Rookie camp quickly became boot camp for the Washington Commanders’ newbies.
The first whistle led to a sideline footwork drill straight out of Parris Island. It wasn’t just coaches imitating U.S. Marine drill sergeants, but players yelling at their teammates to go faster.
Holy Braveheart – It was an Oklahoma Drill for the entire team.
Day 1 of the Dan Quinn era saw volcanic raw enthusiasm from a combination of draft picks and free agents trying to garner a chance. It’s quickly clear if you want a spot on “Q’s” roster, you better bring everything you have. Doc Walker is gonna love this team.
Sure, it was Jayden Daniels’ debut and there’s not a throw “JD5” can’t make. He even threw a no-look pass to the middle after sending hand signals to outside receivers at the line. The ball regularly came out quickly with frozen ropes of various lengths. It’s one thing to see it on tape, but even more impressive live.
“It’s the nine-year-old kid in me realizing his dream came true,” said Daniels on his first pro practice. “It was awesome to be able to live out a childhood dream. Seeing my helmet in my locker, obviously in a jersey come out and get to practice you know? You can't take these times for granted because you know, at the end of the day, it's something that a lot of people work for. A lot of people aren’t able to achieve their dreams, so, you know, God blessed me to be in this position, man, so I'm just happy.”
Rookie camp concluding Saturday is more than Daniels’ coronation, though. Third-rounder Luke McCaffrey looked and sounded polished, like someone whose father and brother excelled in the NFL. He threw a solid downfield block (sans pads) when no one was looking.
Second-rounder Mike Sainristil flashed some speed as a ballhawk while fellow second-rounder Johnny Newton sported a boot after recent surgery. Third-rounder Brandon Coleman was a sponge during drills, drinking in lessons of hand placement.
But there were nine unsigned players trying for a chance to return soon, too. Receivers Nico Ragaini and Khalkil Tate were always around the ball. The day’s best reception was a one-handed skying grab by 6-foot-2 Marcus Rosemy-Jackson of Georgia, long after the 14 TV cameras were shut down for the day. Otherwise, that clip makes SportsCenter.
It was a day of rip-and-run as rookies adjusted to the increased speed of the pro game. Of course, teammates noticed Daniels. Ball placement, makes every throw, extends plays, throws 80 yards downfield and is a natural leader, second-round tight end said Ben Sinnott of Daniels.
“He has all the intangibles.” Sinnott said.
Sinnott made an interesting point about this rookie class. With the team having its highest roster turnover since 1945, it’s a chance for new players to lead the rebuild. This time, rookies rule like freshmen taking over a high school. That’s rarely seen.
“We can build a culture as a class,” Sinnett said.
Certainly, it’s a lock-and-load culture under a new coaching staff. If players keep that first-day adrenaline through the fall, a gridiron version of “Hoosiers” is possible.
After all, it’s still the same 100-yard field they played across fields nationwide.
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