Tag: HC Dan Quinn as a leader

Commanders are doing things differently on short week

Washington’s approach for Week makes it clear that this is a new era.

“We’re pumped to be here early and to get rockin’ for the week.”

That was Commanders’ head coach Dan Quinn in how he began his Wednesday time with the media.

The Commanders, instead of returning to Ashburn on a red-eye flight following Monday’s game in Cincinnati, chose to fly directly to Arizona. If the team had flown back in the early morning hours of Tuesday, they would have had only a couple of days of preparation before flying out to Arizona later Friday.

https://Twitter.com/dolphincountry6/status/1838409531275038978

It is a shorter week playing on MNF, and then the NFL turned around and gave the Commanders another road game, this one in Arizona, Sunday, against the Cardinals. “What we do on a Wednesday, a Thursday and a Friday, we will go through that same process we would in Virginia with a few adjustments,” expressed Quinn.

“We are doing absolutely the same process. So the team came out early to set up our servers, video, all the stuff so we could just take Virginia, put it down in Arizona, and go play. We are really fortunate, the people here at Arizona State have been great, allowing us to have access to the practice field. So we are ready to go.”

The fan base can most of all thank new majority owner Josh Harris. It is hard to imagine the team making such a move in previous years prior to Harris taking over the reigns and responsibilities.

Imagine the bill for all the meals, hotel arrangements, equipment, and supplies—the meals alone for all those players and the coaching staff.

If Dan Quinn and the Commanders can win against the Cardinals on Sunday, it will be their third consecutive win, and Harris won’t be concerned about the bill.

Dan Quinn quotes Bill Belichick in preparation for Week 3 vs. Bengals

Dan Quinn quotes the great Bill Belichick in preparation for Week 3.

Dan Quinn is an intense man and a fierce coach; however, he has also displayed a sense of humor.

Sunday, following the Commanders’ 21-18 walk-off win over the New York Giants, a local reporter commented to Quinn that kicker Austin Seibert had been signed the day following the season-opening loss in Tampa.

She then asked Quinn, “Had you seen him before?” Quinn was kind, simply replying humorously, “Yes, and you have, too.” After a brief pause, he smiled and continued, “New York Jets.”

Indeed, Seibert had kicked in the pre-season opener against the Commanders. Quinn could have embarrassed her in front of the others. There have been coaches who have done such a thing. But Quinn did not, trying to smile and gently remind her she had also seen Seibert in the Week 1 preseason game.

On Monday, Quinn made a few introductory comments, as he often does, before opening the floor for reporters’ questions. Quinn said the Commanders will learn from their mistakes and, as a result, improve during the season.

Quinn then had some fun, indirectly referring to another famous NFL press conference moment when he declared, “We’re definitely on to Cincinnati.”

He could have said that the coaches and team must focus on their next opponent, the Cincinnati Bengals. Though factually accurate because the Commanders do travel in Week 3 for a Monday Night Football contest against the Bengals, Quinn decided to go tongue-in-cheek and quote the great Bill Belichick.

For those unaware, it was Oct. 5, 2014. The Kansas City Chiefs had just handed it to the New England Patriots. Belichick’s Patriots were so manhandled that Belichick had taken Tom Brady out of the game.

When a much younger Albert Breer asked Belichick about the Patriots not being accustomed to such a beating, Belichick responded, “Yeah, but we’re on to Cincinnati.”

A follow-up came, and Belichick interrupted, “We are on to Cincinnati.” A third attempt, another interruption: “We’re on to Cincinnati. It’s nothing about the past. It’s nothing about the future. Right now, we are preparing for Cincinnati.”

A fourth follow-up began. Again, Belichick interrupted, “We’re getting ready for Cincinnati. That’s what we’re doing.”

When a fifth attempt was made, again Belichick interrupted, “We’re gonna game plan, do the best we can, ready to go Sunday night, same as we always do. Nothing’s changed.

So notice Quinn, Monday, not simply, “We’re on to Cincinnati.” No, Quinn added, “We’re definitely on to Cincinnati.”

Dan Quinn can be fun, and as long as this team wins and brings him joy, we are likely to see more of that humor from Quinn.

 

How do Commanders coaches really feel about Daniels’ audible?

What did Quinn really think of Jayden Daniels’ audible?

It was third-and-6 at the Commanders’ 34-yard line. Going no-huddle, the call was for Jayden Daniels to attempt a screen pass, get rid of the ball,  and avoid being hit behind an offensive line that was without their top three tackles (Cornelius Lucas, Andrew Wylie, Brandon Coleman).

Daniels instead called for an empty backfield, sending wide receiver Dyami Brown deep down the right sideline. With no running back to help pick up a penetrating pass rusher or blitzer, Daniels lofted a beautiful pass that Brown snagged for a 42-yard gain.

Did Daniels’ change from the screen pass to the long pattern for Brown impress or concern head coach Dan Quinn?

Well, first of all, Quinn is certainly not simplistic. So, is it out of the realm of probability that Quinn was both impressed and concerned?

On the one hand, Daniels’ move appears very confident, very assertive. That could speak very well to the rookie’s leadership skills and confidence in his physical abilities.

On the other hand, might it have been a demonstration of Daniels’ lack of understanding of the risks involved? Both could be true, quite true.

Daniels is confident, but he also does not yet understand the risks involved in the NFL. The SEC is a great football conference, but even most of the SEC players he faced won’t make it in the NFL.

What if Daniels had been hit hard, perhaps even injured? There is not one of us that wants to go down that path.

The experienced Quinn remained very positive with the media following the game. But Quinn, being the leader he is, do you think he will simply shrug his shoulders and let it go because the result was a short-term success?

In September, the pass rush Daniels will begin facing will be much more intense and much faster. Consequently, Daniels should not be surprised this week when he hears again the need to follow instructions from those who know much more than himself concerning what lies ahead this season.

4 observations from the first week of Commanders’ training camp

Four observations after the first week of training camp.

Friday brought an end to the first week of training camp. What is the consensus regarding the Commanders thus far?

Through every interview, comment, and reflection this week, a few things do seize attention.

There is more intensity and competitiveness

Players are more vocal, move quicker during drills, and feel a sense of urgency. Benjamin St-Juste said that Dan Quinn has them being competitive about everything.

Jayden Daniels continues to look good

He is completing passes and moving well, and coaches say he is learning, making good reads, and learning the offense. Not many passes are hitting the ground. Before you get too excited with that last one, this was also one of the praises for Sam Howell’s last training camp. Everyone said Howell passed the ball so much better than Carson Wentz or Taylor Heinicke had in previous training camps.

The defensive coaching staff appears to be in unity

Of course, that should be the case in the NFL. But you only have to go back to last season, when the defense looked lost for much of the season and was simply getting blown out often late in the season. Have you noticed more than a few comments this week alone from defensive players about how they feel the communication is great and that they are already actually learning what is expected when certain situations arise?

Jamin Davis really needs a good preseason

Ron Rivera reached for Davis in the first round of the 2021 draft. Davis didn’t even start at Kentucky until his final year, yet Rivera drafted him over Christian Darrisaw when the team needed a young offensive tackle for the future. Davis, in his first three seasons, has yet to catch on to have the impact a first-rounder should have. Barring injury, he won’t start this year. He hasn’t played special teams but will need to this year to make the 53-man roster. He is using time getting reps as an outside pass rusher as they search for a role where Davis could possibly make some impact.