5 critical observations from Commanders 2024 training camp Day 8
By Dean Jones
Commanders' rushing focus
The Washington Commanders need their offense to be more balanced in 2024. Eric Bieniemy adopted a pass-heavy approach that placed too much pressure on the offensive line. It made things too predictable and almost everyone suffered.
Kliff Kingsbury is changing that. He's got a potentially dynamic running back tandem in Brian Robinson Jr. and Austin Ekeler to call upon. Both have shown real promise throughout Washington's training camp, which was on full display once again during Day 8.
Ekeler and Robinson are benefitting greatly from an improved offensive line. Taking pride in the run game is obvious - something highlighted by new starting center Tyler Biadasz after another impressive session based on comments via the team's website.
"That's how you put pressure on defenses, when you have a great run game. The O-line unit, we take great pride in the run game and that's on us too with our tight ends. And even our wide outs too, blocking down field. We make a great emphasis of, all 11 of us are extensions of one another and who's ever getting that ball, whether we're on offense and defense, we're all connected as one. So, DQ [Head Coach Dan Quinn] has had awesome presentations of becoming the best team that we can be, but also raising the bar and raising our standards to a champion standard that we set."
- Tyler Biadasz via Commanders.com
Biadasz is a trusted associate of Dan Quinn's from their time together with the Dallas Cowboys. Having a tone-setting anchor on the protection is going to be a revelation after how things unfolded during the previous campaign. If others also meet raised expectations, this has the scope to be a surprisingly good unit in 2024.
There are questions about the offensive tackle positions, which is understandable. However, it's hard to ignore the outstanding camp being put together by the interior trio of Biadasz, Nick Allegretti, and emerging franchise cornerstone Sam Cosmi.
If everyone gets a clear run on the injury front, everyone will benefit. Especially those working alongside rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels in the backfield.