When Josh Peters took over as the majority owner of the Washington Commanders in July 2023, one of his primary goals was to reconnect with some of the franchise’s all-time greats. Many of Washington’s legendary players were disconnected from the organization under Dan Snyder’s ownership.
Two of the more prominent players who returned to support the organization publicly were Hall of Famers Darrell Green and John Riggins. While he’s not in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Charles Mann certainly qualifies as an all-time Washington great.
A third-round pick in the 1983 NFL draft out of Nevada — the same year Washington drafted Green — Mann spent the first 11 seasons of his NFL career with the Redskins. He played one final season with the San Francisco 49ers in 1994. For his career, Mann recorded 83 sacks, was a two-time All-Pro, four-time Pro Bowler and a member of three Super Bowl championship teams.
Last week, Mann joined “BMitch & Finlay” on 106.7 The Fan in Washington and expressed his excitement for the organization’s leadership, which includes Harris, general manager Adam Peters, and head coach Dan Quinn.
Mann praised the Commanders and Washington, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser for their efforts in getting a new Commanders’ stadium in the District. He also talked a little about football. And for those who are worried that Peters didn’t draft an edge rusher in last week’s NFL draft, Mann says to trust in Peters.
“I know Myles Garrett, at one point, he was one they were looking at, and that would have been huge, and he took his name off the chart when he re-signed, but there’s going to be young players out there, there’s going to be trades, the general manager Adam Peters, is pretty sharp,” Mann said.
“They’re looking, don’t believe that it’s over because they weren’t drafted. There’s trades, there’s somebody on the waivers that got let go for whatever reason. I believe this team isn’t assembled completely yet. I think he’s still looking for those pieces, and I think it can still happen between now and training camp, or now and the first game, or even during the season they’re going to be looking.”
Brian Mitchell brought up how the Washington coaching staff made a difference in player development last season. Mann then praised linebacker Frankie Luvu. Luvu had 99 tackles, including 12 for loss, and a career-high eight sacks in his first season with the Commanders.
“That joker is a baller,” Mann said. “They can put him in positions and make him even better than he was now that he see how he plays. So they have some talent here. Don’t overlook what’s already in the building.”
Mann is right. A roster is never finalized, whether due to injuries or younger players ascending in the preseason and training camp. Washington has a pair of young defensive ends, including rising second-year pro Javontae Jean-Baptiste. The 6-foot-5, 260-pound Baptiste showed flashes as a rookie last season, and the coaches are high on him.
Mann is optimistic about the Commanders’ present and future. It’s good to see how the Harris Ownership Group has embraced the past. Mann’s words are another example of how things are much different in Washington these days.
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