Tag: DT Phidarian Mathis

Changes are coming for Commanders as they face the Eagles

Changes are coming Sunday. Will it help?

Changes are coming for the Commanders this Sunday, but are some of them too late?

Cody Barton’s high ankle sprain has resulted in the linebacker being ruled out for Sunday. Khaleke Hudson and David Mayo picked up extra snaps last week vs. the New York Giants. Hudson also made some nice plays two weeks ago against the Falcons.

Word from Ashburn Friday was that LB Jabril Cox is going to be elevated from the practice squad by Sunday.

LG Saahdiq Charles reinjured his left calf, which was slowing him during preseason. He has been listed as “out” for Sunday. This most likely means the Commanders may make LG Chris Paul active for the first time this season.

Also, on offense, Tyler Larsen was snapping to Sam Howell in the early portion of practice on Thursday. If the Commanders start Larsen at center over Nick Gates, it could mean they intend to use Gates at guard if needed as well.

There has been no word on right tackle Andrew Wylie possibly being rested some snaps for Cornelius Lucas. Perhaps if they alternated the two, Wylie would perform better when not as fatigued?

DT Phidarian Mathis (calf) has returned this week to practice. The Commanders have not yet officially restated Mathis’ status. Also, WR Curtis Samuel has been nursing a sore knee this week. There has yet to be any indication that Samuel could miss Sunday.

Then one can’t help but wonder if there will be changes in the Eric Bieniemy offense. Last week, the offense could not adjust to the defensive slants and stunts of the NY Giants defense.

Some of the All-22 tape was quite revealing, seeing communication breakdowns among the offensive linemen. Sam Howell will need better protection Sunday vs. the Eagles and will need to pick up on his early reads and deliver the ball.

Bieniemy continued last week, calling for more dropbacks yet moving the pocket very little. There is little doubt the running backs and tight ends need to do a better job of helping the offensive linemen, providing Howell that extra second to deliver the ball.

It’s up to Bieniemy and the lineman to make the adjustments necessary, and it’s up to Howell, if given that extra second, to read, react and deliver the ball.

Questions increasing regarding Commanders defensive line

Injuries piling up along the defensive line.

Suddenly the strong is much weaker.

The strongest unit of the Washington Commanders team has no doubt been the defensive line. Media and fans wondered Tuesday why the front office determined to keep 11 defensive linemen on the 53-man roster.

There is now no question why. Thursday, the Commanders announced Efe Obada is joining Phidarian Mathis on the injured reserve List. This means both Mathis (calf) and Obada (knee) will miss at least the first four games of the 2023 season.

Oh, there’s more. The most consistent and productive member of the defensive front four, Jonathan Allen, is battling Plantar Fasciitis.

Consequently, Abdullah Anderson was re-signed to the active roster.

At the roster announcement press conference Tuesday, Ben Standig asked Coach Rivera regarding injuries and Chase Young. Coach Ron replied,

“We’re not gonna talk about that. We’re gonna talk about where we are right now. We’re going forward with this right now; this was a good day.”

Suddenly, Chase Young being a contributor is again a question. After being the 2020 Defensive Rookie of the Year, the Commanders have gotten almost nothing from Young.  In 2021, there were issues with Young in the offseason, and he produced nothing more than frustration for the coaches in 2021. Then, came his bad injury, ending his season.

This spring, many fans insisted Rivera was so out of line to not provide Young the fifth-year option. Are you folks still going to maintain the same position?

Obada and Mathis are definitely gone for at least four games. Might Young miss the opener? Will Allen fully recover or be limited during the season? How much will Young produce this season?

Is it any wonder Rivera is already concerned?

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.”