Monday was the first day of the 2024 Commanders being in pads; it was also a time when the line of scrimmage became more of an emphasis.
When the pads go on, the hitting begins, the blocking begins, the tackling begins, and so instead of simple handoffs and passes being the focus, line play becomes more integral.
Two particular linemen have Quinn’s attention, and it was no accident he was asked about both rookies
Quinn is pleased regarding rookie DT Johnny Newton, the 36th overall selection in this year’s draft.
“No limitations at all,” Quinn said of Newton who had two offseason foot surgeries.
“He is actually doing great. Then we’ll start the team periods shortly with him. He’s making huge strides. He’s in excellent shape, so it was more just by design. The player is wanting to go badly and is showing he can, but really we want to stick to our plan of how we’re ramping him up. But yeah, you’ll see him in some team work soon.”
When asked what he has seen from OT Brandon Coleman, Quinn offered some praise. Coleman was the 67th overall selection in April’s draft.
“One of the things that I knew was he is a very good athlete, but what I have been more impressed by is he’s got great balance for a big guy, and so he’s got power in his legs. One foot coming back, redirecting on pass rush stunts that could go. So that might be one of the things I didn’t know was really one of his strengths. I knew he was a good athlete and movements and that, but balance is a harder thing to test. You have to see it. And so he is very rarely somebody that’s out of position or on the ground.”
More from Quinn on Coleman:
“He’s very deliberate in the way he moves and practices. I think he’s a very in-control player, and I think that’s a real attribute as an offensive lineman. You never see him overextended or out of position because when you do get beat, usually somebody’s out of position, it’s hard to recover. He has that ability to stay connected to somebody, and that’s one of the things I’ve been impressed by so far.”
It would be great if both rookie linemen remain healthy, making huge contributions for the Commanders during the 2024 regular season.