Daily Slop – 11 Jan 25 – The Dan Quinn mission: “Make this the best environment to work in all of pro sports”

A collection of articles, podcasts & tweets from around the web to keep you in touch with the Commanders

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Note from Bill-in-Bangkok:
This Go Long article is undoubtedly a feel-good puff-piece about Dan Quinn, but the author did a deep dive in this 4,000-word article and adds in-depth examples and stories about what took place under Quinn’s direction in 2024. Despite frequent conspicuous lack of regard for the rules of English grammar, I think the article — particularly the middle part of it — is worth the time and effort to read because it details a lot of the headline narratives that have been associated with Dan Quinn this year but not always explained. If you have the time, I recommend clicking on the link and enjoying a deeper — albeit totally positive and burgundy-colored — view of how Quinn approached his second chance at being a head coach.

Go Long

Inside Dan Quinn’s total transformation of the Washington Commanders

How did a laughingstock of a franchise become a contender overnight? Jayden Daniels is the catalyst, of course. But the head coach was also a grand-slam hire. His unorthodox approach is paying off.

Nobody flinched after that third consecutive loss in November. The Commanders enter the postseason as arguably the hottest team in the NFC.

They’ll face those Buccaneers on Sunday night in the wild card round.

Washington believes it can win — now — and it’s downright berserk to associate such real optimism with the football team in D.C. The entire 21st century, the Redskins/WFT/Commanders have been a running gag that exists purely for the amusement of the 31 other franchises. Dan Snyder, its fan-boy owner, constantly discovered new ways to soil an organization rich in pride, tradition, trophies. He’s gone, so the good times are rolling. This is no one-hit wonder. Washington has a chance to join the NFC’s elites, and stay there.

The primary source of hope is obvious: Jayden Daniels. The No. 2 overall pick out of LSU is the rare breed of athlete who demands the ball in the clutch.

Of course, we’ve all seen dysfunctional organizations devour talented rookie quarterbacks. The Cleveland Browns drafted Baker Mayfield No. 1 overall, and dumped him for a quarterback accused of sexual assault. It only cost them a trio of first-round picks and $230 million guaranteed. (Nobody’s thrown more touchdowns in the NFL the last two years than Mayfield.) The New York Jets drafted Sam Darnold No. 3, and miscast the bungling Adam Gase as a quarterback whisperer capable of unlocking greatness. (Darnold turned Minnesota into a contender and may now earn a contract worth north of $50 million per year.)

Drafting one player alone is never enough.

Teams must hit the bull’s eye on their head coach hire.

Quinn’s mandate to his entire staff of 20+ assistants was simple: Do not talk football. He told the position coaches to learn as much as they could about their players’ upbringing, interests, families, how they’re wired.

The Commanders would be built on a foundation of genuine relationships. Not a dictatorship.

Quinn’s mission was “immediate” and “explicit,” adds quarterbacks coach Tavita Pritchard: “Make this the best environment to work in all of pro sports.”

Innovation’s nonstop. Washington inches toward solutions.

Nobody’s hesitant to go right to the boss in the goatee and backwards hat with a suggestion. All along, Pritchard says Quinn has been open to changing anything he’s done in the past. This includes everything from how the Commanders structure practice, back to how they handled their “Top 30” pre-draft visits. The Commanders famously took 20+ prospects to Topgolf, including the quarterbacks they’d be choosing from at No. 2: Daniels, Drake Maye, J.J. McCarthy and Michael Penix Jr. Coaches wanted to observe potential draftees in an authentic environment.

Not a board meeting. Not something that requires hours of memorization with agents.

“He’s literally asking us feedback in real time on everything. Everything,” Pritchard says. “You’re empowering your people around you to have a say in the culture and environment you’re building, and that goes a long way.”

Only two NFC teams have failed to reach the conference championship since 1995.

One of them remains rudderless. After another failed season, a defiant Jones assured he had zero plans to relinquish his GM title. “I bought the team,” he told reporters. “The first thing to come out of my mouth… somebody asked, ‘Did you buy this for your kids?’ I said, ‘Hell no. I bought it for me.’ And I didn’t buy an investment. I bought an occupation.”

One has a vision for long-term success. It took 2 ½ decades of Snyder’s bonkers tyranny but Washington is ready to make its move.

“We’re one heartbeat, one sound, echoing the message from the top down,” Tapp says. “And that’s why we’re in the situation we’re in right now.”

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Washington Post (paywall)

Can an entire team be clutch? The Commanders are making us wonder.

The Commanders have a diligence at small things that adds up to a sharpness when it matters most, the signature of a good NFL team.

If ever there was a lesson in turning crisis into opportunity the Washington Commanders are it, with their breezy embrace of late clock deficits and their sauntering end zone walk-offs. Their ability to pull last-second touchdowns out of whorls of climactic action has begun to look less like desperation and more like suave. They win fourth quarters as if it’s their natural circadian rhythm.

Of course, it matters that they have a dude in quarterback Jayden Daniels with his dancer’s hips and swooning passes. But one guy can’t fully account for the fact that they’ve scored touchdowns in the last 30 seconds six different times now, and won four in a row on the last play of the game or from scrimmage. One winning play came from the defense, and another from the ultimate un-dude in 31-year-old backup Marcus Mariota. Also, they’ve converted on a league-high 87 percent of fourth-down attempts. That demands examination, if only as proof that “clutch” really exists, it’s an actual thing, and it’s not necessarily confined to an individual. A whole team can be clutch.

Hibbs posits that clutch players do not rise to extraordinary heights, they simply maintain ordinary composure in moments in which others are prone to cave — they are able to remain themselves. “Clutch performances are not preternatural events, but cases where a competitor manages to perform … despite the pressure associated with the circumstances of a clutch moment,” Hibbs posits.

Clutch was cornerback Noah Igbinoghene breaking up that last gasp two-point conversion pass against New Orleans from Spencer Rattler to Juwan Johnson because he called up perfect technique in the moment, got the right shoulder angle. Against the Dallas Cowboys, Mariota’s TD throw to Terry McLaurin was supremely clutch — but only because Austin Ekeler gave him the time to be unhurried.

The Commanders have a diligence at small things that adds up to a sharpness that’s the signature of a good NFL team — maybe a great one in time.

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The Athletic (paywall)

Commanders to get Marshon Lattimore back for clash with Mike Evans, Bucs

Don’t expect Lattimore to back down on the field from the towering Evans, who had two of his 11 touchdowns against the pre-Lattimore version of the Commanders in Week 1.

“I want to be physical. I want to be physical with anybody,” Lattimore said. “The extra level because of the past — it’s not really about the mental game. You’re going to know I’m here.”

More importantly, the Commanders have their top cover corner available for only the third time since the Nov. 5 trade with the New Orleans Saints.

“We’re pumped to have him back into the mix,” Commanders coach Dan Quinn said.

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Commanders.com

Three keys to Washington advancing past Tampa Bay

Put pressure on Baker Mayfield.

Technically, the Commanders did bring plenty of pressure in an attempt to sack Mayfield. As Washington fans know, though, that plan didn’t work out, as Mayfield avoided almost all of their attempts to bring him down.

That can’t happen again if the Commanders want to have a chance at stopping the NFL’s third-ranked offense.

Just getting to Mayfield has been a difficult task all season. He’s experienced pressure on just 16.7% of his drop backs, according to Pro Football Reference, which ranks as the seventh lowest among quarterbacks. That protection has allowed him to deliver on-target throws on 78.6% of his passes and rank eighth in completed air yards.

When defenses do get past Tampa’s Bay’s offensive line, he’s done a good job of getting away from pressure. He’s tied for sixth in the NFL with 44 scrambles and averages 8.7 yards per scramble.

The Commanders know what can happen when teams fail to put pressure on Mayfield. He completed 80% of his passes — tied for the eighth best single-game completion percentage of his career — in that 37-20 loss and threw four touchdowns for the fourth time in his career. The Commanders also know what can happen if their blitzes get to the quarterback; he leads the league in interceptions and has fumbled the ball nine times.

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Sports Illustrated

Washington Commanders Name Captains For Playoff Push

The Washington Commanders have named their playoff captains as the team prepares for what they hope will be a deep postseason run. Wide receiver Terry McLaurin, linebacker Bobby Wagner, tight end Zach Ertz, safety Jeremy Reaves, and rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels will serve as leaders both on and off the field. These players were selected for their performance, leadership, and ability to inspire their teammates during critical moments.

Throughout the regular season, the Commanders followed a unique approach by naming captains on a week-to-week basis. However, as the playoffs approach, the team has opted to name permanent postseason captains to establish a clear and consistent leadership structure during the high-stakes games ahead.

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Washington Post (paywall)

Terry McLaurin, three other Commanders voted second-team all-pro

Linebackers Frankie Luvu and Bobby Wagner and kick returner Austin Ekeler were also selected. It’s the most players for Washington since the 1991 season.

In another sign of the Washington Commanders’ turnaround, four players — wide receiver Terry McLaurin, linebackers Frankie Luvu and Bobby Wagner, and kick returner Austin Ekeler — were voted second-team all-pro by the Associated Press.

For McLaurin, Luvu and Ekeler, the all-pro recognition is the first of their careers. Wagner, a 13-year veteran who spent most of his career with the Seattle Seahawks, received a second-team all-pro honor for the fifth time. He also has been voted first-team all-pro six times.

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Upcoming opponent

SB Nation

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are the hottest offense no one is talking about

Under first-year coordinator Liam Coen, the Buccaneers have quietly become one of the NFL’s most elite offenses.

Led by standout tackle Tristan Wirfs, Tampa Bay’s offensive line is one of the league’s strongest. They’re one of just six teams to rank in the top 10 in both pass and run block win rate, and finished 3rd in PFF’s offensive line rankings. Wirfs was his usual outstanding self and did not allow a sack all season.

Outside of Wirfs, who’s the highest-paid offensive lineman in the NFL, the rest of Tampa Bay’s starters are on cheap contracts. Center Graham Barton, right tackle Luke Goedeke, and right guard Cody Mauch are all on their rookie deals, while left guard Ben Bredeson was a $3 million signing in free agency. It’s looking like a bright future of Tampa’s mostly homegrown line.

Bucky Irving is the NFL’s best rookie running back

This year’s Buccaneers rushing offense is lethal. Former Oregon star Bucky Irving was the lone rookie running back to reach 1,000 yards, averaging 5.4 yards per carry and ranking in the top 10 among all running backs in success rate. He’s also Tampa Bay’s first 1,000-yard rusher since Doug Martin in 2015 and leads the NFL in missed tackle rate.

While Rachaad White is technically still the starter, Irving has had the majority of the carries throughout the season. White is having his own career year as a pass-catching back, with six touchdowns through the air to go along with his 613 rushing yards on 4.3 yards per carry, by far his most efficient season on the ground.

Baker Mayfield is having the best year of his career

Under Coen’s guidance, Mayfield has posted career highs in completion rate (71.4%), touchdown passes (41), passing yards (4,500), adjusted net yards/attempt (7.13), and rush yards (368). He sealed Tampa Bay’s playoff berth with an astonishing 1st and 20 dime to rookie receiver Jalen McMillan.

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Bucs Nation
Buccaneers left tackle Tristan Wirfs named First-Team All-Pro

Wirfs becomes the first player in the history of the award to earn the recognition as both a left tackle and a right tackle, previously earning the first-team distinction as a right tackle in 2021. Wrapping up his fifth NFL season.

Since Wirfs was drafted in 2020, the Buccaneers rank second in the NFL in fewest sacks allowed per pass attempt (4.3%), in addition to tying for the third-fewest sacks allowed (147) during that span. This season, Wirfs anchored a Tampa Bay offense that finished in the top five in points scored (29.5 per game), total yards (399.6), passing yards (250.4), rushing yards (149.2), first downs (23.2) and third down conversion percentage (50.9%). The Buccaneers are the only team among the top five in scoring, passing yards per game and rushing yards per game.

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Podcasts & videos

2x Super Bowl CHAMPION Gary Clark SPECIAL: NFC WILD CARD EDITION | Next Man Up | Commanders | NFL

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Windy City Gridiron

NFL Toxic Differential Plus Final 2024 Standings

Tracking team health throughout the entire NFL by tracking the big plays!

Welcome to the final 2024 Toxic Differential Plus.

Click on the link above to get a more detailed explanation of the stat or roll with the equation below:

Explosive Play Differential + 2(Turnover Differential) + Sack Differential = Toxic Differential Plus

We have both the best and the worst season-long TD+ since at least 2006. We almost had positive scores for all 14 playoff teams, which would have been a first in the 14-team era. Similarly, we didn’t really have a team that was high in the standings that missed the playoffs. In other words, TD+ signs off on this playoff field.

[F]or the game-to-game analysis of TD+, simply winning the stat in an individual game led to an 80% win percentage. When you break it down by each score, the W/L generally goes up as the number goes up, which is not surprising, until teams were undefeated at +8 and above. It’s small sample but that should obviously hold if we were to be able to run this for more individual games.

Some of this, of course, is self-fulfilling. As teams hold onto leads, they can pin their ears back to create pressure, leading to sacks and turnovers. Teams with leads sit on the ball and don’t take sacks or turn the ball over as much. Even so, I do think this has been a fun stat to track all year, and I think there’s more to farm in the history and more to learn from the numbers.

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ESPN

Has Deshaun Watson played his last game for the Browns?

The Cleveland Browns’ disastrous trade for Deshaun Watson took another turn Friday, as the team announced the quarterback tore his right Achilles tendon again and underwent a second surgery.

In a statement, the team said Watson’s “recovery time and return to play status is uncertain, and he will likely miss significant time during the 2025 season.”

Watson’s standing as Cleveland’s starter was already uncertain, and his latest setback places a greater spotlight on the Browns’ quarterback situation this offseason.

The team was already likely to bring in multiple quarterbacks either in free agency or through the draft, and that remains unchanged. The Browns are in prime position to take a quarterback with the second pick, but Berry noted the value of the spot is to either take a blue-chip prospect or trade back and accumulate additional picks.

Cleveland has restructured Watson’s contract multiple times, including at the beginning of the 2024 season, converting his large salary into a bonus that can be spread out for immediate cap relief. The Browns are currently projected to be over the cap next season, and another restructure of his 2025 salary is possible.

The salary is fully guaranteed, so it must be paid out and the cap commitment has to hit the books at some point, too. The Browns and Watson in December agreed to rework his deal, adding two void years that allow the team to push his cap charge as far as 2030. Watson might not play in Cleveland again, but the team will feel the financial burden at some point.

The Browns bought an insurance policy when drafting Watson’s contract that allows the team to receive cap relief if he is sidelined because of injury.

According to a copy of Watson’s contract obtained by ESPN, the Browns would have $44.2 million of his $46 million salary insured for an injury. That cap relief would be credited to Cleveland in 2026.

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