Tag: WR Mitchell Tinsley

Why the Commanders kept Dax Milne

Milne is back for a third season with Washington.

Commanders fans were very excited watching undrafted free-agent receiver Kazmeir Allen, yet the Commanders coaching staff and front office chose to keep Dax Milne.

There will be those scratching their heads, voicing disapproval, wanting to see Allen running back kicks in 2023 for the Commanders.

Well, if Allen clears waivers he most certainly will be brought back and assigned to the practice squad. The former UCLA Bruin has exhibited a quickness on a few returns that no doubt has caught the coaches’ eyes as well.

However, general manager Martin Mayhew already stated Tuesday regarding his receivers, “You know our top guys are really special. And we think there are some young guys who can develop behind those.”

Terry McLaurin, Jahan Dotson, Curtis Samuel and Dyami Brown are clearly the top four receivers.

Byron Pringle brings three years of experience with the Chiefs and one with the Bears to the equation. If injury occurs to one of the top four, Pringle would be called upon right away.

Mitchell Tinsley (Penn State) is a rookie whom the Commanders kept because he displayed more potential as an actual receiver than Milne and Allen. Washington did not want to expose Tinsley to waivers for fear he could very likely have been claimed.

Thus, the final receiver roster spot came down to Milne and Allen. Yes, Allen flashed more return potential than Milne in the preseason. But he also had two miscues in the final preseason game against Cincinnati.

Some will immediately respond, “But all Milne did last season was catch punts. He did not have breakaway ability.” Yes, you are correct; Milne did not display breakaway ability. Yet, you are also correct; he caught the ball. You can’t return the ball unless you initially field the ball.

The Commanders chose to go with Milne to field the punts for now. As for kickoffs? The NFL has absolutely ruined kickoffs, virtually eliminating them. They have so minimized kickoffs the Commanders may return very few kicks this season.

The Commanders will likely bring back Allen to the practice squad. They will have him learning more about the receiver position and give him lots of reps fielding Tress Way’s punting workouts during the season.

You may be upset for now, but hold on, you may see Allen returning punts in the Commanders future.

But for now, the wiser move was to go with Milne.

Commanders have several receivers fighting for a roster spot

Rivera singled out a pair of young undrafted players.

Each preseason, NFL teams are looking to add new, younger players to their roster.

The Commanders are, of course, no exception, looking to replace a couple of veterans with younger players. It is cheaper, providing you with salary cap space you are going to need once injuries begin to occur. Secondly, the NFL is a brutal game, and players’ bodies, over time, wear down.

When it comes to receivers, the Commanders are looking for that player or two that can make their roster or can be developed during the season on the practice squad. It’s no secret. Every team is trying to be developing some guys that can help you later.

Not only are the wide receivers having to adjust to the talent in the defensive backfield being much better than they faced in college, but they are also having to learn Eric Bieniemy’s offense he has brought from Kansas City.

Commanders head coach Ron Rivera was asked Sunday about his receivers competing for the final spots. Here are the highlights from Friday.

“I think it’s a very competitive young group of guys. We feel that we’ve got a good young core of guys that are competing for a position. Mitch (Tinsley) has done a really nice job. There’s a number of them that have really come out and done some good things. I think when you look at them as a whole and for what they’ve had to learn this year compared to some of the other things, that group of guys has really done a nice job.”

Another undrafted free agent attempting to make an impression is former UCLA Bruin, 5-8 176-pound Kazmier Allen. When Rivera was asked about Allen’s play Friday, Allen looked interesting. So Rivera responded:

“Interesting. I think that’s a good word; I really do. He’s a young dynamic guy that’s got some explosion to him. He’s got a lot to learn; he really does, because he kind of bounced around positions at UCLA, but the one thing that did stand out, obviously, is he is explosive. But as I said, he’s got a long way to go. He really does. He’s a guy that’s going to take some time, but we do like him and we do find him interesting and intriguing.”

The Commanders are returning Terry McLaurin, Jahan Dotson, Curtis Samuel, Dyami Brown and Dax Milne. Kyric McGowen was in camp last season, is again competing for a spot.

Newcomers at receiver fighting for spots are Tinsley, Allen, Zion Bowens, Marcus Kemp, Byron Pringle, Jalen Sample, and Brycen Tremayne.