Washington Commanders head coach Dan Quinn addressed the media after the team's loss to Tampa Bay. Here is a full transcript of the press conference.

DAN QUINN: Man, a lot of lessons to take away tonight. I wanted this one badly for the players, and that's why it stings.

Certainly a story tonight of missed opportunities, and I think third down, if I had to look back on it right now, that was the biggest and certainly the story of the game.

So a lot to work on, and Tampa was the better team today. You need the struggle to see the identity develop. You don't want it, but you do need it. That part is hard, and that struggle happened tonight. So we'll take these lessons, and we'll work on them.

Before I open it up, I just wanted to give a shout-out to on Monte Kiffin's family. This was a remarkable coach, and heard him honored today, and somebody I had a chance to visit with for a long time. For his family and all the good that was done here, I want to give a shout-out to his family.

Glad to open it up to questions to you guys regarding the game. Let's get it underway.

How do you effectively work on tackling during the season?

DAN QUINN: Yeah, actually you can work on it a lot. Usually, not always, but there are two things that come up. One is called tracking, you know, where you are taking an improper angle. The second one is usually involved in taking the next step in terms of instead of diving or reaching, there's much more power in a tackle that runs through.

So we've got work to do in that. You can absolutely work on it without being padded. In fact, OTAs, training camp all the way through. My experience has been it usually starts a little slower defensively because you do need to be in these fights, but it is absolutely something that you can work on without being padded and the tracking and taking the next step is usually the

How do you feel Jayden did in his first official NFL game?

DAN QUINN: I thought he got to fully express all the things that he has of using his legs, you know, being aggressive down the field. Like him, like a number of the players tonight, there's going to be a lot of take-aways and things that we're going to like, things that we want to improve upon.

But what I can tell you is we got one hell of a competitor in him. We're just getting started with him and the guys. That's why when you have a performance like tonight where it doesn't go your way, you want to question how you prepare, and these guys really put it in and were ready.

So when you don't deliver when you put the work in, it stings more. We got work to do for sure, but Tampa was the better team tonight.

He had 16 rushing attempts. I know that's not ideal. How concerning is that, and also the two hits he took, one here in the red zone where his helmet came off in the first half and then one on the second touchdown there where his helmet got caught.

DAN QUINN: Yeah, we certainly have to talk about from the helmet on that one. But, yeah, it's a fair question.

Some of the ones we like where he could extend the plays with his legs, that's what does make him unique. But, yeah, we certainly don't want the ones that are inside and where helmet gets knocked around. Those are things that we can work through for sure.

What's your assessment of the secondary?

DAN QUINN: Man, there's a lot to work through there. I think the assessment defensively what I wasn't as pleased with was third down, and that's what I thought was the biggest story of this game where you get a guy off the spot, and the quarterback stays. That's not a coverage-related one as much as the second play begins. So I'll have a better answer for you on that tomorrow.

I thought early on there wasn't big plays and explosive plays to happen, but I thought at the end here we need a stop right here, so the touchdown pass was one that certainly was one of the bigger turning points for me.

I think third down overall collectively defense, not just from a secondary.

With Forbes in particular there were two penalties. Kind of what was your message to him after that, and what did you see on the play?

DAN QUINN: Yeah, we're just rotating people around. I think it comes from a place of competing and knowing how to and knowing when to make the right decisions into those spaces.

So that's what we'll work on. Technique-wise, you know, usually you ask a player, What did you see? If they know how to correct it already, then you're in a good spot. That was Ben on the first touchdown to Evans. I need to turn the other way and look. Okay, got it.

If you ask a player and, I don't know, that's a bigger concern. Those guys know the things they need to work on, and that's why it did sting, and there is a lot for us to work on.

Third downs I would say collectively defensively. I wouldn't put it on one versus the other.

I know you're not in the excuse-making business, but you guys turned over more than half the roster. The whole staff is different. (Indiscernible) you play a lot of the starters in the preseason, to some degree. Is this a little bit of a result of all that happening?

DAN QUINN: Yeah, fair question, but I honestly thought the preparation was really good. So going into it I was expecting us to really see us hit our marks and go. I just didn't feel the energy, the hitting, and the tackling that I was accustomed to seeing.

So that's the part to make sure that identity is what we're looking for. If that comes to life, then everything else can connect.

But, for instance, pass rushing in concert and working together, those things take some reps together in the games. I certainly expect that to improve.

I assume Brian Robinson epitomizes what you are looking for.

DAN QUINN: Absolutely. Man, is he tough. Seeing him come off the field and the energy he brings, I think for a lot of people they didn't know Brian was the receiver that he is as well. I think you guys have because you've been at practice, and you've seen us utilize him in that way.

So he and Austin, they're a really good combination together and bring different things to the team. So in the light of the disappointment that this locker room feels, we're going to take the lessons, and we're going to find out the things that we need to improve on and work our butt off getting those parts right.

The months of work these guys have put in, what did you tell the squad after the game? Obviously you said it stung.

DAN QUINN: Yeah, I said to them, You do have to take the lessons from tonight; otherwise, the pain is not worth it.

If you don't take them, you're going to keep repeating them, and you'll just be pissed about it. So I said, We have to learn these lessons.

That's what we do. We teach, and we get better. This team is going to get a lot better. We're not going to be the same team tonight that we are down the line, but that's why I said Tampa was the better team today.

Our guys have a lot of fight. I just thought, man, our opportunities were there to go get it. When they slipped through, that's the lesson. You know, we have to find the answers. Not just, oh, let's try harder. Let's get it better.

I guess ultimately it doesn't matter, but can you take us through the decision process that you made going for the extra point at that touchdown late in the third quarter that put you down nine instead of going for the two-point conversion?

DAN QUINN: Yeah, I think at that point still in the third. I knew we would probably have three drives left. If it had been into the fourth, I likely would have because if you don't get it, then you're on the other side of that two. So that's why.

So if you are later -- but I thought we still had a couple of drives left. I thought I might be stretching it or pushing it just a little bit. Just because you go for it doesn't mean you're going to make it all the time.

We had a good one we had planned, so I was hoping to keep that one in the pocket and use it later. Nothing more than that. Just thought we would have a couple of more drives left.

Fair question, but I didn't think it was there just yet.

Did they just do a good job of covering that?

DAN QUINN: I thought Todd and their guys showed a lot of toughness. They brought some defensive linemen up and had some injuries in the secondary at corner. That shows a good, tough team that they're ready to step in and go.

That's our game, isn't it? Where people go down, and it's hard. You don't just go "next man up." It's nice to say, but you have to deliver on it.

So to see those guys really come through, Todd and George and their staff. I'm not surprised the guys they called up played well.

Cade missed two field goals. Will we expect to see another kicker?

DAN QUINN: I think we'll have a good talk about that, see where we're at. Let's look into what next week looks like and go from there.

I think what I have seen is talent. To make sure this guy has an incredibly strong leg. That's why the decision to go for the one I think at the 37, it felt good from the distance standpoint, and I thought we need to give ourselves a spark.

So when those go the other way, kind of like we were talking about going for a two-point or not and you miss them, it kind of goes. But I thought, yeah, the kick out of bounds, the misses, man, like I said, there's a lot of lessons from tonight.

Adam and I have not discussed that at all. We'll get into that as we get into the week.

But, yeah, all part of it. There wasn't one phase that... you have to really play at your best. So tonight missing those chances, that hurt.

You did mention that there were going to be some rotations at defensive line. How do you think that went?

DAN QUINN: You guys knew Brandon was going to be back in and get going. To see that happen, I'm looking forward to watching the tape on that.

He played some on both sides because we did some unbalance. So left side. You probably saw him at both tackles, but it was actually some where we moved over.

It was good to get him in the fight and get going, and we'll continue his trajectory up. I was pleased to see that.

Trent also worked in some as a big tight end and doing some stuff. So I like that we're using the versatility of the guys, the two backs, big tight end. So we'll just keep digging and find our right spaces.

You said going into the game that the more disciplined team was going to win. You guys had no turnovers, same amount of penalties on both squads. Do you feel like you had the more disciplined team tonight?

DAN QUINN: Yeah, discipline will win it, right? I thought -- it probably goes further than that. Discipline can also mean holding the right leverage in a coverage. It can mean the right gaps. It can probably expand bigger.

Sometimes one thing compounds the next, and so when the time of possession, for instance, is that out of whack, I think that is directly correlated to third down.

They were probably close to 70%, and we were about 25%. So it wasn't like one team just controlled the ball on first and second down. Third down was a big part of this.

So I didn't feel we were out of whack of penalties. We had one that looked bad, you know, blocking back towards the goal line on the long play. It probably goes deeper than just penalties and that, probably the whole thing through.

What did you think of Mayfield?

DAN QUINN: You know what, I thought, one, I've always admired the competitor there. I thought tonight especially he was really effective avoiding on the rush.

That was the thing that I thought. I don't know how many third downs, but for him to avoid some sacks to go and I thought a number of our missed tackles will be on the quarterback, you know, just finishing and taking the extra step. Those are the things we've got to work on.

That's our league with mobile quarterbacks. We've got one that made them miss. So it's part of it, and you have to take the extra step and work it.

But, yeah, I was impressed by his game tonight. Him and Mike Evans, the guys that you would expect who are their playmakers... Mike, and Chris, and some others, running back. There were some plays to be made, and I thought at the end in the fourth quarter we ran out.

Speaking of the pressure on the quarterback, is it more frustrating to not finish those pressures, or is it more encouraging to have pressures there in the first place and try to get the guys --

DAN QUINN: You have to ask me that one tomorrow. Tonight more frustrating not to finish for sure because that's the outcome. That's the difference between a punt and a first down.

There's a lesson there for sure to say that you're on the right track, but our game and our team is going to be about finishing and end of games and halves. So for us not to nail that and plays, you know, that one cost us.

What did you think about Jayden's decision-making in particular?

DAN QUINN: Man, I'll have a better feel for you tomorrow, but I do know this. When the chances were there for him to go, I thought he really nailed it. Like the sack on one that he is not going to like. There are going to be plays that he's going to want back.

That said, like, in the game he was exactly the same as back in Ashburn. Confident, strong, clear-eyed about how to go attack, going down to the end. How about this play? He was just thinking and processing quickly.

I would say we'll have a better assessment on that tomorrow, but man, it was right in his wheelhouse.

What did you think Jayden showed his teammates just as a competitor?

DAN QUINN: I think probably a lot of what they know. Like, they have such belief in him. Not just the other quarterbacks. I told you about a good quarterback room where other players, but like, the guys here believe in him because of the work that he's put in.

It's one thing when somebody comes in, but you still have to prove it. Over the time here with these players, they love this guy and what he stands for as a competitor, as a teammate, the work. So that's why, man, he's going to go big.

Next week comes quick. The Giants also lost. The loser goes to 0-2. How much does that, whatever message you're going to give these guys, does that factor in, or is it a focus on...

DAN QUINN: Yeah, I think right away the first thing that comes to my mind -- I didn't see any of the scores -- but it has to be about us because if these lessons are not learned and absorbed and taught, then we'll miss it and make some of the same mistakes.

For us we'll have plenty -- as we get into Wednesday and Thursday and Friday on to New York, but Monday and Tuesday is about us and getting our game exactly right. That's what tell-the-truth Monday is for. To own it, say it, teach it, and go through it.