Commanders Notebook: Veterans Standout As Minicamp Comes To An End

The Washington Commanders have had several young players impressing this offseason, but veterans took their turn to shine as the team's mandatory minicamp came to a close.

ASHBURN, Va. -- The Washington Commanders did things a little differently this year mixing in their mandatory minicamp with one day of OTA practice remaining for next week. 

And we got confirmation on Thursday the Commanders will indeed take advantage of that one day of OTA practice remaining, so we'll be back out to the team facility on Tuesday. 

But this practice still marked the ending of one event as the team's mandatory minicamp wrapped up with three veterans standing out to close it out.

PAID MAN

Defensive tackle Daron Payne did last year what safety Kamren Curl is doing this season and participated in individual drills but sat out during team portions of practices. 

The reason for Payne was a desire to preserve his health while hoping to get a new contract - and we believe the reason for Curl is the same. 

Payne got his deal eventually, but first, he had to prove he was worth what he wanted on the playing field in 2022. 

Now that he's been paid not only is Payne making good on his deal by being present during voluntary portions of the offseason, he's looking quicker than ever when the team goes through drills. 

It's hard to see much we can evaluate in the trenches at this time of the year but watching Payne and his defensive linemates go through drills with Hall of Famer Warren Sapp in attendance, the newly re-signed tackle has been standing out. 

PLAYER'S COACH

Running backs coach Randy Jordan has been in Washington for 10 full seasons entering his 11th in 2023. 

While everyone is standing in awe of the arrival of assistant head coach and offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy, Jordan's focus remains steadfast on making his room the best it can be so they can help the team win. 

And his players appreciate his presence, and his energy on the practice field. 

"He's not like any other coach I've had," rookie running back Chris Rodiguez Jr. said. "He's energized, he sees something - he sees one thing out of line...he's huge on it...he'll sit there and figure out (how to fix it)."

Rodriguez knows as a sixth-round pick he has to earn every rep he gets in practice and eventually in games. 

It's a hill fourth-year back Antonio Gibson had to climb as well as a receiver-turned-running back coming out of Memphis. 

His efforts earned him a solid amount of playing time as a rookie, but he saw a 200 snap jump in his second year, and credits coach Jordan for much of that development. 

Especially with the drills he comes up with for his backs that challenge not only their athleticism but their mental agility as well. 

"One thing you never know what's going to happen in a game," Gibson says. "So doing those weird drills and those different drills that kind of prepares us to react on the fly when something like that happens in the game."

THE CATERED CAPTAIN

The timing of coach Bieniemy's offense couldn't be better for veteran tight end Logan Thomas. 

In his second season since suffering a torn ACL the eight-year NFL tight end is feeling as good as ever, and honestly, he's looking it as well. 

We've heard time and time again how much this offense is going to be tailor-made for playmaking tight ends, and at this stage, it's beginning to look like almost an understatement to say that, really. 

During Thursday's 7-on-7 drills in an abbreviated practice, Thomas hauled in two touchdown passes and was targeted consistently through the previous OTA sessions and this week's minicamp. 

This franchise has had a hard time keeping talented tight ends healthy, but between Thomas and Cole Turner, this year's Commanders have two really good ones who will both benefit greatly from the arrival of coach Bieniemy if they can change that bad health streak around.

We've got one more practice on the schedule as Washington wraps up it's one day of OTAs next Tuesday, so stick with Commander Country as we continue to bring you on-ground analysis of everything we see.

Find David Harrison on the Locked On Commanders podcast or text him directly at (202) 760-2188.

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