As the Commanders' training camp advances, the players are honing their skills with a special focus on red-zone efficiency. Tuesday was a landmark day, marked as the sixth practice of the camp, the third one open to fans, and the second in full gear. The day was filled with compelling action, particularly from key players such as Jayden Daniels, Brandon Coleman, and Jahan Dotson.
Quarterback Dynamics
Jayden Daniels and Marcus Mariota have been sharing first-team reps, creating a competitive and dynamic environment for the Commanders. Daniels showcased his arm strength and precision during 11-on-11 drills, hitting Olamide Zaccheaus with a deep pass up the right sideline and connecting with Jahan Dotson along the sideline. Displays of accuracy continued as Daniels landed a solid throw to Terry McLaurin up the opposite sideline. In the final team session, Daniels closed the day's practice with a touchdown pass to Zach Ertz.
However, not all moments were perfect for Daniels. He experienced a fumbled handoff with Jeremy McNichols and went through a series of incomplete throws, highlighting areas for improvement as the camp progresses.
Line of Defense and Offense
Brandon Coleman exhibited versatility and resilience, participating with both first and second units at left and right tackle. Facing off against seasoned veterans like Dorance Armstrong Jr., Dante Fowler Jr., and Clelin Ferrell, Coleman's commitment to refining his technique was evident. "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, reflecting on his meticulous approach to improvement.
Coleman also emphasized the importance of persistence. "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 remarked.
Defensive Contributions
Mike Sainristil has emerged as a key figure on the starting defense. His presence has been consistently noted not only in defensive plays but also in the return game. Sainristil's dedication is illustrated in his own words: "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."
Meanwhile, Jer'Zhan Newton received his first taste of first-team reps and made an immediate impact by forcing McNichols to adjust his play. K.J. Henry and Javontae Jean-Baptiste also made their presence felt, contributing significant efforts during practice.
Special Teams and Consistency
Kicker Ramiz Ahmed had an impeccable performance, not missing any field goals in the team portion of practice. Ahmed demonstrated impressive range, hitting field goals from as far as 51 yards with plenty of distance to spare.
Jahan Dotson has consistently been a standout performer throughout the camp. Dotson's growing comfort and confidence were evident as he remarked, "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."
Final Notes
All in all, Tuesday's practice was a microcosm of the Commanders' training camp—a blend of promising highs and areas needing attention. With each passing day, the team continues to work diligently towards sharpening their skills and solidifying their lineup.