There was a sequence in the third quarter of Washington’s Week 1 victory over the New York Giants that perfectly epitomized what Mike Sainristil means to the Washington Commanders’ defense.
Despite thoroughly outplaying the G-Men, Washington was nursing a 14-3 lead, and the Giants were beginning a drive. On 2nd-and-4, running back Tyrone Tracy ran a sweep right. Sainristil, who lines up all over the field, was on the edge.
New York’s 300-pound guard Greg Van Roten was leading Tracy. Sainristil took him on and was pushed back about five yards. Then he recovered and came up to make the tackle.