SNYDER
Panthers team he led to the Super Bowl in February 2016 — has been stoic in the face of the franchise’s turmoil. Despite being recently diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma in the neck, Rivera remains in charge and is overseeing a team with promise.
Start with rookie defensive end Chase Young, a former Ohio State star selected with Washington’s No. 2 overall pick in April.
Young, a 6-foot-5, 264pounder, has nearly fully recovered from a hip flexor injury. He played some snaps this week in drills and is expected to return to full participation soon, and Rivera was encouraged with his progress this week, and Young’s teammates told reporters about his businesslike approach and maturity for a 21-year-old top draft pick.
“I’m a worker,” Young told reporters in Ashburn this week. “I don’t have a problem with working. Adversity is always going to come, that’s life. So, me?
I’m always going to roll with the punches.”
On the offense, there’s promise too. Quarterback Dwayne Haskins, also a former star for Ohio State, is prepping for his second season, and he has in Rivera a coach who oversaw Cam Newton’s rise to stardom with Carolina.
Reports are that Haskins has has looked confident behind center and has hooked up with dynamic receiver Terry McLaurin for some big plays during training camp.
Veteran running back Adrian Peterson is still around, and former Virginia Tech quarterback Logan Thomas — drafted by Arizona as a quarterback in 2014 — has made a quick ascent at tight end. After being cut by three teams since being drafted, he’s found a home with Washington and is logging valuable time in camp.
Young and Haskins, and all the positive vibes during training camp, have been overshadowed by Snyder’s front-office mayhem. The hiring of new team president Jason Wright, the first Black team president in NFL history, seems like a distant memory even though he was introduced just last week. Also easily forgotten is quarterback Alex Smith’s remarkable return to practice from a horrific leg injury.
The Washington Football Team’s Sept. 13 season opener at FedEx Field can’t come soon enough. Let’s hope Snyder isn’t still around to see it from the owner’s box.
Jami Frankenberry, 757-446-2376, jami.frankenberry @pilotonline.com