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
[H]e showed up at Ashburn looking like a different player.
It’s not hard to miss Kinlaw. He’s 6-foot-5 with a muscular, large frame that represents an imposing figure. But the South Carolina product looked much leaner than his documented 319-pound weight suggests.
There’s no way Kinlaw is that now. He’s been working exceptionally hard away from the team, and it shows. The No. 14 overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft looked explosive during drills, and there’s a renewed focus to his approach that bodes well for his chances in Washington.
Training camp is still in its infancy. However, this was exactly what Peters had in mind when he gave Kinlaw a financial commitment not many thought he deserved.
One reason Washington wanted to sign edge rusher Von Miller was because of the potential impact he could have on other players. And he should be a big help to linebacker Frankie Luvu, arguably Washington’s best pass rusher. Luvu said he used to study Miller’s pass-rush moves because he felt his game resembled his.
What Washington likes is that Miller is still versatile — coach Dan Quinn said he could rush from an up position or with his hand in the dirt. He can execute stunts. Luvu, too, can be freed to rush from more places other than just the edge, and that can make him a more effective blitzer.
“I just like having a deep crew of guys that can be versatile and do things,” Quinn said. “I also like the detail that he gets into as a pass rusher.”
It should also be noted: Quinn gave Miller a veteran’s day off on the second day of camp. Their goal is to keep him healthy and productive all season.
“Let me rush, that’s what I do,” Miller said Thursday. “I can still roll out of bed at 36 years old with my shoes on and rush the passer. I can do that right when I wake up fresh out of sleep. I love rushing the passer.”
The Commanders clearly appreciate those who can do that as well. They signed Miller this week to a one-year deal for $6.1 million, with the ability to earn up to $10.5 million in incentives. The Commanders ranked 11th in sacks with 43 last season, but they were 30th in fourth-quarter sacks with five.
Both Miller and the Commanders also are looking for the same thing: a trip to the Super Bowl. Miller won a Super Bowl in Denver, when he...
