Cam Taylor-Britt isn’t one for bland clichés. Instead, the Cincinnati Bengals cornerback has decided this season to freely offer his personal assessment of opponents with little hold-back.
Last week, he was unimpressed with Chiefs wide receiver Xavier Worthy, saying the rookie can “run straight.” Then, Taylor-Britt went out and corralled a ridiculous one-handed INT in coverage against Worthy in Sunday’s loss in Kanas City.
Ahead of Monday’s bout with the Washington Commanders, Taylor-Britt was asked what he’s seen from rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels.
“Composed. They don’t make him do a lot. They keep it really simple for him,” the corner said, via ESPN’s Ben Baby. “Nice college offense, (Kliff) Kingsbury, the OC, so they love to move guys around here and there, but just keep it real simple for him. I heard his pass percentage is very high, but he’s only throwing short routes, some intermediate stuff, quick throws.”
The Kingsbury quip is the most inflammatory remark. Taylor-Britt isn’t wrong about what the Commanders have asked of Daniels through two games.
Of the rookie’s 53 pass attempts, 41.2% have been behind the line of scrimmage, per Next Gen Stats, the highest rate in the NFL (second is Tua Tagovailoa at 37.1%). Only 3.9% of Daniels’ passes have been deep attempts (20+ air yards), tied for the rate in NFL with the Patriots’ Jacoby Brissett entering the week (Daniels is 0-2 on deep pass attempts).
Coach Dan Quinn himself noted after Week 1 that he’d like the rookie to keep pass plays alive before taking off and running.
It’s a process for rookies entering the NFL. Daniels has been the best of the three starting first-year passers, flashing an ability to make things happen with his legs and get the ball out quick in Kingsbury’s offense while avoiding big mistakes. There is certainly room to grow, particularly opening up the intermediate and deep game. Nothing in Taylor-Britt’s comments suggest he’s trashing Daniels’ talent.
Taylor-Britt’s comments will catch attention not because he said anything inaccurate about the Commanders offense thus far, but because he gave an answer beyond the bland clichés. If anything, CTB is prepping for a career as an analyst post-football.
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