Tag: DC Joe Whitt Jr

What did Commanders DC Joe Whitt think of last week’s performance?

Which defensive players stood out last week, according to Joe Whitt?

On Thursday, Washington defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. came ready to talk to the press.

Whitt sat down for his weekly Thursday appearance and began giving a few introductory comments as usual. He then added a few comments, a few more and kept going, 652 words in all, before he even took his first question.

Even Craig Hoffman (The Team 980) informed his listeners Thursday afternoon that Whitt was very long with his introductory comments, almost three minutes worth, conveyed Hoffman.

Understandably, Whitt began saying, “You never apologize for a win. It wasn’t the way that we wanted it to be, but like DQ (Dan Quinn) talked about, you need to be put in some hard moments. The last play was a good play, a good winning play.”

Of course, Whitt was referring to the Saints game that the Commanders led 17-0 in the third quarter when suddenly the defense couldn’t get off of the field, permitting the Saints four consecutive scoring drives in their four final offensive possessions.

Whitt then understandably voiced some of his frustration with how his defense performed in the second half.

“We had some opportunities within the game,” he said. “I think we dropped two interceptions. We had a couple penalties that kept the drives going and points were at a premium in that situation. But it was learning moments. It’s easier to come off of a victory and be more demanding after you get a victory.”

Whitt, of course, is correct; there are teachable moments during a season, and Sunday’s narrow, final-play escape should have been a wake-up call for the players. But Whitt then turned positive, seeing the big picture of the season.

“We’re 9-5, that’s a good place for us to be, and we’re trending in the right direction.”

Whitt enjoyed talking about what CB Marshon Lattimore could mean for the defense. Whitt was certain CB Mike Sainristil would get a lot more attention from opposing quarterbacks.

“But a product of having him on one side, that means Mikey on the other side [is] going to get a lot more throws at him,” Whitt said. “And he had an interception, he had an opportunity at another interception. He’s a ball guy. So, he should relish that opportunity from that standpoint.”

Choosing to name those he thought played well, Sunday, Whitt referenced DE Dorance Armstrong, S Jeremy Chinn, DT Johnny Newton and CB Noah Igbinoghene.

Seeming encouraged about Jonathan Allen’s soon return, Whitt offered, “He’s moving and looking really well, man. I’ve been pleased with what he did yesterday and he’s worked really hard to get back to where he is. And so, hopefully, the training staff will get him where he can help us in the near future.”

Adding two players the caliber of Lattimore and a healthy Jonathan Allen is good reason to encourage Whitt that some real improvement could be coming for the defense.

What did Commanders’ DC think of Marshon Lattimore’s debut?

Commanders DC Joe Whitt Jr. weighs in on Marshon Lattimore’s debut.

Commanders defensive coordinator Joe Whitt noticed some things he really liked in Marshon Lattimore’s debut last Sunday.

The Commanders traded for Lattimore a month ago, but his injured hamstring kept him from playing against Dallas and Tennessee before the bye week. So he debuted last week in New Orleans against his old team, the Saints.

“There was a couple things,” Whitt said. “He played with a lot of confidence. He communicated well. There was two reductions where he was the one, and he wasn’t supposed to be the one that led the communication on those reductions, but he did. And that was really positive to see.”

One reason GM Adam Peters went after Lattimore was his experience. The former Ohio State Buckeye had seen action in 97 NFL games prior to last week.

Another reason is Lattimore’s ball skills, he employs, playing defense. He sees the ball well, and he catches the ball well, intercepting 15 passes thus far, including two he has returned for touchdowns.

Whitt liked how Lattimore was also prepped well and ready, referring to “just the command that he had of the defense. And like I said, I give a lot of that credit to [Assistant Defensive Back Coach] William Gay because he was with him from day one, teaching him and being that mentor that we asked William to do with a lot of these guys. So, but I was just really pleased with the command that the young man had of his game.”

Of course, everyone on the defense, including the coaches, is well aware that this Sunday will be a greater test for Lattimore. Quarterback Jalen Hurts is completing 69 percent of his passes this season.

Hurts’ top two receivers, A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith, both have 56 receptions this season, and both have missed three games. Tight end Dallas Goedert and Saquon Barkley have also contributed 38 and 31 receptions, respectively.

Therefore, Whitt knows he will need a good game from Lattimore this Sunday.

An alarming Commanders’ realism and truth

Some alarming truths about Washington’s defense.

The Commanders won their ninth game of the 2024 season Sunday when they held on for a 20-19 escape from the New Orleans Saints.

Washington led 17-0 early in the third quarter. The last half-hour was troublesome for the Commanders and disappointing for fans.

Plain and simple, though I wish it were much, much different; the Commanders weren’t good enough to defeat a bad Saints team on Sunday. They couldn’t run the ball when needed in the second half, and they couldn’t effectively protect Jayden Daniels, giving up eight sacks.

In the final 25 minutes of the game, Joe Whitt’s defense resembled the version from the Week 11 loss to the Eagles. On the Saints’ last four offensive possessions, the Commanders’ defense was… well… poor.

I hesitated because I honestly wouldn’t say I like to overstate things. But consider this: the Saints, on their second-half possessions, drove 71 yards for a touchdown, 51 yards for a field goal, 59 yards for a field goal, and 56 yards for a touchdown.

Keep in mind, on Sunday, the Saints lost running back Alvin Kamara during the game due to injury, and they never had wide receiver Chris Olave nor quarterback Derek Carr.

In addition, keep in mind that the Commanders’ defense was outplayed late by the Bears, Giants, Steelers, and Eagles for four consecutive weeks. Yes, Chicago outscored Washington 15-0 before the ‘Hail Mary’ rescued them.

The reality is that the Commanders’ second-half defense has become an ongoing problem. It’s a dilemma, a predicament.

This has to be a significant part of Dan Quinn’s, ‘Tell the Truth, Monday’ in Ashburn.

Commanders’ Joe Whitt is honest about playoff chances

Joe Whitt Jr. is focused on winning the next game only.

Experienced leadership is important in any organization.

So why would it be any different in the NFL? Less experienced players can learn from the knowledge of more experienced players. With the Commanders now losing their last three games, defensive coordinator Joe Whitt was asked about the older players counseling, the younger players through the losing streak.

“You know, not necessarily, just, when we were winning four games in a row, or now that we’ve lost three, it’s the same,” replied Whitt. “You lean on it and the thing that you have to do, and I know you’re going to say this is coach talk, but it’s the way that we live and the fact that you take a win and a loss the same way. You take four wins and four losses the same way. You have to just go back and figure out how you’re going to win the next game?”

When a team is declining in their performance, coaches have to work at assessing the performance and then determining how they are going to change some things to bring about progress.

Whitt then brought up the concept of improving as a defensive unit.

“What do you have to do to improve? There’s good in every loss, and there’s some bad in every win. And so, we have to make sure that we lean on the brotherhood that we have, win or lose and continue to know that everything is in our hands.”

In coaching, there are always things that are under your control and things where you do not have control. Recognizing the difference is always crucial to the success of the team. Washington is 7-5 and can still control their destiny, but another loss this Sunday would result in no longer having complete control and needing the help of other teams.

“We control what we control, and if we handle business, we’ll get the results that we want. If we don’t, all right, we’ll be at home. So, that’s just it.”

Commanders DC Joe Whitt sums up his unit’s performance in Week 12 loss

Joe Whitt Jr. evaluated his team’s defensive performance vs. Dallas.

Commanders defensive coordinator Joe Whitt was not happy with his unit’s performance Sunday against Dallas.

“It wasn’t a winning one,” Whitt said.

“I mean, we’re here to win. I sound sort like a broken record from the week before. I thought we played three really good quarters. And I don’t think we played a really poor fourth quarter. We had the third-down touchdown that happened. And it was a situation that shouldn’t have happened, but it did. And again, it gave them the life that they needed. But we’re looking to play 60 minutes of disciplined football and we’re starting every game, really, the right way. Like I said, I think we’re top three or four in the league in the first quarter with points, but when it gets to the fourth quarter, we’re giving up too many points. And so, we have to make sure we sure that up.”

Whitt has been around long enough to know that if he doesn’t address the issues, they will not correct themselves. He also knows the Titans will spend time in the film room, attempting to reproduce what Dallas did to Washington.

“I was with [Tennessee Titans RB] Tony [Pollard] in Dallas. He can run the ball really well,” Whitt said.

“He can make people miss with not necessarily just running through him, but he can make his feet disappear, he can get on the edge. They’re doing a very nice job with the quarterback [Will Levis], moving him, sending his reads a certain way, giving him the ability to get the ball out outside and vertical. He has some vertical threats. They have a receiving tight end that’s pretty good. And [Tennessee Titans WR] Calvin [Ridley], he’s a guy that is as good as anybody in the league. So, when you have him and Tony Pollard, the screen game comes to life with both of those players. So, they did a nice job this last game.”

The Titans may be 3-8, but they upset the Houston Texans on the road last week.

What do the Commanders love the most about CB Mike Sainristil?

The Commanders found a star in Mike Sainristil.

On Thursday, Commanders DC Joe Whitt Jr. was asked what has impressed him the most about rookie cornerback Mike Sainristil.

Whitt didn’t waste anytime answering the question.
“Mikey is just a high-level competitor. That’s what’s impressed me the most. He doesn’t shy away from anybody that’s in front of him.”


Sure enough, Sainristil was lined up outside against the likes of A.J. Brown in Washington’s 26-18 loss to Philadelphia in their Week 11 contest.

In the game, Sainristil not only provided good coverage on most of his assignments but also, for the first game this season, knocked down two passes intended for the receiver to whom he was assigned.

Whitt likes the former Michigan Wolverine’s flexibility and desire to adapt to whatever circumstances the Commanders need that week.

“We ask the young man to play inside and outside early and for the betterment of the defense and say, ‘Okay, we’re going to put you to the field, all right, and you’re going to stay there.’ And he’s made it at home.”

Coaches are always concerned with how well a rookie will adapt to the pro game. Some adapt well, and some seem to have difficulty with the upgrade in talent and complexity of schemes each week.

Whitt is confident in Sainristil’s ability to listen carefully and communicate clearly. Whitt likes Sainristil’s maturity.

“He’s not playing like a rookie, and he doesn’t communicate like a rookie. If you’ve talked to the young man, he’s very polished, he’s very mature. And so, but just the way his competitive spirit is what I’m most impressed with.”

What do the Commanders know about Marshon Lattimore’s injury?

What is Marshon Lattimore’s current status?

Marshon Lattimore did not practice again on Thursday.

We know some said Lattimore was coming to a good team and would find his hamstring wasn’t really injured after all. Well, seeing the opponent is the 6-2 Pittsburgh Steelers, and Lattimore has not practiced Wednesday or Thursday, we should safely conclude that, yes, Lattimore does have a hamstring injury, and it has been confirmed by the trainers and medical personnel.


GM Adam Peters, head coach Dan Quinn, and defensive coordinator Joe Whitt have all publicly stated since the trade that they love Lattimore’s competitive fire and intensity.

The Steelers coming off a bye week, are rested, and they have also picked up former Redskins and Packers pass rusher Preston Smith and receiver Mike Williams. In addition, the Commanders are apparently going to be without Lattimore, and the Steelers do like for Russell Wilson to go deep occasionally.

Whitt, in his introductory remarks launching his press conference, expressed,

“I didn’t know if I was going to see some guys with their heads down because you bring in a talent like this, some other guys might say, ‘Well, I’m going to lose opportunity.’ And they might be saying that I don’t know, alright. But that’s the business, but nobody’s acting that way.”

Whitt likes the winner’s attitude he sees in the current defensive backs, who are glad to be bringing in Lattimore. Whitt added, “That’s a credit to DQ (Quinn) and AP (Peters) and the brotherhood and the culture that’s being set here. That everybody is bringing them in, helping him, teaching him, talking to him.”

However, Whitt made it clear from the start that he was willing to talk about his defense but not about Lattimore’s health and when he would actually begin playing for the Commanders.

“As soon as we can get him out there, we will. When that will be, I don’t know. Okay. So, please don’t ask me because I don’t know when that will be, but as soon as we can, we will.”

Would the Commanders keep Lattimore from running until warmups for Sunday’s contest? We can only hope. But for now, they might be targeting Lattimore for Thursday at the Eagles.

Commanders DC explains what makes LB Bobby Wagner so special

Bobby Wagner has been terrific on and off the field for the Commanders.

It is not unusual to find employees who are more interested in their day off than the energy they spend on working days.

That is not the case with Commanders’ linebacker Bobby Wagner.

Thursday, during his time with the local media, defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. expressed that Tuesdays are a player’s day off. However, not for Wagner. Wagner, on his own, volunteers to come in and spend time studying the next opponent.

“He studies more than anybody,” said Whitt. “Bobby’s in there (film room) as long as we are on players’ day off Tuesday. When we coaches are talking run game or pass game, I can go in there and talk to him.”

Is this a simple, quick run-through of the opponent’s last game? Oh no, Whitt expressed that Wagner makes a day of it.

“He’s there the whole day, watching film on his own. Then he makes the linebackers come in part of the day and watch with him.”

“That’s what makes him special. That’s why he is going to have that jacket on, when he gets finished playing.”

Whitt talked about Wagner really being a coach on the field. For instance, when the Bears were in uptempo, four different times, Wagner went ahead and called the defense without waiting for Whitt. Whitt said each time, Wagner made the right defensive call. Whitt also expressed he has enough confidence in Wagner that he had previously given the green light to Wagner to make some calls if the game speed demanded it.

The Commanders’ defense has improved in recent weeks, and Wagner really is another coach on the field—and it shows.

 

Commanders DC Joe Whitt wants to rotate more on defense

Whitt wants to rotate more defensively so the Commanders are fresh late in games.

Long before the preseason began, Joe Whitt Jr. told the fan base and media that the Commanders’ defense would not consist of merely 11 starters.

As early as June, Whitt was getting after it and did not want to talk starters on defense.

“We don’t have 11 starters; we have 17-18 guys,” he said. “We are going to go out there; we are gonna roll a deep crew and go out there and whoop people,” Whitt said. “We don’t have 11 guys; we have many personnel groups and now can they own those positions when we put them out there. When that comes, don’t ask me about who’s starting, please.”

Thursday, Whitt reminded those listening he had said this would be the case. “Well, day one, remember we talked about rolling with a deep crew and we want to be fresh in the fourth quarter. And the only way that you’re going to be fresh in the fourth quarter is if you play people and give people a break so they can go.”

Whitt explained Thursday that this applies up front and in the secondary as well. He wants his defense fresh in the final quarter of tough, hard-fought games and more depth for later in the season.

“It’s a long season; we want to roll with a deep crew. We want to make sure that we’re fresh not only in the fourth quarter but towards the end of the season when everything matters. That we still have a fresh football team that can run and hit to the way that we want to run and hit to.”

Whitt was clear, this is for his secondary as well.

“Yeah, we were mixing guys in the backfield, and that’s a little bit different because I want to see people in different spaces.”

He likes the effort he has seen from secondary starters and also added that he wants to see more of Emmanuel Forbes, Michael Davis, and Percy Butler (whom he clarified has been playing well and that Whitt sees Butler as a starter).

GM Adam Peters brought in over 30 new faces to this Commanders’ roster. Joe Whitt knows it is a lot better than it was. So now, he wants to get more of his guys game reps and develop them more now so they can be a building block for later in the season.

 

Commanders DC understands challenge of facing Caleb Williams

Commanders DC knows Caleb Williams presents a big challenge.

Joe Whitt Jr. is aware that Caleb Williams’s play is improving.

It was no secret that the Chicago Bears rookie quarterback struggled the first two weeks of the season. However, after seven weeks (six games), Williams has gotten more comfortable and gained confidence, and the Bears are now 4-2.

“Caleb, he’s a very talented young man,” Whitt said. “You see why he was regarded the way that he’s regarded coming out. I have the same respect for him.”

Last week, the Washington defense could dial up blitzes and come after the Panthers’ Andy Dalton and pretty much know where he was going to be. Dalton simply does not possess the mobility of Williams. Whitt knows his challenge is much greater this week.

“He can throw the ball from the pocket; he can throw it on a move. His arm contortion, where he can get the ball out from different angles, is really impressive. He can escape inside and outside. When he sets his feet, he can make any throw in the book. So, he’s a talented young player that’s going to be good for a long time in this league.”

The Bears certainly have the weapons for Williams and the offense to excel. The receivers group is loaded with DJ Moore, Keenan Allen and Rome Odunze. Also, Whitt knows what running back D’Andre Swift is accomplishing, averaging rushing for 54 yards per game and receiving 32 yards a game.

“Well, every game you’re going to have eligibles that are premium players, and they have a number of them…a lot of respect for those eligibles. And so, we have to just do a good job…they run the screens as good as anybody in football. So, we have to make sure that we do a great job of leveraging the screens play by 11 men. We have to set the edges inside, out.”

Seeing the Washington offense will most likely be without Jayden Daniels, if Whitt’s defense could generate two or three turnovers that would be very helpful as well.