Daily Slop – 15 May 25 – Everybody will be watching the NFC East this season

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, and a sprinkling of other stuff

Commanders links

Articles

Bullock’s Film Room

Why the Commanders re-signed TE John Bates

The first thing to note with Bates is that he has a mean streak to him. When we talk about offensive lineman, we always want to see that nasty streak, blocking through the whistle and finishing plays strongly to get under the skin of defenders and throw them off their game while establishing a tone. Bates isn’t quite an offensive lineman, but he does play with that same mentality.

This play against the Steelers is a great example of that mentality. The Commanders are running a zone scheme to their right with a read-option element added on to it. Bates is on the back side of the run, with his assignment being to help left tackle Brandon Coleman secure his block and then take over the block to allow Coleman to peel off and work up to the linebacker on the second level. Bates does well initially to work inside and help Coleman secure the defensive lineman.

However, as Coleman looks to climb up to the linebacker, the linebacker reads the running back cutting back to the left side of the line. That linebacker works around Coleman and attempts to get down to the line of scrimmage to make a play. Bates recognizes the issue and peels off the defensive lineman, who doesn’t know where the ball is, and picks up the linebacker instead. He gets just enough of the linebacker to prevent him from making the play, but then shows the nasty streak we all look for in the run game. Bates works hard to stay engaged in the block and ends up forcing the linebacker to the ground. The linebacker didn’t take too kindly to that block and the pair end up getting into a bit of a fight that had to be broken up by the referees.

Obviously you don’t want players getting into fights and receiving penalties as a result, but the play shows that Bates plays with the mentality of an offensive lineman rather than a normal tight end. That mentality is a key part of why he’s so important to the Commanders run game. But it’s not just mentality. Bates brings a lot to the run game as a blocker. He can perform a variety of different roles within various blocking schemes, which enables the Commanders to open up the playbook and scheme up some fun run plays.

---

ESPN

Book: Caleb Williams sought way around going to Chicago Bears

Quarterback Caleb Williams was so concerned about being picked by the Chicago Bears in 2024 that he and his family weighed circumventing the entire NFL draft, consulting with lawyers to figure out a way around the league’s collective bargaining agreement while considering signing with the United Football League, details from a forthcoming book reveal.

“Chicago is the place quarterbacks go to die,” Carl Williams, Caleb’s father, told Seth Wickersham, author of “American Kings: A Biography of the Quarterback,” in the months before the 2024 draft.

Caleb Williams wondered aloud to confidants: “Do I want to go there? I don’t think I can do it with [former Bears offensive coordinator Shane] Waldron.”

The forthcoming book, to be published in September, offers a detailed account of what it means to be a quarterback at various levels, from high school to college to the NFL, and what it’s like for legends in retirement. It features unprecedented access with dozens of quarterbacks and generational greats such as John Elway, Johnny Unitas, Warren Moon, members of the Manning family and Steve Young, among others. It also includes current signal-callers such as Kirk Cousins and Drake Maye.

---

Podcasts & videos

Why Josh Conerly Playing Guard Might Not Be Such A Bad Idea | Take Command

---

Photos

---

NFC East links

ESPN

How the Giants ended up with Dart, Wilson and Winston at QB

The Giants had inquired about Stafford prior to the trade deadline this past season, per multiple sources within the league. The Rams were fluttering around .500 at the time and there were whispers about the veteran’s future. It was more of a check-in to see where the situation stood rather than a serious inquiry. But the Giants would have been foolish not to at least gauge the possibility when a quarterback of that caliber became available, given their needs at the position at the time.

It’s why they reengaged in February when the Rams gave Stafford’s agent, Jimmy Sexton, permission to speak with other clubs because they were at an impasse about his salary. It led to a five-week dance where the Giants tried to pry Stafford from the Rams. They were willing to offer in the range of $50 million per season, a source with knowledge of negotiations told ESPN at the NFL scouting combine in early March.

The Raiders eventually got into the mix as well but in the end Stafford didn’t really want to uproot his family. He got two years and $84 million to stay in Los Angeles, less than what the Giants were willing to pay.

“I never really wanted to leave,” Stafford would say later.

---

NFL league links

Articles

ESPN

2025 NFL schedule release: Predictions, takeaways for 32 teams

Dallas Cowboys

The Cowboys will end Kyler Murray’s dominance at AT&T Stadium. The Cardinals’ quarterback has not lost in Arlington, Texas, sporting an 8-0 record as a starting quarterback. Just two of those games have come in the NFL. He won five games while at Allen (Texas) High School, won a Big 12 championship game for Oklahoma and is 2-0 as the Cardinals’ starter. Only Dak Prescott and Tony Romo have more wins at AT&T Stadium. Read more from Todd Archer

New York Giants

The Giants will steal a win on the road in the first two weeks against a division rival. For most teams, that might not seem like much. But New York went 0-6 in the division last year and needs to get off to a strong start. The Giants have won their season opener just twice in the past 13 years, with their only two playoff seasons coming in years when they won in Week 1. Read more from Jordan Raanan

Philadelphia Eagles

The Eagles will have to fight out of a small hole at the beginning of the season. The Cowboys, Chiefs and Rams all have something to prove, with two of them — Kansas City and Los Angeles — losing to the Eagles last postseason. Philadelphia will be adjusting to a new offensive coordinator in Kevin Patullo following the departure of Kellen Moore this offseason, while the defense will be breaking in several new starters. That could equal a loss or two early on. Read more from Tim McManus

Washington Commanders

Washington will win three of its last four games to clinch a playoff spot. It will mark the first time since the 1991-92 seasons that the organization has made the playoffs in consecutive years. The Commanders will beat the Giants and Cowboys and split with the Eagles to follow up a 12-win first season under coach Dan Quinn. These wins will help Washington win double-digit games in back-to-back years for the first time since 1989-91. Read more from John Keim

---

Discussion topics

---

All aTwitter