Hogs Haven
Washington Post (paywall)
Ale Kaho, a free agent linebacker, made the 53-man roster without receiving the dreaded cut call.
As Tuesday afternoon bled into evening, Ale Kaho learned a truism about the NFL’s hardest day. “When you don’t get a phone call,” Kaho said, “that’s better than getting a phone call.”
Barring a roster move between now and [the Week 1 game], Kaho will be there. In April, months after he’d played his final game for UCLA, he waited seven rounds without hearing his name. It hurt. “It definitely fueled a lot to the fire,” Kaho said. “It definitely made me take a step back and reevaluate myself as a person, as a player. What are my habits? How do I live?”
[H]e arrived for training camp as a largely anonymous rookie. He proved himself a sure tackler. He played fast and aggressive on special teams. He listened to everything veteran teammates Bobby Wagner and Frankie Luvu said. He led the Commanders with seven tackles in their final preseason game. Two days later, the Commanders never called to say they were cutting him.
The Athletic (paywall)
After skipping minicamp and holding out for the start of training camp, he’s since been in the building to rehab and work on his conditioning, making only a few public appearances to sign autographs for fans or stand on the sideline in a hooded burgundy jacket, away from media.
On Wednesday, in a lighter and later team workout in flat pads and helmets, McLaurin was back in his No. 17 practice jersey, catching passes from Daniels and running alongside one of his newest teammates, receiver Deebo Samuel.
“I was telling Jayden, it’s like riding a bike,” McLaurin said. “Those things never run away from you, per se. And I wasn’t just doing nothing while this contract situation was going on.”
ESPN
After the agreement was announced Monday, Peters said he heard a commotion coming from outside his office. It was from players celebrating with McLaurin, who said he was mobbed by about 30 teammates coming into the weight room to congratulate him.
“Throughout this entire process, that was the biggest gift that I probably got playing football,” McLaurin said. “That’s what the brotherhood is about. I hope that’s a reflection of the type of team player they feel I am.”
There was little doubt the Commanders were happy to have him back.
“It’s good to have his energy [back],” linebacker Bobby Wagner said.
“He’s so dynamic and such a great player,” center Tyler Biadasz added. “And as a leader of the group, it’s huge.”
Riggo’s Rag
Peters gave agent Buddy Baker his chance to revel in...
