Daily Slop – 17 Aug 24: Jahan Dotson, Riley Patterson, Olamide Zaccheaus, and an interview with Frankie Luvu

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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Articles

Washington Post (paywall)

Jahan Dotson is learning no job is safe under a new Commanders staff

The former first-round pick seemed like an obvious No. 2 receiving option in his third season. But Washington’s use of him puts that role in question.

“DQ didn’t draft me,” said Dotson, the No. 16 overall pick in 2022. “Each and every year … in your profession, you got to prove yourself. You got to prove what you’re worth and what you’re capable of doing. That’s what I’m trying to do.”

In the past week, Dotson’s role has become more of a question. He seemed primed to succeed Curtis Samuel as the team’s No. 2 wide receiver, and he has mostly run with the first team during what has been an uneven training camp for him.

But then he led all skill players with 32 snaps in the preseason opener, which may be more than expected for a third-year veteran with a seemingly stable job. And on Thursday, Quinn said Dotson and several others battling for the role behind Terry McLaurin would play similar snaps in the second preseason game Saturday against the Miami Dolphins.

In the regular season, the Commanders are likely to major in three-wide-receiver sets, and in camp the top three wideouts have often been McLaurin, Dotson and Brown. But the team has mixed in McCaffrey and Zaccheaus, a 27-year-old who didn’t play much last season in Philadelphia but has impressed in camp.

The Commanders seem to be testing versatility. Against the Jets, McLaurin and Brown were nearly exclusively outside receivers, and Dotson and McCaffrey split their reps pretty evenly between wide and slot. Zaccheaus…spent all 10 of his snaps outside.

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Commanders.com

Five keys for Washington during preseason Week 2 vs. Miami

Get more answers at punt return and kick return.

The Commanders have tried out several options to find their primary returner for the 2024 season. Experienced vets like Jamison Crowder have been mixed with less proven players like Forbes, Dotson and several others. We can expect that experimentation to continue against the Dolphins.

Crowder was listed as the top punt returner on the unofficial depth chart last week, but it was Zaccheaus and Davion Davis who got all the snaps at that position. Zaccheaus had the most electric moment, as he returned a punt 19 yards.

On kick return, Kazmeir Allen and Byron Pringle were the primary options, rather than Igbinoghene, who was listed at the top of the unofficial depth chart. Allen has impressed Quinn with his ability over the past week, and the head coach did say that special teams would play a role in determining the final spots at receiver. Allen had a 32-yard return against the Jets, so perhaps another solid play would give him an advantage in the competition.

The Commanders likely won’t show their full intentions for the new kickoff return structure, but they could continue to play with their possibilities until they find something they like. It’s anyone’s guess as to who will be back there to field kicks on Saturday.

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Riggo’s Rag

5 winners (and 2 losers) from Commanders joint practice vs. Dolphins

There were more standouts than strugglers that’s for sure.

Winner No. 1 – Riley Patterson – Commanders K

The Washington Commanders wanted to see what Riley Patterson could do with extended reps this week. They released struggling kicker Ramiz Ahmed, paving the way for the veteran acquired off waivers from the Jacksonville Jaguars to take center stage.

Judging by his performance at practice in Miami, it’s something he’s not planning to waste. This was Patterson’s best session since joining the Commanders according to those examining his production from the sidelines. His long-range kicking – where he knocked all three of his efforts from more than 50 yards through the uprights – was especially pleasing.

This won’t be enough to guarantee Patterson’s starting status in Week 1 at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but it’s a positive development nonetheless.

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Riggo’s Rag

7 critical observations from Commanders 2024 training camp Day 14

It was another joint practice for the Commanders.

Commanders red-zone efficiency

Jayden Daniels threw a couple of interceptions during practice against the Miami Dolphins, neither of which could be blamed on the quarterback. Aside from that, it was another immensely encouraging display from the Washington Commanders’ new face of the organization.

One of the most impressive elements of the session was Washington’s red-zone efficiency on offense. Daniels threw no fewer than five touchdowns during this portion. He was poised under pressure and made the right reads to put his team in the best possible position to thrive. This didn’t go unnoticed by former Commanders’ cornerback Kendall Fuller, who had high praise for the signal-caller once practice concluded.

This was another test passed from Daniels’ perspective. The No. 2 overall selection in the 2024 NFL Draft is riding on the crest of a wave after a sensational offseason so far. Dan Quinn would be wise to take extra precautions to avoid a similar situation to the Minnesota Vikings and their first-round quarterback J.J. McCarthy.

Daniels has the world at his feet. Tempering expectations initially during what could be a rollercoaster rookie campaign is wise, but he’s got the gifts on and off the field that resembles a potential franchise-caliber performer under center long term.

Olamide Zaccheaus flashes again

Dan Quinn had special praise for Olamide Zaccheaus when speaking to the media before joint practice. The free-agent signing’s gone from a relative afterthought to potentially becoming a key part of the wide receiver room in 2024 after a sterling offseason so far. This showed no signs of slowing down during joint practice with the Dolphins according to those in attendance.

Zaccheaus once again flashed his slick route-running and assured hands when targets came his way. Quinn stated this was an open competition for the WR2 spot with several wideouts in contention. The former Virginia star acquired some early momentum and is building on it. If the same trend continues, he might just have the upper hand when push comes to shove.

This is a nice problem for the Commanders to have. Washington’s become far too reliant on Pro Bowl wideout Terry McLaurin to pick up the slack in recent years. The more dependable pass-catchers they have, the better their chances on offense will be with Kliff Kingsbury calling the shots.

A lot can happen between now and Week 1. However, Zaccheaus has done his hopes a tremendous amount of good.

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Podcasts & videos

‘It’s Not a Race it’s a Marathon’ | 1-on-1 Interview with Frankie Luvu

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Beltway Football – Dolphins joint practice: Jayden shines, DL dominates

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NFC East links

Pro Football Talk

Nick Sirianni continues sitting starters in preseason after second thoughts last year

Last season, after the Eagles’ offense looked sluggish in Week One, head coach Nick Sirianni said he would reconsider his practice of sitting his starters during the preseason, and consider giving preseason snaps to key players like quarterback Jalen Hurts. But that hasn’t happened.

Hurts has not played in the first two preseason games, and Sirianni said after Thursday night’s game that he didn’t mean to suggest a year ago that his approach to the preseason had changed, only that he would always consider anything that could improve the team’s performance.

“What I probably should have said, if I didn’t say this, is I would always reconsider,” Sirianni said. “Everything’s always on the table and each year is a different year. For me to answer anything for next year, or probably last year answering for this year wasn’t smart on my behalf.”

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NFL league links

Articles

Front Office Sports

Judge Grants FuboTV Injunction, Blocking Venu From Launching

The sports streaming joint venture between Disney, Fox, and Warner Bros. Discovery will have to wait, and it may never see the light of day at all.

A federal judge has blocked the planned Aug. 23 launch of Venu, a collaboration among the three media giants.

FuboTV in February sued over the planned app, and argued the launch should be enjoined for antitrust reasons. Judge Margaret Garnett agreed.

“[I]t appears to the Court that Fubo is likely to succeed on its claims” that Venu would “substantially lessen competition and restrain trade,” she wrote in a 69-page decision unveiling the somewhat shocking order.

The three media giants may seek emergency relief. A lawyer for WBD argued earlier this week that “a preliminary injunction would terminate the joint venture.” Fubo had argued that the lack of one would doom its business.

Fox, Disney, and WBD released a joint statement after Garnett’s ruling.

“We respectfully disagree with the court’s ruling and are appealing it,” the statement said. “We believe that Fubo’s arguments are wrong on the facts and the law, and that Fubo has failed to prove it is legally entitled to a preliminary injunction. Venu Sports is a pro-competitive option that aims to enhance consumer choice by reaching a segment of viewers who currently are not served by existing subscription options.”

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