Tag: HC Dan Quinn as a leader

How do Commanders coaches really feel about Daniels’ audible?

What did Quinn really think of Jayden Daniels’ audible?

It was third-and-6 at the Commanders’ 34-yard line. Going no-huddle, the call was for Jayden Daniels to attempt a screen pass, get rid of the ball,  and avoid being hit behind an offensive line that was without their top three tackles (Cornelius Lucas, Andrew Wylie, Brandon Coleman).

Daniels instead called for an empty backfield, sending wide receiver Dyami Brown deep down the right sideline. With no running back to help pick up a penetrating pass rusher or blitzer, Daniels lofted a beautiful pass that Brown snagged for a 42-yard gain.

Did Daniels’ change from the screen pass to the long pattern for Brown impress or concern head coach Dan Quinn?

Well, first of all, Quinn is certainly not simplistic. So, is it out of the realm of probability that Quinn was both impressed and concerned?

On the one hand, Daniels’ move appears very confident, very assertive. That could speak very well to the rookie’s leadership skills and confidence in his physical abilities.

On the other hand, might it have been a demonstration of Daniels’ lack of understanding of the risks involved? Both could be true, quite true.

Daniels is confident, but he also does not yet understand the risks involved in the NFL. The SEC is a great football conference, but even most of the SEC players he faced won’t make it in the NFL.

What if Daniels had been hit hard, perhaps even injured? There is not one of us that wants to go down that path.

The experienced Quinn remained very positive with the media following the game. But Quinn, being the leader he is, do you think he will simply shrug his shoulders and let it go because the result was a short-term success?

In September, the pass rush Daniels will begin facing will be much more intense and much faster. Consequently, Daniels should not be surprised this week when he hears again the need to follow instructions from those who know much more than himself concerning what lies ahead this season.

4 observations from the first week of Commanders’ training camp

Four observations after the first week of training camp.

Friday brought an end to the first week of training camp. What is the consensus regarding the Commanders thus far?

Through every interview, comment, and reflection this week, a few things do seize attention.

There is more intensity and competitiveness

Players are more vocal, move quicker during drills, and feel a sense of urgency. Benjamin St-Juste said that Dan Quinn has them being competitive about everything.

Jayden Daniels continues to look good

He is completing passes and moving well, and coaches say he is learning, making good reads, and learning the offense. Not many passes are hitting the ground. Before you get too excited with that last one, this was also one of the praises for Sam Howell’s last training camp. Everyone said Howell passed the ball so much better than Carson Wentz or Taylor Heinicke had in previous training camps.

The defensive coaching staff appears to be in unity

Of course, that should be the case in the NFL. But you only have to go back to last season, when the defense looked lost for much of the season and was simply getting blown out often late in the season. Have you noticed more than a few comments this week alone from defensive players about how they feel the communication is great and that they are already actually learning what is expected when certain situations arise?

Jamin Davis really needs a good preseason

Ron Rivera reached for Davis in the first round of the 2021 draft. Davis didn’t even start at Kentucky until his final year, yet Rivera drafted him over Christian Darrisaw when the team needed a young offensive tackle for the future. Davis, in his first three seasons, has yet to catch on to have the impact a first-rounder should have. Barring injury, he won’t start this year. He hasn’t played special teams but will need to this year to make the 53-man roster. He is using time getting reps as an outside pass rusher as they search for a role where Davis could possibly make some impact.