Tag: Phidarian Mathis

Multiple former Commanders sign with Jets ahead of Ron Rivera interview

The Jets were busy adding former Commanders ahead of their scheduled interview with Ron Rivera.

Are the New York Jets preparing to make former Washington coach Ron Rivera their next head coach? Rivera, who was fired in January after going 26-40-1 in four seasons, is scheduled to interview for New York’s vacant head coaching position on Thursday.

On Tuesday, the Jets announced multiple roster moves, with some familiar names to Washington fans. The Commanders released 2022 second-round Phidarian Mathis on Saturday to make room for the return of defensive tackle Jonathan Allen.

The Jets also announced the signing of linebacker Jamin Davis — a 2021 first-round pick by Washington. The Commanders released Davis in October, and he signed with Green Bay’s practice squad. After four weeks with the Packers, the Minnesota Vikings signed Davis to their 53-man roster. He appeared in four games for the Vikings, who released Davis on Saturday.

What does this have to do with Rivera? Well, Rivera, who ran football operations in Washington, selected both Davis and Mathis. Three of Rivera’s four first-round picks were jettisoned by new Commanders general manager Adam Peters since August. The other, Chase Young, was traded last season.

Davis appeared in nine total games this season between the Commanders and Vikings.

Mathis played in a combined 11 games in his first two seasons. This season, Mathis appeared in 12 games for Washington, but his playing time decreased in recent weeks, with veterans Sheldon Day and Carl Davis outperforming him.

The Jets also signed veteran offensive tackle David Sharpe to the practice squad. Sharpe spent the 2020 season with Washington.

New York wasn’t done adding former Commanders signing kicker Greg Joseph. While Joseph didn’t play for Rivera, he did kick in one game for Washington this season.

The signings likely have nothing to do with Rivera’s pending interview, but it’s certainly interesting timing.

Texans tried to claim DL off waiver wire ahead of playoffs

Before Phidarian Mathis became a New York Jet, he was almost a Houston Texan

The Houston Texans are always looking to bolster any position of head of the postseason. Last week, the AFC South champions secured the services of wide receiver Diontae Johnson as the replacement for Tank Dell in the passing game.

A week later, they tried to better their defensive line entering Week 18’s regular-season finale. Unfortunately, Houston wasn’t the only team in need of bettering its interior defensive line.

According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the Texans were one of four teams that attempted to claim former Washington Commanders defensive lineman Phidarian Mathis, who landed with the New York Jets.

Others in the mix were the Cincinnati Bengals and Detriot Lions, who also could be making a postseason run down to New Orleans for a shot at the Lombardi Trophy.

The Texans need immediate depth on the defensive line to finish out the season and any potential playoff run, but Mathis would’ve been a nicer, long-term grab to develop, too.

Foley Fatukaski’s status for the postseason remains a mystery after he suffered an ankle injury in Week 15’s win over the Miami Dolphins. Outside of him, Houston has rotated in Kurt Hinish and Tommy Togiai behind Tim Settle, Mario Edwards and Dencio Autry.

Mathis, a second-round pick in 2022 out of Alabama, missed all but one game during his rookie season with a knee injury. He appeared in 22 games over the last two seasons, recording 25 tackles, a pass defensed and a fumble recovery.

The third-year pro is under contract through 2025, so he could have factored into the Texans’ plans with a strong finish to close out the regular season.

The Texans close out the 2024 regular season with an AFC South showdown in Nashville against the Tennessee Titans. Kickoff is scheduled for noon CT.

Bengals attempted claim on waiver wire after Sheldon Rankins news

The Bengals attempted to add to the roster via the waiver wire.

The Cincinnati Bengals shut down Sheldon Rankins for the season ahead of Week 18 and attempted to bridge the gap on the waiver wire.

Unfortunately for the Bengals, a handful of other teams were all over the exact same move.

According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the Bengals were one of four teams that attempted to claim former Washington Commanders defensive lineman Phidarian Mathis.

Mathis, a second-round pick in 2022, ended up going to the New York Jets.

The Bengals need immediate depth on the defensive line to finish out the season and any potential playoff run, but Mathis would’ve been a nicer, long-term grab to develop, too.

Either way, rookies Kris Jenkins Jr. and McKinnley Jackson remain the future there.

Given this, though, expect the Bengals to be in on other names at the spot right after the season ends, if not this week.

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The Lions tried to claim DT Phidarian Mathis off waivers

The Lions tried to claim former Commanders DT Phidarian Mathis off waivers, but the Jets and two other teams had priority on Detroit

Detroit Lions GM Brad Holmes made an effort to keep bolstering the defensive line, but the success of the team cost the Lions on this one.

The Lions placed a waiver claim on former Commanders DT Phidarian Mathis, who was released over the weekend. Alas, three other teams with waiver wire priority also claimed Mathis ahead of the Lions. Mathis, a 2022 second-round pick out of Alabama, is now a member of the New York Jets.

Waiver claims are processed in the same order as the current NFL Draft standings. The Jets currently sit at No. 7 and were the first team on the list to put in a claim. All the other teams who also placed a claim — the Bengals, Texans and Lions — lose out because they have a better record. Detroit sat 30th in the waiver claim order (and also first-round draft slot) at the time of the waiver processing on Monday afternoon.

 

Mathis had been a major disappointment in Washington. He recorded 25 tackles and no sacks in 23 career games, with no starts.

Washington Commanders waive former Alabama DL Phidarian Mathis

Former Alabama DL waived by Washington Commanders with two games left.

After just two seasons in the nation’s capital with the Washington Commanders, former Alabama Crimson Tide DL Phidarian Mathis will have a new home for the remainder of the 2024 season after being released Friday evening. The former second-round pick has appeared in 12 games for the Commanders this season, so the release comes as a bit of a surprise, but the belief is they are trying to open a roster spot for star DL Jonathan Allen, who’s set to return from the IR for the post-season.

Mathis only had 17 tackles on the year with Washington in 12 games, but he should have several suitors on the market with the start of the playoffs right around the corner. At 6’4 and 312 pounds, he is a great depth piece for any defense trying to make a Super Bowl run, but never quite lived up to the second round billing.

Former Alabama players have typically faired pretty well for the Commanders with Brian Robinson, Daron Payne and Allen still on the active roster. At 10-5 on the year, Washington looks like they’ll make their first Playoff appearance since 2020 and they have not won a Playoff game since the 2005 season.

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Which players could the Commanders trade?

What other players could the Commanders trade?

Washington Commanders general manager Adam Peters has proven he’s not afraid to make a deal. His first trade in March was trading 2023 starting quarterback Sam Howell to Seattle for draft picks. In the 2024 NFL draft, Peters traded back in the second round, adding another second-round pick.

Last week, Peters struck again. First, he traded a conditional draft pick to the Cleveland Browns for kicker Cade York. York shined in his debut for Washington, making both field goals and PATs in the final preseason game. However, Peters made headlines later last Thursday by sending 2022 first-round pick Jahan Dotson within the division to the Philadelphia Eagles.

There were already questions about which receiver would step up opposite Terry McLaurin, and those questions remain. Help could be on the way, though. The Commanders are No. 2 in the waiver priority order due to their poor record last season. That means only the Carolina Panthers are ahead of them if talented players at positions of need hit the waiver wire.

While Peters will likely be active on the waiver wire, don’t be surprised if he doesn’t make more trades. According to Ben Standig of The Athletic, the Commanders let other teams know about their surplus at specific positions, and this was before the Dotson trade.

That begs the question: Which other players could the Commanders trade on cutdown day (Tuesday) or later in the week?

We look at four players Washington could move.

DT John Ridgeway

Ridgeway is a third-year defensive tackle drafted by head coach Dan Quinn in Dallas. When the Cowboys waived him two years ago, they hoped to sneak him onto the practice squad, but Washington wisely claimed him. Ridgeway has provided good depth for the Commanders and had a strong preseason. Washington isn’t trading Jonathan Allen, Daron Payne, or rookie Johnny Newton, meaning Ridgeway could be an attractive option for other teams. He has two years remaining on his rookie deal, and it’s cheap.

DT Phidarian Mathis

See above. Mathis is entering his third season and has two years remaining on his rookie deal. Unlike Ridgeway, Mathis was a much higher pick, going No. 47 overall in 2022. Mathis hasn’t contributed much in his first two seasons, but he showed up motivated to join the new regime. Quinn has praised him more than once. Mathis finished the preseason on a strong note. Washington would probably keep both if it didn’t have so many good options. Mathis and Ridgeway are similar, but Ridgeway offers a little more versatility.

LB/DE Jamin Davis

This doesn’t seem very likely but never say never. The Commanders moved the 2021 first-round pick to edge rusher this offseason, and he has worked at the position extensively throughout training camp and the preseason. Quinn and defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. have praised his work ethic and determination to tackle a new position. Washington likes Davis’ progress and believes he could help as a rotational pass rusher at some point. But if someone offered a draft pick, would Peters take it and move on?

S Darrick Forrest

This one is unfortunate. Forrest looked like a building block two years ago, starting at safety for most of the season. However, he’s battled injuries in his career, and under this new regime, Forrest has been working behind others. Another injury in camp didn’t help his cause. Forrest can play. It appears he’s caught up in a numbers game, and if no one makes an offer for him, Forrest could be released on Tuesday. He will catch on somewhere, as he can help a team defensively and on special teams.

New coaching staff having an impact on some young Commanders

Multiple former Washington draft picks already benefitting from coaching change.

When the Washington Commanders selected Alabama defensive tackle Phidarian Mathis with the No. 47 overall pick in the 2022 NFL draft, it was to replace Daron Payne. Payne had one year remaining on his rookie deal. However, Payne would go on to have a career year in 2022, earning a four-year extension that made him the second-highest-paid defensive tackle ever at that time.

Meanwhile, Mathis was injured in Week 1 and missed the remainder of his rookie season. He returned to the field in 2023, appearing in 10 games for the Commanders, recording eight tackles.

The Commanders fired Ron Rivera in January, meaning the man who brought Mathis to Washington was gone. You’d think that would make Mathis nervous, but instead, he looked at it as an opportunity.

Earlier this week, Mathis was scheduled to return to Ashburn from his native Louisiana for the start of training camp. However, a global IT outage canceled flights throughout the country, and Mathis was among those impacted. Instead of using it as an excuse, Mathis took it upon himself to rearrange his travel plans in order to be at camp on time.

That impressed head coach Dan Quinn.

“I’ve really been impressed by Phil,” Quinn said Thursday. “He is just somebody that’s not going to miss this opportunity. I’m sure you guys saw some of the flight stuff. He was going to have a hard time getting in on time, and he wasn’t having it.”

It may seem like a small thing, but it impressed Quinn and the coaching staff. The coaching hasn’t only reenergized stars like Terry McLaurin and Jonathan Allen but other young players looking to turn their careers around, like Mathis.

“I just had to get here on time,” he said, per Nicki Jhabvala of The Washington Post. “I didn’t want to be late on the first day.”

A big reason for Mathis’ motivation is the new coaching staff.

“I just really feel like this is what a lot of guys needed, especially myself,” he said. “Just a new coaching staff that really just pushes us, man. I think they bring it all out of us. They make it exciting to be here every day. You can tell there’s a new standard around here.”

Washington’s players want to be coached. There’s a greater emphasis on teaching and technique at every position. Health aside, the coaching change could be what saves Mathis’ career in Washington. He’s not the only former Commanders’ draft pick trying to turn things around.

Cornerback Emmanuel Forbes is off to a strong start in camp. The staff wanted Forbes to add weight in the offseason, which he did. Through the first few days of camp, Forbes has looked like a different player. There’s still a long way for him to go, but the new staff has already impacted him.

Others, such as Jamin Davis, Benjamin St-Juste, and Dyami Brown, are all looking to turn things around in 2024 and have all expressed excitement about playing for Quinn.

Perhaps, after all, Rivera’s draft picks may not look as bad with a more qualified staff coaching them.

48 days until Alabama football kicks off the 2024 season

Alabama football will kickoff the 2024 season in just 48 days!

In 48 days, Kalen DeBoer will usher in a new era of Alabama Crimson Tide football, replacing the legendary [autotag]Nick Saban[/autotag] as head coach in Tuscaloosa.

Coach DeBoer and the Crimson Tide will take on the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers on Aug. 31 to kick off the 2024 college football season inside Bryant-Denny Stadium.

At Roll Tide Wire, we will count down the days until Alabama football takes the field.

Today, with 48 days remaining, we will look at a former standout for the Tide, [autotag]Phidarian Mathis[/autotag].

Mathis was Alabama’s dominant defensive lineman during the 2021 season, finishing with 10.5 tackles for loss and nine sacks.

Mathis accumulated 129 total tackles, 16 tackles for loss, and 10 sacks for his career.

Mathis is entering his second season with the Washington Commanders.

Phidarian Mathis’ Photo Gallery

Commanders DT Phidarian Mathis looks to turn things around in 2024

2024 will be a make-or-break year for Phidarian Mathis.

Washington defensive tackle Phidarian Mathis hasn’t exactly lived up to expectations since being picked No. 47 overall in the 2022 NFL draft.

As a rookie, Mathis injured his knee on the third play of his NFL career and missed the remainder of the season. In 2023, a calf injury cost him seven games. Through two NFL seasons, Mathis has played a total of 206 defensive snaps.

In his 206 snaps, Mathis has just eight tackles and no sacks.

With a new general manager in town and new coaches to follow, Mathis must produce in 2024 to stick around. He’s no longer viewed as a second-round pick. He understands the urgency and plans on having a strong offseason.

“I just want to come back next year and just have a full year and turn everything around,” Mathis said, per commanders.com. “Mentally, it took a toll on me bad. You’ve got people who have expectations for you. You got family expectations, you’ve got expectations for yourself. It’s kind of overwhelming because you know what you can do, and you keep having setbacks after setbacks; it’s kind of a mental game for me. It kind of took me into a deep depression. I was kind of down all year long just knowing I was supposed to be out there, and I wasn’t able to be out there.”

Mathis plans on coming back as a different player beginning in the spring.

“I just want to improve all around, my game. I want to come back a different person, have a different mindset, a different mentality. I just want to come back a different guy. I know I’m gonna come back a different guy, and I’m gonna put more on tape. I’m going to work so hard until I can’t no more. I know this is an important year for me just to show everybody who I really am.”

Mathis, and fellow third-year defensive tackle John Ridgeway are under contract for two more seasons. Starters Jonathan Allen and Daron Payne also return, although there is speculation Allen could be traded. Regardless of Allen’s status, 2024 is a make-or-break year for Mathis.

Commanders place Cody Barton, Saahdiq Charles on IR

Cody Barton, Saahdiq Charles will miss at least the next four games.

The Washington Commanders will be without two starters for at least the next four weeks.

On Saturday, Washington placed linebacker Cody Barton (ankle) and left guard Saahdiq Charles (calf) on injured reserve. Both players can return this season but will miss a minimum of four games.

The Commanders made some corresponding moves, activating defensive tackle Phidarian Mathis from IR and elevating linebacker Jabril Cox and cornerback Tariq Castro-Fields from the practice squads. Additionally, Washington signed fullback/tight end Alex Armah to the active roster.

Barton had played every snap through Washington’s first six games until he was injured in the first quarter of the Week 7 loss to the Giants. The combination of David Mayo and Khaleke Hudson will step in for Barton. Barton had struggled in his first year with Washington but played his best game in the Week 6 win over Atlanta.

Charles is in the final year of his rookie contract and continues to struggle with injuries. Washington is expected to start either rookie Ricky Stromberg or Chris Paul at left guard. If the Commanders bench center Nick Gates for Tyler Larsen, Gates could also be an option at left guard.

Washington hosts the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 8.