It was officially called “Back Together Saturday” across the NFL on Saturday. The day was to celebrate fans being back, players being back, etc. It was essentially the “grand opening” for NFL training camps.
The Washington Commanders opened training camp on Wednesday. The practices were open on Thursday and Friday. Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin attended practice on Thursday, while on Friday, NBA superstar Kevin Durant took in practice.
On Saturday, it was all about the fans. An estimated 10,000 fans attended Saturday’s practice on Day 4 of training camp. It was a fun crowd, and players and coaches were fired up about the renewed energy surrounding the team since Josh Harris officially became the new owner last week.
How about the fans?
What a day for the Washington fan base. While it may not be as big of a deal for other teams, Saturday’s turnout was huge for the fans and the team. It was the third open practice of the week for the Commanders. The team estimated around 10,000 fans were in attendance. They were loud. They cheered the entire team and left an impression on the players.
Yktv gang! Gotta return the love family! https://t.co/6ZyW3f6hxE
— Jeremy Reaves (@JR1ERA) July 29, 2023
Welcome to the new era.
Not a great day for the offense
The offense today … woof.
— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) July 29, 2023
Nicki’s tweet summed up a disappointing day for the offense. There were multiple interceptions of Washington quarterbacks. Sam Howell was picked off by rookie Emmanuel Forbes who was defending Terry McLaurin. It was an ill-advised throw from Howell that you hope he doesn’t make in games. Forbes did a good job undercutting McLaurin and making the play, though.
Howell wasn’t the only QB who struggled. Jacoby Brissett had his moments, too. Before we blame everything on the quarterbacks, though, the defense looks outstanding. This early in camp, that’s what you want to see. This is a new offensive scheme, and the defense has been together for four years. They’re supposed to be ahead, especially when you consider they are one of the NFL’s better units.
Let’s not panic over one bad day of training camp practice. It was a tough day, but better ones are ahead.
Is it time to worry about the OL?
In the previous topic, we said not to panic on Day 4 of training camp. We stand by that. However, one constant through four days of camp is the defensive line’s domination up front.
Two things here. First, that is expected. After all, Washington’s defensive line is one of the top groups in the NFL, led by four former first-round picks. They’re going to embarrass other offensive lines, too.
Secondly, there are no pads yet. If the offensive line struggles daily when the pads come on, then it is time to worry. Remember, the offensive line was the team’s biggest weakness entering the offseason. They signed two starters in free agency. How much of an upgrade are Nick Gates [center] and Andrew Wylie [right tackle]? We don’t know yet. Washington’s DL is going to win more battles than it will lose, but you want to see improvement throughout camp.
The hope came Week 1 is that offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy can scheme to help alleviate some of the offensive line concerns. It’s likely there will be concerns about the line all year, but you can’t help but notice the early struggles in camp.
Emmanuel Forbes
Number 1! pic.twitter.com/Dvrm72ji0C
— New ERA_ Deuce__ @redzoneinthelab podcast (@redzoneinthelab) July 29, 2023
This is an excellent view of rookie Emmanuel Forbes’ interception of Howell. You see Howell under pressure, then, instead of throwing the ball away, he throws off balance, and Forbes makes him pay. If this were a game, you’d hope Howell takes the sack or throws it away.
But back to Forbes. It’s no coincidence that he is always around the football. You should expect multiple interceptions if he can stay healthy during his rookie season. Sure, he will gamble some and get beaten, but you’ll occasionally take that for these types of plays that can change games.
Forbes impressed everyone in OTAs, and he’s carrying that over into training camp.
Chase Young fires up the fans
The fans love #chaseyoung @Commanders pic.twitter.com/ujvFIwwEs3
— Jeff Christy (@99JeffChristy) July 29, 2023
During one segment of Saturday’s practice, head coach Ron Rivera had Young fire up the fans during a kicking competition between Joey Slye and Michael Badgely.
“One of the really neat things……..I went up to Chase and I said, ‘Hey, we’re gonna have the kickers going. Can you see if we can get the crowd going?'” Rivera recounted after practice.
“And he went over and got the crowd into it. And that helps us. I mean, it simulates to a degree what Joey’s gonna feel, what Mike’s [Badgley] gonna feel when they’re out there kicking field goals and extra points.”
letting everyone know the high fives are coming 😂 pic.twitter.com/LmDw7AwL43
— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) July 29, 2023
Despite not playing a full season since 2020, Young’s popularity is evident. If he can bounce back and have the type of year many predicted for him, he again joins Jonathan Allen and Terry McLaurin as the faces of the franchise.
Young secondary standing out
Fun rep here from Washington’s defense. 5-1 front, big nickel package. Percy Butler and rookie Quan Martin up in the box with just a SHS deep pre-snap. Martin shows off that versatility/range from college, sinking back into a Tampa-2 coverage post-snap. Barton at Mike gets INT https://t.co/hSl1guQWOO
— Mark Bullock (@MarkBullockNFL) July 28, 2023
We’ve touched on Forbes, third-year cornerback Benjamin St-Juste, rookie Quan Martin and second-year safety Percy Butler are all turning heads this summer. Kam Curl and Darrick Forrest have been terrific, too.
So much is said about the defensive line — and rightfully so — but it’s time to start paying attention to the secondary. Washington’s safeties didn’t always receive the attention they deserved last season. Curl, Forrest and Jeremy Reaves are all really good. Add Butler and Martin — who can play cornerback and in the box, too — and this is a deep and talented group.
At corner, you have the veteran Kendall Fuller, with Forbes, St-Juste and Martin, and it’s hard not to be excited about the potential of the entire secondary.
