- Joined
- May 8, 2002
- Posts
- 1,148,635
- Reaction score
- 59
Every year, it seems like there is a new word or phrase that makes its way around the NFL. One of those phrases is "the green dot." Well, the green dot is not a new phrase for the NFL or its players and coaches, but it's become more widely used among fans and the media.
What is the "green dot?" Every NFL team has one offensive player and one defensive player who will wear a green dot on their helmet. The role of that player is to receive live communication from their respective play-caller. On offense, it's the quarterback. Defensively, it can truly be any position, but it's a role often reserved for the MIKE linebacker.
Bobby Wagner handled that role for the Washington Commanders over the past two seasons. The future Hall of Famer is no longer in Washington, meaning there's a void. While rookie Sonny Styles can replace Wagner on the field, as a bigger, faster and younger version, stepping into Wagner's role as the team leader — and green dot — will not be easy.
The good thing is, Washington isn't expecting Styles to take that part over right now. Fellow linebacker Frankie Luvu has handled the role some this offseason, and the Commanders would feel comfortable with safety Nick Cross potentially handling that role. There's no doubt, though, that at some point, and maybe soon, it will go to Styles.
But new defensive coordinator Daronte Jones is in no hurry to make that decision.
"No, it's still early," Jones responded when asked if he had an idea of who would wear the green dot in Week 1. "And we're fortunate enough to have this time and training camp to let that play out."
What is Jones looking for in the player who wears the green dot?
"Well, one, it's based off of the communication, the ability to echo the call out to your teammates, but also, it's the personnel groupings, right?" Jones said.
"It's who's going to be on the field. And so, when you're talking about who that green dot can be, well, who's in the most packages? Who has earned that spot to be in the most packages? Because if you're in one package and he's off the field then you just lost your green dot, and you don't have a chance to switch helmets in series. And so, as we're getting to know what packages we want to be in, you know, who's in what packages, as we continue to build this thing here, that will play out based off of the guy's competition."
That's a thorough answer from Jones. In Wagner's case, he never came off the field. So, Jones' answer makes sense. Luvu also played plenty of snaps over the last two seasons, so he could manage the role until the Commanders feel comfortable handing the reins over to Styles.
Part of the intrigue about who will wear the green dot stems from the void left by Wagner. He wasn't just the defensive leader; he was the team's heartbeat. He was an extra coach on the field. He set the pace in practices because if a player who was 35 last season can play every snap and almost never miss practice, it sets the tone for the rest of the team.
Washington just finished OTAs this week and will hold its mandatory minicamp next week. Then, the Commanders break for training camp. So, Jones is right, he has plenty of time to make a decision.
This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Washington Commanders: Daronte Jones not rushing one decision
Continue reading...
What is the "green dot?" Every NFL team has one offensive player and one defensive player who will wear a green dot on their helmet. The role of that player is to receive live communication from their respective play-caller. On offense, it's the quarterback. Defensively, it can truly be any position, but it's a role often reserved for the MIKE linebacker.
Bobby Wagner handled that role for the Washington Commanders over the past two seasons. The future Hall of Famer is no longer in Washington, meaning there's a void. While rookie Sonny Styles can replace Wagner on the field, as a bigger, faster and younger version, stepping into Wagner's role as the team leader — and green dot — will not be easy.
The good thing is, Washington isn't expecting Styles to take that part over right now. Fellow linebacker Frankie Luvu has handled the role some this offseason, and the Commanders would feel comfortable with safety Nick Cross potentially handling that role. There's no doubt, though, that at some point, and maybe soon, it will go to Styles.
But new defensive coordinator Daronte Jones is in no hurry to make that decision.
"No, it's still early," Jones responded when asked if he had an idea of who would wear the green dot in Week 1. "And we're fortunate enough to have this time and training camp to let that play out."
What is Jones looking for in the player who wears the green dot?
"Well, one, it's based off of the communication, the ability to echo the call out to your teammates, but also, it's the personnel groupings, right?" Jones said.
"It's who's going to be on the field. And so, when you're talking about who that green dot can be, well, who's in the most packages? Who has earned that spot to be in the most packages? Because if you're in one package and he's off the field then you just lost your green dot, and you don't have a chance to switch helmets in series. And so, as we're getting to know what packages we want to be in, you know, who's in what packages, as we continue to build this thing here, that will play out based off of the guy's competition."
That's a thorough answer from Jones. In Wagner's case, he never came off the field. So, Jones' answer makes sense. Luvu also played plenty of snaps over the last two seasons, so he could manage the role until the Commanders feel comfortable handing the reins over to Styles.
Part of the intrigue about who will wear the green dot stems from the void left by Wagner. He wasn't just the defensive leader; he was the team's heartbeat. He was an extra coach on the field. He set the pace in practices because if a player who was 35 last season can play every snap and almost never miss practice, it sets the tone for the rest of the team.
Washington just finished OTAs this week and will hold its mandatory minicamp next week. Then, the Commanders break for training camp. So, Jones is right, he has plenty of time to make a decision.
This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Washington Commanders: Daronte Jones not rushing one decision
Continue reading...
