Tag: Tyler Larsen

Commanders to release C/G Nick Gates at start of the new league year

The Commanders moving on from Gates who they signed to a three-year contract last March.

The Washington Commanders moved on from a pair of starters on Friday in preparation for the new NFL league year in less than two weeks. Next, the Commanders will move on from one of their free-agent signings from last March.

According to Adam Schefter of ESPN, Washington will release offensive lineman Nick Gates at the start of the new league year on March 13.

Gates, 28, signed a three-year, $16.5 million deal last March with $8 million guaranteed to be Washington’s starting center. Gates spent the first five seasons of his NFL career with the New York Giants after going undrafted in 2018.

Gates started the first seven games at center and struggled. Veteran Tyler Larsen replaced Gates and, while not dominant, proved to be an upgrade over Gates. With Larsen injured late in the season, Gates returned to the lineup and started the final three games. Gates played better the second time around, but not enough to convince Washington’s new regime he should stick in 2024.

With Gates leaving and Larsen a free agent, will the Commanders turn to Ricky Stromberg as the starting center? The former All-SEC performer at Arkansas was a third-round pick last year and barely played before his season ended with a knee injury.

Behind Enemy Lines: Week 11 Q&A with Commanders Wire

With a Week 11 game between the New York Giants and Washington Commanders on tap, we go behind enemy lines for a chat with Commanders Wire.

The New York Giants (2-8) and Washington Commanders (4-6) will square off on Sunday afternoon in a Week 11 matchup at FedEx Field in Landover, Maryland.

The Giants opened the week as 10-point road underdogs but that spread has softened a tiny bit since then. As of this writing, New York is +9.5.

With this matchup on tap, Giants Wire took the opportunity to hold a Q&A with Commanders Wire managing editor Bryan Manning.

Ron Rivera explains Commanders’ improvement with Tyler Larsen at center

The offensive line has improved since Tyler Larsen took over at center.

After seven games, Washington Commanders quarterback Sam Howell was on a historic pace to set a record that no signal-caller would want to own. Howell was on pace to break David Carr’s 21-year record as the most-sacked quarterback in a single season in NFL history.

Howell had been sacked 40 times in seven games, putting him on pace to be sacked over 90 times. Carr’s record is 76 sacks. In six of these seven games, Howell had been sacked five times or more.

However, over the last two weeks, Howell has been sacked a total of four times. And none of those four sacks were particularly harmful for Washington’s offense.

What’s changed?

The most noticeable changes are at center and left guard. Veteran Tyler Larsen replaced Nick Gates in the starting lineup, while Chris Paul replaced the injured Saahdiq Charles at guard.

The difference has been clear, particularly at center. Larsen has proven to be an upgrade over Gates.

Head coach Ron Rivera explained the biggest change on the offensive line with Larsen playing center.

“I think the biggest change with him and Chris Paul is, first of all, there’s probably about 60 pounds,” Rivera said about them being bigger than the players they replaced.

“They’re both 330 [pounds]. There’s a lot of girth between our two guards and our center. I think that’s been a big part. They’re very stout. Then secondly, I think the big part of it, too, has really been how veteran Tyler is. His experience, his understanding, and feel for what we’re doing and how we’re doing it.”

Larsen’s size is an asset for Howell. Far too often, the pocket was collapsing in front of Howell, and that’s improved with Larsen in the lineup.

It’s also important to point out that Howell and offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy have improved, too. Bieniemy continues to cater the offense to Howell, while Howell is doing much better processing information and getting rid of the ball quicker.

Rivera praised Larsen’s work before the snap.

“There’s a couple of things that you can point to,” Rivera said of Larsen. “Some of it is helping to ID the direction that the protection’s going to go and the type of protection we’re going to use. Then you see them trying to pass a snap off guys, as far as trying to pass them from one blocker to the other. There was an instance, I can’t remember exactly the play specifically, but they had a three-man stunt, and one of our guards wasn’t coming off. So, Tyler came back and left Sam [Cosmi] where he was, and he picked up a crosser. That was a very veteran move. [I] was watching it today with the offensive coaches, and that was one of the things that stood out was just how savvy Tyler was when he saw that.”

The Commanders signed Gates to a three-year, $18 million deal. Imagine if Washington just rolled with Larsen, who signed a one-year contract and used the money spent on Gates elsewhere. Gates, of course, can also play guard, so, if needed, he could fill in at those positions, too.

It’s also worth noting that Larsen has finished the last two seasons on injured reserve, which is likely why Rivera never considered making the 32-year-old Larsen the primary center entering the 2023 season.

 

 

Will Tyler Larsen start at center in Week 8?

Are the Commanders making a change at center for Week 8?

Could the Washington Commanders have a new center on Sunday against the Philadelphia Eagles?

During Thursday’s practice, veteran Tyler Larsen was snapping to quarterback Sam Howell. Nick Gates was snapping to backup quarterback Jacoby Brissett.

Is this one of the changes head coach Ron Rivera can make to shake things up?

Larsen, 32, is a 10-year veteran and has been with Washington since 2021, following Rivera to the Commanders from Carolina. Over the past two seasons, Larsen replaced injured center Chase Roullier, starting 11 games. In 2021, Larsen started three games before a leg injury ended his season, too.

In 2022, with Roullier out again and Nick Martin struggling, Larsen was healthy enough to return to the lineup in Week 6. Larsen made eight starts, and during that time, the Commanders went 6-1-1 before dislocating his kneecap and ending the year on injured reserve.

If Larsen is indeed the new center, that could be good news for Howell. If the Commanders make the change, it’s more bad news for Rivera. Gates, who signed a three-year deal to be Washington’s new center, would be benched after seven games.

Right tackle Andrew Wylie was better against the Giants in Week 7 but has struggled all season. Those were Rivera’s top two free-agent signings in the offseason, and combined with a draft class that has given Washington nothing, you can see why the Commanders are in the shape they currently are.

 

 

Commanders’ Rivera not ruling out changes

Is this the week where we could see some changes on the offensive line?

There’s not much debate that quarterback and offensive line are the two positions that have struggled most this season.

Wednesday, Commanders head coach Ron Rivera again met with the media, fielding questions mostly about these two positions.

When asked if there were potential changes coming in the offensive line lineup, Rivera responded, “We’re looking at a lot of things right now and things that we want to do as far as going forward with the offensive line. There’s a lot of things that we’re talking about and discussing and looking at.”

Rivera pointed out that the close 34-31 overtime loss to Philadelphia in Week 4 is helping his team’s mindset in their preparation for this game.

“This is one of the teams coming up, Philadelphia, a game that we had a good opportunity in. So, (we’re) trying to rally on that, and I think that’s something that the guys are focusing on, that’s the opportunity.”

Rivera likes the way he sees Sam Howell preparing this week for the Eagles game on Sunday. “Well, it’s the same thing you guys see. I mean, he’s the same guy; he shows up, does his work, works really hard. He’s very enthusiastic about his job; he loves playing the game. He hasn’t changed one bit.”

Rivera, of course, acknowledged there have been discussions with offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy.

“There were some things that we talked about and listening and discussing and then listening to the conversations he had with the coaches. Obviously, there are some things that we’re looking at to see how we can adjust them.”

Might there be a push to use center Tyler Larsen more?

“There is, as I said, a lot of things that we’re discussing and talking about and things that we feel can help us.”

 

Commanders place DT Phidarian Mathis on short-term IR

And Tyler Larsen is back.

Shortly after the Washington Commanders finalized their initial 53-man roster yesterday, general manager Martin Mayhew called it “very fluid.”

On separate questions about center Tyler Larsen and fullback/tight end Alex Armah, head coach Ron Rivera and Mayhew hinted at bringing both released players back.

As it turns out, the Commanders had a plan all along. On Wednesday, Washington placed second-year defensive tackle Phidarian Mathis on the short-term reserved/injured list, meaning he will miss at least the first four games of the 2023 season.

In a corresponding move, the Commanders re-signed Larsen. Armah was among the players Washington signed to its practice squad on Wednesday.

It’s another tough break for Mathis, Washington’s second-round pick in 2022. Mathis injured his knee in Week 1 last season after playing only a few snaps and was lost for the season. In the preseason opener against the Cleveland Browns, Mathis injured his calf on the same play that defensive end Chase Young suffered a stinger.

The Commanders have arguably the NFL’s best defensive tackle duo in Jonathan Allen and Daron Payne, backed up by promising second-year DT John Ridgeway. Veterans Efe Obada and James Smith-Williams can also play inside, and the Commanders re-signed Benning Potoa’e to the practice squad.

Larsen is Washington’s third center on the roster, joining Nick Gates and Ricky Stromberg. All three can also play guard. Larsen has started games for Washington the last two seasons.

Rivera, Mayhew give insight into the future of a pair of released veterans

Don’t be surprised if two released veterans are soon back with the Commanders.

If there was a surprise during the Washington Commanders’ final cuts Tuesday, it was the release of veteran center Tyler Larsen.

Larsen, entering his 10th NFL season in 2023, has been with Washington since 2021, and it’s actually his second stint with the franchise. Before signing with Washington in March 2021, Larsen spent five seasons with the Carolina Panthers, where he played for current Washington coach Ron Rivera.

Larsen has appeared in 18 games, with 11 starts, over the last two seasons due to injuries to Chase Roullier. Unfortunately, Larsen would end each of his previous two seasons on IR with leg injuries after playing well for the Commanders.

Washington re-signed Larsen to a one-year deal in March after releasing Roullier and signing Nick Gates in free agency. The Commanders also drafted their future center, Ricky Stromberg, in the third round of the 2023 NFL draft.

Still, Washington loves what Larsen offers and does not want to be shorthanded at center again in 2023.

So, his release came as a bit of a surprise. However, his exit and the release of fullback/tight end Alex Armah could be temporary.

Both are vested veterans, and when asked about them Tuesday, Rivera and general manager Martin Mayhew offered a clue about their immediate futures.

“Well, I think the biggest thing, more anything else, is we like the position flex that the young man gives us,” Rivera said when asked about his confidence in Stromberg. He’s a solid, stout guy who we feel really good about right now.”

But check out how Rivera finished his answer to the question:

“And as Martin stated to the question, this is fluid right now, and we’re not done with anything potentially.”

Larsen will be back.

As for Armah, today’s NFL doesn’t feature a lot of fullbacks. Washington offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy does use a fullback, and Armah is a good, versatile player who can also help out at tight end.

Mayhew offered insight into Armah.

“Well, Alex has been a good player for us over the last couple of years,” Mayhew said. “We’ve had good conversations about him. There is value with having a fullback, and again, very fluid situation right now for where we are. I think we’re carrying four tight ends right now. We’ll see how that all plays out.”

Much like Rivera’s comment about Larsen, Mayhew gave a pretty clear indication that we haven’t seen the last of Armah.

Again, that’s why Tuesday’s roster is called the “initial” 53-man roster.

Ron Rivera very comfortable with Commanders offensive line

It also sounds like Washington’s next offensive line coach is already in the building.

Ron Rivera feels much better about his offensive line now.

The Commanders went out aggressively during the first week of free agency addressing their offensive line woes. As a result they made two quick additions, signing G/T Andrew Wylie and G/C Nick Gates.

Rivera, speaking with the local media at the owners meeting, Tuesday expressed, “I feel very comfortable with it, I really do. We made a concerted effort during free agency to go out and fortify the line. Add some depth to the line. Add some competition. We have some guys that are also position flex guys so it’ll give us an opportunity to see the best places to have these guys and integrate them with the guys that are currently on the roster.”

There are still young players who have yet to prove themselves. Apparently the plan is for two of them to compete at left guard. Rivera explained, “Our left guard will truly be a competition in terms of watching Saahdiq [Charles] and Chris Paul compete for that. I think both of those guys are young guys that have to play. Saahdiq is an explosive guy, very powerful. You watch Chris Paul in practice and the tape from some of the snaps he had in the Dallas game for sure, you see his play strength and his athleticism.”

There has been much speculation that both starting guards from last year Trai Turner and Andrew Norwell would not return. However, Rivera says that is not the case. “Andrew is going to be there as we go through the process and finish up all of our evaluations. We have to get through the draft as well.”

The Commanders also re-signed center Tyler Larsen and still have Chase Roullier. Rouiller was solid and dependable through the 2020 season. Unfortunately his last two seasons, he suffered bad injuries.

Who will be the next offensive line coach, replacing long-time veteran coach John Matsko?

“Well, we haven’t had an opportunity to finish the announcements and everything with everything that is going on. We will take care of that first opportunity very quickly, but we have a guy that is on staff, and we feel very comfortable with him.”

Travelle Wharton has been the assistant offensive line coach, even assisting Matsko back in Carolina as well. He played with the Panthers (2004-2013) starting 111 of the 115 games he played.

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Commanders re-sign center Tyler Larsen

Veteran center Tyler Larsen is returning in 2023.

The Washington Commanders are welcoming veteran center Tyler Larsen back for another year in 2023. Larsen, who joined Washington in 2021, had each of his last two seasons end prematurely with a severe leg injury.

Larsen, 31, first entered the NFL in 2014 as an undrafted free agent from Utah State.

Larsen initially signed with the Miami Dolphins as an undrafted free agent but was cut before the season. Larsen joined Washington in 2015 and was again released before the season. His first break came in 2016 when he landed with Ron Rivera and the Carolina Panthers. Larsen spent five seasons with the Panthers.

In 2021, Larsen replaced Washington center Chase Roullier when Roullier suffered a broken leg in Week 8. Unfortunately, Larsen would suffer an Achilles injury after nine games and three starts.

In 2022, Roullier would go down in Week 2 and again be lost for the season. Larsen hadn’t yet been cleared for his return but made his debut in Week 5. He returned to the starting lineup in Week 6, and Washington’s offensive line significantly improved with Larsen at center.

Sadly, history repeated itself in a Week 13 game against the Giants as Larsen suffered a significant knee injury and was again lost for the season.

Early in free agency, the Commanders signed center/guard Nick Gates from the Giants and tackle/guard Andrew Wylie from the Chiefs. Roullier also remains under contract but would need to take a pay cut to return. Washington would prefer going into the season with three players who could play center to avoid the disaster of the last two seasons.

Larsen is a good player who, like Gates and Wylie, offers the position flex that Rivera loves. Injuries in back-to-back seasons were an unfortunate break for Larsen, who would have likely earned a bit more money if not for bad luck.

 

Commanders initially address offensive line in 2023 free agency

What does Washington’s OL moves Monday mean for others, such as Chase Roullier, Wes Schweitzer and Andrew Norwell?

Commanders fans should be pleased with Washington’s front office addressing their offensive line play, which substantially dropped off in 2022.

On the first day of the 2023 free agency tampering period, the Commanders have already announced they will be signing Andrew Wylie (OT) and Nick Gates (OL).

Wylie’s deal is for three years and up to $24 million for the former Kansas City Chief. No doubt, the addition of new offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy played into this decision.

Early speculation would lead us to believe Wylie will be the projected starter at right tackle. This would enable the Commanders to move right tackle Sam Cosmi inside to right guard, replacing Trai Turner. On the surface, the move appears to improve the Commanders at both positions.

Wylie is mobile at 6-foot-6, 310 pounds, and also durable. In his five seasons in the NFL, he has been available in 71 of his possible 82 games. Wylie has not been an All-Pro or a Pro Bowl-caliber player. Yet, he may still be developing and maturing as a player, as he arguably accomplished his best pass-blocking season in 2022.

Gates comes from the division rival New York Giants, and his deal is reportedly for three years at a maximum value of $18 million, and $8 million is guaranteed. Gates has been in the league for four seasons (2019-22). The 6-foot-5, 307-pounder was undrafted out of Nebraska.

Gates broke his left fibula and tibia against Washington in 2021. Seven surgeries later, he was back in the lineup, playing ten games (starting 8) in 2022.

What does this decision signify for the interior of the Commanders line? Frankly, Gates was not overly impressive in 2022. Jonathan Allen pushed him around more than a few times. Perhaps the Commanders are banking on Gates being stronger a second year following his very serious leg injuries?

Are the Commanders planning on parting ways with Chase Roullier? Wes Schweitzer? Tyler Larsen? Andrew Norwell?