As the Commanders' training camp progresses, players are meticulously honing their skills, with a particular emphasis on red-zone work. Tuesday's practice, marking the sixth of the camp and the third with fans in attendance, was only the second session conducted in full pads. The energy and intensity were palpable as a select group of players seized the opportunity to make a mark.
A Battle for the Quarterback Position
Jayden Daniels and Marcus Mariota are entrenched in a competition for first-team quarterback reps. Daniels demonstrated a strong connection with his receivers, hitting Olamide Zaccheaus with a deep ball up the right sideline during 11-on-11 sessions. Daniels also displayed his versatility by making sharp throws to Jahan Dotson along the sideline and Terry McLaurin up the opposite flank. In the final team session, Daniels found Dotson again and completed a precise touchdown pass to Zach Ertz. However, the day wasn't entirely flawless for Daniels, as he experienced a bungled handoff with Jeremy McNichols and a series of consecutive missed throws.
Offensive Line Developments
Brandon Coleman has been drawing attention with his performances, playing with both the first and second teams at left and right tackle. He faced formidable opponents in veterans Dorance Armstrong Jr., Dante Fowler Jr., and Clelin Ferrell. Reflecting on his own progress, 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 emphasized the challenge of adapting to the professional level, "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 Receivers and Defensive Insights
Tremayne had an up-and-down day, making two downfield catches from Mariota after an early drop. Meanwhile, Jahan Dotson has been one of the most consistent performers in camp. Dotson's confidence has been noticeable, "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."
On the defensive side, Mike Sainristil has been a constant presence among the starters and has participated in the return game. His relentless work ethic was evident as he described, "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 got his first taste of first-team reps during this camp and made an immediate impact by forcing McNichols to cut back during a play. K.J. Henry and Javontae Jean-Baptiste also showcased their abilities and made their presence felt throughout the practice.
Special Teams Standout
Kicker Ramiz Ahmed stood out during the team portion of Tuesday’s practice by not missing any field goals. Ahmed's consistency was notable, hitting field goals from as far as 51 yards with plenty of distance. His reliability adds a layer of confidence to the special teams unit, which can be a crucial factor in close games.
As the Commanders continue their training camp, the blend of seasoned veterans and eager newcomers is shaping the dynamics of the team. The competition is fierce, the intensity is high, and the stakes are clear. Each player, from the quarterbacks battling for the starting position to the linemen refining their techniques, is striving to earn their place and make a significant impact when the season kicks off.