Tag: LG Nick Allegretti

Why Commanders offense is struggling the last two games

Why has Washington’s offense struggled the last two weeks? There are multiple reasons.

The Washington Commanders offense is looking to rebound from two subpar performances.

The Commanders, in the last three games, have been outscored 39-11 in the fourth quarter.

In their last game, a 26-18 loss to the Eagles (8-2), the Commanders generated only 264 offensive yards, averaging 4.2 yards a play.

One of the early season successes for OC Kliff Kingsbury’s offense was the largely effective conversions on third and fourth downs. However, against the Eagles, the Commanders were only 3-12 on third down.

In particular, Jayden Daniels was not getting the ball down the field, as Terry McLaurin never even had a reception until 10:27 in the final quarter. Daniels was visibly inaccurate more often than usual.

In addition, Daniels only passed for 191 yards, though he attempted 32 passes. This resulted in Daniels averaging 5.9 yards per attempt, much lower than he was accomplishing earlier in the season.

The offensive line is beat up, though able to continue to play. Rookie Brandon Coleman had his worst pass-blocking performance in the last two weeks, but then again, he is playing with a shoulder that is not 100 percent. Guard Nick Allegretti and center Tyler Biadasz are playing injured.

Local DMV sports media might consider thinking a bit more before lashing out at Kingsbury, as some have. They suggest the Commanders’ offense is falling off because Kingsbury’s offenses always do later in the season.

That may or may not be true this season with Washington. What is undeniably true is that the Commanders’ offense is wounded right now, and the bye week can’t come soon enough for Washington.

The offensive personnel has many members playing injured. Consequently, their performance is bound to decrease. Kingsbury has not been the one bouncing passes, dropping passes, and being unable to pass in the last two weeks.

Understand the Steelers and Eagles are both division leaders through Week 11. They are simply better teams than the Commanders right now.

Yes, the offense has been struggling lately, but injuries to an offensive personnel already not one of the elites in the league while playing against two quality opponents only stand to reason there were going to be more struggles.

What everyone said after Commanders’ road win over Giants

What did everyone say after Washington’s win? Here’s a collection of postgame quotes from players, coaches and analysts.

It wasn’t nearly as dominant as two weeks ago (Panthers) or as exciting as last week (Bears), but the Commanders took care of business, defeating the Giants 27-22 in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

Here is a collection of postgame quotes from players, analysts, coaches and media personalities.

Jayden Daniels

“We did a tremendous job getting downhill and running the ball…Dexter Lawrence and Brian Burns, those guys are hell of players. So to not get sacked by those guys, kudos to my O-line.”

“Knowing where to go with the ball, knowing when to get the ball out helps a lot, but a tremendous job by the O-Line of using their fundamentals and giving me enough time to get the ball off.”

“You have to live in the moment. This could be all good, but hey, we have a game next week. I’m just happy for the fan base that they can be proud of the product we are putting out on the field.”

Nick Allegretti

Nick Allegretti had to pop one of Brandon Coleman’s fingers back in place mid-game. “I almost went down because I’m queasy,” Allegretti said. “He said just pull it so I just looked away… we got it back in. Never had to do it to a teammate. Glad it worked; didn’t enjoy that.”  via John Keim

Dan Quinn (on Terry McLaurin and Jayden Daniels)

“It’s really about winning. That is a big deal. That’s what Terry McLaurin thinks about, winning. He absolutely delivers…I feel his energy. I feel his presence in the game, whatever it takes to go…Terry is a pro’s pro, we are fortunate. He has been so much fun to coach.”

“For a quarterback to really have the regard for the football and the decision-making process — he’s playing the position well, not just throwing it well.  “…That, to me, is one of the things I’ve been most impressed by.”

Dan Quinn on Chris Rodriguez

“I want to start off by recognizing Chris Rodriguez. He didn’t know he was going to until 90 minutes prior. When you get into that spot and demonstrate you are ready, it goes a long way to your teammates. There’s a lot of unseen work to be ready. You don’t get all the reps. Sometimes that comes in the after practice time, the before practice time to be ready. I thought a strong finish at the end of the game by him.”

Terry McLaurin

“Shoot, His ability — I’m just going to say it straight up, it was like he walked that ball to me. … The receiver position is one of the most dependent positions on the football field. There are so many things that you have to depend on to go right for an opportunity, but when you play with a quarterback that you can continue to build with, how competitive he is, how smart he is and his ability to make the throws when we need him most, that’s fun for a guy like me.”

Andrew Wylie on Jayden Daniels

“He can do whatever he wants back there…It’s something special to watch.”

Grant Paulsen

“The Commanders went on the road and beat the Giants. Swept them for the season. 7-2 for the first time since 1996. 5-1 in the NFC and 2-0 in division. Most wins in the NFC as of right now. WASH ran for 150 yards; pounded the Giants into submission in the second half.”
Denton Day
“This is one you hang your hat on  and say, ‘We went on the road to a division rival’s home, you beat them twice and oh by the way, you have now played the Giants twice and you have punted two times.”
Craig Hoffman
“Look around the league. Look what happened to Baltimore last week. Wakcy things happen in division games, especially on the road and Washington avoided that. They handled business against a team they should have beaten. In the fourth quarter, New York never had the ball with a chance to take the lead.”
Olamide Zaccheaus on Dan Quinn
“He does a lot of things well. He does a good job of bringing the right people into the building. I feel like we have a great group of selfless individuals, who just want to play hard and win. He gives us the space to be our selves…He’s a straight shooter. What he says, he means.”
Logan Paulsen
“It was impressive today how all three backs played today, in their roles. And when you give the backs credit you have to give the offensive line credit. I thought those guys really threw it down today. They were really getting after it in pulls and protection. They did a great job, and you don’t get this kind of production from your backs unless the offensive line is playing physical.”

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.