Tag: QB Marcus Mariota

Commanders’ Marcus Mariota injured, out for Saturday’s game

Marcus Mariota and Sam Hartman are out Saturday.

Injuries happen every season, but you certainly cringe when your second quarterback goes down.

That’s the situation for the Commanders as Dan Quinn announced backup quarterback Marcus Mariota won’t be playing Saturday against the Dolphins.

Mariota apparently has an injured groin, and the coaches aren’t comfortable asking him to play in Saturday’s second preseason game. Rather than risking further injury, Quinn has determined it best to rest Mariota on Saturday, keeping him out of the action and preventing him from further injury.

QB Sam Hartman (shoulder) was injured last week vs. the Jets and is also unable to play against the Dolphins. Quinn has yet to make clear how much starter Jayden Daniels will play. But Mariota’s injury most likely means Jeff Driskel will see the most action, with Trace McSorley finishing the game.

The former Oregon Duck quarterback spent the first five years of his NFL career with the Tennessee Titans (2015-19), before moving westward to the Raiders (2020-21), Falcons (2022) and Eagles (2023).

Quinn has praised Mariota for his attitude and approach to this season. There had been some friction in Atlanta, with Mariota not finishing the season well with the Falcons (2022).

However, two seasons later, Mariota, according to Quinn has accepted his role as a supportive, veteran leader of the team in general, and the quarterback room and Jayden Daniels in particular.

Like Daniels, Mariota was drafted second overall in the NFL Draft (2015). Consequently, he understands the pressure of being the franchise quarterback, expected to rescue the team from the depths of the NFL. Therefore, Mariota could be a huge help psychologically, encouraging and mentoring Daniels.

 

Dan Quinn discusses when Jayden Daniels will be named Commanders starting QB

Dan Quinn is clear when discussing Jayden Daniels and when he will start.

Washington head coach Dan Quinn and general manager Adam Peters began this 2024 training camp with a press conference, and sure enough, the first question was about Jayden Daniels starting at quarterback.

Quinn’s response was fresh, authentic, and true. There was no need to try to fool everyone into thinking this was a dead-even competition.

“It’s not a secret, but it is a journey and a process,” began Quinn. “So, as we are going, when he is ready, we’ll know. When he’s ready, he’ll also know.”

Translation: What we saw in the offseason trends toward Jayden starting this year. But there are some things we need him to learn and experience at a faster level. Sure, it will be clear to all involved when Jayden is ready to start.

“But as far as the reps go with he and Marcus (Mariota) there will be certain days that will feature more of one than the other,” Quinn said. “Through practices, scrimmages and preseason games, that is where the journey will take us.”

Translation: Both guys need to take some No. 1 reps. We also realize we haven’t yet had any contact, scrimmaging, or preseason games. So, let’s permit Jayden to get some of that under his belt, shall we?

“Not trying to hold back the info, but when we know, we will say it,” Quinn said honestly.

Translation: There is no even competition at this point. Bear with us; we just need to see him in action against other teams first. Then, we will announce Jayden as the starter later in the preseason.

On day one, Quinn was clear there was not going to be a quarterback controversy. Quinn and OC Kliff Kingsbury simply find it wiser to permit Daniels to experience more and learn more. In time, the receivers, offensive line and skill position players will all come to the same conclusion during this preseason.

Peters simply chose to echo Quinn: “My experience with young quarterbacks is like DQ said, ‘Not one size fits all.’ I think everybody can see when that is happening, when they know, the team knows, the coaches know. You don’t want to fast-track it, you don’t want to slow it down. Let it happen naturally.”

 

Another season brings more quarterbacks for Commanders, McLaurin

Could 2024 be Terry McLaurin’s first winning season in the NFL?

Terry McLaurin is hoping to lead the Commanders in receiving for the sixth consecutive season.

McLaurin was drafted in the third round (76 overall) out of Ohio State in the 2019 NFL draft. On draft night, immediately, there was talk by analysts that McLaurin was a hard enough worker and a good enough athlete that he could make an immediate impact on special teams in his first NFL season.

In addition, Jay Gruden, the Redskins head coach, in his first press conference regarding the team drafting McLaurin, expressed, “He was the #1 special teams player on our board, but it’s really about what he is as a receiver.”

However, when the preseason began, head coach Jay Gruden mysteriously didn’t play McLaurin much at all. Was McLaurin injured? Why was he not getting reps to develop into an NFL receiver?

The season opener was in Philadelphia against the Eagles, and all of the Washington fan base quickly learned that this rookie was already making an impact, not on special teams but as the team’s No. 1 receiver.

In his first game, McLaurin not only started but also caught five passes for 125 yards, including a 69-yard touchdown. He continued to impress, finishing his rookie season of 14 games with 58 receptions for 919 yards (15.8), seven touchdowns, and 43 first downs.

Continuing to be the Commanders top receiver, McLaurin has totaled 1,118 receiving yards (2020), 1,053 (2021), 1,191 (2022) and 1,002 yards (2023).

Perhaps even more noteworthy are the quarterbacks who have played the position for Washington while McLaurin has been wearing the Burgundy and Gold: Case Keenum, Dwayne Haskins, Colt McCoy, Alex Smith, Kyle Allen, Taylor Heinicke, Ryan Fitzpatrick, Garrett Gilbert, Carson Wentz, Sam Howell and Jacoby Brissett.

McLaurin is not a youngster anymore. He has taken hundreds of NFL hits and will turn 29 in September. Washington will again have new coaches and quarterbacks for McLaurin this upcoming 2024 season.

The NFL is not a Disney make-believe movie. The new offensive system will need to be learned and performed under pressure. A struggling veteran (Marcus Mariota) and a rookie (Jayden Daniels) will need to be protected by a very unproven offensive line.

So yes, there are several questions about the 2024 offense, and Commanders fans are hoping, with McLaurin, that he will experience his first winning season in Washington.

 

Marcus Mariota discusses what attracted him to the Commanders

Marcus Mariota discussed Kingsbury’s offense and why he came to Washington.

Marcus Mariota is now training for his fifth NFL team.

Mariota, the second overall selection of the 2015 NFL draft, spoke with the media, Wednesday after the Commanders OTA workout.

Immediately, he was asked not about himself but Jayden Daniels, the second overall selection of the 2024 NFL Draft. “He looks good,” began Mariota. “I think he really moves well and throws the ball well. For a young guy that comes in, he seems to really like to command the offense, and I think that is really important.”

I think it is important to stand in front of these guys, especially older players, nail it, and say, “I got this, I got it figured out,” added Mariota.

He transitioned to saying that it is important for each quarterback to be competitive, which will strengthen the quarterback room as a unit.

Mariota worked under Brian Johnson in 2023, then on the Eagles staff. “Oh, he is awesome,” said the former Oregon Duck quarterback. He had spoken of checking his ego at the door years ago.

When asked about it in a follow-up, Mariota replied, “I think this game humbles you. I was humbled very early on in my career in Tennessee (Titans).

“I love ball; I love being around it. So, regardless of what my situation entails, I put a smile on my face, and I just love coming to work.”

Commanders’ offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury is known for running the “Air Raid” offense in the past. However, Mariota, when asked about the offense, quickly denied the label. “I don’t think you can put labels on it. I think that is a beautiful thing. I wouldn’t want to limit what it looks like.”

Many have voiced things are upbeat in Ashburn this offseason. “There’s a lot of factors that led to me coming here,” explained Mariota. “To be part of a new regime, a new owner, a new staff, new players. It’s a great opportunity to set the trajectory for a franchise. That opportunity itself was something I was excited to be a part of.”

Whether it be the Titans, Raiders, Falcons, Eagles, or now Commanders. Mariota seems to understand you only get so many opportunities in the NFL, and he really seems to want to enjoy this one, and make the most of it.

 

Why did the Commanders sign QB Jeff Driskel?

Why did the Commanders choose Driskel?

Recent days revealed many Commanders fans unimpressed with the Commanders signing veteran quarterback Jeff Driskel.

But a second look reveals the move by general manager Adam Peters makes good sense.

Yes, the Commanders will draft a quarterback in the first round of April’s NFL draft, increasing the total to four quarterbacks on the roster.

Why be surprised? Didn’t Peters publicly inform the media and fans recently he was going to add two more quarterbacks to the roster?

Not all signings are equal. They never have been, and they never will be. Peters knows his starter is going to be either Marcus Mariota or his rookie drafted in the first round.

Driskel is 31 and has had plenty of time to display and grow into an NFL starter. It is most likely not going to happen. Again, not all signings are equal because not all roster spots are equal.

This is true in the NFL, it’s true in college, even in high schools. You have your starters. Some might develop and challenge for a starting spot. Some are going to play special teams, and yes, some are there to fill out your roster, allowing you to scrimmage in practice and scrimmage other teams.

Consequently, the signing of Driskel is for two basic reasons. Driskel was not signed to come in and challenge for the starting job. He was also not brought in to challenge for the backup role.

It is perfectly reasonable to conclude that Driskel was brought in to compete with Jake Fromm to determine who will be the third quarterback next season.

And it is not out of the realm of possibility, that Driskel was brought in to be an “arm”, a “camp arm.” Your top two quarterbacks simply cannot be passing every workout, rep after rep, in training camp. That is an easy way for your quarterbacks to develop elbow or shoulder fatigue/inflammation.

Therefore, there are many reps and much extra work for receivers in the passing game. Fromm and now also Driskel are going to be there to get those players the reps they need in training camp and to fill out three preseason games of reps as well.

Peters signing Driskel to have four quarterbacks from now until the final cut day just prior to the regular season is wise.

Commanders’ brass to attend two QB pro days this week

Another big week for the Commanders and their search for a quarterback.

It’s a busy week for the Commanders’ Adam Peters and Dan Quinn.

Monday and Tuesday were the NFL Owners’ meetings in Orlando. Wednesday will be the pro day of potential Commanders selection LSU’s Jayden Daniels. If that is not enough, then the North Carolina pro day is scheduled for Thursday.

Last week the Commanders had some attend the USC Caleb Williams’ pro day workout, followed by the Michigan (J.J. McCarthy) pro day as well.

A major question leading up to the Jayden Daniels workout on Wednesday will be just how much he weighs after all. At the Scouting Combine, Daniels was the only quarterback to not weigh in.

The LSU roster for the 2023 football season had listed his weight at 210 pounds. However, Daniels chose to not weigh in at the Combine. The other top quarterbacks weighed in accordingly: Caleb Williams (214), Drake Maye (223), J.J. McCarthy (219), Michael Penix (216), and Bo Nix (214).

Consequently, flags were raised as interested teams naturally began to wonder, just how much did LSU exaggerate Daniels’ weight on the season’s roster? For had Daniels actually weighed 210 at the Combine, there would have been no big deal with all the other top quarterbacks weighing in at 214 to 223.

Drake Maye will be the object of the Commanders’ attention later in the week. Maye is less experienced than the other top prospects, which is one reason many have speculated he may have a higher ceiling than currently realized.

Meanwhile, Tuesday in Orlando, Commanders General Manager Adam Peters addressed the Commanders quarterback spot briefly, expressing, “We have 2 QBs on the roster right now with Jake (Fromm) and Marcus (Mariota) and we want to go to camp with 4, so we’re going to add 2 one way or the other.”

Report: Commanders and Patriots are ‘apprehensive to trade down’

A new report suggests the Commanders and Patriots are reluctant to move down.

The NFL owners meetings are taking place this week.

There is discussion and voting regarding rule changes, and the media, of course, is finding ways to still talk about the draft ad nauseam until the day it arrives, Thursday, April 25.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter Monday recalled, “At the meeting last year, lots of talk on Aaron Rodgers and Lamar Jackson. This year, it will be the teams trying to come up to Washington’s spot at 2 and New England’s spot at 3 in the draft. Though, both teams are apprehensive to give up those picks.”

The thinking behind such a comment is that both the Commanders and the Patriots are in such dire need of a starting quarterback that they will be more inclined to not want to move back in the draft, choosing to stay put at No. 2 and 3 and therefore selecting their new respective quarterbacks.

Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy had his pro day last week and impressed, making a good enough showing that he is being projected even higher up the draft board by increasing numbers of analysts.

He is a good enough athlete that he has entered the second tier of Drake Maye, Jayden Daniels, and now McCarthy. McCarthy had initially been graded much lower due to the fact that the Michigan offense was a run-dominated offense.

Commanders head coach Dan Quinn recently referred to Daniels simply as a “game changer.” The signing of Marcus Mariota, also led to many instantly responding it meant the team was going to draft Daniels. But this conveniently ignores the Commanders actually first pursued Sam Darnold prior to Mariota.

All three of the second-tier quarterbacks have much growing to do in their NFL careers. Yet, they have displayed enough talent and mobility that they are considered to be high first-round selections.

If you are the Patriots or Commanders, you don’t want to get too cute here and trade down too far, not obtaining a quality quarterback in the draft.

Thus, the teams might indeed be increasingly apprehensive to trade down, just as Schefter expressed on Monday.

We still have another month of this…