Washington Commanders defensive lineman Jonathan Allen addressed the media after practice. Check out the full transcripts of the press conference.
On what head coach Dan Quinn brings to the table in terms of leadership:
"Yeah, it's been a lot. I mean, I think he brings a lot of competition amongst the guys. He's going to challenge us every day and he brings a lot of energy. As a coach, when he first came in, I asked a lot of guys around the league about him. I haven't had one bad thing said about him. Everyone who's ever played for him has loved it, and so far, I've been loving it."
On what he did over the summer:
"I spent most of my time here to be honest with you. Didn't really do too much, just focus on my diet, focus on my training, just trying to lock back in as early as possible so when training camp started, I could hit the ground running."
On what he changed about his diet and training:
"I hired a chef, so that's probably the biggest thing."
On what made him hire a chef:
"I'm just really trying to go all in, on and off the field. I'm spending a lot of money on my body and my health off the field so I can perform even better on the field."
On the differences he sees with this defensive system compared to others:
"I really think it's just about the little details. We're really focusing on the small stuff. The get off, the first step, the first six-inch step, your hands and your pad level, and just really repetition. So, it's nothing groundbreaking that we're doing, it's just consistency and a mindset that we're playing with."
On how the heightened focus level can help him:
"I think it can help me a lot. When you look at the [San Francisco] 49ers and what they were able to do with their defensive line, we're coaching a lot of the same things. So, I'm really excited for what we can do, and just excited to be out here."
On if he was surprised DT Johnny Newton got back out on the field this quickly:
"Not surprising, but excited. Obviously, he's a great player. We got him super high in the draft and I'm excited to see what he can do out there. So, he looked good. They're trying to take it slow with him, obviously you don't want to throw him out there too soon, but from what I've seen, he looks really well."
On how Newton will help compliment the other pieces on the defensive line:
"I don't think it's him complimenting us. I think it's all of us complimenting each other, you know what I mean? I'm trying to help out [DE] Clelin [Ferrell], trying to help out [DT Daron] Payne and vice versa. So, he's definitely going to fit in really well. He loves to work out, he loves to do the little things right, and he loves to work. And for me, once I see that, that's all I need to see."
On how much this feels like the first day of school:
"Oh, it definitely feels like the first day of school. The first day of training camp is always exciting and fun to get out here with the guys for the first time. I'm just really trying to go out there and put my best foot forward, moving forward. We're excited about what the season could be."
On what being in Ashburn and being in a team hotel can add to the team:
"Whenever you stay at a hotel for training camp, it really helps with team bonding, guys spending a lot of time in close proximity. Because when you're in the NFL, after the season or after the day's done, I got a wife that I got to go to. Other guys have kids that they have to go home to, but when you're in the hotel, you spend a lot more time together off the field than you normally would and that just helps with bonding."
On what it's like being a mentor for younger players:
"Just trying to help him with things that guys like [DT] Ziggy Hood helped me with my rookie year. Just trying to be there, trying to be the best team that I could possibly to help this team."
On the differences between this season and last season thus far:
"A lot of guys with a lot to prove, and I love it."
On what it's like having LB Bobby Wagner on the team:
"When you have a guy like Bobby, who's one of the hardest workers on the team, it forces everybody else to follow suit. I'm really excited to play in front of him this year."
On how important the pass rush will be this season:
"Pass rush is the name of the game in today's NFL, but for us we're just doing the same things. Just coming to work and working on our craft. There's no secret recipe."
On how he feels about the state of the franchise:
"I'm excited. I'm really excited to be here, to work here and just put my best foot forward and getting to work."
On what the defensive line group is like this year:
"Again, every year you're in the NFL you have something to prove. So, every single guy on the defensive line has something to prove even before they were here with coach Quinn. So, when you have something to prove and you come and play for a coach like coach Quinn, it just amplifies it."
