Tag: Dan Quinn as a leader

Dan Quinn not surprised by early success; believes Daniels will remain focused

The coach is not surprised by the Commanders’ success.

After four games, three of which have been on the road, Washington is 3-1, but Dan Quinn says he is not really surprised.

After trailing by as much as 37-14 in Tampa in the opener, the Commanders have bounced back for the last three weeks. The fan base is surprised and excited, but Dan Quinn, when asked Wednesday, insisted he is not.

“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.”

After winning in Cincinnati, the team traveled directly to Arizona for their matchup against the Cardinals. The team appeared prepared, so united in mind and purpose, they were on their way to a 17-7 halftime lead and a 42-14 win over the Cardinals.

“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.”

But how will the team now not get caught up in all of the national attention they have received following their last two victories? Each morning this week, the national television shows have discussed the Commanders and Jayden Daniels. That is a lot of fame and praise to be suddenly laid in your lap. How can a team handle that?

“I would say the one thing that it’s very easy to support Jayden. And the reason I say that is 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.”

It sounds like Daniels has his head on straight and he realizes he made it this far by being willing to work hard, arriving early, leaving late, and working to improve each day.

Daniels leads the NFL in passing completion percentage at 82.1 and just threw his first interception last weekend. He is also third in yards gained per pass attempt with 8.5.

Dan Quinn praises two rookies not named Jayden Daniels

Quinn explains what stands out about two members of Commanders’ rookie class.

Washington Commanders coach Dan Quinn was asked Wednesday about two of his rookies, in particular.

Those two rookies were wide receiver Luke McCaffrey and cornerback Mike Sainristil.

Quinn had already spoken very positively about Jayden Daniels and Brandon Coleman the previous day with the press.

“What I’ve seen early, I’ve also seen lately,” replied Quinn. By that I mean, these guys are like a rare level of competitor. They just don’t back down.”

Jayden Daniels might consider getting the ball to McCaffrey more often each game. You see, he has only been targeted six times, but he does have six catches, averaging 10.3 a reception.

“I knew Mike also had leadership skills early on, where guys would look to him, not just the other rookies in the class. But some of the defensive backs as well. So, that is what I saw. As they are growing into their season, they are just three games in, each of these opportunities are so important.”

Sainristil has been in on 16 tackles in three games (12 solo and four assists). He has also has a pass breakup.

“I think when we look back a few months from now, some of the mistakes that guys make early, they don’t make late. But you do have to fight through some of those with the guys. I have unbelievable belief in them about what they are capable of becoming, and that sometimes happens with the youngest players.”

Indeed, McCaffrey made two very nice plays earlier, picking up first downs, but in the final quarter, he once drove to the stick on third down and then cut off his route just short. So when Daniels passed to him, and McCaffrey was instantly tackled, it was 4th & 1, not 1st & 10.

“You make sure they get the experience, so by the time December and January football comes, they have lived through some of those (experiences). They have some scares to look back on, and they’re really better for that.”

Commanders’ Dan Quinn maintaining a proper perspective after huge win

Dan Quinn on how the highs and lows of a season can be dangerous.

Life is full of ups and downs, mountains and valleys.

Commanders head coach Dan Quinn has lived long enough (age 54) and coached long enough in the NFL to know this is true in the NFL as well.

Consequently, after a night’s sleep following Washington’s thrilling 38-33 victory in Cincinnati, Quinn was level-headed and maintained a proper perspective Tuesday when talking with the media.

“Roller coasters are as fun as hell, but you can’t ride the highs and lows because both can be equally dangerous,” began Quinn.

He’s absolutely correct. I recall Washington in 1978 started 6-0; it was exciting. But it finished 8-8. On the other side of the coin, I recall the 1981 Joe Gibbs first season began dreadfully at 0-5. However, they rebounded to finish 8-8. Twenty years later, Marty Schottenheimer’s Redskins team also began 0-5 and also finished 8-8.

Quinn spoke of how the team traveled from Cincinnati to Arizona rather than returning home to Ashburn. He knows the win was a big one. He knows the temptations to get distracted, forgetting what you did to win a big game. “To me, it worked out perfectly to stay in this pocket, no outside voices of highs or lows. Our pocket is all about proving it, about competing, about improvement.”

He spoke of the team being connected while staying in Arizona in preparation for the Week 4 contest at the Cardinals. Yet the world is a different place today. Each player has his phone and will see stories about how great they were last night.

Dan Quinn has his work cut out for him this week, and he’s already displaying he is quite aware and wants to work hard to avoid a pitfall against the Cardinals.

Commanders Quinn was joking, but…

What was Dan Quinn really thinking?

Commanders head coach Dan Quinn joked again Saturday night with the press following the Commanders 13-6 loss to the Dolphins in Miami.

When Jayden Daniels called an audible for an empty backfield deep throw to Dyami Brown, Quinn joked later, using the Top Gun movie as an analogy.

Saturday, when Daniels, who is quite thin, allowed himself to take a hit on a called-run play, Quinn again joked with the media, this time using an Animal House movie reference to Daniels now being on “double secret probation.”

Quinn is good with people. He is wise and experienced, and he knows how to deflate or de-escalate a situation for the public or the media.

But don’t fool yourself. Quinn was not happy. And why should he be? You know they told Daniels several times this week to get a first down and get down, avoiding taking a hit.

We caught a glimpse of Quinn on the sideline, wasting no time showing Daniels he was not happy with Daniels’s decision not to slide.

Quinn and Kliff Kingsbury have watched the LSU film. They are not stupid. They know well, quite well, that Daniels is young and naive when it comes to taking hits. Several of the hits he took at LSU were entirely unnecessary and not wise on his part.

The coaches have Daniels’ and the team’s best interests at heart. Do you think they want to face the Giants, Eagles, and Cowboys with Marcus Mariota or a healthy Jayden Daniels?

When the real games begin in September, the hitting will be much more intense, and Daniels risks injuring himself and the team if he doesn’t learn now when to run and when to slide.

Dan Quinn was right. So right, if you noticed, standing to Quinn’s left on the sideline was safety Jeremy Reaves, and he was also telling Daniels to get down and avoid the risk.

That tells us all that Daniel’s teammates really believe in him and want the best for him. They want him healthy. Now, it’s his turn to learn it, and he should learn it now.

The old saying is true: ” Men learn from experience, but wise men learn from the experience of others.”

Commanders’ Tyler Biadasz bonding with his new teammates

The new Commanders center discusses coming together with his teammates.

Tyler Biadasz says the Commanders are really jelling, coming together as a team.

Biadasz (center) met with the local media following Friday’s training camp workout. Other players have referred to head coach Dan Quinn putting players together in a room to talk and get to know one another, so Biadasz spoke of growing together with fellow players.

“Camp’s been great… Obviously, camp, you spend a good amount of hours in the building. Obviously, having practice first thing in the morning and getting out late at night or if you’re having extra meetings or whatever that may be. But no, we’re doing a hell of a job of just becoming the best team we can be as a unit.”

Naturally, offensive players will have more opportunities to meet with defensive players.

“I’m on offense, so I’m more in those meetings and everything like that. We’re all coming from different places and we’re starting to gel in regards of the timing and the chemistry and even the bonding outside the building. That’s a huge asset to us and we’re doing a heck of a job with that.”

Michael Deiter (guard/center) was a college teammate at Wisconsin. Deiter came to the NFL in 2019, while Biadasz was drafted in 2020. Deiter has played for the Dolphins and Texans, while Biadasz was with Quinn in Dallas.

“It’s definitely great. Shoot, we played for four years together in Madison in college. So, just knowing where he’s at, but also again, we’re coming from different backgrounds, and he’s been on two other football teams in the league.”

Also drafted in 2019 out of Big Ten rival, Illinois, was Nick Allegretti.

“Yeah, it’s been great, man,” Biadasz said of the projecting starting left guard. “For real, we definitely have talked about the rivalry that we had in college and stuff like that. It’s like how we said before, the chemistry in the room, we’re always talking, we’re always building, but we’re having fun doing it for sure.”

Why should Commanders fans be excited this season?

Jonathan Allen gives several reasons why fans should be excited in 2024.

Why should Commanders fans be excited about this season?

That was the final question Bryan Colbert Jr. asked Jonathan Allen following practice Friday.

“You should be excited because, regardless of the score, regardless of the record, you are going to be proud of what you see on that field. I can always guarantee that.”

Allen was rather upbeat despite being disappointed when last season came to a 4-13 close.

“There’s a lot of change going on in this organization for the better. The fans are excited, the players are excited.” Allen mentioned how several players have expressed to him how they loved playing for Dan Quinn and Joe Whitt.

“I can see it, the energy they bring day in and day out. They make football, for me personally, fun again. I feel like I am back in high school again, having fun with the guys while also working harder than I ever have before. It’s been incredible.”

When Quinn was hired, it was a surprise because the media had convinced the DMV that the new hire would be Ben Johnson or Mike Macdonald.

“I went into it with an open mind and wanted to see what he was about and how things were going to be run. After listening to his excitement and passion, I knew that I at least wanted to see it. Once I started seeing it, there was no doubt: I wanted to be here.”

Now in his eighth season, has Allen lost any of his drive? “I’m feeling hungrier than I’ve ever been, trying to work harder than I ever have, doing all the little things. I am just excited to be out here.”

How does Allen feel about the Commanders drafting defensive tackle Johnny Newton? “After seeing some of his film, he is definitely a ball player, and I am excited to get to play next to him.”

Daron Payne, former Alabama teammate, joined the Redskins in 2019, and the two have played together since.

“Daron Payne, he just wants to come in and push you, so I always accept that challenge. We always compete with one another; we always push each other to get better.”

What does Allen think about his new defensive coordinator, Joe Whitt? “He’s a guy that I want to play for. I think there’s something to be said when you have a coach who makes players want to play hard for him. He is that coach for me. I’m excited; I love it.”

 

Dan Quinn discusses when Jayden Daniels will be named Commanders starting QB

Dan Quinn is clear when discussing Jayden Daniels and when he will start.

Washington head coach Dan Quinn and general manager Adam Peters began this 2024 training camp with a press conference, and sure enough, the first question was about Jayden Daniels starting at quarterback.

Quinn’s response was fresh, authentic, and true. There was no need to try to fool everyone into thinking this was a dead-even competition.

“It’s not a secret, but it is a journey and a process,” began Quinn. “So, as we are going, when he is ready, we’ll know. When he’s ready, he’ll also know.”

Translation: What we saw in the offseason trends toward Jayden starting this year. But there are some things we need him to learn and experience at a faster level. Sure, it will be clear to all involved when Jayden is ready to start.

“But as far as the reps go with he and Marcus (Mariota) there will be certain days that will feature more of one than the other,” Quinn said. “Through practices, scrimmages and preseason games, that is where the journey will take us.”

Translation: Both guys need to take some No. 1 reps. We also realize we haven’t yet had any contact, scrimmaging, or preseason games. So, let’s permit Jayden to get some of that under his belt, shall we?

“Not trying to hold back the info, but when we know, we will say it,” Quinn said honestly.

Translation: There is no even competition at this point. Bear with us; we just need to see him in action against other teams first. Then, we will announce Jayden as the starter later in the preseason.

On day one, Quinn was clear there was not going to be a quarterback controversy. Quinn and OC Kliff Kingsbury simply find it wiser to permit Daniels to experience more and learn more. In time, the receivers, offensive line and skill position players will all come to the same conclusion during this preseason.

Peters simply chose to echo Quinn: “My experience with young quarterbacks is like DQ said, ‘Not one size fits all.’ I think everybody can see when that is happening, when they know, the team knows, the coaches know. You don’t want to fast-track it, you don’t want to slow it down. Let it happen naturally.”

 

Commanders Darrick Forrest enjoying the 2024 offseason

Darrick Forrest thrilled with Washington’s new leadership on and off the field.

Darrick Forrest is thus far enjoying the 2024 offseason.

The Commanders safety, now heading into his fourth NFL season, talked briefly with the Team 980 afternoon host Craig Hoffman after a practice last week.

“It’s been great, getting to know the new coaching staff and learning the new defense”, said Forrest. “Just having fun, getting to know each other.”

To get to know each other, Forrest told Hoffman that they simply got into a room and talked with one another and went over presentations about our lives, and there was boot camp with military coaches, and then as position groups, they also interacted.

“It’s about growing together. If our brotherhood is strong, then I know nothing is going to be able to stop us.”

Hoffman asked Forrest if he could share something he had learned about one of his new teammates. Forrest responded that being around new Commanders safety Jeremy Chinn, has been enjoyable. “Just getting to know his personality, just getting to see his leadership. It’s just great getting to learn from guys that have been able to do it (in the NFL).”

Hoffman asked what Bobby Wagner was like on the field. Forrest responded, “If you could put a gold medal on the field, he’s a gold medal man. He communicates; he sees some things before they happen. And he can get everybody lined up where they need to be. The way he goes about things, they way he gets in here early, the way he takes care of his body, he gets here early in the morning. He goes throughout his day with a routine.”

With new coaches, come new schemes, new emphases. “Now I have a lot more roles, so I am going closer to the line of scrimmage. It’s really about learning the full defense. It’s about knowing how to communicate. I can’t come out here and BS because I know it like the back of my hand. I am still learning things as I am going.”

Forrest also expressed that he is learning from Frankie Luvu. Both Bobby Wagner and Frankie Luvu were veterans brought in this offseason, and according to everyone, the two linebackers are having a positive effect on the players.

 

Commanders Zach Ertz ‘extremely excited to be here’

Zach Ertz talks leadership, and his excitement to be in Washington.

“The best teams I have been on have been the hardest working teams.”

Commanders’ new tight end Zach Ertz displayed a businesslike approach Tuesdayas he met with the media on the first day of Organized Team Activities (OTA).

He spoke of head coach Dan Quinn taking ownership of this team from the players, conveying that they would mold this team into their image.

Ertz expressed that Dan Quinn has set a standard and the players will need to hold each other accountable to meet that standard.

Speaking of which, Ertz complimented rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels, stating Daniels is working hard behind the scenes to prepare himself for the season.

The 33-year-old tight end made it clear he was not out there holding the hands of the other tight ends. Yet, he also understands he can’t simply be barking out orders either.

“First, you got to have a personal relationship with someone…….I’m just trying to help them in any way I can. It’s something that at this stage of my career, I have taken a lot more pride in now than maybe I did when younger.”

The three-time pro bowler knows he might not have much longer in the NFL. “I am just trying to maximize this team, anyone I can help, not only tight ends, but any skill position.”

Highlights of touchdowns as an Eagle

“The vets have to set the leadership, how this thing is going to go. We’re going to push each other to be the best version of ourselves that we can.”

Nine years as an Eagle and three as a Cardinal have matured Ertz. On Tuesday, he spoke of communication and leadership as the result of interacting with people.

“I want to be as open as possible,” Ertz said. “That is what guys are going to remember. (These) people are not going to remember my stats, my yards, my catches. When I’m done, hopefully, they remember the relationship I have with them. So, that’s what I’m trying to develop.”

The Commanders’ younger tight ends could certainly learn from Ertz entering his 13th season. The tight ends on the current Commanders roster are Ertz, John Bates, Armani Rogers, Cole Turner, Colson Yankoff, and the newly drafted Ben Sinnott.