Washington Commanders head coach Dan Quinn addressed the media before practice on Sept. 25. Here is a full transcript of the press conference.

Opening Statement:

"It's been a fast start, but a good start to get here to Arizona. And that was really the purpose, so we could jump on the preparation just as soon as we could with the team, and they're off to a good start. So, staff-wise here at Arizona, good strong crew, they got good scheme, all three phases. Offensively, certainly match up at all the spots. Quarterback, running back, tight end, wide out. Defensively, to me it starts with [Arizona Cardinals S] Budda Baker, just terms of the speed, that play making ability he has good range, tough outside linebackers. And then specialists, both teams got good return games for them with [Arizona Cardinals RB] DeeJay [Dallas] and with [Arizona Cardinals WR Greg] Dortch, and same on our end. So good, tough matchups all over the place. So, we're pumped to be here early and get rocking for the week."
* On tweaking the process between normal practice in Ashburn versus in Arizona:*
"It has to be a combination to get the precision right and the physicality that we'll need for the game. So, there'll be some adjustments based on the Monday game, just like it is for a shorter week in any way. So, the process will remain the same, what we do on a Wednesday and a Thursday and a Friday. So today is that day that we'll go through the same process that we went in Virginia. Some of the practice time could be adjusted a little bit on this day."

On more of the logistics of practicing in Arizona and bringing what they would do in Ashburn there:
"Oh, sorry, I misunderstood your question. Absolutely the same process. And so the team came out early to set up our servers, video, all the stuff. So we could just take Virginia, put it down in Arizona and go play. And, man, we're really fortunate, the people here at Arizona State have been great, allowed us to have access to the practice field. So, we're ready to go."

On if he thought about bringing the weather from Ashburn to Arizona:
"No, we did not think about that, but fortunately, we can go indoors and outdoors here, so we'll mix it around. But the main thing was to get the guys here early, to get acclimated as quick as we can, as opposed to having to go back, get there late on a Tuesday, and then turn around and come back on a Friday. So, the early part of the week is sometimes harder when you do that, but the latter part of the week is where you gain. And so we've done it a number of times and I really like the process that we do go to get ready."

On any surprises from QB Jayden Daniels' performance through the first three games:
"You know, I don't try to put what he can and can't do on there, but what I have seen and what I expected to see was his improvement. I think you may have heard me say the bigger the challenge, sometimes with him, the bigger the smile and that's on the field to go. So, here it is another challenge. This week, different fronts, good blitz package, a lot of stuff to throw out of him, so he'll be ready for that as well."
* On if the defense is playing with the speed they need to be more effective:*
"Yeah, not yet. I'd say we're gaining there, and so we're still building onto that. But we're not hitting the marks that we want to yet. By no means is that where we're going to end up. And I love the crew, I love what we're about, and so as we're going to grow, they're going to play fast or they're going to play more violent. And so the more of that that we do, then you stack on some more and stack on some more. But we're not to the space we will be yet, no."

On what lead to more connections between WR Terry McLaurin and Daniels compared to first two games:
"Well, I think we took some shots in some previous games. We didn't quite nail on them, but I think you'd heard us say, we know what we've seen back in Ashburn to go do that. And so it is one of Terry's strengths to get on top of people. And so sometimes there's the chance to do that. Other times it's not, where they're going to take away the inside stuff, you gotta hit on crossers and catch and run plays. So, I had no hesitation that it was going to happen. I just knew that it would. I've seen it too many times already in practice."

On if it's hard for a quarterback to gain the trust that a receiver can make the play on contested catches:
"Yeah, I think it would be if you didn't have it, but those two certainly have a lot of trust together. I've been so impressed by him. He's got such a high standard about him, talking about Terry. Where things around him in the past may have changed, but his approach, his consistency never has. And so, all of us knew that about him. That's what the NFL is, tight match coverages and making catches and the ability to convert for him one of the third or fourth down receptions that he had, I thought was super impactful in the game."

On his confidence to potentially call up a practice squad running back for this week's game with RB Austin Ekeler in Virginia:
"Yeah, Austin won't make it for the game. And it's the right call for him. On our short week to go, he'll go through the entire process and then we'll have a chance to see what next week looks like then. But we do have a lot of confidence. It's one of the groups that we have a deep crew that can roll strong and so when called upon, we're certainly ready to do that. And, we're also excited for J-Mack [RB Jeremy McNichols]. He's somebody [who] hasn't got a lot of touches, a lot of opportunities, but I do know that he is somebody when given those chances, he does not miss his ops."

On how WR Noah Brown has developed over the past few weeks:
"Yeah, I knew the competitor and I knew it would take some time to get acclimated to an entire new system. To be honest, he's beat even what my expectations were to get to that space. I think that speaks to the competitor that Noah is, but I love the group, the different styles and attitudes that people bring. I can remember clearly on a sideline a catch by Noah and OZ [WR Olamide Zaccheaus], who wasn't in the game, was just excited to see that play happen. That type of altruistic behavior from a team that's absolutely out of their mind for their teammates that are making plays, those are small margins that make a big difference for a team. And if the team continues into that space and makes that type of connection stronger and stronger, it makes everybody's role more valuable."

On what he has seen from WR Luke McCaffrey and DB Mike Sainristil from training camp to now:
"Yes. What I've seen early is a little bit what I've seen late. By that I'll say these guys are like a rare level of competitor, they just don't back down. I knew Mike also had leadership skills early on, where guys would look to him, not just the other rookie class, but some of the defensive backs as well. So, I would say that's what I saw. As they're growing into their season, they're just three games in. So, each of these opportunities, they're so important. I think when we look back a few months from now, some of the mistakes that guys make early, they don't make late. But you do have to fight through some of those with the guys. And I have unbelievable belief in them about what they're capable of becoming. And that sometimes happens with the youngest players to make sure they get the experience, so by the time December and January football does come, they've lived through some of those. They have some scars to look back on and they're really better for that."

On what he saw from the safety group on the film:
"I thought, number one, I loved rotation of people, but I thought I really was impressed by [S] Quan [Martin]. I thought the hitting, the physicality for him. I felt that, I felt the energy for that. I felt what that looked like. So, using [S] Percy [Butler], using [S Jeremy] Chin, using him all in different roles, it's one of our deepest groups and the ability to use all of them is really important. It's a long season, different roles for everybody, different matchups for everybody. And I thought there was a great play by Quan on a pass breakup to [Cincinnati Bengals TE Mike] Gesicki down the left sideline on a third downplay that I really spoke to his range. And I thought that was one of the big plays in the game for Chinn."

On how to continue building the offense after such a good performance in last week's game:
"Yeah, for us, we didn't look outside the building for any validation through the first couple of weeks, and we certainly aren't looking for that now. So, the main thing is honestly, right here to right now in this matchup. You're right, there is tough matchups and things to go, but each week brings its own unique opportunities. And some are different. Last week in terms of and how are we going to take care of their defensive end and make plays to make sure people like that don't ruin the game. So, there's where do we attack, where do you want to make sure you're not putting yourself in into a tough spot? But we got a big deep playbook and so by no means has our full allotment of things come out. And so we expect to go and attack. Certainly, a physical team that we're playing against, and we're certainly, uh, putting the work in this week, so by Sunday afternoon, we're really ready to hit it. But you do have to go through the whole process to get that work right."

*On his thoughts of the offensive line's performance: *"I was pleased with the offensive line in last week's game. We thought we'd have some chances to hit it big on the run we did early with Austin. We felt maybe there was some more that we left there, but by and large, I really feel their connection inside. I feel that from Badass [C Tyler Biadasz], I feel it from [G] Nick [Allegretti]. Alright, in terms of their communication, if you'd been on the sideline, 'Next series, next one.' When you have those long drives, those big fellas, they like that. Where they get more time, more time to go put their hands onto people. And the more of those that we do completions and runs that are over 50, that's good for us. And that's what we're usually aiming for, and so we hit that mark this weekend."

On his reaction to Daniels' performance and winning his second award:
"Honestly, I was just proud of the decision making, the process that he's going through. You see how many people connect to him because of the work that he puts in. There's all sorts of moments for him that he's hard to defend because of his legs. He can get outside the pocket. There's a dual threat to there, but there's also a support side and an energy he brings. He was out by the numbers on an extra point to meet the offensive line, the kicker, the snapper, the holder. Those are things that go a long way because people know who the ball player is, but they also know who the man is. And this guy is a fantastic teammate."
* On P Tress Way not doing much on the field besides hold:*
"Hey, right now for two games, he's been a hell of a holder, and we appreciate that. And I'm sure his punting time is coming, but in the meantime, he can keep that extra as a bonus."

On if he has ever been a part of an offense not punting through multiple games:
"No. Well, neither side punted. So, both offenses were humming at a high level and that's what good, tough play looks like some games. And to see that game, long drives, scores back and forth, it's the type of fight that you want your team to be in. I've been with some teams younger where they don't quite know how to finish, and this team in that locker room coming out for the second half, it wasn't that. It's, 'Let's go to work, let's go do it again, let's go battle again'. And so those are the things you're looking for as a coach when it gets to crunch time, how are you going to perform, how are you going to react?"

On his feel of some of the other guys who may be out:
"Let's see. Austin and Cle [DE Clelin Ferrell] will be out as well. So those would be the two that we'll rule out. Past that, we're sitting in a pretty good space, Ben. There'll be normal in and out of practice or limited, but those are the two that won't play this weekend."

On CB Emmanuel Forbes Jr.:
"Yeah, he's back practicing and he'll get a full week in and then we will decide where he is at. But full week of getting ready to go play."
* On if there is any concern beyond this week for Ferrell:*
"No, no. Just we thought heading into it, this would be the time we've gotta get him exactly right. And that was the goal to think longer for him to make sure it's not week to week, but we're able to reset and really let it rip."

On what the team will miss with Ekeler being out:
"I think it's the general just playmaking ability. Very few people have the chance to take like a check down that might be for five or six yards, and it ends up in 20 yards. And so those are plays that it's not scripted as an explosive, but it happens that way. And he also brings a lot just to our team in terms of the energy, what he can bring on return side. So, we'll miss him for sure, no doubt about it. He's one of our featured and key guys and it'll be other people to step up into those spaces around his position and we'll certainly do that."
* On if Forbes Jr. is trending to play this week:*
"Correct. Yeah, he's trending to go do well, so that's, I expect that he'll practice well, be ready to go."