- Joined
- May 8, 2002
- Posts
- 1,207,376
- Reaction score
- 59
Were the Washington Commanders doing something weird or not weird in their mandatory minicamp?
Grant Paulsen of "Grant & Danny" of 106.7 The Fan, inquired of former Washington tight end Logan Paulsen, "There was a weird way going about practice, where the starters were asked to do one thing but the backups were doing more? What can you tell us about that?"
Logan Paulsen replied: "When I first got to Washington, I think it was 2012, we used to do split field practice," he said. "The No. 2 offense would go against the No. 1 defense, and the No. 1 offense would go against the No. 2 defense. So, this felt similar to that. They went through a one-on-one, kind of walk-through setting, where you can rep more specifically, like the communication combinations. It felt like it was a way to protect that big boy, varsity group, while letting the younger guys, the guys that need to prove themselves more, go with live bullets in that other section of practice. So, I think it serves as an opportunity to keep the big boys safe, the guys that you know are going to be part of the team. And it lets the young guys develop their craft and get some work."
LP was on to something here. Why, at this stage, when you are not even in training camp yet, would you need to give the most active reps to the older, proven veterans? Why wouldn't you give those reps to those who need to develop, those who still need to prove themselves? Why not prep those guys more to see how they respond in training camp when the intensity and pads get turned on to a higher level?
So, for example, LP continued to point out that receivers Jaylin Lane (Year 2) and Luke McCaffrey (Year 3) had some nice catches/reps this week. LP affirmed, "It gives that young group more opportunity, which I can attest to, having done this before, is really helpful in terms of development."
Additionally, this makes all the sense in the world for both head coach Dan Quinn and general manager Adam Peters. They are entering year three of the 2024 rookie class. Give those guys more work now, see if they develop this season. If they don't develop, you have done your part by providing them with an opportunity to grow and gain more intense reps. If they do develop and have a good 2026, that is great, and it helps Peters moving forward in his 2027 free agency and draft.
This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Washington Commanders: It was a unique and necessary minicamp
Continue reading...
Grant Paulsen of "Grant & Danny" of 106.7 The Fan, inquired of former Washington tight end Logan Paulsen, "There was a weird way going about practice, where the starters were asked to do one thing but the backups were doing more? What can you tell us about that?"
Logan Paulsen replied: "When I first got to Washington, I think it was 2012, we used to do split field practice," he said. "The No. 2 offense would go against the No. 1 defense, and the No. 1 offense would go against the No. 2 defense. So, this felt similar to that. They went through a one-on-one, kind of walk-through setting, where you can rep more specifically, like the communication combinations. It felt like it was a way to protect that big boy, varsity group, while letting the younger guys, the guys that need to prove themselves more, go with live bullets in that other section of practice. So, I think it serves as an opportunity to keep the big boys safe, the guys that you know are going to be part of the team. And it lets the young guys develop their craft and get some work."
LP was on to something here. Why, at this stage, when you are not even in training camp yet, would you need to give the most active reps to the older, proven veterans? Why wouldn't you give those reps to those who need to develop, those who still need to prove themselves? Why not prep those guys more to see how they respond in training camp when the intensity and pads get turned on to a higher level?
So, for example, LP continued to point out that receivers Jaylin Lane (Year 2) and Luke McCaffrey (Year 3) had some nice catches/reps this week. LP affirmed, "It gives that young group more opportunity, which I can attest to, having done this before, is really helpful in terms of development."
Additionally, this makes all the sense in the world for both head coach Dan Quinn and general manager Adam Peters. They are entering year three of the 2024 rookie class. Give those guys more work now, see if they develop this season. If they don't develop, you have done your part by providing them with an opportunity to grow and gain more intense reps. If they do develop and have a good 2026, that is great, and it helps Peters moving forward in his 2027 free agency and draft.
This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Washington Commanders: It was a unique and necessary minicamp
Continue reading...
