Hogs Haven
Typically when you ask, “what if?” it refers to the past. What if I had studied engineering? What if I had moved after school? What if RGIII doesn’t get hurt and the Skins beat the Seahawks?
But could it refer to the future?
All offseason we have heard the same talking points. Will Jayden Daniels regress in his sophomore season? Even if he doesn’t, will opposing defenses figure him out? The schedule is much more difficult this season and the list of quarterbacks don’t include Daniel Jones and Jake Haener. The defense hasn’t made enough strides to keep up with the Eagles or even the Cowboys. It’s the same stuff everywhere you look. It’s almost like this team didn’t win two road playoff games and end up in the NFC Championship for the first time in three decades. But no, it’s only about how last year was a fluke.
But again, what if? Instead of looking backward at a miraculous run with memorable moments, and yes, fortunate breaks. What if we look forward? What if this team is just good and 2025 is a chance to continue that success? What if, simply put, they’re… better?
Jayden Daniels had an incredible rookie season. Perhaps the best ever. But he still had rookie moments. Sometimes he tried to do too much instead of living to see another down. Sometimes he held the ball for too long. Although it was full of fun moments we will never forget, it still had moments that reminded you that this was a guy in his first season. The question has been, what if defenses and defensive coordinators, “figure him out.” But what if Jayden realizes that and is doing his best to stay ahead of the competition? How did Todd Bowles do in his second chance against him? Don’t you think if the talking heads know he needs to continue improving, the guy who looked like a seasoned vet 5 games into his career might realize that as well? The arm, the touch, the athleticism, all of it. But you could argue that Daniels’ work ethic is his best super power. If everyone else can see a potential roadblock, don’t you think JD5 can see it too?
One of the knocks on the offense was after Terry, who else? So what did Adam Peters and Dan Quinn do? They trade a draft pick for a utility weapon in Deebo Samuel. Spend two of their five draft picks on offensive playmakers in Jaylin Lane and Jacory Croskey-Merritt Bill. So now there might be an answer to who else after #17. What if the offense that was already potent is better?
Another place that the Commanders fell short was in the protection of Jayden and really, the offensive line as a whole. It’s hard to tell if Brian Robinson was just not busting through holes or if the line simply wasn’t creating them. No more excuses now. First off, B-Rob is gone and younger backs are taking over...
