Washington Commanders head coach Dan Quinn addressed the media after practice on Oct. 11. Here is a full transcript of the press conference.
Opening Statement:
"Alright, good to see you guys. Start off by giving you the captains as we get started for this week's game. Offense will be [G/T] Andrew Wylie, and defensively be [DT] Daron Payne and on special teams [LS] Tyler Ott. All these guys bring unique stuff to our team. Kinda talked about the consistency of Andrew, the length he's willing to go for these guys and all the toughness. With Daron, we thought of the word is he's got a real edge about him and that focus, and we love that he brings it. And then Tyler, always at the front and center of stuff, but just really, really high standards about how he goes about his stuff. So, a lot of respect for those three and they'll lead the way Sunday. So, all that said, glad to get it rocking with you guys."
On RB Brian Robinson Jr.'s injury status:
"Yeah, we'll take another look where he is at tomorrow to see if it's just turning for the best and see where we go. And we'll take it all the way up through the game or up to the game with B-Rob."
On any long-term concerns for Robinson:
"It feels more short, but anytime you're dealing with an injury you want to make sure, is there any longevity to that? We wouldn't put him out there if that was the case."
On DE Clelin Ferrell and WR Noah Brown's injury status:
"Yep. So, Cle was able to get some work today, so that was good. So, getting work yesterday and again today, and Noah had a really good session, we thought yesterday and did some stuff to the side today. So, both of them had good weeks."
On bumping any IR players to active roster ahead of Sunday's game:
"[General Manager] Adam [Peters] and I, we're going to visit tonight and see if there's somebody that we think would, to get into that space. So, it's been good to see the guys back and into working and so, they've definitely put in the work. So yeah, we're going to visit on that tonight."
On QB Jayden Daniels' approach to the attention and if he is more locked in for this game:
"In a good news way, I wouldn't say more because the normal is remarkable. And I thought he and I thought [Baltimore Ravens QB] Lamar [Jackson], both handled it in their own unique ways about playing quarterback, in their own styles and their own ways. And I tend to agree with both of them to be honest with you. I really love the competitive nature of both of them. But I think past that, their games are different, and I think both of those kinds of brought that to light and I think they were both really on it."
On if he feels the increase in fan enthusiasm in his everyday life:
"Not yet, but I know it's happening and it's really appreciated. I see most of that at the game and I saw it in Arizona just from the road crowd was there and I certainly felt it last week at home and the effect the crowd had on third down and the noise that went with it. But one thing I can tell you is that I love that people have the energy and the juice for it, and this fan base is unique and we can't wait to play in front of them, but hopefully we'll see a few over an hour and a half away."
On if no huddle makes QB Jayden Daniels' job harder at the line of scrimmage:
"I think you want to make sure you use variations of both. So, there's times you go to the line of scrimmage, and you play really quickly and then there's times you break out of a huddle and do it quickly. And then conversely, there's times you go at the line of scrimmage, you want to show like you're playing fast and then move around, get some shifts and go. And there's times that you'll do that out of the huddle as well. So, to me the combination of different styles of tempo makes it more challenging. You want to be able to put mental pressure on the opponent and that's what no huddle can do, but no huddle doesn't mean that you have to go really fast. It just means that you want to have the impression that you can. And then other times, yeah, you want to turn it up and go fast and get rolling. So having the combination of both helps, but you have to be really deliberate in how you do it. You can sometimes get a team out of their disguise because you're thinking you're about to get going fast, and other times you want to see that and get out. So, the combination is really, that's the key, having a balance of both just runs and play passes and same thing with a tempo offense."
On what he has seen from Wylie:
"Yeah, and I thought a couple things. Just his consistency about it and behind the scenes, one of the things that we all admire about Andrew is just the willingness that he does with the guys. You should hear him as the communication with that group and the standards they have. And on the sideline, it's a lot of fun to see him and [G Nick] Allegretti and [C] Tyler [Biadasz] and [T/G] Sam [Cosmi] and the guys talking and encouraging one another. But Andrew's usually right in the middle of that. I'm not going to call him the old head of the group, but he does have a calming effect. He's been in the fights and think he just brings a lot of that to our team. And the toughness is one thing that stands out to me."
On DE Dorance Armstrong's development:
"Yeah, I think the things that the team respect, you always know what you're going to get from Dorance and that's a really good thing. If you say his name, you know what's going to happen. And so, I thought over the last few weeks, I've really seen not just him but the defensive line's connection with stunts and movements to go and Dorance has been right in the middle of that. He's one of the very best communicators amongst that group and sometimes he can see around the corners, 'Hey, this is what needs to happen next. This is, kind of set it up a little bit'. So, he's got very high standards about him but, he's very consistent and that part alone adds value because he's going to do where he's supposed to do it at a really high level. So, yeah, we all have a lot of regard for him."
On what he's most proud about behind the scenes with the team:
"I would say the team is connecting quick and they've put aside what normal feeling out processes or agendas about what's important to them. And it's been about their group and that's been my favorite part of our team right now is the team and to see the way they support one another on the field on the sideline. So, the examples of that, there was a turnover. The defense had a stop, there was a stop at the end of a half to get the ball back to the offensive score. So, I would say that isn't easy with 70 people and coaches to get relationships and connections together. And so, you have to be deliberate about it. So, I'd say knowing that more established teams, maybe three or four years together, you have that this team is really capturing how to do that and fast tracking those relationships. We're not where we're going to be as an inclusive group, but they have bonded, they have connected and they really want to play hard for one another. And I'd say that's probably the thing that makes me proud. We're starting to realize this is our way, the speed, the effort, the finishing and we just need to continue more, and the more they play together, the more they'll do that."
On why the team has been able to connect so quickly:
"It's a lot of people together for the first time. I think the rookie class also came in as a very mature group. So, sometimes it's the old guys teaching the new guys, 'This is how we do things.' But they were kind of ready to be involved right away, we didn't have the normal feel it out process. And you may have heard me say earlier that these were our little brothers not our pledges. So, they were going to be part of this right from the beginning. So, guys like [QB] Jayden [Daniels] and [CB Mike] Sainristil, and [T Brandon] Coleman, and [WR Luke] McCaffrey, and [DT] Johnny Newton, others. They've got a real, serious, mature approach about them. And the other players, they looked, 'Is that going to be again tomorrow?' And looked, and then pretty soon they could count on these young guys to say, 'Hey those guys, they can help us win.' And that to me, I think that helped because there wasn't this separation between young guys and old guys. They just became a team, connected quickly. I love the fact that it's not just an offense or a defense, but all hands-on deck. You see receivers on [special] teams and safeties, and corner. So, this blend of people, special teams kind of intersects all of it. And I love that they're all involved from kick returns to blocking punts, whatever it is all hands-on deck. I think that contributes to it, knowing that they're all part of one another's success. And the preparation that goes into it, and when they have a victory, they all are responsible for the wins. So, to me that's probably why it's happened quicker."
On catering a gameplan to your own strengths versus attacking an opponent:
"It's more similar than you think than even in from the playoffs, and you don't want to go into the playoffs changing everything either. So, you have to have the ability to adjust for what's needed, but you don't put in a whole new defense or a whole new offense. You do have to have the things that you do well. Part of training camp isn't just getting ready for the opening game of the season, it's getting ready for teams that play unique styles, and options, and third downs, and different personnel packages, and goal lines. So, you don't use a lot of the packages in every game, but knowing that you've gone through some of that, then when you get to teams that have uniqueness you have to lean back onto that. But at the end, you still have your own way and your own style, because we do want the opponent to have to deal with us at our strengths too. So, you don't want to lose that. So, it's a good question, but it's not as far different as you might think in the playoffs as it is in the regular season. You do what you do, and you have to do it really well in the playoffs but it's not entirely different. But you do have to play your game really well."
On how they will change their defensive scheme to defend Baltimore Ravens RB Derrick Henry:
"Yeah, I think you were right too close to the game plan [laugh]. So, he's unique and they've got a number of unique guys and so how do you match up, how do you find ways? And there's tackling plans and how do you try to create takeaways? So, all of it kind of factors in. It's kind of the fun part of it, being honest, like old Etch A Sketch when you're kids and you then you got to shake it up and you start it again the next week about the new plan, the new people, how do you attack it? Where do you go? So, each week brings unique challenges. It's one of the fun parts of coaching in the NFL, that this player's different than this. They've got this, he's got runner. However it goes, that's how you got to get down for that week. So, you just kind of lock it in on this week and then Monday comes and you re-scramble your brain and you go for it again."
On the historical perspective relating to the team's fast start:
"Yeah, it's such a big deal because we know what the organization is. And it's probably an awesome question for next week when we have somebody that's going to be honored that's a true legend of what this team has been about. So, let's put it a pause onto that one and we'll come back to that one on next Friday."
On having Washington legends back around the team:
"Yeah, I think it's really important for me, having a relationship with [Former Washington Head] Coach [Joe] Gibbs or having the support of [Senior Advisor to the General Manager] Doug Williams is pretty strong. And you feel that support from him all the time. So, through Doug, you got a chance to meet [Former Washington WR] Gary Clark and been around [Former Washington TE] Don Warren and [Former Washington DE] Charles Mann and [Former Washington DE] Dexter Manley. So, this past spring to be able to spend some time with them, that's really important. To know where you want to go, you also have to have an idea of where you've been, and that's an identity that they had here for a long time. That's what our team right now is trying to establish. We're nowhere near the identity that we want to establish. We're very fresh into this and that's why I kind of put off some of the stuff. But I want to know that the players digging in and pushing for it really hard. It'll be this group's version of that and I love how hard they're going for it."
On if he works to shut out the noise and excitement surrounding the team:
"It's not as, we really dig into ourselves, and I know that sounds like such an unusual thing, but that's what we're constantly, the obsession is about getting better. So, we absolutely try to work our ass off at the things that went well, the things that need work on. So, that was part of my meeting today, 'This is what I saw yesterday. This is what I want to see us capture today, to go for it'. So, we really don't let ourselves get too far over our skis, because we are absolutely digging in on how we get better. And I do love that attribute about our team because as we're going through it, we're in our meetings together, we're doing our stuff together, so it's not a block out. I want people to enjoy the experience of playing here, but the way that we go about it is how good can we get? And really the competition is how far can we push it? And if you [are] just pleased with yourself, that's probably where you'll stay and you have to dig in and push it and find ways to improve. And we really set our mind on doing that on a regular basis."
