ASHBURN — Dan Quinn is not a patient man. The Washington Commanders coach said so himself when his squad opened training camp Wednesday at their practice facility in Ashburn.
The first-year coach said the path back to contention is long, but he wants to see progress as soon as possible.
“I’m not the best on patience,” Quinn said before Wednesday’s practice. “It’s how quickly can we get to become good at so many different parts of our football. So, I’m just the opposite of patient, to be honest with you.”
The impatient coach caught a break Wednesday. Rookie defensive tackle Jer’Zhan Newton was removed from the non-football injury list, surprising analysts who had expected him to continue rehabilitating for a couple more weeks. The Illinois product missed most of the team’s spring workouts with a foot injury he suffered in college.
“That was some great news,” Quinn said after his second-round pick was cleared for practice. “He has [worked] to do everything he can to get ready. So, what a great sign for him.”
Newton worked with his position group to start practice before standing on the sideline during team drills. Between plays, he was seen talking with two-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Jonathan Allen.
“He’s definitely going to fit in really well,” Allen said of Newton. “He loves to work out, he loves to do the little things right, and he loves to work. And for me, once I see that, that’s all I need to see.”
Allen, Newton and the rest of the Commanders are staying together at a nearby hotel to build chemistry and camaraderie during camp. Their coach said the veterans were raring to get back to work as they checked in this week.
“Just having everybody together, there’s an energy that goes with that. I’ve been to some camps where you come in, not tired, but ‘oh, here we go again,’” Quinn said. “It’s been just the opposite here. … They wanted to get going. That told me a lot about their connection so far.”
As two of the longest-tenured Commanders, Allen and wide receiver Terry McLaurin have seen several coaching regimes come and go. But they said the energy at this year’s training camp is different — there’s optimism.
“It definitely feels like the first day of school. The first day of training camp is exciting and fun to get out here with the guys for the first time,” Allen said. “We’re excited about what the season could be.”
“It’s a new start for everybody,” McLaurin said.
Competition and urgency were themes of the first practice, as players and coaches noted that they were trying to establish a standard. Success in the regular season, they claim, starts with dedicated practices in July.
“I wanted urgency in all that we’re doing … because if the execution and the communication is not game-like, how could you perform in the game?” Quinn said. “Well, if you’re not pushing those standards out in the practice field, so out here it should be as competitive and game-like as we can while taking care of one another.”
The opening practice saw 11-on-11 red drills in the red zone. The team even brought in referees to officiate, offering game-like conditions. The long-time defensive coordinator and former coach of the Atlanta Falcons was in the middle of the action as his players faced off near the goal line.
Even on the first day of camp, Quinn wanted every huddle, block, route and pass to be meticulous. The coach said his team needs to start with strong fundamentals.
“You can’t put the winning before the standards and the championship habits that you create together. And so that’s what this time is for,” he said. “So, in all that we do, I expect to see championship standards, the way we meet, the way we practice, the way we communicate. When those things take place, the winning goes.”
That message has already trickled down to the players.
“The word of the day is competition. The word of the month is competition. The word of the year is competition,” Lucas said. “I’m always excited to compete.”
Lucas and the rest of the Commanders will compete exclusively against each other until a joint practice with the Jets on Aug. 8. Quinn’s group will then have exactly one month before their regular season opener against the Buccaneers.
“There’s a lot of excitement. … It’s as fun as you could ever think. This is absolutely the right spot and the right place with the right people,” the coach said. “So, let’s go. Let it rip.”
• Liam Griffin can be reached at lgriffin@washingtontimes.com.
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