Sometimes, it’s interesting to take words in hindsight once we know more about a subject, even one we didn’t know we needed to know.
That may be the case for the words of Commanders tight end Curtis Hodges, who spoke to Chris Russell after practice Monday…less than 24 hours before we got the firestorm about Eric Bieniemy.
“Camp’s going good – team’s getting better and everything seems to be progressing,” Hodges told Russell in the interview played Wednesday on Rooster’s show. “There’s good days and bad days, but every day we come out with the mindset that we just have to get one percent better, and I feel like every day, we’re gradually getting better at one thing or another.”
Hodges had just spoken to Bieniemy when he talked to Russell, who naturally then asked him about playing in EB’s tight end-focused offense.
“Just told me to stay focused, get ready for what’s coming ahead, and be prepared,” Hodges said. “There’s a lot of opportunities for us in this offense, and it’s a blessing to be here in this offense.”
Hodges opened eyes as a rookie undrafted free agent last year, and as he enters year two in a new system, he’s more ready than he might have been as a neophyte in the league for what lies ahead.
“I took a big step physically and mentally, getting my body prepared and knowing it’s going to be a grind,” Hodges said. “I know it’s going to be different than it was last year, so just attack every day and bring yourself up to the standard when opportunity arises.”
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There’s already been one major injury in the tight end room, and while Logan Thomas and John Bates may get the lion’s share of reps if everyone else stays healthy, Hodges knows there are ways he can make an impact – and when he gets the chance, he has to capitalize.
“There’s opportunity across the field, and when your number is called, you have to go out there and prove you can play in this league,” Hodges said. “We’re in it together as a group; when somebody goes down, it affects everybody, but there are opportunities to make plays. We all have our roles, and we have to play to that role and do the best we can.”
Follow Chris Russell on Twitter: @Russellmania621
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