Commanders defensive coordinator Daronte Jones had a simple message for his unit ahead of Thursday’s training camp practice: “They don’t get in the fucking end zone.”
Two days into camp, it’s clear Jones’ players have taken heed. The defense has mostly smothered the offense so far, both starters and reserves. Facing a relentless pass rush and suffocating coverage, Washington’s offense has struggled to move the ball, let alone reach the end zone.
This defensive unit was slow and aged just a year ago, so the front office went out and signed eight players in free agency, hoping the group could become faster and more versatile. Based on first impressions in Ashburn, that effort appears to be paying off already.
“When you look at this roster … the firepower we got, guys coming off the edge, guys all the way on the front seven, guys we got flying around in the back end — the sky’s the limit,” veteran safety Will Harris said.
Trending
It’s hard to decide who or what has stood out most for the defense since training camp kicked off Wednesday. The line and edge rushers, particularly free agent signee Odafe Oweh, have practically moved into the offensive backfield and declared squatter’s rights. Oweh stuffed multiple plays on Day 1 and swatted down a pass from quarterback Jayden Daniels, while fellow linebackers Jordan Magee and K’Lavon Chaisson (another new face) have made their way into the backfield on multiple run plays. Safety Nick Cross (also new) blitzed Daniels at one point to blow up a pass play.
“When we put it all together, it’s going to be a masterpiece,” linebacker Frankie Luvu said. “I’m excited for the guys up front — we got some dogs. We holding them back right now because we ain’t got the pads on, but when it’s time to let them loose we’ll have a lot of splash plays in the backfield.”
In coverage, new cornerbacks Ahkello Witherspoon and Amik Robertson have looked solid. Rookie linebacker Sonny Styles — picked seventh overall in large part because of his elite athleticism — has stayed hip-to-hip, stride-for-stride with his assignments like he’s their ballroom dance partner.
The defense nabbed two interceptions Thursday, one by undrafted free agent Malik Spencer early in the session and a would-be pick-6 by newly signed corner Rasul Douglas on the final play of the day.
During two-minute drills, the defense forced three field goals after stuffing the offense on third down.
“We bring in those guys that come in and get after the quarterback,” Daniels said Wednesday about the new defensive linemen. “It’s good work on both sides that at the end of the day, that’s all camp really is. Building our identity, making sure guys get good work, make each other better.”
On the other side of the ball, the offense is going through the growing pains expected of a unit run by a first-time playcaller implementing a new system.
The group has looked out of sorts at times. The receivers have been a source of much debate this offseason and that uncertainty hasn’t been quelled in these early days. They have consistently struggled to gain separation.
The defense “had a really good day. I’m not afraid to say that,” veteran receiver Terry McLaurin said Thursday. “But, that’s camp. There’s gonna be back and forth.”
You can see the vision that coordinator David Blough has for his unit: lots of pre-snap motion and shifts; quarterbacks alternating from shotgun to under center; plenty of play action to hold the defense. It just hasn’t led to immediate success.
Ahead of Wednesday’s practice, coach Dan Quinn said he expected early mistakes from the offense, but hoped to see less and less as camp progresses.
“I just wanna see the execution, guys functioning at a high level together,” Quinn said.
On Wednesday, there were highlight throws to receivers Antonio Williams, Jaden Bradley and Treylon Burks, who hauled in multiple difficult touchdown catches. (Burks missed Thursday’s practice due to foot soreness.)
Tight end Chig Okonkwo found success on back-to-back out routes Thursday while receiver Luke McCaffrey shook free from cornerback Mike Sainristil for an impressive toe-tapping touchdown grab in the back of the end zone.
When Daniels or his backups have had time, they’ve made quick and accurate throws. It’s just that those moments have come few and far between.
But, as most players have emphasized, it’s only been two practices and the sky has not fallen.
“It’s just Day 2,” McLaurin said Thursday. “It’s good to have guys out there flying around. The juice is what I’m super excited about, the competitiveness. We shake [hands] with guys after practice. I didn’t really wanna shake up with anybody because we got beat. That’s how I am. But at the end of the day, we’re still brothers. We’re going back and forth, but we still have ‘Commanders’ across our chest, so that’s the main thing.”
Author
