While no one would argue that the Washington Commanders had the best secondary in the NFL last season, combined with the team’s pass rush, it was expected to be a solid unit.
Unfortunately for defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio, Washington’s secondary was plagued by mistakes throughout the first half of last season. Coaches and players stressed it was an easy issue to correct, and slowly, the secondary improved throughout the second half of last season until injuries took a toll.
Every coach and player who discussed Washington’s struggles all said the same thing: the communication must be better.
Through two days of training camp, the Commanders’ secondary has looked like it could be a strength. And according to head coach Ron Rivera, communication is a significant factor.
“Well, the one thing we talked a little bit about at the end of OTAs and mini-camps is I really liked the communication with the secondary,” Rivera said. “And today was a day where it was a little bit ahead.”
Part of Washington’s issues last season was missed assignments. A cornerback expected help deep and didn’t get it, or a safety believed he had another assignment, leading to big plays.
Safety Bobby McCain summed it up perfectly:
“That’s one thing we’re preaching in the room, man just communicating,” McCain said. “Like I said earlier, if you’re all wrong, you’re all right. So if you communicate and everybody gets it across the board, you know, there’s not too many teams that’ll beat you athletically.”
Far too often, and it didn’t matter who the coaches or players were, it seemed Washington had issues communicating in the secondary. It’s clearly been a focus this offseason and the early returns are good.
If the Commanders are better in the secondary, the entire front seven will be much better.