Daily Slop - 12 Jun 24: Commanders minicamp is underway; 2nd round pick Mike Sainristil signs contract (2024)

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Washington Post (paywall)

Jayden Daniels shows off his wheels to kick off Commanders minicamp

As the Commanders lavish praise on their rookie quarterback, they’re striving to keep him humble, too.

Even though teammates gas him up publicly, it seems they aren’t treating him differently internally. After Daniels bounced his ceremonial first pitch Sunday at Nationals Park, Coach Dan Quinn joked, “It’s a good thing he’s throwing here and not down at the ballpark.” Later Tuesday, Daniels fired several throws into pockets of a net from about 15 yards, and offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury razzed, “Thanks for showing up today, 5!”

Worth a shot

The Commanders’ spring philosophy is basically, “Let’s try stuff.” Coaches have put players in new roles and new positions: Emmanuel Forbes Jr. caught punts. Rookie quarterback-turned-wide receiver Luke McCaffrey practiced taking handoffs. Eleven players returned kicks, and at one point, the first-team linebackers paired with the fourth-string defensive backs.

“There’s still a lot of experimentation to go,” Quinn said. “The fits, the people, the techniques — that’s kind of what this is about. There’ll be some times when you may see, ‘Well, that wasn’t a good play or a good completion,’ but there’s still information to find out.”

Commanders.com

Minicamp notebook | McLaurin sees rare blend of positive traits in Daniels

Daniels came to the Commanders with an impressive reputation as a quarterback who was already polished in terms of his study and preparation. Although Daniels has not been named the starter yet, all reports indicate that he has approached each day as if he is preparing to take on that role. He is one of, if not the first player in the building every day, beating out veterans like Nick Allegretti and Jonathan Allen, and staying late so he will be ready to be the leader of the offense, whenever that is.

Daniels’ approach has earned praise from his teammates, with players like Olamide Zaccheaus saying that Daniels handles himself like a veteran. McLaurin can back up those claims, based on how he and the rookie have worked together.

“I don’t think I’ve had a young quarterback that really has come in and within the first week be like, ‘Hey, can we get this rep?’ or ‘Can we get this rep after practice?’” McLaurin said. “It’s exciting for me, because that opens the door ... There’s an open door of communication, and he’s not afraid to get that work in.”

Riggo’s Rag

Analyst gives Sam Cosmi extra leverage before Commanders’ contract talks

The offensive guard received a significant confidence boost.

Not many of the Washington Commanders covered themselves in glory last season. This was especially evident on the offensive line. It became a significant weak link and unsuited to the pass-happy schematic concepts implemented by Eric Bieniemy during his one campaign in the nation’s capital.

Sam Cosmi was the exception. Ron Rivera switched the former offensive tackle onto the interior to maximize his obvious skill set. Many wondered if the move would pay off, but the transition went much better than even the brighter optimists anticipated.

Cosmi thrived as all around him crumbled. The former second-round pick became a model of consistency and durability at the best possible time. Rivera got little correct along Washington’s protection, but this decision paid off in spades.

Sam Cosmi could get a bumper deal from Commanders with another strong season

Cosmi is the constant. The Texas product played 1,103 offensive snaps in 2023, giving up one sack and conceding four penalties en route to a sensational 80.6 grade from Pro Football Focus. If the Commanders want to stand any chance of making improvements, they need similar or upgraded production from their best offensive lineman next time around.

This is another massive confidence boost for Cosmi. Building on it will be crucial if his representatives want to extract maximum value from his upcoming contract negotiations.

Whether the Commanders want to discuss an extended stay before the campaign is up for debate. It could save them money in the long run - especially if another leap forward arrives next season - but Peters might adopt a wait-and-see approach. If Cosmi fails to meet lofty targets, the price will drop.

It’s a precarious situation the Commanders must handle carefully. Cosmi has the talent - there’s no getting away from that. If the interior force performs as many envisage next season with a better-looking supporting cast, resetting the guard market cannot be completely dismissed.

Commanders Wire

Commanders 2nd-round pick Mike Sainristil signs rookie contract

On Tuesday, Mike Sainristil made it official that Washington had signed one of its three second-round picks.

Sainristil is expected to become Washington’s starting slot cornerback immediately. Former Alabama head coach Nick Saban, whose team lost to Michigan in the College Football Playoff, called Sainristil the “best pound-for-pound player” in the 2024 NFL draft.

The Commanders signed part of their rookie class last month and should have the entire class wrapped up before training camp next month.

Pro Football Talk

Source: Commanders paid Brandon McManus the rest of his signing bonus

When the Commanders abruptly released kicker Brandon McManus, less than a week after a civil lawsuit accusing him of sexual assault came to light, a question emerged regarding his contract.

Half of his $1.5 million signing bonus had been paid. The other half was due on Friday, June 7. Would the Commanders stiff McManus and force him to fight for the money, or would they pay him and move on?

Per a source with knowledge of the situation, the Commanders paid the money that was owed to McManus.

Podcasts & videos

Luke McCaffrey is Excited to Build With Jayden Daniels | Raising Hail with the Rookies

Washington Commanders Jayden Daniels w/ First Team at Minicamp | Johnny Newton Update, Frankie Luvu

All eyes on QB Jayden Daniels at Commanders minicamp

Photos

PHOTOS | Commanders begin minicamp

Check out the top photos of the Washington Commanders taking the field for the first day of minicamp.

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Bleeding Green Nation

12 losers from the Eagles’ spring practices

Part 2 of our stock report from OTAs and minicamp.

LOSERS

QB JALEN HURTS

Surely I won’t be accused of hating Jalen Hurts by including him here, right? It’s OK to point out that he didn’t look super sharp — unlike how he did during 2022 OTAs — this spring? And that he threw more interceptions than you’d ideally like to see while also seemingly not completing a pass over 20 yards? Because that’s my honest impression ... and if you can find a fellow practice observer who totally disagrees with this characterization, be my guest.

RB SAQUON BARKLEY

I’d like to re-stress the preceding disclaimer that we saw little 11-on-11 action and it’s not like the Eagles were running the ball in non-contact drills. Still, that doesn’t mean running backs can’t shine at all. Case in point: I included Will Shipley in the “winners” from spring practices. The rookie showed some ability as a pass-catcher. It would’ve been nice to see Saquon Barkley have a highlight rep or two but none of his targets resulted in anything noteworthy. In a positive way, at least. There was a rep where Zack Baun was running stride-for-stride with Barkley down the left sideline to likely prevent a throw his way. Nice rep for Baun ... but don’t you want a running back who ran a 4.40 40-yard dash creating some separation from an edge-rusher-turned-off-ball-linebacker who tested at 4.65 seconds?

My overarching concern with the Barkley signing is NOT that he’s going to be bad and useless. I think Saquon will be fine. But the Eagles are paying him to be more than merely fine. Among all NFL running backs, he ranks fifth in total value, fourth in average annual value, third in total guaranteed value, and first in fully guaranteed value. There’s an expectation that Barkley will be SPECIAL ... and I don’t think he’s been that player since much earlier in his career.

S (?) JAMES BRADBERRY

Bradberry did not attend voluntary OTAs and then got “hurt” about two minutes into his first mandatory minicamp practice. With so many other players shining at cornerback, it’s hard to justify keeping him around. And a transition to safety doesn’t even really make sense; he’s not going to be a starter and he’s not going to provide value as a backup who doesn’t play special teams. The Eagles are seemingly holding on to him with the hope that they can get anything back in a trade. Teams will probably call their bluff and just wait for them to eventually cut him.

Blogging the Boys

Dak Prescott’s “leverage” depends on one key element

“If the Cowboys want to retain” him is the assumption that Schefter and others are making when they opine on Prescott’s future. And while the Cowboys front office has said they want to keep Prescott, their actions to this point leave room for questions.

If the team is willing to go another direction at quarterback in 2025, Prescott’s leverage evaporates quickly.

The lack of urgency so far in Dallas’ offseason suggests they’re preparing for a franchise renovation. Coach Mike McCarthy’s “lame duck” status, with no years left on his contract beyond 2024, is well-documented. That the Cowboys brought in Mike Zimmer, with ample head coaching experience in his own right, as defensive coordinator is no small matter. Like Wade Phillips in 2010, the rug could come out from under McCarthy before the season’s over.

If the Cowboys are making McCarthy fight for his job, why wouldn’t they do the same with Prescott? If they believed in the roster but not the coach, McCarthy would already be gone. If they believed in the coach but not the players, we’d be seeing a very different offseason. The fact that Dallas is doing so little right now indicates they’re willing to let the status quo play out for one more year and then either reward their guys or find some new ones.

Trey Lance is here for a reason, guys. A year ago, the Cowboys already had a backup QB they loved in Cooper Rush. They didn’t trade for Lance and the back half of his rookie deal, costing them $5.3 million in cap space this year, just to beef up the depth chart.

[I]t’s fairly evident that the Cowboys are leaving their options open at this point, and that means Prescott doesn’t have nearly the leverage that the national media is suggesting. If he goes into the season without a new contract, the story quickly turns on its head.

Big Blue View

New York Giants minicamp: Day 1 takeaways

Evan Neal out until training camp

Head coach Brian Daboll said on Tuesday that right tackle Evan Neal, rehabbing from ankle surgery, will not practice until training camp.

Neal, the 2022 No. 7 overall pick whose starting job is in jeopardy after two sub-par seasons, worked during walk-through periods earlier in the spring. During last week’s open OTA and this week, Neal has not taken the field. On Tuesday, all Neal did was ride the stationary bike.

What’s up with Bellinger?

Daniel Bellinger did not participate in 7-on-7 or 11-on-11 work during the Giants’ open OTA last week. He did not take part in 11-on-11 work on Tuesday, either, but shrugged off questions about whether or not he is dealing with an injury.

“Nothing physically. Just staying locked in mentally and watching Theo [Johnson] and Cage [Lawrence Cager] grow,” Bellinger said. “I wouldn’t say rest. Just kind of like letting Theo grow and getting more mental growth to Theo and Cage and everybody to take a step as a whole tight end room instead of just myself taking all the reps.”

If you are scratching your head reading that and trying to figure out what Bellinger was trying to say (or not say), you aren’t alone. Media members, myself included, were befuddled by that response.

Bellinger rode a stationary bike for part of practice.

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ESPN

Jets QB Aaron Rodgers, DE Haason Reddick not at minicamp

New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers and edge rusher Haason Reddick are skipping the team’s mandatory two-day minicamp, the team announced Tuesday. Both absences are unexcused, meaning both players are subject to fines.

Rodgers has been a regular at voluntary workouts for the past two offseasons, preaching the importance of building team chemistry and eliminating distractions — which makes his absence even more conspicuous. The four-time MVP, nine months removed from Achilles surgery, had been a full participant in practice during three weeks of OTA practices.

Saleh attempted to downplay Rodgers’ no-show, saying it wasn’t a surprise because the 40-year-old quarterback had given advance warning. Saleh insisted he wasn’t disappointed.

Because the minicamp is mandatory, Rodgers and Reddick are subject to a $16,953 fine for missing the first day, $33,908 for the second day. Reddick already has forfeited a $250,000 workout bonus.

Reddick, 29, acquired in a March 29 trade with the Philadelphia Eagles, is due to make a non-guaranteed $14.25 million in base pay in the final year of the contract he signed with the Eagles in 2022. His no-show caps an offseason in which he skipped all voluntary workouts.

General manager Joe Douglas was ecstatic when he traded a 2026 conditional third-round pick for Reddick, calling him “an electric presence off the edge.” It was widely known that Reddick wanted a new contract, but the Jets made the trade anyway, comfortable they’d be able to make the relationship work.

Cricket News

Front Office Sports

USA Cricket Is on the Cusp of a Historic Win. But Who Can Watch?

The U.S., playing in its first T20 World Cup ever, needs a victory in one of those two matches to advance to the next round, which is called the Super 8s stage. Sounds like must-see TV, right? The only problem is you’ve probably never heard of the channel showing the game. If you thought truTV was obscure when it got some March Madness rights, buckle up.

Willow by Cricbuzz, a niche cricket-focused broadcaster, has ICC rights in the U.S. and Canada. Willow has said it is accessible in more than 70 million households, but typically only as part of premium-tier sports packages or South Asian packages, and sometimes only with a separate monthly subscription fee of at least $10 or more. Willow chief operating officer Todd Myers tells Front Office Sports the service is currently in four million homes.

Expanding Reach

To remedy that problem, Willow has worked out a deal with several of its provider partners to offer a free TV viewing of the U.S.-India match. Subscribers of Fubo TV, DirecTV, and Optimum will be able to watch the game without buying a subscription or more premium tier. That will boost Willow’s reach to 15 million households for Wednesday’s match.

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