Washington Commanders head coach Dan Quinn addressed the media before practice on July 28. Here is a full transcript from the press conference.
Opening Statement: "Good morning everybody. It's a cool day and I'm pumped to get started, because it is the first open practice with the fans. And so to see this connection, fan base and this team and how important that is, so to have this kind of turnout what we're expecting on day one of an open practice, I think that's really cool and appreciative [of the fans]. So, let's get the whole thing rocking."
On how coaching against rookie quarterbacks can help mold QB Jayden Daniels:
"Yeah, because you're not going to give every look in terms of what they are going to see. But for any young player, quarterbacks, other positions, what's the same and then what's different? For a quarterback, the two minute timing rules are different than they are in college. So, getting on the ball and playing quickly. Yeah, it's two minute, it's the same but different. And so those are the examples of things of timing rules and field locations that are different. As far as the defensive coordinator goes, matchups and where it is as opposed to moving quickly in college. Sometimes you don't get into those, but knowing your own team, your own strengths and matchups, that's something that quarterbacks in the NFL start that trajectory quickly."
On how he can help Daniels get there:
"Well, I think one, the system can too to make sure, what's the read, what's the look to find it. And then, non-scripted plays after we get through installs, those help. Where there's not an alert or something coming from the coach, but just truly non-scripted sessions, which we'll have quite a few of those as well."
On what he's seen from CB Mike Sainristil:
"Yeah, we still are exploring some more of that. What I have seen is excellent ability to stay connected man-to-man. He's a very good communicator, very intentional about that. We've put him back some on the return because he has excellent ball skills, so punt returning and kick returning. And so, I just want to keep exploring that and then make sure we're never adding so much that it takes away from learning at his primary position. But that'll include the special teams portion on the return side for sure. So, that would be one that added value that he could do."
On how he feels about starters playing special teams as well:
"Yeah, I think the value is there to say, if you can add value to what we're doing and make explosive plays and do things, and I think you'll also see that with kickoff, that it's going to be a little bit different because it's not the same distance that guys used to run. So, we have to change our thinking a little bit on that specific play because as far away as you and I are, that kind of speed and space, the guys who can make plays in those five yard blocks and windows, there's a lot to find out about that. And guys who can win in those circumstances, I think could end up changing field position quite a bit."
On if there is a change in energy with fans in attendance:
"Yes, there is. I felt it early this morning driving in and seeing people parking up on the grass to get here early. And it's such a cool reminder to know this historic fan base here and knowing finally a real part of that. And so to see that, it definitely brought up a good feeling of what is next here. As far as the energy that happens, it's good because what you want at practice is really getting ready to practice performing. And so the more people, energy, crowd noise of things that can go with that, that's all part of performing. It's a fun part of having that experience."
On if he thought of RB Austin Ekeler and LB Bobby Wagner as leaders when signing them:
"Yes, I think sometimes the example is just by being them. Not having to do something extra, but Austin's process that he goes through, remarkable. Same with [TE] Zach [Ertz], same with Wags. So seeing that, you don't have to even bring someone along. It's just the essence of who they are and what they do. So, I can remind them when we first signed them, 'Hey, you're not brought in here to coach. You're brought in here to play and do things in leading in your own way.' Early on leading I thought was mostly about me and how I lead. And then as you get a little more chrome, you realize leading is about bringing out the leaders in others. When you have a chance to do that, I think that's really important."
On why he wanted to sign DE Dante Fowler Jr.:
"I think just having the speed and the pass rush ability off the edge. I don't think you've ever heard a coach say, 'Boy, we don't have enough pass rushers.' And so I've got a long history with Dante, I know what he's capable of. He was somebody I thought would add real value, especially in the chances, third downs, in two minutes, where he can really put that part of his game on display."
On what he's seen from WRs Luke McCaffrey, Terry McLaurin and Jahan Dotson:
"Yeah, Terry I had said this the other day, just there's so much about him of what does a pro look like. When he steps into that arena, it is all business all the time and so Luke has a lot of those traits. To see what it can look like from a professional at the same position to go, it's excellent. I also love seeing the connection with him and [wide receivers coach] Bobby [Engram], because Bobby Engram, if you were playing receiver, he's somebody you'd want to develop underneath. He's seen it, he's coached it, he knows what it looks like, he can see it from the lens of the helmet. And so that's a rare person that can do that. So yeah, I'm encouraged by what we've seen. Came in with high expectations just about the competitor, but the ability to learn and apply it has been excellent too."
On what stage McCaffrey is in, in terms of his skills and development:
"I would say it's more refined than I expected. That's a great question, because I would say his work ethic is higher than most. And so I'm not sure at Rice [University] that transition, he applied it at a very high level. You can see he's curious about learning and finding new ways to do things. Perhaps playing quarterback had an impact on that, in terms of concepts and depth and the importance of that. But the individual skill part, he's really coming on. So, I would say it's further than I thought it would be, but I'm not surprised based on his makeup. I would say it's definitely going to be going up the more he is here. But he was further along than I had anticipated."
On what he's seen from G Nick Allegretti:
"Yeah, I had known there was some leadership there with him. And so for guys like he and [C] Tyler Biadasz, sometimes their leadership, it's not suppressed because that's not the right word, but they might be in a O-Line room or others that already had somebody that was established as a leader. In other words, Tyler's time in Dallas had [LT] Tyron Smith and [G] Zach [Martin] there. So it wasn't like, 'Hey guys, this is how we're going to do things.' But there is an element with Nick and Tyler getting started here, that they're able to establish some of that. The traits and the things they have learned and the way they want to lead. So, he's strong, he's square as an offensive guard, but past that he also has some excellent qualities as a teammate that he can pass along to others. I love guys that have gone through some journey because they're able to relate to different aspects of someone's career. And so for a guy like Nick, has an awareness for that."
On what he knew about the fanbase before becoming head coach:
"Yeah, I think probably it leads to me growing up on the East Coast. So, seeing the games of Washington and New York and Philadelphia and Dallas. Those were the ones that when John Madden and Pat Summerall were calling a game, that was the ones that were on. And then going to college locally here. So, growing up and where I fell in love with football, you recognized what that was here. And I can still remember even telling [Cowboys owner Jerry Jones] when I left Dallas, and he said, 'That's such an important fan base Dan, that you're the right man for that.' And so I appreciated that, this is from a competitor who knew the importance of this franchise, this city, and he had saw that connection firsthand. So yeah, it's really cool to be a part of."
On what else besides winning can help rebuild the fanbase:
"That's a good question, [winning] certainly helps. More than anything, I think you want to recognize they're part of what we do and how we play. And so knowing that, creating home field advantage and that kind of support, that's part of winning. And so when teams have to come here to play, that's a hard place to go play. It's the team, it's the fan base, it's everything that goes into it. So yes, the staff and the team can affect that. Knowing how important they are to create an environment here, when teams come to play, 'Hey man, this is going to be a hard day.' It's the team, it's the fan base, it's the noise, it's all of that wrapped into competing. And the more our fans live that and understand that it'll help the on-field performance. So yeah, we're calling on that in a big way."
On his interactions with fans in everyday life:
"Yeah, it's been very cool to see support, 'We're pumped you're here, we're glad, go get 'em,' that kind of stuff. So, seeing that when you're part of the community, it feels good because usually when you're in the office and you're just here to home you don't feel it on a regular basis. So, being out and seeing some people and feeling that support, it's really a cool thing."
On what he's seen from LB Jordan Magee:
"I'd say the speed and the athleticism is what jumps out at me. He's got a rare quickness and short area burst to him that the really good linebackers have. He plays square and he's got real speed, so we're going to push him hard in those spaces. But he's off to an excellent start."
On what he's seen from the team in the red zone:
"Yes, and there's some common themes now that will come up, down in the red zone. It's a quarterback that gets out of the pocket to create a second play. The windows happen tight, oftentimes more man-to-man, so you're not defending the field as much vertically, but how do you control it laterally and up the field? So we'll do it again tomorrow and have a big red zone emphasis. In each block of three days there's a red zone emphasis. So, the team will go today, tomorrow, and Tuesday, and we'll focus again in the red zone tomorrow. Almost every part of each block of football will have that as part of it and sometimes there's competitions. Tomorrow we'll have a two-point play competition, just best out of five. And just working through different plays, different concepts."
On his message to players before playing in front of Commanders fans for the first time:
"What we're all starting to learn is the importance of practice here. The only way to become excellent at something is to practice. That is the way, and so adding the fanbase into that, the excitement, the performing that goes with that, that's really important because you don't want to ever assume, 'Okay in the lights, how's it going to go?' But seeing that type of support and enthusiasm with that, that's a really big piece. So yeah, we're really pumped about everybody being here."
On if he's had conversations with players on practice fights:
"We haven't had conversations about that, but we will. But what I do know, the animosity and fighting is not going to be part of what we do. Championship teams figured out they don't have ways that get sideways and doing that. So, it won't be part of what we do. If you lose your poise, in a game, there's consequences. If you lose your poise at practice, there'll be consequences. But no, it's nothing that I've had to address yet. I did early in the OTAs to make sure that didn't get that way."
On what he's seen from QB Sam Hartman:
"Yeah, and I thought coming in there won't be as many reps for Sam in the first part of training camp. As we move forward and get more extended play and we can extend the practices some there'll be some more reps. So, in a ramp-up period you keep things a little more confined, but as we extend some practices there'll be some more play. But he's just somebody that's been all in to say whatever you need and how do we get there? He's about it. And so he's here early, he is staying late, so you guys probably see the before practice, after practice work that he's putting in. So, it's nice to see a young guy in his spot, although he's not getting reps, he's pushing it hard to find his own ways to get better."
On how they are learning from penalties in training camp:
"Yeah, and I think what you want is to avoid pre-snap and the post-snap [penalties] because those can really come down to discipline. A post-snap of a poise or a pre-snap of an offsides or a false start. If there's a combative penalty, then you can coach from that and teach from that. Who's holding, or hands to the face, or [pass interference], or whatever that might have looked like. So, it's the combative ones that we want thrown to see where we go. The ones that are lack of discipline mistakes, those are the ones we know we have to get rid of our game. A false start, a jumping offsides, and so those ones can really hurt you. So, knowing the two different types of penalties to go. We understand the combative ones will happen, but the ones pre-snap and post-snap, those are the ones that just can't be part of what we do."
