4 critical observations from Commanders 2023 training camp Day 4
By Dean Jones
Commanders OL is finding life tough
After a significant revamp across the offensive line throughout the offseason, it was always going to take time for things to mold effectively. There are four new starters and two new veteran arrivals in free agency, so anyone expecting miracles right away was kidding themselves.
Going up against arguably the league's best defensive line is another complication that cannot be ignored. It's more a case of holding their own rather than expecting to dominate, with the Washington Commanders' four or even five-man front set to cause untold havoc throughout the upcoming campaign if everyone stays healthy.
It was a difficult day for Washington's protection during their fourth camp practice. The defensive front had their way almost from start to finish according to those in attendance, getting push consistently and collapsing the pocket to a degree that's making life more difficult than needed for Sam Howell.
As the old saying goes, iron sharpens iron. The trouble is, the Commanders might not be working with an iron-clad offensive line looking at how things are unfolding over the early stages of camp.
Again, this is nothing major to concern fans. Almost every line around the NFL will struggle with the Commanders' defensive front, so going up against them daily might actually make things easier when they clash with inferior fronts during the regular season.