There's a palpable sense of transformation sweeping through the Washington Commanders as they navigate this year's training camp and preseason. From new faces both on the field and the coaching staff to an overhauled logistics system and revamped practice structures, the Commanders are clearly ushering in a new era. With Dan Quinn at the helm as the new head coach, along with fresh offensive and defensive coordinators, the team is setting the stage for what they hope will be a transformative season.
New Coaching, New Strategies
Dan Quinn’s appointment has been a focal point for this transformation. The new head coach has not wasted any time in instilling fresh initiatives and a renewed mindset within the team. One of these initiatives is the intriguingly named “Tell the Truth Monday.” Rolled out two days after the Commanders' narrow 20-17 preseason loss to the Jets, the initiative offers a thorough review of both successes and shortcomings.
"It was good to tell the truth Monday—this is what we learned, this is what we need to do heading into this week," Quinn remarked. His ethos of embracing realities, both good and bad, seems to resonate well with the players too. Mason Brooks, who played 34 of his team-high 53 snaps at left tackle against the Jets, reflected on this approach: "Don't harden your heart to the corrections."
Brooks appreciates the balance this initiative strikes. "Tell the Truth is good and bad. There's high points—like your rookie quarterback making a check like that—and there's low points, like guys missing assignments and coming up short. Obviously, when you don't win the game, it's a little bit more serious of a 'Tell the Truth Monday' than if you come out with a win," he said.
Rookies Making Their Mark
The game against the Jets was a proving ground for rookies like Jayden Daniels and Ben Sinnott. Daniels, in particular, demonstrated promise with a single drive that showcased his ability. He led an audible that resulted in a 42-yard pass to Dyami Brown and capped the series with a 3-yard touchdown run. Sinnott, another rookie, made significant contributions with three receptions for 57 yards during the game.
Ben Sinnott, reflecting on the takeaways from the Jets game, admitted there’s still work to be done: "We still got a lot of stuff to improve on. I think the big thing that we kind of heard—the 'truth'—just being able to finish that game, make the plays that we need. We had a three-and-out, penalty on our last drive to go and take the lead, so just things we need to clean up, pre-snap errors, that kind of stuff that we can clean up and hopefully take our game to the next level."
Challenges and Changes
The Commanders have had to adapt on the fly, especially with injuries plaguing some key players. Tackles Brandon Coleman (shoulder/pectoral), Andrew Wylie (tightness), and Cornelius Lucas (personal) did not play against the Jets. This led to six different players lining up at tackle during the game, including Mason Brooks, Chris Paul, and Braeden Daniels.
Rookies Johnny Newton (foot), Jordan Magee (knee), and Sam Hartman (shoulder) are also dealing with injuries. However, Newton and Magee are expected to return and contribute sooner rather than later, a promising sign for the team's depth and future performance.
Learning and Moving Forward
The Commanders have embraced a new living arrangement and practice structure in their attempt to build a cohesive and well-prepared team. The film review sessions of their performances, as well as the mistakes, serve as critical tools for improvement. This rigorous review process is intended to fortify the team’s performance ahead of their upcoming regular seasons.
Mason Brooks touched on the importance of adaptability and moving forward: "You just have to take things in stride the best that you can. When you're working in uncharted or new territory, there's a lot of new experiences for you to have. I think the important thing is just to keep moving forward the best that you can."
As the Commanders continue their preseason journey, with high expectations and an evident shift in culture, the team remains steadfast in their resolve to improve and excel. The focus now shifts to consistency, execution, and keeping the momentum going into the regular season, as they aim to make a significant impact. It’s a new dawn in Washington, and with fresh leadership and renewed vigor, the Commanders are poised to take on the challenges ahead with a sense of determination and optimism.