Washington Commanders head coach Dan Quinn addressed the media before practice on Aug. 6. Here is the full transcript of the press conference.
Opening Statement: "Pumped to see you guys. I'll get started on what some of the emphasis are for today and some of the things to look out for. Emphasis wise, you'll see some wide receiver, cornerback one-on-ones down in the low red zone. Back to the line of scrimmage team run with the big guys. Then we'll finish, again, with some situations: four-minute, two-minute, end of the game where it's going to flip flop. 'Who was what and who was where?' It's also exciting to have [former Commanders Head Coach] Joe Gibbs in the house today. That will be cool and spend some time with him and [former Commanders CB] Darrell Green as well. Can't think of two guys who have meant more to our organization than them two. So, really cool to have them here hanging with us today. And then you'll see an unofficial depth chart in advance of the game at the [New York] Jets come out [today]. Good news, I think you'll see some rookies competing at or near the top and they've earned the right to compete for that. Still unofficial, and like I said, I'll let you know when we make final decisions through joint practices and other things that I certainly want to see for that as the entire process. But I've been pleased with the guys and the competing. And so, for the guys who are listed near the top with that, they've earned that right to do that. And no better time over the next two weeks than to go battle against some other teams and some practices, some games. The next two weeks will be a blast and, kind of like that ramp up kind of starts into tomorrow as we get rolling for that. So, a really cool couple weeks ahead that we'll really have to hammer down." On how he feels about the depth of the offensive line in terms of injury: "Yeah, well one, that I think happens sometimes at different spots. I kind of look at it the other way to say, what's going to happen when those moments take place, where you get another opportunity to get a chance to shine further. So, I'd be more concerned for a player that hasn't played to miss, than somebody like [T] Andrew [Wylie] who is really detailed in what he's going to do. The strength coming back, [Wylie's] getting closer. He'll test it again today. I think he's closer than further. But yeah, that is part of training camp and it does provide moments and opportunities for people to see what they can do. And that's kind of one of the cool parts about camp. You never like to see a guy get banged up and at this time of year we're going to do a good job to make sure that the guys come back and they're healthy. Leaving training camp with a healthy roster is really important too. And so, not just entering it, it's more important. I guess there's opportunity when that happens." On if the quarterbacks will have a snap count in preseason games: "I wouldn't say it's free flowing, but we're going to try to get work for all the guys as we're moving forward into this game, that makes it difficult to do. But all the guys have earned that right to try to do that. So, we're going to try to push that. That everybody can get some reps and some turns. Not all the reps will be the same for practice for Thursday, so you won't see those being exactly equal from practice into the game. For instance, some may play more in practice and play less in the game, some may play less in practice and play more in the game. But that's really by design and especially for some of the youngest players, I really wanted them to have their moment to show what they can do and prove whether it's here or elsewhere that they got
the chops to play in this league." On how he formulated the unofficial depth chart: "Yeah, not much. Sean [VP of Football Communications Sean DeBarbieri] had a big role in this one [laughs]. I would say it's really where we're at and that's why I made the point of, I know it's a story for you and I recognize that you guys are doing your jobs to do that, but it's not internally and it'll be much like you see at practice into the same format of how we're rolling through things. But like I said, I'm really excited for what the next couple weeks will bring. There'll be some separation for people, quite honestly, if I had a real depth chart right now, there'd probably be 15 starters because I'm not quite certain between this person and this person. So that's why it's not as big a deal internally. We're just pushing it to find the information and the good news. These things sort themselves out. But it does take some time and some practices to do that. And that's why I've been pretty adamant about, 'Well why aren't you doing this?' We're getting ready for the season. And so, I want to make sure I got the big view for that." On his plan for QB Jayden Daniels in the preseason: "Yeah, I think it depends a little bit on the game, the opponent, what do we want to see? It won't be the same that we're looking for in each of the preseason game, but, 'In this game this is what we'd like to see, in this game is what we'd like to see.' It also is about the practices too, because guys like Jayden will get more reps in those practices than they likely will in the games. And so, they count a lot too. And that's why I'm a proponent of the practices and doing it one day, off day, then play the game. I really like that format." On if Daniels is a starter on the unofficial depth chart:
"On the first unofficial depth chart, he is." On if Daniels will start against the Jets: "First unofficial depth chart, he will." On if T Brandon Coleman is listed as a starter on the unofficial depth chart and on what he's seen from him: "Yes, he is. And he's really had a good camp. I've seen a couple things that happened, we're referring to some injuries earlier. When Wylie went down in practice, we moved Brandon over to right tackle for 20-25 snaps that day. 'No problem.' And he's just got a good demeanor. He is very intentional about his practice, but both he and Jayden have earned that right to start for this first preseason game. Like I said to everybody earlier, this is the first good step and that's what it should be." On the thought behind making Daniels the unofficial starter and on how to keep it competitive at the position: "Yeah, I think where a lot of it drives into some of the practice as well. And really, he's earned that right to do that. And so, through the course of all the practices you're keeping track of accuracy, and completions, and decisions of where it goes. It was really a byproduct of him
really nailing those moments. Like I said, we're just going through the whole process, but it's good to see when there's markers set, you get that one, then you get to the next one and you get to the next one. And the good news is Jayden, and Brandon, and [CB] Mike Sainristil and others, they're the type of competitors that want to go after things. For them, having some markers to go after, I think that's a really good thing because that really suits their personality and their competitive nature as well." On if Daniels is ahead of where he initially anticipated:
"I had high expectations for him coming in, but I would say he's definitely surpassed even my expectations of the readiness, the command. I knew he was going to be cool, knowing the system, he's just got that way about him. But yet, you do see the other players gravitate toward [him]. They recognize how hard he's worked at it. And I'd also be mistaken [not] to say, [QB] Marcus [Mariota] has had a really good camp too, and so this was not something that's easy to do. That's what real competition is about. And I couldn't think of a better teammate than Marcus or Jayden. The quarterback room, like I said, has just been remarkable."
On Sean's evaluation of the depth chart
Well, we can have that at another discussion. I was jokingly saying that, but my point, I guess what I'm trying to say is it's been, it's really like you see at practice, and what you see is this is a continuation of that practice. When we get to the regular season, and then we add a feature to the players into that space, that's a better time for how we really name starters and roles because there's a lot of roles that haven't been established yet. And that's a really important part of any good team, to know what specific roles, in addition who's starting, but what is the other role? That third receiver, the second tight end, the pass rusher on third down, like all of those roles matter, and so I've enlisted a depth chart of the roles, and so it all encompasses how we play."
On how today's practice got affected by the upcoming joint practice and game with the New York Jets:
Yeah, it's a real balance, isn't it? To make sure this Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, you know, that we're heading into today's practice, Thursday's practice, Saturday's game. So you'll see some guys get, you know, as many reps as they can at their practice with a lower game rep. Some will get a lower practice rep with a higher game rep, so the guys will be similar today and then you'll see splits for Thursday and Saturday in terms of one size does not fit all, in terms of the playtime. So, today's pretty balanced and then Thursday and Saturday change around."
On having a player's council for morale:
"Yeah, we will once we kind of get to the 70-man roster. And when we do that, you know, the players and I, we'll have definitely some people that we'll discuss, but we'll wait until that. Let's let those leading moments happen. I think that can happen earlier, Chick. Probably if you've been around for a few more years, that's established who those people are, but as we're going through this, I think it's important to, like all things, man, let's just take our time and make sure the right people at the right spots can help affect that. But yes, we will be doing that."
On conversations between Darryl Green and Joe Gibbs with the team:
"Yeah, not only will I speak with them, I asked Coach [Joe Gibbs] and Darryl if they'd come over and just say hello to the team. You know, both these guys poured their heart and soul into this organization and there's not two that did it at a higher level and so some of the things for instance, with Joe not only in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, but the NASCAR Hall of Fame, like this guy's a winner through and through, and I asked the staff this morning, did anybody know what Darrell's consecutive season with an interception record is? And some guys said 13, and 14. Just keep going, keep going. 19. And so, there's some things that when it's just done at the highest of levels, it'll be hard to ever replicate, and I think Joe and Darrell represent that a lot, and so I want our team to feel them and know how important this organization is and what you can do if you really go for it."
On maintaining a strong mentality through training camp and the season:
"Yeah, because those are choices to do those hard things, and we're all faced with those kind of choices. That's the getting up at 5:00 AM to go put it in and get the workout and all the stuff to go get ready to play. And so, when you have others to do that with, you can definitely take it further. We've all been there with a workout, with a buddy or going something further. It's when you have somebody to push yourself and take it through with you, it's good. And then you also get to celebrate that with them, you know, after that achievement. And so, this team, offense, defense, [special] teams, that connection's really important, and so knowing that they're gonna have to really push themselves, there's gonna be some pain involved with that. Legs burning, lungs burning, tired, but having somebody to do it with certainly helps."
On CB Emmanuel Forbes Jr.'s position in the depth chart:
"He's not. He's listed as a reserve on this unofficial, but again, you're gonna see the same group of people in some competition with [CB] Mike [Davis] and [CB] Ben [St. Juste] and him to go. So, I would just caution us all to say it's gonna be a lot like you've seen at practice and when it comes time for finding that out, I'll list it."
On what can be learned from Joe Gibbs:
"Yeah, I first had the opportunity to meet him when I became a head coach in Atlanta. And so, I went up to Charlotte and spent the day with him and just discussed some philosophies and I'd asked him at that time, you know, you want it with different quarterbacks, and so what did that look like to do that with different styles and different ways to go about it? And so, since that time, I've just enjoyed my interactions with him about team, what it looks like, how to do it, and it's no surprise to see him having this kind of success in a completely different sport, but applying a lot of the same principles that made him great in the NFL. But yeah, I'm really pumped to have him here today."
On the cornerback group:
"I think what we've seen, and from the safeties as well, we're talking about with [S] Jeremy [Chinn] and moving guys into different spots, that's important. You've seen [CB] Mike [Sainristil], probably yesterday, he was playing outside, also playing some in the nickels. We're still in that fact-finding mission. Can he play outside? Can he play inside? And so those are the things that
we look for. You've seen [CB] Emmanuel [Forbes Jr.] returning on punts and same things with [WR] Jahan [Dotson]. So it's, we're constantly pushing to find out what else is there, what else can we look for? And sometimes, you find like there's more there and you keep going, or, 'Okay, we gave that a look, let's go back to plan A or plan B.' I've been pleased with the work on those guys. I'm looking forward to seeing them in the game, looking forward to seeing them against some other receivers in different formats. So, the next, you know, like I said, two weeks are gonna be fun because I like to see the different matchups and the different people, both at the [New York] Jets and at Miami [Dolphins]. I'm really looking forward to that."
On what he does not want to see at joint practice:
"No, I think like, you could say like a struggle, but that's kind of part of it too, to see how people respond and go. I'm pretty wide open to go. I think the main thing I want to see is just like relentlessly competing. And I'm certain that I'll see that. That's part of the identity of how we want to do things. I've loved the preseason for a long time because there's some opportunities for some of the younger players in their development to really showcase and prove it. Look, for many of them, they've been waiting their whole lives to play in the NFL. It's okay, now you're here. And so, what does that process look like on the first one? And I'll often have some veterans talk about their first preseason game, 'Oh, I was terrible, I was up all night worried', oryou know, 'I was at the stadium too early'. So knowing what that process looks like for the first guys, and their first game, it's fun. And I think I look back to that night before that first preseason game for years and enjoy it for the rookies as much as anybody."
