Commanders QB Sam Howell 'Huge Fan' of WR Jahan Dotson
All offseason people questioned why the Washington Commanders were moving forward with Sam Howell as their starting quarterback.
After Week 1 of the Commanders' preseason, a 75 percent completion rate, 85 yards of offense, one touchdown, and a 17-15 win over the Cleveland Browns, some of those questions might start to fade.
For Washington's players, however, they'll tell you the lack of outside confidence had no impact on theirs internally, especially second-year receiver Jahan Dotson.
"I can move everywhere, I can run every route on the route tree," Dotson said to Commanders.com's Logan Paulsen on the sideline after his night was finished. "Coach Bieniemy is letting me do that. He's giving me the freedom to do that and put my own sauce on things. That's what you want in a coach. Someone who trusts you and believes in you to get open."
Dotson was the recipient of Howell's touchdown pass Friday night and laughed as he recalled the play where he was matched in man coverage against a safety saying, "That's never a good thing for a safety."
What's bad for safeties is usually good for quarterbacks.
"It's awesome, man," Howell told Paulsen when asked about having a talent like Dotson on his side. "Jahan is so special. He's so polished...I was a huge fan of his when he was in college and I'm so excited to play with him."
If Week 1 of the preseason is any indication of what's to come then it's not just Howell and Dotson who are excited.
Some will look to discount some of what the Commanders achieved Friday night as preseason nonsense.
For Washington, however, after a hard three weeks of practice and some late controversy over whether or not new offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy's methods were working, the offensive success - especially from the young players - will be used to energize the next week's work as they continue to grow.
Those signs of growth - preseason or not - are reason enough for players, coaches, and fans alike to get just a little excited.
Find David Harrison on the Locked On Commanders podcast or text him directly at (202) 760-2188.
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