Tag: Jon Bostic

One last offseason move the Commanders should make ahead of training camp

The Commanders could use another solid veteran linebacker.

[anyclip pubname=”2103″ widgetname=”0016M00002U0B1kQAF_M8036″]

The NFL offseason is almost over. NFL teams completed their offseason programs over the last couple of weeks, and now the countdown is on until training camp.

The Washington Commanders open training camp on July 27, and there are still moves that Washington could make to strengthen the roster. Two positions that come to mind are offensive line and linebacker.

The Commanders signed free agents Nick Gates, Andrew Wylie and Trenton Scott on the offensive line. Additionally, they selected Ricky Stromberg and Braeden Daniels in the third and fourth round of the 2023 NFL draft, respectively. It’s doubtful Washington will add another offensive lineman unless it’s a camp body at this point.

That leaves us at linebacker. Washington made no significant moves in the draft and, in free agency, signed Cody Barton to replace Cole Holcomb in a straight-up swap.

Have the Commanders done enough? We seemingly ask this question every offseason, and the linebacker position is usually a weakness when the team is hit with one injury.

Jamin Davis and Barton are the projected starters but don’t count out Khaleke Hudson pushing Barton. Hudson has had a terrific offseason. Washington often employs only two traditional linebackers, often going with five defensive backs or the Buffalo nickel, a hybrid position.

The Commanders should look to free agency to sign a veteran linebacker capable of starting if needed.

ESPN recently named one last roster move for all 32 NFL teams ahead of training camp. Linebacker was the suggested move for the Commanders.

The Washington front is so good that any linebacker looking for work should have the Commanders on the radar. This team could also use depth beyond projected starters Jamin Davis and Cody Barton, the latter of whom was signed as a free agent this offseason. There are a handful of notable unsigned inside backers, including Jon Bostic (who started five games for Washington last season), Kwon Alexander, Deion Jones and Zach Cunningham.

The Commanders can’t bring Bostic back. Bostic is a smart player and excellent teammate, but far too often is a liability against the pass. Alexander, Jones and Cunningham would all be excellent signings for Washington. All three are longtime starters who can fill in due to injury and would be cheap.

Worst Bears draft pick from each year since 2000

We look back at the worst Bears draft pick from each year since the turn of the century.

The 2023 NFL draft will be here before we know it and it’s once again another golden opportunity for the Chicago Bears to improve their team with young talent. The Bears hold four selections in the top 64 picks, including the No. 9 overall pick, giving them a shot to select premier players across multiple positions.

As is the case every year, the NFL draft is an inexact science and not every pick is going to pan out. The Bears have certainly had their fair share of misses over the years.

We already looked at the best player from each draft, now it’s time to review the worst player from each Bears draft class since 2000.

Commanders Jon Bostic giving abundantly to help others

Jon Bostic is doing big things off the field.

Washington Commanders linebacker Jon Bostic is putting his money to good use for other people.

Year after year, week after week, we see professional athletes on television or the internet living like kings, lavishly spending their money on themselves.

Not Jon Bostic.

Bostic knows he has made more than the average American adult laborer. Yet, Bostic is looking to leave behind a legacy for the next generation of kids now growing up in Wellington, Florida.

Friday, the former Florida Gators linebacker announced plans for the Wellington Sports Academy, a “first of its kind” athletic training complex valued at $38 million.

What raises eyebrows and causes one to stop dead in their tracks is the news that Bostic is actually planning on funding the facility himself.

According to the Palm Beach Post Friday edition,

Wellington Sports Academy will provide training in 12 sports: baseball, softball, volleyball, basketball, lacrosse, football, soccer, wrestling, track, cheerleading, golf, and — last but not least — e-sports gaming.

Plans feature seven full indoor basketball courts and 13 full indoor volleyball courts, as well as a full multipurpose field for football, soccer and lacrosse, as well as a gaming lounge and a 6,551-square-foot cheerleading gym.

Thankful for the opportunities he experienced in his youth, Bostic expressed the following:

“I believe if we give these kids the resources, coaches and the facilities, it will help a lot more of these young athletes in the South Florida area get a chance to go live a dream and play at the next level.”

Bostic has spent the last four years of his NFL career playing for the Commanders (2019-22). In the previous three seasons of his career, Bostic was employed as a linebacker by the Steelers (2018), Colts (2017), and Patriots (2015). His first two seasons in the NFL were with the Bears 2013-14).

Bostic has succumbed to injuries the past two seasons, having played in only nine games. Bostic concluded the 2022 season on the Injured Reserve. He was drafted by the Bears in the second round (50th overall) in the 2013 NFL Draft. He played all of his college ball with the Florida Gators.

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbykgy681k112p8 player_id=01eqbvhghtkmz2182d image=]

Twitter reacts to Commanders’ prime-time loss to the Giants

The officiating was a hot topic after Sunday’s game, as was Scott Turner.

The NFC East is back. Time will tell if that’s permanent or only a mirage, as all four teams are currently over .500 and hold four of the NFC’s seven playoff spots.

The Washington Commanders came into Sunday night’s duel with the New York Giants as a 4.5-point favorite and in the No. 6 position in the NFC. However, the Giants walked away with the win, moving the Commanders down to the No. 7 spot.

While Washington still controls its destiny, the schedule looks daunting with a trip to San Francisco next week and home against the Cowboys in Week 18.

The Commanders blew opportunity after opportunity in Sunday’s loss. Rookie Brian Robinson Jr. rushed for 89 yards, averaging over 7 seven yards per attempt, while quarterback Taylor Heinicke had two fumbles. Washington’s defense failed to deliver critical stops and the officiating was horrendous.

What was social media during and after the Washington loss?

Here are some of the top reactions from Sunday’s game.

 

Commanders fall to Giants: Everything we know

We analyze Washington’s 20-12 loss to the New York Giants.

The Washington Commanders blew a significant opportunity to control their destiny concerning the NFC playoffs Sunday with a 20-12 loss to the New York Giants on Sunday Night Football.

Yes, Washington remains in the No. 7 playoff spot after the loss but faces the 49ers next week on the road on a short week.

A look at the scoreboard would give you the idea that Washington won the game. However, turnovers, costly penalties and horrendous officiating, among other things, cost Washington a chance to move to 8-5-1 on the season with three games remaining.

While much of the focus will be the officiating, the Commanders had an extra week to prepare and came away with 12 points against a suspect defense. In addition, Washington’s defense failed to pressure New York quarterback Daniel Jones and struggled to get stops at critical junctures in the game, leading to the loss.

Here’s everything we know from Sunday night.

Commanders LB concern: Cole Holcomb to IR

Cole Holcomb was placed on IR, and he will be out for a minimum of four weeks.

Linebacker Cole Holcomb’s foot injury is not progressing; consequently, the starting linebacker has been placed on injured reserve.

Holcomb the sturdy linebacker out of North Carolina, started the Commanders first seven games of the season. The loss of Holcomb is substantial, evidenced by the fact that though Holcomb has been unable to play in the last four games, the former Tar Heel still leads the team in combined tackles (solo and assists) with 69.

Jamin Davis has continued to develop, or this loss of Holcomb would have been an absolute disaster. Davis has played in all 11 games and is second in tackles with 58 (38 solo, 20 assists).

Placing Holcomb (a four-year veteran) on the reserve/injured list, Friday, the Commanders activated LB Milo Eifler from the Reserve/Injured list. Eifler stands 6-foot-1 weighing 228. Thus Eifler is more mobile than Holcomb, Jon Bostic, or David Mayo.

Eifler has appeared in two games for the Commanders in 2022. He did not play any defensive snaps in the loss to the Cowboys in Week 4 while playing 13 special teams’ plays. In the Week 3 loss to the Eagles, Eifler played 19 special teams’ plays and six defensive plays.

Of note, three weeks ago, the Commanders in response to the Holcomb injury, brought up LB De’Jon Harris from the practice squad. Harris is bigger at 6-foot-0, 245 pounds. In weeks 9-11, Harris has played 19, 20 and 21 special teams snaps. He has yet to play a down on defense for the Commanders this season.

The Commanders will go into Sunday’s contest against the Falcons with Davis, Bostic, Eifler, Harris, Khaleke Hudson and David Mayo at linebacker.

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbykgy681k112p8 player_id=none image=https://commanderswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/plugins/mm-video/images/playlist-icon.png]

Saints lose veteran LB Jon Bostic, who re-signs with Washington

The New Orleans Saints lost veteran linebacker Jon Bostic, who re-signed with the Washington Commanders instead of their practice squad:

Former New Orleans Saints linebacker Jon Bostic is re-signing with the Washington Commanders after being let go in final roster cuts this week, per the Washington Post’s Nicki Jhabvala. That’s not too surprising given Bostic started more games with Washington (36) than anywhere else in his 8-year pro career. He may have had an opportunity to join the Saints practice squad, but Washington likely presents a more direct path to playing-time.

While the Saints look a little thin at linebacker on their 53-man roster (Demario Davis is joined by Pete Werner, Kaden Elliss, Andrew Dowell, and Zack Baun) they brought back most of the backers who spent the summer in New Orleans on their practice squad. Rookie standout Nephi Sewell returned along with veteran backups Chase Hansen and Eric Wilson, both of whom got first-team snaps next to Davis in relief of Werner while the second-year pro missed time with an injury.

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbyahgz6p2j3xp7 player_id=none image=https://saintswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/plugins/mm-video/images/playlist-icon.png]

[listicle id=115196]

Commanders place RB Brian Robinson Jr. on non-football injury list

The Commanders announce more roster moves, including adding rookie RB Brian Robinson Jr. to the non-football injury list.

The Washington Commanders placed rookie running back Brian Robinson Jr. on the non-football injury list Thursday morning. Robinson was shot twice on Sunday in an attempted robbery but was released from the hospital on Monday.

Robinson returned to the team’s Ashburn headquarters to meet with team doctors. When the Commanders finalized their initial 53-man roster, they included Robinson until the doctors determined a long-term prognosis for him in 2022.

Robinson will miss at least the first four games of the 2022 season and is eligible to return for Week 5. The Commanders host the Tennessee Titans in Week 5.

Of course, placing Robinson on the NFI list is the best possible outcome because if Robinson is somehow healthy enough to return, he can after four games. However, there is no set deadline for his return, and the Commanders will play it safe and trust the doctors.

In addition to placing Robinson on the NFI list, Washington placed tight end Curtis Hodges on injured reserve with a designation to return. The Commanders officially brought back linebackers David Mayo and Jon Bostic. Mayo was released Wednesday in a procedural move.

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbykgy681k112p8 player_id=none image=https://commanderswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/plugins/mm-video/images/playlist-icon.png]

Commanders bring back linebacker Jon Bostic

Linebacker Jon Bostic re-sigs with the Commanders.

Who says you can’t come home again?

The Washington Commanders signed 15 players to their practice squad on Wednesday, with all 15 having spent either part or all of training camp and preseason with the Commanders.

And, like head coach Ron Rivera said on Tuesday, they weren’t done adding to the 53-man roster.

Earlier on Wednesday, the Commanders added a pair of young cornerbacks off waivers in Tariq Castro-Fields and Rachad Wildgoose. To make room for Castro-Fields and Wildgoose, Washington released linebackers David Mayo and De’Jon Harris.

That left the Commanders with only three linebackers on the 53-man roster. So where would Washington turn to add depth at linebacker?

Hello, Jon Bostic.

Yes, you read that correctly. The Commanders are signing their former starting linebacker from 2019-21. Bostic tore his pectoral muscle in a Week 4 win at Atlanta last season and missed the rest of the season.

Why Bostic?

Well, he knows the defense; he’s a coach on the field and a high-character guy.

On the downside, Bostic is a liability in pass coverage. The Commanders are one injury away from Bostic starting at linebacker. For a team that struggled defensively last season and is hoping to turn things around in 2022, that’s not an encouraging thought.

 

Saints file a dozen roster moves ahead of NFL cuts deadline

The Saints filed a dozen roster moves ahead of Tuesday’s NFL roster cuts deadline, signing three new players before joint practices with the Packers this week:

Whew: the New Orleans Saints were required to thin out their roster from 90 players to just 85 ahead of Tuesday’s NFL deadline, but they took it to another level by filing a dozen roster moves with the daily transactions wire. Three players have been signed ahead of this week’s joint practices and preseason game with the Green Bay Packers, while seven others have been waived (two with injury designations), a backup offensive lineman has been placed on injured reserve, and a young defensive back was released with an injury settlement. Here’s instant analysis on each move: