Commanders training camp observations: An undrafted defensive lineman makes his case

ASHBURN, Va. — Ricky Barber had been waiting for a moment like the one against Dallas last year.

After being inactive for three months, Barber made his NFL debut against the Cowboys in Week 17. It was just him and Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott in open space. This was his chance to finally stamp his name in the Commanders’ rotation. And the rookie made the most of it, taking down the Pro Bowler.

“I was waiting all season for my turn,” Barber said. “Watching the guys like [Javon Kinlaw], just trying to meet their standard. Because they are the standard. So if I’m meeting that standard, I should play.”

Barber met the standard that day, recording five tackles and the sack.

He met the standard again in the preseason opener, leading Washington in tackles and adding a sack against the Miami Dolphins.

Coming into training camp, few prognosticators had Barber sniffing the roster. But if he keeps playing like this, he might just force the issue.

“I’m a competitor. I belong,” Barber said at his locker after the preseason debut. “I want to be part of the team.”

No doubt, the odds are still stacked against Barber. Washington’s interior defensive line is stocked with veteran playmakers and highly drafted prospects. Kinlaw, Daron Payne, Tim Settle Jr. and Charles Omenihu are all listed above him on the opening depth chart. Jer’Zhan Newton also has an advantage being a former second-round pick.

But Newton played poorly in the preseason opener and still hasn’t found his role on the defense. It cracked open the door for someone like Barber.

“Ricky got to play a lot [against Miami],” head coach Dan Quinn said. “He’s in a deep group. But I like seeing him on the edges and pass rush, use his athleticism. He’s stronger, you can see all the good work he has put in. That’s what I see, especially his ability to go affect the quarterback.”

Newton only has seven career sacks in two seasons. And with Washington’s renewed emphasis on pressuring the quarterback after last year’s 5-12 debacle, Barber’s ability to be get in the backfield helps.

He didn’t know new defensive coordinator Daronte Jones before this year. But he still signed a reserve contract with Washington in the offseason thinking he could fit in.

“He already had an idea where he wanted guys. He was just telling me where he saw me,” Barber said. “Just being a rookie [last year], new guy, you know my head was spinning. I definitely got my bearings, my feet underneath me. More confident. That’s been my biggest thing, playing with more confidence.”

It will be an uphill battle. But if he continues playing well in Detroit on Saturday, it will only help his case.

Trouble in the trenches

After losing Pro Bowl left tackle Laremy Tunsil, the Commanders are trying to mix and match a few spots on the offensive line. Brandon Coleman is in for Tunsil at left tackle and the center position is rotating. Nick Allegretti just returned Tuesday from a calf injury, theoretically taking over the snapping duties.

“I would say both sides of the line, not there yet,” Quinn said on Tuesday. “And that is going to be expected. I would say padded days will have a big impact. We get more reps. We’re making progress [on offense]. I would say in terms of targeting, who is blocking who, we are making progress.”

Quinn still wants to see the speed off the ball improve. To him, that is not a continuity issue. But it has been the reason why Washington hasn’t run the ball well at times in camp.

“I don’t think it’s [lack of continuity]. I wouldn’t say there are a lot of errors,” he said. “Just the timing and speed of it, that is what I want to see.”

Washington will have its most intensive week of camp with multiple padded practices and a game. It will be the first extended look at the offensive line playing live.

Kicking competition is over

One position where there will be no further evaluation is kicker. Jake Moody is out. Drew Stevens is in.

The undrafted rookie out of Iowa unseated Moody after a strong camp. Moody missed over 10 kicks in the last two weeks and Stevens has been more reliable. He also has a significantly stronger leg.

Quinn said it was time to cut bait and let Stevens prepare for the season.

“This was a good competition all the way back from the spring,” Quinn said. “Just about every day in the spring [we kicked]. These blocks [in the summer] too. It established itself. He’s kicking it back and through, clean. It is important for him the next two days where he gets all the kicks, all the moments.”