Commanders OTA Notebook: Eric Bieniemy Keeping Energy Turned Up

Day 2 of Washington Commanders minicamp is in the books and coach Eric Bieniemy set the tone.

ASHBURN, Va. -- The Washington Commanders continued on their path toward developing a winning team on the field with their second practice of the mandatory minicamp phase of the offseason. 

It was a high-energy day with plenty of plays on both sides of the ball to make the offense and defense both feel like they accomplished something but still have things to work on. 

And today's notebook is going to start with one of the sources of that energy and is our first non-player observation of the week's practices. 

CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW?

Assistant head coach and offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy is not known as a quiet and reserved man. 

The vocal coach is precise in what he wants, clear in what he expects, and direct in how he communicates. 

To some, that can be viewed as a negative, while others will draw motivation from it. It really is just a matter of perception and personal taste.

Quarterback Sam Howell said he's accepting of being coached hard and even told us he's asked to receive just that style of mentoring. 

But that doesn't stop moments from standing out like the one that unfolded near the end of Wednesday's practice. 

With the end of Howell and the first team's fourth 11-on-11 session coming to a close, Bieniemy loudly requested his starting quarterback remove his unit from the field.

"Get off the field," Bieniemy yelled for all to hear. "Two's up!"

Bieniemy had been yelling at each unit to get set faster throughout the day, and at that point seemed to have reached his fill of the first team's lack of urgency. 

But the energy isn't received as a negative says receiver Jahan Dotson who told us, "It's awesome just to have someone that holds you to such a high standard."

DONE AND DUSTED

The Commanders' quarterbacks weren't the only ones getting work from Bieniemy and his energetic install tactics. 

During the practice, it was noticed Washington receivers were a little more gassed than this time last year. 

But not in an out-of-shape way, in a way that makes you come to realize just how much running they're doing out there these days. 

Dotson mentioned that fact in his post-practice presser and also discussed the work he's been putting in to make sure his body is right and ready for what could be a breakout season for the second-year receiver. 

Bieniemy's role in that development as a coach is something that Dotson appreciates, and says it reminds him of someone very close to him.

"That's kind of how my dad was...he saw the potential in me and he made sure that I worked to get to where I want to be in life," Dotson said. "And I see the same things in E.B. so you really gotta cherish people like that in your life and I'm super thankful to have him as a coordinator."

DON'T FORGET THE DEFENSE

Bieniemy isn't the only one bringing energy on the field as the defense has also been flying around during practice and making plays themselves. 

On Wednesday one of the best plays came from a well-known source of energy in safety Jeremy Reaves. 

Howell targeted undrafted free agent Mitchell Tinsley deep on the left side of the field and not only did Reaves range over to get into the play, but he came away with a nice one-handed interception. 

"They had a tight end on the backside on the single receiver side, so I realized all my work was going to be coming from the right side," Reaves said about the play. "As I got into my pedal...I saw Jahan (Dotson) coming on a dig, so in my head by process of elimination, either (Tinsley) is going straight verticle or he's going to run a high angle seven which he ended up doing. And so I just played off of Sam's shoulders, he was down the middle of the field so I stayed straight back and once he broke his shoulders I just broke on the ball and that was it."

Reaves is known for his energy on the field and as arguably the best special teams player in the league, but also says he's on a mission to prove he can be an All-Pro caliber safety as well.

If he keeps up plays like that one, you'll be seeing a lot more of him on the defensive side of the ball, and not just on special teams.

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

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