Post by Washington Insiders on May 31, 2023 10:01:31 GMT -5
Welcome to the Insider Trade- Your source for information on the Washington Insiders.
The Insiders have been hard at work in the endurance trial known as pro football training camp. Some sessions were closed to the press to allow the team to install some specifics of their game plan, but there were several observations which could be made in the open periods by both the press and fans who came out to see how their team is coming together this season.
STARS STEPPING UP
WHO SLIPPED TACKLING FUEL INTO THE WATER?
YOUNG TARGETS MAKING GAINS
WHAT NEXT?
The Insiders have been hard at work in the endurance trial known as pro football training camp. Some sessions were closed to the press to allow the team to install some specifics of their game plan, but there were several observations which could be made in the open periods by both the press and fans who came out to see how their team is coming together this season.
STARS STEPPING UP
- Newly acquired superstar OLDL Elliot Eades came right in and got to work. Rumors that he and Insider OLDL Jason Faber joined a speed camp in the offseason appear to be true; both players- already among the best in the league at blocking and blitzing, looked noticeably faster on the field in camp. Line play is a game of inches, and their new gear should give them an advantage compared to past seasons in getting those inches.
- Dispersal Draft pick WRDB Howard Hanson flashed a pair of hands far better than previously seen. He already was a burner on the field and strong in coverage, and his hands were not bad in the past, but he could push incumbent starters Sam Engelberg or Ken Wortman for playing time. Wortman to his credit, seemed much improved with the ball in his hands, showing more agility than in the past and better ball control.
- QB Chris Berkstead seemed to have added some more zip to his fastballs in camp. Backup Rocco Clemente also was looking better with his arm strength. The team is hoping with an offseason to gel and truly absorb the playbook that Berkstead will be able to help the team take the next step this season.
- RBLB Jack Stones has turned it up another notch over the offseason and in camp. He's looking faster than he ever has, and seems to have put in some real work on his tackling. While he wasn't a bad tackler in the past, he's found a new gear. Basically, if he got his hands on you, you went to the ground.
WHO SLIPPED TACKLING FUEL INTO THE WATER?
- The Insider coaching staff shared that tackling as a team was an area where they felt improvement was needed and it shows on the field that the players listened. Rumor has it expert tackler Bobby Boucher was also brought in as a consultant. Aside from the aforementioned Stones, several players from the defensive line to deep safety showed marked improvements in their tackling skills. Team tackling drills were done daily in camp during the periods open to the public and the work seems to be paying off. Expect to see fewer missed and broken tackles this season.
YOUNG TARGETS MAKING GAINS
- WRLB Ad Wittemann looks ready to get to the next level as camp comes to a close. He's catching the ball cleaner than in past years, and his coverage skills have advanced to the point where he could play in the defensive backfield as well as in the box. This added versatility will be a key to him seeing the field more often.
- OLDL Isidore Lyons made some of the biggest gains of any lineman in camp as a pass rusher. While the team has a very strong defensive line that will likely keep Lyons off the field, many are vets who may not be able to maintain their level of play for the long haul. Lyons' improvement may have secured himself a spot in the team's long term plans.
- WRLB Karlos Folger, while not necessarily a young guy, is not too old to learn new tricks it seems. Coming into camp there were concerns if he could be a viable defensive player or if he was a glorified OS. He may not be an all-star on defense still, but he showed some of the biggest improvements in camp at tackling which is a linebacker's most important task on defense. Offensively he is one of the team's better receivers, and now defensively he is no longer a liability.
WHAT NEXT?
- As of now the Insiders have not announced their plans for the pre-season, which typically is scheduled by the teams themselves. Rumors are that they are open to playing both games against other opponents, ideally at least one game at home.