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Tag: terry mclaurin
Terry McLaurin regrets tossing Sam Howell first TD into stands
Washington rookie quarterback Sam Howell had an unforgettable NFL debut. Howell started Washington’s season finale against the Dallas Cowboys. In an otherwise meaningless game for Washington, Howell got the opportunity to audition for a potential role next season.
The start proved well for Howell, leading the Commanders to a 26-6 win. His first pass resulted in a touchdown to star wide receiver, Terry McLaurin. It was an incredible moment for the former North Carolina star, except McLaurin tossed the game ball into the stands through all the excitement.
The Commanders’ first possession of the game started at the 20-yard of Dallas after Cowboys punter Bryan Anger muffed the snap. Two players later Howell found McLaurin for the touchdown.
McLaurin immediately regretted throwing Howell’s first TD into the stands. According to ESPN’s John Keim, McLaurin confirmed the team negotiated with the fan who caught the ball to get it back.
Per, WUSA 9’s Darren M. Haynes Howell had to sign a football a mere two minutes after throwing the touchdown as part of the compensation for the fan. McLaurin joked he was willing to give up his own jersey to get the ball back for Howell.
McLaurin’s actions were similar to Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans. Evans threw Tom Brady’s 600th touchdown into the stands last season. Evans also threw what was thought to be Brady’s last touchdown pass to a fan.
As for Sam Howell, he showed promise and poise. He was 11-of-19 passing for 169 yards, one touchdown, and an interception. He also added a rushing touchdown to punctuate his first career NFL win.
It remains to be seen if Howell showed enough to get an extended opportunity next season. Nevertheless, he at least gets to keep a souvenir from his first NFL action.
Terry McLaurin was ‘clearly off the line of scrimmage’ referee explains
The Washington Commanders were unhappy with the officials following Sunday’s 20-12 loss to the New York Giants. The Commanders’ last-ditch effort in the final minute to tie the game fell short but was laminated by two controversial decisions by the officials.
Many will point to the missed pass interference on fourth down involving Curtis Samuel and Darnay Holmes. But a controversial illegal formation penalty negated a Brian Robinson touchdown that would have set up a shot at a game-tying two-point conversion.
Robinson powered into the end zone on third-and-goal from the one-yard line with 1:03 remaining on the clock. However, Commanders wide receiver Terry McLaurin got flagged for not being lined up on the ball.
The video showed that McLarin looked at the official to see if he lined up correctly, as wide receivers often do. The official appeared to point back at McLaurin, prompting McLaurin to give a thumbs-up to the referee. However, that same official threw the flag against McLaurin.
“I felt like I was on the ball the entire time,” McLaurin said after the game, per Nicki Jhabvala of the Washington Post. “I checked to see if I was good the first time, and he was like, ‘Move up a little bit.’ So when I moved up, I checked to see if I was good, and he said I was good.”
From his explanation, one can see why McLaurin and the Commanders were not happy with the penalty. Yet, Referee John Hussey said he didn’t witness the interaction between McLaurin and the official.
Jhabvala then asked Hussey if officials are obligated to tell a wide receiver he’s on the line.
“Not typically, and the official could be doing other things, like counting the offense — there’s a multitude of different duties,” Hussey answered. “So, I can’t confirm whether the official even saw that or not. But, [McLaurin] was clearly off the line of scrimmage.”
Could McLaurin have misunderstood the official? It’s possible. What matters most is the flag got thrown. The penalty took Robinson’s touchdown off the board, pushing Washington back to the six-yard line for fourth down and leading to the controversial no-call in the end zone with Samuel.
Hussey explained why no pass interference was called on Holmes on Washington’s final offensive play.
“Pass interference is a judgment call,” Hussey explained. “To the officials, it didn’t rise to what they felt was a restriction. Thus they didn’t call it. That’s basically the bottom line there. It’s a judgment call, and they didn’t believe it was pass interference.”
The Commanders can point to two costly fumbles by Heinicke as well as its offense’s inability to convert on third downs. The Commanders converted just one of 10 third downs for first downs. Yet, the referee’s explanations for two controversial decisions leave the Commanders frustrated at the officiating following a crucial loss.
The Commanders are now 7-6-1 on the season and must navigate through a daunting final three games to get into the playoffs.
Commanders’ Terry McLaurin wanted at least illegal contact on flag picked up
After a 20-20 tie with the New York Giants, Washington Commanders head coach Ron Rivera pointed to miss opportunities for his team. However, the Commanders may also want to point out some missed penalties by the referees. That included a significant no-call on what appeared to be pass interference on a pass from Taylor Heinicke to wide receiver Terry McLaurin.
McLaurin and former Washington teammates Fabian Moreau were matched against each other on a 3rd down in the second quarter. Heinicke’s pass was behind McLaurin. However, Moreau made contact multiple times as McLaurin tried to fight back to the ball near the goal line.
Standing near the goal line, the referee initially threw a flag for pass interference. But after convening together, the officials picked up the flag. Instead of first and goal near the end zone, the Commanders faced 4th and 10 from the 24-yard line. Washington settled for a 42-yard field goal by kicker Joey Slye.
Washington took a 13-10 lead. But the possession could have yielded four more points had the penalty been called. The Giants responded on the ensuing possession with a game-tying field goal before halftime.
“It didn’t really feel like a lot, but after seeing that, that’s at least illegal contact,” McLaurin said, per Nicki Jhabvala of the Washington Post. “But you can’t really worry about the calls. You’re gonna win some. You’re gonna lose some.”
Moreau appeared to have part of McLaurin’s jersey. Then Moreau made contact with McLaurin before making an attempt to play the ball.
Understandably Moreau was a bit handsy, McLaurin beat him for a 19-yard touchdown in the first quarter en route to eight catches for 105 yards.
The missed points by the no-call were looming as both teams played to a tie. The Commanders had other chances late in the game. Still, that’s a large no-call by the referees, especially considering defensive backs have gotten flagged for less contact.
Watch: Terry McLaurin taunts ‘This is my city’ after clutch catch over Stephon Gilmore
Washington Commanders wide receiver Terry McLaurin is an Indianapolis native. For the first time as a pro, McLaurin was in the same stadium he rooted on the Colts, won two high school state championships, and two Big Ten championships.
Thus, on the Commanders’ final offensive drive needing a touchdown to at least tie the game, McLaurin shined brightest, snagging a high throw from the hands of Colts cornerback Stephon Gilmore at the one-yard line with 26 seconds remaining.
McLaurin jumped up with joy. His emotions let out, screaming to Gilmore and then to everyone inside Lucas Oil Stadium, “This is my city!”
Colts cornerback Kenny Moore could only laugh because there was no other comeback for that moment.
The Commanders scored on the next play, as Taylor Heinicke scored on a quarterback sneak to tie the game at 16-16. The extra point gave Washington the lead for good at 17-16 with 22 seconds remaining.
McLaurin’s catch is spectacular regardless of what stadium occurred. However, the moment’s energy was exceptional because the play happened in Indianapolis.
Watch: Terry McLaurin moss Stephon Gilmore to setup game-winning TD
Terry McLaurin would not be denied on the Washington Commanders’ final offensive drive against the Indianapolis Colts. Playing in his hometown of Indianapolis and against the team he cheered, McLaurin willed the Commanders’ to a victory with an acrobatic catch over Colts cornerback Stephon Gilmore that would rival the legendary Randy Moss.
The Commanders trailed 16-10 with less than one minute remaining in the fourth quarter. On 1st-and-10 from the Colts’ 34-yard line, McLaurin beat Gilmore with a stop-and-go. McLaurin threw his hand up to signal to his quarterback Taylor Heinicke, who extended the play with his leg, to toss him the football.
Heinicke did so. However, the pass hung in the air, forcing McLaurin to turn back. It also allowed Gilmore to catch up with the ball. That’s when McLaurin enforced his will, jumping up and snatching the ball out of Gilmore’s grasp.
McLaurin held onto the football as he landed at the one-yard line for a 33-yard catch. McLaurin leaped to proclaim, “This is my city,” with a few other words.
McLaurin’s heroics set up a 1st-and-goal from the one with 26 seconds remaining. Heinicke capped the drive with a QB sneak into the end zone to tie the game at 16-16.
Washington’s kicker Joey Slye made the extra point that handed the Commanders their third straight win.
McLaurin finished the game with six catches for 113 yards. He also came away with an unforgettable memory.
Antonio Gibson gives Commanders 7-3 lead with TD catch
Washington Commanders running back Antonio Gibson got the start ahead of rookie Brian Robinson Jr. Gibson got three touches on the opening drive. However, the Commanders’ offense stalled throughout the first quarter.
But the offense got their juices going in the second quarter. Taylor Heinicke found Terry McLaurin for a 42-yard reception. Two plays after a Curtis Samuel eight-yard run, Heinicke found Gibson underneath for a nine-yard touchdown.
The play-action fake to Gibson cleared the spacing underneath for Gibson, who essentially walked into the end zone for his 25th career touchdown to give Washington a 7-3 lead with 10:55 remaining in the second.
Gibson already has three rushes for seven yards and three catches for 43 yards and a touchdown.
Commanders WR Terry McLaurin agrees to $71M, three-year extension
The Washington Commanders and wide receiver Terry McLarin have agreed to terms on a three-year deal worth up to $71 million in new money, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. McLaurin’s three-year extension includes a $28 million signing bonus, the largest given to a wide receiver.
Additionally, McLaurin will receive $53.154M in total guarantees, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. He’ll get $34.6 million guaranteed at signing and another $12.5 million guaranteed March of 2023.
This new deal effectively ends his holdout that latest from OTAs through mandatory minicamp. McLaurin was set to enter the final year of his rookie contract this season at a salary of $2.79 million before the new deal was reached.
A 2019 third-round draft pick out of Ohio State, McLaurin has emerged as the Commanders’ best offensive player since his rookie year. He is coming off back-to-back 1,000-yard receiving seasons. In three seasons, he has 222 catches, 3,090 yards and 16 touchdowns catches. He’s led the team in receiving each year.
The new deal keeps him under contract through the 2025 season. He becomes the latest wide receiver to land a mega contract extension this offseason.
Davante Adams, Tyreek Hill, A.J. Brown, Cooper Kupp and Stefon Diggs were among the top wide receivers to get contract extensions. Hill, Adams and Brown were each traded to new teams in order to get their money. Hill tops the list making $30 million per season with the Miami Dolphins.
McLaurin’s reported annual average of $23.6 million will put him right behind Digg for 7th-highest among wide receivers.
Now the Commanders, McLaurin and team fans can breathe as No. 17 is under contract for the next four years. He’ll be able to come in for training camp and get much needed reps with his new quarterback Carson Wentz.
Locking in McLaurin sets the table for Washington to have a pretty formidable receivers group. That group also includes Curtis Samuel, Dyami Brown and this year’s first-round draft pick Jahan Dotson.
Report: Commanders intensified contract talks with Terry McLaurin but still no deal
The Washington Commanders tried to intensify their contract talks last week with holdout wide receiver Terry McLaurin, but was unable to reach a deal, according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler.
Still, the Commanders remain intent on not trading McLaurin as Fowler explained the situation appearing on Sportscenter (h/t Bleacher Report).
“Washington has made it clear they’re not going to trade McLaurin; they want to get something done. I’m told they tried to really intensify their talks last week when he was gone from minicamp. They were hopeful to even maybe get something done and bring him in on that final day. So they were trading some contract proposals…didn’t quite get there. Now it appears there’s a lull in the action, so they’ve got about five weeks or so before training camp to try to get something done and they will make efforts there.”
McLaurin is seeking a new deal as he is set to play on the final year of his rookie contract this upcoming season. He’s set to make $2.79 million, far below the going rate for top wide receivers.
McLaurin skipped voluntary offseason team workouts in April and May. Then last week, he took it one step further by skipping Washington’s three-day mandatory minicamp. Instead, McLaurin traveled to Florida to continue his workouts. The move made his holdout official. As a result, he is subject to fines that could total over $95,000.
Fowler revealed the team hoped to get a deal done last week that could have allowed McLaurin to attend the minicamp’s final practice. But talks were to no avail.
Since being a third-round draft pick in 2019, McLaurin established himself as the Commanders top receiver. He’s led the team in receiving in each of his three seasons. Now going into year four, McLaurin is looking to be compensated for his production.
After having 913 receiving yards as a rookie, McLaurin had back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons. For a career he has 222 catches, 3,090 receiving yards and 16 touchdown catches. That’s despite having eight different quarterbacks in Washington.
A number of top-level receivers got contract extensions this offseason. In return, the market for wideouts has been reset. Tyreek Hill, Davante Adams, Cooper Kupp, A.J. Brown and Stefon Diggs were the most notable to land new deals.
Hill, Adams and Brown all were traded after talks with their former teams broke down. Hill became the highest-paid wide receiver in NFL history with a four-year deal that pays $30 million per year. Pundits believe McLaurin’s potential new deal should land somewhere between or ahead the new deals for Brown and Diggs.
Brown, who was in the same draft class as McLaurin, received a four-year, $100 million with $57.2 million in guarantees. Brown’s deal slightly topped Diggs total of four-year, $96 million, however Diggs will receive $70 million in guarantees.
McLaurin’s hometown team, the Indianapolis Colts, reportedly checked in on his trade availability but the Commanders are steadfast on keeping him.
Commanders head coach Ron Rivera said “we’re not trading Terry” last week at the team’s mandatory minicamp.
The clock is ticking. The Commanders training camp is scheduled to start July 27. Washington would like to get a deal before then.
Commanders fan hilariously starts GoFundMe to help team pay Terry McLaurin
Washington Commanders wide receiver Terry McLaurin continues to holdout for a contract extension. It’s anyone’s guess as to why a new deal hasn’t been struck. But, if cash flow is the hold up, one Commanders fan believes it has a solution.
As pointed out by NBC Sports Washington’s Pete Hailey, a Commanders fan started a GoFundMe page aimed to help the team pay McLaurin on a new deal.
The goal is set at $23 million. However, it may take more than that. Then again, every penny counts right?
The fan is more than likely looking at the annual average value of McLaurin’s potential new deal. The wide receiver market skyrocketed this offseason, and $23 million could be the AAV for McLaurin, although some would say $25 million could be the benchmark.
Nonetheless, the Commanders will surely need more than $23 million. The team will have to cover any guaranteed money set for McLaurin. Fellow 2019 draftee wide receiver A.J. Brown will receive $57.2 million in guarantees on his four-year, $100 million extension with the Philadelphia Eagles. He received $23.2 million at signing.
Commanders head coach Ron Rivera remains optimistic a new deal with McLaurin will be reached. Rivera went as far to rule out a trade being the resolution for the team. McLaurin in the meantime appears intent on staying away from the team as leverage.
One thing is certain, each passing day makes fans more antsy. Fans value McLaurin highly. He’s a team captain, and in his first three seasons has been the team’s best offensive player. Commanders fans want the popular receiver to remain with the team for the long haul at all cost.
How much can Commanders fine Terry McLaurin for missing mandatory minicamp?
Ironically enough, Terry McLaurin missing camp while his reps negotiate a contract extension with Washington could result in him losing money. Since minicamp is mandatory, McLaurin risks being fined by the Commanders for no-showing.