The Commanders' training camp is in full swing, and the intensity is ramping up as players sharpen their skills, with a heightened focus on red-zone execution. As the team progresses through drills, Tuesday’s practice offered a notable day for both players and fans alike. Marking the sixth day of camp, it was the third day fans attended and the second practice conducted in full pads.
Quarterback Competition Heats Up
The quarterback position has been a focal point with Jayden Daniels and Marcus Mariota splitting first-team reps. Daniels showed his playmaking ability, completing several impressive throws. During the 11-on-11 sessions, he found Olamide Zaccheaus with a deep ball up the right sideline, a sign of his growing confidence. Daniels also connected with Jahan Dotson along the sideline and made a solid throw to Terry McLaurin up the opposite sideline. However, it wasn’t all smooth sailing for Daniels who experienced a bungled handoff with Jeremy McNichols and a series of missed throws in a row.
In the final team session, Daniels redeemed himself by finding Dotson and completing a touchdown pass to Zach Ertz. Dotson, one of the most consistent performers in camp, reflected on his growth, saying, "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."
Offensive Line Battles and Defensive Standouts
Brandon Coleman has showcased versatility, playing at both left and right tackle with the first and second teams. Coleman faced stiff competition from veterans like Dorance Armstrong Jr., Dante Fowler Jr., and Clelin Ferrell. Reflecting on the challenge, Coleman noted, "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.'"
He also highlighted the learning curve from college to the professional level, stating, "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."
On the defensive side of the ball, Mike Sainristil has been a constant presence on the starting unit and has also taken part in the return game. Sainristil shared insights into his relentless approach, "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."
Jer'Zhan Newton, another rising talent, got his first taste of first-team reps during this camp and made an impact by forcing McNichols to cut back during a play. K.J. Henry and Javontae Jean-Baptiste also made their presence felt, showcasing the depth and competitiveness of the defense.
Special Teams Shines
In the kicking game, Ramiz Ahmed delivered a flawless performance during the team portion of practice. Ahmed did not miss any field goals and successfully hit attempts from as far as 51 yards with plenty of distance, a promising sign for the special teams unit.
Looking Ahead
As the Commanders continue their training camp, the competition and intensity are set to rise. The players are showing growth and adaptability, a testament to the rigorous and comprehensive practice sessions. With each player continually refining their craft, the foundation is being laid for what promises to be an engaging and competitive season ahead. Stay tuned as the camp progresses and more revelations come to light about this promising squad.