FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — Jahan Dotson was warned about expected rain throughout the Washington Commanders’ joint practice with the New York Jets. Rain is one thing. Thursday’s steady showers, which morphed into a deluge at times, is another.
“I was prepared, as in they told me it was coming,” the third-year wide receiver said. “(I was also) ready, as in I was ready to go inside.”
Washington’s execution on the field showed that, despite sunny reviews from its home practice, it remains a work in progress in all three phases.
Rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels took his first reps against one of the NFL’s top defenses. The performance reflected the variance expected with first-year passers. The defense labored to keep up with Jets receiver Garrett Wilson, even without quarterback Aaron Rodgers suiting up, and the Commanders’ two kickers struggled with accuracy in the elements.
Regardless, these practices are about competition and growth, not the scoreboard. On that front, players left the field feeling content about working against a new team.
“It was fun. It was wet and rainy, but I had a good time out there,” defensive tackle Jonathan Allen said. ”It’s hard for me to tell (everything that happened) because half the time, I’m in the middle of six dudes, and it’s chaotic in there. … We’re not where we want to be, but I don’t think it’s a bad start at all.”
Playing behind a makeshift offensive line, Daniels unofficially finished 7-of-15 in 11-on-11 drills with minimal yardage while working primarily underneath. He also hit Dyami Brown deep during an early drill, with the receiver making a spectacular one-handed catch.
No gloves, no problem 🔥@Seatgeek | #RaiseHail pic.twitter.com/RIlgGFJ24T
— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) August 8, 2024
“I think he did a great job of processing,” wide receiver Terry McLaurin said of Daniels. “I felt like he did a great job of getting the ball out of his hands and making quick decisions, but that’s what he’s been doing all camp.”
Passing isn’t the only aspect of the quarterback’s play assessed by coaches and teammates, and they haven’t forgotten about the weeks of work back home.
“It feels like the game is starting to slow down for him even more,” McLaurin continued. “Coming in, he had a great feel (for) his ball placement and his anticipation. I think that’s what really sets him apart. … He probably wants some (throws) back, but that’s why we practice.”
Tight end Zach Ertz was Daniels’ favorite target. Following two short completions in full-team drills, one to each side of the formation, Daniels ripped a low and outside strike to McLaurin near the sideline.
“I know they love him,” Jets coach Robert Saleh said. “He’s an impressive kid. Going through the evaluation process in the draft … our building thought very highly of him.”
Though kept out of the padded practice because of the weather, Rodgers chatted with Daniels during special teams. Jets All-Pro cornerback Sauce Gardner also made a point of catching up with the rookie after trolling him in practice. He came away impressed.
Sauce Gardner said Jayden Daniels is “gonna be nice.”
Sauce said he was trolling him all practice but he thinks he had some great throws.
— Zack Rosenblatt (@ZackBlatt) August 8, 2024
The rookie’s positive spirit is already top-notch.
“He did great having fun, which is important,” left guard Nick Allegretti said. “He is just excited to be playing football, which is what you need, to love playing this game. There’s going to be stress. There’s going to be pressure. But if you’re not enjoying it, it’s really going to get to you, and I think he’s got a really good handle on that.”
Tackling the offensive line concern
To help Daniels develop and have a functional offense in practice and preseason games, bolstering the offensive line is becoming vital. Not solely for the long-held concerns about the tackle options, but available bodies.
Third-round pick Brandon Coleman, an emerging left tackle contender who wore a shoulder wrap Tuesday, did not participate in a second consecutive practice. Right tackle Andrew Wylie continued the pattern of dressing but not working in team drills. Right guard Sam Cosmi (illness) returned to practice after missing the previous two sessions in Virginia but wasn’t an every-snap participant.
Fans shouted their collective desire to acquire tackles for months. Washington’s front office couldn’t snap its fingers to conjure up a Pro Bowl option. Upgrading Trent Scott’s reserve spot seemed doable. There should be urgency now after the Jets’ pass rushers exposed Scott’s limitations.
Guard Chris Paul took snaps at right tackle. His false start penalty erased Daniels’ lone completion on a late two-minute drive. Another guard, Mason Brooks, was forced into a left tackle role with Braeden Daniels lined up on the right side of the line after working primarily inside during training camp. Alex Taylor, largely a practice squad player in his career, was signed Wednesday to join Cornelius Lucas and Scott as the only healthy pure tackles.
Knowing the line must work as a unit, the personnel-shifting puts additional stress on the interior starters and overall efficiency. Penalties, often pre-snap, remain a summer concern.
“Whoever’s next to me, right and left, that is who it is,” Allegretti said. “I try to do a good job of learning how they communicate, whether it’s through practice or through meetings so that we don’t really have any issues there.”
Daniels and Marcus Mariota aren’t likely to play significant snaps Saturday. Coach Dan Quinn might keep them to minimal exposure if there aren’t enough viable linemen available.
Keeping up
Washington didn’t game plan for the Jets’ players. “It’s really about training your skills, your techniques,” Quinn said.
Even if they had, containing Wilson is a chore. There were times when the Jets’ top receiver took over practice, hauling in passes from Tyrod Taylor and taking turns beating the Commanders’ cornerbacks.
Emmanuel Forbes Jr. took his lumps on the outside, over the middle and in the red zone. Benjamin St-Juste and Michael Davis weren’t immune to chunk plays.
.@GarrettWilson_V put on a SHOW today 🔥 pic.twitter.com/K7X7tu8KLm
— New York Jets (@nyjets) August 8, 2024
The front seven with Allen and linebacker Frankie Luvu had better success, and the defense studied the Jets in a two-minute drive phase.
Other notes
• Rain isn’t a friend of kickers, and Ramiz Ahmed and Riley Patterson were erratic on field goal attempts. In one period, with each taking five attempts from 40 yards or longer, Ahmed missed his final three. Patterson followed with two off-target, including a wayward kick left. Practice ended with Ahmed ending a two-minute drive by missing from 51.
• Wide receiver Brycen Tremayne continued catching contested deep passes. He grabbed two in seven-on-seven drills, and later took a rep or two with Daniels.
that’s @brycen_tremayne’s ball@Seatgeek | #RaiseHail pic.twitter.com/BgUq9SdtVl
— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) August 8, 2024
• The team avoided the skirmishes that popped up in recent practices around the league, other than some pushing between Washington’s defense and the Jets’ offense.
• Safety Darrick Forrest remains sidelined with a hamstring injury.
• The Commanders continue rotating kick-returner candidates. Austin Ekeler, Forbes, Olamide Zaccheaus, Kazmeir Allen, Mike Sainristil and Noah Igbinoghene took turns.
(Photo: Luis M. Alvarez / Associated Press)
