The Daily Slop – 1 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 (this very detailed article can be read for free in its entirety)
How NFL Training Camp Installs Work
Obviously, I don’t have David Blough’s playbook and camp installs as he’s a first time offensive coordinator and has only just put them together. But I do have some other examples
to give you a good idea of what exactly is going on inside the building. Different teams will do things differently but generally teams will go about things in one of two ways. Some teams prefer to have meetings and install sessions in the morning, then take those teachings out to the field for practice in the afternoon, before reviewing the film in the evening. It’s a nice way of having a clear blocked out day for each install session.
Other teams will do things slightly differently. They might prefer to have the install meetings in the evening, giving players something to study at home in the evening and test their retention at practice the following morning. Then after practice they’ll review the film in the afternoon before moving onto the next install session in the evening.
Both are valid options. I believe Dan Quinn typically prefers the latter option with install meetings at night and practice first thing in the morning
Most offenses will break up their playbook into 10-14 install days, depending on the volume of plays they have in the playbook. On day one, they will be installing their core fundamental plays and then, if the coordinator is organized and well structured, they will add layers to those day one concepts in the following days to build out the offense. So what does this look like exactly? Well, here’s an example from Kyle Shanahan’s 2018 training camp install with the San Francisco 49ers.
There are lots of situational football things that come up at camp too. Dan Quinn in particular loves to allocate time for specific situations like red zone or two minute drills. Those will be different parts of the playbook but installed in the same way. Most teams will have about 12 days of installing their offense like this, building up layers and layers for their players each day.
A trend I’ve seen more recently is that many teams will often reset back to day one of installs midway through training camp. Camp lasts a lot longer than just 12 days, so resetting halfway through to ensure everything is fully installed and the finer details are understood is a good way to go about things. Not every team will do that though. Dan Quinn said in his press conference yesterday they had already been through the installs once during OTAs and mini camp, so that will certainly help.
To read more of this article, CLICK HERE
Hogs Haven
Does WAS have a SB Offense?
If you look at WRs only, the WAS crew comes up very short unless you are projecting historic performance improvements from several of them and unless Antonio Williams delivers the performance of the first rounder that NFL scouts once thought he was.
However, if you look at the top 3 receivers at any position on SB teams, it’s a different story. It turns out 13 of the last 20 SB teams have a TE or a RB as one of their top 3 receivers, and 4 of those teams had the combination of WR, TE, and RB in the top 3 receiving positions. WAS doesn’t look so bad seen in that light.
McLaurin locks down the WR position. Onkonkwo is below but not that far from #2 averages, 56 receptions for 560 yards versus 68 for 877 for the average #2 on a SB team. It’s not hard to imagine that he can produce more with Daniels than he did with Cam Ward. White is almost exactly at the #3 average for receptions (his career average is 52, versus 51 for the average #3 receiver on a SB team). However, his yardage is on the light side at 368 versus an average #3 of 595. This is not a new problem for White. He has always had a low yards / reception number even for a running back. But he makes a credible #3 option. Although Okonkwo and White are not elite receivers, they are good and they are better than those on some teams that won the SB. I was surprised at how often SB teams had only one elite receiving option – or none, in a few cases.
To read more of this article, CLICK HERE
Commanders.com
Hail Mail | Camp stars and early rookie thoughts
I know it’s early but who has impressed you so far in camp?
I was very impressed with what I saw from Treylon Burks on the first day of camp. I know he’s dealing with some foot soreness that forced him to miss Thursday’s practice, but he did several things that could help answer some questions the fans have about the wide receivers behind Terry McLaurin.
As for the foot soreness, I know fans are going to feel uneasy about it, considering his injury history with the Tennessee Titans. I can empathize with those feelings, but foot soreness is not the same as a sprain or a soft tissue injury, so let’s take Quinn for his word that it’s not overly concerning and see how camp progresses before making any conclusions.
Heard defense is faster this year, how has the offense adapted?
I think the offense is in the process of finding that adaptation that you’re looking for. From a straight-up execution standpoint, I feel like both sides of the ball have been relatively equal, although the defense did perform better on Thursday than Wednesday. But it does take some time to truly get a feel for what a defense is trying to do to you. Eventually, the ball will come out quicker at a more consistent rate. The offensive line will work together to counter the pass rush’s speed.
So, just to answer your question succinctly, the offense is in the process of matching the defense’s speed and is making progress there. Also, keep in mind that defenses tend to look better when the pads aren’t on because of the restrictions on contact. I think we’ll have a better idea of where the units stack up when the pads come on next week.
To read more of this article, CLICK HERE
Sports Illustrated
Washington “Continues Monitoring Stefon Diggs” as WR Options Narrow — Commanders Daily
To be clear, monitoring Diggs does not mean Washington is negotiating with him. What it does tell us is that Washington is interested, but appears to be trying to let it play out with the guys already in their building. Keim would not tweet that for any other reason. Washington could continue to evaluate their talent in the receiver room for the rest of camp without completely closing the door on adding another proven veteran.
Commanders Welcome Fans for Back Together Saturday
The Commanders will hold their first public training camp practice Saturday as part of the NFL’s Back Together Weekend. Parking lots open at 7 a.m., gates open at 7:30 a.m., and practice begins at 8:30 a.m. ET at the BigBear.ai Performance Center in Ashburn. The team will also hold fan activities, including a kids zone, appearances by Redskins legends, and additional entertainment around the practice.
To read more of this article, CLICK HERE
Podcasts & videos
Set The Standard | Commanders Log: Season 5, Episode 4
Commanders Training Camp Days 1 & 2 Recap: David Blough & Jayden Daniels Shine | Take Command
Commanders camp + site update – Live with Ben Standig
NFC East links
Star Telegram
Dak Prescott says the Cowboys have ‘the greatest offense there is’
In early July, Prescott took the offensive skill players on an annual trip to bond and workout together for three days. This year, the destination was Park City, Utah where they spent some time on the lake in cool weather. While they were on the trip, Prescott presented a nickname for the offense heading into 2026 that he said was met with a lot of positive reviews: GOTI, meaning “Greatest Offense There Is”. “We were close to some historic things last year,” Prescott said. “And when you have the guys [on the offense], why can’t we be? Let’s be the Greatest Offense There Is. You’ve heard of the Greatest Show On Turf and all of the other nicknames. We take pride in it, and it’s the way we’ve been practicing.”
NFL league links
Articles
ESPN
Tony Romo placed on leave by CBS Sports following arrest
CBS Sports has placed NFL analyst Tony Romo on leave following his arrest last week on suspicion of driving under the influence, the network announced Friday.
Romo received three citations from the Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Office following a July 23 traffic stop after he was seen passing cars in a gore area, which separates interstate traffic from cars entering from an on-ramp.
“Tony Romo is on leave from his role at CBS Sports until further notice,” the network said in a statement.
Romo, 46, has been the lead game analyst for CBS’ NFL coverage since 2017 after making four Pro Bowl appearances during an NFL career that ran from 2004 to 2016 and was spent entirely with the Dallas Cowboys.
With Romo on leave, former Houston Texans pass rusher J.J. Watt will step in as CBS’ lead game analyst to work with Jim Nantz and Tracy Wolfson. Watt became a game analyst last season after first joining the network in 2023.
To read more of this article, CLICK HERE
The Athletic (paywall)
Tony Romo, CBS at a breaking point after leave: ‘Worst contract in media history’
When CBS Sports signed Tony Romo to a 10-year, $180 million contract in 2020, a top sports media executive called me immediately after and said, “This is the worst contract in media history.”
It may end up being just that.
CBS has called a timeout on the deal after Romo’s arrest for operating a vehicle while intoxicated. Following the arrest has been a steady drip of new information, including 45 minutes’ worth of multi-angle video of the traffic stop during which Romo is given a citation for an open container of alcohol that contradicted him saying he had no drinks.
Romo’s contract calls for him to receive a nearly implausible $72 million over the next four years, but he is going to have to make quite a case to get his top job back.
To read more of this article, CLICK HERE
Discussion topics
The Athletic (paywall)
Can a team compete with $179m in dead cap? Dolphins are about to find out
The Dolphins’ $179.2 million in dead salary cap is the most in NFL history, and they’re at a distinct financial disadvantage with their books clogged by players who currently ply their trade elsewhere, if anywhere at all. With roughly $120 million in cap space projected to their top-53 players, according to Over The Cap, the Dolphins are essentially rostering a team under the salary cap constraints of the 2011 season — a time when Tom Brady and Peyton Manning paced the quarterback market with contracts worth $18 million annually.
Tua Tagovailoa became the first $50 million quarterback to lose his job for performance. Tagovailoa, who accounts for $55.4 million in dead money in 2026, was a necessary cut to symbolize a new era. From there, the Dolphins released wide receiver Tyreek Hill ($28.2 million in dead money), linebacker Bradley Chubb ($11 million) and traded wideout Jaylen Waddle ($23.2 million) for a first-round pick and safety Minkah Fitzpatrick ($13 million) in a cap dump.
Since the 2025 trade of Jalen Ramsey ($20.8 million) and the retirement of tackle Terron Armstead ($10.7 million) are still on the books, seven of the Dolphins’ nine biggest cap hits currently belong to players who won’t play a snap for them this season.
To read more of this article, CLICK HERE
Over the Cap
$50M QBs in the NFL
For years the QB market has been over inflated by lack of options and fear of the unknown. In modern NFL history there has been little structure to the market and it has mainly been a “next man up” driven salary structure. This more or less traces back to an extension signed by Aaron Rodgers way back in 2013 that essentially [p]ut almost no distance between himself and Joe Flacco, which in turn created a system where everyone was paid like a star somewhere between those two players.
Mayfield is not wrong in his quest for $50 million a year. He is 27-24 with the Bucs, has draft cache and is in his early 30’s. $50 million represents about 16.6% of the salary cap. Players to earn more than 16.6% at signing include Kirk Cousins, Derek Carr, Carson Wentz, Jared Goff, Daniel Jones, Tua Tagovaiola, and Kyler Murray among others. If you look at what many other teams have done there is a pretty logical reason for him to hold firm on that number.
However, are the Bucs really wrong in saying no? I think it is fair for teams to start looking at the performances of many of these high priced QBs and ask if the return is really worth the big investment? I compiled a list of every QB to sign a contract for at least 16.6% of the salary cap since 2013 and just wanted to look at their starting record. Here are the metrics of the group:
I think if you take a step back and have an honest look at these numbers you can see why teams should be pushing back more on the QB contracts. Teams probably have a bit more to lean on with the Seahawks winning the title with a mid tier type contract at the position and that is something that had not existed in the past- all of the mid level signings ended up being poor players- but the problem is the alternative can be a total draft disaster if they do not get their QB locked up.
If there is a happy medium it probably is to make the QB contract more incentive based based on wins and performance to where a player like Mayfield can reach that $50M a year average if he delivers on the field year after year. That certainly is different than what we see now, but that may be an area that teams and players should look at in the future.
To read more of this article, CLICK HERE
