Tag: HC Dan Quinn

Commanders: Some things changed, some things remained the same

The more things change, the more they remain the same — for the Commanders.

The more some things change, the more some things remain the same.

The old saying is still true in various aspects of life, and Sunday revealed it is true regarding the 2024 Commanders as well. What’s changed? The general manager, Adam Peters, is new, and so is head coach Dan Quinn, as well as most of his coaching staff is also new.

It’s also quite new that 30 players are on the active roster that were not Commanders in 2023. What’s also new is the name of the next Washington Commanders kicker, seeing Cade York was released after only one game.

York had come to the Commanders for a conditional seventh-round draft choice. The Browns were going to cut him anyway, as Dustin Hopkins continued to prove to Ron Rivera that he belongs in the NFL and was extended by the Browns. York had to be with the Commanders for two games for the draft choice to become a reality. This was enough motivation for Peters to release York.

What hasn’t changed is that the Commanders surrendered the most passing touchdowns in 2023, and they picked up right where they left off, yielding four more in the Week 1 loss.

Benjamin St-Juste was fighting out there. I will give him that. He even interfered with Mike Evans on one touchdown pass in the second quarter. Mike Sainristil looked like, well, a rookie. He was lost and beaten badly more than once. Emmanuel Forbes? Looked like the same rookie of 2023.

https://youtube.com/shorts/ARteugC4RDU?si=ksJmjH1C7wPCEDJq

You recall back to last year, when Ron Rivera was recorded saying the Commanders were hoping to draft Emmanuel Forbes that night in the first round. Were they actually that determined and hopeful to draft Forbes? Before selecting him, Rivera was telling Commanders Nation how Forbes had great ball skills and had set an NCAA mark for pick-sixes.

Other than the highlights film of Forbes at Mississippi State, how much of the game film did they actually watch? It’s unthinkable to consider this as a possibility. Forbes has gotten beaten so badly, so repeatedly, there had to be college games where his coverage was shown to be inadequate. How did they not see that? How did they not recognize that?

However, at this rate, will Forbes show that Rivera may have gone 0-4 in his four NFL draft first-round picks with Washington?

Commanders’ Dan Quinn hit the nail squarely on the head

Third downs crushed the Commanders again on Sunday.

Nine for thirteen.

It was perhaps the most significant statistic of Sunday’s Commanders game in Tampa.

Yes, the score was 37-20. But even the final touchdown by the Commanders was basically a gimme by the Bucs, sitting back in prevent defense, allowing Jayden Daniels to convert all five of his attempts on the drive, making the score less embarrassing.

Head coach Dan Quinn felt the same regarding the nine-for-13 13 stat. Because at his press conference in Tampa, just minutes after the conclusion of the game, Quinn summed it up this way: “I think third down, if I had to look back on it right now, that was the biggest and certainly the story of the game. So, a lot to work on. Tampa was the better team today.”

Notice this third down that broke the Commanders again.

The Commanders’ defense gave up an absurd 69.2 percent of third downs to the Buccaneers. Put more bluntly, the Buccaneers shredded the Commanders on third downs. 69% of the time, the Buccaneers moved the chains or put the ball in the end zone.

Going back and looking at the third downs, there is not much one can spin positively. Strangely, it was so bad that it could have been even worse. How so? Well, at 11:43 of the opening Bucs’ possession, it was 3rd & 3 at the Commanders 38, and Jalen McMillan was wide open, having completely fooled Mike Sainristil. Fortunately, Baker Mayfield overthrew McMillan. Instead of a touchdown, the Bucs settled for three points.

But even this was only possible because earlier in the possession, yes, on 3rd & 1 at the Bucs 39, the Bucs failed to convert, forcing a punt. However, DE Clelin Ferrell illegally used his hands, extending the drive.

It would serve as an omen of what was to come on third downs for the Commanders defense all day in Tampa. Baker Mayfield had his best day as a pro with a 146.4 passer rating, tops in Week 1.

Dan Quinn was right. Third down was the story for the Commanders’ defense. He didn’t say it, but he did imply it, and he is correct. This team is the 2024 Commanders, not the 2023 Commanders. We can’t continue to blame only Ron Rivera and Jack Del Rio.

Postgame quotes after Commanders’ disappointing loss to Bucs

Several postgame quotes after the Commanders’ loss to the Bucs.

Sunday’s Commanders’ 37-20 loss was disappointing and worse than the score. Here are some postgame quotes:

“You need to struggle to see the identity develop. You don’t want it. But you need it. That happened tonight.” Dan Quinn

“I’m a hard grader. We didn’t win.”  Jayden Daniels

“If the Dotson trade wasn’t enough of a reminder, this Commanders team was real bad last year and has serious work to do before they’re competitive again. Management knows this. There are definite questions/problems from this game, but talent-wise, they’re years behind.”  JP Finlay of NBC Washington.

“The guys here believe in him because of the work he has put in. They love this guy, what he stands for as a competitor, as a teammate…” Dan Quinn on Jayden Daniels

Cade York missed two field goals and errantly kicked off once out of bounds. Quinn was asked postgame if this meant there would be kicker tryouts. “We’ll have a good talk about that and see where we’re at.”  Dan Quinn

“You can’t expect him to go out there and do everything right. He is a rookie. He is still learning how to play the NFL game. But I think today he passed. He gets another chance to go next week and begin to take another step forward.” Brian Mitchell on Jayden Daniels

“I think third down, if I had to look back on it right now, that was the biggest and certainly the story of the game. So, a lot to work on. Tampa was the better team today.”  Dan Quinn

“You need to struggle to see the identity develop. You don’t want it. But you do need it. That part is hard, and that struggle happened tonight. We’ll take these lessons and we will work on them.” Dan Quinn

“I missed Terry (McLaurin). That is one I wish I could have back. But, it is a long season. We’re going to hit a couple of those. But Tampa did a good job with their scheme.” Jayden Daniels

“You have to crawl before you walk. This team had to show us something. They showed it today, and they go from there, watch themselves on film, and come out with a better solution next time.”  Santana Moss

No, they are not where we want them to be. But you know what? Nothing ever starts out where you want it to be. You have to work towards it, and I believe they will put in the work.” Brian Mitchell

“I’m sure a lot of people are down on us after this game…But I don’t think anyone is panicking. The only thing this means is we’re not going undefeated. The [1972] Miami Dolphins are safe from us…. We have to keep getting better.”  TE Zach Ertz

 

 

Former Washington coach Jay Gruden rooting for the Commanders

The former coach has fond words for Dan Quinn, his former players and will be rooting for Washington now that a certain person is gone.

Former Washington Redskins head coach Jay Gruden says now that Dan Snyder is gone, he hopes the best for the Washington Commanders.

Gruden was a guest on the “Kevin Sheehan Show” podcast Friday. Regarding the Commanders, Gruden was his typical self. Here are a few select quotes from Gruden.

https://twitter.com/Coach_JayGruden/status/1806390779134595335

“How does Jayden handle the pressure, and the things he has to do at quarterback to be successful? Obviously, he has the talent. We haven’t seen him going against a team’s No. 1 defense in the NFL. He is going to play against a Tampa Bay defense this week that will not hold anything back. They are going to get after his ass.”

“Can Bobby Wagner hold up at linebacker? He is getting a little older. Can the corners hold up? Is Forbes starting this year? Is he going to play better?”

“They (Commanders) have a lot of talent, a lot of young players playing critical positions. So we will see. I just think it is going to be a struggle this year for them. They will get better and better. Dan Quinn will get these guys going.”

“His (Kliff Kingsbury) biggest issue is protecting the quarterback with the protection scheme he has. He can get guys open down the field, but can he protect Jayden Daniels? We don’t want to see him passing all the time against Tampa Bay, or it will be a blood bath. Tampa Bay will blitz the hell out of him.”

“I think the ability of them to use Jayden with his legs, with zone reads and play action, getting him outside the pocket will be critical early on to get him  outside to see some throws and then use his legs on the perimeter.”

“If they have to bring safeties down into the box creating seven-man fronts, eight-man fronts, that puts a lot of pressure on your corners. If he is going to protect his corners, Jonathan Allen and Daron Payne and Clelin Ferrell have to do a good job in light boxes stopping the run. I think they can. Bobby Wagner is good against the run, so is Frankie Luvu.”

“I am rooting for Washington, man. I am off the root against the Dan Snyder bandwagon. I am rooting for Washington to do well. I am rooting for Terry McLaurin, Jonathan Allen, Daron Payne. I still have feelings for these guys and the fans. They were good to me for the most part. I am rooting for Washington to have a good year. I like Dan Quinn; he is a good guy…”

There is more; here is the link to all the audio of the discussion.

Several reasons Commanders opening week is exciting

Why fans should be excited about Sunday and the 2024 season.

Who are the 2024 Washington Commanders?

Who knows?

Seriously, nobody knows. This season is unique in the sense that there are so many unknowns. It raises our curiosity, anticipation, and excitement.

  1. There’s a new sheriff in town: Adam Peters. This was Peters’ first offseason, and now, it is the beginning of his first season as an NFL general manager. He is not inexperienced, however. He has been working like crazy, making all sorts of signings, and he’s shown he’s not afraid to make unexpected trades. I just now counted 30 new players to the Commanders roster this year!
  2. When Dan Quinn was hired, much displeasure was voiced and posted on social media. That didn’t take long to change, however. Quinn is personable, direct, has a sense of humor, and has been full of energy every time he has been called upon. The players like him and respect him, and the fan base has quickly changed their minds. There is excitement in the air, and Quinn is a major reason.
  3. Jayden Daniels is only a rookie, but in his two brief (very) preseason appearances, he was decisive and accurate. There was much excitement before Robert Griffin’s debut in 2012, and rightly so. But doesn’t Daniels appear more prepared and poised? How many times will Daniels run a zone-read option Sunday against the Bucs? How will he handle the defensive pressure of a good, defensive playoff team last year?

https://twitter.com/granthpaulsen/status/1822329867376947482

Oh, there are more reasons why the DMV is excited about this 2024 team. Here are some other reasons there’s such anticipation.

The 2023 team was horrible. They lost their final eight games and four games last season by 34, 20, 12, 35, 30, 17, and 28 points! That’s four games by 28 or more points! One reason there is such optimism is that Ron Rivera’s final team lowered the bar so much. If this team is competitive throughout the season, it will be progress.

The team made it through the preseason with no major injuries. Yes, Jordan Magee is going to miss a few games. Yes, Brandon Coleman and Johnny Newton did not play in the preseason. But Coleman will be back for the opener, and Newton is trending to play soon.

Linebacker play was a weakness the last four years despite the fact that Rivera and Jack Del Rio were good linebackers themselves in the NFL. But Peters has brought in Frankie Luvu and Bobby Wagner. On paper, that looks tremendously better. How much does Wagner have remaining in his body? It’s another unknown; he is 34. Yet, he did lead the NFL with 183 tackles (96 solo, 87 assisted) in 2023.

There are unknowns and question marks. But one thing is certain: there has not been this much excitement for a season opener since 2012.

Commanders’ GM Adam Peters: ‘We are trying to win now’

Peters talked about the Dotson trade and trading to teams within the division.

George Allen came to Washington in 1971, became the head coach and general manager, and proclaimed, “The future is now.”

Adam Peters boarded the Washington NFL ship in 2024, and he again told Grant & Danny (106.7 the Fan) Thursday, “It’s not a rebuild; it’s a recalibration.”

This being his first time as a team’s general manager, Peters expressed to Grant and Danny, “We are trying to win right now. We do have goals to be really good this season.”

In recent history, the NFL has had a team each season rebound really well from a really down year the previous season. Last season, it was the Houston Texans, who had been 3-13-1 in 2022 and fired Lovie Smith. They hired Demeco Ryans, drafted C.J. Stroud, and finished 10-7 atop the AFC South in 2023.

Peters feels the responsibility on his shoulders to get the Commanders turned around in 2023 after not having a winning regular season since Kirk Cousins was the quarterback in 2015 (9-7) and 2016 (8-7-1). “It is my job as a general manager and really in conjunction with DQ  (Dan Quinn), and we make every decision together, is to be good now and to build for a sustainable team for the future, a team you guys will see compete for championships every year.”

It’s a delicate balance, but Peters and Quinn are attempting to make decisions not simplistically based on winning now or winning in the future. They seek to embrace both—getting better for 2024 and beyond.

As for why he traded receiver Jahan Dotson to division rival Philadelphia, Peters expressed, “That was clearly the best offer. A tie is going to go to the team outside the division. But there’s not always going to be a tie. In this case, they (Eagles) were very bullish on Jahan, and rightfully so. But every time, it is going to be different. If it’s the Cowboys and the Steelers, and everything is the same, and we are making a trade, it’s probably going to go to Pittsburgh.”

Quinn: Commanders ‘have a really cool quarterback room here’

Dan Quinn and Adam Peters discussed keeping three quarterbacks and one on the practice squad.

Did the NFLPA’s decision to decline the option to have the emergency quarterback come off the practice squad lead the Commanders to keep three quarterbacks on their initial roster?

That was a question posed Wednesday to general manager Adam Peters and head coach Dan Quinn during their press conference. On Tuesday, the team announced its initial 53-man roster, which included quarterbacks Jayden Daniels, Marcus Mariota, and Jeff Driskel.

Peters began by expressing, “not a lot.” “We thought Jeff did a really good job throughout. He got better and better throughout the offseason and training camp. We thought when we were making those (roster) decisions that Jeff earned a spot on the 53.”

Peters acknowledged the two spots were already determined to be Daniels and Mariota, but that Driskel “went and took it (roster spot). I am proud of him and the way he played; he earned it.”

Quinn quickly jumped in, elaborating further, “It’s a really cool quarterback room here. The coaching, their connection together and to see these four guys working together and in support of all that goes into it. It was by design that we were going to be heavy into that space from a coaching point of view. To see that transfer into the players and the belief in them, it’s been all we hoped it would be.”

The fourth was rookie Sam Hartman out of Notre Dame (and Wake Forest). Hartman was brought back and signed to the practice squad.

With Daniels being a rookie, the coaches could think that keeping another veteran around like Driskel in addition to Mariota gives Daniels another player with years of experience preparing in work weeks throughout an NFL season.

In addition, keeping Hartman means the Commanders have an extra veteran in Driskel for knowledge and playing if necessary. They also have Hartman, whom they can keep in hopes that he will develop toward competing for a roster spot next year.

Why did the Commanders keep QB Jeff Driskel?

Why did the Commanders keep three quarterbacks?

Why did the Commanders keep Jeff Driskel as a third quarterback on their initial 53-man roster?

For the last two weeks, several insiders have publicly stated that they felt strongly the Commanders would only keep two quarterbacks on their 53-man roster while placing a third on their practice squad.

Yet, after Tuesday’s deadline, Washington has three quarterbacks: Jayden Daniels, Marcus Mariota, and Jeff Driskel.

Head coach Dan Quinn, in speaking with the media Tuesday, expressed, “I think as you are going through it, quite honestly, we like the quarterback room. You just want as many guys in the building that are going through the process, understanding the system and working out. It’s such an important position as you are going through you want as many guys in the building that are always developing, always pushing. No other reason than the talent of the group and we really felt like this group was really pushing it. That was the reason behind it.”

Quinn wasn’t being dishonest. He is simply cautious not to say too much. Mariota, the second quarterback, was the second overall pick in 2015 and he has walked in Daniels’ shoes.

In addition, Mariota was recently in training camp, injuring a groin. If they need to go to another quarterback this season, right now, they are saying they want to have Driskel around.

Being in his first NFL season, the Commanders may feel it best to have two veteran quarterbacks in Daniels’s ear. Having supportive quarterbacks who accept their role in the quarterback room Monday through Friday is going to be very important for Daniels this year.

Driskel is 31. He has been around the football block a few times himself. He was a 5-star recruit for the Florida Gators and was going to be a big deal in the SEC. But it didn’t work out as planned.

Yet, Driskel has persevered, been a good student of the game, and been a good teammate. Consequently, he now enters his seventh NFL team in his eighth NFL season. Having been with the Bengals, Lions, Broncos, Texans, and Browns, he is glad to be here. He won’t make waves. He will come to work each day and be glad to be of whatever help he can to Jayden Daniels and the Commanders.

After Jahan Dotson trade, Kliff Kingsbury talks about what Commanders want from WRs

Kingsbury’s answers on what Washington seeks at receiver were telling.

Someone had to speak with the press on Thursday.

Given that there would be questions about the trade of wide receiver Jahan Dotson a day earlier, perhaps Adam Peters or Dan Quinn would have been an obvious choice.

So, there was Kliff Kingsbury.

The offensive coordinator, as expected, quickly punted, saying he would defer to Peters and Dan Quinn regarding the trade. Of course he did. That’s not to criticize Kingsbury in any way. He doesn’t make trades, so why should he have to answer questions about them?

He was then asked in a roundabout way about what the coaches are looking for from the wide receivers.

“DQ’s [Quinn’s] style of play. Be physical and play hard without the ball,” Kingsbury said. “I think that’s what we preach is like everybody’s gonna run routes and make catches at this level, but how do you play without the ball?”

After all we have heard over the last week regarding Dotson, that response from Kingsbury lets you know. The coaches just didn’t see Dotson as being physical enough to run his routes or block.

The team could be thin at receiver this season, as only Terry McLaurin has produced significantly. However, Kingsbury knows there are other people to whom quarterback Jayden Daniels can get the ball.

“Austin Ekeler has been fantastic. I think there’s a narrative out there that maybe he lost a step, or something was off, and that couldn’t be further from the truth from what I’ve seen. … Brian Robinson, he’s a No. 1 back in this league, there’s no doubt.”

So, Kingsbury likes his top two backs and is counting on getting both of them the ball often. He also knows that developing a running game will decrease the pressure on Daniels to beat the defense through passing.

Perhaps one of the more interesting things Kingsbury said was about WR Kazmeir Allen.

“So he’s a guy that we could see similar —I’m not comparing — but he has a Deebo-type role to move him around and do different things,” Kingsbury said. “He has that type of explosiveness and ability to play in the slot, or you can hand it to him.”

Compared to Allen, Samuel is much larger and stronger. He is a beast at his position. But the first two preseason games have shown that Allen is someone the coaches like for his explosiveness, and they are looking for ways to get him the ball.

Three Commanders rookies working through injuries

Injury updates on three Washington rookies.

Brandon Coleman, Jordan Magee and Johnny Newton are three Commanders draft choices currently dealing with injuries.

Magee, drafted 139th overall in the fifth round out of Temple, had moved well in training camp before suffering an injured meniscus against the Jets in the first preseason game.

Head coach Dan Quinn said during Monday’s press conference that Magee’s knee required a procedure. The procedure has already been performed, and Magee will subsequently be out for a while. However, Quinn quickly clarified that Magee’s meniscus injury is not season-ending.

Newton surprised everyone when he was still available for the Commanders at No. 36 overall. Though they already had defensive tackles, Jonathan Allen and Daron Payne, Adam Peters felt Newton should not be passed up, so they grabbed him.

Newton, however, required foot surgery soon afterward to repair a Jones fracture. The surgery was said to be successful, and Newton has returned to individual workouts.

Coleman, an offensive tackle from TCU, was selected in round three (67th overall). Coleman pleased coaches in training camp until Quinn last week said he suffered a “strain in his shoulder and his pec.”

Monday, regarding both Newton and Coleman, Quinn said, “So far, you are going to see those guys work individual. It would have to be towards the end of the week if they would get any team reps.”

“Brandon’s a little bit further along than Johnny, but not by tons. Both of them I see on the way up. As far as getting them to the game, I’ll have a better sense for that as we get to the end of the week. You’ll see Brandon this week really ramping up the contact and that kind of stuff.”

“You will see more running with Johnny. So, those are two guys that are on the arrow up, but I don’t have an official game timeline for them yet.”

“There’s next week’s practices (following game vs Patriots), and the following week. I think I’ll have a better assessment once I go through a few days with him (Coleman) this week and see if we have a realistic shot for him to play Sunday night or not. He is certainly trending in that way. We’re just going to use all the caution we can with him and Johnny to make sure there’s no setbacks.”