Tag: WR Jahan Dotson

Commanders get a win: Hold on for 20-17 victory over Patriots

The Commanders hold on for their first win over the Patriots since Steve Spurrier was the head coach.

With the game on the line, the Patriots had driven 50 yards in nine plays.

With 38 seconds remaining, on 2nd & 8 at the Commanders 41, Patriots quarterback Mac Jones dropped back and passed toward receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster. Smith-Schuster reached for the pass, it went off of his hands, and rookie defensive back Quan Martin executed the old “tip drill” wonderfully, securing the interception.

The Commanders had held on defeating the Patriots 20-17 for their first victory over New England since 2003. On that day, Steve Spurrier was the Washington head coach, Tom Brady threw three interceptions, and the Washington team was still the “Redskins.”

Commanders quarterback Sam Howell forced a second-quarter pass in the last minute of the first half, resulting in an interception in the end zone, costing them dearly with no score on the drive.

Yet, Howell played well enough that the Commanders converted 9 of 17 third downs, with Howell coming up with several clutch passes. Also, the Commanders defense held the Patriots to a mere three of 12 on third downs.

Washington out-gained New England 432-327 as Howell was 29 of 45 for 325 yards. The Commanders also out-rushed the Patriots 124-107, and the good guys held the ball for 37:10 to the Patriots 22:50.

The game also featured perhaps the first time in NFL history a quarterback was sacked with the ball in his hand, and yet Commanders defensive end KJ Henry was called for “roughing the passer.” It was a huge, terrible call by officials as Jones’ fumble recovered by Efe Obada was overruled, gifting the Patriots a first down, and they subsequently also kicked a field goal.

Terry McLaurin led Washington with 73 receiving yards on five receptions, while Jahan Dotson added 69 yards, Byron Pringle 55 yards, Antonio Gibson 42, Dyami Brown 33, Logan Thomas 31 and Jamison Crowder 23.

With the win, the Commanders are now 4-5, while the Patriots fell to 2-7.

 

 

Why is Commanders WR Jahan Dotson’s production down?

Jahan Dotson’s breakout is coming.

What is going on regarding Jahan Dotson?

The second-year wide receiver flashed some clutch catches in his rookie 2022 season. He got off to a great start, you recall, with four touchdown receptions in his initial four NFL games, including the game-winner against the Jaguars in the opener at FedEx Field.

However, in 2023, Dotson is far below meeting expectations, and on Sunday, he was only targeted once and dropped that deep pass that Sam Howell put right on the money that would have been an explosive play for the Commanders.

Monday with the press, Commanders head coach Ron Rivera was asked regarding Dotson’s low productivity thus far. “Obviously, you know everybody can’t get all the catches every game, but obviously, his production has been off from last year. What are you seeing with him right now?”

Rivera provided a very lengthy response.

“I think it’s just a matter of time,” replied Rivera. As we continue to work and try to distribute the ball to all the players, it’ll happen. It’s just one of those things that sometimes guys will be targeted more.”

Thus far, through the six games of this season, Dotson has been targeted 31 times, and he has obtained 17 receptions for 140 yards (8.24 per reception) and one touchdown. The one touchdown was on the final down of regulation against the Eagles when Sam Howell went to Dotson for the needed touchdown. Dotson made the catch, sending the game into overtime.

Rivera continued, “I promise you back in the day when Gary Clark, Art Monk and Ricky Sanders were out there for Coach Gibbs, you guys were probably wondering, ‘How come he only got three balls when everybody else got six or seven’? It’s going to happen. So when a guy is not getting the ball now, it’s just a matter of time. I think that is the thing we have to be patient with. This is a good group of receivers. I’m not saying they are that group. But they are a good group. And we’re going to distribute the ball based on game plans and who our opponents are. Again, it starts with the quarterback’s decision-making, too.”

Interesting that Rivera added the last portion, alluding to Sam Howell’s choices to whom he passes the ball. After the crucial drop by Dotson on the deep ball, Howell chose not to target Dotson again on Sunday.

Chris Cooley praises Commanders’ Eric Bieniemy

Cooley thought Bieniemy did an excellent job preparing Sam Howell for a tough defense. And he also weighed in on Terry McLaurin’s “catch.”

Chris Cooley had high praise for Washington offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy’s preparation of Sam Howell for the Eagles game.

Cooley was a guest on the “Kevin Sheehan Show” podcast Monday, sharing his observations of having watched the Commanders fall to the Eagles 34-31 on Sunday.

“Bieniemy does a phenomenal job getting a young quarterback going in this game,” declared Cooley. “Keeping the quarterback going by changing the spot, the location of the pocket, mixing in more run. It was literally everything we talked about last Wednesday.”

Indeed, Cooley, a week earlier, had questioned Bieniemy’s game plan in repeatedly having Howell in predictable locations for the Bills defense. “You can’t simply drop a young quarterback into the pocket, leaving him in the same spot to fend for himself.”

“To me, it was an excellent game. It’s a huge bummer not to come out with a win. But it was an excellent game against a good team,” expressed Cooley.

Regarding the overtime non-catch by Terry McLaurin, Cooley was very confident that replay demonstrated McLaurin’s second foot indeed coming down on Blankenship’s arm, which was inbounds. Consequently, in Cooley’s view, the ruling of an incompletion should have been overruled, giving Washington a first down rather than punting the ball back to the Eagles.

What did Cooley think when Howell connected with Jahan Dotson for a touchdown on the game’s final play, making the score 31-30 Philadelphia?

“In the moment, I thought it’s Ron Rivera, and they are on the road; he is going to go for the two points. Personally, I think a young quarterback, you play it into overtime, so I didn’t mind Rivera’s call.”

Commanders fall to Eagles on overtime field goal

The Commanders were close to winning another game at Lincoln Financial Field but came up short in overtime.

Jake Elliott connected on a 54-yard field goal attempt in overtime causing the Commanders to lose 34-31 to the Eagles, Sunday in Philadelphia.

The Eagles had driven 34 yards following Tress Way’s uncharacteristically subpar punt of only 29 yards, giving the Eagles the ball on their own 41.

The Commanders had forced overtime when trailing 31-24; they drove 64 yards using all of the final one minute and 34 seconds. On a 3rd & 17 from their own 40, Howell had connected with Byron Pringle for 15 yards, setting up a 4th & 2.

Howell then found Dyami Brown for 16 yards and a first down at the Eagles 29. He then connected with Terry McLaurin on consecutive passes of 8 and 11 yards, moving the ball to the 10 with five seconds remaining.

The Eagles rushed six, forcing Howell to throw immediately incomplete, leaving one second for one final play.

This time, the Eagles rushed only four, dropping seven, and Howell found Jahan Dotson on the right side of the end zone, sending the game to overtime.

Commanders season opener in 1 day: Washington’s best No. 1

1 day until Week 1.

Commanders Wire continues a countdown to Washington’s season opener for 2023 in 1 day. Who was the team’s best player wearing No. 1?

Jahan Dotson is currently No. 1 for Washington. We certainly hope he has a great career and would then easily be the best No. 1 in franchise history.

Receiver DeAndre Carter (2021) had 24 receptions for 3 touchdowns and averaged 25.1 yards on kick returns, including a 101-yard touchdown against the Falcons.

Two kickers have worn No. 1 for Washington. Scott Bentley had kicked for the Falcons, Broncos and Chiefs before arriving in Washington in 2000. Though he kicked for six games, the former FSU Seminole only attempted one field goal, which he made from 50 yards.

After kicking for the Bills, John Potter came to the Redskins in 2013. He connected on all seven extra points and three of his four field goal attempts.

Four punters have worn No. 1. Reggie Roby, after ten seasons in Miami, came to Washington in 1993 and was an All-Pro 1st team in 1994 as well, before moving on from the Redskins.

Ryan Plackemeier punted ten games for Washington in 2008, and Sam Paulescu punted four games over two seasons (2009-2010).

Matt Turk (1995-99) punted five seasons for the Burgundy and Gold. Turk was a Pro Bowler three of those seasons (1996, 1997, 1998), All-Pro 2nd team in 1997 and 1998, and All-Pro 1st Team in 1996. Therefore, Turk is our choice as the best player in franchise history to have worn jersey No. 1.

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Doc Walker: Some Commanders are ‘whiners, sissies’

Doc Walker pulls no punches, gives some outstanding analysis on what he’s seen this summer.

Rick “Doc” Walker was doing what he does so well Monday.

A guest on “The Al Galdi Podcast,” Walker, a former Redskins tight end (1980-85), was entertaining, daring and humorous. In other words, it was Doc Walker, as I’ve known him for 40 years.

Walker, as usual, did not hold back sharing his opinion of what he has observed thus far in the 2023 Commanders preseason. “Everyone could see Wylie (Andrew) was struggling at right tackle.”

Walker liked something he saw in returner Kazmeir Allen, “I saw potential promise in our return game if that young man will listen to Brian Mitchell…All that wide running ain’t gonna work in the NFL. But, if you got the guts to jam that thing up the pipe, you coming out of their brother. Because this dude can fly.”

“Doc” voiced his concern over the slow Washington starts during the Ron Rivera three seasons (2020-22). “This (preseason) is like a training session. I got to get you through this, to get you ready for Arizona. Because my target is Arizona in the regular season. Because we have been awful in September.”

Walker then naturally transitioned into Washington’s new offensive coordinator, Eric Bieniemy. “But now we have a new attitude, though some seem to have gotten their feathers ruffled over Bieniemy. I just hope he keeps doing what he is doing.”

Walker continued, “Anybody that has ever gone from bad teams to good teams understands why bad teams are stuck on stupid. If you keep doing what you’ve been doing, you’re going to keep getting the same results.”

The former tight end really appreciates the route running of receiver Jahan Dotson. “If they had a pay-per-view package just for me to watch/stay on him, I’d buy the package just to watch him. He is a superior route runner. I am telling you it is an art.”

How does Doc feel about the offensive line? “Here’s my deal, if you can’t run block or pass block, why are you on the team? Because you played for the head coach? We saw that crap last year with the two guards that were shot (Andrew Norwell and Trai Turner). So, it depends. Do you guys want to win, or are running a boy’s club or a professional football team?”

Walker again turned to Wylie in particular, “I expect him to play better next week because it is the test of a lifetime because he has the Ravens all week. So, if he has any fight in him, any dog in him, it better come out this week.”

“Doc” loves Sam Cosmi being moved from tackle to guard and looks forward to what he thinks Cosmi can accomplish inside.

Then “Doc” again turned his focus to the regular season.

“All I care about is if we are better in September than we have been since Ron Rivera has run the team. We have got to be better in September. In order to do that, it gets ugly in the process. It’s not going to be perfect. You have to go through some tough times.”

“I just want all the whiners that think EB’s practice…………EB is training you to be a champion. I know it is foreign to a lot of these sissies, but the bottom line is that was pathetic what went down.”

“It altered my demeanor all week. I could not believe it. I was shocked by that. But, you gotta move on.”

How was Sam Howell’s night for Commanders?

Overall, it was a good night for the young Washington quarterback.

Sam Howell had some really good moments Friday night in the preseason opener.

Howell started against the Browns in Cleveland and proceeded to complete 9 of his 12 passing attempts for 77 yards and a touchdown for a 119.1 passer rating.

Howell also carried once, gaining eight yards, on a play in which he displayed good feet. He was also sacked once for a loss of -8 yards and a holding call resulted in a safety for Cleveland’s two first-half points.

On Washington’s first possession, facing a 3rd and 6 at the 25 yard line, Howell was forced left but was swift enough, gaining 8 yards for the first down to the 33.

A sack losing eight yards and a holding call and Howell faced a 3rd & 30, resulting in a punt.

The second Commanders possession began deep in the hole at their own 5. Right tackle Andrew Wylie was guilty of holding in the end zone, resulting in a safety.

Howell’s third drive was a beauty, with 10 plays and 80 yards for a touchdown. Howell found Cole Turner for 7 yards, Terry McLaurin for 7 yards, and Turner again for 4 yards.

Perhaps his most significant play of the night was a 4th & 3 at the Browns 39. Why punt when it is preseason? Give your quarterback and offensive unit the opportunity to convert, meaning more offensive plays. Howell rolled right and found Turner for 13 yards to the Browns’ 26.

On the next play, Howell dropped back, looked left and connected with Dotson on the 26-yard touchdown.

 

 

Commanders Jahan Dotson is thankful and excited about new beginnings

Dotson is excited about new ownership, the fans and the overall direction of the franchise.

Jahan Dotson is thankful for the new Josh Harris ownership group.

Wednesday at the Commanders’ training camp, Kay Adams host of the “Up and Adams” Show, was visiting the team and conducted several interviews following practice. When it was Doston’s turn, he didn’t hesitate to express he already notices the difference the new ownership group is making.

“It’s really cool to see that we have the support of the fan base back out to our games, back out to our practices. It gives us life; it gives us energy. It’s really cool to have them out here supporting us.

It’s definitely really exciting times around here, getting new ownership in the building, new beginnings, I like to call it. It’s definitely pretty fun. We’re really looking forward to it (2023 season).”

Adams inquired to Dotson, “What is a specific you have noticed already from the Josh Harris leadership?”

“The fans,” he replied with emphasis. “The fans is the biggest thing. It’s so easy to notice it when you come out to practice every day, and people are chanting your name. Last year? We didn’t have anything like that.”

The new ownership and increased fan attendance are not the only things encouraging Dotson. Adams asked about their trio of receivers Terry McLaurin, Dotson and Curtis Samuel. But Dotson seemed sincere to not want to merely focus on the trio but talk up the entire wide receivers group.

“Not only our trio; we have guys in our room who can all go. Terry is one of the best in the league and a great leader for us. We have guys that can all go and make plays at any given moment in the game.”

The receivers room is led by new wide receivers coach Bobby Ingram, who also has Dotson thinking things are trending upward.

“Bobby is my guy. Coach Ingram is a former Penn State grad. He’s our receivers coach now. He looks out for us. He’s a player’s coach. He makes sure we are always in the right position to succeed.”

When Adams transitioned to new offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy, she referred to him as a “drill sergeant.” But Dotson is OK with that. He feels Bieniemy brings an urgency to the coaching staff.

“He brings culture to our team. He demands success. He demands winning. He brings a winning attitude to our team, from the Super Bowl championship team. It’s really exciting that he’s come over and is helping us out.”

“We are getting guys in space; we are stretching the field. I am excited, and so are the other guys. It’s exciting times around here; we can’t wait.”