Logan Paulsen will be on the sidelines for tonight’s Commanders preseason opener in Cleveland as part of the NBC broadcast crew, and he caught up with his fellow Paulsen (and a Rouhier) ahead of the game for a little preview.
But within that, he gave Grant & Danny glowing report about one Commander that everyone seems to be honed in on this summer…and it’s not Sam Howell.
“I’ve wanted to see some maturation from Chase Young since he arrived, because I had such a high evaluation of him, so I was waiting for him to ascend to the elite level – and since camp began, he has shown that he is in a different space physically and mentally than he has been in quite some time,” Logan said.
According to the former tight end, Young has been giving left tackle Charles Leno Jr. ‘fits’ in practice, and ‘putting those deposits in the bank’ all camp.
“That is what I wanted to see: a guy using power and inside counters, understanding when to rush the edge, and developing a plan that looks like an NFL rusher,” Logan said. “Tonight is an important data point to see how he does against a former first-round pick in Jedrick Wills; if he comes out and is able to generate some pressures and play physical football, it would show the fans what I’ve been seeing at practice: a guy who is ready to show the world that his Defensive Rookie of the Year season is who he really is.”
Grant noted that when he watches Young rush the quarterback, he’s never impressed from a standpoint of versatility and making moves, it’s more of a hopeful bull rush – but Logan claims that’s changed.
“There’s a better timing and understanding of when to use the tools in his toolbox. He doesn’t have the spin moves of a Maxx Crosby or the crazy ghost rush of Von Miller, but he’s 6-foot-5 and 270 pounds,” Logan said. “He’s big and physical, and I want to see him be big and physical – run the edge, rip into the tackle and compress the pocket, and when it’s time to use finesse, use the stutter-step and inside wipers when its time. He just has to know when to use his moves; elite rushers don’t have a ton of moves, but they know what they have and when and how to apply them.”
Take a listen above to hear all of Logan Paulsen’s thoughts on Young, the rookies in the secondary, and more ahead of the preseason opener!
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