Tag: Sam MIlls III

Commanders name Ryan Kerrigan assistant defensive line coach

The Commanders made if official on Monday.

The Washington Redskins made it official Monday with franchise legend Ryan Kerrigan, naming him assistant defensive line coach ahead of the 2022 season.

Kerrigan signed a one-day contract with the Commanders in July so he could retire with the organization where he spent the first nine seasons of his NFL career. During his retirement press conference, Kerrigan expressed an interest in coaching.

Head coach Ron Rivera said Kerrigan would spend training camp and the preseason with the team to see if coaching was something he wanted to do.

Entering training camp, Sam Mills III was Washington’s defensive line coach. Former NFL player Jeff Zgonina was the assistant defensive line coach. Rivera dismissed Mills early in camp and named Zgonina the new defensive line coach. Kerrigan helped out with the young pass rushers throughout training camp, earning praise from several of his former teammates.

Now, Washington’s all-time franchise leader in sacks is officially a full-time NFL coach.

“Ryan Kerrigan is one of the most accomplished players in this franchise’s history,” said head coach Ron Rivera. “Following his retirement, we had a great talk about his goals for life after playing. Ryan had an interest in coaching, and we were able to allow him to shadow our coaching staff this summer. He is an extremely hard worker with tremendous knowledge of the defensive line position group. I look forward to watching him develop as a coach and assist Coach Zgonina in the defensive line room.”

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Commanders DE James Smith-Williams believes in DL coach Zgonina

Commanders DE James Smith-Williams endorses new DL coach Jeff Zgonina.

Naturally, James-Smith Williams was asked questions about his old and new defensive line coaches on Wednesday when he met with the media.

One day after his defensive line coach Sam Mills III was fired, the Commanders defensive end appeared before the media following Wednesday’s practice.

Asked to respond on how the team took it when they learned Mills was fired: “Like Jon (Allen) said, ‘Football is a great sport, tough business.’ We respect what Coach Ron (Rivera) does for the best interest of the team.” It appears Smith-Williams endorses Rivera’s coaching decision.

The third-year Washington defensive end is confident in defensive line Coach Jeff Zgonina: “Z’s (Zgonina) been here the entire time I’ve been here, so there’s a lot of continuity. It feels very familiar, very much the same.”

The former NC State Wolfpack defender also likes Zgonina’s energy, “Z’s (Zgonina) always been the same guy, super intense, always getting out there, and always trying to push us. So having that around it’s really a lot of fun.”

Smith-Williams believes Zgonina’s NFL playing experience is a real plus.
“Yeah, definitely. He played for 17 years. He knows what we need to hear. So he’s always really good about that.”

In the NFL world of coaches being hired to be fired, he knows the players must stay focused despite sudden changes. “We still have to go out and play. The NFL is more of a self-start league anyway. You aren’t going to need someone to drag you along. You are going to have to push the pace regardless.”

Having started six games last season, he feels he is progressing compared to last year. “Yeah, a lot better. I’m not coming off major surgery. I have the year starting experience under my belt. So you kind of know what to expect, and I know what the system’s like. So, year three I’m really excited for.”

The former seventh-round 2020 draft choice (229 overall) understands his role last year was to be ready to contribute when Chase Young tore his ACL. Now in 2022, Smith-Williams again prepares to provide as much as he can while Young returns from his ACL rehab and recovery.

Starting six games in 2021, JSW contributed 11 solo tackles, 19 assisted tackles, 4 tackles for a loss, 5 QB hits and 2.5 QB sacks.

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Washington defensive line coach’s father selected for Pro Football Hall of Fame

Sam Mills was selected for enshrinement into the Pro Football Hall of Fame Thursday night.

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Former New Orleans Saints and Carolina Panthers linebacker Sam Mills was one of eight former players and coaches selected for enshrinement into the Pro Football Hall of Fame Thursday.

Joining Mills is Dick Vermeil, LeRoy Butler, Bryant Young, Richard Seymour, Art McNally, Cliff Branch and Tony Boselli in the class of 2022.

For younger fans, you may recognize Mills’ name from Washington. His son, Sam Mills III, is Washington’s defensive line coach, following head coach Ron Rivera over from Carolina.

Mills is one of the greatest success stories in NFL history. The 5-foot-9 linebacker from Montclair State went undrafted in 1981 before signing as an undrafted free agent with the Cleveland Browns. Mills would be released at the end of training camp.

From there, he went to the CFL, signing with the Toronto Argonauts. He was released before the season. He spent the next three seasons with the Philadelphia/Baltimore Stars of the USFL. Mills made such an impression during his USFL days that the New Orleans Saints signed him ahead of the 1986 season.

In New Orleans, Mills played nine seasons before playing for the Panthers during the final three years of his career. Over a 12-year career, Mills finished 1,319 tackles, 20.5 sacks, 11 interceptions and four touchdowns.

Here are some of his accolades:

  • First-team All-Pro (1996)
  • Second-team All-Pro (1991, 1992)
  • Five-time Pro Bowl selection
  • Three-time All-USFL selection
  • Two-time USFL champion
  • Jersey No. 51 retired by Panthers
  • Member of Panthers Hall of Honor
  • Member of Saints Hall of Fame
  • Member of Saints Ring of Honor
  • Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame
  • Sports Hall of Fame of New Jersey

After his playing career, Mills immediately went into coaching, spending seven seasons with Carolina, the final six as linebackers coach.

Sadly, Mills was diagnosed with intestinal cancer in 2003 and was only given months to live. Despite that diagnosis, he continued to coach, inspiring his Panthers and all of the NFL. He was the inspiration behind Carolina’s first Super Bowl appearance in 2003.

Before a playoff game in 2003, Mills gave a famous speech where he said he could “quit or keep pounding” after his cancer diagnosis. That “keep pounding” motto has been with the team ever since, as a select individual or group is chosen to bang the “Keep Pounding” drum before the game.

Mills sadly died in 2005. A statue of Mills is outside of Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte.

Congratulations to the Mills family. Sam Mills was long-deserving of this honor, and perhaps it will open the door for former Washington linebacker London Fletcher in the near future.

Ron Rivera doesn’t anticipate any staff changes for 2022

Ron Rivera doesn’t anticipate any staff changes.

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Many Washington fans hoped coach Ron Rivera would fire defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio after the 2021 season. Washington’s defense took steps back after a top-five performance in 2020, in which Washington won the NFC East.

Well, it didn’t take Rivera long to squash the hopes of those who’d like to see a new defensive boss in 2022.

In his postgame presser after the win over the Giants, Rivera was asked about potential staff changes after the season, and here’s his response:

“No, I don’t anticipate doing anything other than the things that we need to do to go forward,” Rivera responded.

Remember, last week, reporters asked Del Rio if he was hopeful of returning as Washington’s defensive coordinator in 2022, and he was confident in his return.

As for Rivera, what did you expect him to say? Do you think he’s going to tell the media after a game he’s going to make any type of coaching changes? Of course not. But Rivera is a loyal guy, and most of these assistants have been with him for years. When he says you shouldn’t anticipate any staff changes, he’s probably right.

Neither of Washington’s coordinators should be fired at this time. Give them one more season. Offensive coordinator Scott Turner really has done an excellent job considering he still doesn’t have a stable quarterback position and has had to deal with numerous injuries.

Is Turner perfect? No, but he deserves the opportunity to work with a talented passer of his choosing.

As for Del Rio, Washington’s defense improved in the second half until COVID-19 wreaked havoc late. The biggest issue with Del Rio is why it took so long to move Landon Collins in the box? Also, why the lack of production from Chase Young and Montez Sweat? Those defensive ends are far too talented to combine for 6.5 sacks in 19 total games.

Perhaps Washington makes some changes at position coach. Defensive line coach Sam Mills III has been with Rivera since he started in Carolina. It’s fair to ask why some on the defensive line regressed in 2021.

But I wouldn’t expect any staff changes this offseason unless Washington loses a coach to another team. Remember, defensive backs coach Chris Harris interviewed for Philadelphia’s defensive coordinator position last offseason.

With Montez Sweat and Chase Young injured, what now?

Casey Toohill, Shaka Toney and Bunmi Rotimi have a major opportunity with the loss of Montez Sweat and Chase Young.

The WFT defensive line has lost both Montez Sweat and Chase Young.

Sweat, a first-round draft choice out of Mississippi State in 2019, suffered a broken jaw against the Broncos in Week 8.

Young, the second overall selection in the 2020 NFL draft, suffered a torn ACL in Week 10 against the Buccaneers.

 

What now?

Ron Rivera, Jack Del Rio and defensive line coach Sam Mills III are forced to think, “What is best for the team, and how does the defense march forward?” It seems uncaring, but they must accept a “So what? Now what?” mindset and prepare this team. It’s their job.

Who will have to step up at defensive end?

Casey Toohill, a seventh-round draft choice by the Eagles in 2020, was signed by Washington last season and appeared in eight games. The 25-year-old defensive end played 29 defensive snaps last week against Tampa Bay, collecting one solo tackle while assisting on three others.

Shaka Toney was selected by the WFT out of Penn State in the seventh round (No. 246 overall) in 2021. At 6-2 and 238 pounds, perhaps his size will limit his snaps, and coaches may attempt to use him exclusively in pass-rushing situations. Toney was called upon for nine defensive snaps against Tampa in Week 10.

Bunmi Rotimi played at Old Dominion, went undrafted and was signed by the WFT last offseason. At 6-3 and 273 pounds, the 26-year-old lineman may be pressed into a role where he will be needed to also help against the run. He has appeared in recent games against the Packers (six snaps) and the Buccaneers (eight snaps).

Hall of Fame basketball coach John Wooden often said, “Things work out best for the people who make the best of the way things turn out.”

Toohill, Toney and Rotimi are going to be thrown into the proverbial fire.  Many WFT fans will wish them good luck.

Wooden also often said, “Luck is when preparation meets opportunity.”

Ron Rivera’s Redskins hire 2 more Panthers coaches

You can add two more names to that list.

Matt Rhule will have no shortage of jobs to fill on his Panthers coaching staff. Ron Rivera’s Redskins have already hired a number of Carolina coaches who will be joining him in Washington. That list includes offensive line coach John Matsko, head trainer Ryan Vermillion, special teams assistant Ben Jacobs and linebackers coach Steve Russ.

You can add two more names to that list.

Offensive coordinator Scott Turner will be joining them, per his personal Twitter account. It’s not clear from his post, but Turner has interviewed for and been expected to take the same position with the Redskins.

Turner had a severe handicap at the quarterback position. However, he made some clever calls and showed he knows how to use play-makers during his month of running the offense for the Panthers. In Washington, he will be judged by what he gets out of guys like Dwayne Haskins and Terry McLaurin, who both flashed as rookies despite a poor overall offensive performance.

Defensive line coach Sam Mills III is also joining Rivera’s staff, according to Joe Person at the Athletic.

Mills had been with the team since the 2005 season when he started out as a strength and conditioning/defensive assistant.

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