Tag: Sean Taylor

WATCH: Country music superstar Morgan Wallen wears Sean Taylor jersey at concert

Yes, we know Sean Taylor didn’t play for the “Commanders,” but Wallen represented the Washington legend on stage.

Country music superstar Morgan Wallen is one of the more popular musicians in the country, playing in front of sold-out crowds on a nightly basis.

One week before the Washington Commanders open the 2023 NFL season at FedEx Field against the Arizona Cardinals, Wallen brought his “One Night at a Time” world tour to Washington’s home stadium.

Wallen, who has won numerous awards and enjoyed record-breaking success atop the Billboard, often performs in a jersey representing the home team. For his concert at FedEx Field, that meant wearing a Commanders’ jersey.

His choice? The legendary No. 21, worn by the late, great Sean Taylor.

OK, we know, Taylor never played for the Commanders. Taylor’s career spanned from 2004-07 when he played for the then-Redskins. In 2021, Washington retired Taylor’s No. 21. Last year, the franchise unveiled a Taylor memorial outside of FedEx Field, which drew criticism.

It sounds like a good time was had by all.

 

‘Commanders are one of 14 NFL teams to not….’

It’s been a while.

[anyclip pubname=”2123″ widgetname=”0016M00002U0B1kQAF_M8169″]

Warren Sharp took a moment Sunday evening to educate his readers that 14 NFL teams have not won a playoff game in the last five seasons.

I immediately thought, “Five years? Why stop there, Warren?”

Well, technically Sharp didn’t. He did actually say “5+ years.”

Commanders fans were already quite aware of this discouraging and frustrating NFL reality. You see, we are all too aware that this NFL franchise has not won a playoff game in well over five years.

Hey Warren, try 18 NFL seasons without a team playoff win!

That’s right, Washington NFL fans have not enjoyed a playoff win since Joe Gibbs 2.0 came out of NFL retirement because he loved the franchise so much he wanted to bring it back some respect.

Gregg Williams was the defensive coordinator, Don Breaux was the offensive coordinator, and Joe Bugel was the offensive line coach.

Quarterback Patrick Ramsey started the season opener, and Mark Brunell the other 15 games. Clinton Portis gained 1,516 yards rushing, including 11 touchdowns.

Santana Moss gained 1,483 receiving yards on 84 receptions (17.7 yards per reception) and 9 receiving touchdowns. Chris Cooley generated 774 receiving yards on 71 receptions and 7 touchdowns.

Ladell Betts returned a kickoff 94 yards for a touchdown. Antonio Brown returned one 91 yards for a touchdown. No, not that “Antonio Brown.”

John Hall and Nick Novak connected on 17 of 21 field goals and all 42 extra-point attempts.

Remember linebacker Lemar Marshall?

He led the team in tackles (101) and interceptions (4). Defensive end Phillip Daniels led with 8.0 quarterback sacks. He and linebacker Marcus Washington each led with 11 tackles for a loss.

What a year that secondary had, getting their hands on balls. Safety Sean Taylor led with 12 passes defended, and corners Walt Harris and Shawn Springs collected 11 and 10, respectively.

In fact, the defense was most responsible for the last playoff win in franchise history those 18 seasons ago, when Washington went down to Tampa and beat the Bucs 17-10.

Brunell was injured and unable to pass effectively, but Coach Joe was not putting Ramsey out there against the Bucs defense. The Washington offense totaled only 120 yards. But they won the turnover battle 3-1, including a Sean Taylor 51-yard fumble recovery touchdown run.

And so it was 18 NFL seasons ago when the Washington NFL team was the “Redskins,” and they last won a playoff game.

 

You can follow Ivan Lambert on Twitter @IvanLambert18 and Commanders Wire @Washington_Wire

WATCH: Terry McLaurin films commercial for local DMV auto dealership

McLaurin having some fun ahead of training camp.

If you’ve followed the Washington NFL franchise long enough, you probably know of Eastern Motors, whether you live in the DMV or not. Since 2004, Eastern Motors, now called Easterns Automotive Group, has filmed commercials using local Washington athletes.

Of course, several Washington players have appeared in commercials over the years. Some of the Washington players that have appeared in Easterns’ commercials are Clinton Portis, Santana Moss, the late Sean Taylor, Trent Williams, Ryan Kerrigan, Kirk Cousins, Chris Cooley, LaVar Arrington, Antwaan Randle-El and Jason Campbell, Josh Norman, Adrian Peterson and Terry McLaurin. Even the legendary Chief Zee participated.

Earlier this month, Easterns welcomed McLaurin back for his fourth year partnering with the local automotive dealer.

Last week, McLaurin began filming commercials ahead of the 2023 NFL season with Darren Haynes, the sports director at WUSA9 in Washington, D.C.

It looks like the Commanders’ star wide receiver had some fun.

McLaurin is showing some intensity.

Here’s a reminder for those not familiar with some of these glorious commercials over the years.

A fun one involving Campbell and Cooley.

And, of course, Taylor.

“At Eastern Motors, your job’s your credit……….”

 

Commanders Quan Martin confident he has been prepared for this moment

Martin is confident, ready to help the Commanders this season.

[connatix div_id=”3f8b015acdd24c648befc5d5dac47469″ player_id=”afe1e038-d3c2-49c0-922d-6511a229f69c” cid=”7cbcea0d-4ce2-4c75-9a8d-fbe02a192c24″]

Jartavius “Quan” Martin thinks he has been prepared for this moment.

Martin, a defensive back out of Illinois, chatted briefly with former Washington cornerback Fred Smoot recently.

Martin revealed his middle name is Daquan, and thus “Quan” became a nickname early in his youth. He also unveiled that he really appreciates his college head coach at Illinois, Lovie Smith.

The Commanders rookie, drafted in the second round of this year’s draft (2023), expressed that he feels he is indebted to Lovie Smith for preparing him to play at this level. He is confident he can take what he learned from the experienced Smith and apply it to the NFL level.

“I will probably start out as a nickel back and move around some after that,” expressed Martin. When Smoot asked Martin how he would describe himself, Martin did not hold back, stating he was “tough, smart, dependable.” “I am just a guy who loves the game who’s going to go out there and do whatever it takes to help this team win by getting the ball back for the offense.”

Hearing his name announced at the draft by London Fletcher, Martin said was an awesome experience for him. He and his family were together in Orlando for the draft, making it a memorable night for Martin when he was drafted in the second round by Washington.

During Covid, Martin said he started cutting his own hair. This led to Martin cutting his roommate’s hair. He told Smoot he likes the fact that he has not paid for his haircuts in three years now.

Growing up in Florida, he loved the football played by Deion Sanders. This led him to choose to wear No. 21 in Youth football, high school and college. Martin understands with that number being retired in honor of the late Sean Taylor; this is his first year he will not be wearing No. 21.

Washington’s 1st-round draft choices in the Daniel Snyder era

Looking back at each of Washington’s first-round picks in the Dan Snyder era. It started off with a bang.

Daniel Snyder first became the Washington Redskins owner in 1999.

It was May of 1999, and the 1999 NFL draft had just been held April 17-18. So, Snyder’s first draft was the 2000 draft and wow, did he take that draft by storm. He created a huge stir in free agency by signing aging veterans to extremely overpaid contracts that would lead to less performance on the field and more dead money cap hits in the following years.

When the draft arrived he had made moves resulting in Washington holding the second and third overall selections in that draft. For Snyder, it was WIN NOW and WORRY LATER.

Well, there wasn’t much winning, and there has been more than enough to worry about for the 23 years of his ownership.

Who were the Washington first-round draft choices during the Daniel Snyder era?

  • 2000: Lavar Arrington (2nd overall), Chris Samuels (3rd overall)
  • 2001: Rod Garnder (15th overall)
  • 2002: Patrick Ramsey (32nd overall)
  • 2003: To the NY Jets for signing restricted free agent WR Laveranues Coles
  • 2004: Sean Taylor (5th overall)
  • 2005: Carlos Rogers (9th overall), Jason Campbell (25th overall)
  • 2006: Traded to Denver in Jason Campbell deal
  • 2007: LaRon Landry (6th overall)
  • 2008: Traded to Atlanta (drafted Devin Thomas, Fred Thomas)
  • 2009: Brian Orakpo (13th overall)
  • 2010: Trent Williams (4th overall)
  • 2011: Ryan Kerrigan (16th overall)
  • 2012: Robert Griffin (2nd overall)
  • 2013: Traded to the Rams for Robert Griffin selection
  • 2014: Traded to the Rams for Robert Griffin selection
  • 2015: Brandon Scherff (5th overall)
  • 2016: Josh Doctson (22nd overall)
  • 2017: Jonathan Allen (17th overall)
  • 2018: Daron Payne (13th overall)
  • 2019: Dwayne Haskins (15th overall), Montez Sweat (26th overall)
  • 2020: Chase Young (2nd overall)
  • 2021: Jamin Davis (19th overall)
  • 2022: Jahan Dotson (16th overall)

 

Former Washington safety Sean Taylor would have turned 40 Saturday

Sean Taylor would’ve turned 40 years old Saturday.

Saturday, April 1, would have been Sean Taylor’s 40th birthday.

A safety for the Washington Redskins from 2004-2007, Taylor was actually voted the NFL’s hardest hitter by Sports Illustrated.

Through the first nine games of the 2007 season, Taylor had already achieved a season-best five interceptions. A knee injury forced Taylor to miss a 28-23 road loss to Dallas and a 19-13 loss at Tampa Bay.

The following day, Nov. 26, 2007, Taylor’s home was broken into, and Taylor was shot in the upper thigh, severing his femoral artery. Losing much blood, Taylor never recovered, dying at Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami.

Sadly, Taylor’s career was cut short to 55 games. The two-time Pro Bowler concluded his NFL career with 12 interceptions, 43 passes defended, 8 forced fumbles, 1 fumble recovery, 2 quarterback sacks and one touchdown.

Taylor also scored a touchdown in a playoff win at Tampa Bay, scooping a fumble, returning it for a score in the 2005 season playoffs.

Taylor, born April 1, 1983, excelled at the University of Miami as a safety and thus was drafted by the Washington Redskins with the fifth overall selection of the 2004 NFL draft.

2023 NFL draft: Who were the last 23 players picked fifth overall?

Here are the last 23 players who were selected at this spot in the draft.

The Seattle Seahawks hold the No. 5 overall pick in the 2023 NFL draft, which will kickoff in Kansas City one month from today. That high pick puts them in position to get a rare and special talent. There’s no guarantee they’ll get it right, though. Several Pro Football Hall of Famers have been taken fifth overall in the draft, but there have also been some busts along the way.

Here are the last 23 players who were selected at this spot in the draft.

Former Washington defensive coordinator Gregg Williams back coaching in D.C.

One of the greatest defensive coordinators in franchise history is back — in the XFL.

When you think of Joe Gibbs’ second stint in Washington from 2004-07, the name Gregg Williams frequently comes to mind.

When Gibbs chose to return to the NFL, he wanted a top-notch defensive coordinator, and Williams was among the best in the NFL. Coming off a three-year stint as head coach of the Buffalo Bills, the then-45-year-old Williams was considered one of the best defensive minds in the NFL.

Williams was popular among fans during his four seasons with Washington because his defensive units —outside of 2006 — were some of the best in recent franchise history. Williams was known for his aggressive and attacking style. Unfortunately, like the current Washington team, Williams didn’t always receive much help from the offense.

When Gibbs abruptly retired at the conclusion of an emotional 2007 season, many believed Williams was the ideal replacement. For whatever reason, owner Daniel Snyder and his handpicked stooge, Vinny Cerrato, thought otherwise and somehow came to the conclusion that Jim Zorn was the ideal Gibbs replacement.

No disrespect to Zorn, but that coaching “search” was among the most embarrassing moments of Snyder’s tenure, of which there are plenty.

Williams departed and spent the next 13 seasons going back and forth between different teams as a defensive coordinator and even a stint as the Browns interim coach in 2018. At one point, there was hope among fans that Williams would return to Washington and serve as Jay Gruden’s defensive coordinator, but it never came to fruition.

Williams last coached in the NFL in 2020 with the New York Jets. After spending two seasons out of football, Williams is back — in Washington.

Only this time, Williams is with the D.C. Defenders of the XFL, which begins play this weekend. It’s been a long road for Williams, but he’s glad to be back in Washington.

“I just smiled thinking about getting an opportunity to go back to Washington, D.C., as one of my favorite places I’ve been to,” Williams said, per Jake Russell of The Washington Post. “ It [Washington is] one of the most powerful and fun fan bases that I’ve been a part of,” Williams said.

Unfortunately, Williams is most known by some fans for Bountygate when he was with the Saints from 2009-11. That cost him a year of his coaching career. However, Williams was always popular with his players, who still speak highly of him to this day.

One of the players Williams was closest to was legendary Washington safety Sean Taylor. Williams and Taylor had a close bond in their four years together before Taylor’s tragic death in Nov. 2007.

While Williams could’ve been back in the NFL, this opportunity is ideal for him.

“This is a perfect, perfect setting here to have the entire team be that way,” Williams said. “It brings a smile to my face every single day we get a chance to compete and get better.”

Williams and the Defenders open the 2023 XFL season Sunday at home against the Seattle Sea Dragons.

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbykgy681k112p8 player_id=01eqbvhghtkmz2182d image=]

The Commanders’ attendance improved in 2022

But it’s not all good news.

For a while in the 2022 NFL season, the Washington Commanders were in an excellent position to earn a postseason berth. When Washington defeated the Atlanta Falcons on Nov. 27 to improve to 7-5, the Commanders held the NFC’s No. 6 playoff spot with five games to play — three at home.

When Washington tied the New York Giants in Week 13, defensive tackle Jonathan Allen told fans how much the team needed them in the Week 15 rematch, promising to buy at least 100 tickets for fans.

Allen followed through, giving tickets away to fans on Twitter.

Fans showed up. Unfortunately, the Commanders didn’t, falling 20-12 to the Giants. Two weeks later, Washington was eliminated from postseason contention with an embarrassing home loss to the Cleveland Browns.

Speaking of the fans, Washington’s home attendance at FedEx Field improved by 10.15% from the previous year, according to the Sports Business Journal. That was the third-largest improvement in the league behind the Detroit Lions and Jacksonville Jaguars.

That’s the good news.

Now for the bad news, 31 of the 32 NFL teams sold at least 92% of their stadium’s capacity. The only team that didn’t? You guessed it, the Washington Commanders, who sold 85.9% of their capacity.

Overall, it was a good year for the NFL.

The average NFL crowd grew by 3.25% to 69,442 per game in 2022, the second-largest figure in the last 19 years, according to an SBJ analysis of published box score attendance.

Throughout the year, Washington was encouraged by the increase in ticket sales. The Commanders also honored multiple stars from the past, including Sean Taylor, The Hogs and Sonny Jurgensen during games, hoping to encourage fans to return to FedEx Field.

With a potential new owner in 2023, it will be interesting to see if that translates into more fans returning to support the franchise.

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbykgy681k112p8 player_id=01eqbvhghtkmz2182d image=]