3 areas Carson Wentz must improve at Commanders training camp
By Jerry Trotta
2. Identifying Mismatches
Yes, identifying mismatches is tied into Wentz having tunnel vision. This hasn’t necessarily been a recurring problem at camp, but one particular play stood out in our eyes and simply cannot happen once the regular season starts.
During red zone drills, Wentz threw in the direction of Cole Turner, who’s been his preferred target around the end zone thus far (tunnel vision), almost immediately after the snap and the pass fell incomplete. Little did the QB know, however, that he had McLaurin matched up in the slot with Jamin Davis on a fade route.
The incompletion provoked a response from a disappointed McLaurin, who demanded the ball when covered by a linebacker. The star wideout wasn’t showing up Wentz, but he understands it was a missed opportunity by the QB.
Terry McLaurin was just matched up in the slot with Jamin Davis and ran a fade-ish route to the corner. Wentz looked elsewhere and Terry was animated (not mad, not showing up Wentz, just animated). “Throw it to me when I’m on a linebacker!”
— Pete Hailey (@PeteHaileyNBCS) August 1, 2022
Better for this to happen in camp than in the regular season, right? The chemistry between Wentz and McLaurin will be imperative to Washington’s success this season and this play underscored the fact it’s a work-in progress.
For Wentz, though, he needs to be better at seeing the field and identifying mismatches in coverage, especially with the team’s best WR.