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News | Washington Commanders - Commanders.com

Through Consistency and Focus, Brandon Scherff Quietly Put Together Another Pro Bowl Season

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Brandon Scherff is not one to brag about his individual accomplishments, so don't expect him to get on social media and celebrate his third Pro Bowl selection in five seasons.

That's never been Scherff's style (his last tweet came on Halloween). He doesn't need to put forth the effort, though, because his coaches and teammates do it for him.

"I think he's the best offensive guard in the league," said offensive tackle Morgan Moses. "I think he's a better human being off the field, but I think he brings a lot to the table."

The Redskins' offensive line has had its share of shakeups, but Scherff has been a stalwart for the group since he was drafted with the fifth overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft. He has started in every game he has played in since his rookie year, and he has played 100% of the offensive snaps in all but eight of his 65 games.

Scheff's season is finished, as he was placed on Injured Reserve earlier this week with a labrum issue, but he has proven to be an invaluable piece to the offense all year.

"I can't say enough good things about Brandon and what he's brought to the organization, the team, the offensive line, the unit from top to bottom," said interim head coach Bill Callahan. "His work ethic is unparalleled. The consistency factor is one of the most impressive things I've ever seen."

The first words Scherff's teammates use to describe him are "quiet" and "humble" -- words that are often associated with offensive linemen. But they're also quick to point out that Scherff is an unnaturally hard worker. Moses, who plays with Scherff on the left side of the offensive line, said Scherff want to be great and will to do whatever necessary to reach that goal.

"You see in his play every week," Moses said. "It's just his attention to detail and the high intensity of being an offensive guard in this league."

Callahan said Scherff has two or three specific aspects of his game that he wants to improve upon in pre-practice every day. He'll work on those things over the course of practice in addition to participating in the other drills with the rest of his position group.

The coaching staff is constantly fighting with him after practice to curtail his reps, Callahan said, but that's who Scherff is as a player. He puts forth the extra effort to make himself ready for gameday.

"He continues to work, he's been a workhorse and that's his nature," Callahan said. "His leadership has been great for our team this year."

Moses said he sits beside Scherff in meetings every day, and they constantly bounce ideas off each other. But no matter who the opponent is each week, Scherff is consistent, and that's what impresses Moses the most.

"His consistency shows up every week," Moses said. "He's able to adapt to any scheme. That's his biggest attribute. You can change the offense in one day and he can adapt to it."

Quarterback Dwayne Haskins Jr. also appreciates his work. Besides Peterson, Scherff was one of the players Haskins wanted to respect him when he first joined the Redskins, and he has come to rely on him in his past six starts.

"He's somebody that works really hard," Haskins said. "He's somebody that has a whole bunch of talent and he's a leader on our offense. He deserves the Pro Bowl."

That work has paid off for everyone on the Redskins' offense, especially Adrian Peterson and the running game. Scherff has been the cause of several big runs this year, including Peterson's 13-yard rushing touchdown against the Carolina Panthers.

"You see holes like that and your eyes light up," Peterson said. "You hurry up and get in the end zone. That's what you count on when you got Brandon in front of you and leading the way."

Peterson added that he's not surprised by anything Scherff has accomplished this year. In fact, he expected big things for Scherff before the season.

"During training camp, you were able to see the work he put in the offseason," Peterson said. "It's been impressive. He was born to play football."

Scherff played in 54 straight games before he suffered a torn pectoral in Week 8 of the 2018 season that forced him to miss the rest of the year. After a successful surgery, Scherff worked to make him ready for the start of the 2019 season.

Callahan said he has only been around a handful of players who have had Scherff's level of focus, concentration and effort.

"I've been fortunate enough to be around just a couple of those types of guys in my career, and they're rare guys, they're rare players," Callahan said.

Given all that Scherff has fought through in the past year, Callahan said it was unfortunate he had another injury that ended his season, which was the last year of his rookie contract.

But Callahan is also happy for Scherff's Pro Bowl selection. And even though Scherff doesn't say much about it, Callahan knows it is well-deserved.

"Congratulations for his third Pro Bowl," Callahan said. "I've seen him fight through a lot of difficult injuries and give everything that he has to this team and this organization. He's a Redskins through and through."

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