Commanders Training Camp Intensifies with Key Developments
As the Commanders' training camp continues, players are honing their skills with a particular focus on improving red-zone execution. Tuesday marked the sixth day of camp, third with fans present, and second in full pads, creating an environment ripe for progress and key developments.
Quarterback Competition Heats Up
Jayden Daniels and Marcus Mariota continue to split first-team reps, presenting a dynamic competition under center. Daniels showcased his strong arm during 11-on-11 drills, connecting on a deep pass to Olamide Zaccheaus up the right sideline. He further demonstrated precision with strikes to Jahan Dotson and Terry McLaurin, eventually capping off the session with a touchdown pass to Zach Ertz.
However, it wasn't all smooth sailing for Daniels, who experienced a bungled handoff with Jeremy McNichols and an unfortunate series of missed throws. These moments reflect the growing pains and adjustments typical in a high-stakes training environment.
Offensive Line Adjustments
Brandon Coleman has been a versatile force on the offensive line, seeing action with both the first and second teams at left and right tackle. Coleman faced veteran defensive linemen Dorance Armstrong Jr., Dante Fowler Jr., and Clelin Ferrell, providing him with valuable reps against seasoned competition.
"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 shared about his focus areas during practice.
He added, "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."
Wide Receiver Performances and Defensive Stands
Jahan Dotson has emerged as one of the camp's most consistent performers. Reflecting on his progress, Dotson noted, "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."
Meanwhile, on the defensive front, Mike Sainristil has been a mainstay among the starters and has even contributed to the return game. His relentless effort is clear: "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 received his first taste of first-team reps, making a tangible impact by forcing McNichols to change direction on a critical play. Alongside him, K.J. Henry and Javontae Jean-Baptiste left their mark on the practice, further intensifying the competition on defense.
Kicker Showcases Precision
Special teams have not been overlooked in these crucial sessions. Kicker Ramiz Ahmed was flawless during the team portion of Tuesday’s practice, nailing field goals, including a 51-yarder with room to spare.
Final Thoughts
As the Commanders' training camp moves forward, the blend of breakthroughs and challenges is shaping the roster in significant ways. Each player’s development is a testament to the intense effort and focus being applied on the practice field, setting the stage for the season ahead. The performances witnessed so far suggest that the competition within the squad is driving the team to new heights, grounded in a foundation of relentless improvement and adaptability.