Daily Slop - 10 Aug 24: Emmanuel Forbes, Commanders secondary under scrutiny vs NY Jets (2025)

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Washington Post (paywall)

Commanders camp was all sunshine and optimism. Then it rained.

One bad joint practice with the New York Jets issued a reminder about how Washington could look during a rebuilding season.

For Washington Commanders fans who have grown increasingly optimistic about this season during the Pollyanna days of training camp, the joint practice Thursday against the New York Jets was a cold shower — literally.

The Commanders, in an at-times-torrential downpour, looked out of sync in all three phases, especially on offense. Rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels, who took all the first-team snaps, looked fine, and the problems were more on the offensive line — a thin unit made thinner by injuries.

Defensively, the secondary struggled despite the absence of quarterback Aaron Rodgers, whom the Jets held out because of the weather. And both Commanders kickers missed multiple attempts, particularly struggling beyond 45 yards. One of the lone bright spots was the pass rush.

Overall, the vibe was a market correction for any runaway expectations. While one bad practice in August can’t doom a season, it can tamp down enthusiasm that the offense will excel right away, and it can dent the belief that Washington could turn things around as quickly and dramatically as the Houston Texans did last year with No. 2 overall pick C.J. Stroud quickly emerging into a star quarterback.

On Thursday, the Jets’ talented defense prevented the Commanders from creating any explosive plays and exposed other weaknesses, such as on the offensive line, which was missing starting tackles Brandon Coleman and Andrew Wylie and got limited reps from starting right guard Sam Cosmi.

Their replacements — Cornelius Lucas at left tackle, Trent Scott at right tackle and a rotation of Michael Deiter and Chris Paul at right guard — struggled. Washington had to use two third-string guards, Mason Brooks and Braeden Daniels, as second-string tackles.

The other problems highlighted at the practice, such as kicking and the secondary, would be magnified if this team were aiming for a Super Bowl. But it’s not....

Bullock’s Film Room (subscription)

Evaluating Emmanuel Forbes Training Camp Practice vs Jets

Forbes had some poor reviews from the joint practice against the Jets, so I found as many clips as I could to break down his performance

Forbes faced Jets star receiver Garrett Wilson a number of times in the practice session and reportedly struggled. I wasn’t at the practice so I can only go off clips I’ve found on Twitter. There were four major plays that went somewhat viral, but multiple different camera angles made it look like there were a lot more. So I’ve found all the clips I could and cut together the different angles of each rep to try and get an understanding on what happened with each play and how Forbes can improve. First up, let’s start with the one that everyone has probably seen, the deep touchdown.

(Clips from Twitter user @Huddle_NFL and the Jets official account)

It’s understandable why this clip went viral. Forbes lines up in press coverage against Wilson, who releases inside and runs by him down the field on his way to a deep touchdown. It’s not a good rep by Forbes and I won’t give him any excuses, but we can look at why it went wrong for him. Forbes opts against trying to jam Wilson at the line, but does move his feet well to stay on top of the route initially as Wilson releases inside. Wilson sells just a little stutter move on his fifth step at about six or seven yards of depth. Forbes bites just enough on that move to allow Wilson to show off his speed and acceleration.

Forbes does actually manage to stay level with Wilson after the stutter, but my guess here would be he starts to anticipate an in-breaking route of some sort. You can see just before the camera angle is adjusted that Forbes begins leaning inside on Wilson slightly, which suggests to me he’s anticipating an in-breaking route and is preparing himself to undercut it. Unfortunately for Forbes, there is no cut inside and Wilson carries on running down the field. Forbes has a little stumble once he recognizes that Wilson isn’t making a cut inside and that gives Wilson that yard of separation.

At that point, a good throw out in front leaves Forbes completely beat. However, this pass is slightly underthrown, allowing Forbes the opportunity to recover slightly. He does make up ground thanks to Wilson having to slow down to wait for the ball, but Forbes then makes another error. Forbes doesn’t use out-of-phase technique, which is a technique used by corners that are out of position or beat on a play. When a corner is in a good coverage position, you want them to look back for the ball to try and make a play on it, but when a corner is in a bad position or out-of-phase, looking back for the ball can lead to losing track of the receiver completely. Instead, out-of-phase corners are typically taught to focus on the receiver’s hands and play through the hands to disrupt the pass instead of trying to make a play directly on the ball.

Forbes doesn’t use that technique, instead he turns his head to look back for the football without any sign of it coming. From the end zone replay angle, you can see that the moment Forbes turns his head to look for the ball, it drops over his helmet and into the arms of the receiver. Had he just been watching Wilson’s hands, he could have still had a chance to recover and break up the pass.

There are a few other things to note on this play too. Free safety Quan Martin got caught a little too shallow trying to disguise the coverage at the snap. The Commanders are playing Cover-1 with Martin responsible for the deep middle, man coverage across the board and everyone else rushing. Martin tries to bluff a potential Cover-0 look by rotating down late to act like he’s actually matching the running back out of the backfield, but it backfires as he doesn’t get enough depth after the snap to stay on top of the deepest route, which was Wilsons. You wouldn’t necessarily expect a free safety to get all the way out to the numbers, where Wilson eventually caught the pass, from the middle of the field anyway, but if Martin had a bit more depth he might have been just enough of a deterrent for the throw or perhaps been able to get across and contest the pass.

The second play worth looking at is a slant route from Wilson against Forbes.

(Clips from Youtube user DEVO Highlights Presents (NFL) and Twitter user @drewwanamaker1)

This is another play that did the rounds on Twitter and to me, this one is slightly more worrying for Forbes than the previous one. That might sound silly given the results of each play, but corners will give up deep shots from time to time and there are some fairly correctable issues that could get Forbes back on track with that deep shot. This play though is one that suggests the deep shot had a lingering impact on Forbes mentally.

Commanders.com

Three things to watch against the Jets

2. The secondary.

Washington’s secondary was a major point of concern in 2023 with the number of explosive plays it gave up on a weekly basis. The team has spent the last two weeks trying to figure out how all the players they brought in through free agency and the draft will work together. It will get the most clarity on Saturday against the Jets.

The Jets and their wide receivers, led by Garrett Wilson, appeared to win the day against the Commanders’ defensive backs, as they got open downfield multiple times. Many of the same issues the secondary had in 2023 seemed to persist, although it is worth pointing out that Washington kept things simple with its coverages.

3. The competition at receiver.

Sitting at the top of the list is second-year pro Brycen Tremayne. He’s become a favorite target for Daniels and Marcus Mariota when they’re looking for explosive plays. He did it again — twice — in the joint practice with the Jets during seven-on-seven drills. Tremayne has already fought to give himself a shot to make the roster thanks to his rapport with Washington’s quarterbacks. If he repeats that feat again in a game scenario, it should give him a firmer hold on his long-term status with the team.

Pro Football Focus

One rookie to watch in every NFL preseason Week 1 game

Washington Commanders @ New York Jets: Commanders S Tyler Owens/Dominique Hampton

It was very intriguing when the Commanders drafted both Dominique Hampton and Tyler Owens. They are super-sized safeties whose body type and athleticism give them position versatility. Washington also brought in Jeremy Chinn this offseason, who is of a similar mold. I am looking forward to seeing how Dan Quinn deploys them.

Podcasts & videos

Wrapping up the joint practice. Questions going in remain the same coming out of the session. @ESPNRichmond https://t.co/FK1KjPnlPo

— John Keim (@john_keim) August 9, 2024

Looking ahead to the preseason opener with @NickiJhabvala. What was learned Thursday. What needs to be seen tomorrow. Early observations. More @ESPNRichmond https://t.co/DGMPmViZoU

— John Keim (@john_keim) August 9, 2024

Ben Standig's semi-weekly visit saw him talking all things Commanders-Jets with @RickDocWalker today: https://t.co/bBGWj9Wb7H

— The Team 980 (@team980) August 9, 2024

Photos

Commanders.com

PHOTOS | Commanders face off against Jets in rainy joint practice

The Washington Commanders wrapped up their joint practice with the New York Jets. Check out the top photos from Thursday morning.

Daily Slop - 10 Aug 24: Emmanuel Forbes, Commanders secondary under scrutiny vs NY Jets (1)
Daily Slop - 10 Aug 24: Emmanuel Forbes, Commanders secondary under scrutiny vs NY Jets (2)
Daily Slop - 10 Aug 24: Emmanuel Forbes, Commanders secondary under scrutiny vs NY Jets (3)
Daily Slop - 10 Aug 24: Emmanuel Forbes, Commanders secondary under scrutiny vs NY Jets (4)

NFC East links

NFL.com

Cowboys send CB Nahshon Wright to Vikings in exchange for CB Andrew Booth

The Cowboys are essentially sending a corner on an expiring contract to the Vikings in exchange for another corner who has one more year of team control. Because Booth was taken one round earlier (second round) in 2022 than Wright was selected in 2021 (third round), Dallas will take on slightly more cap space via Booth’s existing deal, which accounts for $2.265 million in 2024.

According to PFF, Booth performed better than Wright in terms of overall grade in 2023, but neither broke 200 in total defensive snaps played last season. Wright spent the vast majority of his time on special teams, while Booth’s participation was almost evenly split between defense and special teams.

Last August, Dallas sent Kelvin Joseph to Miami in exchange for Noah Igbinoghene, who returned a blocked field goal for the Cowboys’ first touchdown of 2023, but played just 102 snaps between defense and special teams in five games played last season.

NFL league links

Articles

Awful Announcing

NFL Hawk-Eye technology is off to a rough start

The Lions-Giants game featured the "Hawk-Eye" technology to measure for a first down.

It took a few minutes to make happen.

"Are we going to use it if it takes this long?" - Phil Simms (he's doing Giants games this preseason: https://t.co/s3ZDsqMuYq) ️ pic.twitter.com/Y1qCsLPwO3

— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) August 9, 2024

With the Giants up 7-3 with seven minutes and change remaining in the second quarter, the Hawk-Eye technology was used to measure a potential first down. Lions backup quarterback Nate Sudfeld connected with wide receiver Tom Kennedy on 3rd and 5, but it was ruled that the 28-year-old Kennedy was short of the yard to gain.

It was roughly three and a half minutes from the end of the play to the beginning of the next play.

“Are we going to use it if it takes this long?” asked Simms, who is doing some preseason games for the Giants on local affiliates.

Simms’ feedback echoed the sentiment of many viewers, as fans took to social media to express their frustration with the lengthy review process.

Daily Slop - 10 Aug 24: Emmanuel Forbes, Commanders secondary under scrutiny vs NY Jets (5)
Pro Football Talk

Report: Brandon Aiyuk rejected trade to Browns for Amari Cooper, draft picks

Via Matt Maiocco, Aiyuk put the kibosh on a deal that would have sent Aiyuk to the Browns for receiver Amari Cooper, a second-round pick, and a fifth-round pick.

At the risk of sparking a Boston-style X party, this leak has the 49ers’ fingerprints all over it. There’s no reason for the Browns to make it known they were on the verge of moving Cooper. And there’s no reason for Aiyuk to tell the world he didn’t want to play for the Browns, if he still might play for another team in the AFC North.

This feels like an effort to paint Aiyuk as unreasonable, as the one who prevented a resolution to the situation.

Jerod Mayo: I expect Drake Maye to get more reps in second preseason game. https://t.co/ZF8ZMMHPB3

— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) August 9, 2024
The Athletic (paywall)

Patriots’ failed Brandon Aiyuk pursuit highlights difficulties of NFL rebuild

In late March, on a deck overlooking the water at a five-star hotel, New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft stood in front of reporters and tried to explain how his team had failed to land wide receiver Calvin Ridley, its top free agent target.

The season before, the Patriots had whiffed on receiver DeAndre Hopkins, too, but that was different. That was Bill Belichick. This was a new regime with a new vision, one centered on “weaponizing” the offense. What that meant was landing a No. 1 wide receiver to pair with a rookie quarterback, who became No. 3 pick Drake Maye. That plan — spending big on a receiver while your quarterback is on a low-cost, rookie contract — has brought success elsewhere, and New England wanted to copy it.

But like Hopkins before him, Ridley chose Tennessee, even if the Patriots were willing to offer more money. Kraft explained that Ridley’s home situation made him inclined to stay in the South. But he added another caveat.

“And part of it might be the quarterback situation as well,” Kraft said.

Months later, the Patriots have seemingly missed out on another top receiving target. According to ESPN, they’ve given up their quest for Brandon Aiyuk, a top-10 player at his position who is still only 26 years old. The Pats tried to land Aiyuk during the draft in April, but the 49ers weren’t willing to deal him. They re-engaged in trade talks this month during Aiyuk’s “hold-in” at 49ers training camp, and New England was arguably the most aggressive and motivated team in trying to land him. The Patriots were willing to pay Aiyuk as a top-five receiver in the NFL, according to a team source, which would result in him making at least $30 million per season.

But it doesn’t seem the interest was mutual. While the Patriots had the framework of a trade with the 49ers in place, Aiyuk wasn’t interested in coming to New England, according to NBC Sports Bay Area.

And now we’ve arrived at a brutal reality for the Patriots, who have been dealt yet another blow by yet another top receiver target. Like Hopkins and Ridley, Aiyuk didn’t want to come and be a part of this rebuild with an uncertain quarterback situation.

Tweets

The real wide receiver market and where Lamb and Aiyuk standhttps://t.co/mU3aXE2vn2

— Jason_OTC (@Jason_OTC) August 8, 2024

Discussion topics

Daddy Did It

Marvin Harrison Jr. Says He Never Signed Fanatics Deal—His Dad Did: https://t.co/iTGtpK7mVH via @sportico @McCannSportsLaw #SportsBiz | #NFL

— Scott Soshnick (@soshnick) August 9, 2024
Front Office Sports

Marvin Harrison Tries Hail Mary To Get Out of Fanatics Lawsuit

Fanatics sued the former Ohio State wide receiver in May saying Harrison breached their signed agreement and that he falsely claimed the agreement didn’t exist. Harrison doubled down last month, claiming he personally never agreed to any Fanatics deal. According to a July 26 affidavit, Harrison said the agreement was between Fanatics and The Official Harrison Collection, signed by his father, Marvin Harrison Sr., as a representative for the company. In another affidavit, Harrison Sr. confirmed he signed the binding term sheet.

According to ESPN, however, the term sheet does include the initials of the younger Harrison in the same style he used on items in his company’s store, and does not include his father’s signature.

Fanatics called the positions in the new affidavits “surprises” and “astonishing” in a letter to Judge Anar Patel, per ESPN. The judge gave the apparel company two weeks to refile its case. Fanatics already refiled the suit Monday, including a detail that it had paid Harrison Jr. $110,000 for autographs in 2023. On Tuesday, Harrison Jr.’s attorneys contended that Fanatics hadn’t paid him anything, and, according to his affidavit, Topps paid The Official Harrison Collection. Fanatics bought Topps in 2022, and Harrison Jr. is the sole owner of his company.

“I believe that the Binding Term Sheet is not binding on anyone, not even The Official Harrison Collection LLC,” Harrison Jr. said in his affidavit.

Daily Slop - 10 Aug 24: Emmanuel Forbes, Commanders secondary under scrutiny vs NY Jets (2025)
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