woodpecker

11 minutes ago, FootballZombie said:

 

 

I think they have been working on it for a while too, but transparency costs money.

 

We knew change was coming for years beforehand last time, and that was part of the soup as to why WFT merch had the worst sales in the entirety of the NFL.

Heck, its even part of the soup as to why Commanders sales are so bad, b/c they are giving people like me avenues to sit on their wallets.

 

If they come out at any point and say "change is coming, name and/or design" the line to buy soon to be obsolete gear gets dramatically small.

The second they put that out there, they depth charge current sales. You'd want that known transition time period to be a small as possible.

 

 

I don't like it, but vagueness makes business sense here.

I guess so, and I don’t like it either. I won’t call it Snyder-like, however it seems petty to keep things quiet just so they can sell a few more Mander jerseys that they know will be obsolete (They can wait as long as they want, I will never buy one!). So I don’t think that’s the true reason for the silence. Another possibility that’s been brought up is that they are keeping it quiet until the politics play out on getting the new stadium location in place, and I’m hoping that’s the case.

Anyway, after listening to Yesterdays Kevin Sheehan podcast with Tom Friend just now I’m feeling better about things. Friend says he has spoken to a couple people he knows close to ownership (he doesn’t give names) and he’s pretty convinced the name change is going to happen, it’s just a matter of when. They both think that we should go back to WFT at least for now, noting that it’s a change that could be made rather quickly as we’ve already seen. 

11 minutes ago, Conn said:

Even if that’s the case, I think having a one-dimensional (but effective) banger as your 3rd RB is perfectly fine. Especially if we’re getting ST’s value out of him. Not every player can be well-rounded, he has a role. Bringing him in fresh in the 4th quarter when you have the lead, and still having the option of a quick PA pass working off of the threat of his running ability killing the clock, is a fine option to have. 

Would be nice if we had some leads to salt away, and hopefully that’s going to start happening soon! I don’t disagree that it’s nice to have a banger for those situations. But is it the best use of the roster spot? If he’s able to contribute on special teams as well, then I’m good with it. I just have a little bit different philosophy on RBs. A lot of fans like to have a bulldozer to pair with a home run hitter speed back. Specialty backs if you will. I prefer to rotate interchangeable well rounded running backs who can run, catch, and block. I feel like it keeps the entire playbook open, regardless of who’s in the game. Either of these philosophies has its strengths and weaknesses, so contributions on special teams is probably more important than specific traits to me for an RB3.

22 minutes ago, Skinsinparadise said:

 

When on the draft thread we listed our top favs...Quan was on my guys list 2 drafts ago, one of my top 20 favorite players in that draft.

 

Illinois had him playing everywhere, FS, SS, nickle CB, outside corner.   Leader. Great tackler who plays bigger than his size.  Good blitzer.  Smart by reputation. Hard worker.  Good athlete.

 

Played well IMO at every spot aside from outside corner in college.

 

And yeah judging by Keim, Paulsen and others around the team, I got the vibe that they get the vibe that the coaching staff is very high on him.  I definitely don't get the best vibes about Forbes on that same front. But Quan at the moment, hearing just good things.

 

He didn't really start until the last 4 games.  In all of them had a 60 plus grade from PFF, mid 70s the last game.  A sack and 2 picks.

 

Look I probably crapped on Rivera's draft and off season as much as anyone.  But Quan specifically I loved.  

 

https://dailyillini.com/sports-stories/2023/04/28/former-illinois-quan-martin-selected-by-washington-commanders/

 

Along with that, Martin was a human highlight reel at the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis. Amongst all safeties, Martin had the highest vertical jump at 44 inches, was the third fastest in the 40-yard dash, at 4.46 seconds and fastest in the 10-yard split, at 1.47 seconds.

 

 

 

https://www.commanders.com/news/illinois-dc-never-had-a-defensive-back-as-versatile-as-quan-martin

That's why Illinois defensive coordinator Aaron Henry sees Quan Martin as such a unique commodity. 

"I've never had a player like him ever," Henry said. 

It's hard to stand out in a secondary as talented as the one Illinois boasted last year. The Illini allowed the eighth fewest passing yards in college football, and three of the key players in that defensive back group -- Martin, Devon Witherspoon and Sydney Brown -- were taken in the first three rounds of the NFL draft. 

Illinois likes to say they recruit players as defensive backs and find out where they fit later. Witherspoon, cornerback, and Brown, safety, both had more established positions last year and didn't deviate from them as often. Martin, however, was moved all around Illinois defensive backfield with snaps at wide corner, slot corner and safety among several others. 

His ability to thrive at all of them is what makes him so special. 

"There's not much that he can't do," Henry said. "I've been doing this for 12 years. I have never had a defensive back as versatile as him."

 

 

Thanks, as always for sharing your vast knowledge. At the end of the day if Peters and Company are on board with Quan then so am I!

15 minutes ago, Skinsinparadise said:

 

If you are down on the defense. And down on the likely bell cow RB, how high can you be on this roster compared to most?  You are certainly not as high on it as I am.

 

As far as dying on a hill for Quan.  I keep hearing that's the dude that this coaching staff is very high on among those they inherited.  Looks like a good shot he's going to be the starting FS.  And in Quinn-Whitt's scheme which typically play a lot of single high -- that FS is a key component of the defense.     He played well towards the end of the season.  Coaches seem to be high on him.   I am not going on a leap that there is a good chance he's a good safety.  He was a very good college player, high pick, and played well towards the end of the season.

Would be nice to have one of Ron’s high draft picks actually pan out! And I agree it sounds like he will. Glad to know that you really liked him coming out of college, because I certainly don’t trust Ron’s judgment on the matter. I really hated the pick at the time, but I was still so angry about the previous pick of Forbes that I probably would’ve been pissed at anything they did at that point 😁

As for Chris Rodriguez… Those grades look great as a runner, but what about his receiving skills? Also, there doesn’t seem to be a grade at all for blocking. Do you see him as being adequate in those areas? Because otherwise seems like a pretty one dimensional profile.

Just now, Spearfeather said:

 

From the article:

 

 

I'd like to think they've already started. 

I’d like to as well. Perhaps it’s going on behind the scenes. If so, I’d prefer transparency this time, but I’ll take whatever I can get.  I’d like to think the DQ feather shirt thing was a test, and perhaps her trying to put a positive light on commanders there is also a test. 

1 hour ago, N0430BM said:

Most D.C.-area sports fans dislike or hate Commanders’ name, poll finds

 

Had the opportunity to ask Commanders owner Majorie Harris about the team name:

 

Well, if this isn't a complete disconnect...

I am guessing that all they really want to do is make money and couldn't care any less about the name.  Support Commanders to bring in merchandise sales.  Hope it catches on to avoid spending money on a change and rebrand.

 

I wish she was asked specifically about the uniforms and logo.  Changing the name versus the uniforms are two very different processes.  One much easier than the other.

 

If Commanders stays, then the uniform becomes an even more difficult issue to address.  Do they keep the current, go back to the old, or completely change to something that goes with the name more?

Thanks for posting these.

Poll has 36% of fans liking the name commanders? I’m just not buying that. Maybe a poll of just their readers would come out that way I suppose, I wouldn’t know but I am truly shocked if anywhere near 36% of the team’s fans like the current name.

Worth noting that we’ve seen no such polls or surveys coming from the team. Just Stalling. Pretending they are too busy to deal with it is laughable. Hire a firm to do the survey, takes about a five minute phone call to set that up. And then, unlike the previous ownership, publish the results honestly for the fans to digest.
 

As for Marjorie Harris, it makes me sick to hear her say that. But not surprising at all, it’s becoming more and more obvious that they plan on doing nothing about the name. At least she’s being honest about it I guess.

1 minute ago, Always A Commander Never A Captain said:

 

That's a fair question and now I realize I don't even know who would call the defensive plays.

I believe he said it would be Whitt calling the plays. So I guess we don’t know for sure, but stands to reason he’ll be running something pretty close to what Quinn would do.

18 minutes ago, Chump Bailey said:

 

Spot on. I just listened to Matt Harmon & Andy Behrens (Yahoo) discuss that very thing. They listed him as someone in serious need of a reboot career wise. They like the pieces he has to work with especially heaping praise on B Rob and Terry, but they're legitimately concerned about Kliff's role and ability to be successful with his style. 

There’s reason to be skeptical about any of the coaching hires, but Kingsbury, fair or not, will be judged mostly by how Jaden does. Kingsbury has his weaknesses and red flags, but his work with young mobile QBs is considered one of his strengths so I am optimistic. I think peters got this one right too.

92.5% to change the name sounds about right, Im more surprised 5% actually like the current name.

I picked making the playoffs for a successful season, but in hindsight I have to agree with the people saying it’s already a successful season regardless of the record. Also, I agree that hitting on the QB would be much more important overall than making the playoffs. 
 

interesting that the responses on the OL are fairly evenly split across the spectrum. I don’t think we really know for sure about the line, but I’m cautiously optimistic that some of the players are much better than what they showed during last years disaster. I chose sign a free agent tackle as a stopgap.

3 hours ago, SkinsFanPA said:

If Jayden Daniels takes off, and they start winning, jerseys and other merchandise will take off as well.  Look at how well Brady jerseys and Mahomes jerseys have sold over the years...and those are two uniforms that typically aren't considered "great"uniforms, especially New England's...

 

Win, and the stulff will sell.

Of course winning will sell jerseys, but not nearly as many as they would with a better name. We can go 17-0 and I will still never buy a jersey with the C name! Not a T-shirt either. Not a hat, not a hoodie, nothing. I won’t even buy a pair of socks with that name on it. Somebody please let Josh Harris know thanks!

6 minutes ago, Skinsinparadise said:

 

 

Good news for Sam Hartman!

1 minute ago, mistertim said:

I'd be pretty surprised if anything came of the gambling thing. They could always just say it was a joke and they were never going to actually give each other money.

They could always just say they never shook on it! I agree the NFL will sweep it under the rug.

Yeah, this is not good. The fact that the NFL is hypocritically in bed with gambling interests doesn’t matter. They are not allowed to bet on football in any way, shape or form, and a “personal performance prop“ like this one is directly mentioned. Calvin Ridley was suspended a year for betting 15 bucks, these guys bet 10 K. I just hope they haven’t signed their contracts yet, or there is some other loophole here. 

13 hours ago, Rex Tomb said:

OMG… Grant and Danny spent an entire 20 minute segment on this stupid topic.  Fortunately rookie minicamp is just two days away.

I actually find the discussion entertaining. And what else are they gonna talk about? Don’t really need more fluff pieces about our draft picks or mock schedules.

48 minutes ago, Skinsinparadise said:

 

Coming from someone who doesn't care about the name one way or another.  I still think it happens.

 

Keim who seems to have some inkling about what this ownership is thinking -- said before this off season he doesn't expect it to happen this off season but he seemed to suggest maybe afterwards.   Trying to recall what reporter said this but I think it was Keim who said more or less this ownership doesn't like to half-speed any task. 

 

If they do it they go full out.  Hence the comeback to the hit said by some that you can walk and chew gum at the same time.  From what I gathered they feel like they have enough balls in the air right now.  But I suspect they eventually will get to this too.

 

I do think though an underrated aspect of lack of merchandise sales is what jersey are people buying?  People rushing to get their Emmanuel Forbes and Ricky Stromberg after the draft?  Or Wylie after FA.

 

Bruce and Ron weren't just incompetent but also were very boring.    Nothing worse I think from a marketing standpoint to be both "meh" and boring.  I recall Odell Beckham saying after he left the Giants that he kept their brand-fans interested even when they were losing and there is value to that.  This team didn't have that Beckham during the losing.  

 

Daniels if he lights it up, I think might change this dynamic.  Will see.

 

 

Thanks man, I hope you’re right! Been quite some time since we’ve heard a peep out of Keim about it. Gonna be a lot of Daniels jerseys sold in the meantime, making things more complicated. Seems like this is something the marketing department could already be working on, as far as figuring out what name would be most popular with fans at this point. I wouldn’t take five minutes out of the owners’ busy schedule just to make a comment about it, so I’m guessing they are at best undecided about it. To me the more time that goes by the less likely they are to do it. Hope I’m wrong.

I think Terry is a worthy jersey purchase among current/recent players—great player and person. I thought about looking for one without the name, but decided I don’t want to spend a penny on merchandise until this is settled. Meaningless gesture I know but I’m voting with my wallet on this.

42 minutes ago, CommanderInTheRye said:

 

 

I'm visualizing a dual same day announcement, as early as next off season--

 

Josh Harris pimp walks to the podium, wearing hi heeled gators, a sparkling pinkie diamond ring, blackout shades, and an Al Davis style custom fit leather jacket  and says, "I'm proud to announce that the RFK stadium sight, soon to be renamed "The Wolf's Den", will be the new home of the Washington Red Wolves!"

 

Yes this would be great!!!

11 hours ago, 88Comrade2000 said:

The team becomes a consistent winner and having some stars and those sales will perk up.

 

If one is waiting for a rebrand before purchasing any merchandise; it will be a long wait and one that might not happen at all.   If this group decides to rebrand, it won’t happen until a new stadium is under construction. Since you will want to know whether we are Commanders or something else, when putting that into the stadium.

 

 

Since a stadium is likely 3 -4 years away before even construction starts.

If they wait that long, it will never happen at all. The longer they wait the harder it’s going to be. I agree with you though, it doesn’t look like it’s going to happen anytime soon and I don’t think it’s ever going to happen at this point. The new owners seem content to settle for the C word, and it’s a shame. Guess I’ll have to wear my Darryl green Redskins jersey forever, because the thought of sporting a Dan-ders jersey is repulsive to me. For those of you who want people to move on from the old name, then give us something we can live with or even be proud of. Anything but Snyder’s hand-picked 💩

I think we’re stuck with Davis at least for this year, but I will be happy to see him go. He’s a daily reminder that Ron Rivera, while a man of character himself, was a poor judge of character in others. As has been stated, he’s not worthless as a player, so until we can upgrade he stays. But honestly, I’d rather not have him around our young players if possible. Just an awful draft pick by Rivera. Ron is a good coach, and a good man, but he simply did not have what it takes to be a GM, not even close. We would’ve been better off with Snidley and Vinny making the picks off Kuipers big board the last four years. 

7 hours ago, Conn said:

The OL needs help, it’s not good.

 

It’s also:

 

1. Not as bad as people think

 

2. It’s now at least marginally better than it was last season 

 

3. And it was never as bad as Howell and poor playcalling made it look last season

 

4. Because, does no one remember how much better it briefly looked with Brissett? Similar to the 2013 OL under RG3 and then Cousins. 
 

5. And our offensive staff, player personnel, and playcalling really can’t get worse—I’d even go as far as to say we can expect it to easily be better.

 

6. Which will help accommodate the remaining weakness in the OL, because remember, this post has never been about claiming the OL is actually good, or claiming it’s not a problem. 
 

7. Just that it’s not AS much of a season-destroying code red as people are making it out to be. 
 

8. Because better personnel is already achieved. Better QB play is achievable, and should be expected*. And better playcalling is achievable, and should be expected**

*no offense to Howell as a young, growing player but he was one of the worst QB’s in the league last year, efficiency-wise.
 

**because it really couldn’t get worse than what EB was doing last season. You don’t even need to like or believe in Kliff to assume this happens, because EB called a historically stupid offense, on top of it being designed poorly.

 

 

NOTE: I still very much hope some decent veteran OT’s are released for us to try to sign. Again, I am not arguing things are fine or even close to ideal. Simply saying that Daniels is not guaranteed to die and derail our season before it begins like people are acting. The talent is already improved, even if marginally. The scheme and play selection can help a ton. Daniels being talented as hell can help a ton, even baking in his status as a rookie. Even as it stands right now, this will not be a historically bad OL or something—it wasn’t even as bad last year as people think when you take into account the playcalling and QB play. 

Great post. Everyone should keep in mind that the O line weren’t he only players who underperformed under last years circus tent. Look at Terry, Dotson, and others. The entire D basically. I don’t think any of them are nearly as bad as they looked last year, including the O line. We all know we could use more help at tackle, but all the positions on the line have been at least somewhat addressed already or in the case of Wylie he, like many others on the roster, deserves an opportunity to show what he can do with proper coaching/scheme. He has a track record of being a significantly better player than what he showed last year.

It’s gonna take time to put together the stellar unit we all want to see. But I don’t think the current situation is the epic disaster some are making it out to be. I’m glad Peters isn’t panicking about it and trust him to continue methodically improving every position group. Let him build things his way and not make decisions based on things that happened under the old regime where all decisions good or bad were destined for dysfunctional failure.

Here’s how I did with the Seahawks…

               my picks                                        NFL picks 

1/16- Troy Fontanu 0T Washington          20 Steelers (-4)

3/81- Junior Colson LB Michigan             69 Chargers (+12)
 

4/102- Jerod Wiley TE TCU                     131 Chiefs (-29)

5/118- Maason Smith DT LSU                   52 Jags (+66)

5/152- Tanor Bortolini C Wisconsin         117 Colts (+35)

7/235- Joe Milton QB Tennessee             193 Titans (+42)

                                                                  Total: +122 

Seahawks picks…
Round 1: No. 16 Byron Murphy II, DT, Texas
Round 3: No. 81 Christian Haynes, G, Connecticut
Round 4: No. 118 Tyrice Knight, LB, Texas-El Paso
Round 4: No. 121 A.J. Barner, TE, Michigan
Round 5: No 136 Nehemiah Pritchett, CB, Auburn
Round 6: No. 179 Sataoa Laurnea, G, Utah
Round 6: No. 192 DJ James, CB, Auburn
Round 6: No. 207 Michael Jerrell, OT, Findlay

Seahawks traded down for extra picks so they got me on quantity, but I’ll give my group the edge based on overall talent. Murphy > Smith of course, but I feel like I got them better players at G, LB, and TE plus Bortolini > Laurnea. They did well late to get a couple corners and an OT prospect with the extra picks compared to just QB Milton, but it’s likely none of those guys amounts to much anyway, so if we’re talking lottery tickets give me the QB!

+122 seems like a good number so hopefully it’s enough to get me an invite back next year 😁 Thanks again to all involved.

On 4/10/2024 at 1:16 PM, Going Commando said:

Well so much for my freaking first round pick of Laiatu Latu.  The Jags just extended Josh Allen on a five year, 30 million per year deal.  Third biggest contract for a defensive player in the league.

 

I'm guessing between him and former #1 overall pick Travon Walker, they won't be drafting edge this year.

Same here. Seattle just signed Laken Tomlinson to fill their void at LG. No chance they take Fontanu now. Good news is this may push one of the tackles to our picks at 36/40.

Good chance their pick now is actually Latu. Will be BPA or a trade down.

2 hours ago, Skinsinparadise said:

 

Thanks, am the one who took McLachlan.  I missed that Bell was falling that far if i caught it I might have taken him before 192.

 

I like Sanders better than some do here.  But I wanted a better combine from him -- 4.7 speed, and he benched almost nothing so it makes me wonder about his athleticism.   He and Bell have sort of the same superpower YAC, Sanders with the better hands but it wouldn't shock me if Bell ends up better.  Wouldn't shock me if one of the two emerges and the other is just a guy or both bust, hard call.

 

I was early on Wiley back when he was more obscure, now he gets more attention but I tend to be partial to players I like early on.  Downside to him late bloomer, below average blocker but good hands and for a dude that size he can run.  I liked him before I knew he ran a 4.6, now am even more sold.  

 

Sinnott is the typical TE i like -- used everywhere, can block, can catch, good athlete.  I don't love his seperation skills though so i think his ceiling might be limited.

 

Stover, jack of all trades master of none, high floor, solid.

 

McClachlan I watched more of for the board's draft and he grew on me the more I watched.   He hits me as sort of a Cooley lite.   Sort of in that Stover made, jack of all trades, master of none but I think he has a good floor, solid #2 type TE in the NFL.

 

Theo Johnson, I want to love, I don't hate but he doesn't jump at me when I watch him.  i get bored watching him.  He's one of those players that i have a hard time figuring out good or bad.

 

 

thanks for that SIP! Third round looks like the sweet spot to pick up a TE. I hope Peters grabs one of these guys there. I like Wiley who I took in the mock as a weapon in the pass game. At 6-7 could be great in the red zone. But if he’s that bad as a blocker, I think I’d rather see Sinnot. I’ve been a fan of Theo J as well, so sad to see that you’re not very impressed with him.

Seahawks draft. And I’ll add this note for our team… a good chunk of Seattle fans think they will trade down to add more draft capital. And it would fit Schneider’s style. If Adam peters is looking to move up to 16, the Seahawks would likely be open for business.

1- Troy Fontanu 0T Washington

3- Junior Colson ILB Michigan
 

4- Jerod Wiley TE TCU

4- Maason Smith DT LSU

5- Tanor Bortolini C Wisconsin

7- Joe Milton, QB, Tennessee

Sorry folks, on the road.

seahawks take joe Milton QB Tennessee 

Pick 152 Seahawks take Tanor Bortolini C Wisconsin

@Going Commando and the jags are up

One thing I’ve learned from doing this is that Adam Peters will have plenty of real good talent to choose from with those third round picks! Looking forward to the real draft. Seachickens add a big man to the D-line mix…

pick 118 Seahawks take DT Maason Smith

@Redskins Reparations  (Steelers) is up

6 minutes ago, Bantu said:

Is Sanders highly regarded (relatively speaking) amongst most of this board? Looks slow and lumbering to me, but I'm sure I'm missing something.

Well, that could just be one person. But in researching the TEs, most places I looked seem to have him in their top three TEs, and going somewhere in the second round.