Washington Commanders head coach Dan Quinn addressed the media on New Year's Day. Here's a full transcript of the press conference.
Opening Statement:
"Today really kicks us back into our ways and all the things, tackling, breaking tackles, all the fundamental stuff that we're hitting on. Really digging in, I thought we have a lot left in the tank and a lot that we can work on and improve upon. We haven't played our best in all three phases together. And there's been portions here, portions there and at times. So, we are really aiming to do that and it takes a lot of work but that's kind of where we are as we're heading into the week. We'll be holding a lot of guys out today, some of that is due to injury, some rest, and some still on the rehab portion of getting back into this week. So, as we get into tomorrow and Friday, I'll have a more full update but that's where we are, so let's get it rocking with you guys."
On the team opening RB Austin Ekeler's practice window and on what he expects from CB Marshon Lattimore this week:
"Got it. Why don't we start with Austin. And it's great to have him back, we just got done with our walkthrough not long ago and he's had great workouts, all the speed of everything, but just to have him back on the field today was really cool. There's a spring in his step for sure and we'll go through the whole process today, Wednesday's, Thursday's, Friday's practice, but we're really pumped to have him back out on the field. And then with Marshon, he will be one of the guys that will be doing some rehab on the side today, working some speed work as the team is going at a jog through into today. So, that's where we're at with him and yeah, like I said, we're ready to get rocking."
On what Offensive Coordinator Kliff Kingsbury's competitive nature looks like during practice:
"It's all of the above, the call, the look and Joe's [Defensive Coordinator Joe Whitt Jr.] that way too. So, like most things that get competitive, some are a little shit talking, others are a head nod. So, we have fun with that but more often Kliff you can see from an offensive standpoint of exploring new things, trying new concepts and when that happens those things you can feel an energy that, that's the one, that's the look, that's what we're trying to get to. Sometimes just even in teaching, honestly too you can feel a guy's competitive spirit. That's the block, that's the exact footwork. And so more often I found as coaches that are the ones that are showing you exactly what it looks right, is more impactful than the ones that say, 'Don't do this, don't do that.' And so, I've always responded better to the ones of directive language. 'That's it. This is how we're going to do it.' And Kliff is certainly that way as well."
On the situation at the tackle position:
"So yeah, let's talk just from the side, two of them won't practice today, but [T Andrew] Wylie's definitely working back into it and he'll get more reps into tomorrow. He was another one from the rehab standpoint, he was close last week but not close enough to fully get going and do the thing. So, that's where we're at on that. And like I said, today's more of a jog through, but we'll get more participation tomorrow, especially from Andrew."
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On if anything needs to be said to QB Jayden Daniels to prepare him for the playoffs:*
"Yeah, I think it's the second one more, as we're going kind of into this space, all these moments they count as you're leading into it. When we do get into that space later, we'll talk about that. But into this spot, we're just kind of, 'This is how we get down, this is what we do.' And we really trust this preparation process that we go through to get ready. And that will be the same in the weeks ahead. So, it's not like it's a new schedule and a new concept. It'll feel familiar for he and for his teammates because this would be my first with all of them, not just Jayden."
On working with General Manager Adam Peters and on how collaborative they are:
"Kind of, yeah, it's honestly, it's been all I'd hoped for in that way. And so, he was the first person that came to see Stacey and I when we arrived here. And like we talk every day about the team. So, we watch practice together in the afternoons, we meet about the team, he's in all of our staff meetings. So, I wanted this connection to feel different, where we could do it in our own way, in our own fashion here. So, that's what I'd hoped it would be. And that started through our team and then free agency and the draft and so we just got stronger. The more time, like any relationship, the more time you spent together, talked through things, good moments, bad moments, injuries, releasing players, we do all of those together. And I think that's an important part to show that to the team that we are the same in terms of our attitude, our messaging to them. There's not, go to one parent if you're in trouble, you go to the other one like no man [laughs], you're going to get the same message if you go to Adam or you go to me, like we're on the same page."
On if this offense is what he imagined it would be from the start of the season:
"Definitely more evolved because you have one thought and then you want to see what the players can do. I would say from a big picture standpoint, I love how we attack and no huddle and the things we can use, but Jayden has allowed us to expand more than maybe you would have. And so, it's definitely now his full command, whether it's two-minute or on the ball, he puts in a lot of work to get to that spot. And that's one of the things that I really respect about Jayden is the work ethic. He puts it in and the play speaks for itself, but I'd be remiss if I didn't say like how hard he goes after it in his preparation to get ready to play."
On WR Terry McLaurin's ball tracking and on if any moment throughout the season stands out:
"I think Cincinnati certainly had one where it had to be thrown in a specific spot, but a lot of people can catch when you're looking back. But Terry also has the ability to look directly behind him and that's a different kind of tracking where it's coming literally over the top of you as opposed to turning for a normal catch. And those different ones, he really works at. I can remember he was wanting to improve, it was during training camp and after practice I saw him working on everything that was low. He wanted to improve – this doesn't have to do with the tracking but you have to practice that skill. And so, the way we think of things, there's scheme that you get better at and then there's the skill that you get better at and that's what you try to keep working. So, the scheme part where you can play fast, no hesitation, this is my depth, this is the route. But the skill part, that's the one that could be the catching or the blocking or the different skill that you need. We always try to manage both without one being above the other. If you have too much scheme but your skill's not worth it, then you don't. And if you have not enough scheme and your skill is good I think, so you have to have this balance and that's the tricky part for a coach because it's not one size fits all. But he's a great example of really excelling at some of the things that he's very special at."
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On if he noticed McLaurin's ball tracking in the past and on how he looks to defend the skill:
*"Usually it's the deep ball that makes the tracking so much more difficult. But yes, that's one thing he's always been exceptional at. You can also see it on the opposite side, quarterbacks who have great skill at just throwing a certain type of deep ball. But yeah, that was always something going against him that it was in the scouting report, you tried to do it in practice and so yeah, that was always part of when you put it on tape and you demonstrate that skill, like yeah, it gets everybody's attention."
On what he knows and remembers about Dallas Cowboys QB Trey Lance:
"Yeah, Trey is an excellent player and I really enjoyed spending time with him. He's a fantastic athlete, can work outside the pocket, the keepers, throwing on the run, all of that. And so, we prepared a little bit when we saw him in the first game, but yeah, he's really an athletic, outside the pocket, can move, he can rip it. He's a talented guy."
On how Dallas' offense can produce rushing yards without a premier running back:
'Yeah, and [Cowboys RB Rico Dowdle] has always been somebody, this guy is tough as hell and injuries have derailed some of his seasons, but he was always one of the most competitive players. So, it's good to see a player like him, the perseverance, the resilience to stay true to it because I think people would've known him more had he stayed healthier early because he has always been the dog as a ball carrier. And so, in this league, if you average 4.7 yards of carry with that many, like you're a real one."
On the running game over the last few weeks and on how Ekeler's return can help:
"Yeah, it's kind of almost two separate, right? There's quarterback designed runs, scrambles, some of those can add into the running yards, but we're talking about running backs and getting yards. And through that way, Austin adds a lot in both run and pass but it's his slashing ability. Whereas he's setting up somebody, he can really put his foot in the ground and really try to break somebody off. So, sometimes the four-yard run could be a 14-yard run because the first person he slashed and made them miss. And that's one of the things that makes him unique, but honestly, it's one of the things we're still digging in on to make sure that's part of our game is, like I said, there's lots of things we're digging in on. And the run game for us of finding the right balance of all that. That's still the things we're still pressing on hard."
On an area he wants the team to be better in:
"Right, and I loved how we started the game, loved it. And the reason why, there was a turnover by [S] Quan Martin and then the offense made them pay. And so, to me that's where it comes full circle of the life. It's the punt that keeps the guy all the way backed up and then I can use that illustration. Okay, kept them down there, they had to punt. Now we're already close to field goal range. So, it's those moments where it's almost like a four by one team. I'm passing the baton to the next one, to the next one, to the next one. If we continue into that cycle, that's when we're at our best. And so, we've had moments where one leg, 'That was a great leg.' And then not the next, and so what we're trying to do is really make sure we're complimenting each other the whole time, all three phases."
*On how he determines the teachable moments on penalties from Sunday night: *"Yeah, I really did since our break, we had one game that we thought from a penalty standpoint was good and two that weren't. Talking about New Orleans, no. Philadelphia, yes. Atlanta, no. So, if you're following the pattern, we're going to be, no, I'm just kidding [laughs]. The part that you want to find, and that's what we do is to say like, so for instance, we showed the one with [CB] Mikey [Sainristil] aligning offsides and as the center moved the ball, he crept up more. I said, 'No, no, like you get set before he', and those are ones like teachable, easy. Is Mike going to learn from that? Yes. One in the end zone of saying not looking back on a ball, that's a teaching one for a [pass interference]. The ones, there's one on [G] Sam [Cosmi] where we said, 'Okay, are your hands inside? Don't knock them down, hold them up.' So, there were some teaching ones. If it's one that I thought, ah, that could have gone either way, I don't teach off of that because I don't want to say the next game, that won't be it. I'd rather this is what you saw, I get it. And so, it's the ones that are clear to me, this is why they called it. And then I would ask the player, 'Are you clear on what to do?' Because it's one thing for me to teach it, but it's much more valuable for them to say, 'Yeah, Dan, I know what I did. I put my hand up, I got it up on his face mask.' Then usually I ask him right on the sideline, honestly, 'Do you know what happened?' And if they don't, 'Alright, this is what I saw, this is what I did.' And if they said yes, 'I had to do this, that's where you go.' Most of the time it's, 'I didn't do that.' [Laughs]. But I do ask them right away, so there's no delay, three plays ago. I try to be as quick as I can on it."
On what QB Marcus Mariota has meant to Daniels' development:
"Yeah, I'm so glad that you brought him up because he's honestly one that I love to talk about and the impact that he has. He had a remarkable week and we talked about it in the team meeting today. So, on our first day of the week, Tuesday he was sick like some of the guys have been, sent him home and then Christmas came, had a son. Flying, flying back and in that time of the preparation to come back, to get ready and what you didn't see was him on the sideline talking to Jayden about some of the blitzes that were happening in the first half. 'This is what they're doing, this is where we want to go and what to do.' And so, when somebody can give you that kind of support and love, it's really remarkable. And so great teammates do make great teams. And Marcus just that week alone demonstrated how much he's in because it would've been very easy. That was a hard week, and I just had to get myself ready, but that's not who he is. And so, to see him go through that whole week and then in the game give that type of support, like that was the clearest illustration of brotherhood I saw in the entire game. His love for him on the sideline saying like, 'Hey man, this is going to happen.' Then at the end of the game it was like big brother talking a little bit. 'Stand up, like go win the game. And this is what's going to happen.' And so, what wouldn't we all give to have that kind of support from people? Like it's remarkable. And so, I know that Jayden feels that, we all do. And I probably could have picked out some other people that had that same one. But Marcus at that position, it is different. And there's certain things that he can say from the lens of the helmet that I can't or the coach can't, but he can because he lived it and has seen it. It's such a cool relationship to see, the trust, the commitment to one another. And yeah, I'm really pumped that he's on our team because he adds a lot, Candi, to what we do. It may not show up on the stat sheet in that game, but let me tell you, he had a big hand in us winning that game."
On what the widespread fan support in pro bowl voting means to the team heading into the playoffs:
"I would say, and last, maybe this ties in even a little bit to why is the six seed important to me? And it gives you a chance that you still can play at home. And if anybody in here who had been at that game Sunday night, that was home field advantage. It was, and it was loud and it was intense and it was awesome. And that's the type of support that when you feel it, you know it, and every bit of it I felt from there all the way through five quarters of football. And so, to see that happen and that type of excitement and energy for the players and the team, it meant a lot. And so, to hear you break this story like, what is it called when the people are breaking them? Well anyway, what I'm trying to say to you is that it's cool, I that's really good, long way to say it."
On what he'll tell the team about playoff seeding heading into Week 18:
"Yeah, I think if we look back, we were 7-5 and I think we were hoping, just lost three games, man, we're hoping can we get that seven spot? And so, the guys have worked hard to put ourself in a spot to be the sixth. And so, we're going to work our ass off to keep that spot. And as we get into next week, this is going to be a very competitive field, and a lot of guys can play against one another and that. So, if there was a chance, that's why, one of the reasons why it's so important to us to do that. But no different than, man that's what we stand for. We stand for competing and if there's an edge to gain and a margin to do it, it doesn't matter till it does, bro. And so, you never know when that moment, 'God, if we'd only done that, if we'd only gone for it.' I never want to look back and say, 'Man, I wish I'd gone for it.' I hope that's my legacy one day long down the road to say, 'Man, that dude went for it.' And I hope our team plays that way, the energy we play with, that's who we are, man. I don't ever want to back off of that."
On meeting Former President of the United States Jimmy Carter and on what that moment was like:
"He had a very good sense of humor. So, he was sitting on the bench [at a Falcons game], and it was in pregame and I went over to introduce myself to him. I said, 'President Carter, I'm Dan Quinn.' And he tapped me on the shoulder, and he said, 'I know who you are coach. I watch every game.' And I just laughed, and it made me smile, so it was a picture that I had from that time, but it was just an easy way to disarm me. And so, it was just – what a cool moment. And I think he's certainly going to be well regarded on the impact he made post-presidency for a really long time. But yeah, I really remembered that moment and he just slapped me, said, 'I know who you are, coach.' And so, I thought that was a funny line."
