Tag: Nick Allegretti

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.

Commanders QB Jayden Daniels arrives before 6 a.m. every day, joined by another rookie

Daniels and another rookie are the first to arrive every morning.

Washington Commanders defensive tackle and team captain Jonathan Allen recently spoke about rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels. When asked what impressed him the most, Allen said he prides himself on being the first to arrive at the team’s Ashburn facility every day.

He’s not first anymore, as Daniels routinely beats him to the facility. Guard Nick Allegretti backed this up, saying he is also an early riser, but Daniels beats him to the facility, too.

On Wednesday, Daniels revealed the time he arrives at the team facility.

“I get here around like 5:45 a.m. and just walk through in the bubble in the indoor, watching film and stuff like that,” Daniels said Wednesday. “But just trying to prepare myself for the day. It’s kind of just that routine that I had when I was in college, but now I’m in there actually walking through because I’m still learning the playbook and trying to grasp everything. So just being comfortable for the day and being ready to go out there and go out and compete at practice.”

Daniels isn’t the only rookie showing up ahead of the veterans.

Daniels was asked if he was alone in the indoor practice bubble early in the morning. He said a fellow rookie, wide receiver Luke McCaffrey, joined him. He said the two started arriving around the same time in rookie minicamp when McCaffrey saw him at the facility early and has been joining him every since.

Almost everyone in the NFL works hard. Daniels’ showing up before his teammates is leadership, and the best part is that it is natural. With the work Daniels and McCaffrey have been getting over the summer, it wouldn’t shock anyone to see them have a chemistry on the field when the games begin in September.

 

Commanders guard Nick Allegretti reveals Patrick Mahomes endorsed Kliff Kingsbury

Mahomes endorsed Kliff Kingsbury to Nick Allegretti.

Nick Allegretti spent the first five seasons of his NFL career with the Kansas City Chiefs. Allegretti played in 17 games for the Chiefs, with 13 starts. So, when he became a free agent in the offseason, he wanted to go to a place where he could compete to start.

Allegretti made it clear when the Commanders signed him that he wanted to compete. He didn’t want anyone to guarantee him a starting position, but he had his eyes on the starting left guard position. That attitude regarding competition likely endeared him to head coach Dan Quinn.

Allegretti was beloved in Kansas City, with star tight end Travis Kelce sharing his thoughts on his former teammate.

“You can’t have everything go your way all the time. The Chiefs lost one of my favorite f—–g teammates of all time,” Kelce said in March on his podcast. “I mentioned him in the New Heights stamp of the week after the Super Bowl. The guy that tears his UCL and plays the rest of the Super Bowl screaming at the sideline to get him an elbow brace, Nicky Allegretti, is expected to sign in D.C. The Washington Commanders might’ve got him. He’s going to team back up with another one of my favorite teammates of all time, Andrew Wylie. I love those dudes, man. I couldn’t be happier for Nicky. Kind of being just such an awesome dude in the building, one of the most accountable guys, on and off the field.”

That’s quite the endorsement.

On Tuesday at Washington’s mandatory minicamp, Allegretti spoke to the media and revealed Kansas City quarterback Patrick Mahomes’ endorsement of offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury helped make his decision easy.

Kingsbury recruited Mahomes to Texas Tech and coached him throughout his college career. The two have maintained a strong relationship since.

Allegretti is the leading contender to start at left guard for Washington.

NFL analyst: Commanders OL will be outmatched in NFC East

Will the offensive line be Washington be a major problem again in 2024?

What does Jayden Daniels have to do to get better every day?

That was the question set forth to ESPN NFL analyst Dan Orlovsky on Monday during the “NFL Live” program. Orlovsky did not answer with an answer focused upon the NFL inexperience of a rookie quarterback, as one might expect.

No, Orlovsky aimed his reply at what he sees is going to make things harder for Daniels in his rookie season. “A feel for dominant defensive lines,” opened Orlovsky.

Orlovsky then elaborated, “If we are being honest, in that division (NFC East), every time he plays the teams that are in that division, his offensive line will be outmatched by the defensive line both times by Philly, the Giants and Dallas. This is an offensive line that struggled (2023).“

“One of the ‘flaws’ of Jayden Daniels throughout his last two years at LSU was, is he holding on (to the ball)? Is he trying to do too much? Is he running around a little bit? Get the ball out of your hands, play a little faster.”

More from Orlovsky:

“He is a significantly greater talent than I ever was, but the biggest jump from college to the NFL comes from how fast that defensive line moves on a consistent basis. Just getting an understanding, a feel for how quickly those defensive lines will collapse that pocket on you.”

Orlovsky certainly revealed he does not believe the Commanders’ offensive line will match up well in any of their six NFC East divisional games. If Orlovsky is correct, should there be great concern for the health and confidence of Daniels playing behind this offensive line?

In fairness to general manager Adam Peters, he has made significant changes to the Commanders offensive line. Gone from the 2023 unit are starters Charles Leno Jr, Saahdiq Charles and Nick Gates.

Peters brought in free agents guard Nick Allegretti (Chiefs) and center Tyler Biadasz (Cowboys), who are expected to start. Then Peters also drafted tackle Brandon Coleman (TCU) in the third round.

Two starters return in right guard Sam Cosmi and right tackle Andrew Wylie. Others on the current roster are tackles Cornelius Lucas, Braeden Daniels, Alex Akingbulu, and Trent Scott, as well as guards Chris Paul, Mason Brooks, Michael Deiter, Julian Good-Jones, and center Ricky Stromberg.