Tag: S Darrick Forrest

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’ Rivera provides injury updates

In addressing Washington’s injuries after the bye week, Rivera hinted at a free-agent mistake without saying it.

It’s no secret the Commanders are 4-9 and hoping to get some people back in the lineup.

What may be a secret, however, is that the Commanders have actually been one of the healthiest teams in the entire league this season, and yet they have managed to lose nine of their last 11 games after opening the season 2-0.

Yet, there are some injuries, and head coach Ron Rivera was asked during his weekly Monday press conference when those players might return to action during the last four weeks of the season.

Cornerback Emmanuel Forbes and defensive end James Smith-Williams: “Forbes had a good week of rehab. He’ll be evaluated through practice this week, as will James Smith Williams for the most part.”

Ricky Stromberg: “Stromberg, actually, you know, he had the surgery. He’s still going to be down for a while.”

Safety Darrick Forrest: “DeFo, he’s got to be re-evaluated by the doctors. We’ll go from there.”

Left guard Saahdiq Charles: “We’re gonna check in on him tomorrow and see where he is. Then we’ll go from there.”

Rivera was asked a follow-up regarding Stromberg, “Does it sound like then he’d probably be done for the year?” “It looks like it obviously because of the surgery, and it’s unfortunate. The young man showed he had the tools you are looking for. Big, stout, physical guy, very smart, intelligent football player. He showed that to us and, unfortunately, got hurt playing. That was a tough one because, between him and Tyler (Larsen), I felt we could have been very, very stout up front for the remainder of the year.”

Did you catch that? Rivera was planning on not using Nick Gates in the middle any longer? Was Rivera admitting by implication that the Nick Gates experiment did not go well? Was the signing determined to have been a mistake?

Rivera was then asked if Brian Robinson was going to be able to practice this week. “We’ll see him tomorrow, and he will be re-evaluated, and we’ll see. He should be ready to go for practice, I’m anticipating that. But we’ll see everybody again tomorrow.”

 

Commanders defensive depth suddenly questioned

Suddenly, Washington’s safety depth will be tested, and some young players have an opportunity.

It was July 27, 2023, and Commanders Training Camp was launching a new era.

The defense had finished the 2022 season ranking first in the NFL in third-down defense, allowing the smallest percentage of third-down conversions in the league.

Fast forward two months and one week. On Monday (10/09/23), head coach Ron Rivera announced two key players were headed to the injured reserve list. Safety Darrick Forrest injured a shoulder in the last game against the Bears during the third quarter.

In addition, Safety Jeremy Reaves injured his knee against the Bears. During a punt, Reaves went down and could be seen during the live coverage of the play, immediately reach for and clutching his knee in pain.

Even further, during his press conference today, when Rivera announced the two significant players going to the IR list, he only stated they were awaiting further word, determining the severity of the two injuries.

What sort of depth do the Commanders possess, losing Reaves and Forrest? Safety Percy Butler appears to be the next man up. Butler (6-0, 190) was Washington’s fourth-round choice (113 overall) in the 2022 NFL draft.

Butler certainly possesses the physical skills. He’s faster than Forrest, but is he ready to recognize his assignments in coverage from play to play, reacting at game speed?

Reaves was a punt coverage demon in 2022, earning his Pro Bowl spot. Who will step up and be that first guy down on the punt coverage team making so many plays in Reaves absence?

The first name that comes to mind is cornerback Christian Holmes. Holmes (6-1, 205) played his college ball at Oklahoma State. In the 2022 draft, Washington selected Holmes in the 7th (final) round with the 240th overall selection. Holmes has already been playing on the punt coverage team, so who will be the new person to play on punt coverage?

Terrell Burgess (safety), who was with the Commanders in training camp and the preseason looks to be a candidate to be elevated to the active roster.  He was drafted by the Rams in the 2020 draft, in the third round (104 overall).

After playing his college ball at Utah, Burgess saw action in seven games in 2020 and 16 in 2021, both with the Rams. In 2022 he participated in seven games with the Rams and one with the Giants.

As for Reaves, the fan favorite took to social media to thank the fans for their love and well wishes.