Hogs Haven
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The Washington Commanders will be on the field May 28 for Phase 3 of their offseason workout program. Here are three things to watch throughout the day.
The Commanders’ secondary went through significant changes this offseason to help improve what was one of the team’s most glaring weak spots. Benjamin St-Juste and Jeremy Chinn have been replaced by Will Harris, Jonathan Jones and draft pick Trey Amos, and while it seems like the group is better in some areas compared to last year, we won’t see just how much better they are for some time.
The work towards progress starts during the offseason, as it will be the first time the new group will be together. Like the offensive line, they will need to build chemistry and learn how to communicate — an important feature of the Commanders’ defense — and play off each other’s strengths. They also need to work out where players will line up; Amos’ presence could mean that Mike Sainristil can return to the slot. Sainristil played on the outside as a rookie, mostly out of necessity, but he was drafted to make plays at nickel.
With so many new pieces, fans can expect the Commanders to try several combinations from now until Week 1 and beyond. As good as it is to have options, it is better to find out which players work the best with one another in certain situations.
“I’m just here to dominate my role,” Lane said after the May 10 rookie minicamp practice.
There is no clear answer on the full scope of Lane’s role, but special teams are expected to be a big part of it. That was one of his biggest contributions in college, both at MTSU and Virginia Tech, as the former three-star high school recruit recorded a combined 4,381 yards returning punts and kicks.
The Commanders value competition, so Lane is not going to be handed anything. With that said, getting a job on special teams has already been a topic of discussion between him and his coaches.
They have had 18 players return at least one punt over the last 10 seasons, with the most consistent option being Jamison Crowder in two separate stints with the team. The rest of the list includes the likes of Trey Quinn, Greg Stroman and Danny Johnson, all of whom had short careers for the Burgundy & Gold.
Lane still has OTAs, mandatory minicamp and training camp to prove he can earn that role, but he at least has the skill set to do it. He averaged 10.9 yards per punt return and 21.8 yards per kickoff return —...
