Tag: TE John Bates

When they last met: Commanders and Cowboys

It was a wild game the last time these two teams met.

“When they last met” is an ongoing series during the NFL season, recalling the preceding game between Washington and the next opponent on the Commanders’ schedule.

Dallas 34, Washington 26 – Week 12, November 24, 2024

The Washington Commanders gave up two kickoff returns for touchdowns and missed two extra points, falling to the Dallas Cowboys 34-26 at Northwest Stadium in Landover.

The Commanders looked a step slow from the very beginning of the game, and the loss to the 4-7 Cowboys gave Washington (7-5) its third consecutive loss.

Washington kicker Austin Seibert had been having a good year, but on this November Sunday, he missed an extra point in the third quarter and another in the final minute. The latter would have tied the game at 27-27 with 21 seconds remaining, most likely sending it into overtime.

However, Washington attempted an onside kick, which Juanyeh Thomas caught on the bounce and easily ran unchallenged to the end zone for a 43-yard touchdown for the final margin.

Trailing Dallas 20-9, Jayden Daniels connected with Zach Ertz from four yards, and the two-point Daniels run narrowed their deficit to 20-17.

However, on the kickoff, Cowboys’ returner KaVontae Turpin fumbled the ball, picked it up, spun to his left, and found no outside containment by the Commanders, which meant the lead was extended to 27-17 on his 99-yard return at 2:49.

Seibert’s 51-yard field goal split the uprights at 1:40 remaining, making the score 27-20. After a defensive stop, Daniels connected with Terry McLaurin from 86 yards out with 21 seconds remaining, setting the stage for Seibert to tie the game. However, he missed.

The Commanders blocked both a punt and a field goal attempt in the first half but also had two Jayden Daniels interceptions and a John Bates fumble. The Cowboys won the game, ending their five-game losing streak.

Who are the Commanders’ captains for Week 9 vs. Giants?

Who are the Commanders’ captains for Week 9?

What did it mean Friday that Dan Quinn had his cap facing forward during his press conference?

No, I am not making too much of it, but it was quite noticeable that Coach Quinn was not adorning his cap in his usual backward mode.

More significantly, Quinn named the three captains for Sunday’s Week 9 contest at the New York Giants. Quinn said receiver Noah Brown, safety Quan Martin, and tight end John Bates will lead the Commanders on Sunday.

“I just love the toughness these guys have, what they bring. So, it’s fun part of every Friday talking to the team about those three,” said Quinn.

With the cut-down day, all 32 teams had reduced their rosters to 53. The Commanders signed 12 players to their practice squad the following day. The next day, Brown was still available, so the Commanders grabbed him for free and signed him to the 53-man roster.


Brown not only has a Hail Mary-winning touchdown on his 2024 resume, but he also has 17 catches for 258 yards, averaging 15.8 yards a reception. Twelve of those catches have been for first downs, moving the chains, and his lone touchdown is one he will recall for the rest of his life.

Martin was a second-round choice in Ron Rivera’s last draft (2023). Last week, Martin recorded 11 tackles (nine solo, two assists), with one being for a loss. Starting all eight games thus far this season, he has 31 solo tackles and 13 assists.

In his fourth season out of Boise State, some might point to Bates only starting two games this season and only recording three receptions. However, Quinn quickly volunteered regarding Bates, “John, just all the energy he brings. There’s a lot of the dirty work that doesn’t show up on the stat sheet. So, all three of those guys, they’ll lead us this week.”

Quinn concluded by expressing it had been a “good week of practice, tough division matchup, and seven weeks ago, good fight. Expect the same good fight, hard, however long it takes. Five quarters, longer mindset. And so that’s where we’re at.”

Perhaps the cap on the correct way indicated Quinn really means business this week (Insert wink)?

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?

 

A closer look at the Commanders opening touchdown drive

A closer look at the Commanders’ opening drive.

Commanders rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels only saw action on Washington’s first possession, Saturday, during their 20-17 loss to the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

However, with the Commanders gaining 70 yards in 11 plays, concluding with a Daniels 3-yard touchdown run, he was pulled and sat out the remainder of the contest.

The opening drive featured Brian Robinson Jr. running hard, carrying the ball five times, gaining 20 yards.

The only negative for Daniels was on second-and-6 from the 34. He may have been nervous as he badly missed Austin Ekeler, sailing it over Ekeler’s head on an attempted screen pass to the right.

On the very next play, Daniels looked deep and found Dyami Brown for 42 yards to the Jets 24. More significantly, tight end Zach Ertz told Bryan Colbert on the Commanders’ sideline that Daniels “was able to check the play at the line of scrimmage and get us in a better play.” Indeed, the call from the sideline had been for a screen pass.

However, on the play, Daniels had the Commanders in a five-wide out alignment, which necessitates an empty backfield. Meaning that Daniels knew he had to get rid of the ball quickly because there was no running back to help pick up a free pass rusher.

The coverage by Jets corner Jarrick Bernard-Converse was actually good. However, Daniels laid the ball just beyond the reach of Bernard-Converse, and the outstretched Brown made a nice catch.

On first-and-10 at the 12, Daniels hit McLaurin on a swing pass to the right. Had Jahan Dotson kept his feet better, McLaurin would have penetrated much deeper than the 9 for a small gain of three yards.

After a Nick Allegretti false start, Ekeler showed good quickness in a four-yard run to the 3. On Daniels’ touchdown run, be sure to watch on the right side, noticing the job done by tight ends John Bates and Cole Turner. Their efforts resulted in Daniels being able to jog into the end zone for the 3-yard touchdown.

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.

Commanders TE John Bates learning and believes in Sam Howell

Bates is a big believer in Sam Howell.

Commanders tight end John Bates spoke with the media Sunday, giving his thoughts on training camp and the team thus far in 2023.

Eric Bieniemy is installing the Kansas City offense during this training camp. Bates is positive thus far.

“I feel like as a group we’ve picked up on things really well and we’re still developing to learn those things, but I feel like we’re doing a really good job so far with this offense.”

Much of the media coverage has included talk of how the defense has been dominating the offense throughout training camp. But Bates understands the offense is new, so there is much to learn.

“You can see after a couple weeks now the timing’s getting there, everyone’s starting to get on the same page and so things are flowing and we’re really excited.”

Not only is Bieniemy teaching a new offense, he is emphasizing game-time situations, while players are still learning. So, of course they are behind a defense that is in the fourth season of Jack Del Rio’s system.

“He throws a lot of different game time situations that you don’t necessarily see all the time or stuff that comes up a lot. He wants to make sure that when we get into those situations that we execute at the highest level.”

Bates is confident in inexperienced quarterback Sam Howell as well. He sang Howell’s praises Sunday.

“I feel like since the day Sam got here, everyone knew what he was about and what he could bring to this team and what he was able to do in the past and what he’s shown to do here. Sam’s been doing a great job, and I’m excited to see what he does for us this year.”

Bates believes he himself is still growing, becoming a more fluid route runner, striving to improve each season.

One thing for certain, Bates is glad the first preseason game is Friday (in Cleveland).

“I mean, we’ve been going up against our defense now for three weeks, and I think everyone’s ready to hit someone else…It really gets fun when you start going up against opponents, and you’re really working together as a complete team trying to accomplish a goal of winning.”