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Daily Slop – 1 Aug 24: Clelin Ferrell, Quan Martin, Brandon Coleman, Jayden Daniels

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A collection of articles, podcasts & tweets from around the web to keep you in touch with the Commanders, the NFC East and the NFL in general

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Washington Post (paywall)

Commanders sign Riley Patterson to create a kicker competition

Washington claimed the 24-year-old off waivers from Jacksonville and re-signed veteran wide receiver Byron Pringle

Coach Dan Quinn has emphasized competition in nearly every facet of the Commanders’ training camp. That now extends to kicker, too.

Washington claimed Riley Patterson off waivers from Jacksonville on Wednesday, giving the team another kicker on the 90-man camp roster alongside Ramiz Ahmed.

Patterson, 24, signed with the Minnesota Vikings after going undrafted out of Memphis in 2021 and was later signed to the New England Patriots’ practice squad. The Detroit Lions acquired him midway through the 2021 season, and Patterson made his NFL debut against the Chicago Bears, booting two extra points in a narrow loss. In Week 15, Patterson converted three field goals and three extra points in a win over the Arizona Cardinals to earn NFC special teams player of the week.

Patterson made all 16 extra-point attempts in his rookie season missed only one of 14 field goal attempts, from 55 yards.

He was claimed by Jacksonville in 2022 and played in all 17 games, earning AFC special teams player of the week honors (four field goals, one extra point) in a win over the New York Jets. He later kicked the game-winning field goal in the wild card round of the playoffs against the Los Angeles Chargers. It was the third-largest comeback victory in playoff history.

Washington signed Ahmed in June, but with the possibility of bringing on another kicker to create competition for the job. Ahmed appeared solid early in training camp but has struggled with field goals from 50 yards and beyond.

The Commanders also re-signed 30-year-old wide receiver Byron Pringle on Wednesday and cut receivers Dax Milne, a 2021 seventh-round pick, and Damiere Byrd.

Washington Post (paywall)

From bust to believer, Clelin Ferrell is confident he can help Commanders

Ferrell was the No. 4 pick in the 2019 NFL draft. He is determined to make a mark in Washington after a tough start to his career with the Raiders.

The Raiders drafted Ferrell No. 4 overall out of Clemson in 2019; he probably will never live up to that pedigree. But a one-year stop in San Francisco helped rebuild the Richmond native’s confidence.

Entering his sixth NFL season and his first in Washington, he has carved out a new identity as a high-energy, rotational defensive end. So far at training camp, he has been one of the team’s starters at a reshaped position.

Before last season, he signed a one-year, $2.5 million contract with San Francisco, where defensive line coach Kris Kocurek has a reputation for reviving careers. Arik Armstead, Kerry Hyder Jr. and Samson Ebukam improved with the 49ers and parlayed their strong play into larger contracts elsewhere.

Ferrell, who tied his career high in pressures and was tied for third on the 49ers in tackles for loss last season, per TruMedia, followed suit and earned a raise in Washington, where he will make $3.75 million this season.

Ferrell has quickly commanded respect from his new teammates.

“I love the way he works on and off the field,” defensive tackle Jonathan Allen said. “… His mindset is top notch. I see a lot of the same things in a lot of the top guys that I’ve ever played with.”

“That boy, he’s one of those guys, he’s high energy, high effort,” defensive tackle Daron Payne said. “He’s going to get after the quarterback.”

Bullock’s Film Room (subscription)

How Quan Martin fits as the FS in Dan Quinn’s defense

Breaking down how safety Quan Martin fits in Dan Quinn’s defense in the FS role

One of Martin’s best traits coming out of college was his versatility in being able to play so many different roles, but it looks like head coach Dan Quinn and defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. are going to try and focus Martin at the free safety position, at least initially. So what does that role entail in this defense and how does Martin fit? Let’s take a closer look.

With the Dallas Cowboys, Quinn and Whitt’s defense used primarily single-high safety coverages, majoring in Cover-1 and Cover-3. This means the free safety is left on his own in the deep middle of the field. That role requires safeties to play with good range and instincts, both are strengths of Martin’s game. At the end of last season, Martin showed he could be effective in those types of situations.

On this play, the 49ers are looking to hit one of Kyle Shanahan’s staple play-action concepts, known as Drift. Wide receiver Deebo Samuel aligns isolated to the right of the formation and looks to run vertical for about 10 yards before then drifting over the middle into space. His job is to find the space behind the linebackers biting up on the play-action fake and Martin in the deep middle of the field. As Samuel begins to break inside, quarterback Brock Purdy gets to the top of his drop and looks to find his star receiver. However, Martin gets a good read on Purdy’s eyes and follows them to his intended target. He drives down on the drift route from Samuel, taking it away from Purdy and forces him to reset his feet and work to the other side of the field.

That drift route should be very familiar to Washington fans. Kyle Shanahan ran it multiple times a game when Robert Griffin III was the quarterback back in 2012. He had so many different ways to get to it and teams really struggled to stop it. So it’s a credit to Martin that he recognized the threat and was able to take it away. Later in the game, the 49ers came back to it from a different look and Martin was there to stop it again.

ESPN

Why Commanders are in no rush to name Jayden Daniels QB1

[T]here [are] still a few more things the Commanders want to see before announcing him as their QB1. Daniels has shown his skill during camp — his accurate and deft touch on his throws; the speed that makes him dangerous as a runner. However, Washington coaches still want him to show more consistency in all areas; from his footwork to making the right reads and proper checks.

Commanders coach Dan Quinn said the team’s plans for Daniels to be the starter aren’t a secret. But they’re not in a rush to make it official either. They have two joint practices and three preseason games ahead. Since taking over for Ron Rivera as coach this offseason, Quinn has preached his belief in competition to the rest of the team, and he wants that to apply to Daniels as well.

“We have an effective plan for him and Jayden’s the type of guy that wants to go nail it,” Quinn said. “[Others] want to look down the line, but he’s doing outstanding. We’re really pleased where [he’s] at, but we’re not changing the timeline or the guidelines of how we’re going to approach things.”

Quinn said the patient approach is not an attempt to motivate the former Heisman trophy winner. He just wants to make sure he’s well-prepared.

The organization also is trying its best to protect him from unrealistic expectations. The team has not made him the face of their promotional material, for instance. They don’t want him to become the face of the franchise until he shows what he can do in the NFL. And that’s all fine with Daniels.

Burgundy & Gold Report

Patience with Coleman Will Pay Off | WASHINGTON COMMANDERS ROOKIE SERIES

Background

Coleman was born in Virginia, but spent the majority of his childhood in Berlin, Germany before moving back to the United States in 2016. Coleman grew up in Denton, TX and played football for Denton High School.

In 2022 Coleman started a career high 15 games all at left tackle. In fact, the TCU lineman started 23 of 24 games dating back to ‘21.

Coleman ranked 3rd on the team with 1,036 snaps played (8 behind team leader Steve Avila drafted by Rams ‘23). Coleman was an Honorable Mention All-Big 12 for his efforts.

Last season Coleman was named a Team Captain and made 11 starts at left tackle and 4 at left guard. On the season he allowed just 1 sack through 723 snaps.

2024 Outlook

Although Coleman provides positional versatility, he offers more value at tackle for Washington with his ‘22 film (started every game at LT) being superior to his ‘23 tape, in which he played tackle and guard. In saying that, patience will be needed to make Coleman a full time pass protector.

Veteran swing tackle Cornelius [Lucas] has the inside track to start at left tackle, but Coleman should get his opportunity at some point to see time at left tackle. In the meantime, it wouldn’t be out of the question for Coleman to compete with Andrew Wylie for the starting right tackle sport.

Washington Post (paywall)

For select group of Commanders fans, ‘Tunnel Club’ offers intimate access

Membership starts at $15,000 as the team attempts to improve its Landover stadium

The “Tunnel Club,” a 2,100-square-foot space in the tunnel of the stadium, will give 150 season ticket holders access to an area where players travel to and from the field and locker room. Membership includes exclusive stadium entry, parking, field access before the game and all-inclusive food and beverage. It also comes with admission to select events with team executives and an all-inclusive trip to a road game, among other perks.

The chance to high-five Terry McLaurin pregame doesn’t come cheap. Membership starts at $15,000 and includes two passes to the Tunnel Club.

In 2022, the team added terrace tables to the club level for season ticket holders. The private seating, located in the east and west end zones, includes a “half-moon” table, mesh seating, complimentary beer and cocktails and, in certain areas, complimentary food service. This offseason the team added 72 more terrace tables.

Washington also added touchless security at all of the stadium’s entry gates, upgraded the sound system and lighting, added touchless food and beverage markets on the main concourse, resurfaced parking lots and updated furnishings and carpet on the club level.

Podcasts & videos

Locked on Commanders: Washington Commanders Training Camp Lessons Learned, Confirmed, and What to Watch

NFC East links

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ESPN

NFL training camp 2024 live updates: Latest on roster battles

Dallas Cowboys

Dak Prescott had nine touchdown passes during Wednesday’s practice that featured red zone work in 7-on-7 and team drills. Two touchdown passes went to tight ends Jake Ferguson and Luke Schoonmaker. Jalen Tolbert caught two, while Jalen Brooks and KaVontae Turpin had one each for the receivers.

The throws to Schoonmaker, Tolbert and Turpin were tight-window throws with defenders in decent position. Through two padded practices, Prescott has completed 30 of 50 passes in 7-on-7 or team drills and has yet to be intercepted. — Todd Archer

(Last update: July 31)

Bleeding Green Nation

Eagles training camp: 14 winners, 7 losers, and 10 IDKs from the first week

Taking stock of the roster.

I DON’T KNOWS

JAMES BRADBERRY

Credit to Bradberry for being honest about his situation. And he’s had some good moments in coverage. But I’m still not really buying him being on this roster. Can he handle tackling as a safety? Is he going to provide special teams value as a backup? I still think the Eagles would like to trade him before Week 1. But maybe he’ll end up sticking around? I don’t know, hence his placement in this section.

MEKHI BECTON

Becton’s size is definitely intriguing; he looks like he can be a force as a run blocker. Pass protection is more of a question mark, though. I don’t want to write him off for getting dominated by Jalen Carter, who is special, but he needs to show more to steal a starting job.

SAQUON BARKLEY

Still waiting for Barkley to have a highlight moment that makes everyone say “Wow, there’s Saquon Barkley!”

BRYCE HUFF

Hardly panicking because he’s going up against high-level tackles and it’s not like Haason Reddick always dominated in practice settings. But it would be nice to see Huff stand out sometime soon.

NAKOBE DEAN

Dean has been praised for looking good as a run defender/blitzer, which is nice. But he’s still not very present in coverage, except for when he’s noticeably getting beat. And Dean has yet to take one of the first first-team linebacker reps in 11-on-11. Those have exclusively belonged to White and Zack Baun so far. I can buy Dean as a backup/rotational LB3 but less so as a full-time starter.

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NFL.com

2024 NFL preseason: Four things to watch for in Texans-Bears Pro Football Hall of Fame Game

Football is officially back on Thursday in all its preseason glory.

As is tradition, the NFL will gear up for the weekend’s upcoming enshrinement ceremony with the Pro Football Hall of Fame Game — this year between the Houstob Texans and Chicago Bears.

The two teams are set to square off due to their representatives, Houston wide receiver Andre Johnson and Chicago return specialist Devin Hester and defensive tackle Steve McMichael, entering Canton’s hallowed halls alongside Dwight Freeney, Julius Peppers (also a Bear for four seasons), Patrick Willis and Randy Gradishar as the class of 2024.

The weekend will ultimately belong to those past greats, but there are still plenty of other storylines to dive into. The Texans enter the season looking to show staying power as contenders coming off a surprise turnaround and AFC Divisional Round berth, while the Bears are hoping to emulate Houston’s worst-to-first formula in the NFC North after making major moves this spring.

Both squads will take the next step in their respective journeys under the lights of Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium.

The Athletic (paywall)

One day following rookie QB Drake Maye’s every move at Patriots training camp

[I]t’s not a surprise that Maye has had some tough moments in training camp. On Sunday, he was (at best) just OK. Monday, he completed only three passes in full-team drills, a rough performance for the rookie. A week into training camp, it’s clear that Jacoby Brissett’s grasp on the starting QB job is firm.

With all that in mind, I wanted to run back an annual training camp story by focusing my binoculars on one player for a full practice. So on Tuesday, I followed every step Maye took from the time he walked onto the practice fields outside Gillette Stadium to when he left them two hours and 57 minutes later. Here’s what we saw:

11:38 a.m.: One theme with Maye and the quarterbacks through these early practices is their focus on footwork. Now that handoffs and passes are done, they work on rollouts, faking a handoff then drifting away and throwing on the run.

This is where Maye really shines. He’s an impressive athlete who has made some of his best throws during camp while on the move.

11:43 a.m.: The most exciting part of practice is here: one-on-one pass-catching drills. Wide receivers against cornerbacks. Tight ends and running backs against linebackers and safeties. In theory, the offense should thrive. The field is wide open, and it’s a one-on-one matchup — the kind the offense would love to get in a game.

Even though it’s just one-on-one drills, Van Pelt makes the quarterbacks simulate an under-center snap and act as if there’s play action. That makes them more important reps for Maye, who was mostly in the shotgun in college and didn’t run much play action.

Maye completes 9 of 16 passes.

11:59 a.m.: After five minutes of standing next to McCartney and watching the top offense, Maye gets his first 11-on-11 reps. He hits a short pass on the first play, but the session focuses mostly on the running game. After each handoff, Maye continues to roll out in a bootleg as if he’d kept the ball. This is part of the marriage of the run and pass that offensive coaches often talk about. The actual runs should look just like play actions.

Maye’s only two completions in this drill are checkdowns.

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