Commanders defensive coordinator Joe Whitt noticed some things he really liked in Marshon Lattimore’s debut last Sunday.
The Commanders traded for Lattimore a month ago, but his injured hamstring kept him from playing against Dallas and Tennessee before the bye week. So he debuted last week in New Orleans against his old team, the Saints.
“There was a couple things,” Whitt said. “He played with a lot of confidence. He communicated well. There was two reductions where he was the one, and he wasn’t supposed to be the one that led the communication on those reductions, but he did. And that was really positive to see.”
One reason GM Adam Peters went after Lattimore was his experience. The former Ohio State Buckeye had seen action in 97 NFL games prior to last week.
Another reason is Lattimore’s ball skills, he employs, playing defense. He sees the ball well, and he catches the ball well, intercepting 15 passes thus far, including two he has returned for touchdowns.
Whitt liked how Lattimore was also prepped well and ready, referring to “just the command that he had of the defense. And like I said, I give a lot of that credit to [Assistant Defensive Back Coach] William Gay because he was with him from day one, teaching him and being that mentor that we asked William to do with a lot of these guys. So, but I was just really pleased with the command that the young man had of his game.”
Of course, everyone on the defense, including the coaches, is well aware that this Sunday will be a greater test for Lattimore. Quarterback Jalen Hurts is completing 69 percent of his passes this season.
Hurts’ top two receivers, A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith, both have 56 receptions this season, and both have missed three games. Tight end Dallas Goedert and Saquon Barkley have also contributed 38 and 31 receptions, respectively.
Therefore, Whitt knows he will need a good game from Lattimore this Sunday.