Commanders Training Camp: Practice Gets Chippy and Offensive Line Concerns Grow
ASHBURN, Va. -- The Washington Commanders got back to full padded practice Friday after a 'jog through' the day before and if anything is clear it's that this team is ready to hit someone not wearing the same colors.
CHIPPING THE DISTRICT
To say practice Friday got 'chippy' would be a bit of an understatement. In fact, some media members were pretty sure we were one cheapshot from seeing a full-on team brawl.
In the end, there were no major fights, but incidents between center Nick Gates and defensive tackle Phidarian Mathis took center stage even though they weren't the only two feeding into the atmosphere.
On one specific play, Washington defensive back Benjamin St-Juste put tight end Cole Turner on the surface and then refused to help him up off the ground.
Receiver and team leader Terry McLaurin took offense, saying, "Can't do that s--- to your own teammate, bro!"
After practice, McLaurin was seen talking with defensive ends Montez Sweat and Chase Young, and the majority of players we spoke to seemed to believe it was just part of the process and nothing major from a team chemistry standpoint.
OFFENSIVE LINE CONCERNS?
The word 'process' has been used a lot this training camp, and it isn't all tied to new owner Josh Harris and his experience with the NBA's Philadelphia 76ers.
For the offensive line, getting gelled into a single unit that moves as one is just one singular process the Commanders are going through right now.
Their further development took a hit when starting left guard Saahdiq Charles was put on the shelf with a calf injury, resulting in second-year guard Chris Paul stepping up in his place.
Since then, Paul has had his own ups and downs as he tries to elevate his play to become a starting caliber member of the line.
"There's going to be ups and downs," Paul said when asked about the ups and downs of training camp. "But I'm a firm believer that iron sharpens iron and that's really almost the best aspect about training camp is that opportunity to know what you're good at - hone into those - and know what you need to work on and especially hone in on those."
Many on the outside looking in would like to see the unit become a reliable one, and with three preseason games to go up against some of the better pass rushes in the NFL they'll get plenty of opportunities to work on their strengths and weaknesses.
HOWELL WATCH: DAY 9
Washington quarterback Sam Howell completed eight of his 14 pass attempts in 11-on-11 team drills on Friday and that 57 percent completion rate is probably the cleanest part of the day for the offense.
The upside again is that the first-team offense didn't have any interceptions given to the defense, although it was close at times.
Eventually, however, the Commanders are going to need their top unit to start moving the ball not just holding onto it.
After losing defensive lineman David Bada to a torn tricep earlier this week the injuries are starting to stack a bit.
Nicki Jhabvala tweeted a summarization of banged-up Washington players saying, "TE Logan Thomas has a calf strain, they're being cautious. CB Emmanuel Forbes tweaked his groin. Don't believe it's too serious. Will be re-evaluated. TE Curtis Hodges has a hamstring/upper glute issue and they kept him down. LB Cody Barton has a hip flexor/tightness."
Fortunately, none of the injuries or issues seem too grand, but that list is something to keep an eye on moving forward as the Commanders hope to minimize those while maximizing development.
Find David Harrison on the Locked On Commanders podcast or text him directly at (202) 760-2188.
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