As the Commanders' training camp progresses, the focus intensifies on refining skills, particularly in the red zone. This commitment to improvement was palpable during Tuesday's practice session, the sixth of the camp, which saw fans in attendance for the third time and players donning full pads for the second.
Quarterback Battle Heats Up
One of the key storylines is the ongoing battle for the starting quarterback position between Jayden Daniels and Marcus Mariota. Daniels has been splitting first-team reps and has showcased his arm strength and accuracy. During the 11-on-11 sessions, Daniels connected with wide receiver Olamide Zaccheaus on a deep throw up the right sideline, demonstrating his ability to stretch the field.
Daniels also found success with receivers Jahan Dotson and Terry McLaurin, making precision throws along the sidelines. His consistency was further highlighted in the final team session, where he threw a touchdown pass to veteran tight end Zach Ertz.
However, Daniels' performance has not been without flaws. He experienced a fumbled handoff with Jeremy McNichols and a series of missed throws, reminding everyone that the competition is still wide open.
Offensive and Defensive Linemen Making Strides
On the offensive line, Brandon Coleman has been a versatile player, contributing to both the first and second teams at left and right tackle. Facing off against seasoned defensive linemen like Dorance Armstrong Jr., Dante Fowler Jr., and Clelin Ferrell, Coleman is using each rep to polish his technique.
"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 explained. "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."
On the defensive side, Mike Sainristil has been a standout presence, consistently contributing to the starting defense and participating in the return game. "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.
Jer'Zhan Newton is also making waves, earning his first-team reps and forcing McNichols to cut back during one of the plays. Meanwhile, K.J. Henry and Javontae Jean-Baptiste have made their presence felt, adding to the defensive unit's depth and competitiveness.
Skill Position Highlights
Wide receiver Jahan Dotson has emerged as one of the most consistent performers in 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," Dotson remarked.
In the receiving corps, Tremayne made two downfield catches from Mariota after an early drop, showing resilience and improvement throughout the practice.
Special Teams Shines
On special teams, kicker Ramiz Ahmed delivered a perfect performance during the team portion of Tuesday's practice. Ahmed connected on all his field goal attempts, including a long-distance attempt from 51 yards with plenty of distance to spare. His reliability and range are becoming a significant asset for the Commanders as they prepare for the upcoming season.
As training camp continues, the competition remains fierce, and every practice rep counts. With players like Daniels, Coleman, Sainristil, and Dotson honing their skills, the Commanders are setting a strong foundation for the rigorous challenges ahead.