As the Commanders' training camp moves forward, the focus on refining skills, particularly in high-pressure red-zone situations, has increased palpably. The camp has hit its stride with Tuesday's practice marking the sixth session, the third with a live audience, and the second with players donning full pads.
Quarterback Jayden Daniels has been splitting first-team reps with veteran Marcus Mariota, demonstrating his potential to compete for the starting job. The young signal-caller showcased his arm strength and accuracy by connecting deep with Olamide Zaccheaus up the right sideline during 11-on-11 drills. Daniels didn't stop there, as he found Jahan Dotson along the sideline and made a precise throw to Terry McLaurin on the opposite side of the field. The culmination of his performance came during the final team session, finding Dotson once more and sealing the drive with a decisive touchdown pass to tight end Zach Ertz.
However, Daniels' practice wasn't without its share of hiccups. He experienced a bungled handoff with running back Jeremy McNichols and followed up with a series of misfires. Despite these setbacks, the young quarterback's resilience and ability to bounce back were evident.
A versatile performance was also seen from Brandon Coleman, who had responsibilities on both the first and second teams, operating at left and right tackle. Coleman faced formidable competition in veteran defensive linemen Dorance Armstrong Jr., Dante Fowler Jr., and Clelin Ferrell. Reflecting on his practice, Coleman said, "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's adaptability and willingness to learn are keys to his potential success. "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," he noted.
The practice also saw contributions from receiver Tremayne, who made two significant downfield catches from Mariota following an early drop. Meanwhile, Mike Sainristil has been a constant on the starting defense and has also taken on responsibilities in the return game. His dedication to relentless effort was clear. "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," Sainristil said.
Another notable performer, Jahan Dotson, has been a consistent presence throughout the camp. "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," said Dotson, underlining his approach to improvement and consistency.
Jer'Zhan Newton, breaking into first-team reps for the first time, made his presence known by forcing McNichols to cut back during a play, showcasing his defensive awareness and physicality. Further bolstering the defensive front, K.J. Henry and Javontae Jean-Baptiste left their mark on the practice with impactful plays.
On special teams, kicker Ramiz Ahmed delivered a flawless performance, converting all his field goal attempts during the team's practice segment. Ahmed's range and consistency were on full display, hitting field goals from distances as far as 51 yards with ease.
As the Commanders' camp continues, the players' drive to improve and the moments of tension and triumph on the practice field offer a glimpse of the team's evolving identity. With promising talents like Daniels, sturdy contributors like Coleman, and steady performers like Dotson, the team seems keen on laying a solid foundation for the upcoming season. The resolve and dedication on display will undoubtedly shape the Commanders' fortunes as they move forward.