Sam Howell really opened up when asked a question on Wednesday.
Howell was speaking to the media as he does on Wednesdays. He was asked regarding receiver Jahan Dotson only being the target of one of Howell’s passes during their 24-16 win over Atlanta.
Howell’s reply was surprisingly quite lengthy.
“Going into the game, our plan is to always spread the ball around to all those guys,” expressed Howell. “We want to utilize all the talent that we have, but at the same time, you never really know how the flow of the game is going to go.”
Indeed, Dotson only received one target. However, what a target it was. For the record, the Commanders had a 1st & 10 at their 48. Dotson came in motion right to left, stopping in the slot left side. At the snap, Howell faked a handoff to Brian Robinson and immediately spotted Dotson running a deep crossing pattern from left to right. He watched Dotson and lofted a beautiful pass beyond the right hash marks, hitting Dotson perfectly in stride at the Atlanta 27, beyond two Falcons defenders.
Neither defender influenced the play. Dotson had beaten them both, and Howell’s pass could not have been any better. But Dotson dropped the pass.
“Throughout the game, you know kinda whose been getting the ball and who hasn’t, especially after the game. I don’t think Jahan had a catch. So I go to him and tell him that I trust him.”
Howell could have stopped here. He had answered sufficiently, but he continued.
“It’s really not anything he is doing; it’s just a flow-of-the-game type thing. It wasn’t that Jahan wasn’t in the game plan. It’s more of just the plays that were called at a certain time, and what looks they (opponents) gave on certain plays kind of dictate where the ball goes.”
Terry McLaurin had 11 targets, Curtis Samuel four and Robinson two. Logan Thomas, Antonio Gibson, Dyami Brown and Dotson all received one target each.
“It’s just one of those unlucky things for Jahan. We trust Jahan. He is a hell of a player, and I’m going to continue to try to do everything I can to get him the ball just like all of our guys.”
Howell then volunteered, “The good news is there’s been no complaints from anybody. I mean, obviously, I’m sure everybody wants the ball more. But at the end of the day, they just want to win, so that’s the good thing.”
Wow, all of that from one simple question; thanks, Sam.