Kevin Sheehan's top concern with the Commanders roster
The Washington Commanders have just one final tune-up game this Sunday – in the first ever game at the newly named Commanders Field – against the New England Patriots. And then the lights come on for head coach Dan Quinn and Jayden Daniels come on for real.
Kevin Sheehan expects that very few of the regular contributors will play in this final game, which means the next time the starters emerge on the field the games will count for real.
So, what area of the team are you most concerned about?
"It's not the offensive line by default, I'm not telling you that I'm not concerned about the tackle position because they might start a rookie and they may start a guy in Andrew Wylie, who I don't think was as bad as most of you think he was last year," Sheehan said. "I'm feeling better about the interior of the offensive line, which I think they have developed here in the offseason some strength up the middle."
Sheehan added: "The on-paper strength of this team [on offense and defense] is up the middle. But for me right now, my biggest concern is corner.
"Because I do think defensively they're going to be better because they're gonna be better coached, there's gonna be a better vibe all around the building than there was last year, and I do like the idea of getting Jon Allen and Daron Payne back on track, having what ESPN believes is the best off-ball linebacker situation in the league with [Bobby] Wagner and [Frankie] Luvu and potentially a Jordan Magee at some point. I like the safeties, I think Quan Martin – he won't even be a safety on every play, he'll play that line of scrimmage, Buffalo nickel ... – I think [Jeremy] Chinn if he stays healthy, I like their depth at safety, I've liked [Darrick] Forrest in recent years.
"Corner – outside corner specifically, not that [Mike] Sainristil couldn't play outside, but I don't think that's where he'll play as a rookie... they're gonna give him a responsibility, he's gonna be their nickel corner and that's what he's gonna do...
"But right now, Benjamin St-Juste coming off not a good season, Michael Davis, Emmanuel Forbes Jr. and then the depth at the position is not only my big concern, it's also simultaneously the biggest mystery to me."
How much is Quinn and defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. going to be able to scheme up and push for more chances make things happen?
The full conversation can be heard above!
