Which Washington Commanders news stories are hitting the headlines with the team's first padded practice at training camp officially in the books?
There was an extra spring in everyone's step on Tuesday as the Washington Commanders participated in their first padded practice. The energy was right where it needed to be and everything seems to be right on track regarding Ron Rivera's preparations for a franchise-altering 2023 campaign that will come with huge ramifications one way or another.
Of course, the headlines never stop. Among the stories causing waves recently include Rivera lauding the defensive line, Terry McLaurin's developing connection, Dan Snyder being slammed by a leading insider, and the impact of fans making their return following Dan Snyder's departure.
Let's delve into each topic in more detail.
Commanders WR Terry McLaurin's connection
Considering the Washington Commanders have had almost no stable quarterback production since Terry McLaurin entered the NFL, the wide receiver's numbers are extraordinary. Even if it's probably been frustrating from the player's perspective and left him flying a little under the radar compared to others around the league.
Sam Howell is next up for the Commanders a football's most crucial position. There's a long way to go, but McLaurin seems happy enough with his signal-caller's growth up to now based on his comments via the team's website.
"It's going well. He's gonna give guys a chance to make the play down the field, and he throws a really nice deep ball. So, he's growing. I like how he's doing and how he's communicating with us as well. As we've gone over the course of this offseason, we've thrown together, we've gotten some reps out here. I think one thing that strikes me with him is we have a nuanced connection. It's been great so far and I'm excited to work with him and hopefully he's gonna be our guy for the future."Terry McLaurin via Commanders.com
With McLaurin entering his prime years, the Commanders would be wise not to waste them. That's why it's imperative for Howell to thrive within Eric Bieniemy's creative offensive system next season and potentially beyond.
Former Commanders owner slammed
I get it, nobody wants to hear about Dan Snyder anymore. The man who caused untold misery and heartache to every Washington Commanders fan is now gone - replaced by an ownership group with prestige and purpose that cares deeply about the franchise's roots.
It'll take time, but the foundations for a thriving future without Snyder are already being laid. This might be the last time his name comes up, but Peter King's damning analysis of the billionaire in his returning Football Morning in America column was undoubtedly worth sharing.
"I think the $60-million fine levied on Daniel Snyder as he got good-riddanced out of the NFL is, on the surface, a decent pound of flesh for all his misdeeds. But let’s be real. The fine might make the NFL feel good because the league’s all about money anyway. But it was a nick-cut on the neck of a man who is singularly responsible for taking a flagship NFL franchise and turning it into a tarnished national embarrassment. Oh, one other thing: Snyder’s exit statement led the league in tone-deafness. The second sentence in it: “We are proud to have built the most diverse leadership group of any NFL team, including having the highest representation of women, underrepresented groups, and the first full time black female coach in league history.” You built nothing, man, other than your investment portfolio."Peter King, NBC Sports
King is absolutely right. Snyder was always oblivious to what was transpiring around him and offered no accountability whatsoever for his actions - something that disenchanted an entire fanbase and left one of the league's most storied organizations in tatters.
The healing has begun. And one only has to look at the different energy from top to bottom to see that Snyder was the only problem in this particular equation.
Ron Rivera lauds Commanders DL
It's been great to see the tempo rise and standards increase gradually throughout Washington Commanders training camp so far. Whether coaches are more methodical in their approach or vocal such as Eric Bieniemy, it's having the desired effect leading into preseason games and the team's upcoming joint practices with the Baltimore Ravens.
Getting to focus primarily on football matters rather than any unnecessary distractions has seen Ron Rivera's weight lifted. He's on point with everything, taking a keener interest, and walking around with a demeanor that suggests the respected head coach is enjoying life once again.
When asked what's stood out to him over Washington's camp to date, Rivera was quick to acknowledge his defensive line and what an asset it could be to the Commanders in 2023 via the team's website.
"I love what we're seeing on the defensive line. I think, you know, you see how [DE] Chase [Young] and [DT] Jonathan [Allen] and [DE] Montez [Sweat] and [DT] Daron [Payne] have just picked up where they left off. I mean, that's a huge plus for us. Then look at the offensive line, it's a work in progress because it's five different guys working together and we got to build that coordination, you know, they got to show me that and that's what we're looking for."Ron Rivera via Commanders.com
Getting Chase Young back is the missing piece of the puzzle. The defensive end looks sharp and is no longer sporting the Robocop-style knee brace that restricted movement upon returning from his serious knee complication, which is another tremendous asset for a front four or five with lofty ambitions.
If the Commanders' defensive line stays free of injuries next season, one would be hard-pressed to envisage any scenario other than pure domination.
Impact of Commanders fans returning
Almost immediately after the Washington Commanders fell into different hands after the NFL approved Josh Harris group's $6.05 billion purchase, the atmosphere changed. The dark cloud lifted, fans up and down the country rejoiced, and the collective level of relief was nothing short of extraordinary.
This was swiftly followed by packed attendances during training camp - a far cry from the measly numbers that disintegrated annually when Dan Snyder was running the place into the ground. Getting the fans back onside was one of Harris' primary objectives, but they never stopped caring and their absence was more a morality issue than anything football related.
When discussing the fan impact in his Football Morning in America column, Peter King of NBC Sports compared it to a popular sporting film. The writer also outlined his wish for the Commanders to return to their previous dominance and high esteem around the league with Harris leading the charge.
"Watching the fans streaming into Washington training camp is reminiscent of the final moments in “Field of Dreams,” with the cars lined up in Dyersville, Iowa to recapture what they loved so much and what they thought was lost forever. Good luck to the Josh Harris group in making the team what I remember from the late eighties and early nineties. Games at RFK Stadium were almost religious revivals. The ground shook and the press box swayed with the game on the line in the fourth quarter of so many of those games. May it happen again."Peter King, NBC Sports
As stated previously, it'll take time. But everything is off to a good start and the sale has reinvigorated a franchise that had been brought to its knees over the last two decades.