Which Washington Commanders news stories are hitting the headlines ahead of the team's first padded practice of training camp today?
The time has come to get more serious and physical at training camp as the first padded practice takes place today. This is a stage of preparations for players to stake a bigger claim and for Ron Rivera, it's a chance to enhance his staff's evaluations before roster plans are finalized.
Until the pads start popping, among the stories causing debate recently include the Commanders signing Derrick Gore, Montez Sweat on his pending contract extension, NFL executives' concern for Sam Howell, and Rivera's expectations when the pads begin clapping.
Let's delve into each topic in more detail.
Commanders sign Derrick Gore
The influence of Eric Bieniemy is being felt across the Washington Commanders. This bears special significance in terms of offensive recruitment, with the likes of Andrew Wylie, Marcus Kemp, and Byron Pringle reuniting with the respected figure in a different environment throughout the offseason.
Bieniemy took the chance to add another of his former Kansas City Chiefs players on Monday. The Washington Commanders confirmed the signing of Derrick Gore, a running back who flashed in 2021 before spending last season on the New Orleans Saints practice squad.
This is an intriguing addition to a running back room that looks to have its top-three options locked up. Gore gained 256 rushing yards and two touchdowns with Kansas City during his one and only season with the franchise, but Bieniemy clearly feels he can offer something to the Commanders following his release in May.
Learning the system shouldn't be that difficult. So it'll be interesting to see how Gore fares in the coming weeks.
Commanders HC Ron Rivera's expectations
As previously stated, the Washington Commanders are about to embark on their first padded practices of training camp. This has been a source of great excitement among the players, who've benefitted enormously from a galvanized atmosphere throughout their time in Ashburn so far thanks to thousands of fans in attendance.
Working out in shorts and helmets is one thing, but there is no substitute for strapping pads on and getting them popping. Something that was reflected in Ron Rivera's comments on the team's website, which laid down the gauntlet to his players in no uncertain terms.
"There's a certain nature that you have to have about you when you step onto the field. A certain grit and toughness that has to be developed through practicing and pads. We're going to try and do it very smart, very diligently. We'll go two days in pads, we'll back off the guys for a day, go out there in shells again, and then come back in pads for a fourth practice this week. They'll have their day off, but the idea is that we've got to work through this and we've got to develop that grit that you're going to need to play when you're in pads. I'm looking forward to the continued growing and maturing as a football team."Ron Rivera via Commanders.com
This is a sink-or-swim scenario for many, especially those who've yet to taste the ferocious aspect of NFL practices. One player to watch is first-round selection Emmanuel Forbes, who's lit up training camp so far but there are some concerns about his slender frame and how it might cope with the physical nature of playing the cornerback position.
Get your popcorn ready!
Montez Sweat on Commanders contract extension
While others around the league are holding out until their contract extensions are cemented, that's not something that entered Montez Sweat's train of thought. The defensive end did skip voluntary workouts, but he never stopped working and returned to the team with renewed purpose in pursuit of laying the foundations for another profitable campaign.
The Washington Commanders haven't sorted anything out with Sweat as yet. Ron Rivera freely admitted that everything was on hold thanks to the ownership flux, but whether it's something that becomes official before Week 1 arrives now that Josh Harris' group is at the helm remains to be seen.
This would be an ideal scenario, especially considering Chase Young will also be a free agent in 2024 after the Commanders declined his fifth-year option. When asked about his contract predicament, Sweat stated via the team's website that he's taking everything in his stride, focusing on football, and letting the chips fall where they may.
"I mean, it's not necessarily an uncertainty. I mean you know it's gonna happen at some point. You just keep your head down and work. You listen to the guys, your peers around you. I mean, [DT's] Jon [Allen] and Daron [Payne], they give me nuggets and advice all the time on just keep on doing what you're doing and everything will come to fruition."Montez Sweat via Commanders.com
Sweat has proven himself to be dependable, progressive, and productive in equal measure. Once edge-rushing phenom Nick Bosa resets the market with the San Francisco 49ers, it might be a little easier for the Commanders and the former Mississippi State star's representatives to work something out.
Commanders QB Sam Howell's 'red flag' comparison
Much has been made about the monumental wager the Washington Commanders are placing on Sam Howell in 2023. Ron Rivera and Eric Bieniemy clearly believe the quarterback has something special to thrive in a prominent starting role, but it's a shot into the dark given that the former fifth-round selection has just one game of competitive NFL experience to call upon.
Howell is getting a crash course in what it takes to succeed at the next level from Washington's elite-level defense throughout training camp. This has resulted in a mixed bag in terms of performance levels so far, but nothing to be overly concerned about given the flashes of brilliance he's also demonstrating.
When ranking Howell in the unknown category, two anonymous NFL executives highlighted their concerns with the signal-caller's comparison to Brock Purdy when speaking to Mike Sando of The Athletic via The Bleacher Report. But again, there isn't much to go off one way or another as pertains to NFL production.
"Couldn't you pick someone better than Brock Purdy to compare him to? It's not a good sign when they are comparing him to the guy in San Francisco."NFL executives via The Bleacher Report
Purdy might have been Mr. Irrelevant, but he led the San Francisco 49ers on a deep postseason run last season and might have made the Super Bowl had it not been for injury. The 2022 seventh-rounder is also set to resume duties as the team's No. 1 option despite the presence of Trey Lance and Sam Darnold.
Howell had far more natural talent in college. Whether this translates to similar fortunes in the NFL remains to be seen.