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Daily Slop – 4 Jun 24: Should Commanders sign former Arizona Cardinals kicker Zane Gonzalez this week?

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Sports Illustrated

3 Candidates to Replace Brandon McManus as Commanders Kicker

The Washington Commanders will need to find another new kicker after releasing Brandon McManus.

ZANE GONZALEZ

Gonzalez is just 29, which makes him a relative NFL infant compared to Crosby, and has played for three franchises in the regular season while spending time with two others without playing an official game for them.

His last stop was with the San Francisco 49ers with future Commanders general manager Adam Peters.

Gonzalez has battled through injuries for most of his NFL career so far but has still managed to make over 80 percent of his field goal tries and more than 94 percent of his extra points.

He was released last September by the 49ers on an injury settlement and sat out the season. If he’s healthy, he’s an attractive possibilty.

Commanders.com

Offseason of change | Tracking all the moves Washington has made to recalibrate the franchise

  • March 6: Washington Commanders name Tim McGrath as senior director of player health & performance

McGrath arrived in Washington with an extensive background in clinical practice, rehabilitation & performance programming and implementation in professional sports. He has 20 years of professional sports experience and 22 years of clinical experience. McGrath oversees the training room along with the strength and conditioning, nutrition, sports science and player wellness programs at the organization. “Tim McGrath has been an incredible resource for our players since joining the organization as a consultant towards the end of last season,” Peters said. “I’m excited to officially welcome him to the organization in a full-time capacity as our senior director of player health and performance.”

  • March 13: Commanders begin overhauling their roster by signing more than two dozen free agents

Quinn and Peters were in an ideal situation as they entered their first offseason together. Half of the roster from last season was set to hit free agency, but with help from some of the most available cap space in the NFL, the two were able to remold the roster in a way that best matched their vision. So, the Commanders went out and signed more than two dozen new players — more than any team this offseason — to give the Burgundy & Gold a fresh new look and make the roster more competitive. Their free agency haul was a mix of youth and experience, all of which came on short-term deals. Veterans like tight end Zach Ertz, linebacker Bobby Wagner and running back Austin Ekeler provided instant leadership to the locker room; linebacker Frankie Luvu and center Tyler Biadasz were signed to be instant contributors; and veteran Marcus Mariota was added to a completely restructured quarterback for guidance, mentorship and competition.

  • April 8: Washington Commanders hire Ryan Juarez as Director of Rehabilitation and Jamal Randall Sr. as Senior Physical Therapist /Assistant Athletic Trainer

Juarez joined the team after serving as the director of football rehabilitation for the University of Nebraska. Prior to his stint at Nebraska, he served as the associate athletic director at Mercer University where he specialized in sports medicine from 2021-23. Juarez also worked as a physical therapist and athletic trainer with the San Diego Chargers (2012-15), Rutgers University’s football program, the San Diego Fleet of the AAF along with the Minnesota Timberwolves and Fresno State football program. Randall Sr. joins the team after serving as an athletic trainer and physical therapist for the Atlanta Falcons from 2017-23. Prior to his stint with the Falcons, he spent a number of years working in various clinical roles in private practice. He also worked with the Cleveland Browns.

  • April 15: Commanders name Dave Gardi SVP of football initiatives

Gardi joined the Commanders after working at the NFL League Office for 21 years. He held the role of senior vice president of football operations for 10 years. Prior to his role as senior vice president of football operations, he served as the League’s vice president of labor relations and football administration. Gardi started at the League Office as counsel in 2003. Gardi will handle a number of in-game management duties and will support the coaching staff and front office on compliance with League protocols, officiating trends and health and safety guidelines.

Riggo’s Rag

5 concerning narratives the Commanders must change in 2024

Charting a new path forward…

Slow emergence of Commanders draft picks

Over the last few draft classes, the Washington Commanders have been plagued by top picks taking too long to develop or not having an impact whatsoever. That was one of the primary catalysts behind Ron Rivera’s demise.

Emmanuel Forbes was constantly bullied by bigger receivers throughout his rookie season in 2023 and was benched multiple times. He finished with only six starts on the year. Quan Martin – the team’s second-round selection – only had five starting appearances.

Jahan Dotson had a decent rookie year before falling off a bit in his sophomore campaign. His impact was nowhere near the impact Terry McLaurin had in his first few seasons.

Washington’s 2022 second-round pick, Phidarian Mathis, only played four snaps his rookie year before tearing his meniscus. The interior defensive lineman missed half of the 2023 campaign with injuries as well. Jamin Davis also struggled in his rookie year before making some strides over the next two.

With a new front office, the Commanders need this year’s draft picks to get off to a fast start. Jayden Daniels – the young quarterback from LSU – needs to show if he can be the franchise savior this team has been looking for.

Johnny Newton, who many saw as a luxury pick, needs to prove the team was right in taking him instead of adding to the offensive line. Mike Sainristil needs to show he won’t get bullied by larger receivers like Forbes did, but hopes are high regarding his prospects after a standout college career at Michigan.

The Athletic (paywall)

One pressing question for every new NFL offensive play-caller in 2024

Washington Commanders: Kliff Kingsbury

Can he position Jayden Daniels for an impactful rookie campaign?

Regarded as a bright offensive mind, Kingsbury returns to the NFL after one season as coordinator at USC. The former Cardinals head coach kicked off his NFL career in 2019 working with Kyler Murray. Now he’s tasked with grooming another high draft pick into a franchise quarterback.

Daniels, the second pick out of LSU, has been compared to Lamar Jackson. He has a talented collection of pass catchers in Terry McLaurin and Jahan Dotson and tight end Zach Ertz, and two quality running backs in Ekeler and Brian Robinson Jr. But Washington’s offensive line is rebuilding, which could hamper Daniels. Kingsbury must work to mask the deficiencies of the unit and maximize the gifts his young passer has to offer.

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Commanders Wire

All 32 NFL teams (including Commanders) ranked by their TE room

New Washington general manager Adam Peters knew he had a lot in front of him in rebuilding the Commanders roster. Peters needed help at offensive tackle, quarterback, tight end, cornerback, linebacker and edge rusher. While Peters did an excellent job adding to every position, he couldn’t transform every unit in one offseason.

Peters found his quarterback of the future (Jayden Daniels) and dramatically improved Washington’s linebackers by adding Bobby Wagner and Frankie Luvu. Quietly, Peters flipped the top of the Commanders’ depth chart at tight end.

Washington released Logan Thomas and signed former Pro Bowler Zach Ertz. The Commanders used a second-round pick on Kansas State’s Ben Sinnott and will bring back John Bates, Armani Rogers and Cole Turner.

Washington will likely carry four tight ends in 2024. New offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury will likely use 12 personnel often, meaning two tight ends will be on the field simultaneously. How much better are the Commanders at tight end?

ESPN’s Mike Clay’s projections don’t think Washington has improved.

NFL.com

Larry Allen, Cowboys legend and Pro Football Hall of Famer, dies at 52

Pro Football Hall of Famer Larry Allen died suddenly Sunday at the age of 52 while on vacation in Mexico with his family, the Dallas Cowboys announced on Monday.

Allen’s career resume is loaded with accolades. Eleven Pro Bowls. Six All-Pro selections. A member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s all-decade teams for the 1990s and the 2000s. And finally, a first-ballot selection for enshrinement into the Pro Football Hall of Fame (2013).

Allen was one of the most freakish athletes to play offensive line in the history of football. At 6-foot-3 and 335 pounds, most logical thinkers would expect him to be a lumbering load of a blocker whose greatest assets were his size and strength, and not much else.

That couldn’t be further from the truth for Allen, who matched his Herculean strength with incredible swiftness. Simply, Allen could get out and run, executing short and long pulls with precision and frightening power to clear lanes for Cowboys runners, including fellow Hall of Famer Emmitt Smith. Allen’s rare blend of physical skills turned the typically mundane nature of offensive line play into a thrilling viewing experience, so much that folks still queue Allen’s highlight tape just to bask in the beauty of it.

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