Tag: Ron Rivera

Former Commanders linebacker Cody Barton signs with Broncos

Bobby Wagner and Frankie Luvu are in, while Cody Barton and others are out.

It’s been a good week for Washington fans hoping for improved linebacker play. The Commanders signed former Panthers linebacker Frankie Luvu to a three-year deal to kick off free agency and followed that up by signing future Hall of Famer Bobby Wagner to a one-year deal.

On Friday, Washington’s starting inside linebacker from 2023, Cody Barton, found a new home. Per his agent, Barton signed a one-year deal with the Denver Broncos for $3.5 million. It’s the same terms he signed for in Washington last March.

Barton started all 13 games in which he played for the Commanders, recording 121 tackles, including three for loss and one interception. But don’t mistake that number of tackles for effective play. While Pro Football Focus can sometimes be controversial with its grading, PFF’s grade of 53.9 for the 2023 season was accurate.

Washington’s linebackers were a weakness during all four seasons under Ron Rivera, but it was particularly bad last season.

Only 3 teams have spent less than the Commanders over the past 3 seasons

Washington has been cheap for years. That will change under Josh Harris in a number of areas.

Remember when the offseason was the Super Bowl for Washington? Back then, former owner Daniel Snyder would fire up his jet and bring some of the top free agents to Washington.

That strategy always backfired. When Bruce Allen took over as Washington’s president in 2010, the franchise changed how it operated in free agency.

For years, the franchise looked for cheap free agents on short-term deals, and the results were as predicted. When Washington did make a splash, such as Josh Norman or Landon Collins, it didn’t necessarily work out either.

That previous cheapness mainly persisted when Ron Rivera took over as coach and defacto GM in 2020. One positive from Rivera’s era was that he did manage to extend some of Washington’s top players.

But Rivera struck out in free agency, too, for the most part, particularly over the last three years.

When the Commanders did spend on outside free agents, they didn’t spend wisely. Overall, though, Washington has been cheap over the past three years, as only three teams have spent less cash than the Commanders, according to Spotrac.

Rivera received much of the blame for that, which is fair. However, Snyder’s cash flow was an issue and played a more significant role in Washington’s lack of aggressiveness in free agency.

Regardless, the Commanders won 26 games in four years under Rivera.

Snyder is gone now, and Allen has been gone for five years. Josh Harris is the new owner, and Adam Peters is the new GM. While the Commanders will primarily be built through the NFL draft, they will use free agency to supplement the roster instead of building the team.

Snyder was known for his cheapness over the years, not investing in FedEx Field or the team’s headquarters in Ashburn. Harris, who didn’t take over until July, has already earmarked $75 million in upgrades at FedEx Field and in Ashburn. Harris has also committed to analytics and sports science.

Times have indeed changed for the Commanders.

Report: JJ Jansen likely returning for 16th season with Panthers

Longtime long snapper JJ Jansen may be back with the Panthers in 2024.

The longest-tenured Carolina Panther may be tenured even longer.

Joe Person of The Athletic dropped a few bits of info in a new report on Thursday. Amongst the nuggets was one on long snapper JJ Jansen, who is currently set to hit free agency.

But according to Person, the longtime long snapper is likely staying put in Charlotte. He writes:

The team’s previous regime was interested in re-signing the 38-year-old Jansen, who has played in 243 consecutive games since arriving in 2009 in a trade from Green Bay, according to a source briefed on the situation. The sense here is Jansen will be back for a 16th season.

Those 243 games stand as a franchise record, one he broke in the middle of the 2022 campaign. Jansen surpassed former kicker John Kasay, who appeared in 221 games for the Panthers between 1995 and 2010.

Jansen has already played under four different head coaches in Carolina—including John Fox, Ron Rivera, Matt Rhule and Frank Reich. So, will Dave Canales become No. 5?

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Former Commanders coach Ron Rivera is now an ESPN analyst

Rivera reveals who his pick would be if he were still in charge of the Commanders.

It didn’t take long for former Washington Commanders head coach Ron Rivera to land on his feet. On Wednesday’s edition of NFL Live on ESPN, Rivera was revealed as one of the network’s new analysts.

Rivera was fired on Jan. 8 after four seasons as head coach/GM of the Commanders with a record of 26-40-1. Rivera immediately told John Keim of ESPN he still wanted to coach, even if it meant being a defensive coordinator. Rivera enjoyed focusing more on Washington’s defense late last season after firing Jack Del Rio.

Rivera interviewed for two defensive coordinator positions, the Philadelphia Eagles and the Dallas Cowboys. Those jobs eventually went to Vic Fangio and Mike Zimmer, respectively.

Rivera could return to coaching, but for now, he will give his perspective on the NFL from the media side.

Adam Schefter immediately put Rivera on the spot in his debut, asking him if he were still in Washington what would be his quarterback plan.

“You know the big thing, more than anything else, is you have to look at the is style of offense they’re going to run,” Rivera said. “You’ve got Kliff Kingsbury, a guy that likes the mobile quarterback. The quarterback that can move in the pocket, that can make the plays when they’re downfield and throw the football. I think the big thing is you’ve got to have a mobile quarterback.”

So, who will that be, Coach?

“Jayden Daniels, because of the fact that everybody expects Caleb (Williams) to go first,” Rivera answered. “So, to me, if this is the style of offense you’re going to have, you’ve got to have that type of quarterback. A guy that can, again, move around in the pocket, hold onto the football, find guys downfield.”

Here’s the full clip in case you wanted to see Rivera:

Most Washington fans probably aren’t ready to hear Rivera’s opinions on the draft, considering his record of doing such over the past four seasons.

Rivera should excel in his new role. He’s well-liked, well-respected and obviously has contacts throughout the league. And, most importantly, he seems happy.

Eric Bieniemy on departing the Commanders: ‘I was not fired’

Bieniemy said it was his choice not to return to Washington.

When Dan Quinn was introduced as the new head coach of the Washington Commanders earlier this month, he was asked about Eric Bieniemy. Bieniemy had served as Washington’s offensive coordinator in 2023 and was under contract for 2024.

“I think he’s an excellent coach,” Quinn said on Feb. 5. “I had a chance to visit with him today. We’ll continue that dialogue, but we’re not going to work together here, but in this coaching brotherhood, I wanted him to know, man, I really respect the work that he’s done……I wish EB nothing but the best and he’ll do a great job.”

On Saturday, Bieniemy’s next destination was revealed. He was returning to the college game to be UCLA’s offensive coordinator/associate head coach for new coach DeShaun Foster.

To say Bieniemy’s one season in Washington didn’t go well would be an understatement. Bieniemy’s offense ranked first in passing attempts and last in rushing attempts, despite starting Sam Howell at quarterback, a 2021 fifth-round pick with only one NFL start on his resume entering 2023.

The Commanders were ranked in the bottom third of the NFL in most offensive metrics, including FTN’s offensive DVOA (26th).

After Quinn took over as head coach, he hired Kliff Kingsbury as his new offensive coordinator and put together an impressive offensive staff that included former Chargers head coach Anthony Lynn and former Eagles OC Brian Johnson.

In an email to ESPN Saturday confirming his decision to join UCLA, Bieniemy mentioned he had other NFL opportunities and that he had been “applauded and lauded.”

He talked about why he was excited to join Foster and help UCLA.

And then he mentioned his former team:

“I have no regrets with the Commanders,” Bieniemy wrote. “Contrary to what some think and what has been put out in the media, I was not fired. I actually just chose not to stay. Learned a lot and that is always a good thing.

That conflicts with what Quinn said. Maybe the word “fired” was never used when Quinn and the Commanders discussed Bieniemy’s time in Washington, but there was no way Bieniemy was returning in 2024. It’s not personal from Washington’s end, either. The results speak for themselves.

Look, Bieniemy deserves a pass for some of the things he had to deal with in 2023, but he didn’t help things. There are the aforementioned lackluster results, the failure to run the ball to help a young quarterback, but it was his alleged issues with players that were a larger problem.

It began as early as training camp when former head coach Ron Rivera acknowledged some players had come to him to discuss Bieniemy’s coaching style. Rivera backed off those comments a day later, but there were clear issues.

Those issues were brought to the surface again in December. After the season, several players, veterans such as Charles Leno Jr., Logan Thomas, and Sam Cosmi, didn’t exactly give Bieniemy a ringing endorsement.

In short, Bieniemy wasn’t coming back to Washington. He can phrase it however he likes; that’s his choice. But Quinn and new GM Adam Peters were moving forward with a new offense and a new offensive coordinator.

It is interesting that Bieniemy would choose to mention his departure from Washington and what “has been put out in the media.” Nothing from the Commanders was “put out in the media.” It came straight from the new head coach.

Twitter reacts to UCLA hiring former Commanders/Chiefs OC Eric Bieniemy

Social media reacts to Bieniemy heading back to the college game.

Former Washington Commanders offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy has landed a new job. On Saturday, the UCLA Bruins hired Bieniemy as their new offensive coordinator/associate head coach. It’s a similar title to what he held during his lone season in Washington in 2023.

The Bruins were looking for a new offensive coordinator after former head coach Chip Kelly departed to take over as Ohio State’s offensive coordinator. The Bruins promoted UCLA alum and former NFL running back DeShaun Foster to head coach.

Bieniemy’s gamble in Washington didn’t work out well for him or the team. After the season, the Commanders fired head coach Ron Rivera, leaving Bieniemy free to pursue his options.

Bieniemys’ one season in Washington was polarizing. Some fans believed he could do no wrong, blaming everything on Rivera, the offensive line, Sam Howell, Dan Snyder, and virtually everyone else — except Bieniemy. Others, though, were ready for a change by midseason.

How did the social media world react to Bieniemy’s new job? We look at some of the top reactions from X — formerly Twitter.

Another former Commanders’ defensive assistant heading to the Cowboys

More coaching movement between the Cowboys and Commanders.

When the Washington Commanders hired former Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn to be their new head coach, there were bound to be some assistants who followed Quinn.

One was former Dallas secondary coach/pass game coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. Whitt, who followed Quinn from Atlanta to Dallas, joined him in Washington as his new defensive coordinator. It was a long overdue promotion for Whitt, who will call the Commanders’ defensive plays.

The Commanders attempted to hire others, but the Cowboys blocked the moves. Whitt received a promotion; therefore, Dallas couldn’t stop him from leaving. Also following Quinn and Whitt was assistant defensive line coach Sharrif Floyd, who will have the same role with Washington.

How did Dallas replace Quinn? Before the Cowboys hired Mike Zimmer, they interviewed recently fired Washington coach Ron Rivera. While Rivera didn’t get the job, Dallas did hire former Washington defensive line coach Jeff Zgonina.

Now, another former Commanders assistant is heading to the Cowboys.

On Friday, Michael Gehlken of the Dallas Morning News reported that former Washington defensive assistant Cristian Garcia was joining Dallas as a defensive quality control assistant.

When Rivera fired defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio and secondary coach Brent Vieselmeyer in November — after a blowout loss to the Cowboys — he took over as Washington’s defensive play-caller. He also gave Garcia a promotion as the interim defensive backs coach. Garcia would help Rivera in game planning over the Commanders’ final five games of 2023.

A University of Florida graduate, Garcia joined Washington in 2021 as a defensive coaching assistant. In 2022, he was moved to a defensive quality control coach before being promoted to assistant defensive backs coach/nickels in 2023.

 

Ryan Kerrigan ‘very excited’ to be back with the Commanders and Dan Quinn

Ryan Kerrigan is excited to be back and loves the energy Dan Quinn and Joe Whitt Jr. have brought to the organization.

Ryan Kerrigan is a Washington legend. There was a lot of heartbreak and disappointment in Dan Snyder’s 24 years as Washington’s owner, but Kerrigan was one of the bright spots.

A first-round pick in 2011, Kerrigan spent 10 seasons in the burgundy and gold before Ron Rivera inexplicably allowed him to depart for the Philadelphia Eagles in 2021. After one season with the Eagles, Kerrigan announced his retirement and quickly joined Rivera’s coaching staff ahead of the 2022 season.

While initially joining to see if he wanted a career in coaching, the Commanders fired former defensive line coach Sam Mills III and promoted Jeff Zgonina to replace him. Rivera promoted Kerrigan to replace Zgonina, and he’s been a full-time coach since.

Rivera was fired last month and replaced by Dan Quinn. Quinn spent the next few weeks putting together his coaching staff and retained four coaches from Rivera’s staff — Kerrigan was one of those coaches.

Kerrigan’s new title is Assistant Linebackers Coach/Pass Rush Specialist.

This week, Kerrigan spoke about returning under a new coaching staff.

“I’m very excited,” Kerrigan said. “Coach Quinn has brought a really good jolt of energy to the program, and I’m excited to get going with it.”

What about new defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr?

“Coach Whitt has been very energetic in our meetings,” he said. “Same with Coach Quinn, so we’re excited to get going and get the ball rolling.”

Kerrigan spoke about what was next for Washington’s new coaching staff: player evaluation. Having Kerrigan return is a bonus for Quinn and new GM Adam Peters because he’s been here and knows the roster well.

Kerrigan can offer his opinion on Washington’s current linebacker group and the defensive line. What does he think of young defensive ends K.J. Henry and Andre Jones Jr? Which free-agent defensive end should the Commanders bring back between Casey Toohill and James Smith-Williams?

While it was a difficult 2023 season, and the franchise needed change, it’s good to see Kerrigan back in the burgundy and gold.

Did Micah Parsons criticize Commanders’ Dan Quinn?

Parsons wants a fresh start? Was he being critical of Dan Quinn after repeatedly praising him recently?

Dan Quinn spent the last three seasons with the Dallas Cowboys as their defensive coordinator, and now his best defensive player had something to say about it.

Micah Parsons appeared this week on the “Stephen A. Smith Show” and expressed his excitement to play for the Cowboys’ new defensive coordinator, Mike Zimmer.

“I just want to play winning football,” Parsons said. “I want everybody to be accountable. I want everybody locked in. What I hear is Zimmer’s one of them guys that’s gonna have everybody accountable… I just want a fresh start. I just want to change the culture, identity of the Dallas Cowboys and win a championship.”

Was Parsons implying Quinn did not keep everyone on the defense accountable? What did Parsons mean by “I just want a fresh start?” What was Quinn’s culture in Dallas that you “want to change the culture and identity of the Dallas Cowboys?” Here is the story in “The Landry Hat.”

This is all a surprise seeing that when Quinn was hired by the Commanders as their new head coach, Parsons praised Quinn, “They’re getting a real upstanding, outstanding guy, man,” Parsons said of Quinn. “I hope those players buy in and play extremely hard for him and understand that ain’t no one going to love them and care more about them than Dan Quinn.”

Parsons did not elaborate on what he meant by everyone being accountable and the culture change and identity change needed by the Cowboys. Whatever he did mean, the past is now behind Quinn as he has begun his second opportunity as an NFL head coach, this time in Washington.

Quinn replaces Ron Rivera, who did not have a winning record in his four seasons as Washington’s head coach. Commanders fans are starving and looking to Quinn to bring winning seasons. Washington has not accomplished a winning record since the 2015 and 2016 seasons when Jay Gruden was head coach and Kirk Cousins the quarterback.

Commanders re-sign a pair of 2023 rookies to the roster

A pair of last season’s UDFAs are returning to the Commanders in 2024.

Washington Commanders general manager Adam Peters made his first two signings Tuesday by agreeing to terms with a pair of 2023 undrafted rookies.

Wide receiver Kazmeir Allen and guard Mason Brooks, two of Washington’s priority free agents after last year’s NFL draft, have inked deals with the Commanders.

Allen, who played collegiately at UCLA, is a wide receiver/return specialist who drew praise from former head coach Ron Rivera for his work last summer. However, Allen failed to separate himself and was beaten out by Dax Milne for one of Washington’s final roster spots. Milne would go injured reserve before Week 1 last season, and the Commanders chose to elevate recently signed veteran Jamison Crowder to replace him.

Allen stayed on the practice squad all season, allowing the former college running back to continue to develop as a receiver.

Brooks played offensive tackle at Western Kentucky and transferred to Ole Miss for his final season. He was reportedly Washington’s highest-paid undrafted free agent last spring. Brooks stood out during training camp practices last summer and during the preseason.

The 6-foot-6, 315-pound Brooks has a nasty streak and could figure into the mix with a strong offseason.

Teams normally sign practice-squad players to future deals as soon as the season ends, but Brooks and Allen reportedly explored other opportunities before choosing to return to Washington.