Commanders' Joe Whitt Praises Veteran Linebacker

The Washington Commanders had the league’s worst ranked defense a year ago. Part of their rebuild is to at least get this defense to the middle of the pack under defensive minded coach Dan Quinn.

With that in mind, they went out and signed linebackers Bobby Wagner and Frankie Luvu along with defensive end Dorance Armstrong. Adding these players with Doran Payne and Jonathan Allen up front considerably upgrade the defensive front.

With those signings, the Commanders asked fourth-year linebacker Jamin Davis to move to edge rusher, something he’s never done. He has been open to coaching and learning and has definitely earned the praise from defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr.

You've got to give credit to Asst DLine Coach Ryan Kerrigan first,” Whitt said, “He's doing a great job of working with him, but Jamin's has been very willing to learn from a very good coach. And you see him each day getting better from just being a guy that can possibly rush the passer, to being a guy that can play the run.

“'Alright, I understand stunts' and definitely rush the passer is what we wanted to see. He is a big man that has power and I've been pleased with what he's doing and his buy-in to looking at doing a little bit something different.”

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Davis has openly said he is up for any challenge and will try anything the coaches or team ask him to do. He just wants to play football and if that means rushing the passer from the edge, then Davis is up for it.

We will see him put his newly acquired pass rush skills to the test against the New York Jets when they open preseason play this Saturday at MetLife Stadium.