“Last week was still not “the play style” that we are desiring.”
That was how Commanders defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr began very early in his Friday time with the press.
Whitt did counter that the Week 2 game against the Giants was better than the opener against the Bucs.
“Give credit to both teams we have played, but a lot of our third-down ills are mistakes that we are making on different levels.” He said some were corrected in the second week, but some were still not, and the Commanders will correct them.
Whitt acknowledges his defense has made some positive plays but is frustrated with the reality that the defense is not getting off the field enough. “We’re causing some negative plays on first and second downs, but we get to third downs and for one reason or another (pause). We’ve had five penalties on defense, all five have come on third down. That’s something that can’t happen.”
Whitt made it clear he is concerned about Bengals receiver Ja’Marr Chase, comparing him to Davonte Adams and alluding to a game in which Chase beat two double teams against the Cowboys.
Creative play from the Dolphins but Quan Martin does well to make the open field tackle on Jonnu Smith. #RaiseHail pic.twitter.com/kFkIg2UB6F
— Chad Ryan (@ChadwikoTWW) August 17, 2024
It is no secret the cornerbacks have struggled. Whitt confirmed this Friday, saying, “We’re looking for the combination that’s going to give us the best chance…It will be a week-to-week deal throughout the defense of we think is going to give us the best opportunity to win the game we are about to face.”
When asked about Jonathan Allen and Daron Payne’s play, Whitt talked of rushing as a collective unit, staying in one’s rush lane being essential for all the defensive line.
Whitt later returned to “the play style,” pointing out Bobby Wagner, Frankie Luvu, Ben (St-Juste) and Quan (Martin), “Those four men have been playing the play style.”
He also praised safety Percy Butler for making some nice open-field tackles that were difficult.