Tag: Matt Ioannidis

Matt Ioannidis makes an all-underrated team

Matt Ioannidis gets some national attention for his stellar play.

Matt Ioannidis is finally starting to get some of the national recognition he deserves.

Ioannidis has been a solid presence for the Redskins for a few seasons now, hence big praise from teammates and a recent extension.

The latest feat for the defender is a slot on Bill Barnwell‘s All-Underrated Team at ESPN:

“ESPN’s automated analysis suggests Ioannidis has been double-teamed on 61.4% of his pass-rush attempts this season, which ranks among the 20 highest rates in football. Despite the attention, he has helped create eight sacks this season.”

It’s incredible to think opposing teams pay Ioannidis this much attention, especially on a line often featuring names like Daron Payne and Jonathan Allen.

While the strong play hasn’t paid off with wins given the problems elsewhere on the roster, the above is a testament to the full-blown breakout for Ioannidis.

Call him another bright spot worth noting in what is otherwise a lost season

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Daron Payne is expected to play Sunday despite missing another practice

Payne missed another practice with his ankle injury, but Callahan isn’t overly concerned about his status for Sunday’s game.

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Injuries always put a hitch in a team’s plan as they prepare for that week’s game, but an injury to a major player takes that to a new level.

When a player like Washington’s Daron Payne is listed as questionable with an ankle injury, and he’s missed two straight practices this week. Luckily, head coach Bill Callahan said after practice on Thursday that he is expecting Payne to be able to suit up and play on Sunday, and the Redskins could definitely use him.

So far this season, Payne is second on the defensive line with 42 tackles, trailing only Matt Ioannidis. His absence on Sunday would be severely noticed.

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