I get your point, but your Urban Assault Equipment suggestion has a totally different purpose than Cover to Cover and Fire Up (sprint abilities).
If anything, your idea should replace Rangers and be buffed accordingly, like lowering the RA of Riflemen when upgraded. This would make the commander feel a lot more unique already.
That's also an option. I'm just not sure the commander "needs" cover to cover or sprint. But I'd rather have it be sprint than cover to cover since that is either the most expensive source of smoke in the game or just another incentive for blob charges, both of which are undesirable.