TAMPA, Fla. — Washington Commanders rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels eluded the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ blitz numerous occasions, exhibiting what he may do together with his legs. He took care of the ball and, regardless of the strain, did not flip it over as soon as. He stayed poised and affected person.
However he additionally overthrew broad receiver Terry McLaurin on a deep ball that would have resulted in a 70-yard landing on the primary play of the second half. And Daniels did not full any passes to a wideout for greater than 15 yards.
In different phrases, it was a blended debut for Daniels in Washington’s 37-20 loss. He threw for 184 yards — he had simply 46 at halftime — and ran for an additional 88, however Washington’s offense didn’t pose sufficient of a menace versus the Bucs. Daniels ran for 2 touchdowns, each from a yard out.
“I believed he obtained to totally specific all of the issues he has, utilizing his legs, being aggressive down the sphere,” Washington coach Dan Quinn mentioned. “There are going to be loads of issues we need to enhance upon. However what I can let you know is we obtained one hell of a competitor in him. We’re simply getting began with him and the blokes.”
The Commanders (0-1) will host the New York Giants (0-1) in Week 2.
Washington’s roster featured solely 21 holdovers from the earlier teaching regime, with 10 on offense. However Daniels, a Heisman Trophy winner and the No. 2 decide in April’s draft, supplied hope for a franchise that was beginning a brand new quarterback for the seventh consecutive 12 months. Daniels grew to become Washington’s eleventh beginning quarterback for the reason that begin of the 2019 season.
His first toss almost resulted in catastrophe as he threw behind operating again Brian Robinson Jr. on a swing go; it was dominated a backward go and, due to this fact, a fumble, which Washington finally recovered. The Commanders’ wideouts mixed for seven catches and 55 yards.
However Daniels additionally had 4 runs of 10-plus yards to inject vitality into an offense that wants a lot.
“I grade myself laborious: We did not win. I am a competitor,” Daniels mentioned. “However general, it went fairly effectively. There was some stuff we left on the sphere.
“[But] I am previous it tomorrow. We’re off to New York.”
Twice, that “stuff” was his helmet: It popped off two occasions, together with on an pointless roughness penalty on defensive again Antoine Winfield Jr., who hit Daniels within the helmet on the finish of a 12-yard scramble. His helmet additionally fell off on a run close to the aim line on what would have been a landing had the play not been blown useless due to his headgear subject.
However Daniels wasn’t fretting over the variety of occasions he needed to run. Nor was he bothered by the Winfield hit. Regardless of all of the operating performs, he was hardly ever hit laborious.
“Man, that is a query for the coaches,” Daniels mentioned when requested how he protected himself. “They have to find out that. I obtained down. I obtained what I may get. On the aim line, I wasn’t going to go down for that. I’ve obtained to attain.”
Washington’s gamers exited with the identical emotions for Daniels that they’d coming into the sport. Regardless of the loss, they left impressed with varied features of his efficiency.
“His skill to remain clam amidst adversity was nonetheless very robust,” guard Sam Cosmi mentioned. “I did not really feel any panic.”
“It was actually his poise within the pocket,” McLaurin mentioned. “There are occasions he is aware of he has to tuck and run. I do know it was rubbish time, however that is measuring keep on with see how guys compete. He was making an attempt to truck guys on the aim line; he needs each yard. The most important factor that stood out is the best way he communicates and has the upbeat mentality.”
And McLaurin mentioned the silver lining is that his teammates know Daniels is the current and way forward for the franchise.
“You don’t need your quarterback trying over the shoulder,” McLaurin mentioned. “Typically prior to now, guys felt they needed to look over the shoulder. The one method he will get higher is these dwell reps. He is performed nice in apply; he did nice within the joint practices [versus the New York Jets and the Miami Dolphins]. It is completely different while you’re on the market within the recreation. He places the time and work in. I do know he’ll make a greater leap subsequent week. I see him as a man persevering with to ascend.”
