Competition was the main focus for the Washington Commanders during their joint practice with the Miami Dolphins Thursday morning, but there was more going on than just seeing the Burgundy & Gold's best match up against one of the AFC's best teams.

For Dan Quinn and Mike McDaniel, it was a reunion opportunity between the two head coaches.

Long before he was one of the NFL's up-and-coming offensive wunderkinds, McDaniel was an offensive assistant with the Atlanta Falcons, where he was able to learn from Quinn and then-offensive coordinator Kyle Shannahan. It was there that McDaniel started to expand his football knowledge, but Quinn's leadership taught him than just how to win on the field.

"Dan Quinn has been a big influence, a gigantic influence on my career," McDaniel said. "Not only from what I learned under him from a head coaching perspective, [but] just the way he looked at anything team related and how the culture that he really instilled."

Quinn has had a knack for identifying and acquiring talented coaches for his staff. In his first season as the Falcons' head coach, his coaching staff included Shannahan, Matt LaFleur and Raheem Morris, all of whom went on to be head coaches.

McDaniel, 33 at the time, was also part of that staff, and Quinn could see the potential. McDaniel understood the balance between the running and passing games and how to blend the two concepts. He also had a unique teaching style, and it was clear that he could explain things in a way that was easily understood.

"Mike's always been a big thinker," Quinn said. "We were doing profile tapes when we all got together in 2015 about traits for the position. And the one that he did specifically on wide receivers was just remarkable. I learned early on that he had special traits to him."

Under Quinn, McDaniel was part of a staff that was almost universally praised for how they approached building a culture in an NFL facility. Although Quinn's approach in Washington is different from what he did with the Falcons, he still uses many of the same basic principles when it comes to motivating players.

McDaniel, who was named the Dolphins' head coach in 2022, borrowed some of those same principles and put them into place in his regime.

"There was a lot of breakthroughs in terms of how to approach certain issues with a team, how to really set the tonality of a building each and every day by example," McDaniel said. "Those things I really got from Dan Quinn, forever grateful for that."

McDaniel also credits Quinn for helping him through a serious personal issue. McDaniel struggled with alcohol dependency during his time with the Falcons, but with help from Quinn and the rest of the staff, he was able to connect with a team psychologist and had a three-week stay at a treatment facility.

"And on top of that, from a whole life perspective or just from my journey, it just so happened that it was under his leadership that I had a crossroads in my life," McDaniel said. "And to have somebody that supports you, that pushes you in the direction of 'No, you can,' that believes in you and that decides on his own accord that you're worth investing in and believing in -- how big of a deal is that? It's everything."

For Quinn, helping someone in need is all part of being a team.

"I think all of us need teammates and so that was nothing different than just trying to be a good teammate," Quinn said. "Mike did the work, but all of us have had spots that we need people to support us and I was glad to step into that gap to help support him and his family when he needed it. And I know he would do the same in return."

Here are some observations from Thursday's practice.

-- The Commanders started the day by signing Trace McSorley, who worked with Kliff Kingsbury during his time with the Arizona Cardinals. The signing comes from a need for temporary depth at the quarterback position, as both Marcus Mariota (groin) and Sam Hartman (shoulder) are dealing with injuries and will not participate in the preseason game against the Dolphins.

-- The receiver position seems to be one of the most competitive on the Commanders' roster every year, and this season appears no different. Terry McLaurin's status as the team's No. 1 option is not in doubt, but Quinn said the team is still looking for answers at the No. 2 spot.

"I would say we are right in the middle of it. And so, you'll see a lot of guys in today. You'll see 2, 3, 4, 5. There's a lot of guys that are really battling. I've been really impressed with [WR] Olamide [Zaccheaus] and I thought he's had a really strong camp. I'm looking forward to getting [WR] Luke [McCaffrey] some extra work into here, [WR] Jahan [Dotson], [WR] Dyami [Brown]. So that's where we're at and then the special teams is gonna have a factor in that as well."

-- Tight end Zach Ertz was not in Miami for Thursday's practice, and Quinn confirmed that he will not play in the preseason game. He did not elaborate much on why Ertz would be absent, saying that it was not injury-related and for "an excellent reason," but it could be about his wife Julie Ertz giving birth to their second child.

-- On the issue of the Commanders' offensive line, the group is healthier than it was against the Jets last week. Andrew Wylie was back and participated in practice, as was Cornelius Lucas. Brandon Coleman was also in pads but mostly worked off to the side.

-- Jayden Daniels had a much better day against the Dolphins compared to what he showed in the joint practice with the Jets, due in part to the lack of rain and his offensive line being closer to full health. He had five touchdowns during red zone drills, two of which went to Terry McLaurin.

-- The Commanders' secondary faced a tough test with Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle on the other sideline, but the group largely held their own. Rookie Mike Sainristil earned a pass breakup working against Hill, who was trying to go for a touchdown. Sainristil also showed exceptional awareness on the next play, helping to corral a reverse by not over pursuing on the run.

-- Bo Bauer was carted off the field with an apparent leg injury, clearly frustrated as he slammed his hand on the cart. Before he was taken to the Dolphins' training facility, Bauer received words of encouragement from his teammates.

-- It was a solid day for Riley Patterson, now the only kicker on the Commanders' roster. He went 3-for-3 on the day, connecting on kicks of 51 and 56 yards.

-- Daniels ended practice with a pass being intercepted by Kendall Fuller, but it wasn't because of a bad decision from the quarterback. McLaurin, the intended target on the play, slipped while running his route, making for an easy pick by Fuller. Daniels had another interception on the day, but that one wasn't necessarily his fault, either. The pass was on target to Cole Turner, but the tight end couldn't secure the pass, which allowed Marcus Maye to grab it for himself.