1 00:00:02,440 --> 00:00:12,640 Speaker 1: Welcome to the Command Center Podcast. I'm Julie Donaldson. Today 2 00:00:12,680 --> 00:00:15,040 Speaker 1: we are talking about the men in the trenches, the 3 00:00:15,040 --> 00:00:18,200 Speaker 1: Commander's offensive line. Santana Moss and Logan Paulson joined me 4 00:00:18,320 --> 00:00:22,000 Speaker 1: to discuss the new men up front shifting on the 5 00:00:22,040 --> 00:00:25,480 Speaker 1: offensive line. They did bring in Trey Turner and Andrew Norwell. 6 00:00:25,520 --> 00:00:27,320 Speaker 1: By the way, the hat, he said, it's just for swag. 7 00:00:27,520 --> 00:00:29,200 Speaker 1: We've got a bit. It's you know, of course we 8 00:00:29,280 --> 00:00:32,479 Speaker 1: support the Nationals here in this area. Do you anticipate 9 00:00:32,520 --> 00:00:34,960 Speaker 1: because Brandon chaff was a perennial All Star, of course, 10 00:00:34,960 --> 00:00:38,160 Speaker 1: and we talked about how dominant he was this offensive line, 11 00:00:38,880 --> 00:00:41,560 Speaker 1: what kind of can we anticipate a drop off should 12 00:00:41,560 --> 00:00:44,680 Speaker 1: there be one? What can we anticipate with these changes? Basically? 13 00:00:44,800 --> 00:00:46,720 Speaker 1: I mean, offensive line is a weird thing because it's 14 00:00:46,720 --> 00:00:49,199 Speaker 1: five people, and it's not just five individuals, it's how 15 00:00:49,240 --> 00:00:51,879 Speaker 1: those five guys play together. Right. So yeah, so even 16 00:00:51,920 --> 00:00:53,720 Speaker 1: though you have one really good player in Brandon Sheriff, 17 00:00:53,720 --> 00:00:54,800 Speaker 1: a guy that was in and that light up a 18 00:00:54,840 --> 00:00:57,520 Speaker 1: little bit, if the aggregate of these new guys is better, 19 00:00:57,680 --> 00:00:59,280 Speaker 1: like the group's going to play better, right, And so 20 00:00:59,320 --> 00:01:01,880 Speaker 1: I think Norwell, Turner having been in this offense before. 21 00:01:01,920 --> 00:01:03,360 Speaker 1: I think you mentioned that there are a whole bunch 22 00:01:03,360 --> 00:01:05,000 Speaker 1: of guys who've been in the league for a long time. 23 00:01:05,040 --> 00:01:07,800 Speaker 1: Blados another guy that it helps galvinized guys. They know 24 00:01:07,800 --> 00:01:09,520 Speaker 1: how to play together, and I think that's really important. 25 00:01:09,640 --> 00:01:12,039 Speaker 1: I think even though they're they're older, some of them 26 00:01:12,080 --> 00:01:14,120 Speaker 1: have kind of had, you know, maybe on the downside 27 00:01:14,120 --> 00:01:15,760 Speaker 1: of their career. The fact that they're going to come 28 00:01:15,800 --> 00:01:18,320 Speaker 1: together and play really is going to maybe lead to 29 00:01:18,400 --> 00:01:20,360 Speaker 1: an increase in production. I think one of the things 30 00:01:20,360 --> 00:01:23,120 Speaker 1: that you need the most on any team when you 31 00:01:23,120 --> 00:01:25,800 Speaker 1: talk speaking of better ring guys is upfront with the 32 00:01:25,840 --> 00:01:28,240 Speaker 1: offensive linement. Those guys who've been in the trenches know 33 00:01:28,280 --> 00:01:31,960 Speaker 1: what it takes, have been around a system, can brain 34 00:01:32,080 --> 00:01:34,759 Speaker 1: that leadership and and especially when you have a very 35 00:01:34,880 --> 00:01:38,039 Speaker 1: verse or two group, these guys can basically play guard 36 00:01:38,120 --> 00:01:39,800 Speaker 1: or tackle. A lot of these guys are setting you 37 00:01:39,840 --> 00:01:40,839 Speaker 1: know what I mean. You have a lot of guys 38 00:01:40,840 --> 00:01:43,600 Speaker 1: that can be, you know, play different positions. So it's 39 00:01:43,640 --> 00:01:45,600 Speaker 1: great to know that we have a couple of guys 40 00:01:45,640 --> 00:01:47,920 Speaker 1: here that's that our veterans that's going to be able 41 00:01:47,920 --> 00:01:49,800 Speaker 1: to lead these guys on and I think they'll be 42 00:01:49,800 --> 00:01:52,360 Speaker 1: fined them if you did talk about daver about being 43 00:01:52,360 --> 00:01:55,080 Speaker 1: able to move around and have that ability to be 44 00:01:55,120 --> 00:01:58,040 Speaker 1: at different spots on the offensive line. We've seen sadly 45 00:01:58,040 --> 00:02:00,360 Speaker 1: and unfortunately too many times where that's been nest necessary. 46 00:02:00,480 --> 00:02:02,560 Speaker 1: You have to be diverse and be able to where 47 00:02:02,560 --> 00:02:05,200 Speaker 1: you can line up. They went and unconsciously brought in 48 00:02:05,240 --> 00:02:07,120 Speaker 1: a couple of guys that were familiar with head coach 49 00:02:07,200 --> 00:02:09,360 Speaker 1: Ron Rivera and his coaching staff. How much is that 50 00:02:09,400 --> 00:02:11,600 Speaker 1: familiarity of what to expect and kind of what they 51 00:02:11,639 --> 00:02:13,200 Speaker 1: know they're going to get from the line. How much 52 00:02:13,240 --> 00:02:15,000 Speaker 1: does you think that factors in? Well, I mean, when 53 00:02:15,040 --> 00:02:16,560 Speaker 1: you're in a run scheme, I mean, it's very similar 54 00:02:16,560 --> 00:02:18,760 Speaker 1: to a pass game. There's certain rules and certain principles 55 00:02:18,760 --> 00:02:20,040 Speaker 1: that you abide by here, and they do a lot 56 00:02:20,040 --> 00:02:21,639 Speaker 1: of jets sweep here, a lot of motion, a lot 57 00:02:21,639 --> 00:02:25,400 Speaker 1: of post snap blocking assignments right where they move gaps 58 00:02:25,400 --> 00:02:27,359 Speaker 1: and stuff, and that affects the defense. And if you've 59 00:02:27,400 --> 00:02:29,120 Speaker 1: been in a system like that for a long time, 60 00:02:29,480 --> 00:02:31,280 Speaker 1: you know the adjustments, you know how to handle it, 61 00:02:31,320 --> 00:02:33,560 Speaker 1: you know all these different variables. And like the long 62 00:02:33,600 --> 00:02:36,639 Speaker 1: gri was in KYLEI. Shanahan's offense, the more effective I became. 63 00:02:36,720 --> 00:02:38,720 Speaker 1: I just knew the adjustments, I knew what to do, 64 00:02:38,760 --> 00:02:40,480 Speaker 1: I knew the calls. I think that's the same thing 65 00:02:40,480 --> 00:02:44,679 Speaker 1: with these guys here. Yeah, oh no, you said it right. Yeah. 66 00:02:44,800 --> 00:02:47,400 Speaker 1: Is there any part of this line that maybe you say, Okay, 67 00:02:47,440 --> 00:02:49,440 Speaker 1: I need to see when we get to training camp, 68 00:02:49,480 --> 00:02:53,400 Speaker 1: I need to see certain player at this position step up. 69 00:02:54,360 --> 00:02:55,840 Speaker 1: I don't think so. I mean, I think one of 70 00:02:55,840 --> 00:02:58,959 Speaker 1: the things that we saw that was, you know, that 71 00:02:58,960 --> 00:03:01,640 Speaker 1: open to see young guys last year be able to 72 00:03:01,639 --> 00:03:04,040 Speaker 1: flourish in those spots, you know. I mean you had 73 00:03:04,040 --> 00:03:05,919 Speaker 1: guys in and out of the lineup and still coming 74 00:03:05,960 --> 00:03:08,160 Speaker 1: in and playing well. So now you're bringing a little 75 00:03:08,360 --> 00:03:11,320 Speaker 1: you know, veteran leadership that's going to be able to 76 00:03:11,320 --> 00:03:13,679 Speaker 1: add to what those guys know or don't know. So 77 00:03:14,280 --> 00:03:16,160 Speaker 1: I don't think I need to see much, but you 78 00:03:16,240 --> 00:03:18,160 Speaker 1: do gonna you are going to keep eye on some 79 00:03:18,200 --> 00:03:19,920 Speaker 1: of those new guys just to see if they're gonna 80 00:03:20,000 --> 00:03:22,560 Speaker 1: be able to you know, what level they're gonna play on, 81 00:03:22,880 --> 00:03:26,160 Speaker 1: you know, while they're here. John Matsk's great offensive line coach. 82 00:03:26,520 --> 00:03:28,400 Speaker 1: They always give credit for him being able to get 83 00:03:28,400 --> 00:03:30,280 Speaker 1: them ready no matter what position they have to play 84 00:03:30,320 --> 00:03:33,240 Speaker 1: as well. Chase Roullier coming back from injury. Would nice 85 00:03:33,280 --> 00:03:35,040 Speaker 1: to be having him back out there on the field 86 00:03:35,080 --> 00:03:38,160 Speaker 1: as well. Speaking of the men upfront, former Washington guard 87 00:03:38,200 --> 00:03:41,200 Speaker 1: Derek Dockery stopped by the park during minicamp. He shared 88 00:03:41,240 --> 00:03:44,680 Speaker 1: his memory on the Monday Night Miracle in the game memory, 89 00:03:44,720 --> 00:03:48,760 Speaker 1: I probably have to say it might have been two 90 00:03:48,800 --> 00:03:52,200 Speaker 1: thousand and five. I believe four or five. We were 91 00:03:52,200 --> 00:03:56,560 Speaker 1: in Dallas. We want on like like a last drive pass, 92 00:03:56,560 --> 00:03:59,920 Speaker 1: like mark through a past Antana. That's why I'm find 93 00:04:00,080 --> 00:04:03,280 Speaker 1: memories that being from Dallas too, going back home. So yeah, 94 00:04:03,280 --> 00:04:05,040 Speaker 1: I mean we had some great memories here. You ever 95 00:04:05,080 --> 00:04:08,640 Speaker 1: get tired of talking about that game Santana? Never? Of course, 96 00:04:08,680 --> 00:04:11,480 Speaker 1: because it's Dallas. I mean, trust me, everywhere I go 97 00:04:11,600 --> 00:04:13,800 Speaker 1: is always then. And I asked the question all the time, 98 00:04:14,160 --> 00:04:17,400 Speaker 1: did I do anything else while I was here? As 99 00:04:17,440 --> 00:04:19,720 Speaker 1: always a you know, Monday Night Miracle? But I love 100 00:04:19,760 --> 00:04:22,480 Speaker 1: it because, you know, I asked a fan, you know, 101 00:04:22,880 --> 00:04:25,120 Speaker 1: why is that so significant to them? And they was like, well, 102 00:04:25,120 --> 00:04:27,560 Speaker 1: the years before you guys, they had Super Bowls and 103 00:04:27,800 --> 00:04:30,400 Speaker 1: our era, the Monday Night Miracle stood out more than 104 00:04:30,640 --> 00:04:33,479 Speaker 1: our playoff you know runs, so I guess I have to, 105 00:04:33,560 --> 00:04:35,760 Speaker 1: you know, live with that. It kind of goes to 106 00:04:36,279 --> 00:04:38,479 Speaker 1: talk about the rivalries we have in sports, and a 107 00:04:38,480 --> 00:04:40,120 Speaker 1: lot of times now it used to be teams, but 108 00:04:40,160 --> 00:04:42,880 Speaker 1: now with players moving all over the place, people kind 109 00:04:42,880 --> 00:04:46,160 Speaker 1: of question, like, how much do we lose that rivalry aspect? 110 00:04:46,320 --> 00:04:49,400 Speaker 1: It's never lost between Washington and Dallas, And that's just 111 00:04:49,440 --> 00:04:52,279 Speaker 1: another example of it. Now. I found out the hard way, 112 00:04:52,440 --> 00:04:56,000 Speaker 1: but I'm glad I was on the good the end 113 00:04:56,040 --> 00:04:58,240 Speaker 1: of it. Yeah, is Dallas still the team to beat now? 114 00:04:58,720 --> 00:05:00,760 Speaker 1: I mean, personally, I don't think so. I think right 115 00:05:00,760 --> 00:05:03,080 Speaker 1: now Philadelphia seems to be moving in that direction. I 116 00:05:03,120 --> 00:05:05,479 Speaker 1: think they've done a really nice shot with that defensive 117 00:05:05,520 --> 00:05:07,800 Speaker 1: getting better this offseason. Their offensive line is probably the 118 00:05:07,839 --> 00:05:09,760 Speaker 1: best maybe in the league, and they've got some good 119 00:05:09,800 --> 00:05:12,040 Speaker 1: skill positions players now to support Jalen Hurts. And again 120 00:05:12,120 --> 00:05:13,840 Speaker 1: Jalen Hurts is kind of the weak link there. But 121 00:05:13,839 --> 00:05:15,880 Speaker 1: I think that's the team. But I think it's I 122 00:05:15,880 --> 00:05:18,680 Speaker 1: think Washington and Dallas are much closer than people think 123 00:05:18,720 --> 00:05:20,400 Speaker 1: a lot of national pundans, so I think that's gonna 124 00:05:20,400 --> 00:05:22,400 Speaker 1: be really competitive games this year. I think that just 125 00:05:22,440 --> 00:05:24,640 Speaker 1: stands out because of the owner. You know and s 126 00:05:24,640 --> 00:05:26,880 Speaker 1: star and they're always going to be known or named 127 00:05:26,880 --> 00:05:29,440 Speaker 1: as the American's team. But you know, they do have 128 00:05:29,480 --> 00:05:31,800 Speaker 1: some great talent at over seemed like they just find 129 00:05:31,839 --> 00:05:33,840 Speaker 1: a way to I'm not sure if it's coaching or 130 00:05:33,839 --> 00:05:36,040 Speaker 1: it's just the guys that's not getting together, you know, 131 00:05:36,080 --> 00:05:39,400 Speaker 1: not making it happen together. But no, I'm I'm with 132 00:05:39,560 --> 00:05:42,240 Speaker 1: Logan with that, Philly, it seemed to be the team. 133 00:05:42,360 --> 00:05:45,080 Speaker 1: Although the Giants have got some super Bowls in the 134 00:05:45,160 --> 00:05:48,040 Speaker 1: last ten years, two of them, I guests, you can say, 135 00:05:48,240 --> 00:05:51,479 Speaker 1: but who knows, man, every season is another chance for 136 00:05:51,480 --> 00:05:53,760 Speaker 1: another team to take that. And in the NFC East, 137 00:05:53,800 --> 00:05:56,479 Speaker 1: it constantly is switching. But how much look that that 138 00:05:56,600 --> 00:05:59,920 Speaker 1: loss of Dallas last year, it hurts. It's still hurt. 139 00:06:01,200 --> 00:06:03,320 Speaker 1: I mean, I know, guys probably will sit there and 140 00:06:03,400 --> 00:06:05,720 Speaker 1: go into anytime we meet Dallas week four and then 141 00:06:05,760 --> 00:06:08,120 Speaker 1: week eighteen to close out this season. They're going to remember, 142 00:06:08,600 --> 00:06:10,440 Speaker 1: They're going to remember that last game and go and 143 00:06:10,520 --> 00:06:14,359 Speaker 1: I'm sure with a little extra motivation as well. For 144 00:06:14,400 --> 00:06:16,520 Speaker 1: all your news and analysis, be sure to tune into 145 00:06:16,600 --> 00:06:19,400 Speaker 1: Command Center weeknights five thirty and ten pm on NBC 146 00:06:19,560 --> 00:06:22,600 Speaker 1: Sports Washington, and if you miss an episode. They're always 147 00:06:22,640 --> 00:06:25,599 Speaker 1: there on our YouTube channel and our website, and while 148 00:06:25,600 --> 00:06:27,680 Speaker 1: you're at it, follow up commanders on all social media 149 00:06:27,680 --> 00:06:30,880 Speaker 1: platforms for the latest on the team. Hail to the Commanders.