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Daily Slop – 29 May 24: Are OTAs about to become a thing of the past for the NFL?

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Pro Football Talk

Doug Pederson: Monday’s article about lawsuit against Brandon McManus was “the first I’ve heard of it”

If the Jaguars knew about the lawsuit against the team and former kicker (now Commanders kicker) Brandon McManus before Monday, that information didn’t make its way to coach Doug Pederson.

“I saw the article that came out,” Pederson told reporters on Tuesday. “Obviously, disappointing to hear the news that took place. You know, other than that, honestly, being that it’s a legal matter at this time, I can’t really comment until more information is gathered.”

Pederson then said as to the Monday article, “That’s the first I’ve heard of it, yes.”

Riggo’s Rag

6 kickers the Commanders could target to replace Brandon McManus

Could the Commanders be forced into kicker shopping?

Commanders could target Jake Bates

Jake Bates is a 24-year-old graduate of Arkansas who was signed as an undrafted free agent last year by the Houston Texans. He never saw the field, but he has become something of a sensation in recent months based on his performance for the Michigan Panthers.

He has converted three field goals this season of more than 60 yards. Bates also nailed a 64-yarder to win a game for the UFL outfit. All-world kicker Justin Tucker is the only player who has made a longer attempt during a professional game.

Bates is under contract to the Panthers until the end of the UFL season in mid-June. He cannot negotiate with NFL teams until then.

When he is eligible, expect multiple teams to vie for his services. Fans of the Detroit Lions, whose kicker position remains unsettled, are chomping at the bit to get Bates onto their roster.

Bullock’s Film Room (subscription)

Bobby Johnson Coaching Clinic Notes

Reviewing a run game coaching clinic from Commanders new OL coach Bobby Johnson

Johnson arrives in Washington with a questionable reputation. He followed Brian Daboll from a very successful Bills team to a poor Giants team. The Giants offensive line has struggled under his watch, particularly in pass protection. Now it’s unfair to put all the blame on Johnson given the Giants injury record. At times last season they were signing players off the street on a Wednesday only to need to start them on the following Sunday. But the Giants did invest some high picks into the offensive line and didn’t necessarily see the development from those picks that they would have expected under Johnson.

That spell in New York does lead to fair questions about Johnson in Washington, particularly given the Commanders struggles up front last season too. However, this coaching clinic from Johnson’s time in Buffalo with the Bills provides some insight into him as a person, his ability as a coach, his philosophy and the techniques he coaches. I would highly recommend watching the full two-hour clinic as there are lots of insightful nuggets there and as with any coaching clinic, you’ll come away amazed at the level of detail that goes into coaching in the NFL. You can watch the full clinic on YouTube by clicking here or watching below.

For those that don’t want to sit through a two-hour clinic or can’t watch a YouTube video at work, here are my notes and main takeaways.

Philosophy

There were just a few notes I thought that were worth pointing out in this section because I think this part showed why Dan Quinn and Kliff Kingsbury hired him. Some of it will sound like generic coach speak, but it will also sound very similar to things you’ve heard Quinn say all offseason since he was hired, on top of the aligned vision we’ve already heard from him.

Johnson wants to teach the how AND the why. The why is important because players will question things. If the coach is unable to explain why he’s asking his players to do a certain drill or technique, the players won’t buy into it and it won’t work. Johnson stresses you can’t teach something you don’t believe in. If you can’t defend a drill, or a technique when it’s questioned, you clearly don’t fully believe in it and again, it won’t work.

He also explains it’s important to be flexible and willing to customize things to the personnel available. Johnson explains how in one situation he might have a lineman with 32-inch arms and another guy with 35-inch arms. The guy with 35-inch arms can probably do a whole lot more in pass protection because of that length advantage, but as the offensive line coach, he still needs to find ways to make everyone functional. So how he teaches the 35-inch arm player might differ from what he teaches the 32-inch arm player.

Johnson also has a section in this clinic with the title “Learn, grow, evolve and recreate yourself”. He openly admits he’s been fired in the past and he’s been on different staff’s that got wiped out. Johnson explains “In order to make sure you stay relevant and stay in the game, you have got to continue to learn, grow, evolve and recreate yourself.” He stresses it’s particularly important as a line coach to not just do the same thing they’ve been doing just because it’s what they’ve always done. One of the big things we learned about Dan Quinn this offseason was how he helped develop the Seahawks Cover-3 defense which landed him a head coaching job in Atlanta, but once he was fired there he went away and completely re-evaluated his system. The defense he put out on the field in Dallas was very different from that Seahawks Cover-3 template, showing he had learned to evolve and grow as a coach. It’s easy to see then that Johnson fits in philosophically with Quinn in that regard.

He also talks about how he likes to go and ask and talk to other coaches and share ideas to help growth. Johnson uses the quote “Good ideas know no rank” which is one Kliff Kingsbury said in a recent press conference during OTAs. The idea meaning a good idea can be a good idea, it doesn’t have to come from the top. Allowing everyone to be involved in a collaborative process where the coaches and even players have input can help find the best ideas to help the team be successful.

Everyday drills

Johnson has a checklist of everyday drills that he runs through with his offensive lineman each day before practice. These aren’t full practice drills with contact, they’re more drills to get the players ready for practice. Johnson explains time with the players on the field is extremely limited, so he has his lineman do these drills every day before team stretch to get them warmed up, particularly in the lower half. He’s focusing on hip, knee and ankle flexion, using a series of drills to help get each part of the lower body activated and ready for practice. But while they are warm up drills, they do still have application to positional movement.

The first drill is called dots. Simply put, the coach lines up a set of small cones on the ground and have the players run through the cones sideways, getting their first foot in between each cone while their trailing leg comes up and over like there’s a hurdle in the way. This is to get their hips loose and warmed up.

Commanders Wire

Commanders continue to add to the front office

Washington Commanders general manager Adam Peters continues to rebuild his front office. Neil Stratton, @InsideTheLeague on X, reported Tuesday that the Commanders are expected to hire Chris White as the team’s new Director of Pro Scouting.

White spent the past two seasons with the Chicago Bears as the Assistant Director of Pro Scouting. Before his promotion in 2022, White also served as a scouting assistant, pro scouting coordinator and pro scout with the Bears since he was hired in 2014.

Before coming to Chicago, White played college football at Florida Atlantic, where he was an offensive lineman. At FAU, White was teammates with former Washington running back Alfred Morris.

Here is a look at Washington’s known moves in the front office since taking over in January:

  • Lance Newmark: Assistant general manager
  • Martin Mayhew: Reassigned from GM to senior personnel executive/advisor to GM
  • Brandon Sosna: Senior vice president/football operations
  • David Blackburn: Director of Player Personnel

Those are the official hirings, as noted on the team’s official website.

Stratton has also reported the following hirings on the scouting side that aren’t yet reflected on the team’s website:

  • Dustin Regan: Area scout
  • Dwaune Jones: National scout
  • Jack Quagliarello. Pro scout

Multiple members of the previous regime’s front office have departed for other scouting jobs, as Peters reshapes the front office in his vision.

Sports Illustrated

Commanders’ RB Austin Ekeler Weds Dancer and TikToker Fiancee in Las Vegas

The new Commanders running back is staying busy this offseason.

[Austin Ekeler] tied the knot with dancer and TikToker Melanie Wilking on Saturday. They got married at Hilton Lake Las Vegas Resort & Spa, which they claim to be their “home base.”

For Ekeler, this is another big move and adjustment to make this offseason. He got married and has a new club to play for, making two big changes over the offseason. The running back seems energized heading into the new opportunity.

Podcasts & videos

Dominique Hampton Has an “Iron Will” | Washington Commanders

NFC East links

TWSN

The Philadelphia Eagles Will Not Make the 2024-25 NFL Playoffs

Philadelphia had one of the worst collapses in NFL history, becoming the first team in league history to start the season 10-1 and lose six of their final seven games to finish 11-7. Heading into the playoffs the Eagles were a bottom five team in the entire league with zero momentum going into their wildcard game against the Buccaneers. After an embarrassing loss, Nick Sirianni’s seat was surprisingly hot.

Jeffrey Lurie ultimately decided to keep Sirianni, but two new coordinators were required for 2024. Kellen Moore and Vic Fangio enter the building, but both have had rocky seasons in the past. Moore struggled to find consistency in his play calling in Dallas, while Fangio had multiple relationship issues with his players in Miami. Philadelphia could be the perfect place for these coordinators; however, there is a very real chance it could be another disaster for both of them.

The loss of Kelce is not being talked about enough and should have a major impact on Jalen Hurts’ pre-snap reads and the chemistry across the line.

Trotter and White are not good coverage linebackers and both could become a liability if the Eagles go up against a more elusive tight end.

the quality of solid players and good depth at weaker positions is going to cost them down the stretch of the season. In a division that is highly competitive every year, the Eagles could be the odd team out and lose some divisional games they shouldn’t, costing them a wildcard spot.

All a’Twitter