Tag: Frankie Luvu

Former NFL head of officiating believes league will look into potentially banning Eagles ‘tush push’

Mike Pereira, an NFL rules analyst for Fox, says there will be conversations about the tush push play after NFC Championship ‘ugliness.’

During the NFC Championship game, the Washington Commanders nearly fell victim to a decades-old rule that allowed the referee to award points to an opposing team due to intentional infractions. The announcement by Shawn Hochuli had many scratching their heads, thinking there was no way that was legal. It’s a rule that’s been in place since 1942 and has never once been used.

The play in question was a goal-line stand by the Commanders. They were lined up to defend against the Philadelphia Eagles’ controversial ‘tush-push’ play, where Jalen Hurts is quite literally pushed from behind to gain a first down on a short-yard play. Commanders linebacker Frankie Luvu, in an attempt to time the snap, jumped offsides multiple times, leading to the aforementioned warning.

The Eagles started using it in 2022, which immediately sparked outrage at a defense’s inability to stop it.

Former NFL head of officiating Mike Pereira believes the NFL will look into the play more closely this offseason.

“I think it will be a conversation. . . . I think with the ugliness of that, they’ll take a further look at it,” Pereira said.

There has been talk of the NFL banning the tush push, but nothing has ever come of it. Until now. It took the Commanders committing multiple penalties trying to defend this play to get the attention of the NFL

“To think that any play in a game led to what a referee could do, which is actually award a score without a play,” Pereira said. “I mean when you get to that — called a ‘palpably unfair act,’ which I’d been waiting for 15 years to say on air. I was so excited. I almost spit it out right away. But I think with the ugliness of that, they’ll take a further look at it. But again, it’s going to evolve around injury data. If there’s been injuries from it, there is a chance that it could get [eliminated].

“I think it’ll continue being looked at, [and] maybe at somewhere down the road making a change.”

Even without injuries, that particular play is nearly impossible to defend. Whether these conversations happen or not, as well as any changes that come with those conversations, remains to be seen.

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Frankie Luvu, Jordan Mailata share sincere moment after loss

Washington Commanders linebacker Frankie Luvu and Philadelphia Eagles tackle Jordan Mailata share a moment after the NFC Championship game.

The Washington Commanders and Philadelphia Eagles met for the third and final time of the 2024 season in the NFC Championship game. The Eagles came away with a 55-23 victory, although the score doesn’t tell you much about how that game went. It wasn’t as lopsided as the score would have you think, just like the rivalry between the two teams didn’t instill bad blood in every player.

Heated exchanges are more likely to happen in high-pressure games, as we saw with Marshon Lattimore and A.J. Brown on Sunday. But that’s not true of every player. Frankie Luvu and Jordan Mailata shared a special moment after the Eagles defeated Washington, showcasing the respectful nature of the Samoan culture.

“Uce,” Mailata says, “keep representing our culture, brother.” The players hug and shake hands while encouraging and complimenting the other. “What a [expletive] year you had man, what a year,” Mailata told Luvu.

Mailata is the son of Samoan immigrants to Australia and maintains his New Zealand citizenship, while Luvu is a native of American Samoa. The term ‘uce’ in the Samoan culture is slang for ‘uso’ which translates to ‘brother’ or ‘mate’ in English.

Both players are in their seventh season in the NFL, Mailata as an offensive tackle and Luvu as a linebacker. This is the first year they’ve faced each other multiple times, but it’s clear their cultural bond runs far deeper than winning or losing a football game.

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Frankie Luvu thanks Commanders fans

Frankie Luvu is appreciative of Commanders’ fans.

Linebacker Frankie Luvu is already looking ahead to the next Commanders season.

Monday, being the assigned day to clean out personal lockers, Luvu took to X (Twitter) and addressed the Commanders’ fan base. Luvu thanked the Washington fans for their support during this past 2024 season and then expressed that he was looking forward to playing before them in the 2025 season.

Luvu, who played his college ball at Washington State, went undrafted as all 32 NFL teams passed on him several times.

The New York Jets signed Luvu, and he made the team and played in 14, 13, and 13 games almost entirely on special teams those first three seasons, only starting four games.

The Carolina Panthers then signed Luvu, starting him in a career-high four games in his first year in Charlotte. Even more, Luvu continued to develop as a player, starting 14 and 17 games in his final two seasons with the Panthers.

Meanwhile, in Ashburn, general manager Adam Peters was busy signing most of his first class of free agents to the Commanders to only single-year contracts. However, Peters did sign a few free agents to multi-year deals, including Frankie Luvu.

Starting all 17 games for Washington, Luvu intercepted a pass, defended two passes, forced a fumble and recovered two more. Luvu also enjoyed a career-high 8.0 sacks, was in on 99 tackles (54 solo, 45 assists), 12 tackles for a loss and 14 quarterback hits. The AP voted Luvu All-Pro second team.

In Luvu’s three seasons with the Jets and then three with the Panthers, his teams failed to make the playoffs. Thus, in his seventh NFL season (first with the Commanders), he took part in two playoff wins and also played in the NFC Championship game.

 

Top photos from Eagles 55-23 win over Commanders in NFC Championship game

Top photos from Eagles 55-23 win over Commanders in NFC Championship game

The Eagles dominated every facet of the game and won the turnover battle while dominating the Commanders to advance to Super Bowl 59. Philadelphia rushed for seven touchdowns, including three scores each for Jalen Hurts and Saquon Barkley, blowing out their NFC East rival 55-23 at Lincoln Financial Field on Sunday.

As preparations begin for the trip to New Orleans, we’re reviewing the top photos from the historic victory.

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Highlights from first half as Eagles hold a 27-15 lead over Commanders in NFC Championship game

Sights and sounds from first half as Eagles hold a 27-15 lead Commanders in NFC Championship game

The Washington Commanders have a young, ascending roster, and that youth showed in the first half. Costly penalties and crucial turnovers spurred the Eagles early on, giving them a 27-15 lead in the NFC Championship game.

Saquon Barkley’s two first-half touchdowns energized the Birds, and Jalen Hurts connected with A.J. Brown on a four-yard touchdown with 57 seconds left in the first half. We’re looking at the first-half highlights with the second half set to begin.

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Commanders LB Frankie Luvu fined for hit on Lions QB Jared Goff during pick-six

Commanders LB Frankie Luvu fined for hit on Lions QB Jared Goff during pick-six

Commanders linebacker Frankie Luvu laid a big shot on Lions quarterback Jared Goff during Washington’s pick-six in the Divisional Playoff last Saturday. Luvu got into Goff’s facemask and led with the helmet. No penalty was called on the play. Even FOX’s NFL rules expert Mike Pereira agreed the hit should have been a penalty.

A penalty has now been delivered, but far too late for Lions fans’ liking. A week later, Luvu is now having to pay, literally, for that hit. $16,883 to be exact. The league issued the fine to Luvu Saturday (reported by NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero).

Had a flag been called, the 40-yard return by Quan Martin would have been nullified and the score would have remained 17-14 instead of 24-14. We’ll never know how differently the game would have played out, but this was very much a game-changing play. Washington went on to win, 45-31, eliminating the No. 1 seed Lions.

Of note, this fine was about $7,500 less than the one wide receiver Jameson Williams was hit with for his touchdown celebration just a few minutes after the pick-six. Williams was fined $25,325. Part of that may have been due to that being Williams’ second fine of the season for some sort of gesture during a touchdown, but the fact remains his fine was larger than Luvu’s.

Commanders linebacker Frankie Luvu fined $33,766 for two dirty plays vs. Lions

Washington Commanders linebacker Frankie Luvu fined $33,766 but not flagged for two dirty plays vs. the Detroit Lions in NFC divisional round

Frankie Luvu has a big storyline in Sunday’s NFC Championship game, and just hours before kickoff, the Commanders’ linebacker was fined nearly $34,000 for two unsportsmanlike fouls in the divisional round win over the Lions.

The NFL fined Luvu $16,883 for roughing the passer (blow to the head/neck) — his block on Jared Goff that aided a pick-six return. No flag was thrown on a pivotal play in Washington’s upset win.

Luvu also was fined $16,883 for an illegal hip-drop tackle on Jahmyr Gibbs a few plays later. No penalty was thrown on that play.

Commanders linebackers ranked as best among conference championship teams

The Commanders’ linebackers are the best among the remaining teams.

The Washington Commanders are gearing up for an NFC Championship Game matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles.

In the AFC, meanwhile, the Kansas City Chiefs are taking on the Buffalo Bills. Of the four teams playing in conference championship games, the Commanders are easily the most surprising entry.

The team has reached this point for several reasons, perhaps none more important than rookie sensation Jayden Daniels. Daniels has surpassed every expectation as a rookie quarterback and appears to be only getting better.

Recently, Jim Wyman of PFF identified the best position groups among teams that are in conference championship games. Wyman listed the Commanders’ linebackers as the best unit among the four teams.

Regarding the Commanders’ linebacker unit, Wyman offered the following:

Bobby Wagner continues to deny Father Time, earning an 88.3 PFF overall grade to rank third among linebackers. Frankie Luvu has also been a reliable option for the Commanders, sporting a 65.3 PFF overall grade. Depth may be a concern, though, as Washington‘s other three linebackers have a combined 109 snaps between them.

Bobby Wagner’s 2024 season has been nothing short of incredible. The LB has racked up 16 tackles, 0.5 sacks, two tackles for loss, and a fumble recovery so far in the playoffs.

Luvu has been another great addition. The former New York Jet and Carolina Panther has racked up 13 tackles in two playoff games.

During the regular season, Wagner and Luvu combined for 231 tackles, 10 sacks, 22 tackles for loss, and 11 pass deflections. As Wyman noted, the depth isn’t great, but these two veterans are as solid as they come.

Commanders injury updates: Latest news ahead of NFC Championship game

The Washington Commanders had Bobby Wagner and Daron Payne miss practice ahead of the NFC Championship game vs. the Philadelphia Eagles

The Commanders wrapped up a Thursday practice ahead of Sunday’s NFC title game and had multiple key starters listed as limited or nonparticipants.

Running back Jeremy McNichols (hand) was a full practice participant, while wide receiver Olamide Zaccheaus (hip) was limited in practice.

Washington tight end Ben Sinnott (shoulder) was limited, while center Tyler Biadasz (ankle) practiced fully.

Defensive tackle Daron Payne (knee/finger) did not practice, along with Bobby Wagner, but linebacker Frankie Luvu was listed as limited with a shoulder injury.

Four Commanders selected to the NFL All-Pro team

Four Commanders earn All-Pro honors.

It’s been a while. On Friday, the NFL announced the 2024 All-Pro team, and the Washington Commanders were heavily represented. While no one made first-team All-Pro, four players were selected for the second team.

  • WR Terry McLaurin
  • KR Austin Ekeler
  • LB Frankie Luvu
  • LB Bobby Wagner

McLaurin broke a franchise record with 13 touchdown receptions in 2024. He caught 82 passes for 1,096 yards, averaging 13.4 yards per reception.

Ekeler appeared in 12 regular-season games, averaging over 31 yards per return. He returned one kickoff for a touchdown, but it was called back. Ekeler’s longest return was for 62 yards.

Wagner started all 17 games for Washington, finishing with 132 tackles, including 10 for loss, two sacks, four passes defensed, two fumble recoveries and one forced fumble. This is the 11th consecutive season where Wagner was named either first-team or second-team All-Pro. The 13-year pro has been named first-team All-Pro six times and second team five times. Wagner joins some exclusive company.

Luvu also started all 17 games for the Commanders, registering 99 tackles, including 12 for loss, eight sacks, 14 quarterback hits and seven passes defensed.

Ekeler, Wagner and Luvu all signed with Washington last offseason, while McLaurin has spent his entire six-year career with the Commanders.