The Daily Slop – 17 August 2026
Editor’s note: Each day, Hogs Haven compiles a collection of articles, podcasts & tweets from around the web to keep you in touch with the Commanders, the NFC East, the NFL and sports in general, with a sprinkling of other stuff. Enjoy!
Commanders links
Articles
Bullock’s Film Room (subscription)
Commanders Film Review: Sonny Styles vs Dolphins
Sonny Styles made his NFL debut in the Commanders preseason opener against the Dolphins on Friday night. The seventh overall pick started the game but played just one series before being
held out for the rest of the game. In that series, the Commanders defense struggled to stop the Dolphins as Miami drove 93 yards down the field on a 14-play touchdown drive. Some fans have been quick to jump on Styles and be extremely critical of his performance, which is obviously silly given the context. But as such, I thought I’d take a closer look at how Styles played.
Run Game
In the run game, Styles had a few ups and downs but was largely pretty solid. There were a few plays I saw people online being critical of when actually Styles did exactly what he was meant to do.
[The analysis below refers to the FOURTH snap shown in this tweet]
This was one of the Dolphins first runs of the game. They call an outside zone run to the right. The Commanders call a run stunt, with defensive lineman Johnny Newton and Ricky Barber both stunting to the left side of the line in order to cause disruption to the blocking scheme. With those lineman stunting inside, the linebackers behind them have to fill the gaps vacated by the lineman up front. Johnny Newton starts lined up on the outside shoulder of the right guard, which would typically mean he’s responsible for the B gap between the right guard and right tackle, but as he stunts inside towards the center, someone else needs to fill that B gap.
That’s where Styles comes in. Styles is the linebacker to that side. His job is to fill the B gap vacated by Newton’s stunt. Then Leo Chenal has to work across from the back side to help fill in behind Styles. Styles attacks the B gap at the snap and fills his assignment. The right guard peels off his block on Newton and works across just in time to pick up Styles, which enables the running back to cut his run back inside behind Styles and the right guard. But that means the run hits in the A gap, which isn’t Styles’ responsibility. He did his job filling the B gap and forcing the back to cut his run inside towards the rest of the defense.
Unfortunately, Newton gets caught up on the center. Dolphins center Aaron Brewer is one of the best centers in the league and he manages to keep Newton engaged just long enough to open that A gap for the running back. Chenal does his best to try and get across to fill that A gap from the back side, but left tackle Patrick Paul works down the line and manages to push Chenal out of the gap as the back runs through it. That’s what enables the back to break through the line of scrimmage and into the secondary for a nice gain. But for Styles, he did his job just fine, so this one isn’t on him.
Bullock’s Film Room (subscription)
Commanders Film Review: Brandon Coleman vs Dolphins
On Friday night, the Commanders had their preseason opener against the Dolphins and while most of their starters rested, Coleman played alongside Paul for the first few series. He only played 12 snaps total, which is obviously a small sample size, but there were signs of encouragement there.
[The analysis below refers to the play embedded in this tweet]
On this play, Coleman faces Dolphins edge rusher Chop Robinson, a first round pick back in 2024 with excellent speed and ability to dip and bend around the corner. Robinson takes a wide alignment pre-snap, trying to give himself the best possible angle of attack. At the snap, Coleman closes off that angle with two smooth but quick kicksteps that gain good width and depth. With Coleman able to take away the speed rush thanks to his quick feet, Robinson has to attempt something else.
Robinson attempts a stutter move. In his rookie year, Coleman may have fallen for this and lunged at the defender, but here he shows much more patience. He lets Robinson come to him and then strikes with a strong punch to Robinson’s outside shoulder at the perfect time. That punch stuns Robinson for a beat and takes away his path to the edge. Robinson brings up his own hand to try and swipe Coleman’s hand down, but Coleman shows good hand strength to keep himself attached.
If I’m being nitpicky, Coleman is a little off-balance here. If you pause the clip as Robinson swipes with his outside hand on Coleman’s outside hand, you can see Coleman is reaching just slightly as his feet are still gaining depth while his hands stay engaged. Ideally he’d keep his feet under him a bit more to maintain a more powerful position, but he still has enough power to gain control of this block. Robinson then closes the gap and tries to convert to power, but Coleman has all the leverage and wins the rep comfortably.
Those stutter moves were often issues for Coleman in his rookie year because he was so eager to strike with his hands and initiate contact with the defender that he would end up lunging and losing balance. But he displayed a few times in this game he could be more patient, even against those stutter moves.
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The Athletic (paywall)
Commanders QB Marcus Mariota sprains MCL, will likely miss rest of preseason: Sources
Washington Commanders quarterback Marcus Mariota sprained his MCL in the team’s preseason win over the Miami Dolphins on Friday, according to two league sources who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly on the matter. Although his timetable for return is not yet clear, he is likely done for the rest of preseason, at least.
To read more of this article, CLICK HERE
Last Man Standig (paywall)
Why Marcus Mariota is more indispensable than Washington would like
It’s not that Mariota’s talent level at 32 is particularly singular. It’s that he has shown a knack for giving Washington’s offense at least a puncher’s chance whenever Daniels is unavailable. It’s unclear whether the other two reserve quarterbacks, Athan Kaliakmanis and Sam Hartman, can even throw a jab at the NFL level.
Going with 39-year-old Josh Johnson for the final two games in 2025, with Washington long ago eliminated from the playoffs, spoke volumes about the staff’s view of Hartman as an on-field consideration. Entering his third season, Hartman has shown little reason to think that view has changed.
Quinn said there is no plan to add another quarterback in the interim. Maybe Mariota is indeed ready for Week 1. Maybe Daniels avoids the injury bug after missing 10 games last season. Perhaps that’s a coy comment as the front office works the phones.
But entering the remainder of camp without another veteran quarterback feels like a significant risk. Washington also risks having to carry three quarterbacks on the initial 53 rather than using the third spot for depth elsewhere if Mariota’s Week 1 optimism falls flat.
For more from Ben Standig, click here
ESPN
NFL Future Power Rankings: 2027-29 projections for 32 teams
In our annual Future Power Rankings, we’re not focused on the outcome of this season. Instead, we’re ranking all 32 teams by who is primed to be among the league’s best from the 2027 through 2029 seasons.
20. Washington Commanders (Overall score: 76.5)
Reason for hope: A healthy Jayden Daniels season would go a long way to elevating the Commanders’ standing here — doubly so if it comes with a strong showing from first-time playcaller David Blough. Perhaps more than any other team in the bottom half, the Commanders have a chance to vault into the top five with a reminder of Daniels’ near-MVP-level ability from 2024. Tons of new defensive infusions — via free agency and in the coaching ranks — should give that unit a shot in the arm, too. — Solak
Reason for concern: Everything that surrounds Daniels concerns me — the offensive line, makeup of the receivers room, big-play ability of the running backs room and early competency of Blough. Daniels is a superstar. Make no mistake about that. I’m just afraid we won’t get to see the best of him if general manager Adam Peters doesn’t support him better. — Riddick
Nugget to know: Washington was the oldest team last season by snap-weighted age, ranking No. 1 on defense and special teams, and No. 4 on offense.— Schatz
Bold prediction for 2027-29: The Commanders will trade OL Brandon Coleman for a nice return ahead of the 2027 season. Coleman will step in at left tackle while Laremy Tunsil recovers from triceps surgery. Coleman has had a strong 90.7% pass block win rate at tackle over his career, including a 92.3% last season (albeit with a lot more double-team help than Tunsil had). A big season from Coleman could garner the interest of another team. — Walder
To read more of this article, CLICK HERE
Commanders Roundtable
TE Colson Yankoff flashed reliable hands and run-blocking ability against Miami
He did enough to justify the hype and hope to see more as the season goes on. Washington’s tight end room is built around Chig Okonkwo as the primary receiving weapon, Ben Sinnott as the developmental piece, and John Bates as the blocking anchor. Yankoff isn’t threatening any of those three spots right now. What he is doing is making a very strong case for a four-tight-end game-day roster in specific offensive packages where his speed and receiving ability can create a matchup problem.
David Blough’s offense will use two-tight-end sets as a foundational concept, and the more Washington can stress defenses with multiple receiving threats at the position, the more difficult those sets become to defend. Yankoff splitting out wide next to Okonkwo on the same play creates a coverage problem that most base defenses aren’t equipped to handle. That’s not a role for every week — but it’s a contribution.
To read more of this article, CLICK HERE
From Riggo’s Rag:
Yankoff’s route-running looks much better. He brought in two of his three targets, and the fluidity of his blocking has also improved. This tape matches what he’s showing at camp, which is always the best way to stick around.
If there were any remaining doubts about Yankoff’s status on the 53-man roster, they should now be alleviated. He offers real value on special teams, but his growth in other areas may also be rewarded when the regular season begins.
To read more of this Riggo’s Rag article, CLICK HERE
Riggo’s Rag
Dan Quinn quietly raises alarm over Trey Amos as Commanders’ concern deepens
There is no timetable for Amos’ return. Quinn acknowledged there are some significant hurdles to overcome, and there was also concern in the building. The next couple of weeks will be telling, but it doesn’t look especially promising right now.
“That’ll be an important piece for Trey (Amos), too, to get back to saying, okay, not only just the movements, the skills, the conditioning. So, yeah, there’s certainly concern. He’s working hard, but with these next two and a half weeks, I would say those would be important.
“And so maybe in a week or so time I’ll have a better estimate to say, okay, they do this return-to-play, which I love following, but I need to see each of the steps made.”
This is a big problem.
The Commanders got themselves an insurance policy with the signing of veteran corner Rasul Douglas, who’s had a standout camp. They also have Antonio Hamilton Sr. for added depth, but losing Amos for some early regular-season games will be a bitter blow.
The former Ole Miss star was highly thought of en route to becoming the No. 61 overall selection in the 2026 NFL Draft. Amos flashed as a rookie before his campaign was cruelly cut short. His problems have only grown since, with one setback after another leaving his status firmly in doubt.
To read more of this article, CLICK HERE
Last Man Standig (paywall)
Commanders camp reset: The “special” questions coming into focus
All signals point to Frankie Luvu being the one linebacker on the field for every healthy snap. The battle is for the snaps next to him. And, oddly enough, Leo Chenal’s special teams prowess might give Sonny Styles a slight nudge. Chenal already has a significant role on Larry Izzo’s units. Styles doesn’t. That could make it easier for Washington to tilt the defensive workload toward the first-round pick.
Led by stalwarts Nick Bellore, Jeremy Reaves and Percy Butler, Washington’s special teams ranked third in DVOA last season, according to FTN Fantasy. For comparison, the offense ranked 23rd and the defense 28th.
Punter Tress Way received his second Pro Bowl selection. Rookie Jaylin Lane tied for the league lead with two punts returned for touchdowns. Luke McCaffrey’s 29.6-yard average on kickoff returns tied for sixth. Jake Moody settled into the kicker role over the second half of the season. Yet the true heartbeat of the group was the coverage units. That’s also where the most significant change is coming.
For more from Ben Standig, click here
Riggo’s Rag
4 Commanders who cemented roster spots in preseason Week 1 and 3 on thin ice
Thin Ice: Julian Good-Jones – Commanders OL
Sixth-round rookie Matt Gulbin showed what he could potentially bring as a long-term piece of the puzzle against the Miami Dolphins. It’s been a slow burn for the Michigan State product this summer, but a game-day environment brought the best out of him, drawing praise from Quinn after the contest.
That was not the case with Julian Good-Jones. The experience factor saw him get the nod over Gulbin, but the Commanders should now shift course.
Good-Jones has struggled to generate any positive momentum at training camp. His flaws were once again glaring in the first preseason game, so his chances of making the 53-man roster appear to be fading.
To read more of this article, CLICK HERE
Photos
Podcasts & videos
WORTH FINISHING: Sonny Styles’ Commanders Debut Shows Real LB Signs
I Was WRONG About Kaytron Allen! Sonny Styles NARRATIVES OUT OF CONTROL! Commanders Overreactions!
Nick Cross Mic’d Up For Joint Practice With The Miami Dolphins | Washington Commanders | NFL
NFC East links
The Athletic (paywall)
Giants stock report: Malachi Fields soars; will Tyrone Tracy Jr.’s big miss cost him?
CB Deonte Banks
The caveat here is that Banks has had a strong camp thanks to a fresh start under a new coaching staff and meaningful reps at starting corner due to injury. But in Saturday’s game, the cornerback’s tendency to commit errors popped up, as he was flagged for two penalties in coverage.
“The first one, I had bad eyes. That was on me,” Banks said. “The second one, I don’t know what you want me to do there. But hey, I’m not a ref so I wouldn’t know.”
Again, Banks has gotten a fresh start with the new staff and has shown progress, but the cornerback depth chart remains a source of worry for the Giants right now.
WR Odell Beckham Jr.
Beckham made his first appearance in his second stint with the Giants with under five minutes to go in the second quarter. He was greeted by loud cheers from the home crowd, as they happily welcomed back one of their favorite stars of yesteryear. However, Beckham only finished with two receptions for six yards. For a player fighting for a roster spot, it just wasn’t the production he needs to secure a place on the roster. Still, Beckham was getting open. On at least two occasions, Beckham looked to have worked his way free of coverage, but the ball didn’t go his way.
To read more of this article, CLICK HERE
Blogging the Boys
3 reasons why Von Miller signing is awesome for Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys are signing Von Miller. That is a real sentence, people.
Whatever you think of Von these days it feels fair to say that you can at least agree that this is an exciting thing. The Cowboys are very much awake and alert, and Von’s presence is the latest proof of that.
Miller is one of the most decorated players of his generation and has two Super Bowls to his name, not to mention Super Bowl 50 MVP honors, to prove it. He can significantly help the Cowboys in a number of ways which is why the move is so exciting.
To read more of this article, CLICK HERE
NFL league links
Articles
Pro Football Talk
Jamal Adams injury could set the stage for Harrison Smith’s return
it’s clear that a potential reunion has been on the table. Consider the comments from linebacker Blake Cashman to KFAN.
“I will say Harry’s earned the right to take as much time as he needs and wants,” Cashman said on August 5. “I’m sure there’s different dialogue between him, his agent, and the coaching staff, but the guy’s earned the right, I think, not to be here for the meantime if that’s what he chooses.
“If he does choose to come back, or not, that’s his decision. We do miss him, and we’ve got to fill that void, but that’s what training camp is for, to get those reps in and practice that.”
If there was already a void, there’s even more of one now.
Smith, a first-round pick in 2012 who has played his entire career with the Vikings, doesn’t need to be part of the grind of training camp. The preseason isn’t a prerequisite.
To read more of this article, CLICK HERE
NFL.com
Packers CB Keisean Nixon believes he’s being ‘punished’ with backup reps
“I guess I’m being punished right now, I guess, I don’t know,” Nixon said Sunday via ESPN. “I don’t really worry about what I’m running in camp, ones or twos. I just keep my process and just compete — for real.”
Nixon, who was named to the Pro Bowl last year after being an alternate, said he isn’t sure why his starting spot could be in jeopardy.
“I don’t view myself in no competition,” Nixon said. “I’ve come here to compete for myself. What they do and who they choose, that’s out of my control. I can only control what I can control. Nah, I came from the bottom. So I’m here. Year 8. Since I’ve been here, I ain’t been off the field. And anything they’ve asked me to do, I played at a high level. Whether it was, getting accolades or anything, however it came, I showed up. So, I always show up.”
Nixon grew from a reserve who played mainly the nickel spot and was an All-Pro returner early in his Packers tenure into an outside corner. In 2025, he started all 17 games and played 1,017 snaps out wide. As the Packers’ top CB, who led the league with 15 PBUs last year, Nixon has been heavily criticized by the fanbase for inconsistency, penalties (13, including those accepted and declined, per ESPN), and his lack of tackling. Nixon appearing to shy away from a goal-line tackle in Green Bay’s playoff loss to rival Chicago is the go-to example for fans venting their frustrations. Nixon also missed a tackle in the Packers preseason game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Coach Matt LaFleur has made it clear in public comments that he wants better tackling from his corners, which could be one reason Nixon’s job isn’t guaranteed.
“They ain’t really told me nothing,” Nixon said. “Every day, I find out a different thing, and I just attack it. I don’t care what it is, whether it’s me taking reps on special teams, whatever it is. I attack it, though. I’m here. Can’t really run me off, so I’m ready to play ball.”
