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Washington Commanders training camp started out full of optimism and energy, but it has now taken a dark turn with all the injuries. It’s imperative that everyone on the roster remains healthy until the regular season starts in Philly. What’s your biggest takeaway from Commanders training camp thus far?
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00:00A lot of people want to weigh in on the Johnny Newton injury.
00:03Here's some of the social media reaction.
00:05The poll is now up at Junk's Radio if you want to vote.
00:08Big deal, medium deal, little deal.
00:10This one from Siphon B3.
00:12Fourth-ranked DT on the squad.
00:14Won't even be able to tell.
00:16B in Richmond says, terrible pick.
00:18A whiff on AP's part.
00:19This guy was not in the future plans.
00:22I mean, I think he was going to make the roster,
00:25but I didn't have big expectations at this point.
00:29I did when he was first drafted.
00:30Oh, yeah, because you heard about his burst and his quick feet and all that.
00:35I mean, did it seem like he was going to develop into a Jonathan Allen
00:38or Deron-beam level type of player?
00:40No, but he's probably an important rotational piece for a horrendous defense.
00:47Yeah, but we upgraded enough.
00:48We had upgraded enough, I think, that we're going to be able to withstand it.
00:51In my personal opinion, put it this way.
00:53When I heard the news, I didn't flinch.
00:55When I heard the news that Alec Gretti was back in the tent, that flinched me.
00:59That made me, whoa.
01:01When I heard that O-Way's nursing something, I assume it's nothing,
01:04but still it's enough to scare you a little bit.
01:07That scared me.
01:08Losing Johnny Newton, no disrespect, didn't scare me.
01:12I think we can withstand him.
01:13What are the Niners close to that they say?
01:16An electrical substation.
01:18Maybe it's the data centers that are causing all the injuries for the commanders.
01:22I just think this is something that happens in every single training camp.
01:26I mean, guys drop like flies in every training camp.
01:29Yeah, I mean, it's happening with every team.
01:31This is the team we're really focusing on.
01:32Whether you're near a data center, an electrical substation, sewage center.
01:36It's just when it adds up, it just becomes more hard to fill those spots.
01:40Adding up is a concern.
01:41Yeah.
01:41I'm with you there.
01:42But the isolated losing Johnny Newton, trust me, I don't lose a wink of sleep about it.
01:48Okay, that's fine.
01:48The good thing about this is some of these nagging injuries are happening before the second preseason game.
01:54Right.
01:55And the opener's not for another 25 days or so.
01:58You know, Kime is going, and I feel like J.P. Finley's leaning in this direction.
02:02They're going the opposite of what my...
02:04I originally said I wouldn't play J.P. just because I don't want to deal with any of these injuries.
02:08It's not worth it.
02:10But Kime and J.P. Finley, if I'm reading what they're saying correctly and understanding what they're saying
02:16and comprehending what they're saying correctly, I think they think it might be trending into J.D. not playing also
02:21because of all the work he's been getting.
02:24That's the vibe they're getting.
02:26That's not the vibe I got from DQ when we had him sitting right next to me.
02:29Well, true, but Alec Reddy didn't go into the blue tent for a second time.
02:32Right.
02:32That could change his mind.
02:34That could change his mind.
02:34And also, I think the sheer volume.
02:36I'm not quite sure.
02:37Yeah, you're probably right.
02:38On Tuesday, if they had a list of like 15 guys injured, like they do now Thursday.
02:42True.
02:43Around the league, most of your starters play in the second preseason game.
02:47Yeah, I agree.
02:48So you know that.
02:49Of course.
02:49So I think that...
02:50Except some guys, they do hold out.
02:52Certain guys.
02:52And look, you're not going to see Chase Hunt.
02:53You're not going to see Owe.
02:54You're not going to see...
02:55Probably not going to see Al Gretti.
02:58You know, there's...
02:58Amos is not...
02:59So there's a bunch of guys...
03:00To not play him.
03:02Right.
03:03I don't know.
03:04Training camp coverage is brought to you by Paul Henry's Window Installation.
03:08PaulHenrysWindows.com.
03:08Your clear home improvement choice.
03:11And in my point on...
03:12You might be getting that 10 bucks back.
03:13My point on Adam Peter's draft record, I'm not personally invested in that.
03:18So I...
03:18You know, I...
03:20Okay.
03:21And I would say, yeah, it's been a disappointment.
03:23For sure.
03:24I would say Ben said it's been a disappointment.
03:26For sure.
03:27Who would argue that?
03:27There's no way you could categorize it otherwise.
03:30And I'm not emotionally invested in Adam Peter's succeeding or not.
03:33When they hired all these guys.
03:35When Josh Harris was named the owner, I feel like I was the only one who was going,
03:39Yeah, it's great.
03:40But he doesn't walk on water.
03:42I mean, you know, he's better than Dan.
03:44100%.
03:45That's the lowest bar ever.
03:46I mean, these guys are all going to make mistakes.
03:48You know, it is what it is.
03:48Yeah, I mean, drafting is the most inexact science that there is out there.
03:53But you just want your guy to hit more than he misses.
03:55Yeah.
03:56I'm just saying, I had given up on Johnny Newton before the injury.
03:59Personally.
04:00I can't give up on a second-round pick three years in.
04:02I can't give up on him.
04:03You were ready to give up on Ben Sinnott.
04:05Yeah.
04:06I've seen more flashes from Johnny Newton than I have from Ben Sinnott.
04:09I agree.
04:10But you were giving up on Ben Sinnott.
04:11It's the same thing.
04:12So you can't say that.
04:13Like, you personally, in your head, you've given up on Ben Sinnott.
04:16To a degree, yeah.
04:17As a starter, you have.
04:18And Johnny Newton being, like, what I thought he was going to be.
04:20You know what?
04:20Adam Peters gave up on him.
04:21He went out and got Chig.
04:22Yeah.
04:23That's a good point.
04:24You know what?
04:24And thank God he did.
04:26Big on Chig.
04:27Big on Chig.
04:28Have I mentioned that?
04:29I'm big on Chig.
04:30Yeah.
04:30I don't know about the rest of you guys.
04:31I can't speak for you.
04:32I mean, there's a ton of second-rounders who are backups around the league.
04:35Every time I go on Twitter, I see Chig catching a touchdown.
04:37But there's no way Adam Peters thought that I'm drafting Sinnott here in the second round.
04:41He's going to be a backup.
04:42No.
04:43There's no way he thought that.
04:44He thought he'd be a guy who catches 40 or 50 balls in the offense.
04:48But in Adam's defense, and I'm not in the business of defending him or trashing him.
04:52I don't carry the way.
04:54Like you say, there are other second-rounders around the league that historically did bomb.
04:59Sure.
04:59I think the percentage, even in the first round, is like 50% hit.
05:03I think the argument against that, because everyone knows that it's an inexact science,
05:08and you're going to have hits, and you're going to have misses.
05:10I think the problem is that if you're developing a track record where you're drafting injury-prone guys
05:18because they have medical red flags.
05:21Well, I didn't know that was his history.
05:22Bruce Allen used to like to do that.
05:24He used to try to get a steal because a guy was injured.
05:27When the talent of that player is a first-round talent, but the medicals make him slip all the way
05:34to the second and third round.
05:35But I didn't know that that was Adam Peters' MO.
05:37Well, he's developing that.
05:39Why?
05:39Because he did that with Johnny Newton.
05:41And then Trey Amos had a huge shoulder problem coming out of Ole Miss, and he was a first-round
05:48talent that slipped because of medicals.
05:50And you're kind of, I'm not saying he's going to miss the entire season, but you're kind of seeing where
05:55it's hard for him to stay on the field.
05:58Where that sort of approach can blow up in your face.
06:00Yes.
06:01Yeah.
06:01And then, you know, you're behind the eight ball with the talent that was on the roster to start with,
06:07and you don't really have the luxury of taking these risks.
06:12I hear your premise.
06:13I'm not rejecting the premise.
06:15I think it's a valid premise.
06:17I'm not sure that two guys, though, because I bet a lot of guys have medicals.
06:24I mean, right?
06:25Their guys are all getting nicked up.
06:27I'm not sure that two indicate that that's their trend.
06:29It was, for those two players, it was a massive red flag.
06:33And part of the reason, and a lot of the reason why they slipped out of the first round.
06:37Yeah, I hear you.
06:39But I'm not sure that that's what they want to specialize in, is getting bargains.
06:46I mean, maybe it is.
06:47I don't know.
06:48Maybe that's what they're doing, and it's pulling up.
06:50I'm not saying that's what he's doing now.
06:51I'm just saying they're starting to, he's building a trend.
06:55I mean, he's only had, what, three drafts?
06:57Three drafts.
06:58I don't know that it's a trend, because if you look at most of the guys, they didn't have huge
07:02injury histories.
07:04I don't know that it's a trend.
07:06But maybe it is.
07:06Maybe I just don't realize it.
07:08Let's go to Paul in D.C.
07:10Paul, what's up?
07:11You're on with the junks.
07:14First of all, I think that it is an issue, because if you are grabbing someone in a second round.
07:20Terrible phone.
07:21Or his phone.
07:22Sorry, your phone's not good.
07:23Call back with a better phone.
07:24Happy to put you on.
07:25Sounds like he was going to say it was a big deal.
07:27Let's go to Marvin in Landover.
07:29Marvin, what's up, buddy?
07:31Hey, thank you for taking my call, gentlemen.
07:33What's up, Marvin?
07:34TV, I love you as a Skins fan.
07:37You're delusional.
07:38I'm sorry.
07:40Hey, look, man.
07:40When you draft someone on the second round, and they don't contribute at all in three years,
07:46that is awful.
07:47Well, hold on, hold on.
07:48Hold on, hold on.
07:49Slow down.
07:50Go ahead.
07:50Go ahead.
07:51I agree with that.
07:53Hold on.
07:54Marvin, what are you laughing at?
07:55I agree with that.
07:56He does agree that it was a bad second round pick.
07:58I'm just saying, that's why I'm saying him being lost for the season isn't a big deal
08:03because I already gave up on him.
08:06And he's not a starter.
08:08A big deal, to me, a big deal would be losing a starter who you expect big things from.
08:14That's big.
08:15Right.
08:16It's a big deal that they lost Laramie tonsil.
08:18He might not be a starter, but he's probably your best on paper, third best defensive tackle
08:21on your team.
08:22Probably.
08:23Right?
08:24That's important.
08:25I'm not saying it's...
08:26So you would say big deal?
08:28Medium, maybe trending towards big.
08:30Okay.
08:31I don't think it's trending for...
08:32I think it's more towards little because you didn't expect that.
08:34I don't think it's a little.
08:35I don't think it's level with DB.
08:37Marvin, go ahead.
08:39Go ahead.
08:39Go ahead.
08:40Okay.
08:40All I was about to say is injuries are inevitable.
08:44Okay?
08:44So you lose depth, you lose depth.
08:47What I'm saying is we're going to be starting a bunch of jags by the time we get halfway
08:51through the season because all of a sudden you lose a guy for a game, another guy for
08:55a game, and your depth is now shy, cuddle, and buying coward.
08:59People that were on the streets as of last week or something or something like that.
09:02All I'm saying is those guys are not great.
09:05And all you're doing basically is having average guys or just jags playing in the defense.
09:10I don't know.
09:11So I'm not going to dare understand Deronke Jones' system just as yet.
09:15I don't know how he's going to flex everybody into positions.
09:17So I can't tell you that.
09:19But I will say that talent usually makes coaches look good.
09:23And when you're devoid of talent, or not just devoid, or just lightning talent, it inverts.
09:29And Johnny Newton was supposed to be somebody of talent that they were counting on, and he
09:34just never has in three years.
09:36That I agree with.
09:37That part I agree with.
09:39One more thing, the offensive line, y'all were talking about it, PFF had them worst
09:43rated last, that's a huge deal too.
09:45So please keep attention to that.
09:47They look terrible on the offensive line.
09:49And who know how it's going to work?
09:51It kind of depends.
09:52What I'd say about the offensive line is, and I don't know exactly how PFF does it, but
09:57Connerly's going to be entering his second year.
09:59So you hope, you know how the Wizards say it's jump season in the offseason?
10:02And you actually hope that Connerly proves that a guy who was drafted in the first round
10:07is a first-round value.
10:09And he started to show that, I think, in the second half of the season.
10:13You want to solidify the right side of that line.
10:15I look at it on the right side.
10:16Like, if Connerly can become what you expect him to be, paired with Cosme, that's pretty
10:21solid.
10:21Cosme's proven to be one of the best guys.
10:23And then, if Coleman can fill in admiring for Tunsell, it's not as bad as, to me, I
10:29find it ridiculous that PFF had him rated dead last.
10:31I don't think it's as bad as you think.
10:33It's a big drop-off from Laramie Tunsell to Brandon Coleman.
10:36It is.
10:37But Tunsell's a top two or three left tackle in the game.
10:39I agree.
10:40But they won 14 games with Coleman at left tackle.
10:44Understood.
10:45So in other words, you can scheme around.
10:46No one is saying he's as good as Tunsell.
10:48He's not.
10:49Still hurts.
10:50It hurts.
10:50It's a downgrade.
10:51It hurts, but it doesn't kill you.
10:53If you're out two starters, I mean, if Allegretti, if this issue continues for the rest of the
10:57preseason, and you're out Tunsell and Allegretti, that's big.
11:01You know why Allegretti's injury is worse than Tunsell?
11:08Because they don't have a backup of Coleman's caliber behind him.
11:12Unless Julian Goodjones is getting better.
11:14The Allegretti injury is bigger.
11:15It's bigger than the Tunsell injury?
11:17Yes.
11:17Because they don't understand.
11:20I just explained to you why.
11:22They don't have a capable backup behind him.
11:25I'm not saying Allegretti's as good as Tunsell.
11:28That's not the point.
11:29The drop-off.
11:29The drop-off is bigger.
11:30The position is so much more important.
11:32That is your center.
11:33No, I don't know that that's true.
11:34Left tackle?
11:35Center's pretty good.
11:36You can't...
11:37Brian Mitchell convinced me of this.
11:39I understand center's important.
11:40If your center's banged up and gets dominated, you got nothing.
11:44Okay.
11:44That might be a point.
11:45You got nothing.
11:45But if you ask talent evaluators and GMs which is more important, center or left tackle,
11:50I think they're all going to say left tackle.
11:51I think it's harder to find an athletic left tackle, you know, sort of in general.
11:56But if your center is getting blown up on every play, you can't do anything.
12:01That's true.
12:02So, I think, personally, the Allegretti injury could haunt this thing more than Tunsell.
12:06If Allegretti's injured throughout the season and they get blown up through center,
12:10there's going to be a lot of finger-pointing as far as, well, why did you cut Tyler Biotish?
12:14And I know he went down with an injury in charge camp.
12:16Yeah, he's probably out for the year.
12:17But there's going to be a lot of second-guessing if that center position is a problem throughout
12:22the season.
12:23Well, we second-guessed it even before Allegretti got hurt.
12:26Yeah, we were like, why are you cutting Tyler Biotish?
12:28I was surprised by it, but I just have to defer to them.
12:30Well, maybe it just wasn't meant to be because he's out.
12:32He's had two injuries.
12:33But, like, he wasn't carrying a crazy, like, salary cap number.
12:36I think he counted, like, $8 million against the cap.
12:38I know.
12:38It wasn't expensive.
12:39It seemed reasonable.
12:40For whatever reason.
12:41But they just chose to part ways.
12:42They decided to spend it somewhere else.
12:43I think they really like, for whatever it's worth, this is what the narrative is, is his
12:49communication skills more.
12:50Yeah.
12:50They like Allegretti's communication skills more at the line.
12:53He's more of a leader, maybe in the locker room, that kind of thing.
12:56That was the narrative.
12:58That's why they made that choice.
13:00I tend to like a guy's athletic skills more than his communication skills, but that's
13:05just me.
13:06Okay, but they obviously took that into consideration.
13:08They wouldn't, I mean, I'm an excellent communicator, but they wouldn't put me in there.
13:12They obviously think that he's athletic.
13:15I'm a little bit dicey on Allegretti heading into the season.
13:18I mean, he's starting and he's limping around.
13:22No, I'm dicey on that part, but I trust them that they think that talent-wise, he and Biotesh
13:29are a watch.
13:29I hope they're right.
13:30I just hope they're right on that decision.
13:32Yeah.
13:33Let's go to Mark in Largo.
13:35Mark, what's up?
13:38Mark, at first I thought it was a big deal, but truth be told, because they're playing
13:43a 3-4, I mean, you could, they actually could go out and get Eddie Goldman to play, to take
13:49up, you know, Johnny Newton's position and cover that.
13:53That probably wouldn't be bad.
13:54But this does look bad on Adam Peters' record.
13:57I mean, it really does.
13:58And then they've been talking about, I mean, Mike Sanders Hill for the last three years.
14:03They don't know whether to cut him, get rid of him, or this and that.
14:06They're not going to cut him.
14:07He just makes the most of the acceptance.
14:08He just made more of the acceptance than anybody who's been here.
14:12So it's kind of, I mean, it's kind of bad.
14:15But you know what, Eric?
14:16You made the best point, I mean, ever on this show, what you just said a few seconds ago
14:21about Alan Gretti.
14:23Because to me, that's the biggest problem.
14:27Why don't they go out and get Graham Glasgow?
14:29I mean, I know he's 34.
14:31He just turned 34 yesterday on somebody else's birthday, too.
14:34But, you know, why not go get him?
14:36Because if Alan Gretti gets blown up on the first game of the season and he can't play,
14:42and then Jayden gets hurt, you know, Adam Peters better find another place to live.
14:47I'm going to just keep it like that.
14:49You need to find another place to live.
14:50I assume they're going to sign somebody.
14:51Well, maybe, yeah.
14:52I mean, I'm sure they're looking at all those names.
14:54I think they're going to wait for some cuts.
14:55And they'll probably be a veteran center who's got starts under his belt.
15:00Who's going to get cut.
15:01And they're going to pick that guy up.
15:02Right.
15:02That would be my guess.
15:03Now, look, you're picking up someone who got cut from a team.
15:05Right.
15:06But at least it would be someone with starts.
15:08Like, Julian Good-Jones, I believe, has played two plays in his career.
15:13At center.
15:14Yeah, that's not great.
15:15Right.
15:15Like, that's not a plan.
15:16You need a little more experience.
15:19All right.
15:19When we come back, we'll continue to talk, Commanders.
15:22Ben Standig, he's going to join the show when we come back here on an open line Thursday on The
15:27Fan.
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