As the Commanders' training camp enters its crucial stages, the emphasis on red-zone execution has taken center stage. With fans eagerly watching from the sidelines, Tuesday's practice brought forth both challenges and highlights for the players, marking the sixth day of camp and the second in full pads.
Quarterback Battle Heats Up
Jayden Daniels, sharing first-team reps with veteran Marcus Mariota, showcased moments of brilliance and room for improvement. Daniels connected with Olamide Zaccheaus on a deep ball up the right sideline, and later, found Jahan Dotson and Terry McLaurin on precision throws along the sidelines during 11-on-11 sessions.
In a particularly impressive final team session, Daniels completed a touchdown pass to Zach Ertz after connecting again with the reliable Dotson. However, it wasn't all smooth sailing for Daniels, as he experienced a bungled handoff with Jeremy McNichols and a frustrating series of missed throws. These hiccups are part of the learning curve for the young quarterback competing for a starting role.
Offensive Line Under Scrutiny
Brandon Coleman has been a versatile presence on the offensive line, taking snaps with both the first and second teams at left and right tackle. Coleman faced a daunting lineup of veterans, including Dorance Armstrong Jr., Dante Fowler Jr., and Clelin Ferrell.
Reflecting on his performance, Coleman acknowledged the challenges: "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 continues to adjust to the pro level, noting the advanced techniques of NFL defensive linemen. "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 Shine
One of the consistent bright spots during camp has been wide receiver Jahan Dotson. His chemistry with Daniels was apparent, making several crucial catches that kept the offense moving. Dotson's confidence is growing, saying, "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."
Not to be overlooked, Tremayne bounced back from an early drop to make two significant downfield catches from Mariota, contributing to a strong showing by the receiving corps.
Defensive Standouts
On the defensive side, Mike Sainristil has been an unwavering presence. Sainristil, who is also involved in the return game, has demonstrated his relentless play style. "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," he explained.
Jer'Zhan Newton, getting his first taste of first-team reps, made a notable impact by forcing McNichols to cut back during a play, showing his potential to become a key player in the defensive rotation. Additionally, the tandem of K.J. Henry and Javontae Jean-Baptiste made their presence felt throughout the practice, applying pressure and disrupting plays.
Special Teams in Focus
Special teams remain a critical component of the Commanders' strategy, and kicker Ramiz Ahmed has been nothing short of reliable. Ahmed demonstrated his consistency by not missing any field goals during the team portion of Tuesday's practice, with his kicks sailing through the uprights from as far as 51 yards with ample distance.
As the training camp progresses, the Commanders will continue to refine their strategies and build on these pivotal moments, all while eager fans watch their favorite players prepare for the upcoming season.