The Commanders' training camp continued to build momentum as players sharpened their skills in various aspects of the game. With a significant focus on red-zone drills, Tuesday marked the sixth day of camp and the second day in full pads, much to the delight of the fans in attendance. The day was intense, brimming with vibrant performances and key learning moments for both seasoned players and new faces.
Quarterback Competition Heats Up
Jayden Daniels and Marcus Mariota are vying for the starting quarterback spot, each splitting first-team reps. Danielle showcased his arm strength and precision during 11-on-11 sessions. He made notable connections, including a deep pass up the right sideline to Olamide Zaccheaus and a couple of impressive sideline throws to Jahan Dotson and Terry McLaurin. In the final team session, Daniels finished strong, hitting Dotson and capping it off with a touchdown pass to Zach Ertz. However, it wasn't all smooth sailing as Daniels also encountered a bungled handoff with Jeremy McNichols and experienced a string of missed throws.
Offensive Line Developments
Brandon Coleman turned heads with his flexibility, participating with both the first and second teams at both left and right tackle positions. Matching up against proven veterans like Dorance Armstrong Jr., Dante Fowler Jr., and Clelin Ferrell, Coleman embraced the learning curve. Reflecting on his practice, he mentioned, "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 also noted the advanced techniques of NFL defensive linemen, 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 emerged as a constant presence. Apart from his defensive duties, Sainristil also contributed to the return game. Emphasizing his relentless play style, Sainristil stated, "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, getting his first taste of first-team reps, made an impact as well. He forced Jeremy McNichols to make a cutback in one play, showcasing his potential to disrupt offensive plays effectively. K.J. Henry and Javontae Jean-Baptiste also stood out, making their presence felt throughout the practice.
Skilled Performers
Jahan Dotson has been one of the most reliable performers during the camp. His consistent displays underline his growing comfort and confidence. "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 expressed after another day of strong performances.
Meanwhile, Tremayne made two significant downfield catches from Marcus Mariota following an early session drop, highlighting his resilience and focus.
Perfect Kicking
Kicker Ramiz Ahmed had a flawless day during the team portion of practice. Ahmed maintained a perfect record in his field goal attempts, nailing them from as far as 51 yards with ample distance to spare. His performance justifies the team's faith in his reliability under pressure.
As the training camp progresses, the Commanders continue to uncover and nurture talent, setting a tone of high standards and relentless pursuit of excellence. The upcoming days promise more intense drills and critical evaluations as the team works towards ultimate game readiness.