ASHBURN, Va. — The Commanders are getting ready to compete in a few short months. To help them do that, head coach Dan Quinn announced the team will have at least one joint practice with another team. In mid-August, the Commanders will head to Miami to practice with the Dolphins before the second NFL preseason game.
Before that though, team members continue to gel on the practice field in Ashburn during OTAs (organized team practice activity). While the defense went through their paces, it was nearly impossible for them not to stop and watch rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels.
Veteran defensive tackle Jonathan Allen said he has been impressed with Daniels' work ethic.
"I pride myself on being one of the first guys here and he always beats me here," Allen said. "He stays late. He does everything you want out of your No. 2 overall pick rookie quarterback. I'm excited to see him work, excited to see him play, and just focus on what I got to do to make his life as easy as possible."
The Commanders schedule says next week the team is "off." But this is a full time job. It's all part of the process.
Quinn said the day includes workouts, team development and skill development.
"That's what this time of year is about," Quinn said. "Think of crawl, walk, run."
Running the defense for the Commanders is 13-year veteran linebacker Bobby Wagner. He comes to the Commanders from the Seattle Seahawks, where he was a member of the famed Legion of Boom.
He said the process toward winning begins with something simple.
"The biggest thing is getting to know the people," Wagner said, referencing people both on and off the field. "The biggest thing is building that rapport. Football is going to be football, but it's the teams that grow the closest, that come together, that I feel are the ones at the end of the season happy with their results."
Do you have a news tip on this story or any other story? We want to hear from you. Tell us about it by emailing newstips@wusa9.com.
MORE WAYS TO GET WUSA9
DOWNLOAD THE WUSA9 APP
Apple App Store: WUSA9 News on Apple
Google Play Store: WUSA9 News on Android
HOW TO ADD THE FREE WUSA9+ APP TO YOUR STREAMING DEVICE
ROKU: add the channel from the ROKU store or by searching for WUSA9.
For both Apple TV and Fire TV, search for "WUSA9" to find the free app to add to your account. Another option for Fire TV is to have the app delivered directly to your Fire TV through Amazon.
SIGN UP TO RECEIVE WUSA9 NEWSLETTER
Subscribe to our daily WUSA9 Newsletter for top stories from WUSA9 curated daily just for you. Get content and information right now for can’t-miss stories, Commanders content, weather, and more delivered right to your inbox.