Washington Commanders head coach Dan Quinn addressed the media before practice on Sept. 4. Here is a full transcript of his press conference.

*Opening Statement: *"All right. Good to see you guys and actually get ready for game week. All of us, you guys included, have been looking forward to this and us too, man, we're really pumped to get rolling. So, first let's talk a little bit about Tampa and kind of get us started. I think first starting with [Tampa Bay Buccaneers Head Coach] Todd Bowles is a really good coach and part of the alumni group, but not this week. So, but Todd's an excellent coach and one we've matched up against numbers of times and a lot of respect for him. Offensively, when you think about Tampa, there's playmakers, outside at receiver and running back as well, and quarterback. And so that presents the challenge for the defense. Quarterback who can extend plays and receivers with size to go extend plays, and so those are definitely the ones that I've certainly been impressed by. The back, this is a true every down back that you can get, this many catches, this many runs, and that doesn't happen as much anymore in our league and so, respect for that. Defensively, this is a group that's really known for their blitz package. I think that's one of the things through the years with Todd that always been impressed with by watching their teams, the run defense. And then for them, some play makers, both at safety, linebacker, at defensive line, they've kept a deep crew, it feels like for a while, a defensive line and some good ones. Then I think the special teams match up. Everybody's kind of smiling and waiting to see, they've got a good kicker, punter, and then we're all wanting to see on kickoff and kickoff return what that looks like, and we'll see it all. We can get it all, some weather, maybe some thunderstorms. So, like everything's on the table and it's a great matchup. These are two tough teams that are gonna have to really battle for it, and that's exactly kind of what you're looking for in your opening game to get rolling. So, all that said, why don't we get started."

*On why QB Jayden Daniels is a good fit to go against the Tampa Bay defense in his first professional game: *"Yeah, it's a good question because of you have to be able to process quickly, John, because part of the blitz package is showing blitz, getting out, showing blitz, bringing it, and that's part of the disguise that goes with that. And so for Jayden, the ability to process things quickly, sometimes as a quarterback, you need to speed it up in terms of, 'Okay, this is an unblocked player. We're only protecting with five, they're bringing six. How do we get it to the playmaker and get yards in that way?'. So, it's one of the things that he's been strong with, decision making and the ability to speed it up."

*On how his defensive coaching experience helps him prepare QB Jayden Daniels: *"Yeah, I think you wanna make sure, everybody's got their key things and their regular tools. This is how we play and what we do. Every team has some small wrinkles, especially, John, the first game of the season. It's something I've been working on through the off season, I've been digging into. But more than anything, yeah, just looking at looks, what a certain look or a call may look like or not. And so going through some of those with the offensive staff, that's kind of where I can help on that side of things."

*On reasoning behind extending G Sam Cosmi: *"Yeah, I think at that, it's a cool day for him, for his wife Blair, his daughter Clara, who are here. And so for [General Manager] Adam [Peters] and his staff to get that done prior to the season, that's a big deal. And, this guy's a Commander through and through. He is tough. He plays square, he is strong, and we're really are fortunate that he'll be an anchor inside for years to come. It is a big deal."

*On his expectations of T Brandon Coleman in practice and possibility of playing on Sunday: *"Yeah, for the practice part first, yeah we're definitely aiming towards playing and getting into that. And so I'll probably have a better instance for him and a couple of the guys all the way through the practice week. But it's sure been good to have him back out there and going through it for practice last week and into this week as well. So it's definitely good to have him back out. But as far as the game, let's let practices play out some more."

*On how the season opener sets the tone for the rest of the season: *"Yeah, I don't know if it sets the tone, but there is, you know, you wanna make sure your identity's right and how we play. I think that's an important part of things because it is one game, but it's an important one because we get to show our identity, our style and how we like to play. And so, there's lots of lessons that you learn and you've heard a number of times teams improve from game one to game two. Well, there's also some lessons that you learn in the preseason that you find out and things you're excellent at, things you need to work at. But more anything I think when you and our fans watch us play, they're gonna say, 'Man, these guys are really tough. They really bring it, they finish on plays', and if the identity comes across like that, oftentimes the winds as you're moving through the season go in your favor based on that type of play style, attitude and how we do things. So, we're really looking forward to showing that."

*On what he has seen from the team over the last few weeks that tells him they are ready for Sunday: *"Way deeper than just the last couple of weeks. I think going into training camp, we knew this was gonna be a tough camp. We were gonna put them in tough spots, work, a lot of game management situations, couple trips on the road, so we wanted to test the players and put them into difficult spots. We had a lot of competitions that we wanted to go through, so those were the markers that I was looking for. And then as you get closer to it now, some of the roles start to emerge and how guys can be featured in those specific roles. So, when you go from 90 down, now, these puzzle pieces all start to come together. And so those were the markers I've seen leading up to it. Road trips, the practices against other teams or practice against one another that we just kept improving. And that's usually what I'm looking for, to see a team that's always looking to compete and improve."

*On how he is preparing defensively against looks from Tampa Bay's new Offensive Coordinator Liam Coen: *"Yeah, that's part of the first game and what that looks like. So, what you try to do is look back into some systems, into some that Liam's been a part of. He's been a play caller in college, been part of the [Los Angeles] Rams system, and they had a little bit of that last year. So he'll have his own flavor for sure. It's a really good coach that'll have his own way. It's not, you know, you had a playbook and I had a playbook. We wouldn't call the game in the same exact fashion. So, I think you'll have some things you have to adjust in the games and the teams that usually do that the best and adjust the quickest, those are the ones that can punch through some of those things that are different than you expected. And I think you have to go into the games, expecting the unexpected and you have rules and contingencies for those. But, by and large, you look for the system first."

*On how important present communication with defense will be for Week One: *"It's really important because of the one, the shifts, the motions and having that ability to go. One good part of that is going against our offense, really provides some challenges. And so there's communication, there's difficult scheme, there's a lot of things you have to deal with as well. So having to go against our own offense on a regular basis, that pushes the communication up and certainly tests you on some plays, but more than anything, just making sure we're rock solid in terms of the way we play and communicate."

*On how his self-evaluations are going to show up on the sideline on Sunday: *"That's an awesome question, Dave. I would say I've seen a lot of that that I've done up leading into now, and I probably felt it some in the preseason. The first game I was kind of worried about, 'Okay, who's in, who's out?' And the preseason, there's so much subbing to who's in to who's going out. And I was pretty intentional about going into like game two and three to make sure I was into that space of what I needed to do and knowing the clarity that I needed for [Offensive Coordinator] Kliff [Kingsbury] and for [Defensive Coordinator] Joe [Whitt Jr.] and for [Special Teams Coordinator] Larry [Izzo]. And so I really was intentional about that on the head bones to put myself into that spot, even if we weren't going to attempt a fourth down. Like in the last game, I wanted to give [K] Cade [York] some opportunities when they were there, but there would've been some spaces, 'Hey, in a normal spot, this is a time we'd go, this is a time we'd punt'. And so I went through that process to get there, and so that's my thing that I can do best on game day is make sure I'm making really clear good decisions. But I really tried to put myself in those spaces as much as I could. So, when those moments come, then I'm ready to deliver for the team."

*On who tells him the truth: *"Yes, I would say Stacey first as the number one truth teller, but it's important on our staff that we have that. And so, you know who's helped a lot? Guys like [Run Game Coordinator] Anthony [Lynn] and Kliff because they've sat in the chair and so that is a real advantage. And I ask for that kind of communication back from the staff, and so sometimes it takes a little while for someone to get there and then you can say, 'Man, I really appreciate that feedback. Next time you have that, I'd like that again'. And so now more people are willing to do that. It's not an act of questioning, but it's really giving some feedback, 'Have you thought about?'. And so, I really value those times, David, and having some truth tellers on that side. And Adam's been good with that too because on practice or in a game day, he's got a, a different view and a different lens on that. So between Stacey, between the coaches on the staff and Adam, I think I'm really fortunate that I've been surrounded by some people that care enough to tell you the truth."

*On how the demeanor of the team has changed heading into Week One: *"Yeah, I think as coaches we also wanted to make sure these are the things that you do really well and we're gonna rehearse them all week. But when you get to the game, you absolutely can go do your thing at full speed because you've played a lot of reps at it. So, there's not gonna be things that we're doing in the game that we haven't done out here on the field, and so there's a lot of confidence and trust in that, knowing that like you've put the work in, now you get to get to this spot and get to the moment. What you wanna make sure you don't over too much information, who can handle this much, who can handle less. And so that's kind of the art of the coaching side that give the player that can handle some more, plenty. And the person that has too much, 'Okay, don't worry about that. This, I want you to write down. This other stuff, don't worry about it'. We don't try to over trick it out for the defensive tackles and the guys inside go that way and absolutely wreck shop, and usually some good results come from that."

On the rookies having an adjustment at the NFL level and on if he will lean on the veterans to help:
"Yeah, I'm glad you brought that up, because of course there is. It's like I told them for the first preseason game, they've been dreaming about this their whole life. But guess what? You've been playing against really good NFL players all training camp. And as you get into the regular season, that bit of nervousness and fear, totally normal emotions to have. So, recognizing that it's kind of getting you ready. Having that ability and those conversations make it way easier. And what I'll say is once we get on the field and it's going to be the same plays, the same stuff, we had the same execution that you do. So, any of that nervousness that you had, I'll remind them at halftime, it's just like we were doing at Ashburn. Sprinting off the ball, the tackling, the physicality, the speed, the communication that doesn't change. But it's anticipated that there'll be excitement on the game day. I'd rather talk about it honestly than not. Yeah, I'm very open with the guys and say, "that's totally a normal emotion to feel, big breath, blow it out. Now we go execute like we do, man." But yeah, totally a normal and expected. We've got some mature rookies, some that I wouldn't think of as rookies because they've played a lot of college football. They've been around, but still everybody remembers your opening day in the NFL and it's a really cool day."

*On the things he doesn't want to see this Sunday: *"Yeah, I think at the end of it our core principles obviously is taking care of the ball, going after it, our tackling, the communication that we need to see. Those are right at the core. So, I want to see those every time we play. The discipline usually wins out in an opening game because the same nervous energy, Tampa has on the same things. They haven't seen this, both of them have that, both teams have that. But who can have the discipline to pre-snap, post-snap, stay in it, play the next play, play the next one. And again, a game like this, it's going to be a hard fought. It's going to go all the way down to the end. And we'll be prepared for that, knowing that good tough games, it takes the whole game to win it. And we have no doubt this one's going to be a tough one for sure. And it'll take the whole afternoon and into the evening and if it has to go past that, we'll be ready for that too."

On if he will set aside time to talk with QB Jayden Daniels before the game:
"Not special time aside, but certainly moments for that. I think for those of you who've been around Jayden some, this is a cool customer man. And you're always looking to see the next marker, the next marker. And that's why we were so intentional about what we did during training camp to hit all the marks along the way, and no different than this. This is another step for him to go. But early in, ready to go today. Already calls already the stuff to go. So, having that confidence to play well oftentimes comes from the preparation. You can't wait for this game because you put the work in to go, and Jayden falls under that category. But as far as not over trying or having to do too much, no one here has to put the cape on. They got to do their job really well and that includes Jayden."

On if he's comfortable playing T Brandon Coleman after no preseason appearances:
"I do and it's an example of you can only control the things that you can, and so would it have been better? Yes, but okay that is not how it went down. This player's really put in the work and he's really ready to go. So yeah, we're excited to get him into it. Would it have been better for him and anybody else? Of course. But like I said, you can only control what you can but the player is really putting the work and is ready to go."

On his confidence level in DT Jer'Zhan Newton playing this weekend:
"Yeah, we're going to work. He'll go, work today and then we will go limited tomorrow and then work again Friday. And then I'll have a better assessment for you when we get together Friday afternoon. But it'll be good to get him back into the stuff. He's raring to go. But like most things said, we're not going to miss a step for him, so I'm going to take it all the way through the week and see where he is at."

*On how he evaluates players and how ready they are to play leaving college: *"Yeah, and when you go through it you're talking about like a guy like [TE] Ben [Sinnott] or [WR] Luke [McCaffrey] or [CB] Mikey [Sainristil] who's just had maybe more experience, or Brandon, than the average person. They've played more games, they've been around more. And it just came across that way that why some of these guys as [General Manager] Adam [Peters] and I would call our 'Commanders,' because they're ready for moments like this. They're not a year away. Sometimes in a draft process you might select somebody and say, 'Okay, he may have to red shirt.' Knowing that you're thinking a year down the road, that was not the case with this draft class. Not to say that people don't develop and improve, but sometimes a younger player who's coming out early, 'Hey, you just need more time to grow and get bigger or stronger.' We've all seen that, or knew at a position may need more time, but this group just had a better, I'd say experience, connection, support of one another that probably lifted the whole group up a little faster and a little stronger and pushed one another. And that's why I think this class, we'll look back years from now, it's certainly not the time to evaluate them but I think there's some very strong pieces in this class that make up what good commander football is going to look like."

On if he expects the offensive line to have solid communication despite the lack of reps together and on why:
"I do expect that, yeah. Because that's what has to be done [laugh]. There's not a like, 'Oh, if it doesn't happen, it's okay.' Like that has to go down. Even when you're injured, you can go through a lot of the times, the walkthroughs and that. So, it allows you to play it mentally, although you can't play it physically. But you do have to have that. And it's really important, so knowing that not all were together the whole time it's not what you like, but in terms of the communication, not an excuse at all."

On what quarterbacks he studies to help with escaping pressure against Tampa Bay:
"Yeah, I didn't go into it that way, specifically quarterback driven. As you're going through the processes, you want to find out some similar looks that they've had against different teams. The good news is when you play against a veteran coach, you get to see different years, different times who they've gone against, what did that look like? But there really is an adjustment period that goes on in game. You may think this is how they're going to play us, but then they play it differently and you have to be able to adjust. And that's what's nice about a staff like ours that these are some guys that have been in the fights and they've seen it. They know how to adjust, they know how to go. And usually, the people that figure that out fastest, they're the ones that are able to adjust the quickest. Think of a fight plan, two boxers are in a fight and, 'Hey, I'm going to work the jab, work the jab and throw my overhand.' Well, all of a sudden everything inside's open. You better change your plan knowing that they're playing for that. So, that happens in football too, that you may think it's going to go down one way and then nope, they're going to go play it differently. And you have to be able to adjust. So, to me, that's what having a good veteran staff's about. Where you have the ability to adjust, and move, and change when needed to. And the teams that do that the best, play the best towards the end of the game. And both teams will have different looks that they haven't seen. You'll see the coaches, they'll be shuffling the papers on the sideline, new plays, new stuff. You guys have seen that, but at the end, how do you adjust? How do you calm it down, this is what we need to do. And so having guys that have been in the fights, that's really important."

*On how he viewed G Sam Cosmi before getting here versus now: *"Yeah, I think [Former Head Coach] Ron [Rivera] and the guys did a good job moving him inside to guard. He is so strong and square that it just kind of suits him inside. So, saw him at tackle obviously and doing that, but having that kind of ability inside for the pocket, it's a big deal. That kind of stoutness, it's big. Certainly, for Jayden or for the quarterback, his ability to have space in the pocket to step up. This [is] an athlete that can pull and move and, in our system, that's really important. It's just every once in a while, fit in the criteria to go. For him not to have to go through the season and into free agency and all that, it's a big deal for us. But I would say that move from tackle to guard, I think unlocked some things there to see him really perform well at that position. That's a hard matchup."

On how much ownership consulted him before making the extension decision:
"Yeah, a lot. I think that's with [Managing Partner] Josh [Harris] and being with him during the spring we had talked about some things that needed changing. I think Adam tells the story, he saw the snow melt and there was an arch, AstroTurf field and said, 'What the hell's that?' So I said, 'That's AstroTurf bro.' And my point is Josh recognized some things had to change in betterment for the players. For them having their own space as a player lounge, meeting rooms that were more conducive for the learning that they needed, those were the things. To have those areas better for the players that was a big deal. And Josh was right at the front of that, knowing that changes had to be made but it is still him. That's a big commitment. And he was all in for it. He said, 'Yep, this needs to change.' I remember just being out on the field with him and knowing that he felt that way too. It was a great film for Adam and I to know that we had his trust to say, 'Man, let's make this better for the guys. They deserve it.'"