Washington Commanders head coach Dan Quinn addressed the media before practice on Oct. 2. Here is a full transcript of the press conference.

Opening Statement:
"Good to see you guys. Just get started today, I'll hit ya on a couple of roster moves as we begin the prep here for Cleveland. So, we'll open the 21-day return to play window for [QB Marcus] Mariota and for [LB Jordan] Magee and for [DE Efe] Obada, and then we will also add [WR] Jamison Crowder to the IR list. And past that, with three out of four last being on the road, man, we are absolutely lit to be coming home and hopefully create a home field advantage. It's as fun as you could possibly imagine when a stadium's going crazy for the team. And so, we're certainly wanting to capture that. So, all that said, ready to get rocking with you guys."

*On if he has a feel for anybody who might be close to returning to play: *"Yeah, we really have to wait, John. These guys have been out for a while and so that's why you have the extended time to get them ready to play. And so that's where we will go into and each one will be its own individual case too."

*On the impact of the offense starting to change the tempo with different formations: *"That's the part, I think that's the hardest part, because also changing personnel groups within that. So from three wide receivers to two to one to four and back in and out, that and then out of the huddle breaking some. So just the different variations of that tempo. It's hard to practice because sometimes we'll go a few plays in a row or change. So that's the difficult part of seeing some formations that will change at the last moment."

*On how OC Kliff Kingsbury has tailored his approach to QB Jayden Daniels: *"I think the first part, Nicki, was probably there's an exploring that goes on and if you go all the way back, there was reps, what we feature for Jayden, what would we feature for Marcus, and what routes were he most comfortable with coming in? And so we actually had some that were some of his favorite concepts from LSU and we started from there and that was a hundred percent from Kliff to say, 'Hey, what are some ones that coming out of bed, you want this play called and you know it like the back of your hand?' And so we started from there and then as you added and you felt more comfortable, that's why the reps are so important. And so from walkthroughs and training camp reps and then you kind of tailor it on both sides of the ball. What's good enough, what's not, what should we hold and wait for later? Some things that we would still be working on now may not be game ready, but there are still concepts that you continue to work, and then also finding the personnel for some of them is really important too."

On Daniels' vision behind the line:

"Yeah. I didn't go in thinking, I didn't have specific expectations on vision of where to go. The things that have been so impressive to me are, like I said before, his ability to stay in the process, keep the focus where to go with the read. So, I wouldn't say I didn't have a label for it to begin with, but it's definitely one of the things that I admire about a lot of this, so much of this comes from his work on the field, off the field. He really puts it in and that's why so many of his teammates would absolutely just fight for him at the drop of a hat because they know how hard he's also working to execute the offense too."

*On what LB Bobby Wagner has meant to defense as the unit finds its footing: *"I think the calming presence is there to say, 'Okay, may have not hit this' and he's got really high standards for how to do things. So, so much of his is a conversation, a talk to go through it. But those are the things for linebackers especially to come and see and work with. You can't put a price on that."

*On what it means to have a good crowd and real home field advantage: *"Yeah, and so no difference to anybody else, but just the home field crowd anywhere that I've been that really got rocking. It's a huge advantage for the team because as loud as it can get and silent cadences and all that goes with that, it's just an absolute blast. The energy goes through the roof. So, that's what we'll dig for and keep battling for it and the better that we can play, the more we can create that together and then it becomes, man, this is a really hard place to play when you tie all of the of the things together."

On conversations about establishing wide receiver two:
"Yeah, no, I'll let you and the guys outside have those ones [laugh]. For us, we're really focused on the guys that are here, honestly, just absolutely battling for it. What you will see sometimes each week is some reps may change by the position, what's needed maybe for that game plan or for how we'd want to attack. But we're really pleased with the group and their competitive nature, what they stand for."

On takeaways he can lean on from the Las Vegas Raiders' performance against the Cleveland Browns last week:
"I think one thing that I really think about Cleveland that first comes to mind [is] this is a tough and resilient group. I think they kind of showed that last year to go through quarterback changes and injuries and had some of that through the starting part of this year. And so I think that's one of the things that I look at first. Man, this is a tough and resilient group, and we know we'll get their best coming in this one ready to fight for it and they'll get ours as well. But, no, nothing past that. Each game matches up a little bit differently and we know the strengths, where they're at and that's why we're really looking forward to this battle. There's all sorts of cool matchups including on special teams. I think these are two really effective cover units that have guys that'll battle for it, and I think [Special Teams Coordinator] Larry [Izzo] and [Cleveland Browns Assistant Head Coach and Special Teams Coordinator] Bubba [Ventrone], that not only [are] they good special teams coaches, some of the best in the league, they were also old teammates back in the day. So, there'll be all these battles within the battle that I'm looking forward to."

On specific stats or moments in the film that he looks at more intensely through the first four games:
"No, I wouldn't say you're getting to get more after four, but each game the matchups are different. Are you blitzing this amount or going in this amount? It's what's required honestly for that game. So, it's almost like you need to look at it for that game. Did you do what you said you were going to do? And did you play in the style and the attitude that you wanted to play? So, you almost look at it as, okay, what happened in this game, in this matchup and the things that we had to do? So, we look at it probably from that space first, and then as the scouting is going on for yourself, you want to make sure if there's a vulnerable spot that you're working extra on it. Usually there's a reason why something is not going quite right. If it was one thing, you take the play out and move it down the roads. Usually, it's a combination of things."

On if he feels any level of surprised by the team's performance so far:
"I'm not surprised. I knew the connection would be the number one thing for us to see if we could play well, how long that would take, how connected this team could get on all three phases. And so the support of one another, all of those things, that's to me, the faster we could do that. And I thought the team's done a good job of fast tracking the feeling out process, putting agendas to the side, absolutely all-out effort. Those are the non-negotiables that we'd have to have, and the team has got that way faster than you'd say a more established team would have some of those things in place. So those are some of the things that don't show up on the stat sheet that I certainly look for."

On how the staff is making sure players don't get caught up in the national media attention:
"I would say the one thing that it's very easy to support Jayden. And the reason I say that because you see it every day in terms of the work that he puts in and goes for it. So, there's no extra things that you have to say to him in this regard because you see the character of what the man is. Had it been up and down, and I was worried, I'd have that conversation. But all he has shown all of us since he's been here is a relentless approach to getting better and staying in the moment, and he's got a remarkable level-headedness to him that's wise beyond his age. So, if I had concerns, I would've already addressed it. I'm certain of that. But he is a very easy guy to support and being on this journey with him and starting with it together, it's a really cool thing that I get to be a part of with him."

On the depth at running back:
"Yeah, they have a real standard about them in the room. So, you're right, first thing with [RB] Austin [Ekeler], he's hit all the markers on the return to play protocols that's required. So, all the arrows are looking up for him. He brings a lot to us both on offense and on special teams. Austin's standard as a ball player is really high. The techniques, the assignments, the support of others, pound for pound, he's one of our strongest players. So, everybody has their own roles and spaces that they play. And I think as seasons progress, those roles start to emerge more and more. And it was very cool to see [RB] Jeremy [McNichols] when called upon is definitely ready to deliver and that's kind of what he's made up too."

On the next step for QB Jayden Daniels in his evolution:
"I would say that staying consistent in this process, staying in this pocket of the people, that he's getting ready. Now that you've established a routine of what that looks, that you're just able to stay into that spot over the long haul. Here we are just starting in October, and so staying in that process and having routines for any ball player or coach too, it's really important. So that way you don't kind of get out of whack, all of a sudden you could miss something and then you're out of whack. So, for him, the process that he goes through, he's very strict about it, and I think that's a big part of him just staying in that pocket. But he's such a fantastic teammate. The guys are here to support him in just about any way you could."

On the identity of the team and on building the culture of the team:
"Yeah, I would say we're getting closer to that. I know that the culture part is a big one for us. And it's like, culture kind of defined how a group lives their life together. And that's, for us, those are the standards that we see. The effort, the physicality, the things that we want to play with. Has it been all perfect? Hell no. But there is a lot of things that show how far people are in for one another. And those kinds of things go a long way to helping that identity come to shape. But it takes a while to fully go through that and every time we're playing, you just see that over and over. So yeah, we're building that, but by no means in four games are we where we're going to be two months from now. When we look back, we're going to say we're a lot better than we were eight weeks ago just by the way the guys go after it and compete and battle for it. And so those are the things that I'll keep track of as we're going."

On where Daniels has stepped up as a leader since the start of the season:
"I would say, I don't know if it's like stepping up, but he's very much authentically himself. And that to me is one of the very best ways to lead. That he's not trying to do it in some other fashion. Like I said, maybe on Monday after a PAT, you just saw him and Wagner meeting guys as they're coming off the field after an extra point. That's an example of his support and the way that he leans into others to help them get better. So, I would say that's probably my example, that I see that leaning in by him in his own authentic way. And I think for any of us that have been around a good leader, you saw them the same all the time. They weren't up and down and trying to be somebody they weren't. I think that's the easiest person to see through to say like, 'He's not that around somebody else.' And so for him, if you came in here on a Monday or a Thursday or the next week, you'd see the same high character person putting in the work, doing the things necessary. And over time, man, you have a lot of appreciation for that because of that way that he goes about his business."

On the job Offensive Line Coach Bobby Johnson has done with the offensive line and on the year-over-year differences:
"Yeah, I think the first thing, for he and [Assistant Offensive Line Coach] Darnell [Stapleton] and [Offensive Quality Control Coach] Shane [Toub], they've got a nice crew of these guys that work with the offensive line. And that position, the skill work is over and over again. So, to see these guys drilling, pre-practice, post practice, the connection of them all together. I love seeing [G Nick] Allegretti and [C Tyler] Biadasz on the side on the sideline together talking it through, encouraging one another. And that position has so much cohesion that's needed to communicate on every play. It's going to even improve more, and we put a lot of stress on those guys calling things at the line of scrimmage, changing plays, different snap count, all of it that goes into it. So yeah, we're certainly pleased with the start of the guys and we feel like we're on the way up in that space."

On preparing the defense for QB Deshaun Watson:
"Yeah, the Cleveland tape from last season and from this season are the ones that we use. I think we all know Deshaun's ability to get outside the pocket and convert and create in that way. So, anytime a player is a dual threat of runs and passes and can convert throwing it or with their legs, that's a big deal. They've got a number of weapons on their offense and so not just directed to him, but each game plan a little bit different. How do we go about it? Our own team has a quarterback that gets outside the pocket and makes a lot of plays. So, we like doing competitions even at practice you'll see that today, you'll see that tomorrow where we just go the ones against the ones. And we feel like that sharpening of one another is really an important part of what we do where the offense goes against the defense, we do it tomorrow again in the red zone, today there'll be some third downs for that. It's not game plan specific towards Cleveland and it's just us against us. Having to guard [WR] Terry [McLaurin] and try to keep Jayden contained and here's a blitz package. All of that goes into getting yourself ready to play a quarterback. We're fortunate that our own style is able to lean into that."