Commanders LB Sonny Styles "In Control" Wearing Green Dot

For the first time as a Washington Commander, day one of mandatory minicamp offered a glimpse of Sonny Styles sporting the 'green dot,' delivering on the hopes of what could become of the former converted Ohio State defensive back. Yet for a defense looking to embrace leadership amid the new pieces acclimating to the Commanders' new scheme under first year coordinator Daronte Jones, it's the type of move fans have waited to see all offseason.

Add in head coach Dan Quinn's emphasis on testing the roster's depth, it's the type of move that lets the Commanders evaluate how Styles handles his next round of elevated responsibilities.

Quinn admitted the communication between Washington's linebackers and safeties is one storyline he's tracking through the week after being vocal about the defense's emphasis on being loud through OTAs. But so far, the team's former first round pick has "hit all the marks that you can hit at this time of year." Quinn credited Styles for his knowledge and intensity with his blitzing skillset one the staff is still waiting to see, though that comes when the NFL calendar allows pads in practice.

Until then, Styles looks to live up to expectations while keeping his "demeanor that is very much in control,” as Quinn noted.

For Styles, picking up on the tempo of NFL practice has been one area of growth through offseason workouts, though he's confident in his ability to pick up the new scheme and terminology with an emphasis on film review throughout.

"Coach [Daronte] Jones does a great job of teaching the defense and it's super easy to understand" Styles said. 

Yet, like Quinn noted, the former first round pick has also shown the ability to flip a switch to play with the aggressive, instinctive streak that made him a coveted defensive prospect as a Buckeye.

"I think what you'll find with him is he's thoughtful, but when it's time to turn it on, he absolutely will do that in terms of voice, loud and command," Quinn said of Styles.

Yet as Styles pointed to his dad, former NFL LB Lorenzo Styles, as reason why he shows signs of being an even keeled addition to the Commanders' defense, he knows there's a time and place to flip that switch as the former Buckeye looks to take hold of the leadership role and never give it back.

 “I think you’ve got to play linebacker that way — with that violent mindset.”

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