The Commanders' training camp has hit an exciting stride as players fine-tune their skills with a clear focus on red-zone performance. Tuesday's practice marked the sixth session of the camp, with the third one drawing a supportive crowd of fans. Notably, it was also the second practice conducted in full pads, providing an authentic game-like atmosphere.
Jayden Daniels has been a standout performer, splitting first-team reps with veteran Marcus Mariota. Daniels showcased his arm strength and accuracy, hitting Olamide Zaccheaus with a deep pass up the right sideline during 11-on-11 drills. His chemistry with his receivers was evident, as he connected with Jahan Dotson along the sideline and made a solid throw to Terry McLaurin up the opposite side. In the final team session, Daniels displayed his poise and precision by completing a touchdown pass to Zach Ertz after finding Dotson earlier in the sequence. However, it wasn't all smooth sailing for Daniels, who experienced a bungled handoff with Jeremy McNichols and a string of missed throws in a row.
Offensive lineman Brandon Coleman showed versatility and resilience, playing with both the first and second teams at left and right tackle. Coleman faced tough competition, going up against seasoned veterans like Dorance Armstrong Jr., Dante Fowler Jr., and Clelin Ferrell. Reflecting on his performance, Coleman remarked, "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.'" He further elaborated on the learning curve, noting, "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."
Tremayne had a mixed day, starting with an early drop but redeeming himself by making two downfield catches from Mariota. On the defensive side, Mike Sainristil has been a constant force, contributing to both the starting defense and the return game. Sainristil affirmed his commitment to relentless effort, saying, "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 experienced his first taste of first-team reps, making an immediate impact by forcing McNichols to cut back during a play. His emergence adds depth and competitiveness to the defensive line. Equally impressive were K.J. Henry and Javontae Jean-Baptiste, who consistently made their presence felt during the practice.
Consistency has been a hallmark of Jahan Dotson's performance throughout the camp. Dotson reflected on his progress, stating, "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." His reliability is a promising sign for the Commanders as they look to solidify their passing game.
Special teams also had its share of highlights, with kicker Ramiz Ahmed delivering a flawless performance during the team portion of Tuesday’s practice. Ahmed showcased his leg strength, nailing field goals from as far as 51 yards with plenty of distance to spare.
As the Commanders' training camp continues, the players' dedication to improvement and their competitive spirit are evident. With standout performances across the board, from offense to defense to special teams, the team is well on its way to establishing a solid foundation for the upcoming season. The blend of veteran experience and emerging talent makes for an intriguing dynamic, one that fans eagerly anticipate as the season approaches.