As the Commanders' training camp reaches its sixth day, the atmosphere is electric with anticipation and competition. On Tuesday, which marked the third day of fan attendance and the second practice in full pads, players focused intensely on refining their red-zone tactics. Quarterback Jayden Daniels, who is splitting first-team reps with Marcus Mariota, has had his moments of brilliance alongside a few setbacks.
Daniels captured attention by connecting on several key plays during the 11-on-11 sessions. His deep ball to Olamide Zaccheaus up the right sideline was a highlight, as was a precise throw to Jahan Dotson along the sideline. Displaying versatility, Daniels also made a solid pass to Terry McLaurin up the opposite sideline. In the final team session, he culminated his efforts with a touchdown throw to Zach Ertz, showing flashes of the potential that coaches are eager to harness. However, it wasn't all smooth sailing for Daniels. A bungled handoff with Jeremy McNichols and a streak of missed throws underscored the challenges quarterbacks face in perfecting their craft during high-pressure camp environments.
Offensive lineman Brandon Coleman showcased his adaptability by playing with both the first and second teams at left and right tackle. His sessions were grueling as he faced off against veteran defenders such as Dorance Armstrong Jr., Dante Fowler Jr., and Clelin Ferrell. Reflecting on his performance, 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.'"
Adding further insight, Coleman observed the marked difference between collegiate and professional play: "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."
Wide receiver Jahan Dotson continued to be one of the standout performers in camp. His consistency and growing comfort in his role have allowed him to play faster and with more confidence. Dotson shared, "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."
On the defensive front, Mike Sainristil has been a reliable force on the starting defense and has contributed to the return game. His high-energy play style is something he's consciously developing. "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, also making strides, got his first taste of first-team reps during this camp. His presence was felt immediately when he forced a cutback from McNichols. Meanwhile, K.J. Henry and Javontae Jean-Baptiste are proving to be disruptive forces in practice, showing that the depth in the defensive line could be a significant asset this season.
Another player who drew attention on Tuesday was kicker Ramiz Ahmed. His perfect record in the team portion of practice, which included nailing field goals from as far as 51 yards, was a testament to his reliability and range.
As the Commanders' camp continues, the blend of veterans and newcomers is working to find a rhythm and fine-tune their skills. With a mix of reliable performers like Dotson and emerging talents like Newton, the team demonstrates promise as they prepare for the forthcoming season. Fans and coaches alike will be watching closely to see how these players translate their practice performances into game-day success.