January 1, 2026 • 29 mins
It’s the last, and technically first, podcast of the year, as the Washington Commanders prepare to close out the season with a road matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles. Senior Writer Zach Selby is joined by Monumental’s Ethan Cadeaux and DC News Now’s Alex Flum to break down opportunities for the Commanders’ young talent and discuss the teams’ New Year’s resolutions.
The views and opinions expressed by our analysts and/or hosts are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of the Washington Commanders or any of their representatives.
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:13):
What is up? What is going on? Y'all?
Speaker 2 (00:17):
This is another episode of the Bedam podcast, the final
episode of the BTWN podcast for the year and for
the season, and it's a bittersweet way to put it,
just because of how the season is gone, not being great.
Speaker 1 (00:32):
Of course, this.
Speaker 2 (00:32):
Time last year we're talking about playoffs. This year, we
were talking about draft position this time of year, and
it looks like the Commanders are guaranteed to pick at
least seventh after their Christmas Day loss to the Dallas Cowboys.
Speaker 1 (00:46):
Made a fun go of it.
Speaker 2 (00:49):
It was a competitive game, but in the end they
end up falling thirty to twenty three. And now they're going
to end the season in Philadelphia against the Eagles at
four to twenty five on Sunday.
Speaker 1 (01:00):
And you know, we've.
Speaker 2 (01:02):
Talked a lot about how they're gonna win, how we're
gonna lose, and obviously the Commander is gonna competitive and
try to win. But I think we're gonna go for
a more broad focus in this in this podcast to
kind of talk a little bit about the future, talk
a little about the game itself, and it's you know,
it's a weird thing. We're just gonna have to roll
with it because that's just the way it's gone. Here
week eighteen of a four and twelve season, but here
(01:23):
with me. We have two returning guests, and I thought
it would be good to in the year how we
started on a positive note. We have the the two
guests from week one. We have Alex Flom.
Speaker 1 (01:33):
From DC News. Now, how you doing, Alex?
Speaker 3 (01:36):
What's up? Zach?
Speaker 1 (01:36):
Thanks for having me on as always, absolutely of course.
Speaker 2 (01:40):
And we have Ethan and Doe from Monumental Ethan, how
you doing.
Speaker 3 (01:45):
I'm doing great? How are you?
Speaker 2 (01:47):
It's you know, it's Christmas. It's Christmas time. We're enjoying that.
I'm in Tennessee right now. But it's like I was
saying before, the podcast work is just such a weird,
flimsy concept at this point.
Speaker 1 (01:57):
We're gonna soldier on though.
Speaker 2 (02:00):
But with all I said, guys, everyone knows how the
podcast goes, question answers, points, wins, losses. I will decide
the winner, but always focus on these guys perspectives because
they are the stars of the show and we're gonna
go jump right into it.
Speaker 1 (02:15):
And we've seen a lot of really good.
Speaker 2 (02:18):
Younger song players start to get more so more of
these snaps this year, and Ben Senting is obviously the
one that a lot of people really want to see.
Had a pretty solid game three catches for thirty yards
against the Cowboys, And every time I ask this question,
it's always we want to see more Ben Centing, We
want to see more Ben Sentate. And that's like, I
hear you, I hear you, Well, we all want to
see more of this guy because I think he really
(02:38):
could be something. But there are other offositive players that
are going to be playing more against the Eagles that
could be more impactful heading it in next season. You've
got games like Tayloring Burgs, who's not necessarily a young guy,
but he is new to the system. You have a
lot of other younger players that could get some more
playing time. So we'll start this podcast with the question,
(03:01):
aside from Ben Sennett, who do you want to see
more of for the younger guys on offense.
Speaker 1 (03:08):
Alex will start with you.
Speaker 4 (03:10):
Yeah, listen, I don't know if they're going to put
him in, but I want to see Sam Hartman under center.
I know this was kind of a conversation last week.
I know he entered the game as the third string
emergency quarterback, you know, but they've been developing him on
the practice squad. We've seen him out there with David Blau,
we saw him out there with ta Vita Pritcher before.
I'd like to see what he's got. This is the
(03:31):
opportunity to put him out there. I know it's against
a tough Eagles team, but you know, I think they
have to at least know ken season with Sam Hartman,
maybe as our third quarterback if Josh Johnson retires, or
should we go out and bring someone in through the
draft or a young prospecting free agency, because if Jaden
gets hurt in the future and Marcus isn't gonna be
(03:53):
around forever, you need to have a third option. So
I'd like to see if Sam Hartman can do that,
and can he get the ball to a Ben Sinate,
Can he get the ball to a trailing Burks? Can
the offense move with Sam Hartman out there? Because we
saw what Josh Johnson could do last week, I don't
think we need to see more of what Josh Johnson
could do, though. You know, it's a nice story to
see him in the game and he can definitely get
(04:13):
guys involved. But I would like to see what Sam
Hartman's got.
Speaker 2 (04:17):
That really is I think an interesting conversation, right, because
I know a lot on the Twitter sphere and in
the Commanders stand base, everyone really wanted to see Sam Hartman.
Speaker 1 (04:26):
At least a lot of people did. And I understand why.
Speaker 2 (04:28):
Right, this is the undrafted guy, and you brought him
in last year a lot of hype, and and he's
been in the system for a couple of years now.
He could potentially be the backup hanging in to the.
Speaker 1 (04:38):
Rest of his career. So that is an interesting question.
Speaker 2 (04:41):
We'll dive into more of that a minute, but ethan
same question as Siphon Vincent. Who else are the young
players would you want to see?
Speaker 5 (04:48):
Yeah, I'm gonna shift gears a little bit and go
with a guy who played a lot last year but
not so much this year in Brandon Coleman. I was
very intrigued to see how he held up at left
tackle with Jeremy Tunsel out and I thought he did
a really good job. Honestly, last year I thought he
was pretty good too. He had twelve starts, I believe,
(05:08):
and you know, it's kind of tough for a guy
when you draft him and he's your starting left tackle,
and then in the offseason you get Jeremie Tunsell. You're like, Okay,
you're gonna move him the right tackle, and then you
draft Josh Connerly a month later, and all of a sudden,
he gets bumped to left guard.
Speaker 3 (05:25):
So it's been a.
Speaker 5 (05:26):
Tough year for Coleman thus far, but I feel like
he's kind of found his footing when he's been asked
to come in the past few weeks or so, and
then I thought he's played well in Tunsl's absence. So
I think against Philly he could put on some film
where it maybe questions, do we need to go extend
Tunsil or can we roll with this guy as our
(05:46):
younger left tackle? So I think he's one guy I
really have my eyes on.
Speaker 2 (05:51):
Oh yeah, I think that he is an interesting person
to really dive into as well, just because, like you, Mad,
he was a starter and then he moved bumps over
to guard and he think that's what he's gonna be.
Speaker 1 (06:03):
But he the good thing is he has that experience.
Speaker 2 (06:05):
But then Chris Paul comes along and he misses the
time Coleman misses the time in training camp. So yeah, well,
I'm I'm definitely interested in him now, Alex again on
on on on Hartman here, and I I hear you
on that, and I think, like, I think he definitely
is interesting. But also I would say at the same time,
(06:26):
like he's been the pack, the practice squad quarterback, and
I don't I have no idea how many reps he's
actually gotten in the system, this in the off offense,
and you know, iowaile, I do want to see what
Sam has. At some point I'll play Devil's I get
here and say, okay, like, is it, like like Cliff
Cakesberry said, is it fair to Sam to put him
(06:49):
in there when he haven't had that many reps? Or
are you saying, okay, we're just gonna go ahead and
he's on the active roster and I will elevate Sam
and just give him all the reps here, even though
it's still a limited amount of time. Like I just wonder, like,
how how will the offense function, you know, and be
will you be able to see more of the other
players than what they what you have going in If
(07:11):
Hartman doesn't really have as many reps as the Josh
Johnson or even a Marcus Mari if he's able to
somehow play well.
Speaker 4 (07:17):
I almost wonder if they should let him, you know,
almost not obviously not treat it like a preseason game,
because you know, you want to go out and win
on an NFL Sunday in the regular season, but you know,
treat as a situation where you know, maybe Josh Johnson
plays the first half, let him get out there, see
what you got with Ben Sinnett and trailing Burkes and
Josh Johnson moving the ball with them, And then you know,
(07:39):
in the second half, why not put Sam Hartman? And
you know, I don't think they have anything to lose.
They've got time to get him reps this week if
they want to go that route. But at the end
of the day, you know, the big point that dan
Quinn made in the press conferences past week is is
that who starts at quarterback does have a big part
of you know, can this person help develop the other
(08:02):
guys around him? And I think probably the reason we
haven't seen Sam is maybe they don't think he can
fully develop those guys around him to the extent that
Josh Johnson can get those.
Speaker 1 (08:13):
Guys the reps they need.
Speaker 4 (08:14):
But I think if they can give Hartman a look
in practice if he's ready to go, I personally would
like to see him out there.
Speaker 2 (08:23):
Yeah, and I think it is worth pointing out because
he had a little bit of some ups and downs
in the preseason, but it's I think with the with
the shoulder surgery had in the off season, I think
that probably did have maybe a little bit of an
effect on him.
Speaker 1 (08:35):
And we'll see.
Speaker 2 (08:36):
I do like the idea though, maybe splitting it up
in terms of halfs and say.
Speaker 1 (08:41):
Okay, go out there and show us what.
Speaker 2 (08:43):
You have and if if if we like it, hey,
you're going to be in competition for the primary backs.
By if Marcus, who is going to be free aiden
this year, heads off into other pastors, he I think
he's done a lot of really good stuff this year
in these these spots, starts and everything. Now, Ethan, before
we move on, you mentioned Coleman, and you know, for me,
(09:03):
I have I have a hard time wondering, like, Okay,
where is he going to play?
Speaker 1 (09:08):
Because I just I okay, I.
Speaker 2 (09:12):
Think the Tunzel to me, I would want to keep
him for a long time, and that means he's going
to be left tackle for as long as he is here,
and that kind of leaves you right tackle. I don't
think he's going to go over with Connory, So at
leads you are really your two guard spots and you
have Cosmey, who is I think when he's healthy, he's
one of the better guards in the league. So I mean,
(09:33):
what's this perfect situation for you to see? Like because
I kind of let the witness there and say, well,
obviously he's got to play the guard, but like, is
there a case for him to play somewhere else on
the offensive line and say, okay, he's a permanent fixture
there going forward for you.
Speaker 5 (09:47):
Yeah, I don't think there is, which is kind of
a self It's a good problem to have because I
agree with you. I think Laramie Tunzel has been very good.
I personally would want to extend him as well. I mean,
Josh Connor, he's obviously had his ups and downs as
a rookie, but he's been better later than he was
earlier in the year.
Speaker 3 (10:06):
And you don't.
Speaker 5 (10:07):
Draft a guy in the first round to eventually kick
him into guard, unless it's Brandon Sheriff in twenty fifteen.
Speaker 3 (10:13):
So with Coleman, it's.
Speaker 5 (10:16):
Tough because I think he's played well at left tackle,
but I don't think he's as good as Tunsil. Do
I think he could eventually develop into being a good
left tackle. Sure, I think he definitely is a potential
left guard is where we all thought he would excel.
I mean, I remember during training camp there was a
lot of people saying he could be a Pro Bowl
(10:37):
caliber guard, and who knows exactly what happened with him
and Chris Paul and losing his job and all that.
I still think he could be a very good left guard,
but I also think Chris Paul's played decently in that spot,
so there is no perfect solution. I don't think you
draft this Coleman when you draft him to be a
swing tackle either, So it's tough.
Speaker 3 (10:59):
I just want to see.
Speaker 5 (11:00):
Him make the most of his opportunity and kind of
prove he is a starting offensive lineman in the NFL,
and from there you'll you have to find a way
to bet get your best five guys on the field.
Speaker 3 (11:11):
And for Washington, it is it's good to have.
Speaker 5 (11:14):
A luxury, because they don't really have too many luxuries
at any position at this point.
Speaker 2 (11:19):
You know, one of my favorite quotes about an offensive
lineman is someone of the back when I was listening
to a lot of draft draft stuff, and I think
it was when Peters Gronsky was getting evaluated.
Speaker 1 (11:29):
In everyone where he's whether he's a guard or tackle.
Speaker 2 (11:31):
And someone once said he's good, they'll figure it out
where he needs to go from there. And I think
that's kind of what you're with with Pulman, right, like
you seed to have good offensive linemen and that that
I think the period that he had where he missed
in time in the off season really hampered his development
at guard because it's not it's not always easy just
to go from tackle to guard. Even though there are
a lot of similarities there in terms of just regularly blocking,
(11:54):
like there are, the nuances of the positions are very different.
We'll move on here before we do that score date.
You guys are both tied two to two, both of
you guys. There good points about Hartman, like stuff about
switching up the halfs, like the stuff with Coleman. And
we're going to go on to the defense side of
the ball here, and like we've said, I think it's
it's been a disappointing year for the defense in a
(12:16):
lot of ways. They're bottom third at best and a
lot of the categories, and whether it's because of injuries
or whatever nebulous reason, it's it just hasn't been what
we've expected it to be. And I think it's just
not for their standard, I think, and I think anyone
on defense and the coaching staff would would probably tell
you that.
Speaker 1 (12:35):
So my question to you guys is.
Speaker 2 (12:39):
In the obviously the Eagles are we don't know how
the Egle are going to approach that game. They've already
locked the division. They might try to get some seating,
they might try to bench their starters, but either way,
no matter who's out there, I want to know for you,
both of you guys, what do you want to see
out of that group in we can that that can
make you say, Okay, that's something to build on heading
into the off season and into training camp and into
(13:02):
twenty twenty six. So Ethan will start with you on
this one.
Speaker 3 (13:06):
I would say just the energy level.
Speaker 5 (13:08):
I want to see a group that shows some fight,
hasn't checked out. One thing that we've heard a lot
this year, through the losing streaks and the downs, is
the locker room. We're still tight as ever. Brotherhood. Dan
Quinn hasn't lost the locker room all that I want
them to go out there and prove it that in
another game that largely doesn't have too much of an
(13:28):
impact on the future outside of maybe draft position. I
want to see these guys fight and kind of it's
a division game. Dan Quinn's pegged it as the divisional tournament.
You won the first game, you've dropped the last two.
Let's see if you can end the season on a
high note and kind of just have these young guys take.
Speaker 3 (13:48):
Advantage of bigger roles.
Speaker 5 (13:50):
Maybe Jordan McGee flashes a little bit more, some of
these younger guys get in and really just end the
season that's been a like one everyone in the locker
room wants to move on from ended on a high
note where you can be closer to the twenty twenty
four team than you were the twenty twenty five team
in twenty twenty six.
Speaker 2 (14:10):
Yeah, and I think I think it's at points there
have been moments since the buy where you definitely can
see that this team, at least on the defense, is
playing with a lot like playing with the same amount
of energy, and they're not giving up on the season.
What I think is for sure very I think that's
very strong comment to the coaching staff because they could
easily everyone could ease as big. I, well, we're clearly
(14:32):
out of it. It's not the same as it was
last year. Let's just kind of, you know, cash it
in for the for the rest of the year. But
they haven't done that. So Alex, the same question to you,
what do you want to see out of this defense
against the Eagles? They'll make you give you a lot
of confidence heading into the next five or six months
or so.
Speaker 4 (14:49):
I mean, I think there's kind of two things that
go hand in hand for me. You know, even last
year with all the success, the team wasn't great at
forcing turnovers. They think they were just a little bit
better at taking care of the ball on offense. A
lot better taking care of the ball on offense. So
I would like to see this defense actually come out
and we've seen it in spurts this year at a
few different points, but come out and generate turnovers, get
(15:12):
that pressure on the quarterback, force him into mistakes, you know,
force fumbles out there, and you know, and with that,
i'd like to see the secondary step up. I think
we like same thing. We've seen flashes from them, but
I think this hasn't been the year that Mikey Samus still.
Speaker 3 (15:31):
Was hoping for.
Speaker 4 (15:31):
This hasn't been the year that Kwan Martin was hoping for.
You know, will Harris dealt with his injury. I'd like
to see this secondary and the season on a positive note.
Maybe in the theme of young guys, maybe Tyler Owens
gets in there and makes some plays as well. So
I would just like to see the secondary kind of right,
some of the wrongs from this year, force some turnovers,
(15:53):
get some confidence, and carry that into next season.
Speaker 2 (15:56):
I think the turnovers is a really good point, just
because it really does. It seems like this has been
the point that they've really driven home for the last
couple of years, and it hasn't consistently hit I don't
think the way they would want it to. And I
mean you can see, like I mean, the turnover Margini
is not what it was last year, and I think
(16:19):
I personally would like to see more of the of
those turnovers and now how they how they generate it,
like that's going to be another question, but I think
it has I think.
Speaker 1 (16:28):
Clearly like that has to be better.
Speaker 2 (16:30):
So even you know, I wanted to have it a
little bit more into personnel here, and you know, you
mentioned Jordan McGee, and I think that's I think that's
very interesting. And I mean, obviously Bobby Widner is a
guy who is you know, the star of that defense
for for you know, in terms of experience, in terms
of what he's been able to produce tackles given his
(16:51):
age and experience and all that other stuff. But kind
of going back to the younger player stuff here and now,
this has kind of been a conversation about how much
is Jordan bigee your air parent in a lot of
ways during the Mike Weiinbecker and carrying the green dot
and all that other stuff, like would you like to
see Jordan maybe have a bigger role on the defense
for this week just to see how it goes, if
(17:13):
he can run the defense add a more effective clip
than you know, maybe it has been earlier points in
the year.
Speaker 3 (17:19):
One hundred percent. I mean, what do you have to
lose at this point.
Speaker 5 (17:22):
That's kind of the the attitude I'm taking with this game.
I mean, for the future outlook, like I was saying earlier,
it doesn't really matter too much to the commanders, but
for the Eagles as well, like who knows how the
seating is all gonna go down, but I'm sure if
they're not playing for much, which I've got a double check,
they're gonna be playing some of their deaf players as well.
(17:44):
So I would love to see what Jordan McGee can do.
I mean, we know what Bobby Wagner can do. He's
a future Hall of Famer. He's been great last year,
he was pretty good this year. Obviously had his woes
and coverage, but he does everything else still at a
very high clip. I would love to see what Jordan
McGee can do with the green dot on his helmet.
And I also think if he were to be given
(18:04):
that opportunity, Bobby Wagner would be the best person to
kind of mentor and teach him and be there.
Speaker 3 (18:10):
By their side.
Speaker 5 (18:11):
I would also say I think there's a world where
both of them are on the field at the same time,
along with Louvu. I don't see any issue with playing
three backers at once, especially if you're gonna maybe roll
with three guys up front and play Nickel have five
dbs as well. I think there's some things you can
do to get both of them on the field at
the same time. While also allowing McGee to have a
(18:34):
bigger role than what he's had because let's face it,
I mean, Wagner is not going to be here forever.
He's thirty five, he turns thirty six in June. McGee's
a year two. So that's a guy dan Quinn has
pointed out said he really likes if he's the guy
that you want to kind of be the heir apparent.
Like you said, there's no better opportunity to kind of
give him the give him a chance right now in
(18:55):
a game where for the overall future it doesn't mean
too much.
Speaker 2 (19:00):
Yeah, And I hear you on the wider stuff, because
you're right, I mean, he's not He's not as many
twenties right now, and we don't know how long he'll
be here. You know, he's another free agent this coming
of this year, and maybe he resigns with the team,
maybe he does it either way like that, it won't be.
Speaker 1 (19:16):
A long term deal for sure.
Speaker 2 (19:18):
And I think you really want to see for me
like what Jordan has, because they were very high on
him heading into I mean he was getting starting reps
as a rookie in training camp and then with the
injury he had that kind of vest things up, but
I am interested to see what he can do and Alex,
so we'll switch there every going to the secondary here,
(19:40):
And you mentioned the turnover stuff, which I think is good,
But I think the secondary, I think based on how
they've been able to allow a lot a lot of
explosive plays and the depth there, and I think that
position will probably need They're probably gonna address that position.
Speaker 1 (19:55):
One way or the other next year.
Speaker 2 (19:57):
And I'm curious for you, like what do you want
to see out of that group? I mean, yes, the
turnovers are there, but like do we do we maybe
want to see if we have a solid answer on
what Mike Sanderso is going to be do we like
and do we have any answer terms like what they
want in terms of depth? Like what do you want
to see out of that group head against a receiving
(20:18):
Corgan's Eagles, which could be you know, if they're playing
if they're playing ad Brian DeVante Smith, it's gonna be interesting.
Speaker 1 (20:22):
But if not, like it's still a solid solid offense there.
Speaker 4 (20:26):
Well, to me, it just seems like this secondary has
had an issue, as you mentioned, with giving a big
plays and I would like to see them show that
they can stop that from happening. You know, even for instance,
the Chargers game, a game they won. Lad McConkey hadn't
(20:47):
done much at that point in the season and came
out and was able to get you know, have a
good game against the Commanders or at least at that point,
the best game you had until that point. And I
know that this is a unit that's gone through some adversity.
But you know, we've seen Revo out there, We've seen
Will Harris, you know, Noah Iyas stepped up. You know,
(21:10):
Anthony Hurst, excuse me, Antonio Hamilton senior stepped up. Jonathan
Jones has made plays when he's been able to see
the field. But what I would like to see is,
you know, for them to have cohesion as a unit,
for them to stay on their assignments, whether you know
they're in zone or they're playing man on a play.
But I think they just need to be able to
go out there and lock down these opposing offenses because
(21:34):
it's a big liability for this team when you're gonna
face potentially a J. Brown and Devonte Smith and they
have that big threat, big playability, and your defense has
to be prepared to stop that, and you know that's
not going to change the NFC East. You're going to
be facing those guys. You're facing Pickens and Lamb, You're
(21:54):
gonna be facing Malik Neighbors and Wandelle Robinson, and you
have to be ready for all all these situations. So
I think this secondary kind of has to figure out
what is their identity, So like, where's Mike Stammer still
going to play? But where are the rest of these guys.
Speaker 3 (22:08):
Going to play?
Speaker 4 (22:09):
What are the roles of all these guys, and what
do they need going into the off season. I think
if they can establish a better idea of all of
that in this game, and I know it's just one
small game to do that, but maybe they can at
least make some progress on that front.
Speaker 2 (22:23):
I mean, you're right, these these top flight receivers in
the NFCS, they're not going anywhere. They're all signed to
some pretty long term contracts, and I mean that's one
of the reasons why they went out and traded for
Marshall Lattimore and they drafted Trey Emos and all this
other stuff. And obviously they would want it to have
go on very differently, but the reality is that it
just hasn't and they just need to go back to
(22:45):
the drying board in a lot of ways, whether it's
personnel or scheme or something like that. And I think
I think it's pretty safe to say that the changes
will be coming at some point this off season. We'll
move on to the last question here before we do
that score update, Alex, who were up five to four
over Ethan. It's going to be a tight end battle
here for the last question and the last win of
(23:08):
the podcast.
Speaker 1 (23:09):
And obviously this is the time of.
Speaker 2 (23:11):
New Year's Resolution, this New Year's New beginnings, all this
other great stuff, and I think the commanders have a
long list of things that they need that they would
like to improve on heading into this offseason, whether it's offense.
Speaker 1 (23:24):
Defense, either way. If you had to give them one
New Year's resolution, what would you want it to be? Alex?
Since you are head, you will start first.
Speaker 4 (23:35):
I think there's one New Year's resolution.
Speaker 3 (23:37):
It's simple.
Speaker 4 (23:38):
It's do what you have to do to get back
in the playoffs. And I know that that's very general,
but this team was a win away from the super.
Speaker 3 (23:47):
Bowl last year.
Speaker 4 (23:48):
It's obvious that this season isn't what they wanted. It's
not what was expected either, and I think it's that
and I think the key to doing that is staying healthy,
right putting guys Obviously a lot of it was out
of their control this year, but going into next year,
you know, make sure these guys are taking care of
their bodies. Whatever small margins this team can do to
(24:11):
prepare them for next season. You know, let everybody recuperate
in the offseason, get into good training programs, bring in
some good depth, you know, strengthen the spots that you
need to strengthen. But do whatever you have to do
to next time this year, have us not be talking
about the season being over right now and being getting
(24:32):
ready for the playoffs.
Speaker 2 (24:34):
I am very fascinated to see what de Q's going
to be cooking up this offseason, because he's been very blunt.
You know, he's obviously not going to say exactly what
those plans are going to be this offseason yet, but
he has said, look, changes are going to come. And
I think the good thing about DQ is that he's
he seems like he's a very self war person, and
I believe him when he says that the changes are coming.
(24:57):
And I'm that's one of the many reasons. Like I said,
it's going to be very interesting offseason. Ethan same question,
New Year's resolution, what's one that you have all the
Commanders this offseason.
Speaker 5 (25:07):
Yeah, So for normal people that have New Year's resolutions, one.
Speaker 3 (25:11):
Of the most common overused cliches is new year, New me.
Speaker 5 (25:16):
I'm gonna take this overused cliche and somewhat applied to
the Commanders. I think when they arrive to the offseason
program this spring, it's going to be flush and forget.
This team is a lot better when they're healthy than
what they showed on the field this year. In twenty
twenty five, this past offseason, it felt like everything was
(25:39):
building off of that great twenty twenty four season, but
the reality is it wasn't the same team.
Speaker 3 (25:44):
It's a new team with some new personnel. And yeah, the.
Speaker 5 (25:47):
Expectations were sky high because of what they did last year,
but it's a new team.
Speaker 3 (25:52):
Every year is a new team.
Speaker 5 (25:53):
I mean, we see every year there's a team that
goes from last to first in their division.
Speaker 3 (25:58):
The Bears just did it. Every year in the NFL
is new.
Speaker 5 (26:01):
So my New Year's resolution for the Commanders would be
when they show up to begin the twenty twenty sixth
season to flush and forget everything that went wrong this year,
the injuries, the tough losses, the losing streak, forget all
about it because it's in the past.
Speaker 3 (26:15):
It can't change. Show up.
Speaker 5 (26:18):
You're not gonna have the huge expectations on your shoulders
that you have to live up to this year. Maybe
you can fly under the radar a little bit, kind
of like the Niners did this year, and then all
of a sudden at the end of next year, who
you could be like the Niners in twelve and four and.
Speaker 3 (26:33):
In the race for the one seed.
Speaker 5 (26:34):
I think it's gonna be good for this team that
they're not gonna have to hear how great they are
all off season like they did last year. And I
think there's gonna be a lot of guys coming in
with a chip on your shoulder, starting with the starting
quarterback who missed over half of the year with injuries.
Speaker 3 (26:48):
So I think there's this group's gonna be plenty motivated.
Speaker 5 (26:52):
But I think if they are able to flush all
the bad that happened this year, it'll be a lot
easier to move on and have a fresh, clean slate
extra year.
Speaker 2 (27:01):
It is really hard to evaluate this season sometimes because
the the injuries have been so critical that it's hard.
Speaker 1 (27:10):
To really say what exactly what this team is right now.
Speaker 2 (27:12):
But I think either way, I think the I think
the main point is that they are there are things besides.
Speaker 1 (27:19):
The injuries that will need to be fixed.
Speaker 2 (27:22):
And again I think a lot of I think the
players and coaches would say that they can't display injuries
for for for the losses, Like, there's been a few
close ones there that could have won a lot of
games that they lost. I mean the Broncos game for example,
the Bears. I mean there there's been other close matchups
that I mean, shoot, even the Cowboys game on Christmas,
Like there's they had they were in those games and
(27:43):
they were They've been all banged up with injuries and
they still managed to to lose for what for various reasons.
So winners, man, this is gonna be tough. Both you
guys really brought it like you did earlier in the year,
and I think because of the flush and forget mentality thing,
I think I have to go with Ethan on the
(28:04):
win here.
Speaker 1 (28:05):
Came back from one point down.
Speaker 2 (28:06):
And I think I think it's a good attitude to
have hangyo this offseason.
Speaker 1 (28:10):
So Ethan, you take the win, how do you feel
about it?
Speaker 3 (28:15):
I feel great. I think it's my first win ever
on the show.
Speaker 5 (28:18):
I think Flum was previously two and oh against me,
So it's nice to nice to get in the win column.
Speaker 3 (28:23):
I still got another to even it up, but appreciate the.
Speaker 1 (28:26):
Points, yeah for sure.
Speaker 2 (28:30):
Yeah, like both of you guys have been on the
podcast multiple times than both of you.
Speaker 1 (28:34):
Guys have have really done great jobs.
Speaker 2 (28:37):
And again, you know, I thank you guys, you guys
for doing it, for being in the pot, especially during
this weird like this ten day period between like Christmas
and like in New Year's Day and like January fourth,
so it was always so weird. So I really appreciate
you guys taking times out of your your schedules and
and and coming on the pot and helping me out
and playing around. And I appreciate everyone else has been
(28:58):
on the podcast. It's but everyone who's listening, it's been
it's been a great you know, obviously the season has
not been great, but I appreciate you guys hanging in
there and sticking with me.
Speaker 1 (29:06):
So, guys, everyone.
Speaker 2 (29:09):
Who's been listening, please write for you subscriber to ever
get your podcast. So we will be back next year
with hopefully a lot more good, positive things to talk about,
but until then this has been the beat Down
What is up? What is going on? Y'all?
Speaker 2 (00:17):
This is another episode of the Bedam podcast, the final
episode of the BTWN podcast for the year and for
the season, and it's a bittersweet way to put it,
just because of how the season is gone, not being great.
Speaker 1 (00:32):
Of course, this.
Speaker 2 (00:32):
Time last year we're talking about playoffs. This year, we
were talking about draft position this time of year, and
it looks like the Commanders are guaranteed to pick at
least seventh after their Christmas Day loss to the Dallas Cowboys.
Speaker 1 (00:46):
Made a fun go of it.
Speaker 2 (00:49):
It was a competitive game, but in the end they
end up falling thirty to twenty three. And now they're going
to end the season in Philadelphia against the Eagles at
four to twenty five on Sunday.
Speaker 1 (01:00):
And you know, we've.
Speaker 2 (01:02):
Talked a lot about how they're gonna win, how we're
gonna lose, and obviously the Commander is gonna competitive and
try to win. But I think we're gonna go for
a more broad focus in this in this podcast to
kind of talk a little bit about the future, talk
a little about the game itself, and it's you know,
it's a weird thing. We're just gonna have to roll
with it because that's just the way it's gone. Here
week eighteen of a four and twelve season, but here
(01:23):
with me. We have two returning guests, and I thought
it would be good to in the year how we
started on a positive note. We have the the two
guests from week one. We have Alex Flom.
Speaker 1 (01:33):
From DC News. Now, how you doing, Alex?
Speaker 3 (01:36):
What's up? Zach?
Speaker 1 (01:36):
Thanks for having me on as always, absolutely of course.
Speaker 2 (01:40):
And we have Ethan and Doe from Monumental Ethan, how
you doing.
Speaker 3 (01:45):
I'm doing great? How are you?
Speaker 2 (01:47):
It's you know, it's Christmas. It's Christmas time. We're enjoying that.
I'm in Tennessee right now. But it's like I was
saying before, the podcast work is just such a weird,
flimsy concept at this point.
Speaker 1 (01:57):
We're gonna soldier on though.
Speaker 2 (02:00):
But with all I said, guys, everyone knows how the
podcast goes, question answers, points, wins, losses. I will decide
the winner, but always focus on these guys perspectives because
they are the stars of the show and we're gonna
go jump right into it.
Speaker 1 (02:15):
And we've seen a lot of really good.
Speaker 2 (02:18):
Younger song players start to get more so more of
these snaps this year, and Ben Senting is obviously the
one that a lot of people really want to see.
Had a pretty solid game three catches for thirty yards
against the Cowboys, And every time I ask this question,
it's always we want to see more Ben Centing, We
want to see more Ben Sentate. And that's like, I
hear you, I hear you, Well, we all want to
see more of this guy because I think he really
(02:38):
could be something. But there are other offositive players that
are going to be playing more against the Eagles that
could be more impactful heading it in next season. You've
got games like Tayloring Burgs, who's not necessarily a young guy,
but he is new to the system. You have a
lot of other younger players that could get some more
playing time. So we'll start this podcast with the question,
(03:01):
aside from Ben Sennett, who do you want to see
more of for the younger guys on offense.
Speaker 1 (03:08):
Alex will start with you.
Speaker 4 (03:10):
Yeah, listen, I don't know if they're going to put
him in, but I want to see Sam Hartman under center.
I know this was kind of a conversation last week.
I know he entered the game as the third string
emergency quarterback, you know, but they've been developing him on
the practice squad. We've seen him out there with David Blau,
we saw him out there with ta Vita Pritcher before.
I'd like to see what he's got. This is the
(03:31):
opportunity to put him out there. I know it's against
a tough Eagles team, but you know, I think they
have to at least know ken season with Sam Hartman,
maybe as our third quarterback if Josh Johnson retires, or
should we go out and bring someone in through the
draft or a young prospecting free agency, because if Jaden
gets hurt in the future and Marcus isn't gonna be
(03:53):
around forever, you need to have a third option. So
I'd like to see if Sam Hartman can do that,
and can he get the ball to a Ben Sinate,
Can he get the ball to a trailing Burks? Can
the offense move with Sam Hartman out there? Because we
saw what Josh Johnson could do last week, I don't
think we need to see more of what Josh Johnson
could do, though. You know, it's a nice story to
see him in the game and he can definitely get
(04:13):
guys involved. But I would like to see what Sam
Hartman's got.
Speaker 2 (04:17):
That really is I think an interesting conversation, right, because
I know a lot on the Twitter sphere and in
the Commanders stand base, everyone really wanted to see Sam Hartman.
Speaker 1 (04:26):
At least a lot of people did. And I understand why.
Speaker 2 (04:28):
Right, this is the undrafted guy, and you brought him
in last year a lot of hype, and and he's
been in the system for a couple of years now.
He could potentially be the backup hanging in to the.
Speaker 1 (04:38):
Rest of his career. So that is an interesting question.
Speaker 2 (04:41):
We'll dive into more of that a minute, but ethan
same question as Siphon Vincent. Who else are the young
players would you want to see?
Speaker 5 (04:48):
Yeah, I'm gonna shift gears a little bit and go
with a guy who played a lot last year but
not so much this year in Brandon Coleman. I was
very intrigued to see how he held up at left
tackle with Jeremy Tunsel out and I thought he did
a really good job. Honestly, last year I thought he
was pretty good too. He had twelve starts, I believe,
(05:08):
and you know, it's kind of tough for a guy
when you draft him and he's your starting left tackle,
and then in the offseason you get Jeremie Tunsell. You're like, Okay,
you're gonna move him the right tackle, and then you
draft Josh Connerly a month later, and all of a sudden,
he gets bumped to left guard.
Speaker 3 (05:25):
So it's been a.
Speaker 5 (05:26):
Tough year for Coleman thus far, but I feel like
he's kind of found his footing when he's been asked
to come in the past few weeks or so, and
then I thought he's played well in Tunsl's absence. So
I think against Philly he could put on some film
where it maybe questions, do we need to go extend
Tunsil or can we roll with this guy as our
(05:46):
younger left tackle? So I think he's one guy I
really have my eyes on.
Speaker 2 (05:51):
Oh yeah, I think that he is an interesting person
to really dive into as well, just because, like you, Mad,
he was a starter and then he moved bumps over
to guard and he think that's what he's gonna be.
Speaker 1 (06:03):
But he the good thing is he has that experience.
Speaker 2 (06:05):
But then Chris Paul comes along and he misses the
time Coleman misses the time in training camp. So yeah, well,
I'm I'm definitely interested in him now, Alex again on
on on on Hartman here, and I I hear you
on that, and I think, like, I think he definitely
is interesting. But also I would say at the same time,
(06:26):
like he's been the pack, the practice squad quarterback, and
I don't I have no idea how many reps he's
actually gotten in the system, this in the off offense,
and you know, iowaile, I do want to see what
Sam has. At some point I'll play Devil's I get
here and say, okay, like, is it, like like Cliff
Cakesberry said, is it fair to Sam to put him
(06:49):
in there when he haven't had that many reps? Or
are you saying, okay, we're just gonna go ahead and
he's on the active roster and I will elevate Sam
and just give him all the reps here, even though
it's still a limited amount of time. Like I just wonder, like,
how how will the offense function, you know, and be
will you be able to see more of the other
players than what they what you have going in If
(07:11):
Hartman doesn't really have as many reps as the Josh
Johnson or even a Marcus Mari if he's able to
somehow play well.
Speaker 4 (07:17):
I almost wonder if they should let him, you know,
almost not obviously not treat it like a preseason game,
because you know, you want to go out and win
on an NFL Sunday in the regular season, but you know,
treat as a situation where you know, maybe Josh Johnson
plays the first half, let him get out there, see
what you got with Ben Sinnett and trailing Burkes and
Josh Johnson moving the ball with them, And then you know,
(07:39):
in the second half, why not put Sam Hartman? And
you know, I don't think they have anything to lose.
They've got time to get him reps this week if
they want to go that route. But at the end
of the day, you know, the big point that dan
Quinn made in the press conferences past week is is
that who starts at quarterback does have a big part
of you know, can this person help develop the other
(08:02):
guys around him? And I think probably the reason we
haven't seen Sam is maybe they don't think he can
fully develop those guys around him to the extent that
Josh Johnson can get those.
Speaker 1 (08:13):
Guys the reps they need.
Speaker 4 (08:14):
But I think if they can give Hartman a look
in practice if he's ready to go, I personally would
like to see him out there.
Speaker 2 (08:23):
Yeah, and I think it is worth pointing out because
he had a little bit of some ups and downs
in the preseason, but it's I think with the with
the shoulder surgery had in the off season, I think
that probably did have maybe a little bit of an
effect on him.
Speaker 1 (08:35):
And we'll see.
Speaker 2 (08:36):
I do like the idea though, maybe splitting it up
in terms of halfs and say.
Speaker 1 (08:41):
Okay, go out there and show us what.
Speaker 2 (08:43):
You have and if if if we like it, hey,
you're going to be in competition for the primary backs.
By if Marcus, who is going to be free aiden
this year, heads off into other pastors, he I think
he's done a lot of really good stuff this year
in these these spots, starts and everything. Now, Ethan, before
we move on, you mentioned Coleman, and you know, for me,
(09:03):
I have I have a hard time wondering, like, Okay,
where is he going to play?
Speaker 1 (09:08):
Because I just I okay, I.
Speaker 2 (09:12):
Think the Tunzel to me, I would want to keep
him for a long time, and that means he's going
to be left tackle for as long as he is here,
and that kind of leaves you right tackle. I don't
think he's going to go over with Connory, So at
leads you are really your two guard spots and you
have Cosmey, who is I think when he's healthy, he's
one of the better guards in the league. So I mean,
(09:33):
what's this perfect situation for you to see? Like because
I kind of let the witness there and say, well,
obviously he's got to play the guard, but like, is
there a case for him to play somewhere else on
the offensive line and say, okay, he's a permanent fixture
there going forward for you.
Speaker 5 (09:47):
Yeah, I don't think there is, which is kind of
a self It's a good problem to have because I
agree with you. I think Laramie Tunzel has been very good.
I personally would want to extend him as well. I mean,
Josh Connor, he's obviously had his ups and downs as
a rookie, but he's been better later than he was
earlier in the year.
Speaker 3 (10:06):
And you don't.
Speaker 5 (10:07):
Draft a guy in the first round to eventually kick
him into guard, unless it's Brandon Sheriff in twenty fifteen.
Speaker 3 (10:13):
So with Coleman, it's.
Speaker 5 (10:16):
Tough because I think he's played well at left tackle,
but I don't think he's as good as Tunsil. Do
I think he could eventually develop into being a good
left tackle. Sure, I think he definitely is a potential
left guard is where we all thought he would excel.
I mean, I remember during training camp there was a
lot of people saying he could be a Pro Bowl
(10:37):
caliber guard, and who knows exactly what happened with him
and Chris Paul and losing his job and all that.
I still think he could be a very good left guard,
but I also think Chris Paul's played decently in that spot,
so there is no perfect solution. I don't think you
draft this Coleman when you draft him to be a
swing tackle either, So it's tough.
Speaker 3 (10:59):
I just want to see.
Speaker 5 (11:00):
Him make the most of his opportunity and kind of
prove he is a starting offensive lineman in the NFL,
and from there you'll you have to find a way
to bet get your best five guys on the field.
Speaker 3 (11:11):
And for Washington, it is it's good to have.
Speaker 5 (11:14):
A luxury, because they don't really have too many luxuries
at any position at this point.
Speaker 2 (11:19):
You know, one of my favorite quotes about an offensive
lineman is someone of the back when I was listening
to a lot of draft draft stuff, and I think
it was when Peters Gronsky was getting evaluated.
Speaker 1 (11:29):
In everyone where he's whether he's a guard or tackle.
Speaker 2 (11:31):
And someone once said he's good, they'll figure it out
where he needs to go from there. And I think
that's kind of what you're with with Pulman, right, like
you seed to have good offensive linemen and that that
I think the period that he had where he missed
in time in the off season really hampered his development
at guard because it's not it's not always easy just
to go from tackle to guard. Even though there are
a lot of similarities there in terms of just regularly blocking,
(11:54):
like there are, the nuances of the positions are very different.
We'll move on here before we do that score date.
You guys are both tied two to two, both of
you guys. There good points about Hartman, like stuff about
switching up the halfs, like the stuff with Coleman. And
we're going to go on to the defense side of
the ball here, and like we've said, I think it's
it's been a disappointing year for the defense in a
(12:16):
lot of ways. They're bottom third at best and a
lot of the categories, and whether it's because of injuries
or whatever nebulous reason, it's it just hasn't been what
we've expected it to be. And I think it's just
not for their standard, I think, and I think anyone
on defense and the coaching staff would would probably tell
you that.
Speaker 1 (12:35):
So my question to you guys is.
Speaker 2 (12:39):
In the obviously the Eagles are we don't know how
the Egle are going to approach that game. They've already
locked the division. They might try to get some seating,
they might try to bench their starters, but either way,
no matter who's out there, I want to know for you,
both of you guys, what do you want to see
out of that group in we can that that can
make you say, Okay, that's something to build on heading
into the off season and into training camp and into
(13:02):
twenty twenty six. So Ethan will start with you on
this one.
Speaker 3 (13:06):
I would say just the energy level.
Speaker 5 (13:08):
I want to see a group that shows some fight,
hasn't checked out. One thing that we've heard a lot
this year, through the losing streaks and the downs, is
the locker room. We're still tight as ever. Brotherhood. Dan
Quinn hasn't lost the locker room all that I want
them to go out there and prove it that in
another game that largely doesn't have too much of an
(13:28):
impact on the future outside of maybe draft position. I
want to see these guys fight and kind of it's
a division game. Dan Quinn's pegged it as the divisional tournament.
You won the first game, you've dropped the last two.
Let's see if you can end the season on a
high note and kind of just have these young guys take.
Speaker 3 (13:48):
Advantage of bigger roles.
Speaker 5 (13:50):
Maybe Jordan McGee flashes a little bit more, some of
these younger guys get in and really just end the
season that's been a like one everyone in the locker
room wants to move on from ended on a high
note where you can be closer to the twenty twenty
four team than you were the twenty twenty five team
in twenty twenty six.
Speaker 2 (14:10):
Yeah, and I think I think it's at points there
have been moments since the buy where you definitely can
see that this team, at least on the defense, is
playing with a lot like playing with the same amount
of energy, and they're not giving up on the season.
What I think is for sure very I think that's
very strong comment to the coaching staff because they could
easily everyone could ease as big. I, well, we're clearly
(14:32):
out of it. It's not the same as it was
last year. Let's just kind of, you know, cash it
in for the for the rest of the year. But
they haven't done that. So Alex, the same question to you,
what do you want to see out of this defense
against the Eagles? They'll make you give you a lot
of confidence heading into the next five or six months
or so.
Speaker 4 (14:49):
I mean, I think there's kind of two things that
go hand in hand for me. You know, even last
year with all the success, the team wasn't great at
forcing turnovers. They think they were just a little bit
better at taking care of the ball on offense. A
lot better taking care of the ball on offense. So
I would like to see this defense actually come out
and we've seen it in spurts this year at a
few different points, but come out and generate turnovers, get
(15:12):
that pressure on the quarterback, force him into mistakes, you know,
force fumbles out there, and you know, and with that,
i'd like to see the secondary step up. I think
we like same thing. We've seen flashes from them, but
I think this hasn't been the year that Mikey Samus still.
Speaker 3 (15:31):
Was hoping for.
Speaker 4 (15:31):
This hasn't been the year that Kwan Martin was hoping for.
You know, will Harris dealt with his injury. I'd like
to see this secondary and the season on a positive note.
Maybe in the theme of young guys, maybe Tyler Owens
gets in there and makes some plays as well. So
I would just like to see the secondary kind of right,
some of the wrongs from this year, force some turnovers,
(15:53):
get some confidence, and carry that into next season.
Speaker 2 (15:56):
I think the turnovers is a really good point, just
because it really does. It seems like this has been
the point that they've really driven home for the last
couple of years, and it hasn't consistently hit I don't
think the way they would want it to. And I
mean you can see, like I mean, the turnover Margini
is not what it was last year, and I think
(16:19):
I personally would like to see more of the of
those turnovers and now how they how they generate it,
like that's going to be another question, but I think
it has I think.
Speaker 1 (16:28):
Clearly like that has to be better.
Speaker 2 (16:30):
So even you know, I wanted to have it a
little bit more into personnel here, and you know, you
mentioned Jordan McGee, and I think that's I think that's
very interesting. And I mean, obviously Bobby Widner is a
guy who is you know, the star of that defense
for for you know, in terms of experience, in terms
of what he's been able to produce tackles given his
(16:51):
age and experience and all that other stuff. But kind
of going back to the younger player stuff here and now,
this has kind of been a conversation about how much
is Jordan bigee your air parent in a lot of
ways during the Mike Weiinbecker and carrying the green dot
and all that other stuff, like would you like to
see Jordan maybe have a bigger role on the defense
for this week just to see how it goes, if
(17:13):
he can run the defense add a more effective clip
than you know, maybe it has been earlier points in
the year.
Speaker 3 (17:19):
One hundred percent. I mean, what do you have to
lose at this point.
Speaker 5 (17:22):
That's kind of the the attitude I'm taking with this game.
I mean, for the future outlook, like I was saying earlier,
it doesn't really matter too much to the commanders, but
for the Eagles as well, like who knows how the
seating is all gonna go down, but I'm sure if
they're not playing for much, which I've got a double check,
they're gonna be playing some of their deaf players as well.
(17:44):
So I would love to see what Jordan McGee can do.
I mean, we know what Bobby Wagner can do. He's
a future Hall of Famer. He's been great last year,
he was pretty good this year. Obviously had his woes
and coverage, but he does everything else still at a
very high clip. I would love to see what Jordan
McGee can do with the green dot on his helmet.
And I also think if he were to be given
(18:04):
that opportunity, Bobby Wagner would be the best person to
kind of mentor and teach him and be there.
Speaker 3 (18:10):
By their side.
Speaker 5 (18:11):
I would also say I think there's a world where
both of them are on the field at the same time,
along with Louvu. I don't see any issue with playing
three backers at once, especially if you're gonna maybe roll
with three guys up front and play Nickel have five
dbs as well. I think there's some things you can
do to get both of them on the field at
the same time. While also allowing McGee to have a
(18:34):
bigger role than what he's had because let's face it,
I mean, Wagner is not going to be here forever.
He's thirty five, he turns thirty six in June. McGee's
a year two. So that's a guy dan Quinn has
pointed out said he really likes if he's the guy
that you want to kind of be the heir apparent.
Like you said, there's no better opportunity to kind of
give him the give him a chance right now in
(18:55):
a game where for the overall future it doesn't mean
too much.
Speaker 2 (19:00):
Yeah, And I hear you on the wider stuff, because
you're right, I mean, he's not He's not as many
twenties right now, and we don't know how long he'll
be here. You know, he's another free agent this coming
of this year, and maybe he resigns with the team,
maybe he does it either way like that, it won't be.
Speaker 1 (19:16):
A long term deal for sure.
Speaker 2 (19:18):
And I think you really want to see for me
like what Jordan has, because they were very high on
him heading into I mean he was getting starting reps
as a rookie in training camp and then with the
injury he had that kind of vest things up, but
I am interested to see what he can do and Alex,
so we'll switch there every going to the secondary here,
(19:40):
And you mentioned the turnover stuff, which I think is good,
But I think the secondary, I think based on how
they've been able to allow a lot a lot of
explosive plays and the depth there, and I think that
position will probably need They're probably gonna address that position.
Speaker 1 (19:55):
One way or the other next year.
Speaker 2 (19:57):
And I'm curious for you, like what do you want
to see out of that group? I mean, yes, the
turnovers are there, but like do we do we maybe
want to see if we have a solid answer on
what Mike Sanderso is going to be do we like
and do we have any answer terms like what they
want in terms of depth? Like what do you want
to see out of that group head against a receiving
(20:18):
Corgan's Eagles, which could be you know, if they're playing
if they're playing ad Brian DeVante Smith, it's gonna be interesting.
Speaker 1 (20:22):
But if not, like it's still a solid solid offense there.
Speaker 4 (20:26):
Well, to me, it just seems like this secondary has
had an issue, as you mentioned, with giving a big
plays and I would like to see them show that
they can stop that from happening. You know, even for instance,
the Chargers game, a game they won. Lad McConkey hadn't
(20:47):
done much at that point in the season and came
out and was able to get you know, have a
good game against the Commanders or at least at that point,
the best game you had until that point. And I
know that this is a unit that's gone through some adversity.
But you know, we've seen Revo out there, We've seen
Will Harris, you know, Noah Iyas stepped up. You know,
(21:10):
Anthony Hurst, excuse me, Antonio Hamilton senior stepped up. Jonathan
Jones has made plays when he's been able to see
the field. But what I would like to see is,
you know, for them to have cohesion as a unit,
for them to stay on their assignments, whether you know
they're in zone or they're playing man on a play.
But I think they just need to be able to
go out there and lock down these opposing offenses because
(21:34):
it's a big liability for this team when you're gonna
face potentially a J. Brown and Devonte Smith and they
have that big threat, big playability, and your defense has
to be prepared to stop that, and you know that's
not going to change the NFC East. You're going to
be facing those guys. You're facing Pickens and Lamb, You're
(21:54):
gonna be facing Malik Neighbors and Wandelle Robinson, and you
have to be ready for all all these situations. So
I think this secondary kind of has to figure out
what is their identity, So like, where's Mike Stammer still
going to play? But where are the rest of these guys.
Speaker 3 (22:08):
Going to play?
Speaker 4 (22:09):
What are the roles of all these guys, and what
do they need going into the off season. I think
if they can establish a better idea of all of
that in this game, and I know it's just one
small game to do that, but maybe they can at
least make some progress on that front.
Speaker 2 (22:23):
I mean, you're right, these these top flight receivers in
the NFCS, they're not going anywhere. They're all signed to
some pretty long term contracts, and I mean that's one
of the reasons why they went out and traded for
Marshall Lattimore and they drafted Trey Emos and all this
other stuff. And obviously they would want it to have
go on very differently, but the reality is that it
just hasn't and they just need to go back to
(22:45):
the drying board in a lot of ways, whether it's
personnel or scheme or something like that. And I think
I think it's pretty safe to say that the changes
will be coming at some point this off season. We'll
move on to the last question here before we do
that score update, Alex, who were up five to four
over Ethan. It's going to be a tight end battle
here for the last question and the last win of
(23:08):
the podcast.
Speaker 1 (23:09):
And obviously this is the time of.
Speaker 2 (23:11):
New Year's Resolution, this New Year's New beginnings, all this
other great stuff, and I think the commanders have a
long list of things that they need that they would
like to improve on heading into this offseason, whether it's offense.
Speaker 1 (23:24):
Defense, either way. If you had to give them one
New Year's resolution, what would you want it to be? Alex?
Since you are head, you will start first.
Speaker 4 (23:35):
I think there's one New Year's resolution.
Speaker 3 (23:37):
It's simple.
Speaker 4 (23:38):
It's do what you have to do to get back
in the playoffs. And I know that that's very general,
but this team was a win away from the super.
Speaker 3 (23:47):
Bowl last year.
Speaker 4 (23:48):
It's obvious that this season isn't what they wanted. It's
not what was expected either, and I think it's that
and I think the key to doing that is staying healthy,
right putting guys Obviously a lot of it was out
of their control this year, but going into next year,
you know, make sure these guys are taking care of
their bodies. Whatever small margins this team can do to
(24:11):
prepare them for next season. You know, let everybody recuperate
in the offseason, get into good training programs, bring in
some good depth, you know, strengthen the spots that you
need to strengthen. But do whatever you have to do
to next time this year, have us not be talking
about the season being over right now and being getting
(24:32):
ready for the playoffs.
Speaker 2 (24:34):
I am very fascinated to see what de Q's going
to be cooking up this offseason, because he's been very blunt.
You know, he's obviously not going to say exactly what
those plans are going to be this offseason yet, but
he has said, look, changes are going to come. And
I think the good thing about DQ is that he's
he seems like he's a very self war person, and
I believe him when he says that the changes are coming.
(24:57):
And I'm that's one of the many reasons. Like I said,
it's going to be very interesting offseason. Ethan same question,
New Year's resolution, what's one that you have all the
Commanders this offseason.
Speaker 5 (25:07):
Yeah, So for normal people that have New Year's resolutions, one.
Speaker 3 (25:11):
Of the most common overused cliches is new year, New me.
Speaker 5 (25:16):
I'm gonna take this overused cliche and somewhat applied to
the Commanders. I think when they arrive to the offseason
program this spring, it's going to be flush and forget.
This team is a lot better when they're healthy than
what they showed on the field this year. In twenty
twenty five, this past offseason, it felt like everything was
(25:39):
building off of that great twenty twenty four season, but
the reality is it wasn't the same team.
Speaker 3 (25:44):
It's a new team with some new personnel. And yeah, the.
Speaker 5 (25:47):
Expectations were sky high because of what they did last year,
but it's a new team.
Speaker 3 (25:52):
Every year is a new team.
Speaker 5 (25:53):
I mean, we see every year there's a team that
goes from last to first in their division.
Speaker 3 (25:58):
The Bears just did it. Every year in the NFL
is new.
Speaker 5 (26:01):
So my New Year's resolution for the Commanders would be
when they show up to begin the twenty twenty sixth
season to flush and forget everything that went wrong this year,
the injuries, the tough losses, the losing streak, forget all
about it because it's in the past.
Speaker 3 (26:15):
It can't change. Show up.
Speaker 5 (26:18):
You're not gonna have the huge expectations on your shoulders
that you have to live up to this year. Maybe
you can fly under the radar a little bit, kind
of like the Niners did this year, and then all
of a sudden at the end of next year, who
you could be like the Niners in twelve and four and.
Speaker 3 (26:33):
In the race for the one seed.
Speaker 5 (26:34):
I think it's gonna be good for this team that
they're not gonna have to hear how great they are
all off season like they did last year. And I
think there's gonna be a lot of guys coming in
with a chip on your shoulder, starting with the starting
quarterback who missed over half of the year with injuries.
Speaker 3 (26:48):
So I think there's this group's gonna be plenty motivated.
Speaker 5 (26:52):
But I think if they are able to flush all
the bad that happened this year, it'll be a lot
easier to move on and have a fresh, clean slate
extra year.
Speaker 2 (27:01):
It is really hard to evaluate this season sometimes because
the the injuries have been so critical that it's hard.
Speaker 1 (27:10):
To really say what exactly what this team is right now.
Speaker 2 (27:12):
But I think either way, I think the I think
the main point is that they are there are things besides.
Speaker 1 (27:19):
The injuries that will need to be fixed.
Speaker 2 (27:22):
And again I think a lot of I think the
players and coaches would say that they can't display injuries
for for for the losses, Like, there's been a few
close ones there that could have won a lot of
games that they lost. I mean the Broncos game for example,
the Bears. I mean there there's been other close matchups
that I mean, shoot, even the Cowboys game on Christmas,
Like there's they had they were in those games and
(27:43):
they were They've been all banged up with injuries and
they still managed to to lose for what for various reasons.
So winners, man, this is gonna be tough. Both you
guys really brought it like you did earlier in the year,
and I think because of the flush and forget mentality thing,
I think I have to go with Ethan on the
(28:04):
win here.
Speaker 1 (28:05):
Came back from one point down.
Speaker 2 (28:06):
And I think I think it's a good attitude to
have hangyo this offseason.
Speaker 1 (28:10):
So Ethan, you take the win, how do you feel
about it?
Speaker 3 (28:15):
I feel great. I think it's my first win ever
on the show.
Speaker 5 (28:18):
I think Flum was previously two and oh against me,
So it's nice to nice to get in the win column.
Speaker 3 (28:23):
I still got another to even it up, but appreciate the.
Speaker 1 (28:26):
Points, yeah for sure.
Speaker 2 (28:30):
Yeah, like both of you guys have been on the
podcast multiple times than both of you.
Speaker 1 (28:34):
Guys have have really done great jobs.
Speaker 2 (28:37):
And again, you know, I thank you guys, you guys
for doing it, for being in the pot, especially during
this weird like this ten day period between like Christmas
and like in New Year's Day and like January fourth,
so it was always so weird. So I really appreciate
you guys taking times out of your your schedules and
and and coming on the pot and helping me out
and playing around. And I appreciate everyone else has been
(28:58):
on the podcast. It's but everyone who's listening, it's been
it's been a great you know, obviously the season has
not been great, but I appreciate you guys hanging in
there and sticking with me.
Speaker 1 (29:06):
So, guys, everyone.
Speaker 2 (29:09):
Who's been listening, please write for you subscriber to ever
get your podcast. So we will be back next year
with hopefully a lot more good, positive things to talk about,
but until then this has been the beat Down
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