Tag: Nick Allegretti

Top photos from Eagles 55-23 win over Commanders in NFC Championship game

Top photos from Eagles 55-23 win over Commanders in NFC Championship game

The Eagles dominated every facet of the game and won the turnover battle while dominating the Commanders to advance to Super Bowl 59. Philadelphia rushed for seven touchdowns, including three scores each for Jalen Hurts and Saquon Barkley, blowing out their NFC East rival 55-23 at Lincoln Financial Field on Sunday.

As preparations begin for the trip to New Orleans, we’re reviewing the top photos from the historic victory.

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Highlights from first half as Eagles hold a 27-15 lead over Commanders in NFC Championship game

Sights and sounds from first half as Eagles hold a 27-15 lead Commanders in NFC Championship game

The Washington Commanders have a young, ascending roster, and that youth showed in the first half. Costly penalties and crucial turnovers spurred the Eagles early on, giving them a 27-15 lead in the NFC Championship game.

Saquon Barkley’s two first-half touchdowns energized the Birds, and Jalen Hurts connected with A.J. Brown on a four-yard touchdown with 57 seconds left in the first half. We’re looking at the first-half highlights with the second half set to begin.

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Sights and sounds from first half as Eagles hold a 21-14 lead over the Commanders

Sights and sounds from first half as Eagles hold a 21-14 lead over the Commanders

A solid backup quarterback is the most important thing to an NFL team, and Kenny Pickett finally had his moment after Jalen Hurts was forced to exit with a concussion. The former Steelers first-round pick had one ugly interception but made some big throws as Philadelphia went into the half with a 2-14 lead.

An Eagles win would give Nick Sirianni, the head coach, his second NFC East title in four years.

Here are sights and sounds from the first half.

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Commanders guard had to pop teammate’s finger back in place during game

Nick Allegretti had to play doctor in Sunday’s win.

Who says NFL players aren’t tough? And it’s rare to find a tougher group than the offensive line. The offensive linemen are going full force on every play — run or pass — and can often have defenders or teammates going down and rolling up behind them.

It’s rare to find an offensive lineman that’s not playing hurt, especially once you’ve reached the midway point of an NFL season.

During Sunday’s 27-22 win over the New York Giants, Washington Commanders left guard Nick Allegretti faced one of these situations. Only, it wasn’t him. At some point during Sunday’s game, rookie left tackle Brandon Coleman asked Allegretti to pop his finger back in place. It wasn’t a job Allegretti wanted, but he obliged.

“I had to pop the finger back in,’ Allegretti said of Coleman. “Not a….I almost went down, I am queasy. I did not enjoy that. He’s like, ‘just pull it,” so I looked away, and we got her back in.”

Speaking of toughness, Coleman missed last week’s game due to a concussion and played the entire game on Sunday, lining up against one of the NFL’s best pass rushers, Brian Burns, and winning that matchup.

The Giants entered Sunday’s game with 35 sacks, which was the most in the NFL. Washington’s offensive line held New York to zero sacks on Sunday.

Watch: Commanders LG Nick Allegretti destroy Browns star Myles Garrett

Browns star Myles Garrett didn’t even register a tackle against the Commanders in Week 5.

The key to a Washington Commanders’ victory over the Cleveland Browns in Week 5 was to stop, or at least slow down edge rusher Myles Garrett. The Commanders could not allow Garrett anywhere near star rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels.

Mission accomplished.

Not only did the Commanders dominate the Browns in a 34-13 win, but Garrett was held without a tackle in Sunday’s game. Garrett, arguably the NFL’s best defensive player, did not even register a statistic. And it’s not like Garrett didn’t play; he was on the field for 78% of the Browns’ defensive snaps.

Garrett worked against Washington left tackles Cornelius Lucas and Brandon Coleman, who continue to split time at that position. But on one play, Lucas received some help from left guard Nick Allegretti.

In his latest episode of “In the Trenches,” former NFL offensive lineman AQ Shipley highlights Allegretti’s physicality on this hit to Garrett in pass protection.

Garrett was the toughest matchup Washington’s offensive line has faced this season. And like in the previous four weeks, the Commanders’ O-Line won the battle in the trenches

Before the season, many believed the offensive line would be Washington’s Achilles’ heel, but so far, it’s a team strength.

Why Tyler Biadasz is an important leader for the Commanders

Biadasz is one of Washington’s early-season unsung heroes.

When you think of Commanders’ offensive leaders, you might actually miss one of the more important leaders on the 2024 team.

Head coach Dan Quinn spoke with the media on Monday about center Tyler Biadasz and his importance in leading this offense in 2024. Biadasz signed as a free agent in March, having played his first four seasons (202-23) with the Cowboys. The veteran center has been important for rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels.

“One of the challenging parts about playing center, on so many of these plays you have to target who belongs to whom,” said Quinn. “On a traditional offense, you have a little bit more time. You can get the line of scrimmage; this is what I see. If they shift, you change it. When you’re going more quickly, those are when you really have to process quickly like a QB. So, on the runs and the passes, Tyler’s right in the middle of all that to make sure the declaration’s right, who we’re going to, how we’re going to go.”

The offense hummed like a well-oiled machine against the Cardinals on Sunday, leading to a 42-14 win. Quinn thought Biadasz did a great job with the Cardinals changing fronts.

“For a team like Arizona who plays multiple fronts, has a good blitz package and a safety that can just honestly show up in a blitz from just about damn near anywhere, he’s somebody he had to keep an eye on.”

Quinn also talked about how Biadasz is doing a good job getting out in Washington’s wide runs.

“I thought him pulling and being on the move there were some good plays that I saw on that, and that’s another added part of things when you get another big guy out on the edge on some of the lead blocking that went to Brian, I thought that was a big deal.”

GM Adam Peters’s first three moves with the Commanders involved two offensive linemen. Peters released OT Charles Leno, TE Logan Thomas, and C Nick Gates.

To address their offensive line, Peters signed Biadasz, G Nick Allegretti, and long snapper Tyler Ott in the first week of free agency.

It’s early, but Peters’ moves appear to be paying off.

Commanders’ Week 4 game captains and injury report

Quinn named three deserving captains and an injury update for the game at the Cardinals, Sunday.

Friday, Dan Quinn met with the media informing them of the Week 4 game captains and injuries update.

Quinn stated the captains for Sunday against the Cardinals will be guard Nick Allegretti, safety Quan Martin and running back Jeremy McNichols.

All three players have been praised this week, so it is no coincidence of their being rewarded this week. In the Week 3 win at Cincinnati, tight end Zach Ertz caught a Jayden Daniels pass, but fumbled when hit. Fortunately for the team, Allegretti was not standing there watching the play. No, immediately following the reception, Allegretti began running downfield to trail the play. When the loose ball hit the turf, there was Allegretti to alertly pounce on it, recovering Ertz’ fumble, keeping the drive alive.

Safety Quan Martin has been mentioned by name by defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. Whitt named Martin as one of his four players who are meeting the standard he set in training camp. Again this week, Whitt named Martin as a player Whitt really thinks is playing well.

McNichols seized the attention of coaches, teammates and fans for the way he played tough when called upon when Austin Ekeler was knocked out of the Bengals game with a concussion. In particular, on the 3rd & 7 with 2:15 remaining, when Daniels dropped back, the Bengals sent a couple of blitzers. McNichols picked up on blitzer, not only in the technical term, but literally lifted him off of the ground in a beautiful blitz pick up. This was the inside blitzer, who, had he not been picked up, Daniels would never have had time to make his game-winning touchdown toss to Terry McLaurin.

Those injured who will not play against the Cardinals? Quinn declared Clelin Ferrell (knee), Austin Ekeler (concussion) and Jamison Crowder (calf) as out for Sunday’s game.

Commanders OL continues to have some question marks

The final two preseason games are huge for several offensive linemen.

Two weeks ago all the word out of Ashburn was so positive regarding Brandon Coleman.

Coleman had been taking reps at right tackle and left tackle. He was moving better than any of the tackles on the current roster. Everything was said to be going well for him.

Commanders fans were excited, and word was spreading that the Commanders had found their franchise quarterback and franchise left tackle in Adam Peters’ first draft as Commanders general manager.

12 days later, however, offensive tackle has become again a position of uncertainty and concern.

Head coach Dan Quinn stated Coleman was day-to-day or week-to-week with a pectoral/shoulder issue. Coleman will most likely not see action in Miami this week.

As much as we would rather see him in the lineup, what’s more important is to allow Coleman to heal and be ready to get some good reps in preparation for the Sept. 8 season opener in Tampa.

The other four starting spots on the line are pretty much settled. Nick Allegretti, Tyler Biadasz, Sam Cosmi, and Andrew Wylie are still probably upgrades from the 2023 season.

Going a bit further, if the Commanders were to keep nine or ten linemen, seven of the spots seem assured. In addition to the four mentioned above, there are Cornelius Lucas and Coleman at left tackle and then Michael Deiter, the top reserve inside lineman who has been getting the most reps at both guard and center.

This leaves two or three spots about which we can not yet be certain. Last year, we were told that Mason Brooks was really tough and aggressive and might develop nicely. Brooks was cut on Wednesday.

So, this week, watch for the play of reserves Ricky Stromberg (C/G), Julian Good-Jones (G), Chris Paul (G), and J.C. Hassenauer (G) and tackles Braeden Daniels, Trent Scott, Armani Taylor-Prioleau, and David Nwogwugwu.

Commanders’ Tyler Biadasz bonding with his new teammates

The new Commanders center discusses coming together with his teammates.

Tyler Biadasz says the Commanders are really jelling, coming together as a team.

Biadasz (center) met with the local media following Friday’s training camp workout. Other players have referred to head coach Dan Quinn putting players together in a room to talk and get to know one another, so Biadasz spoke of growing together with fellow players.

“Camp’s been great… Obviously, camp, you spend a good amount of hours in the building. Obviously, having practice first thing in the morning and getting out late at night or if you’re having extra meetings or whatever that may be. But no, we’re doing a hell of a job of just becoming the best team we can be as a unit.”

Naturally, offensive players will have more opportunities to meet with defensive players.

“I’m on offense, so I’m more in those meetings and everything like that. We’re all coming from different places and we’re starting to gel in regards of the timing and the chemistry and even the bonding outside the building. That’s a huge asset to us and we’re doing a heck of a job with that.”

Michael Deiter (guard/center) was a college teammate at Wisconsin. Deiter came to the NFL in 2019, while Biadasz was drafted in 2020. Deiter has played for the Dolphins and Texans, while Biadasz was with Quinn in Dallas.

“It’s definitely great. Shoot, we played for four years together in Madison in college. So, just knowing where he’s at, but also again, we’re coming from different backgrounds, and he’s been on two other football teams in the league.”

Also drafted in 2019 out of Big Ten rival, Illinois, was Nick Allegretti.

“Yeah, it’s been great, man,” Biadasz said of the projecting starting left guard. “For real, we definitely have talked about the rivalry that we had in college and stuff like that. It’s like how we said before, the chemistry in the room, we’re always talking, we’re always building, but we’re having fun doing it for sure.”

Commanders’ Allegretti making the necessary changes

Nick Allegretti was part of the Super Bowl Champion Chiefs. Then he departed to start with the Commanders, moving his family to the DMV.

Change can be difficult for all of us, and change is inevitable for each and every one of us.

New Washington Commanders guard Nick Allegretti spent a moment with The Team 980 host Craig Hoffman on Thursday. It was a good reminder to those listening that change in the NFL is not as simple as signing a new contract with a new team.

Allegretti was not whining at all. He was simply stating life’s realities, which are much greater when you have responsibilities such as marriage and children. These guys realize they are the providers for their family, and there are many other needs the family must have met.

Hoffman asked Allegretti about his offseason: “It was great. I was really excited to get out here at OTAs and get my feet set here. Then I found a place to live, and then I was able to go back to Chicago.”

Allegretti was born in Frankfort, Illinois, and played college ball at the University of Illinois. He told Hoffman he grew up in a family of Cubs fans, but he and his brother stayed true to being White Sox fans.

“I enjoyed the time with the family,” said Allegretti. “I have two daughters, and it was awesome. And now they will be down in a week, so it will feel real. The whole family will be here; it will be good.”

When Hoffman inquired about what Allegretti did in the offseason, I noticed he didn’t talk of fun activities being a focus, like playing a lot of golf. Allegretti again spoke of family responsibilities.

“It was a lot of house hunting over the summer (laughing). So, explored the area, not in the best way, but I definitely got around.”

History is apparently a big interest for Allegretti. He spoke about going into the city and visiting some of the monuments. “I’m a big history guy, so I enjoy that area, and the goal is to get out to a few of the battlefields.”

The Commanders needed offensive line help. Perhaps Allegretti will be one of the good changes Adam Peters has made for this offensive line.