
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

Oct 4, 2021 • 49min
WFT quarter-pole review; Feds investigate head trainer
The Athletic's Ben Standig is here to tackle a busy Monday including the latest on a DEA criminal investigation into Ryan Vermillion, the Washington Football Team's head trainer, and Week 4 thoughts with Michael Phillips from the Richmond Times-Dispatch. Ben explains what's happening here and the rough injury news on both sides of the ball including Jon Bostic, Brandon Scherff and Logan Thomas. Then Michael joins the chat (13:10). The fellas ponder where Washington stands at the rough 1/4 pole mark of the season and circle back to their pre-season predictions on Chase Young, the rookies, quarterbacks and more. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Oct 1, 2021 • 31min
Falcons preview - Not must win, but maybe don't lose in Atlanta
Ben Standig wraps up the week by previewing Washington-Atlanta with his teammate from The Athletic, Josh Kendall. On Matt Ryan's game, Taylor Heinicke's homecoming, defensive thoughts and more. Plus the latest on Curtis Samuel and, um, Antonio Gibson missed practice. Also, make sure to hear the pod announcement! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sep 30, 2021 • 1h 7min
Doc Walker talks WFT, defensive fixes; Wizards starting up
The Athletic's Ben Standig talks Washington Football Team with Doc Walker and the Washington Wizards with the Washington Post's Ava Wallace. First, Ben opens the show with a big podcast announcement and the latest on Curtis Samuel's return. Then Doc joined the chat and he had plenty to say about the defenders not buying into the plan, Taylor Heinicke, the Falcons game and more. Since many of you asked for Wizards talk, here ya go. Ben and Ava on the most intriguing player, who is part of a hypothetical big 3 and Bradley Beal Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sep 28, 2021 • 1h 26min
Takeaways from Buffalo and recalibrating WFT expectations
The Athletic's Ben Standig returned from Buffalo to rehash what went wrong for the Washington Football Team in the Week 3 loss with Scott Jackson and talks WFT fandom, Survivor and Big Brother with Entertainment Weekly's Dalton Ross, who is also the co-host of the "Surviving Snyder" podcast. Thoughts on the defensive letdown, Taylor Heinicke's struggles, what it will take for this team to find a steady - and productive - level. Plus Ben and Dalton discuss the new season of "Survivor," and an all-time "Big Brother" emotional and strategy meltdown Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sep 24, 2021 • 43min
The ramblin' man: Week 3 matchups, Heinicke, McLaurin, Wizards' gig
The Athletic's Ben Standig sets the table for the Washington Football Team heading into Sunday's showdown at Buffalo and gets into other random topics including:*The DL vs. Josh Allen*Why Taylor Heinicke is the right QB for fans right now*Terry McLaurin is Washington's most complete receiver this century*What The Athletic's Wizards opening means for me (Spoiler: I'm staying with WFT)*Plus a replay of my interview with Bills GM Brandon Beane from earlier this year Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sep 21, 2021 • 39min
Bills preview: Washington's struggling defense vs. inconsistent Josh Allen
The Athletic's Ben Standig previews Washington's Week 3 showdown at Buffalo with The Athletic's Tim Graham. Ben opens the show with his thoughts on Jamin Davis's confidence and Taylor Heinicke's moment. Then Tim joins the discussion to discuss what's wrong with with Bills QB Josh Allen, Terry McLaurin's clash with Bills CB Tre'davious White, how Buffalo's defense matches up with Heinicke plus how Tim interviewed O.J. Simpson and why Howard Stern praised Tim. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sep 17, 2021 • 53min
WFT Week 2 takeaways: Seriously, that was insane
The Athletic's Ben Standig is joined by his Athletic colleague Tarik El-Bashir to discuss all the insanity that unfolded in the Washington Football Team's 30-29 thriller against the New York Giants. Ben opens the episode recapping Ron Rivera's day-after press conference, including the coach's views on lack of defensive disciple, Jamin Davis's growth and Taylor Heinicke. Then Ben and Tarik tackle the game including Heiniecke's heroics and upside, where the defense must improve, Thursday's crowd and plenty more including some Capitals talk.' Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sep 15, 2021 • 32min
NYG-Washington impromptu preview: The hope, the worry, the Heinicke
The Athletic's Ben Standig is back for a bonus episode of the podcast with New York Daily News columnist Pat Leonard heading into Thursday's NFC East clash between the Washington football team and the New York Giants. Ben sets the stage with thoughts on Taylor Heinicke as QB1 and other WFT notes. Then Pat enters the fray for his views on Big Blue after their Week 1 loss including the bad -- and good -- with Daniel Jones, why the Giants fan base is extra salty now, and the formation that should bode well for Washington's chances. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sep 13, 2021 • 50min
Fred Smoot talks Washington's Week 1 loss, QB change
The Athletic’s Ben Standig returns for a post-Week 1 edition of the podcast with former Washington cornerback Fred Smoot. After Ben opens the show with the latest injury on Ryan Fitzpatrick and notes from WFT’s 20-16 loss to the Chargers. Then Fred joins the conversation to discuss Taylor Heinicke taking over at QB, what went wrong for Chase Young and the defense, why the sky isn’t falling and Fred’s pursuit of a spot on the Pro Bowler’s Tour. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sep 9, 2021 • 49min
Washington Football Team season preview!
The Athletic's Ben Standig kicks off the 2021 Washington Football Team season with a deep-dive preview. Ben and Michael Phillips from the Richmond Times-Dispatch ponder over/unders for Ryan Fitzpatrick, Chase Young and Washington's offensive production,, predict the team's Rookie of the Year and key stretch on the schedule, plus talk Terry McLaurin, Cole Holcomb, Landon Collins, Sam Cosmi -- and what we'll be talking about when the season ends. You'll also here season predictions from The Athletic's Rhiannon Walker and the Washington Times' Matthew Paras. Ben also shares the latest on Curtis Samuel's status for week 1. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.