As the Commanders' training camp progresses, players continue to fine-tune their skills, with a particular emphasis on red-zone work, and Tuesday's practice showcased the strides being made across the team.
Tuesday’s practice marked the sixth of the camp, with the third session in front of fans and the second in full pads, offering a more intense environment for evaluation. Notably, Jayden Daniels is sharing first-team reps with Marcus Mariota, creating an intriguing dynamic at the quarterback position.
Quarterback Play in Focus
Daniels demonstrated his potential during the 11-on-11 sessions, connecting with Olamide Zaccheaus on a deep ball up the right sideline. His chemistry with Jahan Dotson was evident, with multiple completions along the sideline and a touchdown pass to Zach Ertz during the final team session. Despite some bright moments, Daniels also experienced a bungled handoff with Jeremy McNichols and a series of missed throws, highlighting areas for improvement.
Meanwhile, Mariota showcased his own skills, including two downfield catches by Tremayne after an early drop. The competition between Daniels and Mariota for the starting quarterback position remains fierce and could influence the team’s offensive strategy significantly.
Offensive Line Battles
Brandon Coleman has been a versatile asset, playing both the first and second teams at left and right tackle. He faced off against experienced veterans such as Dorance Armstrong Jr., Dante Fowler Jr., and Clelin Ferrell. Speaking about his learning process, Coleman emphasized the importance of continuous improvement: "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.'" Coleman understands the increased challenge at 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."
Defensive Standouts
On the defensive side, Mike Sainristil has been a constant presence on the starting unit and has also been involved in the return game. His relentless effort in practice stands out: "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 received his first taste of first-team reps during this camp. Newton's impact was felt when he forced McNichols to cut back during a play, showcasing his defensive prowess. Additionally, K.J. Henry and Javontae Jean-Baptiste made their presence known, contributing to a competitive defensive lineup.
Special Teams Sharpness
Kicker Ramiz Ahmed has demonstrated impressive consistency, not missing any field goals during the team portion of Tuesday’s practice. Ahmed confidently drilled field goals from as far as 51 yards with plenty of distance, proving to be a reliable special teams asset.
Consistent Performers
Jahan Dotson has been one of the most consistent performers throughout the camp. His growing comfort in the system is clear: "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’s ability to quickly adapt and excel could be a significant factor in the Commanders’ offensive success this season.
As training camp continues, the Commanders are building a foundation of skill, resilience, and determination. The blend of promising rookies and seasoned veterans is setting the stage for an exciting season. Each practice session is an opportunity for players to refine their skills and secure their spots, making every snap and drill crucial in their journey to the regular season. The intensity and focus observed so far suggest that the Commanders are gearing up for a competitive and thrilling year ahead.