It’s a casual affair with an important mission, and one exciting detail? The rookies bring the snacks! This little tradition adds a light-hearted vibe to what is otherwise a serious strategy session. But don’t let the fun fool you—the stakes are high. With the entire secondary gathered around, the team dives deep into reviewing game film, breaking down plays, and ensuring everyone is seeing things the same way.
One of the team’s leaders, safety Jeremy Chinn, highlights how crucial this extra time together has become. “Just getting together in the morning early and talking through what we see—how we see certain things and making sure we’re all seeing things the same way,” Chinn explained. What’s even more exciting is that this effort is spreading beyond just the secondary. “Toward the end of last week, we had the whole defense in there, so I think that’s something we’re trying to work toward,” he added. It’s this level of commitment that gives the Commanders hope of turning around a defense that's been plagued by critical mistakes.
But how did this all start? In years past, players like Jeremy Reaves and former defensive backs Kam Curl and Kendall Fuller would gather informally to review film. But it wasn’t an everyday occurrence. The full group didn’t have a consistent schedule, and this kind of pre-practice ritual wasn’t a part of the daily grind. That changed this season. Now, the Breakfast Club is a daily commitment, helping to address issues that have previously haunted the Commanders’ defense.
Noah Igbinoghene, a former first-round draft pick by the Miami Dolphins, knows firsthand how unique this setup is. “I was never part of anything like this when I was with the Dolphins or the Cowboys,” Igbinoghene said. “But this constant communication and getting around each other as a brotherhood helps us on the field because there’s a lot of stuff we have to remember.”
This need for cohesion and communication stems from a recurring problem: Washington’s defense has been prone to breakdowns on the field. Missed assignments, blown tackles, poor angles, and communication lapses have repeatedly allowed opponents to exploit the defense, leading to explosive plays. In fact, in their recent 30-23 loss to the Baltimore Ravens, these very issues were front and center.
Washington's defense had gone all-in on trying to contain the Ravens' potent rushing attack, which also happened to be the top-scoring offense in the NFL. By loading the box, they committed to stopping the run but left the secondary in more man-to-man coverage—a strategy that wasn’t exactly in their comfort zone. While the defense held its own early in the game, it wasn’t long before the Ravens found ways to capitalize on Washington’s mistakes, resulting in big plays and ultimately sealing the Commanders' fate.
Safety Jeremy Chinn reflects on the frustration: “You look back, and there’s only three or four plays [that were problematic], but those three or four plays lose football games. So, just cleaning up those things. I feel like we had a lot of free runners, and our communication wasn’t always the best or where it should be. But we’re here to work and continue to improve.”
And improve they must—Washington’s defense allowed a staggering 12 explosive plays in Week 6, which pushed their season total to 53. They currently hold the dubious honor of allowing the highest rate of explosive plays in the NFL. That’s not all. They rank 29th in opponent yards per play, third-down conversion rate, and red-zone efficiency. These are critical metrics for any defense, and right now, they’re dragging the Commanders down.
Cornerback Benjamin St-Juste acknowledged the close nature of the game against Baltimore. “It wasn’t that big of a gap. It was a pretty close game, so if we can eliminate those small things… we just beat ourselves. These small things could have made the game go a little bit different toward the fourth quarter.”
It’s not just the secondary that bears the blame. The issues facing Washington’s defense span all three levels—the defensive line, linebackers, and secondary. And while the group has shown signs of improvement in the two games before the Ravens matchup, there are still glaring issues that need to be addressed.
Depth is a big concern, too. Cornerback Emmanuel Forbes Jr., the Commanders’ first-round pick in 2023, was a healthy scratch last week, raising eyebrows about his future with the team. Head Coach Dan Quinn took time to talk with Forbes, assuring him that “it’s not always going to be this rocky” and encouraging him to stay ready for when his number is called.
While Quinn tries to motivate his players, he’s also dealing with an increasingly thin defensive line. The team was dealt a significant blow when starting tackle Jonathan Allen tore his left pectoral muscle in the third quarter against the Ravens. Adding insult to injury, end Dorance Armstrong left the game with a rib or oblique injury, and end Javontae Jean-Baptiste also suffered an ankle injury. With Allen and Jean-Baptiste now on injured reserve, and Armstrong’s availability for Sunday’s game uncertain, the Commanders have scrambled to reinforce their defensive front.
The team signed defensive tackle Sheldon Day from their practice squad, added free-agent defensive end Jalyn Holmes, and brought in tackle Carl Davis to the practice squad. These moves are expected to impact the defensive line rotation, but the ripple effect will be felt throughout the entire defense. The pressure will also shift to second-round rookie Johnny Newton, who will be asked to step up in Allen’s absence.
As the Commanders adapt to these changes, the role of the secondary becomes even more critical. They’ll need to continue building on the chemistry and communication they’ve been working on in the Breakfast Club. Eliminating mistakes and improving coverage will be paramount.
As Igbinoghene pointed out, “I feel like the extra meeting time just helps us. It might not be that much, but over time it could be the difference for us.”
In the end, it’s the small details that could make all the difference between a win and a loss. Washington’s defense knows they’re capable of more, and with the Breakfast Club now a daily ritual, they’re taking the steps necessary to ensure they don’t just beat themselves. Whether it’s eliminating blown tackles, improving communication, or simply tightening up coverage, the path to redemption starts in those early morning meetings.
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