Hogs Haven
In Washington’s joint practices against the New York Jets last training camp, one of the more anticipated matchups heading into practice periods was Commanders’ cornerback Emmanuel Forbes Jr. versus Jets receiver Garrett Wilson. Wilson proceeded to go viral online for beating Forbes deep on a couple of reps in those practice sessions. Washington’s cornerback room, compared to last training camp, has undergone significant turnover and has shown improvement on paper. Furthermore, according to reports, the secondary has had several strong practices since training camp began.
Marshon Lattimore is the Commanders’ new number one cornerback coming into this year’s training camp. The four-time Pro Bowler and 2017 defensive rookie of the year has had a good camp coming off an injury-plagued 2024 season. Following the OTAs in June, Lattimore said he felt good and explosive; his burst was evident as he got out of his breaks. Several beat reporters noticed it then, too. The optimism has carried into training camp, and Washington’s defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. has seen Lattimore’s strengths shine during practice.
Lattimore’s matchups against the New England Patriots’ All-Pro premier receiver, Stefon Diggs, should be pay-per-view worthy. Assuming that both are available during Wednesday’s session, these are two top-tier, high-energy competitors who should see a few reps in one-on-ones and team drills during their practice session this Wednesday. Diggs is a quick-twitch, shifty receiver with amazing route-running ability, and it will be an excellent filler for Washington fans before the start of the season to gauge just where Lattimore is at against one of the league’s best.
Whether the results are good or bad should not be an indictment of what we’ll see all season long. Still, a positive result should boost Lattimore’s confidence in that he’s feeling like himself again, as well as Whitt’s, who will know that, at the very least, Lattimore could carry his weight as he continues to evaluate other pieces in his secondary.
Let’s hope that this time, Washington’s secondary goes viral for the right reasons tomorrow.
