Babe Laufenberg is a three-time Redskin alum and now an analyst for the Dallas Cowboys’ radio network – where he also played, and was Troy Aikman’s backup in 1989 – so he’s seen his share of Washington-Dallas games.
And whether it’s a Misery Monday here, or an ‘Overreaction Monday’ like they used to have in Dallas in his day, one thing is clear for the Commanders right now: it shouldn’t have been this way, but this NFL season has been perhaps unlike any other in the ‘Any Given Sunday’ mantra.
“I think you earn every win, but it’s interesting; I’m doing the game and giving an NFL update, and all or a sudden I'm talking about Carolina and Kansas City are tied, or the Raiders are beating Baltimore, and I'm just looking at it like whoa!” Laufenberg said. “I know there are betting lines, but there really aren't any upsets anymore in the NFL. I know Cowboys were 10-point underdogs, but it’s just not college football where, once upon a time, when Alabama got off the bus, as long as every bus didn’t break down, Alabama was still gonna win the game. It’s just not like that in the NFL.”
And for those who were down on the juice of the rivalry right now, Dan Quinn switching sides aside, well, the Babe was kind of with you there too.
“If I read it correctly, I think only three of your defensive starters were even on the team last year, so there's not that build-up of playing each other twice a year and growing that hatred,” Laufenberg said. “But I think you guys are on the right path. You have a great young quarterback and Dan Quinn's a heck of a coach, and I'm hoping this thing get back to where it was where both teams are good and these games are really big games. I don't think there's any better rivalry when both teams are good than Dallas-Washington.
Speaking of that young quarterback, what does Laufenberg think of Jayden Daniels overall?
“I posted by pre-draft analysis of Jayden Daniels, and he’s done nothing to disprove why I liked him coming out,” Laufenberg said. “I think so many of these guys get ruined by getting played too early when they’re not read, and everyone’s confidence in them gets shot, and they just never recover.
So, for Jayden to step in and do what he's done as a rookie is pretty remarkable. I don't know how badly those ribs are hurting him, but they did run him, and he was effective yesterday.”
The issue for the Commanders is going to be keeping Jayden out of harm's way versus letting him do what makes him special.
“If you run the ball as a quarterback, you’re going to get beat up – and a quarterback’s shoulder pads are built for throwing, not running, so you’re not built up the way any other position is, so when you get it, the impact is different,” Laufenberg said. “It’s a Catch-22, you want to see the guy run but not get hurt, but the best thing about Jayden Daniels is he can beat you with his arm or his legs, and I see a lot of Lamar Jackson in him.”
Take a listen to Laufenberg’s entire visit above, as he also discusses the Cowboys’ rough season and the dichotomy of success vs. draft stock, the Kingsbury Kliff, and more!