It seems like just about everyone who has come on the air on 106.7 The Fan or The Team 980 to talk about Laremy Tunsil since the Commanders agreed to trade for him has had a similar opinion: he’s really good, at least in pass protection, but he lacks as a run blocker (and perhaps a leader), and penalties could be a problem like they were last season.
It was no different for SI’s Cole Thompson, who covers the Texans, when he joined Kevin Sheehan on Wednesday and offered this about the trade:
“This was not a healthy offensive line. There was a constant disconnect of who were going to be the right starting five, but they wanted to make a change, so they brought in (offensive coordinator) Nick Caley, who comes from the Patriots background and the Sean McVay coaching tree,” Thompson said. “I think there are certain criteria that you have to meet, especially with that Bill Belichick style: you have to be a hard worker, somebody who is going to put pedal to the metal during practices, film study, and workouts. If you don't fit that mold, we don't really want you here anymore; we appreciate all you've done for the organization, but this is a new era of Texans football, and we're gonna do it our way.”
There’s that, and perhaps a change in scheme that goes along with it:
“I think the other big selling point is that when you bring in a guy like Nick Caley, he comes from a no-nonsense mentality and an up-tempo attack. You have to be smooth and direct, be able to put your foot in the ground and be willing to strike when there's an opportunity,” Thompson said. “And it just felt like Laremy Tunsil and, and really some of these guys, Shaq Mason too, don’t fit that.”
Take a listen above to Thompson’s entire visit and chat about the Tunsil trade!