There was a lot to unpack after the Washington Commanders named their initial 53-man roster.
Most fans thought general manager Adam Peters would be active on waivers or the remaining veteran pool after some contentious choices were made. As it turned out, there is more confidence in the organization than outside it about where this squad is headed.
Peters tried to calm the waters during his recent media availability. He appreciates the passion of Washington's fan base, but he also believes they don't see everything. And the Commanders have much more to show despite not finishing the preseason on a positive note.
This positivity is admirable. Whether it amounts to anything more is the big question nobody knows the answer to right now.
The Commanders have to start well, and they've got a rough opening to the campaign before their Week 7 bye. Head coach Dan Quinn's team must come out of this difficult period with something to show for their efforts. Otherwise, the pressure will only build.
Peters thinks he has the right sort of squad to accomplish this mission. The injuries are not ideal, but the Commanders will just have to roll with the punches. And for those who got a surprising reprieve, seizing the moment is critical.
With this in mind, here are five Commanders players who repay Washington's faith after securing roster spots when hope was fading.
Washington Commanders players who must repay Adam Peters' surprising leap of faith
Tanoa Togiai - Commanders OL
The offensive line without five-time Pro Bowl left tackle Laremy Tunsil is arguably the biggest concern for fans. That's not an opinion shared by Adam Peters or those in the locker room, but it's a situation worth monitoring over the first few weeks of the campaign.
If the protection in front of quarterback Jayden Daniels cannot meet its end of the bargain, the entire offense will stumble. Some will be counted upon more than others, but it was surprising to see Tanoa Togiai's name on the 53-man roster.
Togiai came into the Commanders as an undrafted free agent this offseason. Aside from a few flashes, it was a pretty quiet summer for the lineman overall. There were also some struggles in the preseason, but Washington concluded he had enough untapped promise to make the squad.
Just how much time Togiai will see in the rotation or even be active on game days remains to be seen. But his primary objective now is to do enough to develop while waiting patiently for his chance, if it eventually arrives.
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