MIAMI – The Washington Commanders’ defense was a major disappointment last season, and whether you blame the coaching staff, the players, the style of play or a combination thereof, the end result contributed to the almost complete replacement of the personnel and many players on the roster.
Commanders defensive tackle Jonathan Allen was quite vocal during and toward the end of the season, making a lot of noise about how secure his future with the team was. His neighbor on the line, Daron Payne, was a little more quiet about the frustrating season, but the improvement in his demeanor this preseason is a clear sign of relief and anticipation for what may be ahead.
After Washington tackled the Miami Dolphins’ first team in joint practice on Thursday, Payne met with the media and expressed how well he thinks things are going under defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr.
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“I think we’ve worked so hard to get the new scheme and we’ve come a long way since we first got into the OTAs,” Payne said with a visible smile on his face. “And I think we’re going to be a good group. We just have to keep working at it and when Week 1 comes around, just go for it.”
Week 1 is a big test for the Commanders as they visit the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who were among the last four teams in the race for the NFC playoffs last season.
They may no longer have quarterback Tom Brady on the roster, but the Buccaneers have another weapon on their side – heat. Another advantage of training and playing in Florida this preseason.
“It’s nice to be down here in Florida because our first game is in Tampa,” Payne said. “So I like being out here in this heat, running around and acclimating myself so I can play in it.”
Coach Whitt’s plan is not just for Payne and his teammates to play in the heat, cold or whatever, but for them to hunt. That’s the popular phrase the team is using these days. And that’s exactly what they did on Thursday in Miami and that’s exactly what they’ll try to do again on Saturday night.
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