As the Commanders' training camp progresses, players are taking advantage of every opportunity to refine their skills, placing a notable emphasis on red-zone scenarios. This has been particularly evident during the team's practice sessions, which saw their sixth iteration on Tuesday. It was a significant day, being the third session open to fans and the second conducted in full pads.
Jayden Daniels has emerged as a key figure during these practices, sharing first-team reps with veteran Marcus Mariota. Daniels displayed his impressive arm by connecting with several receivers in tight coverage. During 11-on-11 drills, he launched a deep ball to Olamide Zaccheaus up the right sideline, a pass that was perfectly placed and well-received. His chemistry with the team's wideouts was further demonstrated when he connected with Jahan Dotson along the sideline and made a solid throw to Terry McLaurin up the opposite sideline.
The climax of his performance came during the final team session, where Daniels found Dotson once again and capped it off with a touchdown pass to Zach Ertz. Despite these highlights, not all was smooth sailing; Daniels experienced a mishandled handoff with running back Jeremy McNichols and had a series of missed throws, reminding everyone that there's still room for improvement.
Offensive tackle Brandon Coleman has been a versatile asset, playing both left and right tackle with the first and second teams. His matchups against seasoned veterans like Dorance Armstrong Jr., Dante Fowler Jr., and Clelin Ferrell provided him with invaluable experience. Reflecting on his development, Coleman mentioned the constant mental adjustments he must make. “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 said.
He also elaborated on the steep learning curve he faces, saying, "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." Coleman’s commitment and self-reflection underscore the caliber of effort required at this level.
Marcus Mariota, despite some shaky moments, had notable contributions. Tremayne caught two downfield passes from Mariota following an early drop, showcasing his resilience and reliability. Mike Sainristil has been a steady presence on the starting defense, also contributing to the return game. His work ethic is evidently paying off, as he shared, "Part of it is just my play style. I'm a guy that's gonna go hard until the whistle's blown. 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."
Joining the first-team fold, Jer'Zhan Newton made a significant impact with his defensive play. Newton disrupted a run play by forcing McNichols to cut back, exemplifying his growing influence during camp. The defensive line, bolstered by standouts like K.J. Henry and Javontae Jean-Baptiste, made their presence felt throughout the practice.
Special teams were not to be overlooked, as kicker Ramiz Ahmed delivered a flawless performance during the team portion of Tuesday’s practice. Ahmed nailed all his field goals, including a notable 51-yard attempt that sailed through with room to spare. His reliability is an encouraging sign for the team as they inch closer to the season.
Among all the hard work and adjustments, Jahan Dotson has been one of the most consistent performers in camp. His increased comfort level is translating into faster, more decisive play on the field. "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 stated, summarizing the personal growth seen amidst the team's collective effort.
As training camp continues, the Commanders are steadily building towards a cohesive unit, combining the promise of budding talents like Daniels and Dotson with the experience of their seasoned veterans. The interactions, reflections, and performances from these practices signal a team ready to take on the challenges ahead.