Tag: Commanders minicamp

What is the biggest question facing the Commanders after OTAs?

What do believe is the biggest question facing Washington after OTAs and ahead of minicamp?

The offseason is almost over for the Washington Commanders. On Friday, Washington just wrapped up its third and final week of Offseason Training Activities (OTAs). Next is the mandatory minicamp next week, and then the Commanders break until training camp later next month.

Rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels has wasted no time in impressing his new teammates. Multiple players have raved about Daniels’ talent, but, more importantly, they’ve noticed his commitment and study habits. Defensive tackle and longtime team captain Jonathan Allen said Daniels even beats him to the facility every day.

What’s next for Daniels?

Some NFL teams have already wrapped up OTAs and minicamp. Therefore, Matt Holder of Bleacher Report recently asked the question: What is the biggest question facing every NFL team after OTAs?

No surprise, but Holder’s question revolved around Daniels:

While most people might not be expecting much from the Commanders this year, the front office brought in several veterans in free agency to suggest the organization feels the team is ready to compete for a playoff spot this fall. But the biggest factor in that equation is if the rookie quarterback is ready to go.

The good news is head coach Dan Quinn seems to be impressed with the work Daniels has put in.

“I think the situation work, we’ve been working really hard on, and so, some of the timing and mechanics are different from college in a two-minute setting than it is in the NFL,” Quinn told reporters.

“So to see, every day, him going through those mechanics out of two minute … at the end of the half working down in a clock situation, where it’s still moving on the first down and that type of urgency. Seeing him being comfortable in that environment, I would say that’s one example of many that shows the work that he’s put in.”

While most on the outside do not believe Washington can compete this season, the team believes differently. With Dan Quinn and Joe Whitt Jr. in charge of the defense, that side will be much better. If Daniels meshes with offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury, the Commanders could be one of the NFL’s surprise teams in 2024.

So far, Daniels has passed every test. The mandatory minicamp will be another important step in his development.

LOOK: Kam Curl shows off his new haircut ahead of minicamp

Kam Curl has a new look.

Washington Commanders safety Kamren Curl is entering the final season of his rookie contract in 2023. While Curl remains a strong candidate for an extension, that situation is unlikely to be resolved until Josh Harris takes over as owner.

In the meantime, Curl has been present for all of Washington’s offseason work, including the first two weeks of OTAs. On Monday, Curl reported back to work for Commanders’ media day ahead of this week’s mandatory minicamp.

And he returned to Ashburn with a new look.

This is a picture of Curl in December, before the new haircut.

Curl is a core member of Washington’s defense. He missed the first two games of last season, and the secondary struggled. Washington’s secondary also struggled in Weeks 16 and 17 when Curl was out with an ankle injury.

 

 

What is next on the Commanders offseason schedule?

Next week is a big one for the Commanders.

This next week [June 6-8] marks another important event in the Washington Commanders 2023 offseason.

The Commanders’ mandatory minicamp is slated for Tuesday through Thursday, with the operative word no doubt being “mandatory.”

Since the NFL draft was held in Kansas City, April 26-28, the Commanders have conducted a rookie minicamp and two weeks of voluntary Organized Team Activity (OTA) workouts for the entire 90-man roster.

The biggest headlines appear to have been that new offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy “is loud when yelling at the offense” (Kam Curl), that Sam Howell has exhibited some progress in his learning the new offensive system, and that three veterans skipped the voluntary workouts (Chase Young, Montez Sweat, and Charles Leno).

More than one observer has noted that Howell has exhibited some passing abilities the team has not enjoyed since the Kirk Cousins years of 2015-17. But some of the same people have also noted there have been times several defensive players are getting their hands on passes in the workouts.

Rookie defenders Emmanuel Forbes and Quan Martin have both raised eyebrows, gaining the attention of onlookers when they have made some nice plays defending the pass.

Bieniemy is not only loud, but he is also in control. That is, observers say it is absolutely clear that Bieniemy is indeed the assistant head coach. He has been given the authority. Defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio volunteered Thursday that Bieniemy “is bringing an accountability to the unit”.

As for Young, Sweat and Leno? They not only skipped the first voluntary OTA workouts but also this week’s second OTA workouts. Giving all three the benefit of the doubt, we believe they will report to Tuesday’s mandatory workout.

Assuming they all three do participate next week, the most interesting interaction with the media may be how Young, Sweat and Leno respond to questions about why they chose to not participate with the 95% of their teammates who did choose of their own will to come voluntarily.