Commanders links<\/p>\n
Articles The first thing to note with Bates is that he has a mean streak to him. When we talk about offensive lineman, we always want to see that nasty streak, blocking through the whistle and finishing plays strongly to get under the skin of defenders and throw them off their game while establishing a tone. Bates isn\u2019t quite an offensive lineman, but he does play with that same mentality.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n This play against the Steelers is a great example of that mentality. The Commanders are running a zone scheme to their right with a read-option element added on to it. Bates is on the back side of the run, with his assignment being to help left tackle Brandon Coleman secure his block and then take over the block to allow Coleman to peel off and work up to the linebacker on the second level. Bates does well initially to work inside and help Coleman secure the defensive lineman.<\/p>\n However, as Coleman looks to climb up to the linebacker, the linebacker reads the running back cutting back to the left side of the line. That linebacker works around Coleman and attempts to get down to the line of scrimmage to make a play. Bates recognizes the issue and peels off the defensive lineman, who doesn\u2019t know where the ball is, and picks up the linebacker instead. He gets just enough of the linebacker to prevent him from making the play, but then shows the nasty streak we all look for in the run game. Bates works hard to stay engaged in the block and ends up forcing the linebacker to the ground. The linebacker didn\u2019t take too kindly to that block and the pair end up getting into a bit of a fight that had to be broken up by the referees.<\/p>\n Obviously you don\u2019t want players getting into fights and receiving penalties as a result, but the play shows that Bates plays with the mentality of an offensive lineman rather than a normal tight end. That mentality is a key part of why he\u2019s so important to the Commanders run game. But it\u2019s not just mentality. Bates brings a lot to the run game as a blocker. He can perform a variety of different roles within various blocking schemes, which enables the Commanders to open up the playbook and scheme up some fun run plays.<\/p>\n ESPN Quarterback Caleb Williams<\/a> was so concerned about being picked by the Chicago Bears<\/a> in 2024 that he and his family weighed circumventing the entire NFL draft, consulting with lawyers to figure out a way around the league\u2019s collective bargaining agreement while considering signing with the United Football League, details from a forthcoming book reveal.<\/p>\n \u201cChicago is the place quarterbacks go to die,\u201d Carl Williams, Caleb\u2019s father, told Seth Wickersham, author of \u201cAmerican Kings: A Biography of the Quarterback,\u201d in the months before the 2024 draft.<\/p>\n Caleb Williams wondered aloud to confidants: \u201cDo I want to go there? I don\u2019t think I can do it with [former Bears offensive coordinator Shane] Waldron.\u201d<\/p>\n The forthcoming book, to be published in September, offers a detailed account of what it means to be a quarterback at various levels, from high school to college to the NFL, and what it\u2019s like for legends in retirement. It features unprecedented access with dozens of quarterbacks and generational greats such as John Elway, Johnny Unitas, Warren Moon, members of the Manning family and Steve Young, among others. It also includes current signal-callers such as Kirk Cousins<\/a> and Drake Maye<\/a>.<\/p>\n Podcasts & videos Photos<\/p>\n NFC East links The Giants had inquired about Stafford prior to the trade deadline this past season, per multiple sources within the league. The Rams were fluttering around .500 at the time and there were whispers about the veteran\u2019s future. It was more of a check-in to see where the situation stood rather than a serious inquiry. But the Giants would have been foolish not to at least gauge the possibility when a quarterback of that caliber became available, given their needs at the position at the time.<\/p>\n It\u2019s why they reengaged in February when the Rams gave Stafford\u2019s agent, Jimmy Sexton, permission to speak with other clubs because they were at an impasse about his salary. It led to a five-week dance where the Giants tried to pry Stafford from the Rams. They were willing to offer in the range of $50 million per season, a source with knowledge of negotiations told ESPN at the NFL scouting combine in early March.<\/p>\n The Raiders eventually got into the mix as well but in the end Stafford didn\u2019t really want to uproot his family. He got two years and $84 million to stay in Los Angeles, less than what the Giants were willing to pay.<\/p>\n \u201cI never really wanted to leave,\u201d Stafford would say later.<\/p>\n NFL league links Dallas Cowboys<\/a><\/p>\n The Cowboys will end Kyler Murray<\/a>\u2019s dominance at AT&T Stadium. The Cardinals\u2019 quarterback has not lost in Arlington, Texas, sporting an 8-0 record as a starting quarterback. Just two of those games have come in the NFL. He won five games while at Allen (Texas) High School, won a Big 12 championship game for Oklahoma and is 2-0 as the Cardinals\u2019 starter. Only Dak Prescott<\/a> and Tony Romo have more wins at AT&T Stadium. Read more from Todd Archer<\/a><\/p>\n New York Giants<\/a><\/p>\n The Giants will steal a win on the road in the first two weeks against a division rival. For most teams, that might not seem like much. But New York went 0-6 in the division last year and needs to get off to a strong start. The Giants have won their season opener just twice in the past 13 years, with their only two playoff seasons coming in years when they won in Week 1. Read more from Jordan Raanan<\/a><\/p>\n Philadelphia Eagles<\/a><\/p>\n The Eagles will have to fight out of a small hole at the beginning of the season. The Cowboys, Chiefs and Rams all have something to prove, with two of them \u2014 Kansas City and Los Angeles \u2014 losing to the Eagles last postseason. Philadelphia will be adjusting to a new offensive coordinator in Kevin Patullo following the departure of Kellen Moore this offseason, while the defense will be breaking in several new starters. That could equal a loss or two early on. Read more from Tim McManus<\/a><\/p>\n Washington Commanders<\/a><\/p>\n Washington will win three of its last four games to clinch a playoff spot. It will mark the first time since the 1991-92 seasons that the organization has made the playoffs in consecutive years. The Commanders will beat the Giants and Cowboys and split with the Eagles to follow up a 12-win first season under coach Dan Quinn. These wins will help Washington win double-digit games in back-to-back years for the first time since 1989-91. Read more from John Keim<\/a><\/p>\n Discussion topics<\/p>\n Former Redskins GM Scot McCloughan said that Washington’s 4th-round pick Jaylin Lane reminds him of one of his former draft picks, Jamison Crowder…but faster@kevinsheehanDC<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 COMMANDERS FOOTBALL (@HogsHaven) May 15, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n Show is up. <\/p>\n Start\u2014schedule talk<\/p>\n 24:23\u2014Former NFL GM Scot McCloughan joined me to talk #Commanders<\/a> draft & lots more<\/p>\n 1:03:34\u2014McCloughan on \u2066@ShedeurSanders<\/a>\u2069: \u201cwhen all is said and done, he will be the best QB in this draft, it\u2019s not even close\u201d. https:\/\/t.co\/Wuslmn83hc<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Kevin Sheehan (@kevinsheehanDC) May 14, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n All aTwitter<\/p>\n the Commanders haven’t had more than 4 standalone games since their glory years in the early 1990s<\/p>\n they’ve averaged just over 2 standalone games the last 6 years<\/p>\n thanks to Jayden Daniels, the Commanders have 8 standalone games in 2025<\/p>\n tied for most in the NFL with the Chiefs pic.twitter.com\/QY7GlwNAGy<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) May 14, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n no team has an easier start to the season than the Washington Commanders<\/p>\n only 1 opponent is expected to have a winning 2025 season:<\/p>\n Giants \u25ba Packers \u25ba Raiders \u25ba Falcons pic.twitter.com\/W5GdNZybfM<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) May 15, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n IT’S HERE! <\/p>\n The 2025 @NFLonFOX<\/a> regular season schedule highlights the league’s elite NFC roster combined with more key AFC teams than ever before <\/p>\n A fan favorite, AMERICA’S GAME OF THE WEEK returns with marquee showdowns including Eagles-Chiefs, Lions-Bengals,\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/l6GdcSw4YB<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 FOX Sports PR (@FOXSportsPR) May 15, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n Looking at the schedule grid, the #Commanders<\/a> lead the league with four games against opponents coming off a bye. The good news is one of those games is on a Monday and they\u2019re also coming off a bye when they face the #Broncos<\/a>. pic.twitter.com\/62ybzAZi5y<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) May 15, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n Number of games in a standalone or primetime slot (pre-flex):<\/p>\n 8 – DAL, KC, WSH<\/p>\n 7 – DET, MIN, PHI<\/p>\n 6 – ATL, GB, MIA<\/p>\n 5 – BUF, CHI, DEN, LAC, LAR, PIT, SF<\/p>\n 4 – BAL, CIN, HOU, SEA, TB<\/p>\n 3 – LV, NE, NYG, NYJ<\/p>\n 2 – ARI, IND, JAX<\/p>\n 1 – CAR, CLE<\/p>\n 0 – NO, TEN<\/p>\n \u2014 NFL Nerd (@NerdingonNFL) May 15, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n I believe so. There hasn’t been another arbitrator ruling about contract tolling since the Joey Galloway case in 2000. Probably need to come back around the trade deadline like Trent Williams did in 2019 because of the potential of a 2-week roster exemption. https:\/\/t.co\/geSpbLyvHR<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Joel Corry (@corryjoel) May 14, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n The 12th Man ain’t what he used to be. The Seahawks are trying to change that, by warning season-ticket holders that excessive reselling could forfeit renewal rights. https:\/\/t.co\/jNuXActAkH<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) May 14, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n the howie roseman draft: nothing is more beneficial than drafting trenches (OT, ED, IDL) in the first round given the hit rates and surplus value of the positions https:\/\/t.co\/mh7BVNegBF<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Tej Seth (@tejfbanalytics) May 14, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n
\nBullock\u2019s Film Room
\nWhy the Commanders re-signed TE John Bates<\/a><\/p>\n
\nBook: Caleb Williams sought way around going to Chicago Bears<\/a><\/p>\n
\nWhy Josh Conerly Playing Guard Might Not Be Such A Bad Idea | Take Command<\/p>\n
\nESPN
\nHow the Giants ended up with Dart, Wilson and Winston at QB<\/a><\/p>\n
\nArticles
\nESPN
\n2025 NFL schedule release: Predictions, takeaways for 32 teams<\/a><\/p>\n