recorded 33 tackles, three tackles for loss, three quarterback sacks, and five quarterback hits.

Brown was listed as “out” for the Saints game. The prevailing thought is that the Commanders will place Brown on injured reserve if they decide to make a roster addition on Saturday.

Quick facts from Commanders’ 18-15 win over the Bears

Some quick facts from Commanders’ win over Bears.

The Commanders were entirely outplayed in the final quarter, gave up the lead, and yet won with a final Hail Mary to beat the Bears 18-15 at Northwest Stadium.

Here are some of the quick facts from the sixth win of the Commanders’ season:

  • Jayden Daniels said it was his very first Hail Mary to win a game…ever!
  • Terry McLaurin today passed Ricky Sanders for seventh place in franchise receptions.
  • Daron Payne recorded his first solo sack of the season.
  • The Commanders went 59:57 seconds before scoring their only touchdown today, scoring on the game’s final play.
  • The Commanders outgained the Bears 481-307.
  • The Commanders, in the final quarter, surrendered drives of 84 yards (but the Bears bailed them out by fumbling on the exchange) and then 62 yards for what appeared to be the winning touchdown by the Bears.
  • P Tress Way has achieved his 280th career punt to be inside the 20-yard line. Way is second in the NFL.
  • Jayden Daniels had 313 passing yards compared to only 111 for Caleb Williams.
  • The Commanders have not lost a game at “Northwest Stadium” (4-0).
  • DT Johnny Newton recorded his first NFL quarterback sack and first recovered fumble today.
  • 1997 was the last time the Commanders had held two consecutive opponents scoreless in the first half (Weeks 10 and 11).
  • Bears quarterback Caleb Williams’s three first-half completions for 33 yards were his fewest for any half thus far in 2024.
  • The Commanders are 6-2 for the first time since 2008. That team collapsed, finishing 8-8.
  • K Austin Seibert passed Mark Mosely’s franchise record of 81 points scored through eight games, which he accomplished in the 1983 season. Remember, Seibert did not play in the first game of this season.
  • Austin Seibert made his first four field goal attempts before missing his fifth attempt, (connecting with the ground slightly before his foot struck the ball).

Commanders need more from DT Daron Payne

With Jonathan Allen out, Commanders need Daron Payne more than ever.

Daron Payne is not having one of his better seasons.

The former Alabama defensive tackle taken first round in the 2018 NFL draft had his biggest season in 2021, earned himself a big contract and hasn’t been as productive this season.

Payne thus far, through six games played, has contributed eight tackles (6 solo, 2 Assists). However, Payne has only produced two QB hits, 0.5 QB sacks, and zero tackles for a loss.

On Thursday, before the media, defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. was asked about last Sunday’s game in which Payne did not record a defensive statistic.

“Sometimes that’s going to happen. I’m not going to just dive into stats totally. He’s given us what we want. For the run game, alright, they ran for yards. It wasn’t because of him, alright. It was some other issues that they ran for. So, he’s one of our leaders and he’s doing the things that he needs to do.”

On Sunday, against the Panthers, Payne will have to begin playing without long-time partner Jonathan Allen, also from Alabama. Allen tore a pectoral muscle against the Ravens last week, requiring surgery. Allen will miss the remainder of 2024.

Thus, Payne will now start alongside rookie Johnny Newton (Illinois). Not only will Newton receive more snaps, but also reserve tackle Phidarian Mathis will be called upon more often. DT Sheldon Day was elevated to the active roster and DT Jalyn Holmes was signed. The Commanders also signed DT Carl Davis to the practice squad.

When they last met: Commanders vs. Cardinals

What happened the last time the Commanders played the Cardinals? We look back at that meeting.

“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.

Washington Commanders 20, Arizona Cardinals 16 – Week 1, Sep. 10, 2023

In a sloppy season opener at FedEx Field, the Commanders came from behind to defeat the Cardinals 20-16.

New starting quarterback Sam Howell ran for a touchdown and passed for another touchdown, and Joey Slye added two field goals for the Commanders.

Though no one was aware at the time, the game was a foreshadowing of what was to come in the 2023 season.  How so?

  1. Washington would trail at halftime.
  2. The Commanders would have three turnovers losing the turnover battle.
  3. Washington would give up six quarterback sacks on the day.
  4. The Commanders were so horrible it would be the last home win of the 2023 season.

Washington trailed 13-7 after Howell was sacked, fumbled and Cameron Thomas scooped up the fumble and only had to travel two yards for a Cardinals touchdown.

Trailing 16-10 after three quarters, Sam Howell concluded a 29-yard drive in 7 plays with his own 6-yard touchdown, putting the Commanders on top of the Cardinals 17-16.

Following another Cardinals fumble, the Commanders could only generate seven yards, but it was enough for Joey Slye’s 33-yard field goal and the final scoring margin of 20-16.

Brian Robinson Jr. led Washington rushing with 59 yards in 19 carries, while Howell completed 19 of 31 passes for 202 yards, a touchdown pass to Robinson and one interception, finishing with a passer rating of 77.6.

Curtis Samuel and Jahan Dotson both had five receptions for 54 and 40 yards, respectively, while Logan Thomas caught four receptions for 43 yards.

Defensively, Montez Sweat (1.5), Jonathan Allen (1.0), and Abdullah Anderson (0.5) all contributed a quarterback sack. Sweat, Allen and Daron Payne all totaled two tackles for a loss. Payne and Anderson both also recovered a Cardinals fumble.

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’ DTs Payne and Allen need to produce

The Commanders need more from Allen and Payne.

Daron Payne and Jonathan Allen are under increased scrutiny.

The former Alabama defensive tackle duo Allen (2017) and Payne (2018) were both drafted in the first round by Washington. Both have extensive NFL experience; Allen is 29, and Payne is 27.

Both are also paid well, like first-round draft choices they were—their stat lines for 2024 after two games do raise eyebrows. Allen has contributed two solo tackles, two assisted tackles, as well as two QB hits, with no QB sacks. Payne has one solo tackle and has yet to record anything else: no assists, TFL, no QB sacks, no QB hits.

In Payne’s defense, both of Clelin Ferrell’s sacks resulted from Payne being the first to put pressure on the quarterback, moving him to where Ferrell then stepped in and got the quarterback sack.

Craig Hoffman of The Team 980 had some strong declarations to make regarding Payne’s play.

“Eventually, you have got to give production. Yeah, he ate some blocks, got some penetration on Clelin Ferrell’s sack. He’s the main instigator there, pushing the pocket. One of his two hurries that PFF credited him with.

“But at the end of the day, you are paying these dudes major money to produce. You need stat sheet stats from them. You need tackles, sacks.”

“You need Daron Payne to be the Daron Payne, not that he was necessarily against Denver last year for that one series where he entirely wrecked it. That is unsustainable for a game.”

“But can we get some flashes of that dude a couple of times a game? Maybe it is what they are asked to do in this defense. Which is why I am not willing to fully say, “Bad job, Allen, bad job, Payne.”

“Ultimately, the thing I am willing to say at this point is that this defense needs to get to a point where they are producing more.”

Commanders’ rookie DT Newton pushing hard to make NFL debut

The Commanders are hopeful about rookie DT Johnny Newton making his debut soon.

Johnny Newton, a defensive tackle out of Illinois, was drafted 36th overall by the Commanders last April and is apparently closer to playing.

Newton had to undergo surgery to repair a Jones fracture shortly after the Commanders drafted him. Head coach Dan Quinn was asked Wednesday regarding Newton’s rehab and return.

“When you are coming back from this, you may see him out today (Wednesday), but that’s to set up for tomorrow,” began Quinn. “So we pushed it hard with him conditioning yesterday (Tuesday). Hold today, but we wanted the padded day for him tomorrow then. So we are trending in the right way, much like we were talking about with Noah (Brown).”

The Commanders played four defensive tackles in the hot, muggy Tampa season opener. Of the defensive snaps, Jon Allen and Daron Payne both played 64% and 62%, respectively. They were given breathers by Phidarian Mathis and Sheldon Day, both seeing action on 36% of the defensive snaps.

The Commanders could use someone like Newton, inside making some penetration as Matt Ioannidis used to do, coming in to spell Allen and or Payne.

https://twitter.com/JPFinlayNBCS/status/1832840617342251025

“We’ll kind of have a better sense for when we get to Friday,” continued Quinn. “But he’s definitely trending in the right spot. So, we’re close for sure. But I’ll trust my eyes and make sure he is going through all the whole process to get ready. But he’s definitely pushing it hard to get into this mix.”

It’s not certain the Commanders would have five defensive tackles active Sunday in the home opener against the Giants. If the Commanders declare four again as active, and Newton is active for the first time, he would replace either Mathis or Day.

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.

2024 NFL preview: How ready are the Commanders at defensive tackle?

Previewing the Commanders’ defensive tackle position in 2024.

“With the 36th pick in the 2024 NFL draft, the Washington Commanders select Jer’Zhan Newton, defensive tackle, Illinois.”

Immediately, there was a surprise in the DMV. If Washington was going to select a tackle at No. 36 overall, certainly it would be an offensive tackle, correct? That’s true for teams when they panic and start drafting for need. But for Adam Peters, he saw the highest-rated player on his board still available, so defensive tackle it was.

A lot has changed since the second night of the draft. Everyone in the DMV who knows Newton refers to him as “Johnny.” In addition, Newton underwent foot surgery for a Jones fracture and, as a result, missed the preseason games.

The Commanders do return two of their better starters on the team: defensive tackles Daron Payne and Jonathan Allen. Ironically, the duo accumulated 53 tackles in 2023. Payne led in tackles for a loss 13-10, while Allen led in quarterback hits 19-11 and quarterback sacks 5.5-4.0.

Newton was drafted to provide these two needed rest during games and to become a starter in the future. Newton missed valuable reps and game action in the preseason. Yet, defensive tackle does not have the same learning curve as offensive tackle, where Brandon Coleman also missed the preseason games.

So, if healthy and ready, Newton could still supply some needed snaps in games early. How much of a factor Newton will be in his rookie season is completely up in the air. Not having played any in the preseason, the coaches’ expectations may already be descending.

His college film reveals that one of Newton’s issues at Illinois was keeping his lanes and overrunning some plays. Hopefully, he has been listening closely to Allen and Payne about what is expected of him when he begins getting game snaps.

John Ridgeway was traded to the Saints last week, while Phidarian Mathis apparently outplayed Ridgeway for a roster spot, making Ridgeway expendable. Mathis (age 26) has suffered injuries in each of his first two NFL seasons, accumulating only eight tackles thus far.

The Commanders also have two men on the practice squad who, if needed, would be called upon to help at defensive tackle: Haggai Ndubuisi, age 23 (6-6, 298), and Carlos Watkins, age 30 (6-3, 305). Ndubuisi is part of the International Pathway program, and Watkins, from Clemson, played for Dan Quinn in 2021 and 2022.

Why should Commanders fans be excited this season?

Jonathan Allen gives several reasons why fans should be excited in 2024.

Why should Commanders fans be excited about this season?

That was the final question Bryan Colbert Jr. asked Jonathan Allen following practice Friday.

“You should be excited because, regardless of the score, regardless of the record, you are going to be proud of what you see on that field. I can always guarantee that.”

Allen was rather upbeat despite being disappointed when last season came to a 4-13 close.

“There’s a lot of change going on in this organization for the better. The fans are excited, the players are excited.” Allen mentioned how several players have expressed to him how they loved playing for Dan Quinn and Joe Whitt.

“I can see it, the energy they bring day in and day out. They make football, for me personally, fun again. I feel like I am back in high school again, having fun with the guys while also working harder than I ever have before. It’s been incredible.”

When Quinn was hired, it was a surprise because the media had convinced the DMV that the new hire would be Ben Johnson or Mike Macdonald.

“I went into it with an open mind and wanted to see what he was about and how things were going to be run. After listening to his excitement and passion, I knew that I at least wanted to see it. Once I started seeing it, there was no doubt: I wanted to be here.”

Now in his eighth season, has Allen lost any of his drive? “I’m feeling hungrier than I’ve ever been, trying to work harder than I ever have, doing all the little things. I am just excited to be out here.”

How does Allen feel about the Commanders drafting defensive tackle Johnny Newton? “After seeing some of his film, he is definitely a ball player, and I am excited to get to play next to him.”

Daron Payne, former Alabama teammate, joined the Redskins in 2019, and the two have played together since.

“Daron Payne, he just wants to come in and push you, so I always accept that challenge. We always compete with one another; we always push each other to get better.”

What does Allen think about his new defensive coordinator, Joe Whitt? “He’s a guy that I want to play for. I think there’s something to be said when you have a coach who makes players want to play hard for him. He is that coach for me. I’m excited; I love it.”