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John Keim
ASHBURN, Va. — Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels says he has seen an enormous distinction in his sport from a 12 months in the past — again when he was preparing for a historic rookie season.
“Most positively night time and day,” he stated.
That is as a result of Daniels stated he’s extra used to coordinator Kliff Kingsbury’s offense and his teammates. A 12 months in the past, Daniels was studying the system and adapting to the NFL and never worrying about management. Now, he stated, he’ll chastise teammates at instances in the event that they make a mistake and is processing the offense at a sooner stage.
Not that it restricted Daniels final season, when he was named the NFL’s Offensive Rookie of the Yr and completed seventh in MVP voting. He threw for 3,568 yards, 25 touchdowns and 9 interceptions whereas operating for 891 yards and one other six scores.
“It is being extra snug within the offense,” Daniels stated. “I perceive what Kliff is asking and what we need to accomplish as an offense. I’ve totally different instruments in my software belt to get to totally different protections, to get to totally different runs versus sure appears to be like.”
Commanders coach Dan Quinn was requested earlier in camp concerning the massive leap gamers could make of their second season. He stated Daniels made that leap throughout his first season.
“The extra time within the system, it slowed down in a method,” Quinn stated. “He might course of issues a lot extra rapidly that it was more durable to idiot him on sure appears to be like or sure issues that may come up. There’s some actual confidence that comes with that.”
Veteran operating again Austin Ekeler stated that consolation stage has resulted in a greater chief. Final 12 months, Quinn stated they did not need Daniels worrying about correcting teammates or being a pacesetter. They needed him to simply fear about taking part in.
Ekeler stated Daniels kicked one teammate out of the huddle in follow Thursday after he dedicated a false begin penalty.
“He stated, ‘Get out, we will not be doing that,'” Ekeler stated. “That is management we would not have seen final 12 months. He is holding the usual, letting everybody know that is how we play. If you happen to’re not taking part in at this stage, you possibly can’t be on the sector. That is superior to see in a quarterback.”
Daniels stated he understands that is now a part of his job.
“I am the one which has to uphold the usual,” Daniels stated. “If guys are false-starting, it is subsequent man up. I maintain myself accountable. If I mess up, I look to Zach [Ertz] and guys like that to carry me accountable.”