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3 overlooked takeaways from Commanders’ final set of OTAs

By Jerry Trotta

May 31, 2022; Ashburn, VA, USA; Washington Commanders quarterback Carson Wentz (11) and Commanders quarterback Taylor Heinicke (4) each prepare to pass the ball during Commanders OTAs at The Park in Ashburn. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
May 31, 2022; Ashburn, VA, USA; Washington Commanders quarterback Carson Wentz (11) and Commanders quarterback Taylor Heinicke (4) each prepare to pass the ball during Commanders OTAs at The Park in Ashburn. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Washington Commanders‘ final set or organized activities concluded on Wednesday and there was no shortage of headlines.

Between Curtis Samuel and Antonio Gibson giving fans a scare by missing practice, Carson Wentz addressing the media for the first time at OTAs and Jack Del Rio stealing the show by addressing his insensitive tweets in which he referenced the insurrection at the Capitol as a “dust-up,” Wednesday was one for the record books, albeit not one folks will be clamoring to read anytime soon.

While those stories served as Wednesday’s headline-grabbers, let’s highlight some key developments from the Commanders’ third round of OTAs that flew under the radar amid the Del Rio controversy, shall we?

3 overlooked takeaways from Commanders third set of OTAs

May 31, 2022; Ashburn, VA, USA; Washington Commanders head coach Ron Rivera speaks with the media after Commanders OTAs at The Park in Ashburn. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
May 31, 2022; Ashburn, VA, USA; Washington Commanders head coach Ron Rivera speaks with the media after Commanders OTAs at The Park in Ashburn. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Ron Rivera Scolds the Team

We’ve seen Rivera get animated over his two years in Washington. Whether it be on the sidelines after a missed call by refs or blown assignment by his players, or firing up the squad in the locker room after a big win, the three-time AP Coach of the Year is no stranger to stepping out of his comfort zone and losing his cool.

On Wednesday, that version of Rivera returned, and it wasn’t the fun kind. What set the third-year head coach off? Jeremy Reaves laying the hit stick on a defenseless Dyami Brown on a crossing route over the middle of the field.

According to Pete Hailey of NBC Sports Washington, Rivera subsequently called a team huddle, in which he “lost his mind” and yelled at the team “louder than I’ve ever heard him yell in his time here” in a profanity-laced scolding.

"“It’s one of the things that’s been a topic of conversation. We just got to be careful and work with each other,” Rivera told reporters after practice. “You know, the last thing we want is somebody to be hurt. And we’re fortunate that Dyami got a little sore shoulder and that’s about it. Thank goodness.”"

While the hit wasn’t perceived as dirty, Reaves walloped his teammate and has to know better than to be this reckless during OTAs, which are all about shaking off offseason rust, getting back in rhythm and introducing new concepts.

On the roster bubble yet again, Reaves was clearly trying to make an impression on the coaching staff and he apologized to the media after practice. As for Rivera, it was pretty satisfying to see him this fired up in early June.

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