Preseason Week 1 Recap | Episode 37

where they really stand in this. But that's what it's all about as we continue to move through the preseason. What did you make of the starting offense, Logan, It was a little bit of that slow start, but they did manage to find a certain amount of rhythm as they progressed. I think, I mean, that's exactly what I saw. I think they kind of had a really sluggish start, but again, I didn't think the play calls in that

first three and out were bad. They just missed a little like kind of long foul ball to our money rogers on the first series, But overall, I thought it was pretty good. I think you feel very consider very confident about what Carson wentzput out there, and to me, that was the biggest question is how would he look? How confident would he be? Yeah, I was okay with it. I mean, you always want to see these guys be

able to convert, you know, and move the chains. And when I saw him come out the second series and got that fumble, I knew it merely that third series had to be special. And those guys went down the field and you know, got six out of it. So I wasn't I can't say I was, you know, disappointed. I was pleased with what I saw. You mentioned the fumble. Look, Antonio Gibson, this is something that they're going to have

to address here. Despite it, though, they did finish with one hundred and twenty one rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns. Is that a positive sign for the offensive line? Logan? I mean, I think absolutely. I think all day those guys passed protected at a high level, no matter who was playing quarterback. I think there was a little bit of issue when Taylor Heneke was in there. He'll gave

up a pressure that the the lead of the interception. But I think overall that group played really, really, really well, and that's fifteen guys that are playing well. So not only did they run the football well, but they pass projected at a high level and you'd love to see that, especially for you guys trying to make the team. You have a lot of depth of depth position and that's one of the things that stands out for the discount.

So you know there's going to be a lot of guys changing and you know, interchanging and being able to play different positions. But you know, like I said before, if you can protect the quarterback, you give yourself a chance. And that's those guys did just that. And the starting lineup for that offensive line probably will continue to shuffle as they try to find that. But that's one of the things is they want multiple guys ready to be

able to play, perform and play those multiple positions. Coach Matt's coast will have them ready, as we saw just here early on. Let's go over to the defense. What were your early impressions by them, Logan, I mean, I kind of think they were They were who they are in practice. So what I mean by that is like they want to play covers. They did a nice job with that. Then in kind of situations like third down, specifically where they getting more man. Obviously there's some issues

there that they need to iron out. Right, they had a hard time passing off the combination route, the crossing route where they'll do a big sixty yard game. Then again then in Amanda man situation, Dandy Johnson gets beat on an arch's route or drift route. Like you say, so again, I think they got to work on some things there, But I think overall there were some things to be excited about. Linebackers, defensive line played exceptionally well.

I think it's all about finishing. I think one of the things that we talked about is that if they're going to be the hard and soul of this team, but we're going to win because of what the defense do. They have to finish. They have to get off the

field and give us those opportunities. And and and when you watch that, you know that was a couple of plays early in the game, you kind of standing yourself, Okay, those guys are showing up sort of guys on the front showing up in the backfield, but the guys in the secondary can't be confused. We talked about these guys communicating better. We have to sit on the field right. You know. I asked head coach Ron River about that third down defense because it was an issue that they

dealt with last year. He said he wasn't too concerned about that. It was more the second downs that he was a little frustrate with because they were in a lot of second lungs that put them in those positions to begin with, which, of course, if you don't win first or second down, then you're in a bad spot when it comes to third down. Plus, Santana and Logan handed out some game balls to the players and position groups who stood out to them. So big day for

the rookies. Brian Robertson Junior and Sam how Will both finding the end zone the first time as the commanders. I want you to give out game balls for this one, though, I'll let you go first. Logan, all right, so my game ball go the offensive line. I think that group just an excellent job and all facets, pass protection, run blocking. I think that, you know, it's a kind of a mixmaxer group right now because Rulier's out, So I really

appreciated what they did and how they executed. Yeah, Judy mentioned his name, Sam how he gets I mean, he was a rookie, Dad, I didn't expect to see much. I saw him beat up on my canes throughout his college years, so I knew what he can do a little bit. But to see him in the big lights, you know, playing on the big stage, you know. You know, folks look at as a preseason game before rookies. That's

a regular season, you know, action for those guys. He went out there and stood a tall within it, and we're out there put up some good numbers. Absolutely, And he told me afterwards, he goes, it felt like college. I was like, but is there any difference. He goes, yeah, they're a little faster, they come a little bit, you know, quicker at you. But he seemed quite comfortable back there. Of course, this team is not really necessarily expecting or hoping that he has to do anything this year, but

learn and prepare for when that day does come. They want Carson and Taylor Heineke to be the guys. Now, how about for somebody who made a case to say, okay, what when it comes to the fifty three the decisions, pay attention to my name, Logan. I think the guy for me is our money Rogers. I think it did

an excellent job. I think, you know, it was Hodges for a long time in terms of you know, where I thought the fourth tight end was, and now our money with that tremendous upside, I think it's really making a case for him to say, hey, like I deserve to be on the fifty three, I'm the guy that's got more upside and Hodges should be out of practice squard. So that's a battle that I'm really gonna keep an

eye on it over the next couple of days. You know, during my playing years, I will always watch the guys that come in that we bring in for bodies, you know, for Kemp, and they might have a chance that they might not, but they want to put good stuff on tape because someone else is watching them. The guy who stood out to me as Stephen Parker. You know, he's a cornerback. I played close attention to cornerbacks a lot too being a receiver, and this guy just made flashes,

I mean time and time again on that field. So he made a couple of plays in the week before the game too, and that's why I was already had my eye on him. So he was the guy that stood tall in the pen. He's entering his fourth season in the league. But the team has been very impressed on how he's picked up the defense, and we saw it, of course in action on the field under the bright lights. For all your news and analysis, be sure to tune in two command Center weeknights at five thirty and ten

pm on NBC Sports Washington. You can also stream on YouTube and commanders dot Com. Hailed to the Commanders