There's nothing like the first day of padded practices in training camp. Pops and thuds can be heard over the music blaring from the speakers, and players have a little more energy as they compete for roster spots.

Washington Commanders head coach Dan Quinn was excited for what he would see when speaking to media members, and he acknowledged there is a noticeable difference in the vibe on the field.

"It shifts a little bit to the line of scrimmage and pass-rush and run game and targeting and fitting blocks," Quinn said. "The physicality part is a real thing, because you wanna test yourself and see where you're at."

The Commanders started training camp in a ramp-up period, according to league rules, so most of their first four practices were focused on the passing game and the competition between the skill players and defensive backs. There were some runs sprinkled throughout the scripts in each period, but with contact being so pivotal to how running backs, offensive linemen and defensive linemen perform, they have avoided any plays that require more physicality to protect the players.

Now that the pads are on, the Commanders can get start getting some real answers to lingering questions on the roster, most notably near the line of scrimmage.

"One, I wanna make sure we're doing it correctly," Quinn said. "Our leverage of how we're entering into a block or taking on a block, the pass rush... So getting into those positions, the combination on blocks. For me, the emphasis is mostly the run game, both sides and pass protection and pass rush."

And of course, the players love the first day in pads. Tight end Zach Ertz said after practice it "really is a start of football."

"Obviously, there's no tackling and we gotta take care of one another but this is gonna be the most competitive besides the preseason games that we're gonna get until game one, so, we gotta maximize these days," Ertz said.

Veterans like Ertz have seen the rules around padded practices change since joining the league. Teams make it a point to avoid any excessive contact, and the number of practices where full pads are allowed has been reduced to a fraction of what it was in previous years, when two-a-days were more common.

Still, getting on the field to simulate what players will see on Sundays matters, and the team isn't wasting the opportunity.

"You have to understand that for most guys, they haven't put pads on since the season ended last year and that's a long time," Bobby Wagner said. "And so you're going to have a little rust, but this is that time to get that rust out and start getting into that game mode."

Here are some more notes from Monday's practice.

-- Thanks to the players wearing pads, we got more answers about the offensive line battles than we have since camp began last week. Third-round pick Brandon Coleman got first team reps for the third straight practice, even with Andrew Wylie -- still starting at right tackle -- returning from the tightness that kept him limited on Friday and Sunday. Michael Deiter is still starting at left guard, but it's possible that is so Nick Allegretti can get snaps at center with the second group. Coleman also had an exceptional day at left tackle, holding his own against Clelin Ferrell and sealing off a linebacker on the first play of the day that allowed Brian Robinson Jr. to score a touchdown.

-- The quarterback competition continues for the Commanders. Daniels got the starting reps during red zone and two-point conversion plays and scored two touchdowns during those periods. The first was on a catch-and-run from Oladmide Zaccheaus, while the second was a wide-open shot to Austin Ekeler.

-- Frankie Luvu's speed really shined when the pads came on. He's able to fill running lanes more quickly and intensity, just as he did on one play that limited Ekeler to a minimal gain.

-- It seems like the Commanders are trying everything they can think of to get an advantage with the new kickoff structure. The list of players returning kicks today included Ekeler, Dmiere Byrd, Mike Sainristil, Zaccheaus, Davion Davis, Dax Milne, Kazmeir Allen, Jahan Dotson, Jamison Crowder and Emmanuel Forbes.

-- Quinn promised that Sam Hartman would get more reps as camp progressed, and the head coach was true to his word. Hartman took the third team reps in an 11-on-11 period earlier in the day and had an impressive sideline throw to Crowder. Speaking of Crowder, the wide receiver also had a wide-open touchdown grab during red zone drills.

-- A small update on second-round defensive tackle Jer'Zhan Newton: Quinn said he's doing well in his own "ramp-up" period of camp after being activated from the non-football injury list and is close to getting 11-on-11 reps.