Behind Enemy Lines: Week 11 Q&A with Commanders Wire

With a Week 11 game between the New York Giants and Washington Commanders on tap, we go behind enemy lines for a chat with Commanders Wire.

The New York Giants (2-8) and Washington Commanders (4-6) will square off on Sunday afternoon in a Week 11 matchup at FedEx Field in Landover, Maryland.

The Giants opened the week as 10-point road underdogs but that spread has softened a tiny bit since then. As of this writing, New York is +9.5.

With this matchup on tap, Giants Wire took the opportunity to hold a Q&A with Commanders Wire managing editor Bryan Manning.

Social media reacts to horrible roughing the passer penalty on the Commanders

One of the worst calls you’ll ever see.

Washington Commanders rookie defensive end K.J. Henry is playing in his first career NFL game on Sunday against the New England Patriots. On the Patriots’ first possession in the third quarter, Henry made his presence felt, sacking New England quarterback Mac Jones on third-and-10 and forcing the fumble.

The Commanders recover, and it’s Washington’s football around midfield.

Wait, there’s a flag.

Amazingly, the officials called roughing the passer on Henry, giving the Patriots the football back and a first down — in field-goal range.

Judge for yourself:

Needless to say, Twitter — or X — did not like the call.

Here are some of the best reactions.

2023 NFL Draft: The best draft steal for every NFL team

Every NFL draft has its selection of steals — those players who could surprise despite their low selections — and here’s one for every NFL team.

One of the many reasons the Kansas City Chiefs won Super Bowl LVII was the job that general manager Brett Veach did outside of the first round of the 2022 draft. Three defensive backs (Bryan Cook in the second round, Joshua Williams in the fourth, and Jaylen Watson in the seventh) were difference-makers all season, and seventh-round running back Isiah Pacheco became the team’s bellcow back down the stretch. Also, second-round receiver Skyy Moore joined Pacheco with touchdowns in that Super Bowl victory over the Eagles.

First-round hits are nice, but it’s almost worse to miss in the first round than it is better to win there from an opportunity cost perspective. If you want to refresh your roster at a championship level, you had better get those picks right on the second and third day. Veach and his staff did that, and it was the difference that made all the difference in the end.

Moving to the 2023 NFL draft, we’ve selected one second- or third-day pick for every NFL team who could have a similar impact on their NFL roaters sooner than mater. Each of these players have reasons for their relatively low picks in line with their tape, stats, and talent, but these are the kinds of finds that can turn a team around over time.

2023 NFL draft: Chargers attended workout for Clemson’s Myles Murphy, KJ Henry

The Chargers met with two edge defenders at their pro day.

The Chargers were one of the teams in attendance for the workout for Clemson edge defenders Myles Murphy and KJ Henry, according to The Charlotte Observer’s Mike Kaye.

Clemson’s initial pro day was a few weeks ago but Murphy and Henry didn’t participate.

Touted as one of the top players at his position, Murphy recorded 18.5 sacks and five passes defended in 35 games.

At 6-foot-5 and 268 pounds, Murphy is a player who offers a combination of size, power and athleticism at the position, as well as some pass-rushing alignment versatility.

Murphy is projected to be a first-round pick.

Meanwhile, Henry had also had a productive career for the Tigers, amassing 139 tackles, 28 tackles for loss, 13.5 sacks and 11 passes broken up over 58 games.

At 6-foot-4 and 251 pounds, Henry has quickness off the edge needed to create pressure on the quarterback and the play strength at the point of attack in the run game.

Murphy projects as a fourth or fifth round selection.

The Chargers need more talent in the edge defender room. The duo of Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack is great, but Los Angeles struggled to generate pressure when Bosa was out for most of the season with a torn groin.

Therefore, they will be in the market for a player at the position in this year’s draft, and Murphy or Henry could be on their board if they’re still available when they’re on the clock.

Giants attend workouts for Clemson’s Myles Murphy, KJ Henry

The New York Giants attended the recent workouts for Clemson’s Myles Murphy and KJ Henry.

The New York Giants continue their preparation for the 2023 NFL draft, which now lingers less than three weeks away. They sit at pick No. 25 with plenty of positions available to address.

The Giants were at the Clemson pro day (2.0) this week to scout some defensive linemen ahead of the draft.

While Myles Murphy is likely to be gone well before the Giants pick at No. 25, general manager Joe Schoen could trade up if he somehow slips within range.

KJ Henry, on the other hand, is set to be a Day 2 or Day 3 selection and has been connected to the Giants in a recent Draft Wire mock.

The last time the Giants selected a defensive lineman out of Clemson it worked out pretty well, landing their superstar nose tackle Dexter Lawrence at 17th overall in 2019 — a pick acquired in the Odell Beckham Jr. trade.

Lawrence was the third Clemson defensive lineman off the board that year.

The Giants don’t have a glaring need along the defensive line in comparison to other positions but do not be surprised if Schoen does use the team’s first-round pick on a D-lineman.

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10 dynamic prospects for the Eagles to watch at the NFL scouting combine

With the workouts set to begin, we’re looking at 10 dynamic players for the Philadelphia Eagles to watch at the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine

The Eagles are at the NFL scouting combine and with two first-round picks for the second year in a row, they’ll look to retool with 18 pending free agents set to hit the open market.

Philadelphia could lose Isaac Seumalo and Miles Sanders on offense, but the unit is intact at the most critical positions and will likely use their six draft picks on dynamic defenders.

The Eagles have 9 key contributors on defense set for free agency, and GM Howie Roseman has acknowledged that he won’t be able to retain his core of free agents with Jalen Hurts set to land a huge contract extension.

With the onfield portion of the combine set to heat up, we’re looking at 10 dynamic prospects for the Eagles to watch.

Eagles’ biggest draft needs as the NFL Combine gets underway

We’re looking at the Philadelphia Eagles’ biggest NFL Draft needs as the Scouting Combine gets underway

The Eagles will have two first-round picks in April’s NFL Draft, 18 pending free agents, and a contract extension for quarterback Jalen Hurts, meaning the roster will look different going forward.

Some of the usual suspects or names you’ve grown to love will move on, while younger, more athletic, and dynamic replacements will join a roster looking for a return to the Super Bowl.

Philadelphia’s team brass is in Indianapolis to evaluate some of the top talent available and we’re previewing the Eagles’ biggest draft needs.

Top 2023 NFL Draft prospects at the Eagles’ biggest positions of need

We’re looking at the top 2023 NFL Draft prospects at the Philadelphia Eagles’ most significant positions of need

The rich are getting richer, and even with a 38-35 loss to the Chiefs in Super Bowl LVII, things are looking promising for the Eagles as the 2023 NFL offseason gets underway.

Thanks to some draft night wizardry from Howie Roseman, the Eagles traded the No. 16 overall pick, No. 19 overall pick, and a 2022 sixth-round pick to the New Orleans Saints for the No. 18 overall pick, a 2022 third-round pick, a 2022 seventh-round pick, a 2023 first-round pick, and a 2024 second-round pick.

With 18 Eagles set to hit free agency and some roster retooling set to begin, here are the best 2023 NFL draft prospects at the Birds’ biggest positions of need.

10 defensive line prospects for the Eagles to watch at 2023 Senior Bowl

We’re previewing 10 defensive line prospects for the Philadelphia Eagles to watch at the 2022 Senior Bowl #TheDraftStartsInMobile

The NFL draft starts in Mobile, and even with the Eagles preparing to face the Chiefs in Super Bowl LVII, all eyes this week will be on Alabama, for the 2023 Reese’s Senior Bowl.

Philadelphia has one of the NFL’s defensive lines, but Fletcher Cox, Brandon Graham, Ndamukong Suh, Linval Joseph, Robert Quinn, and Javon Hargrave can all be free agents after the Super Bowl.

With 18+ Eagles set to hit unrestricted free agency, Howie Roseman could look to upgrade the defensive line via the NFL Draft.

With kickoff from Mobile just 24 hours away, here are ten defensive linemen to watch at the Senior Bowl on Saturday.

 

Clemson defensive end has message for Tiger fans

After suffering the first loss of his Clemson career against South Carolina on Saturday, a fifth-year defensive end took to Twitter with a heartfelt message for Tiger fans as well as his teammates. KJ Henry had this to say following eighth-ranked …

After suffering the first loss of his Clemson career against South Carolina on Saturday, a fifth-year defensive end took to Twitter with a heartfelt message for Tiger fans as well as his teammates.

KJ Henry had this to say following eighth-ranked Clemson’s 31-30 loss to the Gamecocks, which snapped the Tigers’ seven-game winning streak in the rivalry series and their 40-game winning streak at Death Valley:

Henry led Clemson (10-2) with 11 tackles against the Gamecocks and posted half a sack with one tackle for loss and two quarterback hurries.

The North Carolina native and the Tigers will be back on the field this Saturday for the ACC Championship Game against North Carolina in Charlotte (8 p.m., ABC).

Don’t miss Cyber Week Deals at Dear Old Clemson’s online store.  Deals will run through midnight Monday. 

  • Footballs signed by the Clemson 2022 class discounted by 30%.
  • Free Avengers unsigned poster with the purchase of a signed Avengers football
  • Free signed Myles Murphy 8 by 10 picture with the purchase of Myles Murphy signed card
  • Free 2022 class unsigned poster with purchase of signed Avengers poster
  • Free #Team 4 unsigned poster with purchase of any signed softball
  • Free unsigned Valerie Cagle card with purchase of any signed softball poster
  • Free unsigned Bakich to Omaha poster with purchase of any signed baseball

Do your part to help support Clemson student-athletes!