The Commanders' training camp is in full swing, with players honing their skills and integrating complex strategies, particularly focusing on their red-zone execution. The fan turnouts on the third practice day with supporters in the stands added an extra layer of excitement and motivation for the players, especially as it marked the second practice in full pads.
Quarterback Battles and Standout Moments
Quarterback Jayden Daniels has been sharing first-team reps with veteran Marcus Mariota, showcasing promising performances interspersed with areas needing improvement. Daniels exhibited moments of brilliance, such as hitting Olamide Zaccheaus with a deep ball up the right sideline during 11-on-11 drills. He also made significant connections with Jahan Dotson and Terry McLaurin along opposite sidelines, displaying his capability to stretch the field.
However, Daniels’ practice wasn’t without hiccups. A bungled handoff with Jeremy McNichols and a sequence of missed throws highlighted areas for further refinement. Despite these setbacks, he also completed a touchdown pass to tight end Zach Ertz during the final team session, displaying resilience and clutch performance under pressure.
"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,'" remarked Brandon Coleman, reflecting a mindset of continuous improvement shared across the team.
Offensive Line and Defensive Prowess
Brandon Coleman has been a key figure on the offensive line, splitting his time between the first and second teams at left and right tackle. His match-ups against seasoned veterans like Dorance Armstrong Jr., Dante Fowler Jr., and Clelin Ferrell have been pivotal in his development. Coleman’s adaptation to the professional level is ongoing, as he acknowledged the steep learning curve: "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 other side of the ball, Mike Sainristil has been a steadfast presence in the starting defense. Besides his defensive duties, Sainristil has also taken on responsibilities in the return game, indicating his versatile role within the team. Speaking about his play style, Sainristil noted, "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."
Newcomers Making an Impact
Jer'Zhan Newton, a newcomer to the first-team reps, made a notable impact by forcing McNichols to cut back during a play, showcasing his defensive acumen. Similarly, K.J. Henry and Javontae Jean-Baptiste made their presence felt, contributing significantly during practice sessions.
Wide receiver Tremayne didn’t have a perfect day but rebounded after an early drop to make two impressive downfield catches from Mariota, underlining the depth and potential among the receiving corps. Additionally, Jahan Dotson has been one of the most consistent performers in camp, with his increased comfort translating to faster 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 shared.
Kicking Game Consistency
The special teams unit saw kicker Ramiz Ahmed deliver a flawless performance during the team portion of practice, not missing any field goals and hitting from distances as far as 51 yards with ease. Ahmed’s reliability in executing field goals provides a sense of stability in the kicking game, an often understated but crucial aspect of team success.
As the Commanders progress through their training camp, the blend of established veterans and emerging talent continues to solidify the team’s foundation. With each practice, the players’ commitment to refining their skills and executing plays with precision and intensity is palpable, setting a promising tone for the upcoming season.