NFL legend Michael Irvin delivers wisdom to Commanders after Cowboys loss
Hall-of-Famer Michael Irvin has some advice for the Washington Commanders following their 34-26 loss to the Dallas Cowboys. The Commanders entered the 2024 season with modest expectations.
They had a new quarterback and rejigged roster and coaching staff, assembled by a new general manager - the perfect ingredients for a rebuild - but not one that would be immediately successful.
Detractors were seemingly proven right when the Commanders lost their season-opener 37-20 at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. And then they went 7-1 to seize the NFC East lead, proving the merits of the organizational overhaul.
Lately, though, they have seemingly fallen back on tough times, losing three straight and ceding the divisional lead to the Philadelphia Eagles. However, not all is lost, according to Hall-of-Famer Michael Irvin.
On Wednesday's episode of SPEAK, with Joy Taylor, NBA legend Paul Pierce and fellow Super Bowl-winning wideout Keyshawn Johnson, Irvin discussed Washington's playoff prospects after its defeat to the Cowboys:
"You see no one in this NFL predicted Commanders would get that call. ... By answering that call, we'll be able to write our name amongst the few greats that were able to meet and beat all the difficult challenges of having a new head coach and a rookie quarterback. That call is the 2024 NFL playoffs."
Jayden Daniels has important message for Commanders ahead of Titans game
Up next for the Commanders is another home stand against the Tennessee Titans, who are fighting not to be dead-last in the AFC South. Quarterback Jayden Daniels is not taking things lightly.
Speaking to reporters after Wednesday's practice, he said (0:07 in the video below):
“You just go out here and play football. Execute, and let the cards fall where they fall. It’s just how we prepare. Go out there and have fun and play loose, and we’ll live with the outcomes.”
A factor to keenly observe is how the ground game performs against a trench led by linemen T'Vondre Sweat and Jeffery Simmons and linebacker Harold Landry.
Brian Robinson Jr. was able to practice on Wesnesday despite having been bothered by an ankle injury before, but Austin Ekeler is unavailable with a concussion. Nevertheless, Daniels doesn't feel the pressure to run the ball as he said:
“We got other guys that are able to run the ball…Things happen in football. It’s the next man up mentality.”
Meanwhile, cornerback Marshon Lattimore participated in his first practice since being traded from the New Orleans Saints. He hasn't played since the trade because of a hamstring injury.