Tag: DT Daron Payne

Why did Commanders’ GM Adam Peters select Johnny Newton?

Jason Peters explained why Johnny Newton was the right pick.

Thursday night’s first round of the NFL draft had just concluded, and the Commanders were a bit surprised.

Washington Commanders new general manager Adam Peters sat down with the Commanders Brian Koba Jr to discuss his leading his initial Washington Commanders draft last week.

Illinois defensive tackle and Big 10 Defensive Player of the Year Johnny Newton had been mocked by most analysts for going somewhere in the 20s in the first round. Yet Newton had not been selected in the first round.

“We were ecstatic,” opened Peters. “After Thursday night, you look at your board, and Johnny was really an outlier on our board. We were looking at each other, and we talked about it Thursday night and again Friday morning.”

“We got a ton of calls Friday from teams wanting to trade up (to No. 36). In the end, we said, if Johnny’s there, we got to take him, even though maybe that wasn’t the biggest position of need. He was clearly the highest player on our board. He’s a game wrecker. He fits what we do perfectly, and he fits everything that a commander is really.”

Peters liked that Newton is tough, smart, and violent, a team captain, and everything the Commanders wanted. “So, we were happy to pull the trigger on that one.”

The former UCLA Bruin defensive end spoke of how his current defensive tackle starters, Jonathan Allen and Daron Payne, are both great examples for Newton to follow. “The way they work, the way they go about their business, anytime you can have that situation, it’s awesome.”

According to Peters, head coach Dan Quinn already has a vision of attempting to have all three (Allen, Payne and Newton) on the field at the same time. “It’s not like he is going to be a backup and not playing a whole lot. He’s going to get on the field, he’s going to play. We’re going to rotate those guys, keep those guys fresh, so they can get after it, too.”

Adam Peters said the Commanders have a ‘few cornerstone pieces.’ Who are they?

Adam Peters said the Commanders had a few cornerstone players. Who are they?

“I believe there’s a few cornerstone pieces in this roster. I believe we have a lot of work to do.”

That is how new Commanders GM Adam Peters replied when asked what he thought of the current roster.

So, who does Peters feel are the “few cornerstone pieces”?

On offense, it would have been great if Sam Howell had developed enough this past season, but that did not occur, as Howell led the NFL in sacks taken and interceptions thrown.

Brian Robinson accumulated 733 rushing yards and 368 receiving yards totaling 1,101 yards from scrimmage. But Robinson is a running back. So Peters may not feel it necessary to pay Robinson a second contract, but we can cross that bridge in a couple of seasons.

Much was made of Terry McLaurin accomplishing a fourth consecutive season of 1,000 yards receiving. Frankly, wasn’t too much made of this? In today’s NFL, the rules and officiating favor the offense much more than the defense. Thus, there is more passing in today’s game. In addition, the NFL regular season is now 17 games. He is a fine, hardworking player and is a team leader. Yet, one would be hard-pressed to persuade us that McLaurin is an elite receiver. But his contract may keep other teams from trading for him. Is he really worth his $24.1 million cap hit in 2024?

This leaves the only real offensive cornerstone piece upon which the Commanders must build around, and that is right guard Sam Cosmi. Cosmi’s 2024 cap hit will only be $2,108,135. His last contract year is 2024, so Peters will want to re-sign Cosmi to that second contract.

Defensively, Jonathan Allen and Daron Payne have been sturdy and energetic inside forces, but that did fall off some this past season. Allen and Payne will have cap hits of $23 million and $26.17 million in 2025. Allen and Payne were drafted in the first round by Washington in 2017 and 2018, respectively. If Peters wants to receive the highest possible value back in a trade, he may want to trade one or both this offseason.

A few young players who have shown a toughness that Peters may keep around include safeties Darrick Forrest and Kam Curl. Curl is a free agent, however, and may want to hit the open market. A third is Quan Martin, a second-round choice who flashed at times in the later games of the season.

Three other players on the offense could be nice developmental pieces. Chris Rodriguez Jr. exhibited a real toughness on special teams and in running the ball. Jahan Dotson has had his moments where he looks like he really belongs. Another is Curtis Samuel. However, Samuel is a free agent, and Peters may not want to give him a third contract.

Armani Rogers, the most athletic of the tight ends, missed this entire season with a torn Achilles tendon. But he is an athlete Peters will want to keep, as he most likely does not bring back Logan Thomas.

Peters was absolutely correct. He has a lot of work to do.

 

 

Jonathan Allen: ‘I’m tired of trying to build character’

Fans are tired of hearing about character and culture, too.

As you’d expect, the Washington Commanders’ locker room was somber after Sunday’s 45-15 loss to the Miami Dolphins. It wasn’t just another loss, but Washington’s third consecutive by double digits, including allowing 45 points in each of the last two games.

Defensive tackle and team captain Jonathan Allen is always available after games — win or lose. Allen is usually calm but has been known to let his emotions get the best of him.

After the Commanders’ latest loss, Allen was direct in his feelings about the 4-9 Commanders.

“I’ve been dealing with this for seven years; I’m tired of trying to build character,” Allen said when asked if playing through adversity is a good way to judge Washington’s character. “My character is built well enough. I’m trying to win.”

Allen is always a good quote. Some fans have been frustrated with his play this season, too. None of Washington’s frontline players have played well this season, including Allen, Daron Payne and Terry McLaurin.

But his quote about character will resonate with Washington fans. Four years into Ron Rivera’s regime, fans are tired of hearing about character and culture. Where has that gotten this franchise? They are last in the NFC East again. Washington has received next to nothing from its draft or free-agent class. The Commanders are either mediocre or flat-out bad. They’re never good.

Allen is not a player who will throw coaches under the bus. He comes from Alabama, and those players have a different mindset. But his frustrations with the team right now are evident. He knows changes are coming—significant changes. However, that doesn’t help Washington right now as it limps to the finish line in another lost season.

When they last met: Commanders and Giants

The last meeting was one to forget for Washington.

“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.

New York 14, Washington 7 – Week 7, Oct. 22, 2023

Sam Howell’s 4th down pass to Jahan Dotson was incomplete at the one-yard line, and Washington fell 14-7 to the New York Giants at Met Life Stadium.

Leading 14-7 the Giants at the Washington 10 were about to go up two scores, securing the win. However, Daron Payne stripped Saquon Barkley and recovered the fumble, stopping the Giants scoring drive with 7:51 remaining.

Chris Rodriguez had runs of 8 and 9 yards, and Howell completed nine passes on the drive, setting the stage for the 4th and 5 play from the Giants 7. Howell’s pass to Dotson at the one-yard line was slightly behind Dotson, who was able to get both hands on the pass but did not make the catch, ending the Commanders’ drive.

The offense, for most of the game, was anemic, impotent, and absolutely ineffective. The Commanders fell behind 14-0, putting together drives that ended punt, punt, punt, punt, interception, punt, punt, punt, punt.

The offense was so weak that their only score came when Dyami Brown recovered a third-quarter muffed Tress Way punt at the Giants 21-yard line.

With 10:21 remaining in the third quarter, Brian Robinson scored from four yards, allowing the Commanders to avoid being shut out.

However, the Commanders next two possession managed to produce only 29 yards and two punts.

Suddenly, on their next-to-last possession, the Commanders finally manufactured a scoring drive, moving 81 yards in eight plays. Yet, Joey Slye’s chip shot 27-yard field goal was blocked by Leonard Williams.

Losing to the Giants and losing in the manner they did infuriated defensive tackle Jonathan Allen. Allen blew a fuse in the locker room immediately following the game.

Del Rio defends Commanders tackles Allen and Payne

Del Rio makes it clear: Allen and Payne are playing well.

Jack Del Rio took exception Thursday to two of his players being called out publicly this week.

ESPN’s Seth Walder this week had tweeted, stating that Commanders defensive tackles Jonathan Allen and Daron Payne are producing less pass rush in 2023 than in 2022.

Walder revealed some numbers to back his claim. Allen had ranked 9th and Payne 12th in 2022 in “pass rush win rate.”

He then conveyed that through ten games this season, Allen is now 26th and Payne 42nd out of 52 qualifying defensive tackles.

Consequently, when Del Rio was asked about this by the Washington media Thursday, he responded, “I don’t like to sit up here and grade for you guys. They’re two really good players, and they’re playing well.”

Then Del Rio was challenged when one asked where Allen and Payne were making their impact, despite their pass rush win rate” being down from last season.

Del Rio threw out his own challenge, “I’ll watch tape with you if you’d like. They’re pretty good players, and they’re having a good strong year for us.”

Later, Del Rio was asked about how defensive tackle John Ridgeway has played. “Ridge? I think Ridge has played very well the last few weeks in particular.”

Then came a question regarding rookie defensive end Andre Jones Jr. and his pass rush.

“He’s been very aware and has done a nice job with it. I’m looking forward to watching these guys play, and (DE) KJ (Henry) was so close to getting his first sack two weeks ago. As they get opportunities to play, they’re going to make plays, and it’s not all going to be good. But we ask them to go out and apply their technique, play hard, compete their butts off, and help us get the ball back for the offense.”

Back to Andre Jones, “I just think he’s worked hard all year. That’s the one thing I would say about him. He’s been very consistent in how he’s approached things. His role had become primarily a lot on special teams and a little on D, and that equation’s going to change a little bit. He is going to get a little more on D and probably a little less on special teams, but I like the way he’s working at it. He’s done a good job being conscientious, coming in and putting in the work every day.”

Commanders Del Rio knows his unit can reduce the big plays

Jack Del Rio talks the importance of eliminating the big plays.

Jack Del Rio saw a good effort against the Patriots Sunday; then suddenly, the Commanders gave up two big plays.

“I thought we did a good job defensively last week. We had two plays that got away from us. One in the pass, one in the run. And other than that, we played real, real well.”

Indeed, the Commanders defense limited the Patriots on the way to a 20-17 victory. The two big plays?

Washington led 10-7, and the Patriots, from their own 16, had a 1st & 10. Lining up three eligible receivers tightly on the right side, Mac Jones faked a handoff and then found JuJu Smith-Schuster running across the field from tight right to the left side wide open. Smith-Schuster made the catch at the 23 and was pushed out of bounds on the 36, a 20-yard gain.

On the very next play, Washington ran a stunt, and linebacker Jamin Davis did not plug the closest gap to the right of tackle Daron Payne. New England’s Rhamondre Stevenson exploded through the hole into the secondary. He was met by safety Percy Butler, but he missed the tackle on Stevenson, who then raced 64 yards for a go-ahead Pats touchdown.

In two plays, the Commanders defense had surrendered 84 yards and a touchdown.

So, when defensive coordinator Del Rio was asked Thursday what is keeping this unit from rating as highly as the defensive unit last season in 2022.

“Yeah, explosive plays allowed. That’s been the big problem. We’re playing solid in a lot of areas, but the explosive plays allowed. Many of them kind of gift-type situations are the ones that keep us from ranking well and being able to beat our chest and say, look at our rank right here, which doesn’t mean a whole lot. I think what really means the most is give your football team a chance to win, play complementary football, and make sure we’re getting the ball back for our offense as often as possible.”

One player who was giving up some explosive plays prior to last week was rookie corner Emmanuel Forbes, Jr.  However, last week, Forbes played well enough that PFF graded Forbes as the highest Commanders defensive player last week. The performance pleased Del Rio.

“I think he’s just working at it. You know, he’s a good young player. We believe in him. He’s just gotta grind and work. That’s what he has done, and that allowed him to get himself back in the game, and then he played well.”

 

When they last met: Commanders and Falcons

The defense saved the game for Washington the last time these two teams played.

“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 19, Atlanta 13 – Week 12, Nov. 27, 2021

Second & goal at the 4-yard line, Atlanta’s Marcus Mariota’s pass was deflected by Daron Payne and intercepted by Kendall Fuller in the end zone, saving Washington for a 19-13 victory over Atlanta.

Leading 19-13, the Commanders offense punted the ball to Atlanta, and the Falcons took over at their own 16-yard line with 5:03 remaining.

A Cordarrelle Patterson five-yard run gave the Falcons a first down at their own 30. Then Mariota found Olamide Zaccheaus for 45 yards and a second first down, this one at the Washington 25.

Tyler Allgeier ran five yards for a first down at the Washington 14. On 3rd & 1 from the 5, Montez Sweat was offside.

But on the next play, a 1st & goal from the Washington 2, Sweat broke through, tackling Mariota for a two-yard loss, setting up the game-winning play by Payne and Fuller.

It was the 2022 season in microcosm. The Washington offense struggling, the Washington defense keeping the Commanders in the game, and in this case, actually saving the game.

Trailing 3-0, Taylor Heinicke found Brian Robinson Jr for a 14-yard touchdown pass on the Commanders’ first possession, which was a 74-yard drive for a 7-3 lead.

Tied 10-10 in the third quarter, Heinicke passed to tight end John Bates for a 14-yard score and a 16-10 lead before Joey Slye missed the extra point.

Leading 16-13, Slye was successful on his 45-yard field goal attempt for a Washington 19-13 lead with 9:05 remaining.

Robinson rushed for 105 yards in his 18 carries, while Terry McLaurin led Washington receivers with 48 receiving yards on his four receptions.

Leading the Falcons were Allgeier and Patterson, who both rushed 11 times for 54 and 52 yards, respectively.

Jonathan Allen: ‘It’s definitely a new era’

Jonathan Allen calls this “by far” the most complete team he’s been on in seven NFL seasons.

Commanders defensive tackle Jonathan Allen was himself, taking responsibility for the slow start Sunday.

Allen was making his weekly appearance this 2023 season on the “Sports Junkies” Monday mornings on 106.7 The Fan.

Rather than talk of how the offense had only scored 3 points, Allen told of how the defense made things hard for the team, getting off to a slow start and giving up touchdowns on Denver’s first three possessions.

He said he enjoyed “being able to come back after playing so poorly defensively in the first quarter and tighten things up and give our team a chance to win.”

Then Allen quickly praised the offense, “Hats off to our offense; they played a great game. Guys made plays when they needed to, and it was great to get the victory.” He feels “it’s definitely a new era.”

Allen credited the Broncos offense for making plays and also added the Commanders defense contributed by having some communication errors, and they were “not gap sound” at times.

Down 21-3, Allen declared, “On the sidelines nobody was screaming at each other; nobody was defeated. Let’s just calm down, slow down; it’s an 18-point game, there’s lots of game left. Let’s do it one play at a time.”

When the offense suddenly scored on their last two possession of the first half, Allen said he saw the score had become 21-14, and he thought, “We’re good.”

Having Chase Young back in the lineup was an encouragement. Allen said, “It felt great! I’m looking forward to having a fun season with him.”

“This is by far the most complete team I have had (in the NFL),” Allen expressed. “It’s going to be a fun season.”

Regarding linebacker Jamin Davis’ improved play, Allen pointed to the fact that Davis actually only started one year in college, and the transition to the NFL can be very difficult. But he sees Davis playing faster and sees a good year for Davis.

He also pointed out Daron Payne is really living up to his performance of last season, and this is why the team signed Payne to his new lucrative contract.

Emmanuel Forbes is a rookie Allen really likes thus far. “You would think he has been in the league five or six years. He is level-headed, calm, just a ball player. I love it.”

When Denver scored on the Hail Mary attempt as time expired, Allen said, “I was so tired I didn’t even know what to think at that point. The way the ball bounced, I guess they got lucky. I really don’t know what to say about that.”

Allen is excited about new Commanders quarterback Sam Howell. He said he was impressed with Howell’s preparation this last week and that the team is believing in Howell’s ability and leadership.

The rest of the team can learn by listening more to Jonathan Allen; that much is altogether certain.

Commanders’ Mason Brooks and Phidarian Mathis battled Tuesday

One undrafted rookie stood out Tuesday.

Tuesday was Washington’s first day in pads, and now more know of Mason Brooks.

Head coach Ron Rivera had the team doing some one-on-one work in pads. Thus, the linemen in the trenches squared off with intensity.

The Commanders signed Brooks as an undrafted free agent following the 2023 NFL draft. The right guard out of Ole Miss made an impression Tuesday against defensive tackle Phidarian Mathis — Washington’s second-round pick in 2022.

The defensive line has been getting the better of the offensive line thus far in training camp. It should not be surprising. Look how much the Commanders have invested in the defensive line over the offensive line.

But when Brooks got the best of Mathis, offensive coach Juan Castillo became very excited for Brooks. So they ordered the two to go at it again, and Brooks again got the best of Mathis, this time driving Mathis to the ground.

Following practice, Mathis was asked about his day.

“It was a good day, man. I feel like the defense came out strong; we played physical, just helping the offense get better today. I think it was a great first day.”

As for the battle with Brooks? Mathis replied,

“It’s just a lot of excitement, man. It’s just the first day getting back at it; just talking a little trash. It’s just trying to get each other better.”

Mathis went down in the season opener last season, spending the rest of the season on injured reserve.

“It was long, it was kind of heartbreaking, just for the first game to go out like that. But at the same time, it was a big humbling experience, just sitting out, getting to watch those guys go out every Sunday and play. It made me look at the game differently. You just never know when it’s your last play, so you got to take everything serious. Never take this game for granted.”

Mathis realizes it is a privilege for him to have fellow tackles Jonathan Allen and Daron Payne:

“Their game is just flawless. Those two guys together, man, they’ll attack a lot of offenses. It’s a blessing for me just to be behind those guys learning each day, just watching their game so I can add it to mine.”

Mathis said he is actually “reminding myself I can do this. This is why I got drafted here. Showing everybody that I was the second pick for a reason. I’m just coming back for what I left on the table. I left a lot out there.”

Mathis hopes to play much more in his second season.

“Whenever my name is called, I’m just trying to go in there and do my job and help out the team.”