3 things that will make Commanders training camp a success
By Jerry Trotta
Washington Commanders 2022 training camp is currently in full-swing and fans are thrilled football has finally returned to the nation’s capital. Sure, they’re technically practicing at team headquarters in Ashburn, but you get the point.
Coming off back-to-back seven-win seasons, the Commanders could use a strong camp to boost their confidence after an adversity-filled 2021. After all, their first preseason game is less than three weeks away (Aug. 13). Before you know it, the team will be hosting Jacksonville for Week 1 of the regular season.
That’s obviously easier said than done. It’s tough to gauge how players perform during the first week of practice. Per league rules, full pads aren’t allowed until the first day of August, which is this coming Monday.
In the meantime, let’s shed light on some important things that would make Commanders training camp a full-fledged success.
3 things that would make Commanders training camp a success
3. Clarity at linebacker behind Cole Holcomb
It may sound like we’re beating a dead horse, but Washington’s uncertainty at linebacker could easily determine their fate on defense. When healthy, the defensive line is arguably the most talented in the NFL and what the secondary lacks in depth it more than makes up for with its starting core.
Linebacker, however, only has one proven commodity in Holcomb, one of the team’s breakout stars last season when he led Washington with 142 tackles, which finished sixth in the NFL, and added seven passes defended and a pick-six.
Assuming the MIKE role in Jack Del Rio’s defense this year, Holcomb will now be the calling plays from the middle of the defense. That opens the door for Jamin Davis to take a lesser responsibility as an off-ball-linebacker and Commanders fans everywhere are hoping the second-year player is up to the task.
If Davis can solidify himself as Holcomb’s clear running mate over the next couple weeks, training camp will be regarded as a success. After all, Davis ceded reps to David Mayo as Holcomb’s partner at OTAs and minicamp. If that continues during camp, Ron Rivera will have no other choice but to sign a free agent.
Regardless of how it happens, this team needs clarity behind Holcomb.