Hogs Haven
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, and a sprinkling of other stuff
The 2024 season featured a combination of limitations and breakdowns, which resulted in a defense that ranked 30th in rushing yards per game and 28th in yards per carry.
Of the top 10 teams against the run last season, nine made the postseason. Of the bottom 10, only Washington reached the playoffs. It’s a hard life to sustain as only four teams in the past three years made the postseason while finishing bottom 10.
The Commanders signed tackles Javon Kinlaw (6-foot-5, 319 pounds) and Eddie Goldman (6-3, 320) and end Deatrich Wise Jr. (6-5, 280).
Whether that size will be enough remains to be seen. Perhaps it could help with an initial surge, if nothing else. Washington allowed 3.18 yards before contact per rush in 2024; only two teams were worse.
Whitt said the Commanders had planned to use Magee in various three-linebacker packages when other teams played two- or three-tight-end sets.
Washington allowed 5.4 yards per carry when facing those looks. However, in their past eight games, including three postseason contests, the Commanders allowed 7.2 yards per rush vs. those formations. And one team dominated them in this area: Philadelphia. The Eagles ran the ball vs. Washington 59 times with either two or three tight ends; they averaged 6.1 yards per carry with eight touchdowns.
Loser No. 1 - Michael Gallup - Commanders WR
The Washington Commanders gave Michael Gallup a chance to galvanize his NFL career this offseason. He unretired after one year away from the gridiron. He was also highly motivated to remind the world why he was such a highly-regarded player once upon a time.
It hasn’t cost the Commanders much to find out one way or another. With Terry McLaurin holding out of Washington’s mandatory minicamp as frustrations build regarding his new deal, opportunities were expected to be plentiful for Gallup. Unfortunately, he was unable to make any sort of impression.
Gallup didn’t feature in the team’s mandatory minicamp after the team disclosed a hamstring strain for the wide receiver. Considering his injury history before retirement and having almost no margin for error in pursuit of making the squad, this was nothing short of disastrous.
The Commanders aren’t going to cut Gallup before giving him a shot at training camp. He knows Dan Quinn well from their time together with the Dallas Cowboys, so the head coach will be fair. That doesn’t guarantee anything, so hitting the ground running when things get more intense is critical.
There were already doubts about Gallup’s ability to contribute before he unfortunately got hurt. Hopefully, it’s not severe,...
