A morning roundup of content from the Washington Commanders on Monday, Aug. 5, 2024.
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The Washington Commanders have learned much about what their team could look like during the 2024 season, and they're going to get a lot more information in the coming days.
The Commanders three days away from their first of two joint practice sessions this month, starting with the New York Jets on Aug. 8. Though the two teams will only see each other one day on the practice field before their preseason game on Aug. 10, it will serve as an opportunity for Dan Quinn and his coaching staff to see where the roster stacks up against what could be one of the more interesting teams in the AFC.
"You get some evaluations against different people in different situations," Quinn said. "This rusher, this defense, this front, this look, those are the things that you like when you're seeing a matchup. It's not necessarily scheme related, it's just seeing."
Though the Jets finished last season with a 7-10 record, they are expected to show marked improvement with Aaron Rodgers' return. The Jets' defense, which finished third in yards allowed, kept much of its core intact, leading analysts to predict a similar performance in 2024.
The hope is that Washington will leave New Jersey with more solid answers to questions about their own roster, particularly on offense. Jayden Daniels has looked sharp against Washington's defense, but he will face a tougher test against a secondary led by Sauce Gardner. Brandon Coleman, the apparent leader in the battle to be the starting left tackle, will see a fresh gauntlet of defensive linemen that accounted for 59% of the team's 48 sacks.
"They've got some good rushers on the outside and what a good test for him," Quinn said of Coleman.
There's also the benefit of the coaching staffs having more control over the situations they want to see in practice. For example, they can have whole periods dedicated to the red zone as opposed to the preseason, where red zone opportunities aren't necessarily a guarantee.
The biggest advantage, Quinn said, is balance.
"That's usually what I'm looking for in that spot. In some instances, it's even better than the games because as coaches we can script with their guys, 'Hey, I'd like to see this matchup. Yep, good with that, let's call this.' So, having that type of conversation helps a lot.
Check Out What's On Commanders.com:
- Dan Quinn’s bag drill is not your average warm-up exercise
- Three standouts from Week 2 of Commanders training camp
- Training camp notebook | Jayden Daniels ready for next test vs. Jets defense
- Training camp notebook | Brian Robinson looking forward to more snaps as pass-catcher
- K Riley Patterson brings competition to Commanders special teams
- Top quotes from the first full week of Commanders training camp
- Training camp notebook | Newton takes another step in recovery, participates in 11-on-11 work
- Dotson feeling more comfortable in Washington's new offense
- Chris Rodriguez ready to prove himself again in Year 2
- Three standouts from Week 1 of Commanders training camp
- Training camp notebook | Daron Payne loves working with Dorance Armstrong, Clelin Ferrell
- Training camp notebook | Jayden Daniels has sharp first day of practice
- Training camp notebook | Focus shifts to line of scrimmage in first padded practice
- Luke McCaffrey leaning on veteran leadership to maximize potential
