The Washington Commanders are a little under 24 hours away from playing their first game in the NFL 2024 Season. When they step on the field to play the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, change is what fans will be looking to see.
The Commanders finished the 2023 season 4-13 and worked hard this year to revamp their program. This meant bringing in some new faces and getting right to work with creating a new, more exciting system of play. This began with the arrival of new head coach Dan Quinn, general manager Adam Peters, and Jayden Daniels, who will make his first NFL Regular Season start Sunday.
Along with his arrival comes the expectation, if not the hope of a Commanders’ fan base that’s starving for something different than the “Same ol’ Washington” feel. They worked to change this feel all preseason, ensuring they got a good look at every one. Now fans will see what the hype is all about if you go by Peters. However, the work continued until Friday when it came to personnel. The Commanders posted to their X account Friday yet another adjustment, releasing wide receiver Byron Pringle.
It wasn’t a lengthy post, just “We have released WR Byron Pringle.” Pringle played one season with the Commanders, playing all season, and was targeted 22 times for 161 yards.
Commanders Week 1: 3 Things To Watch
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First, it cannot go without saying: Rookie QB Jayden Daniels. Stepping onto the field Sunday will be different because these games are going on record. Speaking with media after practice Saturday Daniels simply said, “Can’t go out there and think I’m the savior.” He’s right, but he’s also one of the long line of quarterbacks to don the burgundy and gold, so expectations are high.
He’s no one’s savior and realizes the work that needs to be put into the position, thus why he is the starter. Outside of Robert Griffin III, Daniels is only the second rookie quarterback to start for Washington. ” It’s just a blessing that DQ [Dan Quinn] and AP [Adam Peters] trust me to go out there and lead the team, lead the franchise to hopefully win some games,” he said at an Aug. 19 press conference. He added, “…It’s something I dreamed about as a kid to be at this moment, to experience this moment.”
Next is the Washington Defense. Last season, the Commanders allowed 30.5 points per game on defense, the most by any team. Overall, they allowed 518 points, making them the team with the most points allowed. That was then, this is now. With the arrival of Joe Whitt Jr., the expectation of a more aggressive, dare to be said Dallas Cowboys’ defense might be seen Sunday.
As a reminder, from 2021 to 2023 Whitt was part of the Cowboys’ defensive program, serving as pass game coordinator and as a Secondary coach. The man knows what it takes to build a defense. The Cowboys stayed at the top of the league in takeaways, never ranking below 12th. That type of energy is needed in Washington.
Finally, there is the possible arrival of new game technology. Earlier this year at a league meeting, NFL owners approved using optimal tracking known as Hawk-Eye in the preseason to help with confirming first downs. It was tested during the Preseason game between the Detroit Lions and New York Giants. However, it failed to impress. As of Aug. 27, according to NBC Sports, the technology is being tabled to be reevaluated next season. However, on the NFL Football Operations page there is no update saying it will not be used but expect the Chain gang on the sidelines.
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