Tag: minicamp

Commanders QB Jayden Daniels: ‘I’m not a star QB, I’m a rookie’

Jayden Daniels gets it.

Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels was a star the moment he won the 2023 Heisman Trophy. His star grew in the months before the 2024 NFL draft.

Yet, if you asked Daniels, he would tell you he’s not a star. In fact, he said just that in an interview with the media after Wednesday’s minicamp practice.

Daniels was asked how he was adjusting to everything that came with being the star quarterback with Washington. You couldn’t script a more perfect response.

“I ain’t a star quarterback yet; I got a long way to go. I’m a rookie,” Daniels said.

Here’s the entire answer:

We live in an age where it’s encouraged not to be humble. It’s OK to admit you’re a star, even if you aren’t a star. While Daniels isn’t a star NFL passer yet, he’s certainly a high-profile one.

His answer was perfect on so many levels. It resonates with his veteran teammates. We’ve heard countless veterans praise Daniels for his work ethic and humble nature. Wednesday’s response aligns perfectly with what others have said about him.

No one knows how successful Daniels will be in the NFL. However, he has a lot in his favor as he heads into his first NFL training camp next month.

WATCH: Commanders DB Quan Martin with a behind-the-back interception during minicamp

Quan Martin with a spectacular interception during Wednesday’s practice.

The Washington Commanders were on the field for the second day of the mandatory minicamp on Wednesday, and while all eyes were on rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels, one defensive player stole the show.

Second-year defensive back Quan Martin, a second-round pick in 2023, is known for his versatility. Martin can play slot cornerback or outside cornerback or line up at either safety spot. Under new head coach Dan Quinn and defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr., Martin will likely start at safety in 2024.

On Wednesday, Martin showed off his skills. Veteran quarterback Marcus Mariota was looking for running back Chris Rodriguez when Martin flew into the picture to break up the pass, tip it in the air, and catch it behind his back.

Here’s the play:

It’s a ridiculous play from Martin. Not only did he have a great read on the play, but his catch will certainly make Quinn and Whitt happy. Quinn and Whitt were known for coaching a defense that forced the most turnovers in the NFL in Dallas.

Commanders sign 2nd-round pick DT Johnny Newton

The Commanders sign DT Johnny Newton.

For the second time in two days, the Washington Commanders have signed one of their second-round picks.

On Tuesday, just before the Commanders opened their three-day minicamp, No. 50 overall pick cornerback Mike Sainristil signed his four-year rookie contract.

On Wednesday, defensive tackle Johnny Newton’s turn came. The No. 36 overall pick from Illinois signed his four-year rookie deal worth $9.757 million.

The 2023 Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year injured his foot during his final collegiate season and underwent surgery in January. Newton played through the injury, a partial Jones fracture of his right foot, and still had a dominant senior season.

However, head coach Dan Quinn revealed last month that when he visited his doctor during his recovery, he was told he had a similar injury on the opposite foot. Newton underwent surgery on that foot, and when the team began minicamp this week, he was out of the boot.

Quinn said the Commanders weren’t putting any timetables on his return.

Washington opens training camp later next month.

Tyrann Mathieu on benefits of practicing against new offensive scheme

The Saints new scheme is obviously meant to help the offense, but it’ll force the defense to hone in on specific keys to success:

The New Orleans Saints’ new offensive scheme is obviously designed to help the offense put more points on the board. The New Orleans defense, however, could receive residual benefits from the change as well. Safety and team leader Tyrann Mathieu spoke to how practicing against the offense will help the defense.

“Communication is always important, especially on defense,” Mathieu said. “I think they challenge you as far as pre-snap movement, motion. I think everything they do is about leverage.”

Mathieu went on to speak about how the defense should be accustomed to this style of offense by the time joint practices with the San Francisco 49ers roll around. Klint Kubiak came to New Orleans from San Francisco, so the connection between the offenses should be similar.

The impact stretches farther than a preseason game. The New Orleans Saints struggled with eye discipline at times last season. Theoretically, practicing an offense designed to trick you on a daily basis should mitigate the issue.

New Orleans having a modern offense should give Derek Carr and company a surge and also give the Saints defense familiarity defending an offense that resembles the offenses they’ll see on a weekly basis.

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Alvin Kamara speaks on learning a new offense, and OTA absence

Alvin Kamara has to learn a new system for the first time in his seven-year career. He remains unbothered, saying “Change is good”

New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara has only known one scheme the entirety of his professional career, whether conducted by Sean Payton or Pete Carmichael. Klint Kubiak now leads the Saints offense, and it’s a drastic change. But it’s not a change that has Kamara stressed.

“Change is good. Change is good,” Kamara repeated. “I think all of us were a little comfortable, the guys that had been here. Just starting fresh and learning a new system, I think it’ll be beneficial. Especially because of what the system is.”

Kamara acknowledged he’ll no longer be able to run through the system with his eyes closed, but he feels Kubiak’s offense is a great fit for him. The change in system made Kamara’s absence at organized team activities noticeable. Maintaining his typical even-keeled and nonchalant demeanor, the veteran emphatically addressed any criticism on his absence.

“For me it was just, I kind of just stuck to what I know,” Kamara said. He starts his offseason in Miami where he can work out with his personal trainer and prepare for the season, which has been the case for him for several years. “I don’t think any of my teammates took offense to it really. Like I said, I still talk to all of these dudes every day. It just is what it is.”

Kamara said he hadn’t heard any of the noise surrounding his absence, but made a point to note he is typically absent from OTA’s. He then detailed he’s been in constant communication with Kubiak and that he watches OTAs practices on his tablet despite not being present.

Physical reps began at minicamp, but the mental reps have been a constant part of the offseason. Kamara welcomed the challenge of a new offense and has diligently prepared for the task through the offseason. Now it’s time to put it into practice.

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Commanders WR Terry McLaurin discusses where he wants to improve

Terry McLaurin talks about areas in which he wants to improve.

Washington Commanders wide receiver Terry McLaurin enters his sixth NFL season in 2024. McLaurin will catch passes from another new quarterback. None of Washington’s 2023 quarterbacks are on the roster, with rookie Jayden Daniels expected to be the starter in 2024.

Over the years, regardless of how well he has played, McLaurin has always discussed areas in which he wants to improve. McLaurin is an oddity for a star NFL wide receiver. He’s unselfish and quiet, doesn’t throw a fit when the ball isn’t coming his way, and always puts his teammates first.

Every year, McLaurin discusses an area in which he wants to improve. Before, he talked about being better at contested catches and later was among the NFL’s best in that area.

The Commanders opened mandatory minicamp on Tuesday and McLaurin spoke on which area he’s trying to improve in for 2024.

“The main thing, route-running wise, is my feet, getting in and out of breaks at the top, I think I can be a lot more efficient in that,” McLaurin said.

“Run after the catch is one of the things that just in my game I feel like is OK, and I feel like I can take another step, and I think that’s just putting yourself in those positions in practice. Not just being OK, taking the ball and running straight for 10 yards, even though that’s what we’re asked to do. It’s like trying to size up a DB when you get down the field, try to use a stiff arm, not trying to hurt your guys, but just putting yourself in those live types of situations to be prepared for the game. It’s a balance for me because I always want to protect the football, that’s my No. 1 objective when I am carrying the ball. But at the same time, when you can make one guy miss, two guys miss, and you can get those three, four yards, those add up over the course of a game. And I think the elite receivers really do that at a high level. That’s someone I see myself being.”

It isn’t as if McLaurin isn’t good after the catch; Washington’s offense hasn’t allowed him the opportunity to create extra yardage after the catch. Perhaps that changes under new offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury.

It’s rare to hear any player talk so openly about specific areas in which they want to improve. It’s another reason why McLaurin is special.

Commanders wide receiver Jahan Dotson joins cornerback Emmanuel Forbes in returning punts

Emmanuel Forbes and Jahan Dotson working at punt returner during minicamp.

Washington Commanders head coach Dan Quinn said he wanted to put players in the best positions to utilize their skills recently. That sounded like a completely normal thing to do for a coach.

However, Quinn answered the question about cornerback Emmanuel Forbes working with the return team. Some took Quinn’s comments as “He can’t play cornerback, so we have to find something he’s good at.”

That’s not what Quinn said or meant. In college, Forbes had a knack for intercepting opposing quarterbacks and returning them for touchdowns. So, it made sense that Forbes would be good with the ball in his hands. That’s what Quinn meant.

Washington opened its mandatory minicamp on Tuesday, and Forbes was still working with the return team. This time, wide receiver — and fellow former first-round pick — Jahan Dotson joined him.

Here’s a photo courtesy of Ben Standig.

Here’s Forbes in action via Mitch Tischler:

Dotson has some experience returning punts from his time at Penn State. He didn’t do it a lot, but when he did, he averaged 13.5 yards per return with one touchdown. The previous coaching staff made a lot of mistakes, but it’s hard to blame them for not putting in Dotson as the punt returner because he was a starting wide receiver. You don’t want to take a chance of one of your top offensive players getting injured on special teams.

Regarding Quinn’s comments about putting players in the best position to utilize their skills, this is another example. It doesn’t mean Quinn or the coaching staff is down on a player because they have them returning punts or kicks. It’s looking for an advantage.

We don’t know what the coaching staff thinks of Forbes. They’ve said all the right things. He’ll have every chance throughout training camp to show them he can make an impact on the defensive side of the ball.

Commanders coach Dan Quinn gives update on rookie DT Johnny Newton

Quinn talks Newton’s recovery.

Draft analysts were shocked during April’s 2024 NFL draft when Illinois defensive tackle Jer’Zhan “Johnny” Newton was still available in the second round. The Washington Commanders were shocked, too, and even with Jonathan Allen and Daron Payne on the roster, they selected Newton with the 36th overall pick.

Newton’s fall from the first round made some sense, as he had offseason surgery on his foot for an injury he suffered during his final season at Illinois. Despite playing with an injured foot, Newton was so dominant he was still named the Big 10 Defensive Player of the Year.

While the foot injury was known, many were shocked at Washington’s rookie minicamp last month when head coach Dan Quinn revealed Newton had surgery on his other foot. According to Quinn, while Newton was visiting the doctor, he learned he had a similar issue on the opposite foot and recommended surgery to correct it.

The Commanders held media day on Monday, the day before the mandatory minicamp began. Newton shared an image on his social media page showing him no longer wearing a boot or brace.

Before Tuesday’s practice, Quinn offered an update on Newton.

“Johnny has had the procedure done on his foot,” Quinn said. “He is hitting all the markers that he is supposed to hit. He is able to do light working out. We will keep progressing all the way up until training camp. No decision has been made in terms of the start of camp or not. We will take that week by week, but he is hitting all the markers.”

That is an excellent answer from Quinn. He was transparent with the injury and acknowledged there was no need to rush Newton back to the field. Even if Newton isn’t ready for the start of camp, the Commanders believe he’ll be ready for the season. The good news is they don’t need Newton immediately.

As for Newton, he was working hard at minicamp on Tuesday, even though he couldn’t practice.

Quarterback drill has Jayden Daniels’ accuracy on display

One QB drill during minicamp had Jayden Daniels showing off his pinpoint accuracy.

New Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels finished his college career completing over 66% of his passes. Keep in mind that Daniels didn’t start one season; he played for five seasons, starting 55 games between Arizona State and LSU.

In his first year at LSU in 2022, Daniels completed 68.6% of his passing attempts. That jumped to 72% in 2023 when Daniels passed for over 3,800 yards with 40 touchdowns and only four interceptions. Daniels wasn’t throwing slants and tunnel screens all the time, either.

So, when it came time for NFL teams and draft analysts to dissect his game, there wasn’t much discussion of his accuracy. Everyone agreed: It was excellent.

On the first day of Washington’s mandatory minicamp, the Commanders ran a drill meant to highlight the quarterback’s accuracy. Daniels did not disappoint.

Check it out, courtesy of NBC in Washington, D.C.

Over the years, quarterbacks who struggled with accuracy in college didn’t magically improve in the NFL. There are rare exceptions. While you can improve your arm strength, you are generally either accurate or you aren’t.

Daniels is accurate. For him, it’s all about avoiding the big hits when he runs.

WATCH: Commanders QB Jayden Daniels throwing the deep ball at minicamp

Daniels getting in some work throwing the deep ball at minicamp.

Washington Commanders wide receiver Terry McLaurin spoke to the media after Day 1 of minicamp Tuesday, praising rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels.

McLaurin is entering his sixth NFL season in 2024, but he’s seen a lot. Whether it is multiple name changes, coaching changes, ownership changes, or, most often, quarterback changes, McLaurin has continued to thrive and be among the NFL’s best wide receivers. He acknowledged things haven’t always been easy but smiled when discussing his new quarterback.

One of the things McLaurin praised Daniels for was his deep ball.

During Tuesday’s practice, Daniels worked on that deep ball with multiple wide receivers.

Daniels’ first throw on the above clip was nothing special to Jamison Crowder. His second throw to Kazmeir Allen was a dime.

Daniels was a phenomenal deep-ball thrower at LSU, and he has the weapons in Washington to make an impact early with the long ball. Could Daniels be the quarterback to unlock fourth-year Dyami Brown’s potential?

Chick Hernandez of WUSA 9 offered the following from Tuesday’s practice: