2026 Commanders Training Camp

[skinsinparadise]

I want to push against this criticism of fans for a couple of reasons.

Of course, we expect Chig to be better with Daniels. Isn't that why we all wanted a franchise quarterback? Isn't that the whole point of having a franchise QB? To elevate players? Second, people forget that before Ertz was signed in Washington, his reputation was in the gutter. He was considered washed up and a has been. Most analysts and fantasy guys mocked us for even signing him. So Ertz pre-Daniels and with-Daniels was a different player. Maybe Ertz was revived because he didn't get to play with Willis and Ward? Maybe at his stage and age, he was barely an average player who Daniels turned into a good player. If so, why wouldn't we think a player like Chig would see a bump too when playing with a good QB for the first time in his career?

With Daniels, Ertz was targeted around 20% of the time. Chig's target rate is about 14% of the time. Given the wide receiver room, it is very likely that Chig will see more targets and it's not unreasonable that his target rate climbs to near where Ertz was. That alone, you'd think, would lead to Chig having better statistical production than in season's past... unless, Chig was not targeted because he's terrible at getting open. Still, circling back to the original complaint. A franchise QB is supposed to throw receivers open. He's supposed to make JAGs look okay, okay guys look pretty good, and good players play at their best.

Ertz was healthy, especially in his first season here. In Arizona, he was always banged up. He's at least a borderline Hall of Famer. Logan Paulsen specifically talked about how the tight ends coach spent part of minicamp teaching Chig Ertz-style releases. As Logan mentioned even the older version of Ertz was still elite at creating separation with his releases and route running. That's a big reason he became Jayden's No. 2 target.

Look, I was on the Chig bandwagon before it was cool to be on the Chig bandwagon. Same with Jacory Croskey-Merritt. Same with Rachaad White. I'm exaggerating a little to make the point, but I get the "old is bad, new is good" mindset. That's how this fan base has operated for years, and I used to think the same way. So I get it.

I don't anymore. I've just seen too many offseasons where everyone gets excited about the shiny new toys, assumes everyone departed won't be missed, and then reality falls short of those expectations.

In this case, I think all three players can work out. I'm just more measured about the level of impact they'll have.

As for the rest of your point, to each their own. But I didn't want a franchise quarterback simply because he could elevate a mediocre roster. Sure, it's better to have a franchise quarterback with a mediocre supporting cast than a mediocre quarterback with one.

More importantly, though, Jayden isn't Brady, Mahomes, or Manning—not yet, anyway. So why not set him up to maximize his potential? Put him in the best possible situation.

One advantage Jayden does have over some other young quarterbacks is that he's already proven he can succeed with a below-average supporting cast. But imagine what he could do with an average supporting cast—or an above-average one.

Maybe that happens this year if they sign Diggs. If not, I think it eventually happens in 2027. Either way, I believe it's coming. The question is how long they're willing to make Jayden carry more of the load than he has to.

 

[Voice_of_Reason]

I thought the dudes name was River Chriscraft

For some reason, I thought there was somebody in the media who liked Firkser.

Good that Fred Davis II (no relation) has recovered from his illness. I hope it wasn't the parasitical explosive poop.

Our new punter is not long for the team. Hope he gets a chance to show what he can do so he can catch on elsewhere after he's cut when Tress is back.

 

[skinsinparadise]

 

[DWinzit]

This sounds great for our DB's. It is hard not to question if it is because our receivers can't separate and/or Jayden does not have trust or confidence in the receivers

 

[DWinzit]

1. When Biadasz was out in 2024, and whoever it was came in to play center (I don't remember who it was, D-something), Allegretti actually called the OL plays from his LG spot. I remember either Kliff or Quinn confirming that in a presser at some point. So clearly, they trust his communications.

2. I'm going to remain in panic mode off of a broken leg with soft tissue soreness until he's practicing fully for several days at a time with no setbacks.

JP said, and I agree, Amos might be the most important person on the entire team after Daniels. Some would argue Terry, and I wouldn't push back too much on that. But there are still MASSIVE questions as to whether Sainristil can hold up on the outside for a full season given his physical limitations with size. Douglas makes things much better, but Robertson is also tiny, and struggled last year playing outside. Amos being out forces people to play who maybe should not be on an NFL roster.

Kindof like last year when Terry and Noah Brown both were out, we had people playing who shouldn't be on a roster. Well, we might be only one step away from it at CB this year.

I very much agree with all. Allegretti still needs to be able to prove he can old up in blocking the big guys. He really did't do great at G with this

 

[clskinsfan]

Looks funny seeing the little guy showing the bigs how to hit the sled. Hoping to see a lot of him working with separation and route running over camp.

I thought the same thing. Although Welker definitely knows the slot game. So it makes sense for him to be coaching them.

 

[Voice_of_Reason]

Ertz was healthy, especially in his first season here. In Arizona, he was always banged up. He's at least a borderline Hall of Famer. Logan Paulsen specifically talked about how the tight ends coach spent part of minicamp teaching Chig Ertz-style releases. As Logan mentioned even the older version of Ertz was still elite at creating separation with his releases and route running. That's a big reason he became Jayden's No. 2 target.

Look, I was on the Chig bandwagon before it was cool to be on the Chig bandwagon. Same with Jacory Croskey-Merritt. Same with Rachaad White. I'm exaggerating a little to make the point, but I get the "old is bad, new is good" mindset. That's how this fan base has operated for years, and I used to think the same way. So I get it.

I don't anymore. I've just seen too many offseasons where everyone gets excited about the shiny new toys, assumes everyone departed won't be missed, and then reality falls short of those expectations.

In this case, I think all three players can work out. I'm just more measured about the level of impact they'll have.

As for the rest of your point, to each their own. But I didn't want a franchise quarterback simply because he could elevate a mediocre roster. Sure, it's better to have a franchise quarterback with a mediocre supporting cast than a mediocre quarterback with one.

More importantly, though, Jayden isn't Brady, Mahomes, or Manning—not yet, anyway. So why not set him up to maximize his potential? Put him in the best possible situation.

One advantage Jayden does have over some other young quarterbacks is that he's already proven he can succeed with a below-average supporting cast. But imagine what he could do with an average supporting cast—or an above-average one.

Maybe that happens this year if they sign Diggs. If not, I think it eventually happens in 2027. Either way, I believe it's coming. The question is how long they're willing to make Jayden carry more of the load than he has to.

I want to push back a bit on your Ertz thing, though. When they signed him, Quinn even said in pressers they had absolutely no expectation he could do what he ended up doing. They didn't know what they had, and the original thought was he was going to be a very situational player. And there were questions about him even making the roster. he said they were going to bring him along slowly and see what happened. All of that is recorded history in comments made by Quinn, Peters and Kliff.

Ertz had a late career revival. He finally was healthy, which nobody really knew until he got here. He was signed because he was a Kliff guy, he was cheap, and he was available. And he was going to be a good culture/locker room guy who knew the terminology of the offense. The thinking was that he could be somewhat a coach on the field.

Now, that changed when he started to get some of his old magic back. And he ended up with a much larger role. Which was wonderful.

But Ertz was never contemplated to be a huge part of the offense when he signed. Which would have left a larger gaping hole in the offense. They candidly got lucky with that. Because I don't think Sinnott could do what Ertz did if Ertz didn't magically get a whole lot better than expected.

 

[DWinzit]

I want to push back a bit on your Ertz thing, though. When they signed him, Quinn even said in pressers they had absolutely no expectation he could do what he ended up doing. They didn't know what they had, and the original thought was he was going to be a very situational player. And there were questions about him even making the roster. he said they were going to bring him along slowly and see what happened. All of that is recorded history in comments made by Quinn, Peters and Kliff.

Ertz had a late career revival. He finally was healthy, which nobody really knew until he got here. He was signed because he was a Kliff guy, he was cheap, and he was available. And he was going to be a good culture/locker room guy who knew the terminology of the offense. The thinking was that he could be somewhat a coach on the field.

Now, that changed when he started to get some of his old magic back. And he ended up with a much larger role. Which was wonderful.

But Ertz was never contemplated to be a huge part of the offense when he signed. Which would have left a larger gaping hole in the offense. They candidly got lucky with that. Because I don't think Sinnott could do what Ertz did if Ertz didn't magically get a whole lot better than expected.

Yes Sinnott and Ertz cannot really be compared. I must say, if Ertz didn't get injured I almost think they would have brought him back this year (and I think are keeping his card in their back pocket if a TE gets injured. I find that scary, they have already squeezed the last of his effective play time out of him.

 

[Voice_of_Reason]

I very much agree with all. Allegretti still needs to be able to prove he can old up in blocking the big guys. He really did't do great at G with this

Yeah, but the good news on that front is the center rarely handles a DT 1:1. He's almost always part of a double team.

Absent bringing numbers, you have generally 4 rushers for 5 blockers. Tunsil is going to grab whoever the outside guy is 1:1. So that leaves 3 rushers for 4. Each Guard takes a guy, and the center either picks up an interior blitzer or doubles one of the guards, and the other Conerly takes the other outside guy.

If you slide protection, then you often have a TE or RB as part of the blocking scheme.

Will Allegretti have to be 1:1 with a DT at times? Probably. But much less than at guard.

It's one of the reasons why centers are typically a little smaller and more athletic than guards. They needs to be able to pull/trap more than guards who often just need to just make sure they don't get moved backwards.

The run game is a little more of a concern, because that's where you want some power from the center to be able to move a DT backwards. But again, it's almost always part of a double team.

And FWIW, Biadasz wasn't great in the running game either. If we can get better line calling and people in the right spots more, we should be in pretty good shape overall.

At least, I'm guessing that's the plan.

 

[Voice_of_Reason]

Yes Sinnott and Ertz cannot really be compared. I must say, if Ertz didn't get injured I almost think they would have brought him back this year (and I think are keeping his card in their back pocket if a TE gets injured. I find that scary, they have already squeezed the last of his effective play time out of him.

I actually wouldn't mind Ertz coming back mid-season as a redzone target type of specialist. He's really good at it. And he's a good dude. I wouldn't count him as a starter or a lot of snaps though. But you can always use really good redzone/third down targets.

And if our kicker struggles, then they can bring in Julie Ertz for a tryout, 2 for 1 deal. (She was a member of the US National Women's Soccer Team.)

 

[Voice_of_Reason]

This sounds great for our DB's. It is hard not to question if it is because our receivers can't separate and/or Jayden does not have trust or confidence in the receivers

Now I'm starting to panic.

If this group of DBs is locking down our WRs, then that's a really bad sign for the WRs.

Also, it's the first day of camp. So a long way to go...

 

[DWinzit]

I actually wouldn't mind Ertz coming back mid-season as a redzone target type of specialist. He's really good at it. And he's a good dude. I wouldn't count him as a starter or a lot of snaps though. But you can always use really good redzone/third down targets.

And if our kicker struggles, then they can bring in Julie Ertz for a tryout, 2 for 1 deal. (She was a member of the US National Women's Soccer Team.)

I can understand but it would be a bad sign if we need to reach out to Zach. Now Julie, she could make sense

Regarding Allegretti, he needs to improve his anchoring and blocking on the move. He and Gublin seem to have a lot of similarities except for in experience and that Gublin plays with more attitude and anchors well.

 

[DWinzit]

hmmm. Hopefully just bathroom break being announced lol

 

[skinsinparadise]

 

[Conn]

 

[skinsinparadise]

I want to push back a bit on your Ertz thing, though. When they signed him, Quinn even said in pressers they had absolutely no expectation he could do what he ended up doing. They didn't know what they had, and the original thought was he was going to be a very situational player. And there were questions about him even making the roster. he said they were going to bring him along slowly and see what happened. All of that is recorded history in comments made by Quinn, Peters and Kliff.

Ertz had a late career revival. He finally was healthy, which nobody really knew until he got here. He was signed because he was a Kliff guy, he was cheap, and he was available. And he was going to be a good culture/locker room guy who knew the terminology of the offense. The thinking was that he could be somewhat a coach on the field.

Now, that changed when he started to get some of his old magic back. And he ended up with a much larger role. Which was wonderful.

But Ertz was never contemplated to be a huge part of the offense when he signed. Which would have left a larger gaping hole in the offense. They candidly got lucky with that. Because I don't think Sinnott could do what Ertz did if Ertz didn't magically get a whole lot better than expected.

He was banged up in Arizona was my point and he got lucky that it wasn't the case here. As for what their expectations were or not has nothing to do with anything I said so I don't get the thought that you are "pushing back"

 

[skinsinparadise]

 

[DWinzit]

Now I'm starting to panic.

If this group of DBs is locking down our WRs, then that's a really bad sign for the WRs.

Also, it's the first day of camp. So a long way to go...

Yeah it is early. It also sounds like they only played on condensed fields, always inside the 25. Jayden and the receivers will need to become in tune with each other.

It does sound like Oweh had a great day today, I love hearing that!!!

Offensively I have heard Antonio Williams was fairly impressive and had his number called a lot and lined up in all positions. That also is incredibly good news

They are also saying Bill has muscled up a few pounds looking beefier/stronger as well as making some good runs and runs after the catch.

 

[The Rook]

So nice to have an active training camp thread to talk about!

Right Bill?

The Rook

 

[RedWolf]

Tyler’s Take: Commanders already have PLENTY of offensive weapons

Our Mark Tyler believes Commanders already have good offensive skill players on the roster

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