Commanders rookie camp: Eric Bieniemy’s early impact, Emmanuel Forbes tries the slot

ASHBURN, Va. — Before THAT news dropped, the loudest noise involving the Washington Commanders on Friday emanated from the team’s practice field.

Rookie minicamp included the usual football chatter and grunts as drafted players and undrafted free agents were put through their paces. Oohhs and ahhs rang out when cornerback and first-round pick Emmanuel Forbes lived up to his playmaking hype and UDFA quarterback Tim DeMorat found receivers for deep strikes.

But the voice that punctuated the scene most of all came from the 53-year-old new coordinator tasked with revitalizing the team’s limp offense.

“(You) can’t play if (you) don’t know the snap count!” Eric Bieniemy barked after witnessing a glitch in execution.

Later in the two-plus hour practice/tryout, the coordinator saw confusion from his group during a 7-on-7 drill. Bieniemy directed his displeasure at offensive lineman Nolan Laufenberg, one of the few holdovers at practice.

“The center is in the huddle for a reason,” Bieniemy yelled. “Take control!”

That’s what head coach Ron Rivera offered the two-time Super Bowl champion coordinator with the Kansas City Chiefs this offseason. Control of an offense that languished during Rivera’s three seasons, ending without a winning record. Even though the primary cast of players wasn’t the one going through drills, the energetic Bieniemy set the tone.

🎙️Monster episode. Huge.

🗓️ Commanders' 2023 schedule breakdown w/ @Matthew_Paras. Toughest stretch isn't the most important

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💨1-on-1 with rookie RB @CROD_JR. Prep for camp, Beast Mode, backfield fithttps://t.co/ZoAsotfCXV

— Ben Standig (@BenStandig) May 12, 2023

“This is a little different this year having Eric Bieniemy out there,” Rivera said.

The differences began before the official start of on-field work.

Veterans returned en masse in mid-April when they could begin working with the coaches. Washington typically has a strong attendance under Rivera. Before last month’s draft, the coach credited an atypical mood to his new play caller.

“We’ve got a lot of guys that are here working, doing things they need to. They’re doing it with a lot of enthusiasm and excitement,” Rivera said. “I think a lot of it has to do with what we’ve done on the offensive side. … I think Eric has brought some optimism and you listen to the guys talk about it.”

The changes go beyond mood.

Previously, offensive coaches arrived at the facility for work at 8 a.m. That’s hardly sleeping in, but now they start at 7 with Bieniemy. Washington’s training camp and regular-season practice schedules are also expected to undergo tweaks. Certain meetings will occur before putting on helmets, meaning on-field work shifts to mid-afternoon. Rivera’s media sessions, a post-practice staple, began beforehand on Friday.

Coordinators have sway during the draft process. Bieniemy influenced the selection of running back Chris Rodriguez in the sixth round. He will also have plenty of say in Antonio Gibson’s role next season. Rivera said he’d like more touches for the fourth-year running back and is intrigued by how the versatile Gibson fits into “what Eric Bieniemy wants to do with the offense.”

It’s not enough to have added a coordinator from the NFL’s most successful outfit over the past four years. Rivera wants Bieniemy to share preparation keys to the Chiefs’ success with Washington’s players and staff.

Bienieny will have been with Washington for more than three months when the first on-field OTA session occurs May 22-24. That’s a small amount of time on the calendar but it offered Rivera enough opportunities to see the OC lead his staff and Bieniemy’s daily attention to each position group.

“He’s constantly with these coaches and constantly going through little detail things,” Rivera said. “It’s been real interesting to watch the way he handles things.”

As rookie camp opened, it was also interesting to hear about the new offensive coordinator.

In or out?

The first look at Forbes in a Commanders’ uniform included one visual confirmation, one positional surprise, and a dynamic reminder as to why Washington sought this cornerback in the first place.

The 2022 consensus All-American and first-team All-SEC selection from Mississippi State thrived in college football’s most dominant conference despite a playing weight that would make some high school coaches flinch. Though listed seven pounds heavier (173) in camp than what the scales read in March at the NFL combine, describing Forbes’ frame as slender, particularly his legs is an understatement.

The 6-foot-1 defender’s physical attributes include good length and 4.35 speed. The Bulldogs deployed those assets and Forbes’ high-end coverage instincts strictly on the outside. Washington, at least for rookie camp, had other plans. Forbes typically lined up in the slot.

That spot makes sense if the Commanders seek to keep starters Kendall Fuller and Benjamin St-Juste near the sideline. Whether that’s the best use of Forbes is another story. The first chapter of this positional journey reads like a dream.

Forbes spied DeMorat, a record-setting QB from Fordham, in the offensive backfield during a 7-on-7 drill. As DeMorat fired the football over the middle, Forbes jumped the route and did what he did better than anyone at the FBS level during his three seasons — intercepted the pass.

Not only catch the ball but immediately turn into attacking mode by racing toward the far sideline before turning up the field. What else would you expect from the player who set the FBS record by returning six of his 14 interceptions for touchdowns?

Forbes later deflected a pass in practice and then at least once Saturday when rain forced everyone inside. He perhaps garnered additional work in the slot with second-round pick and nickelback Quan Martin absent due to personal matters. The coaches wanted to get the visual of Forbes inside regardless.

.@emmanuelforbes7 is going to be so fun to watch 😁 pic.twitter.com/MqMHqEeoJl

— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) May 13, 2023

During an interview at the owners’ meeting in February and sensing the Commanders prioritized adding another cornerback, The Athletic asked Rivera about plans for Fuller. Washington’s top corner played in the slot earlier in his career.

“For what Kendall has done for us in the last couple seasons, been our most consistent guy, been the guy that’s there, you got to look at the situation and say, let’s leave them in one spot. Let’s work around him,” Rivera said. “He is a veteran guy. … He’s very crafty. That’s going to impact the way we approach everything as far as that’s concerned.”

Slot work means navigating significant traffic, sometimes in the form of a 270-pound blocking tight end. That doesn’t seem like the ideal space for a player with Forbes’ physical dimensions when full contact begins. The offseason program offers the chance for experimentation, just in case. At least the coaches witnessed Forbes’ playmaking translates wherever he lines up.

Wanted man

Watch out for UDFA Kazmeir Allen in the return game. Rivera said so.

The coach answered a question about whether anyone in rookie camp would be in the returner competition mix this summer by naming the electric and versatile UCLA alum. Allen played running back and wide receiver for the Bruins. That versatility and work as a kick and punt returner had Washington eagerly pursuing him.

“He’s a young man that most certainly has gotten our attention,” Rivera said. “He’s a young guy that we went out and tried to make sure we were able to recruit and bring him in as a free agent.”

The California native set a national high school record with 72 touchdowns in one season. Allen used his track speed to average 27.0 yards on 38 kickoff returns during his final two seasons, with one touchdown. Returning punts was not part of his workload with the Bruins, but the 5-foot-8 threat showed off those skills during the East-West Shrine Game week.

Welcome to the league, rooks pic.twitter.com/Pubjigciu0

— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) May 13, 2023

“Special teams is a huge part of the game,” Allen said following practice. “If I can flip the field and get the offense going …”

Gibson and Dax Milne handled kick and punt returns last season. Milne handled a league-leading 40 punts but averaged a generic 7.8 yards per return.

Extra points

• Rivera was non-plussed when asked for a reaction to Thursday’s schedule release that includes a Week 1 home opener with the Cardinals, a Thanksgiving day game at the Cowboys, and a Week 14 bye for the second consecutive year. “You gotta play the schedule you gotta play,” he said. “I wish the bye might have been a little bit sooner, but again, we’ll take it where it is.”

• Juan Castillo returned to familiar territory by working with the offensive linemen. One of the league’s more renowned OL coaches, Castillo joined Washington as a TE coach. Expectations have the 63-year-old assistant toggling between the two positions while taking on more duties as run-game coordinator. Travelle Wharton will be promoted from assistant OL coach, while assistant TE coach Todd Storm is Castillo’s apparent replacement.

• Players in attendance with prior experience with Washington included DL David Bada; offensive linemen Laufenberg, Aaron Monteiro and Drew Himmelman; wide receiver Kyric McGowan and cornerback DaMarcus Fields. The Commanders trimmed the roster to 90 by releasing WR Alex Erickson and LB Drew White.

Just gonna say it: QB Tim DeMorat (Fordham) throws a nice deep ball.

— Ben Standig (@BenStandig) May 12, 2023

• Washington used four quarterbacks in rookie camp. The only one who consistently took — and connected — deep shots was the one already signed to the 90-man offseason roster. DeMorat found wide receiver Jalen Sample a stride or two in front of CB Nick Whiteside for a roughly 40-yard completion. The 6-foot-3 DeMorat, a finalist for the Walter Payton Award as the best FCS player last season, could be a fun practice-squad project. Same for Sample. The 6-foot-4 UDFA from Minnesota State Mankato later had another long reception and stood out among the receivers.

(Photo of Emmanuel Forbes: Geoff Burke / USA Today)