Who Should I Start? Easton Stick or Sam Hartman

Saturday, August 9, 4:13 PM

With Atlanta Falcons No. 1 quarterback Michael Penix Jr. and backup Kirk Cousins sitting out Friday, third-stringer Easton Stick got the start against the Detroit Lions. Stick impressed in a 17-10 loss, completing 15 of 18 attempts for 149 yards and a touchdown. The former fifth-round pick spent the first six seasons of his career with the Los Angeles Chargers before joining the Falcons in free agency this past spring. Stick appeared in six games with the Chargers (four starts) and completed 64% of passes with three touchdowns and an interception. If the Falcons keep three quarterbacks, Stick looks like the front-runner for the role, though he is competing with Emory Jones. The 25-year-old Jones has no regular-season experience in the NFL, but he did go 4-for-5 for 49 yards and add nine more yards on two rushes in relief of Stick on Friday. Stick and Jones will continue battling for a roster spot on Aug. 15 against the Tennessee Titans.

Friday, August 8, 11:55 PM

Washington Commanders quarterback Sam Hartman played the first half of the Commanders' first preseason game in New England and was largely ineffective. He completed nine of 19 passes for 64 yards and threw one interception. He didn't take a sack and also added a six-yard scramble. The former Notre Dame signal caller was let down by his receivers a bit, with multiple drops by receiver Chris Moore and KJ Osborn. He delivered a beautiful deep ball to Moore down the sideline, who momentarily caught it before losing control when he hit the ground. On his final drive of the night, he again dropped it in the bucket to Osborn on a slot fade in the endzone, but he couldn't come down with it. Otherwise, Hartman struggled with accuracy and threw a poor interception after being late on the throw. He's been battling for the QB3 position in Washington with journeyman Josh Johnson, who may have the upper hand with a solid performance in the second half.