Joe Whitt Jr, Kliff Kingsbury, and some players talk at practice.
The Washington Commanders practiced again today as they prepare for Sunday’s season opener against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr and offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury got in front of the mic before practice. Whitt said he plans to rotate the defensive line in the Florida heat, but he plans to have one, or both, of starters Jonathan Allen and Daron Payne on the field at all times. Both coordinators talked about No. 2 overall pick Jayden Daniels. Whitt Jr. said he’s like a 5-year vet already. Kingsbury said the rookie QB is laid back and chill off the field, but he’s a killer on the field.
Joe Whitt Jr
Football’s back:
#Commanders DC Joe Whitt, Jr.: “It is better for this country when football is going on.” #httc @wusa9 pic.twitter.com/upQJOslZPC
— Tom Hunsicker (@TomSportsWUSA9) September 5, 2024
Joe Whitt Jr.; “it is better for this country when football is going on. I believe that. It brings the right and the left together, it brings the north and the south, everybody comes together. It’s the best team sport.”
— John Keim (@john_keim) September 5, 2024
Defensive line rotation vs the Buccaneers:
Whitt anticipates a significant DT rotation in the Tampa heat but says he will have Jon Allen or Daron Payne on the field at all times.
— Ben Standig (@BenStandig) September 5, 2024
Jayden Daniels:
Joe Whitt Jr. saw Jayden Daniels every day in camp. He likes what he’s seen with the talent and smarts, but it’s the “moxie” the rookie shows jawing with Bobby Wagner like “he’s a 5-year vet” that caught the DCs eye. pic.twitter.com/Dm89EAFahj
— Ben Standig (@BenStandig) September 5, 2024
Joe Whitt Jr. & Kliff Kingsbury on Jayden Daniels
Whitt very strong on the rookie QB:
“The moxy that he has when he’s under center, the ability to go back & forth with Bobby Wagner as if he’s a 5 year pro, you don’t see rookies do that”@JPFinlayNBCS @nbcwashington#RaiseHail pic.twitter.com/qaMp5oqsy0
— NBC4 Sports (@NBC4Sports) September 5, 2024
Joe Whitt Jr. on Jayden Daniels: “He is a leader. … He’s someone that the guys want to follow. He’s a guy that’s going to win a lot of games for us.”
— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) September 5, 2024
Dan Quinn:
Joe Whitt Jr. on why he continues to work with the truth-telling, demanding and supportive Dan Quinn. pic.twitter.com/zIbzUyzK0s
— Ben Standig (@BenStandig) September 5, 2024
Jonathan Allen
Jonathan Allen content pic.twitter.com/ua9Y2Ej8q4
— Ben Standig (@BenStandig) September 5, 2024
Frankie Luvu
First game of the season:
Other than Jayden Daniels, who is the one Commanders player you want to watch on Sunday?
Mine is Frankie Luvu. I think the dude is going to be a terror.
Frankie told me today this game with the Bucs is going to be a “dogfight” and the Wash defense will be “fast and violent.” pic.twitter.com/K2BBtFyA5f
— Scott Abraham (@Scott7news) September 5, 2024
Jamin Davis
Playing against Baker Mayfield and the Buccaneers offense:
It’s a prove it year for Jamin Davis.
He’s confident and he’s ready for Sunday’s season opener.
On facing Baker Mayfield, Jamin said, “put some pressure on him early, stay consistent throughout the game with it…get off on third down.” pic.twitter.com/8n2G7xzLCL
— Scott Abraham (@Scott7news) September 5, 2024
Kliff Kingsbury
Noah Brown:
Kliff Kingsbury said Noah Brown has lots of speed and can play inside and outside
— Zach Selby (@ZachSelbyWC) September 5, 2024
Jayden Daniels:
Great quote from Kliff Kingsbury on Jayden Daniels
“He’s a pretty laid back chill cat but when he steps on that field…he’s trying to rip your head off, he’s talking trash to the DC and the DBs and everybody else, but it’s fun natured”@JPFinlayNBCS @nbcwashington #RaiseHail pic.twitter.com/QRUAlPWdvd
— NBC4 Sports (@NBC4Sports) September 5, 2024
Kliff Kingsbury on what lessons he’s learned coaching young QBs than can help Jayden Daniels. pic.twitter.com/L4TUC51nKy
— Ben Standig (@BenStandig) September 6, 2024
Terry McLaurin
Jayden Daniels:
Terry McLaurin on Jayden Daniels going into Week 1: “he has a great poise about him.” pic.twitter.com/mvW7E5MvYN
— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) September 5, 2024
Love this quote here from Terry McLaurin.
The Commanders wide receiver has loved everything about Jayden Daniel’s growth and development.
Terry said, “he’s kind of calm, cool and collected but you can tell for a lack of a better term, he’s got some s*** to him. pic.twitter.com/ZDxwDVyKdQ
— Scott Abraham (@Scott7news) September 5, 2024
Zach Ertz
Jayden Daniels:
Another NFL season opener for Commanders TE Zach Ertz.
He’s a great weapon for rookie QB Jayden Daniels.
Zach said, “I feel like our chemistry is very high right now because I feel like I can get open and he’s a very accurate quarterback…I’m just here to win football games.” pic.twitter.com/ONnxc34AcP
— Scott Abraham (@Scott7news) September 5, 2024
Tyler Biadasz
Washington’s offense:
The Washington Commanders solved their center position this off season by signing Tyler Biadasz.
Sunday will be his Commanders debut.
About this Washington offense, Tyler told me, “having a great energy and a burst to the ball…having that chemistry with one another.” pic.twitter.com/VPgUsvYJo9
— Scott Abraham (@Scott7news) September 5, 2024
Practice Notes
Left tackle competition:
Interesting to note, Cornelius Lucas gets the first individual rep at LT again today, just my opinion but I think he’s your starting LT Sunday pic.twitter.com/HcOXC1Houx
— Mitchell Tischler (@Mitch_Tischler) September 5, 2024
DQ said when asked about game play: ” it’s sure been good to have him back out there and going through it for practice last week and into this week as well … But as far as the game, let’s let practices play out some more” definitely wasn’t definitive either way
— Mitchell Tischler (@Mitch_Tischler) September 5, 2024
Marcus Mariota:
Didn’t see him doing much yesterday either but was at least in uniform and on the field. https://t.co/fOmwLg6M7z
— John Keim (@john_keim) September 5, 2024
Not seeing Marcus Mariota at the open portion of practice. On the injury report yesterday as “limited” with a “chest” injury.
That’s not what he dealt with much of the summer (groin)…
— Ben Standig (@BenStandig) September 5, 2024
Jayden Daniels:
Here is Commanders rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels at Thursday’s practice in Ashburn.
He will make his NFL debut on Sunday in Tampa Bay.
The JD5 Era officially begins this weekend. pic.twitter.com/pIb577cs42
— Scott Abraham (@Scott7news) September 5, 2024
Frankie Luvu:
The Washington Commanders will unleash Frankie Luvu on Sunday in Tampa Bay.
The dude is a heat seeking missile. pic.twitter.com/1NX3U2Z13R
— Scott Abraham (@Scott7news) September 5, 2024
Clelin Ferrell:
I think the Washington pass rush will be key during Sunday’s game against Tampa Bay.
Can they get pressure on Baker Mayfield bringing only four?
Clelin Ferrell was brought to Washington to sack the quarterback.
His first chance is on Sunday. pic.twitter.com/XnOWZPkhBO
— Scott Abraham (@Scott7news) September 5, 2024
Austin Ekeler/Brian Robinson:
A rookie quarterback’s best friend?
Dynamic running backs.
Washington will unleash their tandem of Austin Ekeler and Brian Robinson Jr. during Sunday’s season opener in Tampa Bay. pic.twitter.com/qQRxQsVXQ5
— Scott Abraham (@Scott7news) September 5, 2024