Tag: QB Jayden Daniels

How similar are the Commanders teams of 1994 and 2024?

There are some striking similarities, but one major difference.

The parallels are striking.

The Washington Redskins finished a terrible 4-12 in 1993, fired their head coach Richie Petitbon, hired a new head coach in Norv Turner, owned the third selection in the 1994 NFL draft, and then used it to choose a mobile SEC quarterback out of Tennessee, Heath Shuler.

Fast-forward exactly 30 years, and the Commanders (I still don’t like the name) were horrible, finishing 4-13. So they fired their head coach, Ron Rivera, and hired a new head coach, Dan Quinn.

This team had the second overall selection in the NFL draft and also went to the SEC for a mobile quarterback, drafting LSU Heisman winner Jayden Daniels.

If that is not enough for you, both quarterbacks were known for their mobility in college, and yes, both would wear jersey number 5 for Washington.

But that is where the similarities come to an end, an abrupt end.

Shuler held out, was late coming to training camp, didn’t know the offense, and immediately demonstrated to some veterans in his first workouts that he couldn’t play in the pocket in the NFL.

Daniels did not miss a workout in the offseason. He has already demonstrated that he can pass the football while in the pocket. He goes to bed early, gets up early, and gets to work early to lead an NFL football team.

Daniels has already signed up for four years and last week replied to a reporter that he is not an NFL star quarterback, saying he is a rookie and hasn’t accomplished anything yet in the NFL.

Don’t you just love the sound of a young man who has his feet planted firmly on the ground?

Shuler’s rookie 1994 season saw him only complete 45 percent of his passing attempts, for 10 touchdowns and 12 interceptions, and he won only one of his eight starts.

Yes, there are several similarities, but the differences?

The differences are substantial. Those differences assure Commanders fans that Jayden Daniels is no Heath Shuler.

Will Commanders’ Jayden Daniels have the most rookie passing yards?

How much will Jayden Daniels run the ball in 2024? That could significantly impact his passing yards.

Which NFL rookie quarterback will have the most passing yards this upcoming season?

That was the question asked on Friday’s Pro Football Talk with Mike Florio and Charean Williams.

The top three projected to possibly throw for the most yards in 2024 were Washington’s Jayden Daniels, Chicago’s Caleb Williams and Minnesota’s J.J. McCarthy.

Williams: “I think the Bears have a real problem if it is not Caleb Williams. It means he was either hurt or not as good as everyone thinks he is. I would expect him to have a huge year with the offense that he is stepping into. No rookie quarterback has ever stepped into an offense with two 1,000-yard receivers and a 1,000-thousand-yard running back like D’Andre Swift. So, he has the offense. Now, it is up to him to get it done. With those weapons, I don’t see how he is not going to have a big year.”

Florio: “I’ll go Williams just because I think Jayden Daniels may end up pulling the ball down and running it more because he’s going to be able to run around guys. He’s the guy when we were at the Scouting Combine talking to defensive players from the SEC, ‘Who is the toughest player you faced in college?’ And they would say Jayden Daniels simply because he is there, and then he is gone. When you have that level of physical separation, where you can just take off, he may end up having a lot of passing yards turn into running yards. That’s going to be the challenge, I think, to strike a balance. When do you run, and when do you throw? He’s going to be inclined I think, especially as a rookie to just show what he can do and he’s going to do some great things on the ground and that’s going to take away from his passing.”

Williams: “I was just going to say it’s going to be like Kyler Murray, probably with Jayden Daniels (in Kyler Murray’s first year). So you do have to find that balance.”

Indeed, Daniels’ rushing numbers were phenomenal in his last LSU season. In 2023, he ran the ball 135 times for 1,134 yards (8.4) and ten rushing touchdowns.

ESPN’s Mina Kimes: Commanders’ Dan Quinn on the hot seat

This is just silly.

Thursday once again reminded us that those who cover the NFL nationally might see the Commanders much differently than those residing in the DMV.

“The Mina Kimes Show,” featuring Larry (ESPN product) with guest Kevin Clark, found Kimes and Clark discussing whom they felt were the top ten current NFL coaches.

After each produced their top ten and the reasons why, the two transitioned to discussing which five NFL head coaches are “on the hot seat.” These five coaches could very well lose their jobs if they don’t have a successful 2024 season.

Both Kimes and Clark agreed that the top two NFL coaches on the hot seat are Robert Saleh (Jets) and Mike McCarthy (Cowboys). Clark felt Nick Sirianni (Eagles) is his third on the hot seat, declaring the Eagles is a really good job, and therefore, there will be candidates interested, and the ownership will also be interested in those candidates.

Kimes then declared that all four NFC East coaches could be on the hot seat. Interestingly, Clark had already said “three;” however, when Kimes stressed all four, Clark backed down, saying, “I completely agree.”

Well, you didn’t completely agree a minute ago, and she has not even defended her claim, and you now already “completely” agree? It was strange.

“Dan Quinn did not make my top five (list), but he could,” said Kimes. “If there is one coaching hire who might be one and done, it would be him. I cannot believe he was their first choice.”

Clark quickly responded, “What gave that away?”

“I am very nervous about the situation Jayden Daniels is walking into behind that offensive line,” continued Kimes. And if it looks bad, to me, new ownership, I could see him (Quinn) getting the axe.”

Clark added, “The thing about Dan Quinn, he is going to be a victim of his own success, if Jayden Daniels looks good. People are going to want that job in a way they didn’t want it three months ago.”

“There will be people calling Adam Peters, ‘Just saying, I might be available this year,'” added Clark.

Remarkably, Kimes pointed to new ownership (Josh Harris Group) and then explicitly declared she could see the new ownership firing Quinn.

Wait, why?

What about Josh Harris has pointed to him being impatient? What about Josh Harris has she observed that could result in Harris wanting to rid himself of Quinn after only one season?

Remember, Harris is the guy hiring and permitting Adam Peters to hire a new front office.

Consequently, why would you begin to agree with Kimes here? All the evidence points to Harris permitting Peters to execute a long-term plan. Remember several of the free agent signings were only one-year deals?

Both Kimes and Clark are incorrect in their assessment of the Commanders’ direction. Josh Harris is not quick to pull the trigger. Harris has not shown himself to be near-sighted or quick-tempered.

Dan Quinn is not on the hot seat.