Commanders Training Camp Observations: Late-round rookie has his first breakout practice, Mike Sainristil continues to dominate
Today, the Washington Commanders had a less physical day of practice without pads and focused more on scheme and details. I was expecting to see a padded practice when I pulled up to Ashburn today, but I still came away without a lot of takeaways and observations from practice. Mike Sainristil will be even better […]
Today, the Washington Commanders had a less physical day of practice without pads and focused more on scheme and details.
I was expecting to see a padded practice when I pulled up to Ashburn today, but I still came away without a lot of takeaways and observations from practice.
Mike Sainristil will be even better than last year
I don’t think this is much of a hot take, but I really believe Sainristil is the Commanders’ best defender on the team. Sainristil had another big day as the offense tried to test the secondary with big plays for a majority of practice, with no success. Many pass breakups and tight coverages from Sainristil and others highlighted the passing drills for me today.
You can see him emerging as a leader on the field, and now he’s able to play freely in the secondary with his move back inside.
Deebo Samuel still has A LOT left in the tank
Daniels and Samuel have built a strong connection since he first showed up in Washington, and every practice shows it. He hasn’t had one bad day so far since training camp started. He’s been the best offensive player since camp started, since Daniels had a bad day last Friday.
Today, I saw more end-arounds and gadget-type plays with Samuel, which I think offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury will include in the offense more this season. QB Sam Hartman also got to enjoy some time with Samuel on the field and threw him a dart across the middle of the field on a pretty deep crosser.
He also beat standout corner Sainristil on a deep seam route that he laid out for and secured the catch. It ended up being the best play of Tuesday’s practice.
Jacory Croskey-Merritt is different than the other RBs
Washington’s running game needs a revival from last season, and seventh-round rookie Jacory Croskey-Merritt brings something to the backfield that has been missing: speed and vision. Croskey-Merritt has impressed the coaching staff, and he was able to show more of his abilities yesterday with pads on.
Today, he had a handful of big runs, which means he made the right reads on the play and would’ve had a big gain with pads on or in a live game. He’s a smaller running back who can get skinny in tight gaps in the line, but he can still thump a defender or make them miss with his elusive move sets.
He had a nice jump cut up through the middle of the line today when the defense tried coming into the backfield, and it would’ve been a big chunk play. I think Croskey-Merritt becomes RB2 sooner rather than later this season, and he earned a good bit of first-team reps in the hurry-up offense today.
Rookie has his first breakout practice
Welcome to the defense party, Kain Medrano! The sixth-round rookie made a name for himself today by flashing his coverage abilities, which shouldn’t surprise anyone with his college film. Medrano ruined what would’ve been a perfect day for Hartman after he picked off the quarterback. He can earn valuable reps at safety and linebacker, especially in sub packages in obvious passing situations.
Medrano can continue to stack days after today’s showing and ride the wave of the defense practicing with intensity and high energy. You don’t want to be the only rookie of this year’s class not standing out at practice.
The rest of the training camp notes from my phone:
- Rookie offensive tackle Josh Conerly Jr. shows fluid mobility and can move well out in space. That will play huge dividends in the run game this season.
- I didn’t see kicker Matt Gay miss a single kick in practice on Sunday and Tuesday. This needs more praise!
- Chris Moore had a bad drop today, but he’s made impressive catches and had another leaping extended grab today.
- Sam Hartman has had really good practices, but today was his best, minus the Medrano interception. Mariota had the day off, and he took advantage. He’s fighting for that third spot in the QB room.
- Safety Quan Martin has been very consistent, and he broke up many of the deep pass attempts today. Tyler Owens has also looked really good out in coverage and near the line of scrimmage as well. I’m expecting him to fight for the active roster and earn more snaps this season.
- The defensive line impressed today, and Von Miller looks like the real deal still.
- No real concerns from me so far with training camp. Both sides of the ball compete and go back and forth with each other. We will know more about the team with joint practices and preseason.
- NO INJURIES!
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