
Standig Room Only: A show about the Washington Commanders and D.C. sports
Each week The Athletic's Ben Standig brings you the latest stories surrounding the Washington Commanders and other sports around the D.C. area. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Latest episodes

Aug 14, 2023 • 1h 2min
Cleveland doesn't rock Sam Howell. How about Baltimore?
The Athletic's Ben Standig puts a bow on the Commanders' preseason opener and looks forward to this week's joint practices in Baltimore with Grant Paulsen (106.7 The Fan). Ben opens the show with thoughts on Sam Howell's showing, injury update on Chase Young and Ben's never-ending car saga. Then Grant enters (10:45) to banter about the rock'em sock 'em secondary, OL struggles, defensive line vets vs. kids, and plenty more on Howell. Also, a new yet-to-be-named game with spreads for play-calling vs. play designing, fruits vs. vegetables, and Howell vs. every other Rivera QB with Washington Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Aug 10, 2023 • 47min
Doc Walker talks preseason opener, Rivera-Bieniemy
The Athletic's Ben Standig and the great Rick "Doc" Walker are talking about the Washington Commanders' Friday preseason opener in Cleveland and the latest with Ron Rivera's comments on Eric Bieniemy. Ben opens with Rivera's apology and messaging, why the coach and Bieniemy need each other, defensive line roster intrigue, and Jake Fromm as QB3. Then Doc enters to share what actually matters in preseason games, Sam Howell, Kazmeir Allen/sleepers, and Rivera-Bieniemy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Aug 9, 2023 • 48min
Eric Bieniemy's coaching style in the spotlight
The Athletic's Ben Standig analyzes Ron Rivera's curious reveal that players have expressed concerns over Eric Bieniemy's coaching style with the "Voice of the Commanders," Bram Weinstein. Rivera expressed positives as well, but why share this and thoughts on Bieniemy's apparent rigidity? Also discussed: Sam Howell, roster sleepers, Tress Way's tight back and Bram's favorite player names to say on the broadcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Aug 7, 2023 • 1h 2min
Aaron Schatz and preseason prep
The Athletic's Ben Standig is here talking training camp and the Commanders via the analytics lense with Football Outsiders founder Aaron Schatz. Ben opens with the latest from Ashburn, including the status of some banged-up players (Emmanuel Forbes, Curtis Samuel, Logan Thomas) and which players/positions Ben is intrigued to watch Friday at Cleveland (Braeden Daniels, Mitchell Tinsley, Percy Butler, DL). Then Aaron enters (19:19) for thoughts on assessing Sam Howell and Eric Bieniemy, Chase Young and other player projections, whether the defense takes another leap forward, NFC East race, and teams rising/falling. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Aug 3, 2023 • 44min
Talking live from Commanders training camp
The Athletic's Ben Standig is talking about Washington Commanders training camp -- while practice took place on Thursday with Matt Paras (Washington Times) and Pete Hailey (NBC Sports). After Ben opens with camp notes on Saahdiq Charles, Jamin Davis and more, the fellas arrive. Is everyone more, less or the same with their pre-camp optimism after eight sessions? The best way to assess Sam Howell. Also, players who've raised their level, thread count and Pete's greatest hits before he leaves the beat for greener pastures. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Aug 1, 2023 • 40min
Pad day
The Athletic's Ben Standig recaps the latest Commanders training camp practice with Sam Fortier from the Washington Post as they literally walk the practice fields in Ashburn. The team put on pads for the first time this summer. Who stood out? Another uneven day for Sam Howell and the offense means...? The secondary rotation, whether the RFK stadium site makes sense, more. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jul 30, 2023 • 47min
Benjamin St-Juste; Recapping Week 1 training camp
The Athletic's Ben Standig shares his thoughts on the play, the heat and absolutely the fans from Week 1 of Commanders' training camp. Sam Howell, Emmanuel Forbes, the WR room, LB rotation, fans reclaiming their fandom. Ben also spoke with 1-on-1 CB Benjamin St-Juste on camp and facing this Eric Bieniemy offense. Plus, Dyami Brown on his growth, and Ben talks about the name change topic. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jul 27, 2023 • 38min
Commanders' Day 1 of training camp: The Harris and Howell show
The Athletic's Ben Standig survived the heat on the first day of Washington Commanders training camp to recap what happened with longtime media member Mitch Tischler. The fellas discussed the relaxed yet focused mood with new owner Josh Harris in charge -- and at practice. Thoughts on Sam Howell's showing and hold on QB1, Ron Rivera's extra time, OL frets, favorite roster sleepers and camp notes. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jul 24, 2023 • 32min
David Aldridge on the biggest story in town
The Athletic's Ben Standig is talking about the wild 24 hours in the DMV many thought would never occur as Dan Snyder sells the Commanders to Josh Harris. What a sentence. After sharing his own perspective, Ben and David Aldridge discuss Friday's intro press conference, what to expect from Harris, the importance of Magic Johnson's presence, stadium thoughts and a celebratory fan base. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jul 18, 2023 • 1h 19min
Al Galdi and Randy Mueller
The Athletic's Ben Standig is gearing up for a massive week in the history of the Washington Commanders. After setting the scene for the NFL owners' vote on Thursday to approve Josh Harris as the new owner, Ben welcomes Al Galdi (The Al Galdi podcast) to reflect on the Dan Snyder era and pivot toward the football landscape for Harris (9:05). Then former NFL general manager Randy Mueller (The Athletic) on what/how Harris should evaluate Washington's football operations, Sam Howell and more (37:02). Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.