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!
JP Finlay
A new offense and new defense means the work doesn’t stop for Washington during the NFL break
Rookie WR Antonio Williams knows how to get separation. He has a chance for a real role in this offense, as does Treylon Burks. The former first-rounder just needs to stay healthy, something he’s been unable to do so far in his NFL career. Burks did tell me this year feels like a fresh start. Quinn also went out of his way to salute the strong summers for veterans Dyami Brown and Van Jefferson.
Quick note on Henry – he’s wearing the 30 jersey and when he’s on the field looks a bit like Austin Ekeler. He’s my early pick for preseason leader in rush yards (which does not mean a roster spot but is a silly prediction game we play on the Beltway Football podcast).
Ben Sinnott and Chig Okonkwo had strong offseasons. David Blough’s offense is going to offer more verticality for the tight end position and expect both to be able to show their athleticism. Okonkwo will be the lead dog at the position but Sinnott might finally be able to prove why he was a Top 100 pick.
Connerly looks bigger and with broader shoulders than his rookie season. Still the single moment that stood out for me came from the conclusion of minicamp practices when the entire team ran a series of short sprints. [Laremy] Tunsil – the five-time Pro Bowler going into his 11th season and with career earnings of well over $100 million – was grinding out the June sprints. Actions not words.
I stood on the sideline watching practice with former Redskins RB Ricky Ervins and Commanders team president Mark Clouse. Ervins told a story about the first time he played at RFK and saw the stands bouncing and explained the scene nearly drove him to tears. He asked Clouse if the bounding seats would be re-created at the new stadium, and the team prez explained that it would for a portion of the seats. It was a cool moment of the past meeting the future, something the organization is trying to do and something the fan base desperately wants.
The Athletic (paywall)
The line will do a lot of zone blocking
Quinn said repeatedly during these nonpadded workouts that it’s hard to get real evaluations on offensive linemen in the spring because so much of the job revolves around physicality. What we do know: The offensive line will use a primarily zone-blocking scheme...
