Full disclosure: We won’t have boots on the ground in Ashburn, VA, for Tuesday’s OTA practice, so we’ll rely on Commanders beat reporters likeNicki Jhabvala,John Keim,JP Finlay, Zach Selby andBen Standig to be our eyes, ears and question askers. Follow those respected reporters if you don’t already.
The Washington Commanders held the first practice of the second week of offseason team activities(OTAs) today, and a few players were available for interviews after it was over. Odafe Oweh was the Commanders biggest free agent acquisition this offseason, and he is expected to be a key player as Washington looks to fix a defense that has been a weak point in Dan Quinn’s second stint as a head coach. Oweh signed a 4-year, $100 million contract in free agency, and was the top guy in a group of pass rushers Washington added to Daronte Jones new defense.
Sonny Styles is expected to be another key player for Jones as he retools the roster, and installs his “attacking-style defense” as Oweh described it. The veteran defensive end was asked about the Commanders first round pick, and he said the former Ohio State safety/LB reminded him of a baby Bobby Wagner.
He looks like a baby Bobby Wagner, in terms of his stature and the way he’s moving. And he’s smart. He can articulate himself well, communicate the defense, command the huddle, and all that stuff. So he has a bright future. I’m looking forward to how he develops, and who he becomes.
Daronte Jones’ attacking style:
“I’m going to be wherever the ball’s at”:
Sonny Styles = Baby Bobby Wagner:
Learning the new defense:
Terry McLaurin is always a good interview, and he is a big fan of David Blough and the offense he’s installing. He talked about the first-time offensive coordinator moving receivers around, creating more opportunities to be multiple, and confusing defenses. McLaurin said his new OC is super detail-oriented, something he noticed over the last two years when Blough would prepare the team for opponents during the season as the assistant QB coach.
Lining up all over the field:
Opportunity in Washington:
Reshaping body in the offseason: