Latest news with #Luvu
Newsweek
a day ago
- Sport
- Newsweek
Washington Commanders Star Reacts to NFL Top 100 List
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Coming in at No. 70, Washington Commanders star linebacker Frankie Luvu finds himself on the NFL Top 100 list this season. The veteran linebacker took to social media to react to his placement, showing appreciation for his presence on the list. "Forever grateful," he wrote on the social media platform, X. "Luvu, he's exciting," said Dallas Cowboys pass rusher Micah Parsons. "Frankie is a very high-energy guy," Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Rashod Bateman said. "Turn on the tape, bro is all across the field for sure." Lane Johnson, who played Luvu and the Commanders three times last season, had nothing but positive things to say about his rival. "We play those guys two times, sometimes three times a year, and you gain respect," the Philadelphia Eagles lineman stated. "It's fun when you're going against an extreme competitor. Some guys, you can tell that it means a lot to him. He's one of those guys." Frankie Luvu #4 of the Washington Commanders looks on against the Philadelphia Eagles at Northwest Stadium on December 22, 2024 in Landover, Maryland. Frankie Luvu #4 of the Washington Commanders looks on against the Philadelphia Eagles at Northwest Stadium on December 22, 2024 in Landover, 28, entered the NFL in 2018 out of Washington State. Unlike most starting linebackers in the NFL, Luvu didn't join the league as a high-end pick, who was expected to produce right away. In 2018, Luvu was an undrafted prospect who started his NFL career with the New York Jets. During his rookie season, Luvu appeared in 14 games. He combined 22 tackles and collected three sacks. While he never became a full-time starter for the Jets, he did enough to get on the Carolina Panthers' radar when he became a free agent in 2021. Luvu signed a one-year deal with the Panthers. He appeared in 16 games, even collecting a career-high four starts at the time. During his first year in Carolina, Luvu produced 43 tackles and seven sacks. By 2022, Luvu inked a two-year deal with the Panthers. From that point on, he has thrived in the NFL. By the time Luvu reached the final season of his deal with the Panthers in 2023, he produced 125 tackles and 5.5 sacks in 17 games of action. Luvu hit the free agency market last spring and earned a notable offer from Washington. The Commanders inked Luvu to a reported $31 million contract. During his first season in Washington, Luvu collected 99 tackles, seven pass deflections, one interception, and eight sacks. He was a key defensive contributor for the Commanders, who put together an impressive NFC Championship run. Next season, the Commanders hope to be right back in contention for an NFL Championship. Luvu will continue playing a pivotal role for the organization. For more Washington Commanders and NFL news, head over to Newsweek Sports
Yahoo
05-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Giants' Malik Nabers Talks 'Smack' About Commanders Instant Rivalry
Giants' Malik Nabers Talks 'Smack' About Commanders Instant Rivalry originally appeared on Athlon Sports. There was a singular positive takeaway from last year of the New York Giants' 3-14 season. Malik Nabers, the sixth-overall pick from the 2024 draft, had one of the best seasons for a rookie wideout. ... ever. The LSU product recorded 109 catches for 1,204 yards and seven touchdowns. Advertisement His reception total is the most ever for a first-year receiver in NFL history. But ... He was the lone star on a bad Giants roster, but he showed enough to excite fans for the future. As he looks back on his first season in the league, Nabers is acknowledging - probably eith pride - that he was not immune to the dreaded "Welcome to the NFL" moment. In the case of the LSU product, his "NFL moment" came courtesy of the Washington Commanders in Week 2. "I ran like a shallow (cross), it was like third and 4, I think, third and 5, I ran the shallow, I caught the ball and I was going up the field on the right sideline, and one of the linebackers he came and hit me," Nabers told Dale Earnhardt Jr., in an episode of "Taking Laps with Dale Jr. "I seen him (Luvu) in my peripheral, but it's like I thought he was farther than what I expected. Advertisement "He smacked me, I ain't gonna lie. It looked harder than it seemed. He hit me, I popped right up, and I was like 'OK, alright, now I'm in the league.'" Call it an "instant rivalry'' born. Luvu is one of the most physical linebackers in the league and enjoyed an All-Pro season with the Commanders. His "smack'' on Nabers showed the rookie how fast each player is in the NFL. ... And how physical the game can be. Nabers was perfectly fine after the hit. He shrugged off the big blow with one of the greatest receiving years for a rookie in league history. ... catching 10 passes for 127 yards and his first NFL touchdown. Advertisement His development should only improve as he gets further acclimated to the game as the Commanders - who had no answer for Nabers - probably remember all the details of this day as well as he does. Related: Giants Trade Rumored to Help Jaxson Dart and Malik Nabers Related: Strange Darren Waller Trade Highlights Giants' Failings This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 4, 2025, where it first appeared.
Newsweek
03-07-2025
- Sport
- Newsweek
Watchful Eyes Are Taking Keen Interest in a Young Commanders' Success
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Summertime always brings the heat, memories, and a few smiles. There's just one problem. Most of its Sundays are void of a Washington Commanders game that counts towards the win-loss total. For that, we'll have to wait until September 7 and a 1 p.m. EST kickoff vs. the hated New York Giants. (Photo by) (Photo by) Photo byFear not, there is plenty to discuss. Deebo Samuel is here. Jayden Daniels enters year two after helping lead his team to the doorstep of being the NFC's representative in Super Bowl LIX. Both football junkies and former rivals are both pumped (and fearful) about the type of magic those two can create together. One can only wonder what past greats like Ryan Kerrigan might have accomplished while playing as part of a roster that is as talented as this one. While no one will ever know that answer, joy can be found in the next best thing. His fingerprints are still all on members of this current Commanders iteration. Frankie Luvu is the talk of the town thanks to workout clips and a recent tip of the cap Though it may not seem like it, the coming NFL season doubles as year eight for Frankie Luvu. He was decent for the New York Jets during three seasons, but he truly took off with the Carolina Panthers. That led to the three-year $31 million contract he signed with Washington on March 11, 2024. He's seen campaigns where he exceeded 100 tackles, so last season didn't produce a personal best in that category. He did, however, force his sixth career forced fumble and snag the second interception of his career while notching career highs in pass breakups (7), sacks (8), and QB hits (14). The good news for Commanders fans is Luvu is still scratching the surface of how good he can be. He recently leaned on a legend to give him some pointers. The franchise's career sack leader, Ryan Kerrigan took on the role of mentor at a recent practice. Luvu approaches year two with Washington. Here's a look at them working out together. Commanders LB Frankie Luvu working with Ryan Kerrigan on pass rush techniques. — Scott Abraham (@Scott7news) June 11, 2025 Make no mistake. People are watching. Pro Football Focus ranked him and teammate Bobby Wagner among the top 32 linebackers entering the 2025 season. Wagner landed in 'Tier 2', third overall. Luvu landed in 'Tier 4', towards the middle of the list at 14. "Luvu didn't put forth his highest-graded season in 2024, but he still maintains a solid overall profile as a run defender and blitzer. Across the past four seasons, he has produced a 72.0-plus PFF pass-rush grade on 70 or more blitzes each year." Those were the words of one Mason Cameron, the writer of this one. His next statement sums up what he and the rest of Commanders Nation is expecting. Must read: PFF's Commanders Evaluation Is Music to Jayden Daniels' Ears "While his run-defense metrics have fallen in each of the past three seasons, he still lands in the 87th percentile in grading... Another season next to Bobby Wagner gives Luvu more potential to expand his game in 2025." It's hard yo disagree. Keep an eye of Luvu as we move through the coming season. He'll play a huge role in the success of the defense.
USA Today
31-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Eagles rival doubles down after previous statements about the Tush Push
Eagles rival doubles down after previous statements about the Tush Push Weeks after trash-talking the Eagles over the Tush Push, Frankie Luvu doubles down on his assertion that the play should be banned 'Cheapo'... That's how Washington Commanders linebacker Frankie Luvu described the Philadelphia Eagles' tush push. Months after one of the most bizarre and embarrassing sequences of the youngster's career, he was still angry and throwing darts during an appearance on NFL Network's Good Morning Football. "My personal opinion? I think they should ban it, but I know the argument's going to be about, 'Hey, you guys have to stop it. Don't get us in short yardage,' and whatnot, but it's kind of like a cheapo play... That's pretty much a scrum in rugby." Don't take anyone else's word for it. Take a look and listen for yourself. For those who may be unaware, Frankie's theory stems from the fourth quarter of the most recent NFC Championship Game, one where he was penalized on three consecutive snaps during a goal-to-go situation. Philadelphia lined up for the Brotherly Shove. Luvu attempted to guess the snap count. He was wrong... Three times... That led to one of the greatest (and most unexpected) calls in NFL history. Referee Shawn Hochuli finally issued his stark warning. "Washington has been advised that, at some point, the referee can award a score if this type of behavior happens again." Luvu chilled, Philadelphia scored on the next play, and stretched their lead to 41-23 with just over 12 minutes remaining. Four months have passed. It appears that Frankie is still angry. Frankie Luvu doubles down on his complaints of the Eagles' tush push. As we turn the calendar from May to June, much has changed since Philadelphia throttled the Commanders in the most recent NFC Championship Game. The league tried to ban the Eagles' infamous play. The Birds found nine allies to vote with them, and that ensured the tush push is still a legal play for the 2025 NFL season. Roger Goodell sounds salty, stating, "We'll see how it plays out this season.' Luvu has also doubled down, as he was still answering questions about this when the Commanders began OTAs. "I said what I said... You all caught that, right? It's easy to see what he meant. For now, the conversation doesn't seem like it's ending. Philadelphia sees its secret weapon as legalized aggression and flawless execution. Luvu and others know a rugby scrum and refuse to give the Eagles credit for mastering a legal play. There's one way to settle this: when Philadelphia and Washington renew unpleasantries on the gridiron. Mark those calendars. They meet in Week 16 and Week 18. Dates and times of those games have yet to be determined. One thing is sure. There isn't a Birds fan walking who won't be paying attention.
Yahoo
30-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Commanders' Frankie Luvu on Eagles' tush push: 'We just got to stop it'
Washington Commanders linebacker Frankie Luvu was the talk of the NFL during January's NFC championship game. In an effort to stop the Eagles' famous "tush push," Luvu attempted to time Philadelphia's snap count, which led to him jumping over the line of scrimmage multiple times, drawing multiple penalties — and a warning. Unsurprisingly, when the NFL considered banning the tush push, everyone wanted Luvu's reaction. Advertisement "Man, uh (pause), my personal opinion? I think they should ban it," Luvu said earlier this month during an episode of Good Morning Football. "I know the argument is going to be you guys have to stop it. I think they should ban it. It's a cheat code pretty much a scrum in rugby.' Here's the entire sequence from January's game between the Commanders and Eagles. While there was plenty of momentum to ban the play, the Eagles won, with enough teams siding with them. However, NFL teams could revisit the issue next year. So, with the Eagles allowed to use the tush push again in 2025, what does Luvu think? Advertisement "Uh...I'm just going to stand on, man, we just got to stop it," Luvu told reporters at the Commanders' OTAs this week. "I said what I said, but I just feel like at this point, tush push, whatever, we just gotta stop it. I'm gonna stick to that." What was Luvu supposed to say? Deep down, do you think he cares if the tush push is banned? His mentality is like Dan Quinn's: you must stop it, and every other team faces the same problem. Eagles' fans made Luvu an ultimate villain only because he jumped offsides multiple times to stop the play. Luvu is okay with being the villain. Besides, Philadelphia fans hate almost everyone. Can you imagine the reception Luvu will receive when the Commanders head to Philadelphia at the end of next season? It should be fun. This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Commanders' LB Frankie Luvu understands they must stop the tush push
