Hogs Haven
Editor’s note: Each day, Hogs Haven compiles a collection of articles, podcasts & tweets from around the web to keep you in touch with the Commanders, the NFC East, the NFL and sports in general, with a sprinkling of other stuff. Enjoy!
Commanders Roundtable
There are advantages to the scheme shift, such as the simple chance at increasing communication across the offensive line, while Allegretti noted the tempo offense is still “in our pocket” when quarterback Jayden Daniels dictate the change in pace. Yet there are still adjustments that come with it as Allegretti noted the offensive line has focused on getting a “quick step” to force the defense to adjust early on downs.
Of course, he isn’t alone at the position with rookie Matt Gulbin adding depth with hopes the Michigan State and Wake Forest product can elevate the competition. But Allegretti sees areas of growth for himself after noting “under center snaps with some wide zone, with some pulling” is a continued focus with that expected to return to the Commanders’ playbook under Blough, along with the obvious focus of accurate snaps.
The chance to make that transition against a developing, yet complex defense under new coordinator Daronte Jones adds to the challenge with “six, seven, eight” defensive fronts the defense is showing the offense forcing the offensive line to “draw our eyes to a lot of different places.”
Commanders Roundtable
“Just cut on the tape. Everywhere in Indy, I played everything. Here I play everything. I can do literally anything on the field and I take pride and joy in that, knowing that I can play literally anywhere in that back seven and make an impact,” Cross said after day one of week three of OTAs.
Cross will now look to build on what proved to be a quietly successful stint with the Colts where his 72 solo tackles and 2.5 sacks ranked the third-most among NFL safeties in 2025. Cross, who has also missed just one game over his four seasons, also led all NFL safeties with 33 run stops resulting in an unsuccessful offensive play during the 2025 season.
Head coach Dan Quinn pointed to Cross, Quan Martin and Will Harris as the trio the coaches are leaning on while pointing to the physicality the former Colts starter adds to the backline, especially inside the box.
“He’s got more speed maybe than even I thought, playing in the deep part of the fields,” Quinn added.
Commanders.com
“No matter what feat you accomplish, you’ve always got something to prove. You’ve always gotta be hungry.”
Josephs, the Commanders’ fifth-round pick in April, shortens the phrase down to an acronym: “S2P.” He picked it up from Appalachian State quarterback Malachi Singleton, who...
