Commanders starters in the secondary appeared to be set after free agency and the NFL draft, with Trey Amos, Mike Sainristil, and Amik Robertson working in a rotation along with safeties Nick Cross, Will Harris, and Quan Martin. New coordinator Daronte Jones specifically mentioned both Sainristil and Martin as players he liked for their versatility in his introductory presser, and there were early predictions of a bounce-back season for both. Headed into the second week of training camp, the early picture
has become a lot less clear.
The addition of Rasul Douglas coincided with Trey Amos being placed on the active/physically unable to perform list and was written off as merely a depth/insurance signing by some. In contrast, Douglas has looked good in early work, holding his own versus the likes of Terry McLaurin and generating multiple turnovers, including a pick-six. Meanwhile, Sainristil’s transition to the new scheme has not been as smooth. He has had some nice pass breakups and coverage plays, but also a number of bad plays to start camp, including more than one dropped interception. He has also struggled to cover Washington’s second-string wide receivers.
It is still very early in camp, and there is plenty of time to develop in Jones’ scheme. At the moment, it appears to be Robertson and Douglas as the favorites to line up opposite Amos down the line. While the inside may be a better fit for Sainristil, with Jones’ supposed preference for three-safety looks, it is yet to be determined how much playing time Mike would see in the slot, but he needs to improve in practice to claim it.
Speaking of the safeties, free agent addition Nick Cross has lived up to his hype so far, and he looks like a force. However, instead of Harris or Martin, so far it has been Jeremy Reaves given the first chance to start next to Cross in two-high safety looks. Given his lack of high-end athleticism, Reaves may seem like a questionable fit, but head coach Dan Quinn has praised his football IQ and communication skills, two things Jones covets in his defense.
His communication skills are elite as a ball player is, as a teammate on the field and off,” Quinn said his Wednesday presser. “So much of what we’re doing goes through out communication hub at linebacker and safety, so seeing him and Frankie (Luvu) and others…he’s an initiator of so many good things that we talk through. He sets incredible standards for effort and speed.
While Harris may prove to be the more natural fit, Reaves is getting a well-deserved chance to prove he belongs. Martin was projected to bounce back with a move to a slot/hybrid role in Jones’ scheme but so far has failed to distinguish himself. In his place, third-year safety Tyler Owens is getting more looks.
The narrative that some of these players may be cut after less than two weeks of camp work is extreme to say the least, but it does demonstrate the early impressions of their performance from a fan’s view at training camp. There is still plenty of time to claim more playing time, but both Martin and Sainristil have something to prove next week in the Commanders’ joint practice session with Miami. Both players may be struggling some as they are asked to play in a new role within a different scheme. But, for Sainristil in particular, his success is tied to finding the right fit. So far, the Washington Commanders have yet to find it.
