Tag: TE Ben Sinnott

Commanders make 4 roster moves ahead of playoff game vs Lions

Commanders make roster moves ahead of playoff game vs. Lions.

In preparation for Saturday night’s NFC divisional round playoff game in Detroit, the Washington Commanders have made four roster moves.

The Commanders have placed LB Jordan Magee on the injured reserve list. They have also activated TE Colson Yankoff off of the injured reserve list. Thirdly, the Commanders have elevated two defensive players, DE Andre Jones Jr. and CB Kevon Seymour, from the practice squad.

Seymour was activated last week as well and played, as the Commanders determined to leave CB Michael Davis as inactive against the Bucs. So, reason says, that will likely occur again against the Lions tonight.

Jones may be coming up to take the place of Magee on special teams. It is a move that makes sense, seeing the Commanders in recent weeks lost both Magee and S Tyler Owens on their coverage units for punts and kickoffs.

The Commanders had recently opened the window for Yankoff to practice with the team. Yankoff excelled in the preseason on both punt and kickoff coverage units. Also, TE Ben Sinnott was injured and left the game last week against the Bucs. So it could be the Commanders have determined Sinnott is not going to be fully healthy, and therefore, they are going with Yankoff against the Lions.

Quinn likes growth from Commanders’ rookies

Dan Quinn praised these Commanders’ rookies.

Dan Quinn spoke highly of two of his first-year players.

In fairness to Quinn, he didn’t actually single out the two players. The media member is the one who referenced quarterback Jayden Daniels and cornerback Mike Sainristil. So Quinn was answering the question, but in addition, Quinn thoughtfully included “and a number of their teammates.”

Quinn was asked about the growth of his first year players in the second half of the season and it preparing them for the playoffs.

“Yeah, the maturity for those [Daniels and CB Mike Sainristil] and a number of their teammates jumps out to me,” Quinn said. “And what I’ve come to know about them is these are really disciplined guys. So, motivation takes you so far; it’s the discipline and doing the things right over and over again, all of the unseen work.”

Daniels has had to adjust from his first two games of running too quickly and giving up on passing. He has made great strides during the season in using his mobility to find an open receiver. Sainristil was drafted to be more of an inside slot corner. However, injuries and unmet expectations led the staff to move Sainristil outside.

“Dealing with those guys, I’ve found that’s (discipline) the common thread. I’ve felt that these are very disciplined young guys, and they’ve really applied that discipline to their football life, and it’s no surprise that why they’re having this kind of success because they can absolutely stay in it,” Quinn said. “And that’s kind of the definition of grit, of doing those things, the hard things over and over again. And both Jayden and Mikey, they really have that.”

Commanders GM Adam Peters drafted nine players in last April’s NFL draft. Daniels, Sainristil, Ben Sinnott and Luke McCaffrey appeared in all 17 games. Jer’Zhan Newton and Brandon Coleman played in 16 games. Javontae Jean-Baptiste played in 12 games. Jordan Magee and Dominique Hampton played in eight games and one game, respectively.

Two undrafted free agents also made the team and saw action. Safety Tyler Owens played in 12 games, and tight end Colson Yankoff played in 6 games. Both are currently on the Injured Reserve list.

Commanders’ Quinn offers encouraging words for two rookies

Dan Quinn praises a pair of rookies outside of Jayden Daniels and Mike Sainristil.

With the Commanders worn down in the final quarter against the Eagles, the media asked Dan Quinn on Monday if some of his rookies were ready to contribute and get more snaps.

He talked of tight end Ben Sinnott and linebacker Jordan Magee.

“He’s (Magee) certainly working hard at it, and he and [TE] Ben Sinnott are two that are absolutely putting it in. And the guys at the position are also performing well, ” Quinn offered.

Zach Ertz and John Bates have indeed looked good in recent games, which means that if Sinnott gets snaps, it will take them away from Ertz and Bates. Do you really want Quinn to do that right now, this season?

Even more true regarding Magee. From whom is he taking snaps, Bobby Wagner or Frankie Luvu?

“I tried to take Wags out in the Carolina game, he gave me a side eye for like two weeks after that. So, I do love the progress that Jordan’s making, and he is developing on special teams.”

Magee has seen the playing field on special teams since coming off of the injured reserve list .”So, I guess it was maybe in his second week, Jordan had a good tackle on a kickoff, and you could see the guys jumping off the sideline to go find them and congratulate him. So, that’s a good sign.”

Quinn chose to reveal Monday that Magee is not on the scout team in practice. No, Magee is getting some good reps in practice.

“He gets reps in practice, he gets reps into that space, not just on the carded scout team, but in the actual reps, as well. So, he’s making progress. And I would say we’re trending up with him and with Ben. I’d love to get them some more reps, and we’ll see by package and how does it work. But he’s definitely, I feel his speed and his tackling ability. I’m excited about Jordan.”

 

Quick facts from Commanders’ 40-7 win over the Panthers

Several quick facts from the Commanders’ win over the Panthers.

Kliff Kingsbury’s offense was on display today. The Washington Commanders had no trouble with the Carolina Panthers, winning easily, 40-7, at Northwest Stadium.

Perhaps the most alarming moment of the game was seeing Jayden Daniels injured and taken to the locker room. It is an apparent rib injury, and he did not return to action.

Here are some of the quick facts from the fifth win of the Commanders’ season:

  • The Commanders are 3-0 at home. The last time they were 3-0 at home was in 2005.
  • Washington outgained Carolina 421-180.
  • Today was the first time Washington scored 40 points at home since a 2016 win over the Green Bay Packers on a Sunday Night game.
  • Washington led by 27 points at halftime. This was the largest halftime lead since 2005 when they led Dallas 28-0.
  • RB Brian Robinson has run for six rushing touchdowns. This is the most in his three NFL seasons, and today was only the seventh game of the season.
  • Brian Robinson ran for his sixth rushing touchdown, tied with Robert Griffin in 2012 and Clinton Portis in 2008 for the most rushing touchdowns through Week 7.
  • Dante Fowler’s interception return for a touchdown was the first defensive touchdown of the 2024 Commanders’ season.

  • After going first five games with no interceptions, the Commanders have intercepted a pass in consecutive games.
  • Dante Fowler had previously returned two fumbles for touchdowns. Today was his first career interception touchdown.
  • TE Zach Ertz now has 47 career touchdown receptions. He is tied with Ozzie Newsome and Pete Retzlaff for 18th in most receiving touchdowns in NFL history for tight ends.
  • Fowler’s interception returned for a touchdown is the longest interception touchdown return at home since S Ifeanyi Ohalete’s 78-yard interception return in 2002.
  • The Commanders ran 63 offensive plays on Sunday, and the Panthers only ran 43.
  • Tight end Ben Sinnott had his first career reception today; it was also his first NFL touchdown.
  • Sunday marked the first time Washington scored 40 or more points in multiple games since the 2016 season (which, by the way, was the last winning regular season record for Washington).
  • Sunday’s win was the Commanders’ fifth of the 2024 season, surpassing the 2023 season win total of four.
  • Washington outrushed Carolina 214-95 and outpassed them 207-85.
  • Marcus Mariota was 18-23 for 205 yards, averaging 8.9 an attempt, two touchdowns and a passer rating of 132.8.

Second-half observations from Commanders’ preseason loss to Dolphins

10 observations from the Commanders’ preseason loss to the Dolphins.

Mitchell Tinsley did not make the catch that would have been a fourth-down touchdown from the 7-yard line as the Commanders fell 13-6 to the Dolphins.

Here are my Top 10 observations from the second half of Saturday’s game:

  1. The Commanders’ first defensive possession saw bad tackling to 75 yards gained by Miami. However, on third down, rookie defensive end Javontae Jean-Baptiste came up with a -6-yard sack, forcing a field goal.
  2. On the Commanders’ first offensive possession of the half, Luke McCaffrey and Ben Sinnott (two rookie draft choices) had catches, and Sinnott again displayed toughness in refusing to go down.
  3. When Miami had driven to the Commanders’ 14-yard line, Jamin Davis broke through and executed a sack-fumble, which Andre Jones recovered.
  4. Trace McSorley was in a tough spot, this being only his third day with the team. He fumbled his first snap, was sacked, and threw an incompletion on third down; it was a tough first series.
  5. Rookie Michael Wiley again impressed tonight. He appeared to help in pass blocking and had a 23-yard reception during his three receptions. Wiley is making enough plays that other teams in the NFL now know about him.
  6. Colson Yankoff only had one catch for 6 yards but I spotted him twice on special teams really hustling. Don’t count him out yet. He has next week to also make an impression at tight end.
  7. Kazmeir Allen has the coaches liking his explosiveness. Last week, it was an end-around. This week, he was returning kicks and getting carries in the backfield. But then he fumbled.
  8. Noticed some good corner play in the second half. Noah Igbinoghene and Chigozie Anusiem both charged forward, each converting a tackle for the loss. Tariq Castro-Fields, in the second half, displayed some very capable pass coverage on more than a couple of occasions.
  9. Receiver Davion Davis had Trace McSorley put a pass right in his hands, which would have been a first down, but Davis dropped it.
  10. Dominique Hampton and Tyler Owens, two rookie safeties, exhibited size and aggressiveness. Hampton made four tackles (two solo), and Davis contributed three (two solo) with one for a loss.

Pro Football Focus top grades for the Commanders vs the Jets

Where did Jayden Daniels land? How about Dyami Brown?

I’m not sure how they do it, but Pro Football Focus has already provided the grades for the Commanders’ preseason opener at the New York Jets.

Of course, keep in mind that 11 Commanders did not even play in the game, and many of Saturday’s starters received very little playing time.

But hey, it’s preseason, and the Commanders 2024 football season opener is four weeks from today (Sunday). So, here we go:

With his big 42-yard reception in the first quarter and another reception for 13 yards, receiver Dyami Brown graded out the highest at 91.1.

New receiver Olamide Zaccheaus was actually the second highest-graded Commander with a 90.2. Interesting is the fact that Zaccheaus actually did not have an official reception. He did have one for a nice gain in the first half, that was negated by a penalty. He also contributed a nice 19-yard punt return.

Tight end Ben Sinnott scored an 87.2. On three targets, he made three receptions for 57 yards, including one where he was a bear to bring down, which gained 44 yards.

Starting quarterback Jayden Daniels was fourth with an 85.1. Daniels completed 2 of his 3 attempts for 45 yards and ran once for a 3-yard touchdown.

Offensive tackle Alex Taylor recorded an 82.2. Taylor is one of the newest Commanders. The Commanders don’t even have a photo of him yet for their online roster.

PFF states that players had to participate in at least ten snaps of the Jets game to qualify for their official grading system.

Some Commanders’ bright spots against the Jets

We look at some of the Commanders’ bright spots vs. the Jets.

The Commanders lost to the Jets on Saturday, 20-17, at MetLife Stadium.

However, what were some of the bright spots?

Jeff Driskel

Third quarterback Jeff Driskel made some nice plays, passing and running. He completed 7 of 15 passes for 87 yards, with a 16-yard run. Was Driskel the second-best quarterback for Washington on Saturday?

Ben Sinnott

Rookie tight end Ben Sinnott and Driskel hooked up for the longest gain on Saturday. It was a 44-yard pass, and Sinnott demonstrated that he might be a tough ball carrier to bring down in the regular season. Sinnott finished with three receptions on three targets for 57 yards.

Jamin Davis

Jamin Davis knew he needed to make some plays. When he first entered the game, he made two stops on running plays, with the runs totaling only three yards. He displayed quickness and energy on the edge. There was one play where he decided to battle OT (Fashanu) and did not seal the edge, resulting in a 24-yard run.

Dyami Brown

Dyami Brown was covered well, yet he made a nice catch for a 42-yard gain. Later, Brown made another nice catch for 13 yards from Driskel. Brown is in his fourth year and the first three have been disappointments. This was a good start for him today if he is to make this team in 2024.

Cole Turner/John Bates

Did you see tight end Cole Turner on Daniels’ touchdown run? Turner lined up on the right side and drove his man to the back of the end zone. Tight end John Bates also took care of his man. Daniels was able to jog in for the score because these two did such a good job on the play.

Tyler Owens

Punt return coverage is a place where players can make an impression with their hustle and or a tackle. Such was the case today for undrafted safety Tyler Owens (Texas Tech). He is 6-foot-2, 213 pounds.

Tress Way

Also, there was a punt return that started right; the returner then reversed his field all the way left, and there was Tress Way. He came up and made the nice, clean tackle. I noticed the bench really reacted to Way’s tackle/effort. Don’t you know the coaches loved that as well when an older punter is hustling?

 

Commanders Zach Ertz ‘extremely excited to be here’

Zach Ertz talks leadership, and his excitement to be in Washington.

“The best teams I have been on have been the hardest working teams.”

Commanders’ new tight end Zach Ertz displayed a businesslike approach Tuesdayas he met with the media on the first day of Organized Team Activities (OTA).

He spoke of head coach Dan Quinn taking ownership of this team from the players, conveying that they would mold this team into their image.

Ertz expressed that Dan Quinn has set a standard and the players will need to hold each other accountable to meet that standard.

Speaking of which, Ertz complimented rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels, stating Daniels is working hard behind the scenes to prepare himself for the season.

The 33-year-old tight end made it clear he was not out there holding the hands of the other tight ends. Yet, he also understands he can’t simply be barking out orders either.

“First, you got to have a personal relationship with someone…….I’m just trying to help them in any way I can. It’s something that at this stage of my career, I have taken a lot more pride in now than maybe I did when younger.”

The three-time pro bowler knows he might not have much longer in the NFL. “I am just trying to maximize this team, anyone I can help, not only tight ends, but any skill position.”

Highlights of touchdowns as an Eagle

“The vets have to set the leadership, how this thing is going to go. We’re going to push each other to be the best version of ourselves that we can.”

Nine years as an Eagle and three as a Cardinal have matured Ertz. On Tuesday, he spoke of communication and leadership as the result of interacting with people.

“I want to be as open as possible,” Ertz said. “That is what guys are going to remember. (These) people are not going to remember my stats, my yards, my catches. When I’m done, hopefully, they remember the relationship I have with them. So, that’s what I’m trying to develop.”

The Commanders’ younger tight ends could certainly learn from Ertz entering his 13th season. The tight ends on the current Commanders roster are Ertz, John Bates, Armani Rogers, Cole Turner, Colson Yankoff, and the newly drafted Ben Sinnott.

What does Chris Cooley think of new Commanders TE Ben Sinnott?

“Joe Gibbs would love Ben Sinnott.”

“If he is wearing No. 47, we are identical.”

That was Chris Cooley’s first reaction when watching film of the Commanders’ second-round choice (No. 53 overall), Kansas State tight end Ben Sinnott.

Cooley was a guest Friday on the “The Kevin Sheehan Show” podcast and gave his film review of the tight end the Commanders drafted last week.

“He is what Joe Gibbs used to call an H-back; he’s versatile,” added Cooley.

Cooley said what he really liked initially about Sinnott was that he is flexible. The Commanders will be able to split Sinnott out wide. He can play in a tight split, a wing split, full back, tight, and next to the quarterback in the shotgun. Cooley concluded that K-State using Sinnott in so many positions reveals the young man is an intelligent player.

Pointing to his 4.68 at the Scouting Combine, Cooley praised his running of routes, “He is clearly a big-time target,” saying it was fun to watch him.

Cooley also praised Sinnott for being a hands-catcher of the ball rather than a chest-catcher. The former Washington tight end loved Sinnott’s ability to catch the ball at the high point and praised his vertical jumping ability.

A former wrestler, Cooley is fully aware of playing another sport at a high level and how this develops you athletically. He and Sheehan both pointed to the newest Commander also playing a lot of tennis and hockey as well as football.

Cooley was also excited about his ability to make some awesome runs after the catch as an H-back. He elaborated, saying Sinnott is tough to bring down and has that toughness to run through everything.

Seeing the Commanders will be able to line up Sinnott in multiple positions, Cooley pointed out that it also presents another challenge for the defense because your personnel becomes more unpredictable.

As for a weakness? Cooley feels Sinnott in his blocking needs some work in his hands and footwork early on in a block, saying he was not technically sound in some of the film.

However, Cooley was also quick to say that Sinnott made many good blocks. Thus, he was encouraged, saying Sinnott is certainly willing to block and will therefore improve his technique as his NFL career progresses.

“I will tell you right now, Joe Gibbs would love Ben Sinnott. This would be his guy. He would draft this guy. This is his H-back who can play receiver and tight end. He is a versatile tight end.”