Whereas the Washington Commanders attempt to drown out the noise coming from the White Home, they took an enormous step ahead by signing their second-round decide from this yr’s draft. But when the Commanders need their Tremendous Bowl goals to come back true, right here is the deadly flaw they have to deal with in coaching camp.
It’s merely the best way of the NFL world. To have success on the highest stage of the league, groups should defend their quarterback initially. The Commanders have taken large strides to get higher at that for the 2025 season.
Nonetheless, their deadly flaw may very well be the opposite main factor NFL groups should do: get to the opposing group’s quarterback. The Commanders have an edge rusher situation, and so they should deal with the issue in coaching camp.
Commanders have an edge rusher downside
The Commanders can care for the issue in one in every of two methods. In the event that they see marked progress from the blokes they’ve in camp and consider they will produce a high quality go rush, they will keep the course. Or, they should make a commerce.
In the event that they stand pat, loads of the rationale will seemingly be due to the presence of linebacker Frankie Luvu. He provides the Commanders an off-ball linebacker who can increase the go rush.
Luvu has gained the respect not solely of his teaching workers but additionally from different gamers within the league, in accordance with commanders.com.
“Frankie is a really high-energy man,” mentioned Ravens vast receiver Rashod Bateman. “Activate the faucet, bro is all throughout the sphere, for certain.”
“We play these guys twice a yr…and yeah, you acquire respect,” mentioned Eagles offensive deal with Lane Johnson. “It is enjoyable whenever you’re going towards an excessive competitor. Some guys, you possibly can inform that it means rather a lot to them. So, he is a kind of guys.”
Luvu mentioned he’s completed it with onerous work, in accordance with commanders.com.
“Principally my consuming and caring for my physique,” Luvu mentioned. “The additional work outdoors of the work. Simply little issues like that to convey my physique to full vitality and full battery for me to carry out on Sunday.”
Commanders normal supervisor Adam Peters mentioned Luvu brings what the Commanders want for the defensive scheme, in accordance with wusa9.com.
“There (are) some fundamental traits that you just kinda search for,” Peters. “I imply, you throw in like Luvu’s aggressive spirit, you understand, (linebacker) Bobby Wagner’s professionalism, his consistency, his management. , I can go down the road, however I feel there are such a lot of various things that actually go into that.”
Teammate Sam Cosmi mentioned Luvu is that man.
“That man’s a stud,” Cosmi mentioned final yr. “I may inform when he’s going to come back down, he isn’t just a linebacker, he can rush. And that’s a complete new factor. Not loads of linebackers can put a transfer and do this, and likewise offer you a bull. So, one thing like that’s completely different, and I am pleased he’s on our group.”
Proper now, the Commanders have an edge rusher room with Dorance Armstrong and Von Miller as the highest edge rushers. Miller joined the fray through a one-year deal that can pay him $6.1 million. If Miller stays wholesome, can produce sufficient snaps, and performs even near his former stage, the Commanders might not have as large an issue on the sting.
The Commanders even have Deatrich Sensible Jr. and Jacob Martin within the edge rusher combine. Jalyn Holmes and Clelin Ferrell are on the third group proper now, whereas Andre Jones Jr. and Javontae Jean-Baptiste spherical out the combo.
Miller may operate as a man who comes into late-game conditions and serves up the game-clinching sack, in accordance with espn.com.
“He does not have to return to his Professional Bowl and All-Professional pass-rushing days to be of service,” John Keim wrote. “In fact, each group may use a dynamic edge rusher. However wanting that, Washington additionally wants choices and solely wants Miller to develop into their nearer — a la former New York Yankees nice Mariano Rivera — and supply the defensive punctuations they didn’t make final season.”
Keim identified the Commanders’ lack of success in these conditions in 2024.
“Within the fourth quarter of video games, Washington recorded 5 sacks — the third-lowest mark within the league,” Keim wrote. “The Commanders’ go rush win price within the closing quarter final season was 13.3%. Just one participant, Wagner, at 31.6% was higher than 21.1% on this class, in accordance with ESPN Analysis. With Buffalo final season, Miller had a go rush win price within the fourth quarter of 25.5% — third-highest within the NFL.”
Miller mentioned he may have sat out final season, however determined to offer it a go for the group.
“I may have simply sat out all of final season, however I could not do my teammates like that,” he instructed SI.com final yr. “However on the identical time, I should not have been on the market. I really feel like individuals are judging me on that, so it is making me somewhat bit indignant, to be trustworthy.”
There you may have it. However with one other veteran approaching board, the Commanders could be taking a blast-from-the-past web page from George Allen’s “Over the Hill Gang” within the early Nineteen Seventies. The Commanders have 22 gamers age 30 or older on the roster. Whether or not that works for a throwback season to a Tremendous Bowl stays to be seen.