Washington’s training camp is set to open Wednesday, and one of the clearest takeaways from ESPN’s John Keim is that the Commanders should lean harder into one-on-one work this summer.
Keim said on his recent podcast that he expects to see more of those matchups in camp this year, a notable shift after Washington surprisingly moved away from them last season under Dan Quinn. He also noted that Quinn loves competition, which made the lighter dose of one-on-ones last year stand out even more.
There was also an interesting wrinkle in the mix: Washington carried an older roster last season than it does now. Whether that played a role in the approach is something we may never know for sure.
Peters and Quinn are both scheduled to speak with the media Tuesday at 6 p.m. ET, so the subject could come up there.
For coaches, one-on-ones are more than just a camp drill. They’re a clean way to see where players really stand, and Keim laid out several matchups that would be especially revealing for Washington.
Up front, the offensive line against the defensive line should tell a lot. The list includes Laremy Tunsil vs.
Odafe Oweh, Josh Conerly vs. K’Lavon Chaisson, Sam Cosmi vs.
Daron Payne, Brandon Coleman vs. Johnny Newton, Nick Allegretti vs.
Tim Settle and Chris Paul vs. Javon Kinlaw.
Those reps can show whether a pass rusher has another move after getting stopped, whether an interior lineman can hold up against a bull-rush, whether a quick defender like Newton can win with his first step, and whether tackles are getting their hand placement right.
Keim also pointed to linebacker matchups against tight ends and backs, where coverage skills get tested in a hurry. The names he mentioned there were Sonny Styles vs.
Chig Okonkwo, Leo Chenal vs. Ben Sinnott, Frankie Luvu vs.
John Bates, Jordan Magee vs. Colson Yankoff, Sonny Styles vs.
Rachaad White and Leo Chenal vs. Bill Croskey-Merritt.
In those snaps, the questions are simple: can a linebacker flip his hips and run with a tight end, stay light enough not to get caught flat-footed by a back on a choice route, and carry a wheel route without losing ground?
There’s also the safety group, where the work against tight ends can show whether defenders can match movement and finish at the catch point. Keim highlighted Nick Cross vs.
Chig Okonkwo, Quan Martin vs. Ben Sinnott, Tyler Owens vs.
Chig Okonkwo or Ben Sinnott, and Jeremy Reaves vs. John Bates.
He wants to see whether Cross can stay with Chig in off-coverage, whether Owens has the hip fluidity to handle a shifty tight end, and whether Martin can be physical when the ball arrives.
And even if Washington leans on zone coverage on the back end this year, the receiver-corner reps still matter. Keim listed Terry McLaurin vs.
Trey Amos, Antonio Williams vs. Mike Sainristil, Luke McCaffrey vs.
Amik Robertson, Treylon Burks vs. Darius Rush and Dyami Brown vs.
Rasul Douglas. Those matchups, he said, are the kind that can show a lot in a hurry.
Keim said he is very excited to see more one-on-one matchups this summer during training camp, and he expects to see them in some of Washington’s joint practices as well.
In Other News...
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Former Commanders Receiver Finds New Home As WR Churn Continues
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For Washington, his departure fits the broader churn at receiver this offseason, with the room getting reshaped by additions such as Dyami Brown, Van Jefferson, Treylon Burks and Antonio Williams. Moore was not brought back after his contract expired, and his path back to Baltimore only underscores how quickly the margins can shift for a player trying to hold onto a spot in a crowded position group. [Read more 🡒]