NFC East news: Washington needs results from players currently under the radar
The latest news from around the division.
4 secret weapons Washington Commanders must profit from in 2024 - Dean Jones, RiggosRag.com
Some under the radar players need to show up for Washington.
It’s a new day for the Washington Commanders in 2024. The slate has been wiped clean following two decades of dismay, replaced by a brighter future with long-term promise under Josh Harris’ ownership group.
Rome wasn’t built in a day. Most fans are approaching with cautious optimism. Others are bordering on delusions about what the Commanders might be capable of during their first season with Dan Quinn leading the charge.
Things won’t be a bed of roses all the time. For the Commanders to thrive next season, they must ensure profitability from these secret weapons in 2024.
Dominique Hampton - Commanders S
Earning reps will be the biggest challenge facing Dominique Hampton. The sixth-round selection was seen as a development project with the right character to gradually emerge into a prominent feature. However, the standout safety will have bigger ambitions entering Year 1 of his professional career.
The Washington Commanders have fierce competition for places in their safety room. Hampton faces a challenging few weeks before his fate is decided, but don’t be surprised if he can surge forward much quicker than anticipated.
It could go either way for Hampton initially. But he won’t be found wanting for effort that’s for sure.
Olamide Zaccheaus - Commanders WR
The Washington Commanders had to strengthen their wide receiver options this offseason. This bears more significance when one considers the presence of rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels - a man with the entire fate of the franchise resting on his young shoulders after becoming the No. 2 overall selection in the 2024 NFL Draft.
One notable arrival came in the form of Olamide Zaccheaus. The veteran wideout knows Dan Quinn well from their time together with the Atlanta Falcons. He’s been a solid if not spectacular performer throughout his career, carving a niche for moving the chains and doing his best work from the slot.
With the likes of Daniels, Terry McLaurin, Jahan Dotson, and Washington’s rushing attack taking up attention, a big opportunity awaits Zaccheaus with a strong start.
Devin Singletary: Can Giants get enough from their new No. 26? - Ed Valentine, BigBlueView.com
RB Devin Singletary looks to be himself, filling Saquon Barkley’s position.
Saquon Barkley motored on down the road to Philadelphia in free agency, the New York Giants for two offseasons unwilling to give him the contract he thought he deserved. In his place as lead back with the Giants is Devin ‘Motor’ Singletary.
2024 outlook
Singletary, who will wear the No. 26 that used to belong to Barkley, was a natural fit as Barkley’s successor. He is a veteran player who is secure in what he can do, and he is familiar to head coach Brian Daboll and GM Joe Schoen after three years together with them in Buffalo.
“I’ve had familiarity with Devin. Devin has been a productive back when he was with me at Buffalo, he did a good job at Houston. Has some good leadership traits about him,” Daboll said during OTAs.
“He’s been in the league for a little bit here. He knows our system inside and out. He was in Houston for one year, but he’s very comfortable with how we do things.”
Singletary isn’t bothered by the perception of playing in Barkley’s shadow.
“Just ball out and win games. That’s the biggest thing,” Singletary said. “That’s our focus anyway: Win games. We aren’t really worried about the shadow of Saquon or none of that. It’s just finding ways to win games.”
Singletary should anchor the Giants’ running back room and be a good mentor for whichever young players from the group of Tyrone Tracy Jr., Eric Gray, Dante Miller, Jashaun Corbin, and Jacob Saylors make the roster.
32 Teams in 32 Days: Eagles Face Questions After Late-Season Collapse - Matt Verderame, Sports Illustrated
Philly’s 2023 downfall still leaves more questions than answers.
No team has more puzzling questions to answer in 2024 than the Philadelphia Eagles.
In the offseason, the Eagles decided to retain coach Nick Sirianni, though he remains on a fairly warm seat. They also shuffled the coaching staff, including the hires of offensive coordinator Kellen Moore and defensive coordinator Vic Fangio.
Going into 2024, the question is simple: Which Eagles team will show up?
Biggest gamble this offseason: Retaining Nick Sirianni
Nobody can reasonably argue that retaining Sirianni is a bad move. Conversely, it can’t be completely defended, either.
In three seasons as coach, Sirianni has made the playoffs each time, once culminating in a Super Bowl appearance. However, last season was a disaster after a promising start, with Philadelphia essentially looking like a team out of answers, out of emotion and in some cases, out of effort to give.
For Philadelphia, the pressure of starting the season off well will be enormous. A bad September, and people will be burning up talk radio lines to scream about Sirianni and the direction of the franchise. A good start, and the masses will be somewhat appeased.
Almost certainly, the choice to retain Sirianni will be the narrative of this season, one way or the other.
Best-case scenario: The Eagles correct course and dominate the NFC
As mentioned, no team had a better start and worse ending to their season last year than Philadelphia.
Now, after an offseason to diagnose what happened, the Eagles have a chance to make corrections and become a dominant team once more.
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