Washington Commanders head coach Dan Quinn addressed the media before practice on Oct. 16. Here is a full transcript of the press conference.
Opening Statement:
"Alright. Good to see everybody. For us and for the team, today begins for us our competition Wednesday. And we love that, it's a chance to get our football aligned exactly like we need to. And talk about the progress and the work that goes into that. And I had told the team that comes in leaps and you don't always see it. And I asked them, 'Would our team today beat our team from seven weeks ago?' And the answer was yes. We got a lot to sharpen, and we got a lot to improve upon to get stronger at. And that was kind of our messaging to going right back into today and what that looks like through a week to dig right back in and emphasis on getting better, and what area for you. So, that's our goal and ready to get rocking with you guys."
On if DE Javontae Jean-Baptiste is a short-term IR candidate and on DE Dorance Armstrong's practice status:
"Dorance will not practice today and yes, we're hoping it's shorter than longer with Javonte with his ankle injury. So, we're hopeful that it's at the limit and we'll get a see for there. It's too early to call today."
On if the team's approach to winning is accelerated based on the start to the season and on the challenge of adding players six weeks into a season:
"Right and that's a good question for [General Manager] Adam [Peters], but we talk about the team all the time. So, although there's a deadline, it doesn't mean there's a time that you have to begin that. So, we spent a lot of time on the roster and the team, and you're right that we did get banged up into some spots and that's why we are fortunate that the practice squad is bigger than it was years ago. And you guys can remember that when there was four players, and then the street list was different, and you went through that. But now there's a, I feel like a really good developmental plan, of people that are in the building and practicing and playing. So, when those opportunities come up to go deliver, and although people may have not played a lot of reps, they get their chances. And I know you probably heard me say it before, but JMac [RB Jeremy McNichols] is certainly the one that comes to mind for me of when his number was called, you get ready to deliver. And that's just such a pure example for us."
On RB Brian Robinson Jr.'s practice status:
"Yes. Yep. Brian will be out there today, which is, yeah, we're really pumped about to see him doing well. And it was hard not having him, but in the sake of what's best for him first, and then for the team, it was the right call."
On being focused on the short-terms and if he wishes the team did more in terms of roster moves:
"No, because I don't get into the what if's and where we're at. The thing that we spend the time on, 'Is there anything that's stressing you? Is there a spot that we need to address and go through?' So, that's really more where our time spent. But you're right, there's a lot of people around this time of year that get calls, give calls, all of that. And I think that's just kind of part of this time."
On his concern Armstrong's injury could be long-term:
"I'm not concerned on a longer term, no. If it was, then it would've been an IR move to go. So, he's not going to practice today. And so, we're just going to take it as we're going. But knowing Dorance, this is a tough competitor and so I know he'll put the work in to get better and get back to play just as soon as he possibly can."
On continuing to marry the pass rush with pass coverage with changes up front:
"Yeah, the good news is that we did add some people today, but by and large the people have been in here. So, whether you're in the practice or in the game, that's super important to make sure that handles in the very correct way that we want it to. So, we had, as the old saying goes, two steps forward, one step back. And took a step back into that space and we certainly intend on getting that back to the way that we need to for sure."
On how well he knows the team personnel at this stage in the season:
"Yeah, certainly a lot better than the seven weeks ago to how to feature guys and going. Certainly, the running back room is one that has emerged of how to feature guys and doing that. And I think there's a lot of room to grow in a lot of spots. We've liked how we've used safeties and nickels and linebackers in different spots. Sometimes you see [LB] Frankie [Luvu] on the edge and sometimes behind the ball, so I'm still growing into that space, but I would say that we know a lot more now. And I think the receiver probably is the best example of moving guys and featuring them in a different ways. So, at the addition of [WR] Noah [Brown] right there at that time was a big addition for us too."
*On Carolina Panthers Head Coach Dave Canales' play-calling and on how the team will prepare: *"Yeah, it's fully grown in terms of the run game there. I've got a lot of respect for it. The interior of their line is exceptional, both in the run game and the pass game. But you see the yards per carry and so they do a nice job of the run game, the play pass. I think the addition of [Carolina Panthers QB] Andy [Dalton] has leveled out some of the things there. But those are some things that jumped out to me was the strength of their run game, their ability to cut it back. I was certainly impressed in studying them. I'm not surprised by Dave and the staff that he put together that, that's a strong part for them."
On the fallout from DT Jonathan Allen's season-ending injury:
"What a great line by John just as opposed to, 'Hey, don't feel sorry for me, here's a good chance for you to get more chances, more opportunities.' And that's what a leader does, knowing that there's other guys in the room that will step up, specifically Johnny [DT Jer'Zhan Newton] and knowing that they're ready to take that challenge on. But I thought that was a great moment by him of allowing in his space of a tough and dark time to say, 'This is a good opportunity for you, man. Go get it and go take it.' And everybody deserves those chances when you go for it. And this just happens to be one of those times when, and all of us have been in that spot, like, 'Man, this is your chance, and you absolutely go for it and go for it as hard as you can."
On the defensive tackle rotation and on expectations for Newton:
"Well, it'll certainly change the rotation. [DT] Sheldon Day will also be a part of that moving forward. [DE] Efe [Obada] is somebody that can work inside and outside, but it'll change the rotation of people for sure with a heavier load for Johnny, no doubt about that."
On the reaction from the team after the loss to Baltimore:
"I saw number one, a lot of people here yesterday and that was their day off, but whether that was them getting in, getting their workouts, getting treatment, and so just to see the amount of people here without the coaches, I thought that's a good sign. Just think of the guys that are getting here to work on the stuff they want to work on to absolutely throw a great week. And specifically, there's things that the team wants to work on, whether that might be third down, we got a bigger emphasis for that today. Some things in the run game that we wanted to get ironed out. And so that's what I challenged us on, honestly, can we get stronger? And there's all sorts of ways and opportunities to do that. And those leaps, although think of like a spring you're putting down, you see it uncoiled and all this energy takes place. As the players, they don't get to see that, but it's going to happen again in this leap, but you got to go put the work in. To another four or five weeks from now say, 'Okay, that's when I started that and that I'm getting better at it.' And that's where our challenge is, in that we've got great regard for Dave and Carolina and everything else, but it does come back to us saying there's a lot that we need to get stronger and improve upon and we are going to work really hard to do that."
On a leader who has surprised him coming out of last week:
"Quite a few actually, [G/T] Andrew Wiley, [T/G] Sam Cosmi I thought, and specifically at the offensive line. At the end of the game, 'We're going to learn from this.' Like agitated bent out of shape for sure, but also knowing what we need to get done. So, I felt that for certain on their side. I certainly am feeling like [S] Quan Martin's energy coming through and the confidence from him to do that. I've always felt it from Luvu, I'd always felt it from Armstrong. So, those are a few that come to mind that I'm just kind of picturing back to the locker room right now."
On the Carolina Panthers' record and reminding the team anything can happen:
"We don't [look at the records], and the reason is so much of the focus is on us. Like we got plenty to work on and we are absolutely going to go sharpen our game as strong as we can and knowing that that will pay dividends moving forward. But, no, we're absolutely going for it as hard as we can and we want to see those leaps and that progress take place, and that's what we intend on doing for sure."
On the jersey retirement of former Washington CB Darrell Green and his impact as a player:
"Yeah, it's amazing and so to get a chance to be a part of that, like that is really cool. 19 consecutive years with an interception, that one just slaps me right in the face in a very good way. And you want to talk about standards and doing things, Walter Payton Man of the Year off the field, Super Bowl champion on the field, and so clearly a guy who not only had his football world in order, but his off-the-field world as well. So, just the fact that we get to kind of be around and knowing that's going down this weekend, big alumni crew coming in. It's awesome."
On CB Emmanuel Forbes Jr. being off the field and reminding him he still believes in him:
"Yeah. I had that conversation specifically and kind of remind him it's not always going to be this rocky. By the work that you put in the things that you want to emphasize, and then you work like hell to go improve upon those specific things and the chance is going to come back around. And when it does, you want to be able to go nail it. But the reason you can is because all the work that you put in, so when that chance comes again, you say, 'Okay, I've put the work in, I'm ready to go do it.' So, that was my message to him about the readiness and that next chance, it's going to be there again and absolutely be ready for it."
On activating LB Jordan Magee:
"He's had a good start to it for sure, and we've got his week to continue to evaluate it. So, we'll take it all the way through the week, but he really has looked sharp and I thought week one to week two improves and now I want to see that again into this week. But it was a good start for sure last week. I really felt that."
On bringing Day and DE Jalyn Holmes into the rotation:
"Sheldon's been with us for a while, so that part, I've got a chance to know him and watch him and he's got real quickness. He can get up the field. He's a good communicator on the field. And with Jayln, I got a chance to evaluate him, most specifically this season with the [New York] Jets and certainly have a strong knowledge of their system and their scheme through [New York Jets Interim Head Coach] Jeff Ulbrich, and so getting a chance to watch that was really strong. In fact, I got texts from his coach and one of his teammates saying, 'What a good pickup,' and 'He'll be missed around here'. And so that's always a good sign, unprompted belief about someone without you asking is always a good sign. So, we're really pumped to get him here. He knows a couple of guys here. He played with [WR] Noah [Brown] and [WR] Terry [McLaurin] back at Ohio State, came in the same class together. So, I don't know who was running Ohio State back then, but good job to you."
On what it means to an organization to get the quarterback position right:
"Well, yeah, I think everybody that's the name of the game to say at a position that affects the outcome so much, decision-making and processes to go. There's so much that goes into it. And so, for me getting a chance to be around excellent quarterbacks and seeing what it looks like and knowing that we have an excellent quarterback here, it's fantastic. I would say the common thread on that is relentless work ethics. And I've seen it with Jayden and going back through [Dallas Cowboys QB] Dak [Prescott] and [Former Atlanta Falcons QB] Matt [Ryan] and on the way down the line, that is a trait that definitely sticks out to me. There's just so much preparation that can go and finding the right balance of decision-making, competing, making the plays go right, speeding up throws. It doesn't just get seen on just the way he's throwing it. It's in the way that he's playing the position. And oftentimes things that don't show up on the stat sheet are really a big deal. Dirtying a ball that's in a two minute that wouldn't go for anything that was an incomplete. Well, it was actually a really good play that we didn't do a hell of a lot of coaching on. It was him being really smart to go nail that. So, those are some of the traits that it goes and it definitely knowing that that person's there and fight and shoulder-to-shoulder with you. I love Jayden, what he brings to us, and I can't wait to see him grow, man. He is absolutely relentless about it."
