As the Commanders' training camp continues to unfold, there is a palpable sense of urgency and excitement in the air. Players are pushing themselves to the limits, particularly in scenarios that replicate the high-stakes environment of the red zone.
Tuesday's practice marked a significant day, featuring the sixth session of the camp, the third with fans in attendance, and notably, the second where players donned full pads. The energy from the stands was matched by the intensity on the field.
Quarterback Reps and Throws
One of the focal points of the practice was the quarterback situation. Jayden Daniels and Marcus Mariota are currently splitting first-team reps. Daniels had some shining moments, hitting Olamide Zaccheaus with a deep ball up the right sideline and later connecting with Jahan Dotson and Terry McLaurin along opposite sidelines. In the final team session, Daniels found Dotson yet again and completed a touchdown pass to Zach Ertz, underscoring his potential.
However, Daniels' performance wasn’t without blemish. He experienced a bungled handoff with Jeremy McNichols and faced a series of missed throws, indicating there's still room for improvement. It’s these mixed results that keep the competition tight and the coaching staff vigilant.
Offensive and Defensive Line Battles
Brandon Coleman emerged as a versatile asset, playing both left and right tackle with the first and second teams. He faced seasoned veterans like Dorance Armstrong Jr., Dante Fowler Jr., and Clelin Ferrell, which provided him with invaluable experience. Reflecting on his performance, Coleman said, "There's always like three points in my brain that I'm telling myself in the next period if I didn't do it well. Like today, it was my hands were pretty bad in the first period. I was like, 'Work on my hands, work on my balance, keep my chest up.'
The defensive side saw Mike Sainristil maintain a constant presence in the starting lineup. His tenacity and dedication were evident both on defense and in the return game. "Part of it is just my play style. I'm a guy that's gonna go hard until the whistle's blown. And then the second part of it is just getting myself to make that second nature for me, so that when it comes game time, I don’t even have to think about stuff like that," Sainristil shared.
Jer'Zhan Newton also stood out, earning his first taste of first-team reps and forcing McNichols to cut back during a play. The defensive duo of K.J. Henry and Javontae Jean-Baptiste made their presence felt throughout practice, each showcasing their ability to disrupt the offense.
Consistent Performers and Special Teams Standouts
Jahan Dotson has been one of the camp’s most consistent performers. His increasing comfort level on the field is translating to faster and more decisive play. "I feel like I'm just getting more comfortable, and that's enabling me to play faster and faster. That's been a big emphasis for me," Dotson explained, capturing the essence of his camp journey so far.
In the realm of special teams, kicker Ramiz Ahmed delivered an impeccable performance during the team portion of Tuesday’s practice. He did not miss any field goals, including attempts from 51 yards out, demonstrating both accuracy and leg power.
Resilience and Focus
This training camp has been characterized by resilience and an unyielding focus on improving every facet of the game. The symbiotic blend of emerging rookies and seasoned veterans is creating an electric atmosphere where every play, every drill, and every rep carries weight. As Brandon Coleman wisely noted about his experience in camp, "D-linemen in the league have a bunch of secondary and third moves. Their knowledge of what o-linemen do is so vast compared to college... That's stuff that I just have to engrain in my brain, like shit’s not over until the whistle blows."
The Commanders continue to grind through each practice, stitching together moments of brilliance with lessons learned from mistakes. The cumulative effect is a cohesive unit that gets stronger with each passing day, focused squarely on the prize ahead.