Tag: HC Dan Quinn

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.

Dan Quinn says Commanders elevated themselves

Washington’s defense got much better on Tuesday.

Dan Quinn will most likely fall asleep tonight, smiling.

Tuesday, the Commanders obtained Saints’ cornerback Marshon Lattimore and a fifth-round draft choice. The Commanders dealt a third, fourth, and sixth-round choice to the Saints in return for the four-time Pro Bowler.

Quinn was understandably upbeat when talking as a Sirius XM NFL Radio guest.

“We’re going to keep competing in every way that we can,” expressed Quinn. “This was another example of how to do that.”

In expressing why they were interested in making this trade, Quinn stressed, “We love his toughness, his ability to play man-to-man, to guard people.”

When Quinn was the head coach with the Falcons, he recalled Lattimore facing the top receivers in that division twice each season. Quinn said that was “a big deal.”

Quinn likes that Lattimore was Terry McLaurin’s and Noah Brown’s college teammate at Ohio State. He believes this move really gives the Commanders an opportunity to elevate themselves.

“We’re really pumped to add him to the crew,” Quinn said excitedly.

One reason might be that this addition could improve the Commanders in three positions. Lattimore becomes the top corner, Benjamin St-Juste becomes a stronger No. 2 corner, and Mike Sainristil now moves to the slot where he is most effective.

Quinn might also be glad to have Lattimore because Quinn believes in, wants, and demands competitiveness. Remember the great physical battles between Lattimore and Tampa’s Mike Evans?

Quinn might be pumped, but shouldn’t Lattimore be pumped as well? The Saints are 2-7 and just lost to the Panthers. The Commanders lost on opening day at Tampa Bay and have won 7 of 8 games since then. He was playing for a team that had only scored 207 points in nine games. Now, he partners with a team that has the fourth-highest point differential in the NFL. How much better is the quarterback room in Washington than in New Orleans?

So, sum it up like this. How many years has it been since a Washington Redskins / Commanders fan was heard saying, “This year, we are going for it.”

 

When they last met: Commanders and Giants

What happened the last time these rivals met?

“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 21, NY Giants 18 – Week 2, September 15, 2024

Austin Seibert, playing in his first NFL game of 2024, successfully kicked seven field goals, the last of which gave the Commanders a walk-off 21-18 victory over the New York Giants in Landover, Maryland.

GM Adam Peters claimed Seibert after Washington released kicker Cade York.

On the other side of the field, the Giants lost their kicker, Graham Gano, which resulted in the Giants attempting two-point conversions twice but missing both of them.

Quarterback Jayden Daniels was spectacular over most of the field, completing 23 of his 29 passing attempts for 226 yards and no interceptions. However, Daniels was sacked five times, and the Commanders never reached the end zone.

Instead, Seibert was called upon and came through with field goals from 27, 45 and 26 yards in the first half, keeping Washington close to the Giants, as they trailed only 12-9.

Seibert tied the game in the third quarter with a field goal from 27 yards. He then gave the Commanders a 15-12 lead, connecting from 29 yards with 2:47 remaining in the quarter.

In the final quarter, trailing 18-15, the Commanders got into position, allowing Seibert to tie the score from 33 yards with 7:12 remaining.

When the Giants turned the ball over on downs, Daniels drove the Commanders down the field one last time, and Seifert’s 30-yard field goal as time expired, gave Washington their first victory of 2024, evening their record at 1-1.

While Daniels manufactured a 99.1 passer rating, Brian Robinson churned up 133 rushing yards on his 17 rushing attempts, and Zach Ertz led the Commanders with 62 receiving yards on his four receptions. Washington moved the ball so well all day that punter Tress Way was never needed to punt.

What did Commanders’ roster move say about Brian Robinson’s status?

What did Saturday’s roster move tell us about Brian Robinson Jr?

Saturday, the Commanders elevated running back Chris Rodriguez from the practice squad to their roster.

Why did the Commanders make the move, elevating Rodriguez?

It’s simple, really. Starting running back Brian Robinson, Jr. is ailing.

Robinson has gained 461 yards in his 101 rushing attempts, averaging 4.6 yards a carry. Six times, he has scored a rushing touchdown, and 27 times, he has moved the chains with a first down.

But Robinson is battling a hamstring issue. He has missed practice this week and was listed as questionable. So don’t be surprised if Dan Quinn and Adam Peters decide to sit Robinson and have him “inactive” against the Giants on Sunday.

If the Commanders can win over the Giants, Quinn and Peters might have a more difficult decision concerning Robinson. The next opponent on Sunday, Nov. 10, is the Steelers, followed by the Eagles (Thursday, Nov. 14). Would they play Rodriguez against the Steelers and perhaps have to sit him again against the Eagles? Or might they sit Robinson against the Steelers and play him against the Eagles?

Rodriguez played college football at Kentucky, and Washington selected him in round 6 (193 overall) of the 2023 draft. In 2023, he carried the ball 51 times for 247 yards, two touchdowns, and 12 first downs.

Michael Wiley appeared ahead of Rodriguez throughout the preseason, but again, the Commanders have chosen the more experienced Rodriquez.

Austin Ekeler and Jeremy McNichols will shoulder most of the running back load, while Rodriguez will mostly play special teams and perhaps get some running back carries. The Commanders have been careful not to overuse Ekeler when running the ball inside.

Here is the Commanders’ nominee for the 2024 Salute to Service Award

It’s Salute to Service Month. Who is the Commanders’ nominee?

The NFL, in conjunction with the USAA, annually awards players, coaches, staff, and alumni who have demonstrated a commitment to honoring and supporting military and veteran communities. On Friday, Jeremy Reaves was announced as the Washington Commanders 2024 Salute to Service Award nominee.

Head Coach Dan Quinn elaborated a bit on this during his weekly Friday press conference.

“We announced that today in the team meeting and we rely heavily on the military and some of the influence they have because I just, I felt like they have done team better than anybody.”

The Commanders on their team website took a moment to convey to the public that Reaves has gladly done more than his share to recognize and support the military and their families.

During his time with the team, Reaves has taken part in countless military base visits across the DMV – creating meaningful touchpoints between armed forces, their families and the Commanders community. During training camp, Reaves is often the last player on the field spending time empowering members of the military and veteran communities. Additionally, he has made numerous visits to the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland where he spent time with our wounded, ill, and injured service members thanking them for their sacrifices.

Quinn went out of his way to express what type of player in the locker room Reaves is for the organization. “Great teammates make great teams, and Jeremy Reaves is a great teammate, and so we’re all really pumped for him to be our nominee for the Salute to Service award because, yeah, he represents everything that you’d want in a teammate, and that’s why I thought it was so impactful today.”

Reaves was the Pro Bowl special teams representative after his glowing 2022 season on the Washington coverage teams. In addition, when Adam Peters became general manager, he pursued and re-signed Reaves during the early free-agent signing period.

Reaves has four tackles this season, playing only four defensive snaps, but 138 special teams snaps.

The prestigious award, presented annually by USAA and the NFL, honors a league member who demonstrates an exemplary commitment to honoring and supporting the military community. USAA holds the designation of Official NFL Salute to Service Partner. 

Commanders’ Quinn reflects on crazy win vs. Bears

Dan Quinn reflects on Sunday’s win.

Dan Quinn knows he may never again experience what he saw and felt Sunday against the Bears.

Daniels’ final heave from his own 35-yard line found Noah Brown for the winning touchdown Sunday against the Bears. Dan Quinn spoke Monday to the press about his team playing until the final whistle.

“But as I was writing my notes, I stopped myself,” Quinn said. “First, to talk, not about the first 59 minutes and 58 seconds, but the last 12 seconds. And it was really cool, and I thought it was a really badass example of who this team is.”

The Commanders had indeed dominated thoughout the first half, yet managed only to lead 9-0. The Bears got a 56-yard touchdown run from D’Andre Swift and then two long drives by the Bears, taking the lead 18-15.

So, Quinn talked about the people on this team:

“And the locker room is really full of people, no matter the situation, that refused to tap out. And they fight individually and collectively for one another. And that’s really the secret sauce and the beauty of it all, is this is a room full of fighters that absolutely battle for one another.”

Indeed, Washington worked together, doing their assignments even on a “Hail Mary” attempt, accepting their assigned roles on the play for the good of the team. Jayden Daniels extended the play, the offensive line kept moving their feet blocking, and the receivers joined together to leap, hoping for a tip to Noah Brown.

“So, that’s one of the things that I thought about driving home last night, concluded Quinn. “I wanted to acknowledge again just how cool last night was to be in that arena and to hear our crowd and be a part of it. I don’t do that often enough, and I thought today felt like a good place to start.”

Quinn names Commanders’ Week 8 game captains

Dan Quinn with the ultimate praise for Jeremy Reaves.

Washington head coach Dan Quinn actually had some news Friday, other than Jayden Daniels.

As usual, on Friday, Quinn announced the captains for the upcoming weekend’s game. Friday, with the press, Quinn announced his captains for Sunday’s home 4:25 kickoff against the Bears would be G Nick Allegretti, S Jeremy Chinn, and S Jeremy Reaves.

Quinn then elaborated on what each of this week’s captains have done for this team in 2024.

“So much of Nick’s leadership shows up with the offensive line, the toughness, the line of scrimmage, and he is an absolute warrior.” Allegretti came to Washington this offseason, following his first five seasons in Kansas City.

“Defensively, it’d be [S] Jeremy Chinn. And I just see this growing taking place with Jeremy. He’s selfless, confident, and communicates well on the sideline. Chinn, still only 26, was selected No. 64 by the Panthers in the 2020 NFL draft. After his four seasons with the Panthers, he signed with Washington as a free agent last March.

Regarding a fan favorite in Jeremy Reaves, “This dude is revered here, both on the grass and off and on it. He’s an absolute slayer, so we love the energy that he brings and all this stuff. So, that is good.” Reaves is in his seventh NFL season, all with Washington. He was voted to the Pro Bowl as the Special Teams player for his play during the 2022 season.

Prior to the start of the regular season, Quinn announced he would not have team captains for the season. Instead, he would name captains on a week-to-week basis. He feels this can be an ongoing motivation throughout the season.

 

A significant reason the Commanders are an NFL surprise

This group is dramatically improved from last season.

Why are the Commanders such a surprising team in four games?

The knee-jerk response is rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels. Of course, that is probably the most significant difference compared to last year’s team. As much as we love Daniels, we know it’s not that simple; it never is.

The Commanders’ offensive line is better than last year—no, make that so much better.

Friday, speaking with the media, head coach Dan Quinn praised offensive line coach Bobby Johnson.

“Yeah, I think coming into it [we] wanted one, somebody that was an excellent teacher, and I think at that position, that’s where a lot of development takes place. You’re coaching a lot of guys and the development of that position, it’s not like just add water and play.”

Even more interesting was that one of Quinn’s friends in NFL coaching circles Brian Daboll (NYG HC) had previously spoken very highly of Johnson.

“I’ve known Brian for a long time, and like any job you’re looking for, you want to ask as many people as you can. And what really came through for me strong was the teaching, that part of things. And that was really important to me. And so I’ve really been impressed by the work that he has done so far.”

It would be simplistic to say that Daniels is the sole reason the Commanders are better, but it would be to say that Johnson is the sole reason the offensive line is better.

Consider the stark contrasts between last year’s offensive coordinator’s press conferences and this year’s. The two men are so different in approach on and off the field. The Commanders are running the ball well enough and often enough that Daniels is not being asked to carry too much of the load.

Lastly, just months ago, most of us complained about Adam Peters when he waited until the third round to draft an offensive lineman, and even more when that was his only draft choice used on the offensive line.

Peters knew what he was doing, fully aware he had already released Nick Gates and Charles Leno. Next, he had signed free agents Nick Allegretti and Tyler Biadasz. Lastly, he drafted Brandon Coleman 67th overall.

In summary, this offensive line is not last year’s, their coach is not the same, and neither is their offensive coordinator.

Yes, the offensive line has been a major contributor to Jayden Daniels making headlines for the last two weeks.

More importantly, the Washington Commanders have been making headlines the last two weeks.

Dan Quinn’s answer about a No. 2 receiver is telling

The Commanders like their current group of receivers.

Throughout the 2024 offseason and training camp, it was a foregone conclusion that Jahan Dotson was Washington’s No. 2 receiver.

That is until preseason games began, and head coach Dan Quinn noticeably one day praised some wide receivers but neglected to mention Dotson. After a week of much speculation, suddenly, on the morning of August 22, Adam Peters had traded away Dotson and a fifth-round choice to the Eagles. In exchange, Washington would receive a third-round choice and two seventh-round choices.

To this day, fans and media still discuss the team’s need for a No.2 receiver. Quinn apparently doesn’t agree.

On Wednesday, when asked about “the lingering discussions” about the Commanders’ need to develop a No. 2 receiver, Quinn smiled and responded, “No, I’ll let you and the guys outside have those ones. For us, we’re really focused on the guys that are here, honestly, just absolutely battling for it.”

Olamide Zaccheaus leads the receivers (other than Terry McLaurin) with 10 receptions, averaging 11.4 YPR. Noah Brown follows him with 9 receptions, averaging 12.3, Luke McCaffrey (7/ 11.3), Dyami Brown (5/ 7.4), and Jamison Crowder (1/ 5.0).

Quinn interestingly added, “What you will see sometimes each week is some reps may change by the position, what’s needed maybe for that game plan or for how we’d want to attack. But we’re really pleased with the group and their competitive nature, what they stand for.”

For what it is worth, the Eagles were without DeVonta Smith and A.J. Brown last week, and Brown has now missed the last three games. Dotson has not taken advantage of their absences, as he has only accumulated five receptions for 25 yards in his four games.

What everyone said after the Commanders’ Week 4 win vs. Cardinals

A collection of postgame quotes after the Commanders’ 42-14 win.

On Sunday, the Washington Commanders defeated the Arizona Cardinals, 42-14 to improve to 3-1. Here is a collection of postgame quotes from players, former players/analysts, and coaches.

“This team is still going to get better, and they are led by the right man as a coach and the right guy as a quarterback.”  Brian Mitchell

“It’s great to see the team go out there and not only win but win in the fashion they are winning in. They are playing a complete game; it’s great to see that.”  Santana Moss

“You watch Brian (Robinson) out there, he runs violently. Guys were hitting him, and he was driving them back four yards, and they got up talking trash. I’m like, ‘Fool, you just got run over.'”  Brian Mitchell

“We talked about it coming into the season; I said this is B-Rob’s year. I love seeing what I am seeing.”  Santana Moss

“Tonight, I really thought it was cool to see Burgundy and Gold in the crowd…I felt their presence, and it was really cool.”  Dan Quinn

“A quick shout out to the big guys. To have a big rushing performance with over 200 yards and no sacks. That is a big guy’s kind of day.” Dan Quinn

“We’ve established that different guys in different roles and they have come through. O.Z (Zaccheaus) really had some big pickups today.”  Dan Quinn

“You got to nail the moments when they are there…got to tip my hat to Joe (Whitton) and the staff where it’s been a hard few weeks for them. I told them they were closer than they thought. (The defense getting some very good 3rd down stops.)  Dan Quinn

“Keep him in there, don’t let him roll to the right, and that is what we did. Take his throwing ability away when he is trying to scramble.”  Dorance Armstrong on defending/rushing Kyler Murray

“We still have room to grow. We are not a finished product at all.” Jayden Daniels on the offensive success

“Those guys do a good job of getting open, knowing the timing and depth of the routes, so it’s awesome working with them.”  Jayden Daniels on Commanders’ receivers group

“You don’t want to throw a pic at all. But, that’s football, things happen. You are going to have a pic, have a turnover, but how can you bounce back, limit those, and keep moving forward?’  Jayden Davis on throwing his first interception.

“Obviously, it’s early in the season, so we’ll have to finish the year. I can’t put anything on it. But I know teams look at us and say, “Hey, those guys play hard. It’s always good to go back home with a win. Now, we are on to the Browns.”  Jayden Daniels

Exiting the field, entering the tunnel, “You like that!”  Cornelius Lucas

“For a rookie quarterback, does the guy ever make a bad decision? It’s unbelievable. Every ball is on the money.”  Chris Simms, NBC SNF

The Commanders return home to face the Cleveland Browns in Week 5.