Tag: Jeremy Reaves

Commanders safety Jeremy Reaves blames himself for missed tackle in loss to Cowboys

Washington’s loss was not on one player.

As badly as the Washington Commanders played on Sunday, they still had multiple chances to win late against the Dallas Cowboys. However, various mistakes added up and proved too much for the Commanders, who fell 34-26 to the Cowboys at home.

One of those chances came with around three minutes remaining when kicker Austin Seibert’s line drive kickoff hit Dallas wide receiver KaVontae Turpin’s hands around the four-yard line, which he muffed, picked up and ran back 99 yards for the touchdown to extend the Cowboys lead to 27-17 with 2:49 remaining.

This was just seconds after Washington quarterback Jayden Daniels engineered a quick touchdown drive to again make it a one-score game. With two timeouts and the two-minute warning remaining, the Commanders were in an excellent position to win an ugly game after such a terrible performance.

Turpin had other plans. But even after Turpin’s touchdown, Daniels and Terry McLaurin still had some magic left, but it didn’t matter, as the Cowboys prevailed.

As for Turpin, Washington safety — and former Pro Bowler on special teams — Jeremy Reaves blamed himself for Turpin’s score. It was Reaves who missed the initial tackle.

“I made that play 1,000 times,” a dejected Reaves said at his locker after Sunday’s game. “Thousand times, hundreds of times, it’s repetition. I didn’t make it today, and it cost us. It’s on me, man.

Reaves is right in one sense. He has made that play many times over the years, and not making it on Sunday was costly. However, Reaves is not to blame for the loss — far from it.

You win as a team, you lose a team. Reaves is one of the more selfless and beloved players in the locker room. He’s doing what leaders do: Taking accountability. That play was one of many that added up for the Commanders on Sunday, creating a perfect storm for the heavy underdog to come away with an upset win.

Commanders kicker Austin Seibert takes accountability after missed kicks

Seibert answered every question and took responsibility on a day where the Commanders made plenty of mistakes.

Things couldn’t have been going any better for Washington Commanders kicker Austin Seibert. Seibert made 25 of his 27 field goal attempts in seven games with Washington and was perfect on all 22 extra-point attempts.

Then, before the Commanders’ Week 10 game against Pittsburgh, Seibert injured his right hip, which cost him the next two games. On Sunday, Seibert returned for Washington against the Dallas Cowboys.

It was a day to forget for Seibert. He missed both extra points and made one of his two field goal attempts, which proved costly. The second missed PAT came with 21 seconds remaining after wide receiver Terry McLaurin’s miraculous 86-yard touchdown catch from quarterback Jayden Daniels. 

There was also Seibert’s kickoff to KaVontae Turpin, which, with three minutes remaining, was returned for a 99-yard touchdown.

It was a day to forget for Seibert.

After the game, Seibert met with the media and, like safety Jeremy Reaves, who missed a tackle on the Turpin touchdown, took full blame for the loss.

“I just want to play better for my teammates, you know, definitely don’t want to do that,” Seibert said. “Just wasn’t striking well, but it means a lot me to be here with these guys, so I just want to put my best foot….moving forward.”

That’s tough to watch.

When Seibert was asked about the low snap on the second missed PAT, he had none of it, taking full accountability.

“It didn’t make a difference at all. It’s on me,” he said. 

After missing two games with a right hip, could the injury have affected him? Again, Seibert was not about to make excuses.

“I felt fine,” he said. “That’s why I made the decision to play, and here we are.”

First, Seibert should be credited for speaking to the media after the most challenging moment of his professional career. He didn’t run away from it. So often these days, athletes hide from the media after a bad day. Not Seibert. Like Reaves, he stood there and answered every question, regardless of how repetitive some seemed.

Lastly, Seibert didn’t lose this game, nor did Reaves or John Bates. It was a collective effort. There were so many plays you could point back to and see Washington’s mistakes.

Seibert needs to shake it off and not allow one bad day to impact him next week and beyond. The Commanders host the Tennessee Titans in Week 13.

Arrest warrant issued for Ravens fan who assaulted 2 Commanders fans in Baltimore

An arrest warrant is issued from Sunday’s incident in Baltimore where two Commanders fans were assaulted.

Just days after a Baltimore Ravens fan assaulted two Washington Commanders fans on the streets of Baltimore after Sunday’s NFL game, Baltimore police have issued an arrest warrant. According to the warrant, 24-year-old John Callis is wanted in connection to the assaults that happened on the 1000 block of South Charles Street.

After the Ravens defeated the Commanders 30-23, a Ravens fan wearing a Lamar Jackson jersey randomly punches two fans in Washington jerseys, knocking one to the ground. The incident was caught on video and shared on every form of social media.

Here’s the incident from Sunday.

Once the video made its rounds on X, Washington fans united to find the attacker’s identity and were quickly successful.

According to the warrant, Callis is facing first-degree aggravated assault and three counts of second-degree assault. Anyone with information on this incident is encouraged to call 1-866-7Lockup.

Washington fans were elated to see the news:

Another one:

Commanders safety Jeremy Reaves wanted to do something for the two Washington fans assaulted in the video.

That’s another win for Reaves, one of Washington’s most popular players.

Commanders reveal captains for Week 1

Washington names captains for Week 1.

Washington Commanders head coach Dan Quinn recently revealed that instead of naming captains for the 2024 season, he would do them weekly ahead of each game.

On Friday, the Commanders revealed their Week 1 captains for Sunday’s game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers:

  • Wide receiver Terry McLaurin
  • Defensive end Clelin Ferrell
  • Safety Jeremy Reaves

McLaurin and Reaves have been captains with Washington before and, along with Jonathan Allen, are among the most respected holdovers in the locker room. Ferrell is in his first year with the Commanders after spending the 2023 season with the San Francisco 49ers.

For those wondering about Allen and future Hall of Famer Bobby Wagner, they will also have their turns at being captains, too.

Washington and Tampa Bay kick off the season at 4:25 p.m. ET on Sunday.

Commanders punter Tress Way’s tackle fires teammates up

Tress Way fired everyone up on Saturday.

Tress Way is the longest-tenured player on the Washington Commanders’ roster. Way has been with Washington since 2014, and there probably aren’t too many specialists as popular with their community, teammates, and fan base as Way.

The two-time Pro Bowl punter was in the news this spring after the Commanders selected quarterback Jayden Daniels in the NFL draft. Way gave his No. 5 to Daniels.

It was an emotional moment for Way, but he believed he had made the right decision for the sake of the organization.

During Saturday’s preseason opener against the New York Jets, Way launched a 54-yard punt in the fourth quarter that Jets returner Brandon Codrington appeared to have some green grass in front of him. However, Way would have none of it, coming out of nowhere for an impressive form tackle and stopping Codrington after a 13-yard return.

Here’s the play, and notice the reactions of his teammates.

Everyone rallied to Way, led by linebacker Frankie Luvu.

Everybody loves Tress Way.

On Sunday, safety and special-teams stalwart Jeremy Reaves, a close friend of Way and his family, made a promise to Way’s wife on Instagram.

While his teammates loved it, you can bet general manager Adam Peters, head coach Dan Quinn and special teams coach Larry Izzo loved it even more. They stress competing on every snap, and Way’s tackle — in the preseason — is the epitome of competing.

It’s not every day you see a punter running down the field and getting physical, much less in the preseason. That’s why Tress Way is one of one.

 

WATCH: Commanders safety Jeremy Reaves mic’d up in training camp

Jeremy Reaves having some fun at training camp.

Jeremy Reaves is one of the Washington Commanders’ most popular players. When general manager Adam Peters and head coach Dan Quinn took over earlier this year, they let most of Washington’s internal free agents walk.

Reaves, who was set to enter free agency after recovering from a major knee injury, was always a priority for the new regime. Reaves can play, but his impact is felt everywhere. He’s a team leader, a fan favorite, a special teams star, and a reserve safety who sets a standard in practice every day.

So, when the Commanders made it official, signing Reaves to a new two-year, his teammates and fans were happy. Reaves already appears to be a favorite of the new coaching staff.

Washington opened training camp this week, and the team mic’d up Reaves.

Give it a watch:

In this 60-second clip, you see why Reaves is so beloved. He’s chatting with everyone, from the training staff and equipment guys to linebacker Bobby Wagner and running back Brian Robinson Jr.

It’s good to see Reaves back on the field — and in Washington.

 

Commanders continue to make positive changes under new ownership

Ownership has taken those NFLPA grades seriously.

When the National Football League Players Association (NFLPA) released its team report cards last season, the Washington Commanders received bad news.

Let’s take a trip down memory lane to see how bad things were for Washington:

  • Treatment of Families: F-
  • Food/Cafeteria: D+
  • Nutritionist/Dietician: B-
  • Locker Room: F-
  • Training Room: F-
  • Training Staff: F
  • Weight Room: C
  • Strength Coaches: A
  • Team Travel: F
  • Head Coach: C
  • Ownership: B

The only reason why the Commanders scored as high in some categories (ownership) as they did was because new owner Josh Harris had taken over in July. Unfortunately, it was too late for Harris to impact many of the categories where Washington players handed out bad grades to the franchise.

Earlier this year, Harris famously reacted to the NFLPA report card: “I’m not an F- guy.”

Harris and his ownership group have committed over $75 million to improve the team’s stadium in Landover (Maryland) and the franchise’s headquarters in Ashburn (Virginia). Additionally, Harris has focused on adding qualified personnel throughout multiple departments, where the franchise was lean under former owner Dan Snyder.

One of the bad grades the Commanders received was in the food/cafeteria category.

According to Sarah Barshop of ESPN, Harris has made significant changes to this area, too.

In Barshop’s story, one Washington player said the food wasn’t necessarily bad, but it was “repetitive, and players have gotten bored.” Something needed to change.

One of Washington’s captains, safety and special teams ace Jeremy Reaves, has been impressed by new ownership’s changes.

“It was very selective in what we were eating [before], obviously,” Reaves said. “And new ownership and new coaches came in, and they changed all of that stuff. They made an emphasis on that. When we came in, when new ownership came in, they took the time personally to come talk to some of the leaders that’ve been here for a while and ask us what we want to exchange and what we wanted different. And we are seeing it.”

There are a lot of positive vibes around the Commanders right now. From new ownership to general manager Adam Peters to the new coaching staff. Returning players are refreshed by all of the changes, while new players are anxious to be a part of the change that hopefully turns the franchise around.

Don’t expect many — if any — F- grades for Washington in 2024. Two things are out of Harris’ control: The locker room and training room. However, the Commanders are working on both, and it will take time. As far as the treatment of families, that’s unlikely to be an issue moving forward for players.

Commanders safety Jeremy Reaves ‘itching’ to get back on the field

Jeremy Reaves is ready to get back on the field.

The 2023 NFL season was forgettable on many levels for the Washington Commanders. Washington began the season with a new owner and a head coach entering his fourth season who had yet to have a winning record with the Commanders.

Things went as expected, with Washington going 4-13 and opening the door for massive change this offseason. One thing no one expected was the Commanders going from a top-10 defense to the worst in the NFL.

Then there were the injuries. In Washington’s ugly Thursday Night Football loss to the Bears in Week 5, special teams standout and team captain Jeremy Reaves suffered a knee injury. Unfortunately, Reaves was lost for the season, meaning the Commanders lost one of their best special teams players and one of their leaders.

The injury came at a bad time for Reaves. He was set to enter unrestricted free agency, and with a new regime, there was no guarantee one of the team’s most popular players would return.

Head coach Dan Quinn and general manager Adam Peters quickly saw Reaves’ value and brought him back on a two-year contract. The Commanders allowed most of their free agents to leave.

Washington opened Offseason Training Activities (OTAs) two weeks ago, and Reaves admitted this week that he was itching to get back.

“I’m hungry, I wouldn’t say hungry, I’m starving, and I’m just anxious,” Reaves said. “I’ve been away from football since October, and it’s been itching at me.”

How does Reaves remain so strong after all he’s been through?

“Adversity builds character,” Reaves said. “I firmly believe that. I firmly believe that everything that happens to you builds you to be who you’re supposed to be.”

Reaves remains as positive as ever. One of the reasons Quinn and Peters wanted to retain Reaves is he’s a culture builder. The Commanders are trying to win now, but they’re also trying to develop a system of how to do things. Players like Reaves, Terry McLaurin and Jonathan Allen are ideal examples of the types of players you want to build a foundation with.

Commanders LB Bobby Wagner already showing his leadership skills

Bobby Wagner already showing off his leadership.

One of the primary reasons the Washington Commanders signed linebacker Bobby Wagner this offseason was for him to teach other players how to be professionals and winners. Make no mistake, head coach Dan Quinn still wanted Wagner for everything he does on the field, too.

It’s early, as the Commanders are in their second week of Offseason Training Activities (OTAs), but teammates have raved about Wagner. Coaches, too. Quinn can’t say enough good things about the future Pro Football Hall of Famer.

During the first week of OTAs, guard Sam Cosmi gave an example of Wagner’s leadership. After Wednesday’s practice, Wagner displayed more leadership, even in a joking way.

While Wagner was at the podium speaking with reporters, safety Jeremy Reaves, one of Washington’s captains, was having some fun in the background. Wagner briefly stopped his media session to intervene.

Here’s the clip:

“Hey, you gotta grow up,” Wagner said. “At some point, you gotta grow up, OK.”

Wagner quickly turned back to his media session and said, “See, that’s my job, too; you gotta tell people to grow up.”

Wagner was having some fun with Reaves, who is one of the most beloved players on the team, but it’s clear the locker room belongs to him.

WATCH: Tress Way gets emotional discussing giving up No. 5 to Jayden Daniels

Tress Way talks giving up the No. 5 to Jayden Daniels.

There haven’t been a lot of constants surrounding the Washington NFL franchise since 2014. Two names do come to mind, though: Assistant coach and Washington’s all-time sacks leader Ryan Kerrigan and punter Tress Way.

There’s a difference between the two, as Kerrigan, who arrived in Washington as a first-round pick in 2011, left in 2021 to play his final NFL season with the Philadelphia Eagles. He returned to Washington the following season to begin his coaching career.

Way hasn’t left.

Undrafted out of Oklahoma in 2013, Way originally signed as an undrafted free agent with the Chicago Bears. He was waived that summer and didn’t play. In 2014, he re-signed with Chicago that offseason. Way was once again waived that summer.

However, this was where Way’s football career took a positive turn. The then-Washington Redskins claimed Way off waivers and he’s been with the team ever since. Way has survived multiple head coaches, general managers, name changes, quarterbacks, kickers and long snappers. One thing that has remained the same for Way is the constant losing.

Yet, for Way, there is nowhere else he’d rather be than with Washington.

On Thursday, Way went through a big change. He gave up his No. 5 jersey to rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels.

Giving up your number may not seem like a big deal to some, but when you’ve been with a franchise for as long as Way has, it hits differently. Way has raised his kids playing in Washington, made lifelong friends, became a valuable member of the community and was a multi-year team captain.

He joined the “Command Center” on Thursday to discuss giving up his number and how, at first, he didn’t want to do it, but thinking about the long-term future of the franchise he loves, he wanted Daniels to have it.

Way discussed first arriving in Washington, feeling wanted for the first time, and picking the No. 5 jersey. He talked about being a four-time captain and how if he is voted captain for a fifth time, the “C” on his jersey will be filled in, but with a different number.

In discussing the jersey situation with his wife, Way gained perspective about why he was named a captain in the first place. Then, thought about Daniels, being a rookie with a ton of pressure on him, in addition to all the excitement surrounding the organization.

“I just feel like there’s just so much excitement around this organization, hands down the most I have ever seen,” Way said. “All of the excitement is building and building and building. I just feel like this is…………a very small part that I could do.”

Way said much more, and we’d encourage you to watch the entire episode. 

Regardless of how he arrived at the decision, Way, as always, was looking out for his teammates. Now you know why he is beloved. Safety Jeremy Reaves, a close friend of Way’s, took to X to share his thoughts.

No one has ever said a bad word about Tress Way. And save your “he’s just a punter, bro” tweets. Way loves the Washington organization. He understood the big picture that No. 5 would mean more on the rookie quarterback than him.

Way discussed how great general manager Adam Peters and head coach Dan Quinn have been since arriving.

It’s days like Thursday when you realize why Way is a team captain.