What's going on. Commander's fam is a hot outside. Yes, do we know what day? It is? Not really, but it is training camp here at Ashburn, and that's all we really care about to give you all the information you would ever care to know about your team going through training camp. We're back once again with David Harrison from Sports Illustrated and you know, David was a walk through day. There really wasn't all that much happening, but you know, we did have some pressers today. Ron Rivera
montest sweat Charles Leno, I'll talk to the media. What you what were your key takeaways from Rivera's availability with the media, you know, just continuing to develop the team and just just being confident in the way they're going and talking about kind of the focus for the for the for the plan that they have ahead, and just kind of keeping things going in a positive direction. I think that mum me most excited about. We're just actually just talking about before the camera went on, is the
padded practice coming up in FedEx Field. Some of us are actually wondering is that going to be padded? Is gonna be unpadded? Hopefully there is a good turnout there. He said it are kind of expecting a good fan turnout and just to get in the stadium for the first time as as this new group, some of these newer members getting in there and then having some live sessions as well to really hopefully get the energy going and kind of keeping that that rhythm. Um you like,
you like having the energy continue to grow. Obviously, a walk through day kind of ramps down that that energy a little bit. We've talked a lot about ramping up. We'll be ramping down today exactly. But then you know, come in tomorrow, the officials are in town, so you so you get some insight into some of the rules and and how they're gonna do things, and then hit the stadium on Saturday, and second the second week on
a on a good note, yay, you mentioned it. The the pedi practice that FedEx field, Um, I mean Riveraza. He really expects the energy kind of to kick up a little couple notes there. Do you think the players are gonna be able to feel that? I hope so, I think so. I mean I think that you know, anytime, you know, it's it's beautiful out here and you love being around so hot out here very it'll be nighttime
a FedEx field, so that's gonna be very nice. Absolutely, But I think you know, you're in the stadium and for these you know, for these rookies, I mean, someone to come from really big programs, Penn State and stuff like that, so they know it's like to play in
a in a big venue. But this is your pro venue, you know what I mean, these are your pro fans, and these are the guys that are going to be out here, and they kind of they kind of get that that that fight for the colors almost atmosphere back into everything, and I think it takes a little bit out of the training mindset and a little bit more
into the love of the game mindset. Yeah, you know, I think there was a couple of things that Chase Young said a couple of years ago about how like when he first stepped into the stadium, even though it was with nobody in there, like he just kind of felt like it was a really surreal moment for him. And I feel like the rookies are kind to be able to feel that a little bit as well this
year as well, especially with the fans being there. Absolutely, and I think too, like, you know, these guys have a respect for the game, right, they grew up watching the game. They you obviously love football. I you're gonna put this much effort into into playing the game. And even with the brand change and the name change and the logos and everything, you know, I think the organizations a really good job of keeping it tied to the roots.
The Burgundy and Goal didn't go away. The slogans still kind of you know, the fight song is coming and kind of keep that reverence going. So for for young NFL player, you know, you walk in and you may not you know, you may not have watched Art Monk you know necessarily play in Burgundy and Goal, but you can still kind of feel the history and the lineage that comes with being part of the franchise, you know.
Rivera was also talking about how importantly these padded practice are, especially for people like closer to the line of sacriments, the officsive line, you're able to evaluate them a little bit more. Also Brian Robinson about how he's able to, you know, kind of be a little more of a downhill runner. But what are you talking about the offensive line specifically, how much of a benefit is it to have these padded practices. See you see exactly what you
have upfront. Yeah, it's it's huge, and I think Charles Leno kind of, you know, kind of being excited about blocking for a guy like Brian Rob's calling him a natural running back. I'm actually hoping to see from Brian. I kind of feel like we've been seeing maybe seven out of ten effort from Brian because it's still teammate
on teammate. You don't want to go out there and crush a guy, you know, But I'm kind of hoping maybe the FedEx atmosphere and the fans, maybe you see a little bit more of that Alabama Brian Robinson come out. I don't want see anybody get hurt, obviously, but maybe
we see a little bit more thump. But then from the offensive line too, I mean they've been talking about it all week this week, you know, instead of catch blocking because there's no pads, you don't want to hurt anybody, you can actually go out there and put a lick on someone. And a veteran like Charles Leno, who's loved not just you know, here for what he's done so far, but back in Chicago, uh to, Colts fans have actually been hit me up on Twitter talking how they wanted
him and in Indy. So he's obviously got a great reputation and I think that he's gonna continue to build that here and then help these young guys and his new team teammates continue to mesh. Have been one of my favorite players since he got here. Honestly, um, you know, talking on the other side of the line of scremated the dfat the ven. He talked Rivera talk a little bit about the depth there, and it seems like he's really high on like will and William Ray King Shaka Tony.
I mean, it seems like they're really stepping up and doing what he expects them to do. With Chase Young being out, yeah, absolutely, and capitalizing on that youth that you know, maybe a year or two kind of look like maybe it was a weakness and now it's actually
starting to become a big strength for the team. And watching guys like Casey Toohill get out there when they can, and you know, James Smith, Williams even though he missed you know, the last coule practices, but uh yeah, I mean, the the the energy on this team from from a youth standpoint, and then also the talent you're seeing them take these next steps, not just the D line, but also the tight end room that we've talked about before.
I mean, there's a lot of young talent on this team, and it shows that, you know, even if it doesn't completely come together and you know they're hoisting a Lombardi at the end of this season, there's definitely a good track that they're on and there's definitely a lot of solid talent to build around. Last thing, we're getting close to wrapping at week two of camp here, what's one big takeaway that you've taken from the pasty practices? Energy
and communication. I mean, we talked about it yesterday specifically, and Bobby McKay has talked about it. You know during the OTAs and mini camps, you had some communication, you have some talking, and it was kind of right in the groove of things where Bobby came out and William Jackson came out and said that, you know, they're the defensive leaders kind of made a focus on communicating better.
And the way I kind of put it is, you know, right now, we've got some birds chirping in some some quiet noise, but then when that defense gets down on the field, it's almost like seagulls going after a loaf
of bread on the beach. You know, it's it's an amazing metaphor, by the way, I appreciate that, but yeah, I mean, but it's it's amazing because you hear it and and then also kind of shows you the mental side of the game, because me with all that talking going on, these players are still they're understanding everything that's being said, they're diagnosing in real time, and they're being where they need to be to make the play. All right, man, I appreciate you, David, And back with us, we have
Ethan Condo from NBC's Forest Washington. You know Ethan. It was it was a walk through day and ramped down to day is David Harrison Calliday like building too spectacular. But we did get a chance to talk to some of the people in the media, uh, you know, with Rivera, Leno Sweat. What were your biggest takeaways from them? My biggest takeaway was that Montes Sweat loves to talk and the players have noticed it too. Charles Leno said he talked too much. We've heard it. Anyone who's been at
camp has heard how much he's talked. I love it too. I feel like he's come with He's been way more vocal this year than he has in years passed, and I think that's going to translate into a much more successful season for him. It does seem like he's a little more like I would say he's been like a lack of confidence, but he's very loud. He's louder about
how how confident he is. I think he realizes that he's now one of the leaders of the defense, and maybe he didn't pick up on that in years one, two or three, but he's one of the best players and he's acting like it. And I'm here for it too. You know. It's funny because you see, like, you know, you have a person like Jonathan Allen who is very much a lead by example kind of person, and then you have a couple more of the vocal leaders on the team. He seems like he's a little bit of
a combination of both. Right, he's gonna beat you and then he's gonna tell you about exactly how he beat you. Yeah, And I think that's the best of both worlds, honestly. I mean, if you can talk and back it up, everyone wants a player like that. Yeah, right. And you know, we talked to Charles Leno as well, and he was talking about, you know, how much he likes Brian Robins,
how much a natural runner he is. You know, how much of the padded practices have been able to help him show a little bit of that, because it's hard to be physical when you're out there and just you know, helmets and jersey. Seems like he can really kind of show his play style a little bit more, definitely. And one thing that Rivera and all the coaches have talked about since they drafted Robinson was he's a physical runner, and he's gonna bring that physical dimension to a room
that doesn't really have that. And it's hard to see that when they're in T shirt shorts and helmets and shells. So the last two days when we've seen the pads, we've seen them finished runs, and I'm really excited to see once the preseason games start, to really see him run through a few guys and see what the rookie's all about. I'm really excited about that too, because I've been a very adamant that he's one of my most favorite draft picks of the entire class. You know, there
was also referees out there. We saw a little bit of that last year. Rivera said, there's gonna be a lot more of them, you know, from now on throughout camp. I mean, what's the biggest thing that these players, especially I guess the offensive line can learn from having these reps out there. Yeah, I think they should just talk to them and find out what they can get away with and what they can't get away with. Honestly, I mean, there's no better time to talk to them than here
when the calls don't actually matter. But once you start picking up a few pis or holding in week one, then things going to be an issue. So better get the kinks out now and really get or find out what you can get away with and what you can't. You know, it's funny because Lena was talking about it and he said, you know, I just really want to figure out how much how I can get a few of these holding penalties. Yeah, he's a character, So that's a great answer from him. He really is a great character.
And you know, kind of going back to the defensive ends a little bit, is Rivera was pretty high on a lot of the you know, backup depth players like fail Badah, David boda Um. You know, we had Tasty two Hill, Jameson Williams. You know, there's been some some some looks at this at this this depth, at that position, and probably rightly so because I mean a lot of them are really unproven. But what have you seen a him,
because he very seems like he's pretty confident. Yeah, so last year I was really impressed with what James Smith Williams did in the limited time he had, especially with Chase being out and the Montez missing time. From what I've seen in camp, Casey two Hills really stood out
to me. He's a guy that not a lot of people have talked about, but if I've seen him in the backfield on a few plays, I think he's going to get a chance to really make some strides and Choca Tony he's another guy I really liked him coming out of Penn State. I was shocked he felt all the way to the end of the seventh round. So I'm hoping he can make a little jump and maybe join his other fellow Penn State in any alliance make an impact on this roster. Oh yeah, it's very interesting.
And you know another name that has been brought up a lot as William Brownley King. You know, he I think he had a pick one day, He's had, you know, a pass he batted right back into hill a Heineke's face. I mean, I mean he looks pretty solid in terms of like a situational pass rusher. What do you what do you say to him? Do you think he could prossibly slip in and be that maybe that a fourth or fifty fifth of end of the roster, definitely. I mean he's had a great camp so far. I think
even Montes Sweat even singled him out by names. So I'm excited to see once the preseason comes, to see what all these lower roster guys fighting for spots. I'm really excited to see who steps up and who makes up fifty three. How excited it are you to be back? You know at FedEx Field. You know it's gonna be a control situation in practice, but it's gonna be cool to see the fans there, you know, see to the team from the press box, have a little bit more
that game atmosphere. Yeah. Always going to FedEx Field in the summer and these practices is a ton of fun. And at night too, when there's not gonna be the sign out exactly. I mean, it's ninety five every day. I don't know how you're wearing jeans, but you're doing it. I'm a monster, that's yeah. So I mean, yeah, FedEx should be a lot of fun. There's gonna be a great environment. The players love seeing the fans for the first time, and I think it's gonna be a great night.
Probably the intensity is going to go up a few notches too, so I'm sure they'll put on a show. You would think the players are gonna be really juiced for that, right, Okay, getting you know, for some of these players, gonna be the first time they're gonna be in FedEx Field, playing in front of their new fans. Well,
do you think that's gonna be like for those rookies. Yeah, and not only the rookies, but it's the first time a lot of these fans are going to see them in the Commanders year two, which I think will be a really cool experience. The first time they're gonna hear everything. So it's gonna be a lot of fun. Yeah, we get to see those jerseys in action, which is really exciting. Okay, so we're wrapping up Week two Yeah, we got one one or two more days left. What's your biggest takeaway
from this week? Oh, you're putting me on the spot. I think that's what we do here camping out the Since the pads came on, I've seen the drastic improvement from the quarterbacks. I was not gonna lie. I was getting a little bit nervous the last day when they were in T shirt and shorts and helmets. There's a few more interceptions and I think the coaches might have liked but things have really cleaned up since the pads came on. Ron's mentioned how the offensive line has been
a lot better since the pads have come on. They can actually block people now, So I'm excited to see more live action see how this offense, which has as much talent as I remember Washington team having in years, I'm excited to see them in action. All right, even man, go back in there and get some great content out. Yeah that's all we have for you today. But b shirt, check out your daily Command Center camp coverage every weekday
on the Commander's YouTube. Chane, And I'm gonna go back to my tent because I basically live here like everybody else, and I will see you tomorrow