- 7 hours ago
Rasul Douglas stops by the tent to explain how he's embraced the veteran role among the Commanders defensive backs, why he thinks the defense will have a big 2026, and what he's enjoyed about his short time in Washington.
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00:00We are very excited right now to welcome in Rasul Douglas to the tent.
00:04What's up, dude? Thank you for making time for us.
00:07Coming off the practice field, joining us now.
00:10Rasul, thank you very much for making some time for us, dude.
00:13I know it's hot out here, and this tent is probably not the lap of luxury.
00:18But we appreciate you taking a minute for us.
00:20How you doing?
00:21Yes, sir. I'm doing good, baby.
00:22How you doing, man?
00:23You good?
00:23I'm doing good, man. How y'all doing?
00:25We're good, man.
00:26I got to be honest, I was super excited when you signed.
00:30I think you brought a veteran purpose to this room and, dude, experience.
00:36You're getting picks all the time at camp.
00:38It seems like you really kind of hit the ground running.
00:41How do you feel your time here has been in, what, a little over a month now?
00:45A month? No, I don't think it's been a month since I've been here when I came here July 27th.
00:51Oh, wow.
00:52It ain't been a month long.
00:52But even when you signed was probably early July, right?
00:55Yeah, yeah.
00:56I signed right before training camp.
00:58But it's been good, man.
01:00It's been good to be here, to fly around.
01:03I'm just trying to learn as much as I can and make plays that come to me.
01:07This defense that Durante is installing seems to be very aggressive.
01:12Yeah.
01:12How much do you like that?
01:13I love it.
01:14Even at the corner position.
01:14I love it.
01:15I love it.
01:15It allows the ball to come out fast.
01:17And if you see routes developing, you kind of know where the ball is going.
01:21So I like it a lot.
01:23Durante is known to be a great communicator.
01:25What's his communication with you guys like?
01:28It's constant.
01:29It's all the time.
01:31He's always trying to tell us what he expects from us and what he wants from us.
01:35It's just how to read everything that's going on.
01:37He just wants to give us the why all the time behind why he's calling what he's calling and why
01:41he's thinking what he's thinking.
01:43So just so we're on the same page with him.
01:45And we kind of play to what he wants us to play to, you know?
01:48Do you appreciate that?
01:49Like, I know I'm a why guy.
01:51Like, if my boss tells me to do something, I ask him why, right?
01:55Like, I feel like I execute better when I know the logic behind something.
02:00Does that resonate with you guys?
02:02Sometimes and sometimes not.
02:03Because, like, if we're in the middle of something, I might can't explain to you the why.
02:08You know what I mean?
02:09Sure.
02:09So you might just have to just take what I'm saying, listen, and right now we all start running.
02:14You can't be asking me why we're running.
02:15You just got to start running.
02:16You just got to start running.
02:17Exactly.
02:18So that's how I look at Coach.
02:19I look at him like, man, will he say something?
02:20Let's just do it.
02:21You know, and then after we explain about it, talk about it, after it's already over and then we're in
02:25the meeting room, then we'll talk about it.
02:27And I'll get his insight of, like, oh, no, I called this because of this or why.
02:31Or, oh, I shouldn't have called that.
02:32I should have did this.
02:33So while we're on the ground and we're running, let's hit it.
02:36But then after, if we all see a problem with it or we all just want to know, like, Coach,
02:40you think that was the best, then we'll just talk to him about it.
02:43But, I mean, he's been doing this for a long time.
02:44We trust him.
02:45So you've been around.
02:46You've been in different camps and things like that.
02:48And you could probably sense and get a feel for your team.
02:51What are you feeling about this team so far?
02:53I feel like we're trying to grow together, you know.
02:56I think we're all trying to do little things to bring a camaraderie together, to trust each other, to have
03:01each other's back.
03:02I think that that's what we're doing now so we can make that hump, get over that hump.
03:10As I look at your career, right, I go back to 21.
03:14Yeah.
03:15How hard is it to have two pick sixes in a single season?
03:19I guess not that hard.
03:23I mean, but that year for the Packers, you had five interceptions in 12 games.
03:28Like, I remember once D'Angelo Hall had a game where he picked off Jay Cutler four times.
03:35And he said at a certain point the ball just started to look so big, and I just knew I
03:39was going to get it.
03:39Did you ever have those moments when it just seems like everything's coming to you?
03:43Yeah.
03:44Yeah.
03:45Man, it's from the moment you wake up.
03:47You just feel it.
03:48Like, it just feels like it's going to be a great day, and the ball just finds you.
03:52And the best thing you got to do is just catch it.
03:54That's really all you got to do is catch it, and everything else happens after that.
03:57And once you get one in the game, you know, you're thirsty for another one.
03:59There you go.
04:00There you go.
04:01You know, when I played, I always talked to linebackers because I felt like they let me, running routes and
04:06stuff,
04:06they can let me know more about how they're thinking so I can try the game plan for it.
04:10Do you talk to the receivers and try to figure out stuff to help you out on the football field?
04:14Oh, for sure, all the time.
04:15I'm always talking to, you know, Terry, Diggs now.
04:18I've been talking since Buffalo, you know.
04:20But I always talk to all the guys.
04:22Like, Trey Burks, I put them to the side.
04:24Yo, what you was thinking on this route?
04:25Or, you know, like, how would you try and set me up?
04:28And sometimes they ask me, too, like, what was you in that coverage?
04:30Like, why you playing like that?
04:32And I'm like, well, I was playing for this or this, you know.
04:34So, it's always the constant talk because you want to just keep getting better.
04:38And you want to see what they see when they go against you, you know.
04:41Are you excited?
04:41You were in Miami last year.
04:43Are you excited to see those guys tomorrow or has it turned over so much?
04:46No, no, no.
04:47I'm excited.
04:47We still talk.
04:49But tomorrow is all about the commanders, you know.
04:51Sure.
04:52So, I'm curious.
04:54In the DB's room, you got some characters.
04:57Yeah.
04:58And the top character might be Mikey Sammer still.
05:00He's a dog competitor, but he's like a – he's kind of an instigator.
05:05Like, just to get arguments going.
05:07I'm glad you said that.
05:08I'm glad you said that.
05:09Does that track?
05:10Does that seem correct?
05:11Yeah, that's why I'm glad you said that.
05:13Because not only do we know it, you know it.
05:15That's a good thing.
05:17Well, he's always involved with something.
05:19I'll tell you that.
05:20What's it like in that room?
05:21Nah, I mean, me, him, and Amik, we're probably like the same.
05:25So, like, it's easy to, like, get under each of our skin.
05:28So, we all try to just be messing with each other just to get us to that level of, like,
05:32come on, you know.
05:33And we all know we get out of each other.
05:35Like, we always want to compete.
05:37We always want to be the best.
05:38We feel like we're the best.
05:39And that's just what we try to show every day.
05:42So, I've said this to B-Mitch forever.
05:45Covering the NFL now for a number of years, right, I love talking to DBs.
05:49Because I think to play that position requires the most irrational confidence of man.
05:55That'd be a little delusional.
05:56I know.
05:57You are.
05:57You are delusional.
05:58Yeah, for sure.
05:59For sure.
05:59How hard is it to maintain that mindset when the rules are stacked against you?
06:03Yeah.
06:04Like, the offenses are stacked against you.
06:06You're running backwards while a dude gets to run full speed.
06:09Like, how hard is playing corner in the NFL?
06:11No, for sure.
06:12It's the hardest position ever.
06:13But it also feels good when you're doing it at a high level.
06:16Sure.
06:16Or you're getting it right.
06:17It just feels great.
06:18Because, like, with all of this stuff against you, you still come out on top.
06:21You know.
06:23How much have you seen the rules change in your time in the league?
06:26Like, I mean, I said a lot.
06:29I mean, now we're not even – we're giving up the offense at the 40-yard line.
06:34Every time they touch the ball, they're getting it at the 40.
06:36Yeah.
06:36Once you cross the 50, you might as well start going forward on fourth down.
06:39There you go.
06:39So, like, that's things different.
06:41We used to have wedge busters.
06:43They used to hold hands on kickoff return.
06:45Yeah, yeah, yeah.
06:45And, like, you don't see that no more now.
06:47You used to get a running start.
06:49A lot of things.
06:50OT rules.
06:52What is it?
06:52Cats?
06:52We even got – you used to – you could challenge.
06:56Yeah.
06:56P.I.
06:56Like, all the weird – I don't know, man.
06:58Yeah.
06:58I don't know what they're trying to do, but it always comes down to one game during
07:02the season or in a – like, whatever, the playoff game or not, that has a
07:07controversy call.
07:09Yep.
07:09And then the rules change that next year for that call.
07:11And it's like, that call doesn't happen a lot.
07:14Yeah.
07:14For all the rules to change.
07:16So, the Saints play the Rams.
07:17Yeah.
07:18They get the P.I. call at the end with what – it should have been P.I.
07:20But it wasn't.
07:21Yeah.
07:22That was obvious right there.
07:23It was.
07:23I agree.
07:24He did.
07:25Hell, yeah.
07:25But after that year, then they go, oh, we could challenge or look for it on
07:29replay if it's P.I. or not P.I.
07:30Right?
07:31Then we go to the Buffalo and –
07:34The interception.
07:35Not a Buffalo and Chief game.
07:36Yeah, yeah.
07:37Where Patty gets the ball first in overtime.
07:38He scores.
07:39And now Josh Allen doesn't get it.
07:41Right.
07:41It's like, well, they deserve the ball too.
07:44Now you get – so, it's like, it just – rules change based off certain things
07:48and it just keeps evolving.
07:50So, you mentioned, like, they're giving the ball to the offense on the 40 and you
07:54get across the 50, you should start going for it.
07:56Dan can be aggressive like that.
07:58Yeah.
07:59As a defensive player and you know your offense coach may be going for it, does that –
08:03You've got to get a stop.
08:04It's got to be a third and long.
08:05It's got to be fourth and nine.
08:07Yeah.
08:07If it's fourth and one, two push is happening.
08:10You can't afford that.
08:11Well, and you mentioned the kickoffs.
08:14The offense basically starts at the 40.
08:16Yeah.
08:16The way these kickers are now, if they get a first down, they can almost line up for a
08:20field goal.
08:20Exactly.
08:21You've got people making 66 yards.
08:22Yeah, yeah.
08:23Come on now.
08:24It's crazy, man.
08:24Think about it.
08:25But back in the – now, I want to say back in the day because I don't want to seem
08:27like I'm older.
08:28It's like I've been a lead on time.
08:29But Tom Brady, what, you threw for 5,000 yards in the season?
08:32Yeah.
08:33Well, who – what was the highest yards last year?
08:36Like 4,000-something?
08:37Yeah, it was way less.
08:38I can pull it.
08:41And I feel like to say, well, they didn't pass the ball back in the day.
08:43Yes, they did.
08:45When you've got Randy Moss, you can pass it.
08:47Stafford last year threw for 4,700.
08:49And Tom threw for 5,000 what that year?
08:52I think Tom's got the 5K.
08:54I think Bree's got the 5K one year.
08:56That's what I'm saying.
08:57Dude, this I find curious.
08:59Your last two teams, Miami and Buffalo before that, how different is living in Miami versus
09:06Buffalo?
09:07Man, Miami is like a luxury place.
09:09But Buffalo is like a – that's a football atmosphere.
09:13Like Green Bay and Buffalo, they are a football atmosphere.
09:16Like you wake up, you can smell football.
09:18In Miami, there's so much stuff to do.
09:20Like football is like the last on the list of things to do out there.
09:23Where are you from originally?
09:25I'm from Jersey.
09:26Actually, where did you live when you played for the Giants?
09:28I lived in West Orange.
09:30West Orange.
09:30It says you're from East Orange.
09:32Yeah.
09:33So West Orange is right there.
09:34Is that Bloomfield Avenue?
09:35Does that go through all that?
09:36That's over there.
09:37Okay.
09:37Yeah.
09:38I remember my college roommate was from Verona.
09:42And he's like, yeah, just get on Bloomfield Avenue.
09:45It'll take you everywhere you need to go.
09:46It'll take you everywhere you go.
09:46It's straight.
09:46Straight down five.
09:47So growing up in Jersey, Giants fan, Yankee fan?
09:51No, no, no.
09:51I'm a Yankees fan.
09:52Okay.
09:52Derek Jeter is my favorite shortstop.
09:54Ever?
09:54Ever, ever.
09:54Okay.
09:55Favorite baseball player.
09:55I'm a Calgary guy, but that's fine.
09:57Yeah, but I'm not a Giants or Jets fan.
09:59Who did you like football-wise?
10:01I was a Chargers fan.
10:02How?
10:03I like LaDania.
10:04Okay.
10:04When I was playing a game, LaDania was just the best back in the league.
10:08I like Camardi, Quentin Jammer.
10:10I was like big fans of them.
10:12Those teams were cool.
10:13They were.
10:15Drew Brees actually talked about Schottenheimer in his Hall of Fame speech.
10:18Did you hear any of that?
10:19No, I didn't hear.
10:19I didn't see his Hall of Fame speech.
10:20I know he got drafted to us, but then.
10:23Traded.
10:23Yeah, he got traded immediately.
10:25Oh, no.
10:26I think he was a free agent.
10:28Because, dude, so Drew Brees.
10:30I thought Drew had to get the surgery or something, and he got traded.
10:33No.
10:33So he was a free agent, and everybody was scared to sign him because he had the shoulder
10:37surgery.
10:37And he wanted to go to Miami to play for Saban.
10:40This is when Saban was coaching the Dolphins.
10:43Saban picked Dante Culpepper.
10:45Instead, Brees goes to New Orleans to play for Peyton.
10:48Rest is history.
10:50Oh, man.
10:50And then Nick was back at Bama like a year later.
10:53How'd you end up at WVU?
10:55Out of junior college.
10:56I just chose him.
10:57Brian Mitchell.
10:58I just felt like he had a good plan for me coming in.
11:02Who was the coach?
11:03Was it Rich Rod then?
11:04Nah, it was Dan Hobson.
11:05Oh, okay.
11:05What was he like?
11:06He seems like a wild man.
11:07He was fun.
11:08He was fun.
11:08He was fun.
11:08He was fun.
11:09I bet you had some fun in Morgantown.
11:10Yeah, oh, yeah.
11:11Morgantown.
11:12It's a bunch of fun.
11:13I bet.
11:13I've been there.
11:14I've been to Morgantown.
11:14I've been there.
11:15Oh, yeah.
11:16Let's go Mountaineers.
11:17Let's go drink some beers.
11:19Rasul, thank you for the time, man.
11:20This has been a lot of fun.
11:21I appreciate it.
11:22Good luck to you, man.
11:22Yes, sir.
11:23Thanks, man.
11:23He's some young bucks, brother.
11:24Of course.
11:25All right, man.
11:25Try to keep him straight, man.
11:26Yeah.
11:27Can I ask you one more just because you said that, or do you have to run?
11:29No, I don't.
11:30A young guy like Trey Amos going through injuries and stuff,
11:34what do you tell him just to kind of keep his head up?
11:37Sorry, he took it off.
11:38That's my bad.
11:39Left hand up.
11:40Yeah.
11:41Nah, just got to just keep working on it.
11:44You know what I mean?
11:45Stay in the treatment room.
11:47You got to take care of your body, man.
11:48The best ability is the availability.
11:49So, you got to stay healthy, try to stay healthy, but injuries are a part of sports.
11:54It does happen.
11:55Yep.
11:55You know, but I understand how it can be frustrating.
11:57Yeah.
11:58With little injuries that just keep nagging and nagging and nagging.
12:01And sometimes you just need a little time just to heal.
12:04So, I just try to make sure he feels right when he comes back.
12:07But, you know, we're still here for him.
12:09Talk to him.
12:09Good.
12:10That's a good veteran right there.
12:11Yes, sir.
12:11For the record, I tweeted out in May that they should sign you.
12:14I don't know that that drove Adam Peters to his phone.
12:17Never know, man.
12:17I got to ask.
12:18I got to ask, man.
12:19Thank you again for the time, Rasul.
12:20I really appreciate it.
12:22Rasul Douglas, Washington Commanders cornerback, kind enough to join us in the tent.
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