Washington Commanders wide receiver Jahan Dotson addressed the media after practice on July 30. Here is a full transcript of the press conference.
On if he has noticed any difference this year compared to last year:
"Yeah, a hundred percent. Feeling more comfortable, especially within the offense. Now that we've gone through OTAs, getting to learn the playbook and a about a week in the camp, I feel like I'm just getting more comfortable and that's enabling me to play faster and faster. I feel like I'm playing a lot faster than I have been in the past couple years and that's been a big emphasis for me. But yeah, another thing has been able to learn all the positions because [WR Coach] Bobby [Engram] has been talking to me on the side about just moving me everywhere. So again, being comfortable not only knowing the positions, but being able to be comfortable in the position where you're able to kind of add your own stuff to it and that's what makes me a route runner."
On why he feels much more comfortable:
"I feel like over time that comes, but I feel like it's my hard work diving into the playbook and really trying to understand it. And the quarterbacks, they're doing a great job just feeding us with information about what they see and the different type of looks we have. So, it's a helping hand honestly and it's making my job that much easier."
On what led to more downfield plays today:
"Yeah, I mean its crazy, I was just having this conversation with [CB Emmanuel] Forbes the other day and I was saying like, the early days in camp kind of tailor the defense a little bit because every day we're installing and we're getting to stretch the field more and more and more each and every day and you guys got to see that today. We were hitting on a lot of go balls stretching the field a little bit. And that's really what this offense is about, getting our play makers in space letting us do what we do best. So you guys got to see that on full display today. But you know, it's kind of just the start of it. We're looking to do that more and more each and every day and kind of create these explosives for the offense."
On what he has seen from DB's Emmanuel Forbes Jr. and Mike Sainristil:
"Yeah, I mean they're professionals. They're really good players and I cherish that work each and every day because I think in my opinion, they're going to be two of the better corners in the league. So you know, being able to have that competition every day and not only competing with them, competing with myself making sure that I make the plays that I should be making and making the plays that people don't think I'm going to make. That's kind of what I pride myself on. But right now, I'm kind of really competing with myself, just kind of trying to go out there and push myself each and every day. But yeah, getting to work with those guys is always great."
On if QB Jayden Daniels is fitting the ball in places he didn't think were possible:
"I mean, with him, anything is possible and he's showing you that. Me and [WR] Terry [McLaurin], were just talking about it on the sideline. You know, he's putting the ball in in places where it makes our job so much more easier, because he is putting it where only you can get it and the defender has no play on it. You truly got to cherish stuff like that and be thankful for it because not everyone can do that. He's a special talent and he's showing you guys, he is showing us each and every day and we're just excited that he's on our side."
On how RB's Austin Ekeler and Brian Robinson help his game:
"Tremendously. A lot. Like so much. You guys kind of saw that in my rookie year. We were handing B-Rob the ball, I don't know how many times and you know that creates one-on-ones on the outside because you have to stack the box, you have to respect it. He's such a great downhill runner, where he can make one cut and he can make a lot of people miss and he's a powerful back. And then add [Ekeler] to that. It's a crazy one-two combination. And I honestly can't wait to see what we can do with them two on Sundays. But it makes our life on the outside that much more easier, just because it creates those one-on-ones and it makes people have to stack the box."
On what he likes about OC Kliff Kingsbury's offense:
"The biggest thing for me is just getting our playmakers in space and letting us do what we do. Whether that's quick screens, stretching the ball down the field. For me, myself, getting me in space, letting me create space because I feel like I do a very good job of that in tight windows. Letting me move around everywhere. [WR] Terry [McLaurin] getting those go balls. I feel like he's the best go ball player in freaking NFL history. So, you know, letting him do that because it's truly an art what he does. And it's special watching it and being that Kliff is enabling us to do that, it's really cool."
On how much of learning what a quarterback wants on second chance plays is doing it versus talking about it:
"Yeah, I mean, it's a lot of both. Just because, you know, you can talk landmarks with the quarterback where he wants you, where he wants you to be but when you get in that situation, you don't know which way he's gonna roll left or right. You don't know where the pressure's coming from, So it's kind of just a reps thing. We have a guy back there who can create those second plays and that's where a lot of big plays in the NFL come from, those second plays, catching the defense sleep, hitting them over top. So, you know, working those in practice and [Head Coach Dan Quinn] DQ is doing a great job of letting us extend those plays, even if there is a sack where we're kind of creating that second play as if [QB] Jayden [Daniels] or [QB] Marcus [Mariota] broke the tackle. So, it's really good work every single day. I feel like it's just reps thing, but you know, talking about where the quarterbacks want us to be communicating that with them is big."
On what he has seen from CB Tariq Castro-Fields:
"I love it. I love every second of it because that's my brother. That's one of the people I've been closest with ever since I got to college. So, being able to see him out here making the plays that I know he can make, I want him to finish some of 'em. I tell him every day he should have like 10 picks but we're gonna get to that cause I know he's capable of making those plays. Seeing him flourish in his role and being able to take that next step is big for him. I'm reminding him, giving him that confidence every day you are one of the best out here and you can do it. I love to see it. I truly do."
On fans being out at practice that are from his hometown:
"Yeah, it's truly special. The 610, they ride deep. If I had any tattoos, that'd be my first one. Just because it means so much to me where I come from because they've shown me all the support in the world ever since I was in Little League. Basically, traveling to my Penn State games, traveling here to see me. It's pretty cool. So, you know, any chance, any opportunity I get to give back to them, I try to because they truly mean so much to me."
On what is going through his head when QB Jayden Daniels starts to extend a play:
"Get open. Find a way because he can buy a lot of time with his legs. Whether that's running, picking up a block or creating the second play through the air. I know he can buy time cause he has the talent to do so and he has the arm capability to make any throw on the field. So just trying to find a way to get open using all that energy to create that second play and get open so I can make a big play for the team."
On where the confidence in the team is coming from:
"I see it every day. I see the work these guys put in and it is truly like no other. Like, I was just talking to [WR] Terry [McLaurin] about like I missed the over the shoulder pass today and I was talking to him cause he's so great at it. I'm like how do you make it look so easy? And he is like, reps like I practice that so, so much that it's so comfortable to me, like I'm so comfortable in those situations. So, like being able to talk to him and having someone like that in my room, a mentor where I can talk to him about things that I need to work on. It is big for my game and it is big for everyone else. So, being able to see the, the work that guys put in each and every day, you truly get a great greater appreciation for what they do. You realize how great they are."
