Ben Standig – ��ݮ��ý ��ݮ��ý

Redskins’ investment in ‘Alabama Wall’ paying off

Ben Standig — Thu, 25 Oct 2018 19:14:31 +0000

Republished from��with permission.

LANDOVER, Md. — The Redskins spent consecutive first-round selections on defensive lineman Jonathan Allen and Daron Payne for a few reasons. Here are two: Ezekiel Elliott and Saquon Barkley.

“100 percent,” Allen said following Sunday’s 20-17 win over Elliott’s Cowboys in which the star running back was held to the second-fewest single game yards of his career. “If you can’t stop the run and run the ball you’re not going to win in this conference.”

Stopping the run isn’t some new analytics angle created by number crunchers seeking a winning formula. This truth goes back to the leather helmet era. That’s almost the last time Washington used its first selection in a draft for a player it intended to use on the line before tabbing Allen 17th overall in 2017.

That’s one year after the Cowboys snagged Elliott with the purpose of having the talented runner terrorize opposing defenses. Payne, Allen’s teammate at the University of Alabama, went 13th in the 2018 Draft, or 11 spots after the Giants selected Barkley with similar intentions.

Schedules change every season except for those six games against division foes. That’s 37.5 percent of the yearly schedule. It makes some sense planning for those specific teams. The Cowboys and Giants used top-5 selections respectively on Elliott and Barkley. The Super Bowl champion Eagles ranked third in the NFL in rushing last season, one spot behind Dallas.

The Redskins failed the run defense test the previous two seasons, ranking 24th in 2016 and a league-worst last season. Ineffectiveness truly kicked in after Allen’s season-ending foot surgery in Washington’s fifth game.

With Allen and Payne, dubbed “Alabama Wall” by tight end Vernon Davis, playing along with 2016 draft choice Matt Ioannidis, the Redskins line is finding success stopping opposing ground games. Washington ranks third with 87.33 yards allowed per game despite facing several of the league’s top running backs in David Johnson, Alvin Kamara, Christian McCaffrey and Elliott.

Since allowing 104 rushing yards in the Week 2 loss to Indianapolis, Washington has surrendered 100, 98, 81 and 73 in the subsequent four games. The 81 came against Carolina, which at the time led the league with over 150 yards per game.

Elliott, second league-wide in rushing with 619 yards, never found a rhythm Sunday. Washington held him to 33 yards on 15 carries.

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“Dominating the line of scrimmage,” Allen said of the primary focusing entering the game, “and I feel like we went out there and did that today.”

His head coach concurred.

“It was very important. You know, it was very, very important,” Jay Gruden said of slowing down the Cowboys’ primary offensive weapon. “[Elliott] is a great, great player and it takes all 11 men on defense to get him stopped. And I think we got that. Our defensive line played outstanding — Payne and Allen and Ioannidis.”

Allen and Payne aren’t just playing at a high level, but playing quite a bit despite a league-wide trend in recent seasons of rotating linemen to keep the big fellas fresh. Allen and Payne were on the field for 82 percent of Washington’s 66 defensive snaps against Dallas.

Expect another heavy workload on the road Sunday. The Giants (1-5) are struggling collectively. Big Blue’s woes aren’t slowing down Barkley.

“That’s going to be a test,” Payne said.

The dynamic rookie is fourth in the league with 481 rushing yards, averaging 4.9 yards per attempt. Barkley also ranks sixth among all players in receptions (49) and is tied for fifth with seven touchdowns.

“He’s a good all-around back. Can catch, run,” inside linebacker Zach Brown said of Barkley to The Sports Capitol. “If you miss a gap or something, he can hit a home run.”

There’s a debate over whether the Giants were wise to go with a running back at No. 2 considering quarterback options available and Eli Manning’s decline. The New York Jets selected Sam Darnold third overall. Washington faced Darnold during joint practices in Richmond this summer.

“I would have took the running back,” Brown said, speaking initially in general terms. “Next year I can get a quarterback. It’s hard finding a running back, very hard. Think about how many people draft running backs, and they don’t pan out. This one panned out. I would have drafted [Barkley] and then next year come back and draft a quarterback, beef up the O-line. They’ve got a plan. Sometimes people just don’t like the plan. That’s a run-first team. They got a horse back there.”

The Redskins have more than beef along their defensive line. There’s legitimate talent, perhaps enough to transform an entire defense.

Washington’s own running game caught a break entering Week 8 with the Giants shifting into rebuild mode. New York traded formidable defensive tackle Damon “Snacks” Harrison to Detroit Tuesday, further weakening a run defense allowing 113.9 yards per game. The Giants also dealt cornerback Eli Apple following their latest loss.

One reminder of how much has changed along the Redskins’ defensive line came from the stands. Chris Baker, a solid NFL player, was arguably Washington’s top lineman in 2015 and a key piece the following season. In the summer of 2017, the Redskins passed on retaining Baker, who signed a free agent contract with Tampa Bay. The Buccaneers quickly cut bait. Same with the Bengals during the preseason. While waiting for the next opportunity, Baker watched Sunday’s game as a fan.

Other defenders on the current roster are fans of the additions up front.

“We got to have one,” cornerback Josh Norman said of a stout defensive line. “That’s the only way to win around here. Those guys up there, they’re friends. They’re brothers. They came from the same school. They’re always joking, talking to each other, doing everything. … Coming up [to the NFL], they didn’t drop off. ��…I love it. I was knocking on the board for those guys. Just have to keep them going. Got to keep them fed. When they’re hungry, got to give them something to eat.”

��is a host, writer and co-founder of The Sports Capitol. This D.C. area native grew up rooting for all the local squads and dabbled in the professional media world after college before making a full shift to sports writing in 2005. Since, Ben has covered every team and big event in town for several outlets including the Associated Press, NBCWashington.com and Scout.com.

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Chris Thompson’s trust in Jay Gruden began after wanting gone from Redskins

Ben Standig — Fri, 14 Sep 2018 05:40:57 +0000

Republished from��with permission.

ASHBURN, Va. — If the Washington Redskins presented players a “Mr. Congeniality” award, Chris Thompson would retire that sash.

The slashing running back wasn’t feeling so friendly in 2014 when he didn’t make the initial roster entering the regular season under then first-year head coach Jay Gruden. Sure, the Redskins wanted Thompson around on the practice squad. But the 2013 fifth-round pick couldn’t have cared less about their wants at the moment.

“I won’t lie to you. I was real upset about it,” Thompson said. “I called my agent and told him I didn’t want to come back here.”

The undersized back that four years later plays a large role in Washington’s offense remained for three reasons: 1) The raw emotion receded, 2) No other team signed him off the Redskins’ practice squad, 3) Gruden convinced Thompson of a grander plan.

“I always think about when I was cut and put on practice squad my second year,” Thompson said this week of the moment rooted in the tight bond with his head coach. “Jay met with me when I signed back, and he told me, ‘I know this is going to be hard for you, but I have a bigger plan for you, and I just need you to be patient with me. You’re part of a bigger picture with this team. I want you here with me.’”

Thompson had a choice. Believe this man, a coach who wasn’t with the organization the prior year when Washington drafted Thompson, or let the current anger carry the day. Gruden showing belief in the little dual threat won out.

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“I had never got that from a coach before,” Thompson said. “From that point on, I just trusted in [Jay] and over time him sticking to his word has made our relationship stronger. I would do anything for Jay. I would run through a wall for Jay if he asked me to.”

Fortunately for the 5-foot-8, 195-pound back, Gruden prefers when Thompson avoids smacking into massive and sturdy structures. Good thing for the coach is that the playmaker has turned into one of the league’s best at doing just that with the football in his hands.

Despite sitting out the entire preseason while finishing his recovery from a fractured fibula suffered in Week 11 at New Orleans last season, Thompson delivered a magical performance in Washington’s 2018 season-opening 24-6 win at Arizona. He served as the outside counter to Adrian Peterson’s inside power. Thompson compiled 128 yards from scrimmage along with a receiving touchdown on just 11 touches. His 65 yards on five carries jumped his career yards per carry average to a wow-level 5.4.

“Yeah, he’s been incredible,” a gushing Gruden said nearly 24 hours after Sunday’s triumph. “You know, his work ethic to get back to where he was yesterday, I didn’t see any hesitancy whatsoever. He hit the hole hard. He was explosive. He was great in the pass game, both pass protection and in the routes. He just did what CT always does, and you could see how much of an impact it had on our team when he left last year.”

The hurt over not making the 2014 roster stuck with Thompson, “for a while. I didn’t let them see it.” He remained on the practice squad until the season’s final month. Gruden’s vision began showing the following season when Thompson caught 35 passes. Another 49 came the next year before his 2017 breakout campaign with 804 yards from scrimmage and 39 receptions in 10 games prior to the injury.

The organization showed faith in Thompson before the 2017 season by signing him to a two-year extension that carries through 2019.

“Well, he’s such a good kid and a hard worker number one,” Gruden said of the reason behind Thompson’s growth. “That’s a great combination. If you work hard and you are a great kid, then good things will happen to you.”

The coach being honest and direct four years prior helped Thompson remain positive about Gruden.

“[Jay] had the trust in me as a young guy who was still trying to find his way in this league. He trusted me to get the job done in critical situations. To be his third-down back, to the be the guy that protects his quarterback as teams are bringing pressure. Me being the smallest guy on the team, he trusted me to do that (and) being able to convert on third downs.”

The most significant conversion in their relationship came in September of 2014. Their fondness for one another, just like Thompson’s career, has only gained momentum since.

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Running through the NBA Draft, all things Wizards from A-Z

Ben Standig — Thu, 21 Jun 2018 15:52:46 +0000

Republished from��with permission.

WASHINGTON — We’re keeping things simple on NBA Draft day with the ABC’s for the Wizards and the league.

A is for Arizona center Deandre AYTON, who is the likely No.1 overall selection by the Phoenix Suns. The chiseled 7-foot-1, 260-pound center looks like a superhero. Some think he’ll turn into one on the basketball court. It doesn’t seem like all truly buy into the 1.1 hype. That might just be some reticent Luka Doncic fans thinking the Slovenian guard should get that call.

B is for BLOCKBUSTER trade, as in can the Wizards make a blockbuster trade for say Kawhi Leonard? Eh, but if the Spurs insist on shipping him to the Eastern Conference, then maybe. Otto Porter oozes San Antonio DNA. Same with Tomas Satoransky. Toss in the player drafted at 15 and that still probably doesn’t match any package from Boston (Jaylen Brown and picks) or Philadelphia (Markelle Fultz). The Wizards would also have to take back another contract for the math to work. Leonard is all kinds of risky – he either was hurt all last season OR he stayed away from the NBA’s gold standard franchise all season AND he is signed for just one more season. Still, if they said yes to the Porter-Sato-15 deal, roll that dice on a Finals MVP.

C is for CAREFUL, as in be careful what you wish for Wizards fans if you’re willing to help Marcin Gortat pack his bags. Yes, the 34-year-old is declining. Sure, that old school interior game appears prehistoric at times in the small-ball era. Just realize that no Gortat likely means Ian Mahinmi is your opening night starting center. Mahinmi is a very nice man whose offensive game at times reminds one of a giraffe learning to walk. Another “C” word is chemistry. The Wizards’ team had little last season. Dumping Gortat won’t resolve the issue. Of course neither will standing pat.

D is for DOWN, not out.��, many reacted as if that meant adios to round one. Nope. This first-round selection is Washington’s best asset right now. We can scream at the moon as to why that’s the case or how the Wizards put themselves into salary cap jail, but been there, done that. Moving down isn’t a bad play��if��Washington sheds some salary, receives back a helpful rotation piece (especially if it’s Gortat on the move) and believes there are some true helpful prospects later in the first. None of this is ideal. It’s just not a debacle either (he says knowing that debacle is another “D” word).

E is for ERROR in judgment made by the good folks at ��ݮ��ý Channel 8 and WJLA for letting this bearded mug on television as often as they do. Also, thanks for that. Normally The Sports Capitol holds down the Monday slot. This week it was Tuesday night.��.

F is for #FAKETradeAlert. You love making up trades. I love making up trades. Since I have this platform, here are some fake trades:

Wizards trade 15, Kelly Oubre, Jason Smith, Jodie Meeks to Lakers for 25, 39, Josh Hart, Channing Frye. Hart (Sidwell Friends), who shot 39 percent on 3-pointers as a rookie, will earn just over $7 million during the next three seasons before hitting restricted free agency. Oubre has one year remaining before RFA at which point he might hit $10 million or more per season. Frye is non-rotation depth at this point of his career, but perhaps he can sink some open 3’s. Washington saves around $2 million overall on this deal. It would also have three picks overall and could perhaps land center Mitchell Robinson at 25 and Michigan stretch-4 Mo Wagner at 39 along with point guard Devonte Graham with its own selection at 44. Los Angeles is rumored to have interest in Texas Tech guard Zhaire Smith.��The trade machine accepts the deal without Oubre involved so perhaps the Lakers are cool with moving up without receiving him back.
Wizards trade 15, Ian Mahinmi, Jason Smith to Hawks for 30, 34 and Kent Bazemore. Any deal involving Mahinmi’s contract reeks of fan fiction, but Bazemore makes a tick more over the remaining two years. Atlanta might want to open guard minutes if it drafts Luka Doncic third overall. Bazemore’s game doesn’t sniff those contract terms, but he gets after it defensively, can guard multiple positions at 6-foot-5 and shot 39 percent from 3 last season. Sure, dropping from 15 to 30 is rough, but Bazemore provides real minutes and this draft has talent into the 40s. Cool with point guard Jevon Carter at 30, Wagner at 34 and ex-Terp forward Justin Jackson at 44? Oh, this also means Marcin Gortat is staying.

G is Kentucky guard Shai GILGEOUS-Alexander, who would be a fascinating combo option for Washington if available at 15. The 6-foot-6 freshman now might end up becoming the first point guard selected. (College source): “I don’t think there’s any question in my mind that he’s the best point guard in the draft. Shai is NBA-ready right now to help NBA teams step on the court and win right now. Has a tremendous feel for the game. … Great feel on the ball screen. Can get into paint. Great length, vision, size. Defensive end has almost 7-foot wingspan. Pest for 94-feet. Can switch and guard. … His shot is good. Still a weakness, but he works on it. Got it off quicker. Learning to have catch-and-shoot mentality. … He’s a basketball player. He’s a guard. … Not sure how he gets past the Clippers.”

H is for Maryland guard Kevin HUERTER, whose stock seemingly remains solid in the 17-21 range despite recent right hand ligament surgery. He keeps moving up mock drafts with the Bucks (17) and Spurs (18) considered landing spots. If the Wizards are truly down for a trade down, perhaps the Hawks (19, 30, 34), Jazz (21) and Lakers (25) become dance partners.

I is for I didn’t fully update my mock draft in any timely manner, but will cobble together something before the real show. Among the changes: Trae Young slips to 11, Gary Trent Jr. enters the first round with the Warriors at 28. Also, a new player for the Wizards. Hold, please.

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J is for Michael B. JORDAN, who I watched umpteen times today in the trailer for “Creed 2��(Please don’t tell Todd Dybas). Confession: I still haven’t watched “Creed” yet. Hope we can still be friends. The surprise end of this trailer has me ready to atone for my sins as soon as the draft is over. Also, I know this has nothing to do with the draft, but Michael B. Jordan is almost Michael Jordan, who certainly is better than LeBron James so please let’s stop having that silly GOAT debate especially if we’re excluding Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Wilt Chamberlain, Bill Russell, Larry Bird and Tim Duncan.

K is for Kentucky combo forward KEVIN KNOX. While Knox was often projected to Washington in early mock drafts, his valuation seemingly moved the 6-foot-8 freshman into the 9-12 range. Still I have this scouting report from a college source, so… “Kevin is a tremendous scorer. Has the pro size. Can playing multiple positions. Has to show he can guard, but looks like a monster small-ball 4. Extremely gifted off the catch-and-shoot. … Needs to be with an organization that knows it will take time. 6-8 guys in this draft that are game-ready in pros. Knox, like many, needs time.”

L is for Miami wing guard LONNIE Walker, who would give the Wizards an athletic and lengthy backup option behind Bradley Beal. The 6-foot-4 freshman with a 6-foot-10 wingspan can stroke it from distance. He led the ACC’s third-best team in scoring last season despite starting slow with an injury. One source tagged him with Jimmy Butler upside. Oh,. Neat. Also neat:��.

M is for Michigan State forward MILES Bridges, who I have come to predict is the pick for the Wizards at 15.��He plays bigger than his listed 6-foot-6, meaning there’s enough brawn to defend power forwards and play the 4-man in small-ball lineups. Tom Izzo products bring toughness to the league. Bridges can shoot; 36 percent on 3-pointers, 85.3 percent from the free throw line. That 6-foot-9 wingspan isn’t impressive. Nobody is perfect. One source said watch out for interest from the Clippers, who are looking to add toughness this offseason. They also may want to add a center (Robert Williams) and a point guard with their picks at 12 and 13. If not and Bridges slips past the Nuggets at 14, the Wizards would have a chance to add an athletic frontcourt option who can help now yet offers sincere upside. Same goes if Williams remains on the board. That worries of consistency dotted conversations about the Texas A&M center makes him the riskier of the two, but with greater potential. I changed the third player on my realistic��Wizards wish list from Miami’s Walker to Boston College’s Jerome Robinson. The 6-foot-5 combo guard averaged 20.7 points and shot 41 percent on 3-pointers.��. More interestingly,��.

N is for NOT understanding why UCLA point guard Aaron Holiday’s stock apparently dropped since the pre-draft workouts began. He’s got the on-ball skills, the 3-point touch, the bloodlines. Even the Wizards at 15 should consider him since his shooting ability would allow for a pairing with John Wall. Holiday slipping into the 20s means gift for a playoff team.

O is for OH, no, what have I done by coming up with this cockamamie alphabet article.��(This “oh, no” bit also saved me from discussing why the Wizards should absolutely be exploring trades involving Kelly OUBRE considering he becomes an RFA next summer. Such thinking isn’t popular with Wizards fans so I didn’t go there. You’re welcome.)

P is for POINT guard, as in do the Wizards need a backup point guard?��At this point I think they do. Not suggesting that Tomas Satoransky is headed for Springfield, but the guy made plays on the second unit and as John Wall’s injury replacement and yet his head coach seemingly took every opening to use the 6-foot-7 player elsewhere. If Scott Brooks really views Sato as a versatile piece rather than his reserve one, then the Wizards should seek their version of Fred VanVleet in the second (Devonte Graham?) – and trade Satoransky. I’ll bet someone out there covets his vision-passing-size-shooting package.

Q is for QUESTION (Dwight Schrute voice): Why did the Wizards conduct solo workouts with Texas A&M center Robert Williams and Boston College guard Jerome Robinson in the final days before the draft?��Occam’s razor would have us thinking it’s because they wanted a closer look at a possible rim-running big man and a perimeter threat they think are worthy of selection at 15. Another thought: Since I cannot recall any public solo workouts in previous years —��— one wonders if this was perhaps a way to get some teams below 15 thinking about a deal up. Probably not, but the second approach is more cunning and ingenious so let’s root for that.

R is for REDDIT.��Among the questions thrown my way, “What are the chances we get a new GM during our Wall/Beal era?” My response:

Imagine the financial hit if an individual placed annual wagers on the Wizards changing GMs over the years. Rough.

Beal’s contract runs through 2021. Wall 2023. Odds suggest a change happens over the next five years if the Wizards don’t eventually advance beyond the second-round of the playoffs. Of course, numerous moments in time over the last 10+ years presented ownership a chance for change — and they didn’t. I’m not somebody who thinks Grunfeld is a debacle. I do understand why fans want change. The summer of 2016 alone, yikes. But, there’s been almost no inkling of a front change shakeup. Until there is, I wouldn’t wager on one happening.

S is for possible SECOND-round frontcourt targets at 44 not mentioned elsewhere in this article: Maryland forward Justin Jackson, Villanova forward Omari Spellman, USC stretch-4 Chimezie Metu, Louisville shot blocker Ray Spalding and UNLV center Brandon McCoy. Jackson had lottery buzz last season. Then came a torn labrum, which cratered his sophomore year. Spalding and McCoy made pilgrimages to Chinatown pre-draft. The draft board may shake out where wings are the best options at 15. Needed athletic bigs are available in the second.

T is for TRAINING under basketball wunderkind Drew Hanlen. The man who helped turn Bradley Beal into an NBA All-Star and Jayson Tatum into a playoff force as a rookie is working with Texas center Mo Bamba. That a player with a 7-foot-10 wingspan even has a chance to become a stretch-5 speaks to the natural talent and Hanlen’s influence. Before you ask, no, I am not sure what he and Kelly Oubre have been working on this offseason. Have to think that 3-point shot went back into the lab. More to come.

U is for UNDERRATED. Players I would consider tagging with that “U” word based on public big board rankings and conversations with sources: Wendell Carter, Collin Sexton, Donte DiVincenzo, Jalen Brunson, Jacob Evans.

V is for VOLATILE, which is what one league source forecasts for Oklahoma guard Trae Young on draft night. The smallish guard’s lack of defensive qualities combined with that offensive decline over the second half of his freshman season has some teams shying away. Of course, that Stephen Curry impersonation he displayed from distance was lit.

W is for WICHITA State point guard Landry Shamet, who former Georgetown coach and��identified as a worthy second-round option.��“Good size, good athleticism. Can shoot it. Can run a team. Can defend. He had a disappointing year relative to what was expected, but he is someone I think years from now we can look and think ‘That guy was a steal for so-and-so team in the middle-to-late second.’ …I think he’s a one who can shoot with good size.”

X is for X-factor, which in this draft class is 7-foot-1 center Mitchell Robinson. When you don’t play at any level last season and thus force teams to re-scout your prep career, you’re a mystery. The athletic gifts are legitimate. So is the Wizards’ interest in Robinson, according to a source during the pre-draft process. If Washington thinks its culture can help shape Robinson into a professional, wow, this could be the move. (Pssst — Wizards’ “culture” came up as a concern during discussions with sources more often than the just about any issue other than those aging centers, so…)

Y is for whY I’m not discounting the Wizards’ chances for a turnaround next season even without any salary cap space. On Feb. 27 Washington stood 36-25, good enough for the 4-5 seed mix at the minimum. Then it lost 14 of its final 21 games. The weight of carrying on without Wall eventually wore the Wizards down. They had baffling losses all season whether the All-Star point guard played or not. With any luck Wall won’t miss exactly half the season in 2018-19. If he plays 75 games, if Otto Porter’s hip stops becoming a nagging injury and they avoid medical calamity elsewhere, this team has 3-4 seed potential even if the entire crew returns along with the additions of 15 and 44. That’s not the same as predicting a 3-4 seed finish. Boston, Philadelphia, Toronto, Indiana and Cleveland with LeBron James are among the other factors. Washington’s top five players are all 28 and under. Bradley Beal was having an All-NBA season before those final weeks. Porter raised his scoring average for the fifth consecutive year. Wall remains a 20-10 force nightly. It’s likely the 18 or 19-year-old selected at 15 won’t become a steady rotation player. That’s OK. This season he just needs to outperform the 15-20 minutes per game worth of production from Jodie Meeks for a boost. Biggest key is figuring out why this team looked out of sorts on the regular. Get their head game fixed and another 3-5 wins come easily. Avoid injuries, tack on more W’s. The fear is what happens if chemistry remains combustible and the medical report remain longer than Oubre’s wingspan. Could happen. So could a turnaround and an opportunity to reach the Eastern Conference finals, in theory.

Z is for Texas Tech guard ZHAIRE Smith, who more than any of the other likely options at 15. The overlap with Oubre probably doesn’t work for roster balance. The competitiveness and above-the-rim prowess does. That others in this specific phylum include JaVale McGee and Jan Vesely surely has some of you thinking hard pass on Smith.

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Ben Standig – ��ݮ��ý ��ݮ��ý

Redskins’ investment in ‘Alabama Wall’ paying off

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Chris Thompson’s trust in Jay Gruden began after wanting gone from Redskins

Running through the NBA Draft, all things Wizards from A-Z