Tag: RB Chris Rodriguez

What did Commanders’ roster move say about Brian Robinson’s status?

What did Saturday’s roster move tell us about Brian Robinson Jr?

Saturday, the Commanders elevated running back Chris Rodriguez from the practice squad to their roster.

Why did the Commanders make the move, elevating Rodriguez?

It’s simple, really. Starting running back Brian Robinson, Jr. is ailing.

Robinson has gained 461 yards in his 101 rushing attempts, averaging 4.6 yards a carry. Six times, he has scored a rushing touchdown, and 27 times, he has moved the chains with a first down.

But Robinson is battling a hamstring issue. He has missed practice this week and was listed as questionable. So don’t be surprised if Dan Quinn and Adam Peters decide to sit Robinson and have him “inactive” against the Giants on Sunday.

If the Commanders can win over the Giants, Quinn and Peters might have a more difficult decision concerning Robinson. The next opponent on Sunday, Nov. 10, is the Steelers, followed by the Eagles (Thursday, Nov. 14). Would they play Rodriguez against the Steelers and perhaps have to sit him again against the Eagles? Or might they sit Robinson against the Steelers and play him against the Eagles?

Rodriguez played college football at Kentucky, and Washington selected him in round 6 (193 overall) of the 2023 draft. In 2023, he carried the ball 51 times for 247 yards, two touchdowns, and 12 first downs.

Michael Wiley appeared ahead of Rodriguez throughout the preseason, but again, the Commanders have chosen the more experienced Rodriquez.

Austin Ekeler and Jeremy McNichols will shoulder most of the running back load, while Rodriguez will mostly play special teams and perhaps get some running back carries. The Commanders have been careful not to overuse Ekeler when running the ball inside.

Cowboys writer says Commanders signing already a flop

Some over-the-top comments regarding the Commanders and Dan Quinn.

A writer covering the Dallas Cowboys went on record Friday, stating he believes one Dan Quinn signing might already be a flop.

Jerry Trotta, who writes for “The Landry Hat,” asserted the new Commanders head coach, “Quinn overspent on a pair of Cowboys free agents in Dorance Armstrong and Tyler Biadasz and signed a 33-year-old tight end in Zach Ertz who’s played only 17 games the last two seasons.”

I actually admit to being concerned regarding Ertz, not knowing what he might still be able to contribute in 2024 for the Commanders.

Trotta then continued a step further, saying, “Any of those moves could blow up in Quinn’s face, but there’s one marquee signing that already looks like a flop: running back Austin Ekeler.”

Ekeler had appeared on the “Up and Adams” show with Kay Adams, stating that the Chargers were going a different direction, deciding to sign bigger running backs. So, Ekeler signed with Washington.

This reason didn’t satisfy Trotta, who called Ekeler’s reason “ludicrous.” Yet, Trotta doesn’t seem to understand that though Ekeler carried the ball 206 and 204 times during the 2021 and 2022 seasons, the 5-10, 200-pound running back is now entering his eighth NFL season.

The Commanders are not planning on using Ekeler to carry the ball 200+ times in 2024. If he reaches that many carries it will only be because Brian Robinson and Chris Rodriguez were both injured during the season.

The Commanders hope to assign Robinson and Rodriguez the workload of carrying the ball between the tackles, permitting Ekeler to be utilized more in space as a third-down back or pass-receiving back.

Trotta concluded, asking his readers, “You think Quinn already regrets signing Ekeler?”

Frankly, isn’t it much too early to make such an assumption?

Ekeler’s contract is only for two years. The Commanders can get the most out of Ekeler over two seasons by not pounding a 200-pound back too often, especially when they have guys like Robinson and Rodriguez, with younger bodies with less wear and tear, who can get the tough yards.

Perhaps, might his wishes that Quinn is not successful in Washington, be clouding Trotta’s judgment?

After all, we all (myself certainly included) have our own biases, and they reveal themselves from time to time.

Adam Peters said the Commanders have a ‘few cornerstone pieces.’ Who are they?

Adam Peters said the Commanders had a few cornerstone players. Who are they?

“I believe there’s a few cornerstone pieces in this roster. I believe we have a lot of work to do.”

That is how new Commanders GM Adam Peters replied when asked what he thought of the current roster.

So, who does Peters feel are the “few cornerstone pieces”?

On offense, it would have been great if Sam Howell had developed enough this past season, but that did not occur, as Howell led the NFL in sacks taken and interceptions thrown.

Brian Robinson accumulated 733 rushing yards and 368 receiving yards totaling 1,101 yards from scrimmage. But Robinson is a running back. So Peters may not feel it necessary to pay Robinson a second contract, but we can cross that bridge in a couple of seasons.

Much was made of Terry McLaurin accomplishing a fourth consecutive season of 1,000 yards receiving. Frankly, wasn’t too much made of this? In today’s NFL, the rules and officiating favor the offense much more than the defense. Thus, there is more passing in today’s game. In addition, the NFL regular season is now 17 games. He is a fine, hardworking player and is a team leader. Yet, one would be hard-pressed to persuade us that McLaurin is an elite receiver. But his contract may keep other teams from trading for him. Is he really worth his $24.1 million cap hit in 2024?

This leaves the only real offensive cornerstone piece upon which the Commanders must build around, and that is right guard Sam Cosmi. Cosmi’s 2024 cap hit will only be $2,108,135. His last contract year is 2024, so Peters will want to re-sign Cosmi to that second contract.

Defensively, Jonathan Allen and Daron Payne have been sturdy and energetic inside forces, but that did fall off some this past season. Allen and Payne will have cap hits of $23 million and $26.17 million in 2025. Allen and Payne were drafted in the first round by Washington in 2017 and 2018, respectively. If Peters wants to receive the highest possible value back in a trade, he may want to trade one or both this offseason.

A few young players who have shown a toughness that Peters may keep around include safeties Darrick Forrest and Kam Curl. Curl is a free agent, however, and may want to hit the open market. A third is Quan Martin, a second-round choice who flashed at times in the later games of the season.

Three other players on the offense could be nice developmental pieces. Chris Rodriguez Jr. exhibited a real toughness on special teams and in running the ball. Jahan Dotson has had his moments where he looks like he really belongs. Another is Curtis Samuel. However, Samuel is a free agent, and Peters may not want to give him a third contract.

Armani Rogers, the most athletic of the tight ends, missed this entire season with a torn Achilles tendon. But he is an athlete Peters will want to keep, as he most likely does not bring back Logan Thomas.

Peters was absolutely correct. He has a lot of work to do.

 

 

Commanders elevate running back from practice squad

Derrick Gore was impressive in the preseason and has experience playing for Eric Bieniemy.

On the eve of their Week 4 contest in Philadelphia, the Washington Commanders have elevated running back Derrick Gore from the practice squad.

Gore has experience playing for offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy with the Kansas City Chiefs during the 2021 NFL season.

The former Alabama Crimson Tide running back is likely elevated due to running back Chris Rodriguez being listed as out vs. the Eagles. The Commanders communicated earlier that Rodriguez was out of practice due to an illness.

Consequently, the plan going into Sunday’s game against the undefeated Eagles will most likely be that Brian Robinson will continue to get the bulk of the work in the single-back formation. Antonio Gibson will spell Robinson at times, and Gore will play special teams and be ready for work in the backfield if needed.

In 2021, while with the Chiefs, Gore carried the ball 51 times for 256 yards, scoring two touchdowns and converting 12 first downs. Gore was also on the receiving end of eight passes for 105 yards (13.1 yards per reception) for no touchdowns and three first downs.

Gore has also been on the practice squads of the Redskins in 2019, the Chargers (2019, 2020), and the Saints in 2022.