Terry McLaurin doubtless moved quite a few Washington Commanders followers to tears together with his heartfelt feedback he made in the course of the press convention that celebrated him signing a three-year extension with the group.
On high of describing his hard-fought journey to succeed in this milestone and exhibiting humility that solely a choose few skilled athletes boast, the presser underlined each purpose why signing McLaurin was a should for the Commanders.
The opposite primary takeaway? McLaurin revealed his plans to fly out to California to apply with new quarterback Carson Wentz. After sitting out all the offseason program amid his contract negotiations, McLaurin missed priceless reps with Washington’s new QB and needed to make up for misplaced time.
That alone proves why he was a crew captain final 12 months.
If thought McLaurin and Wentz have been going to be the one gamers in attendance for the exercise, nevertheless, you have been sorely mistaken.
Along with Wentz and McLaurin, Jahan Dotson, Antonio Gibson, Cam Sims, Taylor Heinicke, Cole Turner and Dax Milne have been current.
The Commanders’ offensive stars held a personal exercise in Los Angeles over the weekend.
The notable absences embody Curtis Samuel, Dyami Brown, Logan Thomas, who’s admittedly nonetheless recovering from ACL surgical procedure, and John Bates. Maybe everybody’s schedules didn’t align amid summer time break, however it’s superior to see so lots of Washington’s talent gamers present as much as the exercise nonetheless.
Wentz and McLaurin linking up for the primary time is sufficient to fill Commanders followers’ content material appetites, however this apply additionally (seemingly) marks the primary time because the draft that McLaurin and Dotson have shared the field as teammates.
Should you keep in mind, McLaurin final reported to the crew earlier than the draft, so the star receiver was unable to witness Dotson’s dominant offseason.
It’d be silly to overreact to this exercise, as myriad offenses across the league have interaction in related chemistry-building workouts earlier than coaching camp. With that mentioned, it ought to instill optimism that the group is figuring out throughout their time to loosen up and recuperate earlier than common season preparations kick into excessive gear.
The stronger their connection is to start out coaching camp, the better it’ll be to beat the rising pains that include a brand new QB taking up an offense. Prefer it or not, that’s an impediment each crew in an analogous state of affairs has to beat and Wentz, McLaurin and Co. deserve credit score for being proactive in that regard.
Already flush with weapons at this exercise, it’s downright scary to suppose Wentz didn’t have JD McKissic, Samuel, Brown and Brian Robinson Jr. by his aspect. Coaching camp actually can’t come quickly sufficient so we will see how the 29-year-old quarterback seems together with his full complement of weapons.
Thrilling occasions, certainly.