Tag: RT Andrew Wylie

Commanders expecting two injured players to return vs. Saints

The bye week was good for some injured Commanders.

The Commanders are expecting starting right tackle Andrew Wylie to be ready for Sunday’s game in New Orleans against the Saints.

Wylie suffered a concussion against the Cowboys, sat out the game against the Titans, and appears to have benefited from the extra rest during the bye week.

Cornelius Lucas filled in quite well for Wylie in the Titans game, helping the Commanders rush for 267 yards on 45 rushes, averaging 5.93 yards per attempt.

Some have suggested that Lucas’ play against the Titans was so good that Wylie’s job could possibly be up for grabs. But Wylie is valuable in the screen game and gets down the field well into the second level of the defense. Look for Wylie to remain the starter, allowing the Commanders to use Lucas as a swing tackle.

The other player who missed the Titans game due to a concussion was RB Austin Ekeler. Ekeler will definitely not be back for the Saints game because the Commanders placed Ekeler on the injured reserve list, meaning he will miss four games minimum. The earliest Ekeler could return thus is the season finale in Dallas. However, if Jeremy McNichols and Chris Rodriguez continue to play well, don’t expect Ekeler back to face the Cowboys.

Defensive end Clelin Ferrell has battled an injured knee for most of the season. He picked up a sack in both of the first two games but has been slowed by the knee, but he continues to push through, playing ten games this season.

Cornerback Marshon Lattimore appears ready to make his Commanders’ debut against the Saints.

Dan Quinn told the press on Monday that Lattimore was running harder during the bye week, hitting all the markers and doing the required work. Quinn also mentioned that Lattimore has done the strength work and passed their tests thus far.

A significant reason the Commanders are an NFL surprise

This group is dramatically improved from last season.

Why are the Commanders such a surprising team in four games?

The knee-jerk response is rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels. Of course, that is probably the most significant difference compared to last year’s team. As much as we love Daniels, we know it’s not that simple; it never is.

The Commanders’ offensive line is better than last year—no, make that so much better.

Friday, speaking with the media, head coach Dan Quinn praised offensive line coach Bobby Johnson.

“Yeah, I think coming into it [we] wanted one, somebody that was an excellent teacher, and I think at that position, that’s where a lot of development takes place. You’re coaching a lot of guys and the development of that position, it’s not like just add water and play.”

Even more interesting was that one of Quinn’s friends in NFL coaching circles Brian Daboll (NYG HC) had previously spoken very highly of Johnson.

“I’ve known Brian for a long time, and like any job you’re looking for, you want to ask as many people as you can. And what really came through for me strong was the teaching, that part of things. And that was really important to me. And so I’ve really been impressed by the work that he has done so far.”

It would be simplistic to say that Daniels is the sole reason the Commanders are better, but it would be to say that Johnson is the sole reason the offensive line is better.

Consider the stark contrasts between last year’s offensive coordinator’s press conferences and this year’s. The two men are so different in approach on and off the field. The Commanders are running the ball well enough and often enough that Daniels is not being asked to carry too much of the load.

Lastly, just months ago, most of us complained about Adam Peters when he waited until the third round to draft an offensive lineman, and even more when that was his only draft choice used on the offensive line.

Peters knew what he was doing, fully aware he had already released Nick Gates and Charles Leno. Next, he had signed free agents Nick Allegretti and Tyler Biadasz. Lastly, he drafted Brandon Coleman 67th overall.

In summary, this offensive line is not last year’s, their coach is not the same, and neither is their offensive coordinator.

Yes, the offensive line has been a major contributor to Jayden Daniels making headlines for the last two weeks.

More importantly, the Washington Commanders have been making headlines the last two weeks.

Some good and some not so good from Commanders, Thursday

Some good and bad from Thursday’s practice vs. the Jets.

There is no overarching narrative to the Commanders’ joint practice on Thursday; there were some good and some not very good moments.

Hey, it’s only the tenth day into this 2024 preseason. So, no need to overreact to what transpired in today’s joint practice with the Jets in New Jersey.

It was a joint practice on August 8, and the most significant thing to come out of Thursday might have been that the regular season opener at Tampa against the Buccaneers is to the day, September 8, a month away.

Where there were questions coming into Thursday’s practice, there will still be questions. Remember, this was the first scrimmage action prior to the first preseason game.

Jayden Daniels moved the ball around to several players and Dyami Brown made a nice catch deep. Daniels seemed to process at times and hit a few checkdowns as well.

Corner Emmanuel Forbes collected an interception during the 7-on-7 reps. However, he also gave up some sizeable yardage in man coverage. Benjamin St-Juste also gave up a big pass gain; keep in mind these were not against Aaron Rodgers, who sat out Thursday.

At times, Andrew Wylie and Brandon Coleman have been the starting offensive tackles. Well, neither one of those guys worked in scrimmage reps against the Jets defense. No word on what type of injury kept Coleman out Thursday. NFL coaches don’t need to publicly report injuries, and consequently, most of the time, they won’t.

Both kickers missed multiple kicks today. Apparently it was not that good a day for either Ramiz Ahmed or Riley Patterson.

NFL Films review/previews the 2024 Commanders

NFL Films didn’t have a lot of good to say about 2023, but thinks the Commanders will be better in 2024.

NFL Films released their preview of the 2024 Commanders on Monday; they didn’t have much good to say about the 2023 Commanders.

Here are some excerpts:

“They were an unwatchful offensive product…25th in points per game, 24th in yards per game, 29th in turnovers, 28th in the red zone, it was bad.”

“They threw more than any team; they ran less than any team.”

“The O-Line 65 sacks taken, tied for 30th; their tackles were rough as Charles Leno and Andrew Wylie gave up ten sacks each.”

“Terry McLaurin is a star waiting for a quarterback.”

“Washington’s offense may not have sparkled; Washington’s defense was worse.”

“The offense will have seven new faces starting for it this season. with just as many changes for the defense.”

“Washington’s pass defense was probably the easiest to pass on.”

“Checking the last box on the defense, Washington didn’t defend the run well, either.”

“(Clelin) Ferrell’s track record makes it hard to assume anything with him.”

“Their secondary probably carries the biggest question mark outside of the quarterback spot.”

“A 6.5 over/under (wins total) does indicate improvement. They only play one team that has a lower over/under (Carolina Panthers 5.5). The Giants are their equal, so give them a home win there. They get the Tennessee Titans at home, and their preseason expectations are similar.”

“Their schedule, plus a rookie quarterback, is why their floor is a 3-14.”

“But if you look at their year from the glass-half-full perspective, all the changes make this an 8-win type team maybe.”

Here’s the full preview:

 

Are the Commanders stuck at offensive tackle?

Are the Commanders stuck with the current group at offensive tackle?

Some of us are checking the NFL transactions daily to see if another offensive tackle becomes available.

Washington general manager Adam Peters has made some moves at offensive tackle. Starter Charles Leno was released early this 2024 offseason. He then re-signed swing tackle Cornelius Lucas to a one-year deal to remain with the Commanders.

During the NFL draft, Peters selected TCU tackle Brandon Coleman with the 67th selection. In addition, the other starting tackle is Andrew Wylie, who is on the right side.

Today, a good friend told me, “I think the Commanders are stuck at tackle.”

There have been some available tackles out there for a while, but most have signed contracts now. In April, some later signings took place: the Dolphins re-signed Kendall Lamm for one year at $2.6M, Former Cowboy La’el Collins was signed by the Bills for one year ($1.8M), Andre Dillard signed with the Packers ($1.1M), the Eagles signed Mekhi Becton to a one-year deal, and A.J. Jackson re-signed with the Rams for one year at $4.9M.

In May, Andrus Peat signed a one-year deal with the Raiders, and Chris Hubbard signed a one-year deal with the 49ers.

So, who are the offensive tackles out there who remain unsigned?

The Chiefs haven’t exactly rushed to re-sign Donovan Smith, so perhaps his penalties might be a good reason for this.

David Bakhtiari has spent 11 seasons with the Packers but will be 33 in September.

D.J. Humphries has been with the Cardinals all his career (2016-2023).

Charles Leno has yet to be signed by anyone, and Geron Christian is also unsigned.

Ok, yes, I threw the last one in there to keep your attention.

Perhaps Peters honestly feels that unless another tackle is released in one of those post-June releases or there is a training camp release that interests him, he is going to stick with the current tackles on this Commanders roster.

In fairness, Peters can’t make all the deals he desires. Remember, he did attempt to trade back into the first round for a tackle and could not agree on compensation with another team.

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.

Postgame quotes after Commanders maddening loss to Giants

Current players and former players weigh in on Sunday’s loss.

This Commanders loss was not disappointing nor depressing.

No, it was maddening and infuriating.

What was the reaction in the locker room and the postgame shows?

“We’ve got to be better separating against man, making contested catches and helping Sam out, whether that’s signals or little things throughout the game or throughout a certain look that could give him comfortability that he can really drive the ball.”  Terry McLaurin

“We need help getting the team ready to perform. That’s the best you can give me? That is not good enough.” Rick Doc Walker

“We’re hurting ourselves. … If you want a chance … to have a rhythm, you got to make the routine plays. You have to be able to execute at a higher level (or) you’re shooting yourself in the foot. It’s hard to play against yourself and the opponent.”  Terry McLaurin

“I would say, today, Washington beat Washington… everybody that was involved players and coaches, deserved some blame…everybody is at fault in this football game.” Brian Mitchell

“This team is not winning because we don’t hold them accountable. This team is not winning because we in the media. we as fans find reasons to give them excuses as to why they can’t get better. Tell them the truth. Right now they are not good.” Brian Mitchell

“I love this franchise, and I will not lie to them. Everybody from top to bottom has to get better, or this thing is not going to change up.” Brian Mitchell

“What I wanted to see was for us to play better, be more efficient, be more consistent as a team. There’s a lot of little details that were missed and these things have to be looked at and corrected.” Ron Rivera

“As much as we say it is not that bad, it is really hurting us. You can’t possibly think you are going to be productive each drive if you are allowing yourself to be taking a sack. Sacks happen, but when they happen they way they are for us, something has to change…” Santana Moss

“To me, it’s how you bounce back. We have ten games left to go, you never know what’s going to happen. You have to take them one at a time, you got to stay focused on it.” Ron Rivera

“He was wide open. I have to give him a better throw.” Sam Howell on the 4th down pass to Jahan Dotson

“Hats off to the defense; they kept us in the football game,” Sam Howell

“It’s very, very frustrating…it’s on us five up front. It’s that simple, and it’s something we need to correct.” Andrew Wylie on Sam Howell getting sacked so often.

Commanders get embarrassed by the Bills 37-3

There were no positives for the Commanders.

The Cardinals stink.

The Broncos stink.

I mean, the Dolphins were up 70-20, and there were still seven minutes remaining in that game. Miami eventually won, 70-20.

The Commanders … oh well, you get the idea.

The Commanders were 2-0, having defeated the Cardinals and then the Broncos. Today at home on FedEx Field, the Commanders were embarrassed by the Buffalo Bills 37-3.

It was so bad that I don’t know where to start.

The Commanders were only 1 of 9 on third downs today. Why was that? Starting with interceptions, there were four of those by Sam Howell; one was even returned for a Bills touchdown.

Oh, did I mention there were nine, yes, nine times Washington quarterback Sam Howell was sacked?

When the Commanders managed to get into the red zone twice, they came away with no points each time.

It was so bad that Commanders head coach Ron Rivera sent out kicker Joey Slye with seconds remaining to attempt a 51-yard field goal, hoping (and probably praying) to avoid a 37-point shutout.

Antonio Gibson fumbled again today, and the Bills recovered it. Wonder if offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy will come down on Gibson, benching him?

Speaking of Bieniemy, after wins over the Cardinals and Broncos, NFL analysts were referencing Bieniemy like he was Bill Walsh or Joe Gibbs creating an offensive attack.

During the Bills’ onslaught against the Washington offense,  I wondered how strongly Bieniemy lobbied to get right tackle and former Kansas City Chiefs Andrew Wylie signed during the free agent signing period back in March.

Plain and simple, the players and coaches alike today were humiliated and shown to be humans and very beatable.

Dust yourself off, men. The sun will rise tomorrow, and you can get back to work toward putting on a better showing next week.

Doc Walker: Some Commanders are ‘whiners, sissies’

Doc Walker pulls no punches, gives some outstanding analysis on what he’s seen this summer.

Rick “Doc” Walker was doing what he does so well Monday.

A guest on “The Al Galdi Podcast,” Walker, a former Redskins tight end (1980-85), was entertaining, daring and humorous. In other words, it was Doc Walker, as I’ve known him for 40 years.

Walker, as usual, did not hold back sharing his opinion of what he has observed thus far in the 2023 Commanders preseason. “Everyone could see Wylie (Andrew) was struggling at right tackle.”

Walker liked something he saw in returner Kazmeir Allen, “I saw potential promise in our return game if that young man will listen to Brian Mitchell…All that wide running ain’t gonna work in the NFL. But, if you got the guts to jam that thing up the pipe, you coming out of their brother. Because this dude can fly.”

“Doc” voiced his concern over the slow Washington starts during the Ron Rivera three seasons (2020-22). “This (preseason) is like a training session. I got to get you through this, to get you ready for Arizona. Because my target is Arizona in the regular season. Because we have been awful in September.”

Walker then naturally transitioned into Washington’s new offensive coordinator, Eric Bieniemy. “But now we have a new attitude, though some seem to have gotten their feathers ruffled over Bieniemy. I just hope he keeps doing what he is doing.”

Walker continued, “Anybody that has ever gone from bad teams to good teams understands why bad teams are stuck on stupid. If you keep doing what you’ve been doing, you’re going to keep getting the same results.”

The former tight end really appreciates the route running of receiver Jahan Dotson. “If they had a pay-per-view package just for me to watch/stay on him, I’d buy the package just to watch him. He is a superior route runner. I am telling you it is an art.”

How does Doc feel about the offensive line? “Here’s my deal, if you can’t run block or pass block, why are you on the team? Because you played for the head coach? We saw that crap last year with the two guards that were shot (Andrew Norwell and Trai Turner). So, it depends. Do you guys want to win, or are running a boy’s club or a professional football team?”

Walker again turned to Wylie in particular, “I expect him to play better next week because it is the test of a lifetime because he has the Ravens all week. So, if he has any fight in him, any dog in him, it better come out this week.”

“Doc” loves Sam Cosmi being moved from tackle to guard and looks forward to what he thinks Cosmi can accomplish inside.

Then “Doc” again turned his focus to the regular season.

“All I care about is if we are better in September than we have been since Ron Rivera has run the team. We have got to be better in September. In order to do that, it gets ugly in the process. It’s not going to be perfect. You have to go through some tough times.”

“I just want all the whiners that think EB’s practice…………EB is training you to be a champion. I know it is foreign to a lot of these sissies, but the bottom line is that was pathetic what went down.”

“It altered my demeanor all week. I could not believe it. I was shocked by that. But, you gotta move on.”

How was Sam Howell’s night for Commanders?

Overall, it was a good night for the young Washington quarterback.

Sam Howell had some really good moments Friday night in the preseason opener.

Howell started against the Browns in Cleveland and proceeded to complete 9 of his 12 passing attempts for 77 yards and a touchdown for a 119.1 passer rating.

Howell also carried once, gaining eight yards, on a play in which he displayed good feet. He was also sacked once for a loss of -8 yards and a holding call resulted in a safety for Cleveland’s two first-half points.

On Washington’s first possession, facing a 3rd and 6 at the 25 yard line, Howell was forced left but was swift enough, gaining 8 yards for the first down to the 33.

A sack losing eight yards and a holding call and Howell faced a 3rd & 30, resulting in a punt.

The second Commanders possession began deep in the hole at their own 5. Right tackle Andrew Wylie was guilty of holding in the end zone, resulting in a safety.

Howell’s third drive was a beauty, with 10 plays and 80 yards for a touchdown. Howell found Cole Turner for 7 yards, Terry McLaurin for 7 yards, and Turner again for 4 yards.

Perhaps his most significant play of the night was a 4th & 3 at the Browns 39. Why punt when it is preseason? Give your quarterback and offensive unit the opportunity to convert, meaning more offensive plays. Howell rolled right and found Turner for 13 yards to the Browns’ 26.

On the next play, Howell dropped back, looked left and connected with Dotson on the 26-yard touchdown.