Washington Commanders head coach Dan Quinn addressed the media after practice on Oct. 4. Here is a full transcript of the press conference.
Opening Statement:
Alright, get rolling. I thought from the finishing of the prep today and really kind of the emphasis for the guys, man we're putting it in just to get better, like I kind of talked about that the early part of the week. And thought all three phases kind of leaning in one to one another. The complimentary football, the turnover margin, the starting field position, those are some of the things. The third and fourth down emphasis, that's where I'm seeing the team connect together. The right look for this player for this one. Like those are the things that we can see. So, captain wise, defensively [DE] Dorance Armstrong and on special teams [S] Jeremy Chinn and offense [QB] Jayden Daniels. So, it's going to be a fantastic environment in football. So, all that said glad to get it rocking with you."
On injury updates:
"Yep. [RB] Austin's [Ekeler] cleared and doing great. So, he had a really good week. [RB] Brian [Robinson Jr.] is trending in the right way, and we'll take it all the way to game date, but he's doing great. [WR] Noah Brown is out, [DE Clelin] Ferrell is out. Then, the other guys work it all the way through. And from an IR standpoint of who would return, [General Manager] Adam [Peters] and I will huddle up tomorrow and decide if you want to activate any of the three guys."
On how Robinson will be listed prior to the game:
"Yeah, [VP of Football Communications] Sean [DeBarbieri] can follow up with you right when we're done."
On the importance of having versatility from receivers with one out:
"Yeah, and we're bummed that Noah won't make it in for this week because he's added a lot to our team. But we're pumped about the guys and the opportunities that are there and the next person in that space in different roles, in different ways. You've seen it from OZ [WR Olamide Zaccheaus] and [WR] Dyami [Brown] and [WR] Luke [McCaffrey] and others. So yeah, we'll miss Noah for sure man. He not only is on the pass game, but the run game, the size, he's really made his impact so far."
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On Ferrell working back and on IR consideration:*
"There's none and he's doing well man, and just the fact we're always going to just do the best we can for these guys and then they can absolutely do their thing at full speed. It was awesome to have him back here at practice and so he is definitely trending in the right space, but just not quite there just yet. But he really had a good week."
On his thoughts about the virtual reality technology being used to help game prep:
"I think the technology has a lot that's really good cause it's customized to us and to our plays. And then the other thing that's so unique about it can travel, whether you're home, the road, shot clock, the location, so the specifics of a game to make it as realistic as you can into your training. So yeah, it's been a really strong tool. We were impressed the first time that Adam [Peters] and I saw it was on a visit for us in Baton Rouge. And then to see it customized, obviously for us, that's a really big deal."
On how the virtual reality could be implemented to help all areas of the team:
"Yeah, they've actually started some other ones too. So, it's the blitz pickup and the protection, so how does that look? So, running backs from scanning to identifying different people. So, for an offensive line or for a running back, I think that's probably the next step that you could utilize to get extra reps that you can do quite a few during the week."
On the improved communication on the offensive line:
"Yeah, I'd probably say there's a combination of both, and the reason I say that, in the training camp, obviously the three interior guys got most of their work together. And then [T] Brandon [Coleman] and [T Andrew] Wiley were walkthroughs and that, so to see them just spend this much time together in the meeting rooms, early, they really have a good connection. So, if it's during special teams, they're together. So just, I think it's the amount of hours that those guys have spent together. Obviously, the work on the practice field, there's nothing that takes that place. But I do think there's a combination of both on and off the field. And examples of last week, of being together that long, going through stuff again, all those things help."
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On the rotation at left tackle and on potentially keeping that throughout the season:*
"I think as we're going through it, constantly just evaluating it and taking a look at it. And I think the more that we see, it'll level itself out moving forward."
On the team identity forming after a winning streak:
"Yeah, I think the way I would describe it is that it's building. And part of that identity was, I kind of referred to it a little bit earlier, the complimentary football as well. To know, what does that look like at practice? What does that look like of the guys supporting one another, to get the exact right look knowing that, hey, this is the field position part of special teams, that the look has to be right the way we cover kicks. Could be going through a blitz drill today to find the exact looks to nail it. So, identity is going to take a while. As we're in four games, we're starting to grow into that. I knew it was going to take time. It's not something that's done overnight, but it has to be done again and again. So, it's growing and it's not where we're going to be. And I would hope not too much from now, we can look back to say, 'Yeah, it's grown significantly since then.' But I like the toughness, the attitude that the guys are showing for sure."
On if he learns more about the team's identity after winning or losing:
"Yeah, I try not to get the too high or too low based on the wins and losses, but the one obsessive part that I do want is us to getting better. And that's the thing I would say we chase the hardest. There's skill work that goes in, and hopefully I can say it correctly; The skill, the better you get, the stronger your confidence gets. And so that's why we put this work in on the skills, the skills. Because then now, I can really lean into that. I can really trust that and the routes. And so that's why like the timing and having guys at practice together, it was rightfully so you guys asked, 'Hey, is the communication going to be okay with the offensive line and people there?' And like that was a legitimate concern because of all that goes into it. But to me, the skills if we're continue to work, that also develops the confidence to play well. So, I love that you have to go and do it in tough environments and because that's part of our game too. So, I don't know if it feels like it for you guys, but it's felt like we've been on the road for a long time. We had a couple in the preseason and even to start the regular season. So, for us to get a chance to be here, and home with the fans, man, we're really pumped about it. But I wouldn't say I lean in too hard to a game."
On if it's unusual if some coaching moves off the field with the technology available:
"It's actually, it's one of the fun parts of coaching because nothing really stays the same and there's things that evolve and move forward with this. So, years back I can remember looking into like a simulator and Stanford was one of the first people on the VR side of things, and I remember being on the campus there and looking at it, and it wasn't a football related one yet, but I was like I'm on a beam over a city. And I was like four inches off the floor, but it felt that way. And I think being in those environments when using the Oculus and you can use sound, you can use all the stimulus that goes into it, I think that's a really cool thing. Then the old way, here's the playbook, where you're really making things come to life. So, I would say as a lifelong learner and I love to teach, I like new ideas and new things. We've looked at this before and maybe years ago you're like, 'This ain't ready [laugh].' Not this specific company, but that way. So, to see it really come full circle and come to life, I think it's good. And I think probably some of the biggest benefits are for also players that aren't getting a lot of reps. We talked just about Jayden, but anybody maybe who's, you think about a backup quarterback who's not getting the same amount or a running back who needs more blitz pickup work. So, there's always ways to train the guys to get more reps. And so I think it's really cool. And I'm sure it'll keep evolving as we're going, but tools like this I really like them."
On Offensive Line Coach Bobby Johnson and on why he hired him:
"Yeah, I think coming into it [we] wanted one, somebody that was an excellent teacher and I think at that position that's where a lot of development takes place. You're coaching a lot of guys and the development of that position, it's not like just add water and play. And so I thought that was the first criteria we looked at a number of guys. And one of the strongest recommendations was from a friend [New York Giants Head Coach] Brian Daboll who had worked together both in Buffalo and New York. And I've known Brian for a long time and like any job, when you're looking for you want to ask as many people as you can. And what really came through for me strong was the teaching, that part of things. And that was really important to me. And so I've really been impressed by the work that he is done so far. I love the connection with him, [Assistant Offensive Line Coach] Darnell Stapleton, who I actually had as a Bill Walsh Fellow to work with when I was in Atlanta. So like, you keep somebody in your mind and okay, if there was a chance, he's somebody I want to add. And [Offensive Quality Control Coach] Shane [Toub] has done a good job here too, so the three of them have a nice blend. They're not all the same, and so they kind of balance each other out in different ways."
