Friday brought an end to the first week of training camp. What is the consensus regarding the Commanders thus far?
Through every interview, comment, and reflection this week, a few things do seize attention.
There is more intensity and competitiveness
Players are more vocal, move quicker during drills, and feel a sense of urgency. Benjamin St-Juste said that Dan Quinn has them being competitive about everything.
Jayden Daniels continues to look good
He is completing passes and moving well, and coaches say he is learning, making good reads, and learning the offense. Not many passes are hitting the ground. Before you get too excited with that last one, this was also one of the praises for Sam Howell’s last training camp. Everyone said Howell passed the ball so much better than Carson Wentz or Taylor Heinicke had in previous training camps.
The defensive coaching staff appears to be in unity
Of course, that should be the case in the NFL. But you only have to go back to last season, when the defense looked lost for much of the season and was simply getting blown out often late in the season. Have you noticed more than a few comments this week alone from defensive players about how they feel the communication is great and that they are already actually learning what is expected when certain situations arise?
Jamin Davis really needs a good preseason
Ron Rivera reached for Davis in the first round of the 2021 draft. Davis didn’t even start at Kentucky until his final year, yet Rivera drafted him over Christian Darrisaw when the team needed a young offensive tackle for the future. Davis, in his first three seasons, has yet to catch on to have the impact a first-rounder should have. Barring injury, he won’t start this year. He hasn’t played special teams but will need to this year to make the 53-man roster. He is using time getting reps as an outside pass rusher as they search for a role where Davis could possibly make some impact.