Tag: 2023 Commanders Training Camp

Commanders Jonathan Allen battling Plantar fasciitis

Plantar fasciitis is not an easy injury to deal with.

Commanders head coach Ron Rivera said Saturday that Jonathan Allen is battling Plantar fasciitis.

Rivera then added that it is not serious.

Allen has been a Pro Bowler his last two seasons and was also voted by other players into the Top 100 current players in the NFL.

Plantar fasciitis can quickly become very limiting, very painful and become a major issue if not treated properly early enough.

A man of Allen’s weight (300 pounds), and having to push off with his feet every single play, this could quickly become a serious issue if Allen does not get enough physical therapy and rest.

Plantar fasciitis was for a long time thought to be an issue primarily of inflammation. However, in recent years, studies on the tissue of those suffering from Plantar fasciitis have found it to be a matter of actual tissue death.

Certain shoes that have too small of a toe box actually restrict the tendons, muscles and blood circulation in the feet. Biopsies on some patients experiencing bad heel pain have revealed actual dying tissue.

Toe mobility and joint mobility are essential movements in physical therapy, helping the patient to address the actual root of the problem and not merely the symptoms.

The Commanders, of course, do see Allen as vital to their regular season success. It is certainly not essential that Allen continue to play this preseason. Perhaps Allen could simply undergo physical therapy throughout the remainder of the preseason and be permitted to sit out Monday’s contest at FedEx Field against the Ravens.

Commanders Terry McLaurin: ‘It was more physical’

McLaurin talked the physical nature of the practicing with the Ravens will only make him and the Commanders better.

Commanders receiver Terry McLaurin spoke with the media following Tuesday’s scrimmage work with the Ravens.

McLaurin praised teammate cornerback Kendall Fuller for preparing him for Tuesday’s work against the Ravens. McLaurin mentioned in particular how working against Fuller; he has noticed Fuller is really patient, which forces Terry to be more efficient in his routes.

Tuesday, facing Ravens cornerback Marlon Humphrey, McLaurin noted it was more physical, forcing Terry to “use technique and be more physical because you know he is going to be more physical at the top of the route, be physical at the line and try to punch the ball out. When going against him I want to match his physicality but also be clean with my feet.”

McLaurin was emphatic that going against these two veteran corners (Fuller and Humphrey) is only going to help him and other Commanders receivers.

“It’s an iron sharpens iron thing,“ expressed McLaurin, meaning Tuesday’s work was probably good for both receivers and corners in pushing each other.

How did McLaurin respond when asked about the few scuffles that broke out during the practice with the Ravens?

“Yes, they want to make plays; we want to make plays. At the end of the day, we are going to protect our teammates. That is what happens at camp sometimes. Things get a little physical. It didn’t get too bad. Guys are just competing. At the end of the day, we want to look out for each other’s career and make sure we are not doing anything that is too over the line.”

How did McLaurin think the Commanders offense functioned against Ravens’ opposition?

“I think one thing that was really impressive was offensively; our tempo was really good. It kinda showed why we practice at the high intensity we do. I feel like we got to a place where we were really efficient. But it is still the little details that are coming up for us, the procedural things. EB says those are mental errors. The mental errors we have to cut back on, myself included.”

It is good to hear McLaurin lauding his teammate (Fuller), his coordinator (Bieniemy) and being certain to include himself in those that need to do better. Once again, Terry is displaying his leadership.

Commanders HC Ron Rivera’s comments might not be as bad as many suggest

Were Rivera’s comments overblown?

Ron Rivera threw Eric Bieniemy under the bus Tuesday. Or did he?

Most of the responses to what Rivera expressed Tuesday before the media have been quite negative.

Nicki Jhabvala of The Washington Post inquired, “Have players had to adapt to Eric Bieniemy’s intensity and have any struggled with it at times?”

What Rivera revealed was that, of course, some have. It’s not surprising. Longtime insider Rick Snider even commented last week that Bieniemy was dropping F-bombs repeatedly where fans and children were hearing it.

Rivera revealed, “I have had a number of guys come to me…” That was surprising. Perhaps he didn’t have to reveal it, but I found the honesty to have integrity. I mean, if you don’t think Bieniemy’s style is going to rub several players the wrong way, aren’t you being naive?

Where Coach Ron did not err, in my view, was that Coach Ron didn’t baby his players. Neither did Coach Ron emasculate nor backstab Bieniemy.

No, Rivera told the players if they have a problem with Bieniemy, they need to first talk to Bienemy about it. Now, some of you apparently don’t get it, but that is good leadership.

Rivera created an avenue where “a number of players” concerned about Bieniemy’s approach and coaching style could talk it out with Bieniemy. In my opinion, that was actually good news. The players needed to muster the courage to confront the right person, and Bieniemy needed to hear it.

Bieniemy is not perfect in his coaching communication; he is not going to handle each situation properly. So why should he think he is exempt from poor communication at times? Why should he be exempt from confrontation?

In my view, too much is being made of this revelation by Coach Rivera’s comments Tuesday. It is not merely the volcano so many are making it out to be.

Andy Reid talked up Eric Bieniemy quite a bit, hoping EB would find a new job. Reid clearly wanted Matt Nagy in the role of Chiefs offensive coordinator. Isn’t it a real probability that Bieniemy had worn out his welcome and some were tired of his constant volume?

Isn’t it also part of the reality that the Commanders offense has under-performed in Rivera’s three seasons in Washington? Isn’t it very likely that Bieniemy’s intensity could be a good thing needed for the Commanders offensive personnel?

It actually concerned me when Rivera later made his comparison of Bieniemy with defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio. Yes, Del Rio has been an NFL head coach for 12 seasons. That is a tremendous amount of experience. Yet, I don’t know why Rivera would make that comparison publicly. Shouldn’t that have been made between only Rivera and Bieniemy?

“Hey Eric, your intensity is tremendous for us. Thank you for bringing such an urgency to us. However, there is a time and a place for everything. Take Jack, for example, he is demanding, and you need to figure out how you can still be a demanding coach, sometimes quietly, and not cursing the guys so loudly and so often.”

Why some rest was good for the Commanders

The truth is, sometimes it is actually more important to rest than it is to work.

The truth is, sometimes it is actually more important to rest than it is to work.

No, you can’t make a lifestyle of resting more often than working. If you are going to maintain physical fitness, or maintain your property, develop your skill set for your career, it will require work – and lots of it.

However, the unanimous consensus of those reporting on Commanders training camp was that Friday was the worst practice thus far, really sloppy at times.

But Sunday was said to be much better.

Should we be surprised? The Commanders were in pads several consecutive days in the summer heat. The body can only take so much before it begins to experience a breakdown.

It’s true in all sports. Swimmers take on a tremendous workload during the regular season, but as they approach their biggest meets of the season, they will all “taper.” That is, they taper off in their yardage in the last weeks prior to the biggest meet. This allows them to be fresh, rested and ready to record their best times of the season.

The Commanders offense has not only been having to do battle against a defense that was a top-10 NFL defense in 2022, but the offense is also a step slow, with the added psychological weight of having to think through and trying to learn the new offense being installed by former Kansas City offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy.

Consider the offensive line. They are not only going up against Jonathan Allen, Daron Payne, Montez Sweat, Chase Young and their backups. The offensive line is having to learn new steps, new techniques in both passing and run blocking as well as new plays of which they may not be accustomed.

Having the day off Saturday permitted them time to be off of their feet, replenish with plenty of electrolytes and even get in some mental study of the new offense they are learning.

Rest is not to be ignored. Rest enhances recovery. When you have worked hard as the Commanders did in pads for a week, rest is actually important – significantly important.

For instance, Curtis Samuel began to feel his legs getting heavy and tight. Runners know all about this. There are times to back off, get some rest, increasing your chances of a better recovery before your next workout.

Centuries ago we read of God creating a day of rest. Today we realize that the human body functions best when there is a habitual pattern of a day of rest.

The Commanders’ day of rest came as some were starting to break down a bit. The day of rest apparently was good for the team.

Perhaps an important part of coaching is knowing when to take the foot off of the pedal, and even declaring to the team a four-letter word coaches don’t naturally like to utter: “rest”.

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Commanders Kam Curl: ‘I’m focused on football’

Curl had the perfect answer when asked if he was thinking about his contract.

Kam Curl is entering his fourth NFL season; his experience is paying dividends.

Curl, a 7th-round draft choice in 2020 out of Arkansas, is glad the defense had a good 2022 season. Friday, he showed he knows there is more to be done.

Curl has high expectations but knows there can be improvement. He referred to “the turnover aspect of it and then starting fast, starting the season fast, and then starting every game fast.”

Curl is aware of the new ownership, but he also knows he has a job to do. “I am where my feet are; you know what I’m saying? So when I’m playing football, that’s what I’m focused on.”

This year’s secondary is a year older, returning several defensive backs from the 2022 team.

“It’s our fourth year in the system, so everybody feels more comfortable in the system knowing what our job is, knowing every role everybody has.”

The Commanders also used their top two 2023 draft choices on defensive backs, and Curl acknowledges the importance of helping the younger players.

“(I’m) just being there when guys need a question or if I see something that they did, just going up to ’em and putting little stuff in their ear, you know, for the next time it comes up. Just trying to be that guy to motivate and teach.”

There was a buzz Friday about Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant (a Commanders fan) being in attendance Friday. But not for Curl. He was tuned in, not even aware of Durant’s presence.

“Nah, I ain’t seen him. What’s up, though?”

Fan attendance and fan excitement are considerably higher than last year. So Curl certainly hasn’t missed it.

“It feels good, you know, you can feel the excitement, you know what I’m saying? Everybody coming out to practice, all this stuff on social media, like you feel the excitement.”

In the last year of his rookie contract, therefore, this is an important season for Curl if he is to gain a significantly better contract. How much does he think about his contract? “I think about getting picks like I did today.”

Curl knows if he spends too much time thinking about contract negotiations, his play will suffer.

“I’m focused on football. I’m here damn near 12 hours a day, so that’s what I’m focused on. Honestly, I don’t have time to think of nothing else.”

Commanders HC Ron Rivera was talking quarterbacks

What does Rivera need to see from Sam Howell this summer?

Washington head coach Ron Rivera was understandably in a good mood at Tuesday’s press conference, marking the beginning of the 2023 season training camp.

Rivera looked and sounded free. He enjoys being able to talk about football more often.

How does Rivera feel going into training camp about his quarterbacks?

“I think we feel very comfortable going in, I really do. I think we all have liked what we’ve done. There are some positions that guys have to grow and mature in, most notably the quarterback position. You know with how Sam [Howell] has worked and how Jacoby [Brissett] has worked, I think we feel very comfortable with those guys. We like who they are. We like their development growth and we’ll be watching that one obviously very closely.”

Rivera was asked directly what is his major, overarching question for this team this season. Coach Ron didn’t even hesitate on that one. Rivera is entering his fourth season in Washington, and in each season, he has had to open with a different starting quarterback.

“I think more than anything else, it will start with the quarterback position. That’s about as big a question as it gets. Has Sam [Howell] grown and developed enough to help us take the next step? Is Jacoby [Brissett] ready to go and compete, and if he gets that chance, will he take us up to the next level? It’s a big broad question, but it does start with that position which is the biggest thing.”

After a few questions regarding offense, offensive coaches, it, of course, came full circle back to a question about his quarterback, Sam Howell So, Rivera was asked what is it he needs to see from Sam Howell.

“More than anything else is consistent play and growth. One of the things I really appreciated, and I go back to the Dallas game was how we played, how we self-corrected. How he handled things, how he changed things on his own and some of his own decision making. Those are things you want to see that tells you he is growing and he’s getting it. So, when you watch him in practice, watch him closely, how is he handling those type of deals. There’s a lot of things that we will focus on and pay attention to. And working with [Director of Pro Personnel] Eric [Stokes], [Quarterbacks Coach] Tavita [Pritchard] and [Senior Offensive Advisor/Game Management] [Ken] Zampese. We have eyes on him and were going through and kind of nitpicking almost to make sure he’s doing those things.”

 

 

A look forward to Commanders 2023 training camp

The Commanders start reporting to camp in a week.

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July 20 is not the only important date for the Commanders this offseason.

That of course is the day the NFL has scheduled for the convening of the NFL owners for the purpose of approving officially the new Commanders’ ownership group.

But how about July 21 and July 25?

Those are the dates the Commanders’ rookies will report (July 21) and then the Commanders’ veterans will report to their annual training camp for the 2023 season.

This season’s training camp will be conducted at the OrthoVirginia Training Center at Commanders Park in Ashburn, Virginia.

One thing to notice about the 2023 preseason is the fact that the Commanders will face the AFC North teams in their three preseason games. Washington will play at Cleveland on August 11. Secondly, the Commanders will host the Ravens on August 21. On August 26, the Commanders will host the Bengals, concluding their preseason.

The Commanders have added a draft class consisting of Emmanuel Forbes, CB, Mississippi St; Jartavius Martin, DB, Illinois; Ricky Stromberg, C, Arkansas; Braeden Daniels, OT, Utah; KJ Henry, Edge, Clemson; Chris Rodriguez Jr, RB, Kentucky and Andre Jones Jr, DE, Louisiana.

The most noteworthy roster issue for the Commanders is their top two quarterbacks from 2022 are no longer with the team. Carson Wentz and Taylor Heinicke have been replaced with Sam Howell and Jacoby Brissett.

The biggest news in the offseason as well as the loudest, has been the addition of former Kansas City Chief offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy. He comes to Washington as the offensive coordinator and assistant head coach.

Other concerns for Washington will be if they can replace LB Cole Holcomb and retired C Chase Rouiller, and if their offensive line, which went backward in 2022, can recover enough in 2023 to not make Washington quarterbacks’ life miserable.

Finally, it could be the last season for Chase Young in Washington. The former second overall draft selection in 2020 has not lived up to expectations. He had a good rookie season, but his production was very lacking in 2021 and was then magnified when he was injured for most of 2022 due to his bad knee injury in 2021.