Washington Commanders coach Dan Quinn was asked Wednesday about two of his rookies, in particular.
Those two rookies were wide receiver Luke McCaffrey and cornerback Mike Sainristil.
Quinn had already spoken very positively about Jayden Daniels and Brandon Coleman the previous day with the press.
“What I’ve seen early, I’ve also seen lately,” replied Quinn. By that I mean, these guys are like a rare level of competitor. They just don’t back down.”
Jayden Daniels might consider getting the ball to McCaffrey more often each game. You see, he has only been targeted six times, but he does have six catches, averaging 10.3 a reception.
“I knew Mike also had leadership skills early on, where guys would look to him, not just the other rookies in the class. But some of the defensive backs as well. So, that is what I saw. As they are growing into their season, they are just three games in, each of these opportunities are so important.”
Sainristil has been in on 16 tackles in three games (12 solo and four assists). He has also has a pass breakup.
One of the best plays of Mike Sainristil's young career so far
Read the screen perfectly for a PBU #RaiseHail pic.twitter.com/6uWJffEWs7
— Mason Kinnahan (@Mason_Kinnahan) September 25, 2024
“I think when we look back a few months from now, some of the mistakes that guys make early, they don’t make late. But you do have to fight through some of those with the guys. I have unbelievable belief in them about what they are capable of becoming, and that sometimes happens with the youngest players.”
Indeed, McCaffrey made two very nice plays earlier, picking up first downs, but in the final quarter, he once drove to the stick on third down and then cut off his route just short. So when Daniels passed to him, and McCaffrey was instantly tackled, it was 4th & 1, not 1st & 10.
Jayden Daniels & Luke McCaffrey pick up the 4th down conversion!
📺: #WASvsCIN on ABC
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus and ESPN+ pic.twitter.com/IGjfxr3iTU— NFL (@NFL) September 24, 2024
“You make sure they get the experience, so by the time December and January football comes, they have lived through some of those (experiences). They have some scares to look back on, and they’re really better for that.”
