Tag: Quan Martin

Commanders-Cowboys tied 3-3 at halftime: 4 first-half takeaways

Here are four quick takeaways from an ugly first half between the Commanders and Cowboys.

The Washington Commanders and Dallas Cowboys are tied 3-3 at halftime of their Week 12 matchup from Northwest Stadium.

Here are three quick takeaways from an ugly half of football:

Jayden Daniels struggling

Can we stop saying it’s the ribs? He’s just not playing well. On a deep throw to Terry McLaurin, a pass Daniels hit with ease through the first half of the season, Daniels led McLaurin out of bounds. Then, late in the first half, Daniels threw an inexcusable interception. Running back Brian Robinson Jr. was in traffic around several Dallas players; Daniels, trying to avoid pressure, flipped it to Robinson, and it went off his hands for an interception. Daniels should never throw the ball in that situation.

On Washington’s final first-half drive, Daniels rolled right out of bounds on three consecutive plays and the Commanders were forced to punt. Daniels completed nine of 16 passes for 57 yards and an interception.

Special teams thriving

Yes, kicker Austin Seibert missed a field goal. He can’t make field goals over 50 yards until proven otherwise. However, the rest of the special teams’ units came to play.

Starting safety Quan Martin blocked a field goal on Dallas’ first drive. Later in the half, defensive tackle Phidarian Mathis blocked a punt. Both times, the Commanders had excellent field position and struggled to capitalize.

No running game

Early in the season, the Commanders’ offense began with a strong running game. Washington rushed for 58 yards in the first half, but 14 were on a Dyami Brown reverse. Dallas is not good at stopping the run, yet Washington can’t run the ball. That’s a concern.

Until the Commanders can run the ball, it’s difficult to believe they’ll get out of this offensive funk. Daniels isn’t inspiring confidence that he can pass them out of it.

Defense doing its job except for one guy

Washington’s defense was excellent outside of the first drive and the final play in the first half. Linebacker Frankie Luvu was a menace, finishing with six tackles and breaking up three passes.

Cornerback Benjamin St-Juste somehow allowed Cooper Rush to complete a 41-yard pass at the end of the half to give the Cowboys an easy three points. St-Juste managed to commit a penalty on the play and still allowed the catch.

Commanders S Quan Martin’s injury a major concern ahead of Week 2 vs. Giants

Quan Martin is questionable Sunday. He would be a big loss if he can’t play.

The Washington secondary was terrible in Week 1. The Commanders allowed Tampa Bay quarterback Baker Mayfield to complete 80% of his passes and throw four touchdowns.

Throughout the week, players and coaches believe communication breakdowns led to several big plays. For the team’s fans, that’s not encouraging, considering how the prior regime dealt with communication breakdowns in the secondary on a seemingly weekly basis.

Pro Football Focus gave three members of Washington’s secondary their lowest defensive grades for last Sunday’s game. One of those players, cornerback Emmanuel Forbes, will miss the Week 2 game against the New York Giants after undergoing thumb surgery Friday.

On Friday, the Commanders received more potential bad news when free safety Quan Martin was limited with a hamstring injury. Washington listed him as questionable for Sunday.

Martin didn’t have a great game in Week 1, but he did have an excellent summer and showed promise as a rookie. How much worse would the Commanders’ secondary be if Martin is out? Washington doesn’t have one corner who can match up with Giants rookie Malik Nabers one-on-one. So, Martin’s presence could be critical in limiting Nabers.

If Martin can’t go, Percy Butler would start in his place. Butler played well last week, and the coaches seem to be high on him. However, Martin is the starter for a reason. He’s versatile. Washington can move him around the secondary; he has a high football IQ and tackles well.

Hamstring injuries can often linger for weeks. That would be a tough blow for a Washington secondary that already has its share of issues.

Commanders final injury report: Quan Martin a surprise addition

Quan Martin among three questionable for Sunday.

The Washington Commanders released their final injury report for Sunday’s home opener against the New York Giants, which contained a surprise. Second-year safety Quan Martin was listed as questionable for Sunday’s game with a hamstring injury. Martin was a full participant during Wednesday and Thursday’s practices.

If Martin can’t go, Percy Butler, named one of the Week 2 captains, will start at safety.

On Friday, Cornerback Emmanuel Forbes underwent thumb surgery, and head coach Dan Quinn said he would not need to go on the reserve/injured list, which means Washington doesn’t expect him out for long.

Quinn also said rookie defensive tackle Jer’Zhan “Johnny” Newton continues to progress toward his debut, and the Commanders will likely decide his status by Saturday.

Here is Washington’s final injury report for Week 2 vs. the Giants:

Out: CB Emmanuel Forbes Jr. (thumb)

Doubtful: None

Questionable: DE Clelin Ferrell (knee), S Quan Martin (hamstring), DT Jer’Zhan Newton (foot)

As for the Giants, rookie wide receiver Malik Nabers will play. He was limited during Thursday’s practice with a knee injury. However, three Giants are ruled out for Sunday:

Here is New York’s final injury report:

Out: CB Nick McCloud (knee), LB Darius Muasau (knee), WR Gunner Olszewski (groin)

Doubtful: None

Questionable: None

 

Commanders coach Dan Quinn says two positions are sticking out ahead of cutdown day

Quinn says two positions have been harder to evaluate.

How many spots on the 53-man roster are up for grabs heading into the Washington Commanders’ final preseason game on Sunday vs. New England?

Will the Commanders keep three quarterbacks? Or will they keep 10 offensive linemen? What about six cornerbacks, seven wide receivers, or four tight ends?

General manager Adam Peters faces some difficult decisions before next week’s deadline for final cuts. A few positions will likely come down to Sunday’s game against the Patriots.

What is head coach Dan Quinn thinking about cutdown day?

“This may sound unusual, but we’re really looking for consistency because sometimes when a person can be into this spot or a ball player, they could press to really want to show out, or I wanna make this play, I wanna do something to stand out,” Quinn said Wednesday. “And so being tighter doesn’t allow you to play better. It just can make you a little tighter and more anxious about the play. So we’re really trying to make sure we’re staying into the flow of how we do things, and there may be some higher reps on a special teams portion or lower and higher on offense or defense.”

Quinn was asked if any position groups were standing out above others.

“I thought two of the groups that have really stood out to me, just been consistent and deep are at safety and at tight end, and just the practice habits, the willingness to go for their battles on special teams,” Quinn said. “So those have been two that have stood out to me of consistently high-level effort, guys supporting one another. And so that’s what you want as a coach where there’s really challenging spots and guys really pushing it. And I’d say those are two of the positions that that jump out to me.”

Let’s start with tight end. Three players are roster locks: Zach Ertz, Ben Sinnott and John Bates. Will the Commanders keep a fourth tight end? If so, that’s good news for third-year TE Cole Turner. Turner has had a solid camp but hasn’t flashed in the preseason games.

As for safety, Quan Martin and Jeremy Chinn are locks. Jeremy Reaves is close to a lock, with Percy Butler and Darrick Forrest also in the mix. Butler appears to be Washington’s top backup at free safety, while Forrest, who had a breakout season two years ago, has battled an injury this summer.

Undrafted rookie Tyler Owens is the wild card. Owens has all the physical attributes and has shined throughout training camp and in both preseason games. He’s made the safety battle much more enjoyable. And as much as Quinn has discussed him, it’s difficult to see the Commanders moving on from him next week.

Where do the Commanders rank among NFL teams in under-25 talent?

The Commanders’ ranking is bolstered by its rookie class.

The Washington Commanders had a busy offseason overhauling a roster that went 4-13 last season. The good news is Washington had plenty of cap space and nine picks in the 2024 NFL draft to flip a roster that former head coach Ron Rivera believed was really good.

The most significant new addition is quarterback Jayden Daniels. The 2023 Heisman Trophy winner was selected No. 2 overall and has impressed coaches and teammates with his work ethic since arriving in May.

Six of Washington’s nine selections came in the draft’s first three rounds. Five rookies have a clear path to significant playing time in 2024.

Can the rookie class enjoy immediate success like the Houston Texans one year ago? The biggest similarity between Houston and Washington is under center. C.J. Stroud was the No. 2 overall pick in 2023 and became one of the NFL’s top young passers as a rookie.

ESPN recently ranked every NFL team in terms of under-25 talent. Washington ranked 18th, and the Commanders ranked 15th last season.

Blue-chip players: QB Jayden Daniels

Notable graduated players: RB Brian Robinson Jr., G Samuel Cosmi, LB Jamin Davis

Washington is boosted significantly by this year’s draft, and that starts with the No. 2 overall pick and 2023 Heisman Trophy winner Daniels (23) at quarterback. The Commanders also had three second-round picks this year. Defensive tackle Jer’Zhan Newton and tight end Ben Sinnott are both 22, while nickelback Mike Sainristil is 23.

As for players who were in Washington last year, wide receiver Jahan Dotson is 24, although his reputation is better than his performance in the ESPN receiver tracking metrics, where he finished near the bottom of the league. Another young player who struggled in advanced metrics is cornerback Emmanuel Forbes Jr. Last year’s first-round pick was one of the worst cornerbacks in the league, with only 38 tackles and one interception. However, he’s just 23, and many top corners take two or three years to develop.

That’s certainly an encouraging perspective on Forbes.

If the Commanders’ rookie class and some of their second-year players like Forbes and Quan Martin can emerge as starters, Washington will be much higher on this list one year from now.

Were you wondering where the NFC East teams ranked in terms of under-25 talent? We’ve got you covered:

  • New York Giants: 13th
  • Dallas Cowboys: 21st
  • Philadelphia Eagles: 29th

Commanders DB Quan Martin looking to make a big leap in 2024

Quan Martin is ready for the next step of his career in 2024.

The 2023 season was a frustrating one for the Washington Commanders. Head coach Ron Rivera was in a lame-duck year with a new owner, and everyone knew change was coming. The product on the field was bad, as was the coaching on the sidelines.

The result was a predictable 4-13 record.

Washington’s 2023 rookie class was a microcosm of last season. The Commanders received next to nothing from their rookie class. First-round pick Emmanuel Forbes was benched multiple times. Second-round pick Quan Martin showed flashes when he played. Other players, such as K.J. Henry and Chris Rodriguez Jr., looked like they could be future contributors.

However, the draft class as a whole was disappointing.

New head coach Dan Quinn has energized everyone, from the fans to the players, especially last season’s rookies. Forbes is excited to play under the new defensive staff. But it is Martin who could see the biggest jump from his rookie season to this fall.

During Washington’s minicamp, Martin had the play of the week. He diagnosed the play, broke up the pass and picked it off — behind his back.

Head coach Dan Quinn sees big things for Martin.

“I thought he was just a really good tackler, and so at safety, there’s probably even more communication that takes place from last year,” Quinn said last week via Zach Selby of commanders.com. “He was featured a lot playing nickel. And so, for a guy that can do both of those, that’s a really big push.”

Where does the versatile Martin see himself playing in 2024?

“Just wherever I’m needed at, to be honest,” Martin said.

Under the former staff, Martin was drafted to play slot cornerback. But his positional flexibility allowed the Commanders to play him at corner, safety, or down in the box if needed.

While versatility is an outstanding trait, Martin is expected to be one of Washington’s starting safeties in 2024 alongside Jeremy Chinn. The Commanders selected Mike Sainristil in the second round to be the slot cornerback.

Martin is ready for the next step in his development.

“Coaches have been on me more just about communicating, being more vocal,” Martin said. “So, [I’m] just trying to take on that role and be that guy.”

There may be some concerns about the rest of Washington’s 2023 draft class, but those concerns don’t exist with Martin.

Commanders coach Dan Quinn names 3 defensive players who’ve impressed

Quinn mentions three players who stood out in the spring.

If there is one phrase that Washington fans do not want to hear anymore, it’s “position-flex.” Former head coach Ron Rivera would say that during almost every press conference throughout his four years. Apparently, under the old staff, it was more important to be versatile than good.

With only 53 roster spots, “position-flex” is essential. However, new head coach Dan Quinn uses a different word: Versatile.

The difference between then and now is that you must be versatile and good to play for Quinn.

During his final press conference of the offseason before Washington’s break, Quinn was asked about versatile players being used in different spots and if anyone had emerged. He named three players.

“I would say some of what I was hoping to see I did, and maybe that’s with (S Jeremy) Chinn,” Quinn said. “I would say it’s been good to see (DB Quan) Martin, you know, some down in the box, but some as a middle-field safety. (LB Frankie) Luvu, although I knew that was part of his game, I’d say it was probably even stronger than I thought. So those would be some, you know, that jump out to me.”

Martin is entering his second NFL season after Washington drafted him in the second round last season. He can line up all over the secondary and is projected to start at safety in 2024.

Chinn and Luvu both come from Carolina. Luvu was among the more sought-after free agents in March because of his versatility. He could play inside, but he’s more impactful when he’s moved around. Washington signing Bobby Wagner allows them to use Luvu in various ways.

Chinn is a wild card for the Commanders. He was phenomenal as a rookie in 2020 but battled injuries and multiple coaching changes since. He is big and athletic and is the type of player Quinn has often had success with. Chinn believes playing for Washington will make him a much better player.

By Quinn naming these three players, he wasn’t saying no one else had impressed him. He said those three names first came to his mind.

Washington’s defense will be better in 2024. There’s nowhere to go but up, and players like Jonathan Allen and Daron Payne will love this style of defense.

WATCH: Commanders DB Quan Martin with a behind-the-back interception during minicamp

Quan Martin with a spectacular interception during Wednesday’s practice.

The Washington Commanders were on the field for the second day of the mandatory minicamp on Wednesday, and while all eyes were on rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels, one defensive player stole the show.

Second-year defensive back Quan Martin, a second-round pick in 2023, is known for his versatility. Martin can play slot cornerback or outside cornerback or line up at either safety spot. Under new head coach Dan Quinn and defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr., Martin will likely start at safety in 2024.

On Wednesday, Martin showed off his skills. Veteran quarterback Marcus Mariota was looking for running back Chris Rodriguez when Martin flew into the picture to break up the pass, tip it in the air, and catch it behind his back.

Here’s the play:

It’s a ridiculous play from Martin. Not only did he have a great read on the play, but his catch will certainly make Quinn and Whitt happy. Quinn and Whitt were known for coaching a defense that forced the most turnovers in the NFL in Dallas.

Commanders fare poorly in 2023 NFL draft re-grade

The early returns aren’t good for Washington, but a new regime brings hope.

Ron Rivera’s final season in charge of the Washington Commanders was horrendous. The Commanders finished 4-13 and fielded the NFL’s worst defenses, and Rivera was relieved of his duties in January.

Rivera’s final legacy with Washington is his 2023 NFL draft class. The early returns aren’t good. Cornerback Emmanuel Forbes, the Commanders’ first-round pick, was benched twice. Second-round pick Quan Martin showed flashes when he was allowed to play, while third-round pick Ricky Stromberg barely played, made no impact and missed the second half of the season with an injury.

Fourth-round pick Braeden Daniels likely wasn’t making the team out of training camp and was placed on injured reserve. Fifth-round pick K.J. Henry showed promise in the second half of the season, while sixth-round pick Chris Rodriguez Jr. thrived in a limited role. Finally, seventh-round selection Andre Jones Jr. didn’t do much but has tools.

So, if we graded this class after one year, it wouldn’t be a passing grade.

Diante Lee of The Athletic recently regraded the entire 2023 NFL draft, assigning grades to all 32 NFL teams. Lee placed Washington under the final category: A step backward/Incomplete. Only three teams were in this category, and Lee offered the following analysis:

Washington Commanders: D-minus

Emmanuel Forbes (No. 16) had some rough moments, to the point that he was benched during the 2023 season. Safety Quan Martin (No. 47) played in the slot by necessity as a rookie, but it’s not clear if that’s the best spot for him in Dan Quinn’s defense. After trading away two starting edge rushers last year, this team cannot afford to have its early picks sitting on the bench.

That’s a deserving grade. We could make the case you could give Washington an F. The good news here is that new head coach Dan Quinn brings hope. Quinn hired an all-star staff, including new defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr., known for his work with defensive backs. That’s good news for Forbes and Martin.

If Forbes and Martin turn out to be hits, while others, like Henry and Rodriguez, can carve out roles, this draft will not look nearly as bad in a couple of years.

Did Kam Curl say goodbye to the Commanders?

Once the franchise tag deadline passed, the Washington safety appeared to say goodbye.

When the Washington Commanders selected safety Kam Curl in the seventh round of the 2020 NFL draft, he was initially considered an afterthought. That’s often the case with seventh-round picks.

That was until training camp. It was clear early in training camp that Curl was a keeper. The 6-foot-2 rookie would play all 16 games for Washington, starting 11 and finishing with three interceptions, including a touchdown.

The arrow was pointing up for Curl. Washington found a seventh-round gem in the former Arkansas Razorback.

Curl followed up his next season by playing all but one game and making 14 starts. Curl’s impact was particularly felt in 2022 when he missed five games that season.

Former coach Ron Rivera and ex-defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio always stressed how important Curl was to the team. If Rivera had his way, he would’ve extended Curl after last season, but with the team for sale, those types of moves were on the backburner. Then, Josh Harris took over in July, and it appeared any lucrative extensions were shelved until after the 2023 season.

The 2023 season is over, and Curl is a free agent. And the Commanders will not be placing the dreaded franchise tag on Curl, either. The deadline passed on Tuesday, and Washington tagged no one.

Curiously, Curl took to X — formerly known as Twitter — shortly after the franchise tag deadline passed and posted the following message — or emoji.

Is that Curl saying goodbye to Washington? Or is that an emotional tweet?

It’s hard to tell. We know the Commanders would like to have Curl back, but the days of overvaluing their own are over under Adam Peters. That’s not a knock on Curl. He’s earned the right to be back. But Peters has an idea of what he is willing to pay, Curl’s value, and the players he already has on the roster.

What does that mean?

We’ll see next week.

The free-agent safety market is robust, even with tags applied to some of the better ones. Still, Curl will have a market. He is a good player. Will that market lead him back to Washington?