The Commanders' training camp is in full swing, hitting its stride with rigorous drills and competitive sessions. Tuesday's practice, which marked the sixth day of camp, saw a mix of highs and lows as players continued to adapt and refine their skills. Fans were treated to a feast of football tactics, witnessing the Commanders don full pads for the second time amidst a series of intense plays.
Competition Heats Up
A particularly intriguing development has been the ongoing competition for first-team reps between quarterbacks Jayden Daniels and Marcus Mariota. Daniels displayed a flair for deep passes, hitting Olamide Zaccheaus along the right sideline during 11-on-11 sessions and connecting with Jahan Dotson on another sideline route. A standout moment came when Daniels launched a precise throw to Terry McLaurin, showcasing his arm strength and accuracy.
However, the day wasn’t without its setbacks for Daniels. He stumbled during a handoff to Jeremy McNichols and experienced a sequence of missed throws. But resilience was the order of the day as he bounced back in the final team session, finding Dotson and capping it off with a touchdown pass to tight end Zach Ertz.
Versatility and Determination
The versatility of Brandon Coleman has been a noteworthy aspect of the camp. Playing at both left and right tackle with the first and second teams, Coleman went toe-to-toe with veteran pass rushers like Dorance Armstrong Jr., Dante Fowler Jr., and Clelin Ferrell. Reflecting on his day, Coleman shared, "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's determination to outsmart his opponents was evident as he noted the complexities he faces: "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 Strength
On the defensive side, Mike Sainristil has been a standout, cementing his role on the starting defense and contributing significantly to the return game. Commenting on his approach, Sainristil said, "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 also made strides, experiencing his first taste of first-team reps. One notable play saw Newton forcing McNichols to cut back, demonstrating his ability to read and react swiftly. Meanwhile, K.J. Henry and Javontae Jean-Baptiste made their presence felt, contributing to a robust defensive showing.
Special Teams and Consistency
Consistency has been the hallmark of wide receiver Dotson’s camp. Dotson’s continual improvement has not gone unnoticed, and he remarked, "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."
The special teams unit also saw action, with kicker Ramiz Ahmed impressing onlookers with his accuracy. Ahmed was flawless during the team portion, connecting on all his attempts, including a long field goal from 51 yards with room to spare.
Growth and Future Outlook
As the Commanders’ training camp progresses, the players' raw talent combined with their dedication to improving each day lays a solid foundation for the upcoming season. Whether it’s reflecting on daily performances like Coleman, pushing the limits of endurance as Sainristil does, or staying consistently reliable like Dotson, the Commanders are showcasing a blend of skill, grit, and determination that promises exciting possibilities for their season ahead.