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Imagine it’s the 2009 NFL Draft and the Washington Commanders choose offensive guard T.J. Lang out of Eastern Michigan instead of pass rusher Brian Orakpo with the 13th pick in the selection meeting.
Orakpo became a significant part of the Commanders' defense from 2009 to 2014. He earned three Pro Bowl selections and totaled 255 tackles, 40 sacks, and even had an interception returned for a touchdown. His impact was undeniable for the team's defense.
But in this do-over draft, Pro Football Focus (PFF) has Washington selecting Lang, who was selected in the fourth round in reality, and would have addressed one of the team’s biggest weaknesses — the offensive line.
Just like in recent seasons, the Commanders struggled up front in 2009, ranking near the bottom in both pass blocking and run blocking, according to PFF. Lang could’ve helped change that. He had a solid 10-year NFL career, primarily with the Green Bay Packers, earning two Pro Bowl selections and achieving an impressive 85.7 pass-blocking grade.
Known for his toughness, consistency, and ability to protect the quarterback, Lang was exactly the kind of player Washington needed.
While Orakpo had a strong career, picking Lang would’ve represented a different philosophy — let’s build a strong offensive line. It’s a strategy Washington seems to be embracing now: fast-forward to the 2025 NFL Draft.
Even though the 2009 draft can’t be redone, the Commanders are trying to make up for past misses. They’ve recently invested in the offensive line by drafting Josh Conerly and trading for star tackle Laremy Tunsil.
In a way, Washington is still chasing what could have been if they’d picked Lang all those years ago.
More must-reads:
- Dolphins OLBs coach Ryan Crow arrested on domestic battery charge
- Micah Parsons trade winners, losers: Packers fleece Cowboys for All-Pro
- The 'Most 1,000-rushing yard NFL seasons' quiz
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Phillies' Kyle Schwarber makes all kinds of MLB history vs. Braves
Kyle Schwarber made sure his Philadelphia Phillies bounced back after being swept by the New York Mets earlier this week. Schwarber went 4-for-6 with four home runs and nine RBI in Philadelphia's 19-4 win over the Atlanta Braves on Thursday. His first home run of the night came in the first inning, a solo shot for his 46th of the season. In the fourth inning, the three-time All-Star blasted his second home run of the night (47), this time a two-run knock. Schwarber’s third long ball came in the following frame, with his 48th being a three-run homer. Finally, in the seventh inning, Schwarber hit his fourth home run (49) of the night to right field to come within one dinger of 50 for the season. The 32-year-old made all kinds of history on Thursday against the Phillies’ division rival. He already surpassed his previous career high for home runs in a single season, but also became just the fourth player in franchise history to have four homers in a game and the first since Hall of Famer Mike Schmidt did so in 1976. Additionally, Schwarber is only the 21st player in MLB history to achieve this feat, and the fifth player all-time with at least four homers and nine RBI in a game. Plus, Schwarber joined the Athletics’ Nick Kurtz and Seattle Mariners’ Eugenio Suarez as the only players to have a four-homer game this season — the first time this has occurred. Clearly, Schwarber and the Phillies were anxious to get out of Queens and return to Philadelphia. The Phillies’ offense scored just eight runs across the three-game set against the Mets. They scored 19 runs off the Braves’ pitching at Citizens Bank Park. Schwarber received “MVP” chants from Phillies fans on Thursday, and rightfully so. He’s on his way to breaking Ryan Howard’s previous franchise record of 58 home runs in a season, which earned him the 2006 National League MVP.
Ryan Crow arrest: Alarming new details emerge around incident involving Miami Dolphins coach
Miami Dolphins outside linebackers coach Ryan Crow was arrested on Friday in Fort Lauderdale and charged with battery for touching or striking a victim in a domestic incident. Andy Slater of FOX Sports 640 South Florida provided further details of Crow’s arrest. “Ryan Crow is accused of shoving a family member and looking like ‘he was about to perform a takedown.’ Witnesses told police that the victim’s feet were off the ground and Crow had his arms around the person,” Slater wrote on X. “The victim refused to give cops a sworn statement.” Slater added, “The incident started over a conversation about past relationships, police say. The alleged victim is female.” According to the arrest report, the victim was not seriously injured and refused medical attention, per Marcel Louis-Jacques of ESPN. As of Friday morning, Crow was being held in Broward County’s main jail without bond. The Dolphins issued a statement on Crow’s arrest. He has been placed on administrative leave effective immediately. Dolphins issue statement on Ryan Crow’s arrest “We are aware of the serious matter involving Ryan Crow and are currently gathering more information. Ryan has been placed on administrative leave effective immediately. We have been in communication with the NFL and will reserve further comment at this time.” Crow, 37, is in his second season on head coach Mike McDaniel‘s coaching staff. He previously worked for the Tennessee Titans. The Dolphins open up the 2025 NFL season in just nine days, a road contest against the Indianapolis Colts. Miami is coming off an 8-9 season in which they failed to make the postseason for the first time since 2021.
Aaron Nola quietly made Phillies history amid Kyle Schwarber's big night
While Kyle Schwarber stole the show on Thursday with his four home runs, Aaron Nola made some franchise history of his own. The longtime Philadelphia Phillies right-hander surpassed 2008 NLCS and World Series MVP Cole Hamels (1,844) for third on the team’s all-time strikeout list with 1,845 punchouts. Nola’s historic strikeout came against Ronald Acuna Jr. in the sixth inning on a 79 mph curveball. Overall, he struck out four across six innings, allowing four runs on four hits and three walks. It wasn't the cleanest final line, but the Phillies’ offense supplied plenty of run support in a 19-4 win over the Atlanta Braves. Philadelphia's longest-tenured player recently returned from a rare three-month stint on the injured list. He has a 6.47 ERA in 12 starts this season, with 66 Ks in 64 innings. So, being able to accomplish this career milestone must feel good. Nola achieved the feat across 280 career starts — all with Philadelphia, who drafted him in the first round of the 2014 MLB Draft out of LSU. The 32-year-old made his big league debut in 2015. The one-time All-Star has compiled a solid 11-year career thus far as one of the most durable pitchers in the league. He owns a 107-86 record alongside a 3.81 ERA, six complete games and four shutouts. Nola is now just 26 strikeouts away from overtaking Robin Roberts (1,871) for second place on the Phillies’ all-time list. Steve Carlton has the most Ks in franchise history by a wide margin with 3,031.
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