Tag: leadership

What did Commanders coach Dan Quinn say about Terry McLaurin?

Dan Quinn a big fan of Terry McLaurin, the player and the person.

Dan Quinn likes what he is seeing from Terry McLaurin

The 29-year-old wide receiver leads the Washington Commanders with 40 receptions after a slow start to this 2024 season.

“Yeah, early on, it jumped out to me as professionalism,” said Quinn. “He was so squared away and so on his own details. What’s been really cool for me to see is this relationship with him and the entire team build and take place and leading.”

Last week against the Panthers, McLaurin took it upon himself to provide the team some extra leadership, with Jordan Daniels going out of the game with a rib injury during the first offensive possession.

“Like I was referring to yesterday of him up and down the different position groups, to the offensive line, to the quarterbacks last week discussing what he was seeing with [QB] Marcus [Mariota.] And so, I’d say that is probably one of the coolest things to see, is that development of the leader because the professional, it’s there and he’s got very high standards about how he does things. But now to see the extra gear taking place of bringing out in others, that’s the big deal to me.”

Quinn himself continues to learn about leadership, and leadership of a team in particular. Yesterday, he spoke of learning that leadership is not only about his leadership but also about how he influences other players to take on more leadership.

“Like I said, you may have heard me say early on, I thought leadership was about me and then I found out really, it’s about how I can bring out the leadership in others. And so, man, have I seen that in Terry, seen that leadership develop in its own way and it has to be authentic to that person. So, he has been a lot a bit fired up and I’ve liked what I’ve seen from the leading aspect as well.”

London Fletcher loves what Bobby Wagner brings to Commanders

London Fletcher is thrilled that Bobby Wagner is in Washington.

“Man, you talk about instant credibility.”

That is how London Fletcher responded this week, when asked on what he thinks Bobby Wagner brings to the Commanders.

Wagner played his college ball at Utah State and has been a six-time All-Pro and nine-time Pro Bowler.

It is no secret among Commanders nation (I’m still having trouble saying Commanders) that the linebacker play in recent years has been inadequate, meager, and weak.

“What a difference a year makes,” continued Fletcher. “Where our linebackers were last year, probably one of the worst (units) in the league, while this year number one by some people.”

Having played the position as well as he did and for as long as he did, Fletcher has great respect for Wagner’s accomplishments.

“Bobby is a future Hall of Famer, a perennial Pro Bowler, perennial All-Pro, he still brings play-making ability even at 34 years old. He reminds me of myself when I made the transition to DC. I was 32 years old when I signed with Washington.”

In 2012, Fletcher came to the Redskins as a proven, recognized, credentialed veteran in the league. He was going to be a leader on the field, and players were going to follow his lead. So, too, with Wagner, even if he is 34.

“Just bringing him in there first and foremost is for his leadership. He’s a great leader; he’s been on great defenses. He knows how to run the system that Dan Quinn wants to run.”

Quinn was the Seahawks defensive coordinator in the 2013 and 2014 seasons as Wagner began to shine in the NFL making All-Pro 1st team in 2014.

“But also, it’s one thing to be a leader. It’s another to also be able to make plays. He is still a high-level playmaker.”

Indeed, Wagner has led the NFL in tackles in 2016 (age 26), 2019 (age 29), and then, incredibly, with a career-high 183 combined tackles in 2023 at the age of 33.

Quinn is counting on Wagner’s leadership and disciplined approach to affect many of his new teammates. And if Wagner can have another good year at age 34, Quinn will be glad to take that as well.

Commanders minicamp summary: Daniels already leading

Jayden Daniels already displaying leadership qualities.

Former U.S. Army 5-Star General and U.S. President Dwight Eisenhower said, “Leadership is the art of getting someone else to do something you want done because he wants to do it.”

Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels might not be aware that Eisenhower spoke of leadership this way. However, he is already leading the Commanders.

In the video “At the Top of the Pile,” Daniels speaks of his parents’ leadership. He understands he is not a self-made man; his parents led and sacrificed for his benefit.

“Without them, I wouldn’t be here;  how hard they worked, what they instilled in me to be a great human being. Not just a football player, but a person who treats people with respect and gains the respect of others. Nothing’s given to you in this life; you got to go out and earn everything.”

Prior to the April NFL draft, we learned that Daniels would show up early in the morning and influenced other LSU Tigers to join him. Now, in his initial NFL offseason, Daniels has again been reporting very early to the Commanders’ facilities in Ashburn.

This week, during the Commanders’ mandatory mini-camp, Daniels was asked about his current routine as an NFL rookie quarterback. The second overall pick responded, “I get here around 5:45, like walking through the bubble, watching film, stuff like that.”

“It was a routine I had in college, but now I’m in there actually walking through because I’m still learning the playbook and trying to grasp everything. So, just being comfortable for the day, being ready to go out there and compete and practice.”

Daniels was then asked, “Are you by yourself when you are doing that?” His response was, “Me and Luke McCaffrey.”

Plain and simple, the rookie quarterback is leading, and he already has another rookie (McCaffrey) coming in early to work with Daniels as well.

The two rookies now instinctively realize the other guy is coming in early, so both need to be there, too. In that sense, they are both influencing each other to get to bed early enough to get to work early enough to prepare for the day’s work. That’s how mutual accountability works.

It is also true that Daniels’ leadership is getting McCaffrey to do something, Daniels wants done because McCaffrey wants to do it.

 

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.

Tress Way, a true leader for the Commanders

Tress Way shows why that “C” is on his chest.

Joe Theismann, Dave Butz, Darrell Green, Art Monk, Brian Mitchell, London Fletcher.

Every knowledgeable Washington NFL fan would readily acknowledge these players were the team’s leaders. A team needs guys who will set a tone and not deviate from the standard of performance and behavior at team meetings, on the practice field, or even before the press.

The Commanders have such a leader now. The unique thing about one of their current leaders is that he is a punter.

Tress Way has been wearing Burgundy and Gold since the 2014 season. For each of those ten seasons, he wore jersey No. 5. Thursday night, the Commanders announced via a short video that Way was relinquishing his jersey number of ten years to rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels.

“Tress Way is an unbelievably underrated player and teammate,” proclaimed John Feinstein during his segment Friday with the “Sports Junkies” (106.7 the Fan).

Feinstein pointed out that Way has been one of the NFL’s better punters for a decade, and yet Way did not say, “I have been here ten years; why should I give up my number for a rookie?”

Seeing Way determine that Daniels, who has yet to play an NFL game, could have his jersey was impressive. Feinstein concluded, “I am a fan.”

Leaders connect with others through their sincerity and authenticity. Way, of course, is flawed; each of us is. Yet, since 2014, Tress Way has been refreshingly sincere and genuine.

He is secure enough in who he is as a man, a husband, a father, and a punter that he doesn’t worry about impressing others. Way demonstrated this week an ability to say no to himself for the good of the team. He admitted that at first, he did not want to give up No. 5, but then he thought it would actually be a move that could be better for the team, so he submitted his own preference for the team.

We’ve heard the old saying, “The name on the front of the jersey is more important than the name on the back of the jersey.”

It’s one thing to say you believe it. Tress Way demonstrated he is willing to live it.

 

 

Commanders’ Jayden Daniels and Joe Theismann both took the lead

Jayden Daniels has been praised for his leadership qualities, like another former Washington QB.

Recently drafted Washington quarterback Jayden Daniels would probably enjoy learning about the quarterback leadership provided by Joe Theismann.

After only two regular season games in 1982, the NFL player’s strike began. The players vowed together to withhold their services and did for 57 days.

The then Redskins were 2-0, and Joe Theismann, Washington’s starting quarterback, rather than simply sit out on strike, had the foresight to call up teammates and arrange team workouts. Why wait until the strike concluded? “We wanted to be ready when it happened,” said Theismann.

Art Monk has stated that it was Theismann who was the leader, “who orchestrated everything” as the team would work out at local fields, unable to use their Redskins practice facility.

“When the season started back up, we just kept rolling, and it was because of Joe’s leadership,” recalled then Redskins kicker Mark Moseley. “I think that is when the players really started to rally around Joe as their leader, the catalyst who was going to take us to where we were going.”

Where they were going was an 8-1 regular season, an NFC championship with playoff wins over the Lions, Vikings, and Cowboys, and a Super Bowl XVII championship win over the Dolphins.

Theismann, with Washington beginning in the 1974 season, had not been an elite NFL quarterback. Nor had he been voted a Pro Bowler. But leading as he did in the 1982 season, he was a Pro Bowler and the unquestioned leader of the Super Bowl champs. The next season he was again a Pro Bowler, even more an All-Pro, and the Associated Press MVP of the NFC champion Redskins.

What does this have to do with Jayden Daniels?

Soon after Daniels was drafted, he told former Washington tight end Logan Paulsen he needed to work to get better. So many rookies are clueless, thinking that because they were successful in college, they will be successful in the NFL. Most of them have rarely thought about the fact that roughly 200 colleges play college football, and there are only 32 NFL teams.

Daniels really improved while at LSU, and it was not all because of his physical ability. Commanders fans will love to hear that John Keim reported following the draft that Daniels was on the plane already beginning his study of the Commanders’ playbook.

While at LSU, Daniels did not rely solely on his talent. He was a team leader, organizing some 5 a.m. workouts with players.

As Keim pointed out to Paulsen, other players who might not have wanted to, showed up as well, following Daniels’ leadership.

Paulsen responded, “I want my quarterback to have that ability to engage with his teammates.” Daniels admitted to Paulsen that it was not easy. Initially, there were, understandably, players who did not want to be there by 5 a.m., but Daniels had the ability to persuade them, leading them by example.

Paulsen is convinced that Daniels was drafted by Washington not only because he is a great runner but also because he is an accurate passer. Paulsen firmly believes Daniels was chosen because he was a leader at LSU.

Like Theismann, Daniels may have begun to learn that leaders don’t just give orders. No, leaders make the sacrifices to get out front and lead.

Who knows, perhaps he will have the opportunity to learn a thing or two about leadership from Theismann himself.

 

Chiefs OT Jawaan Taylor praises QB Patrick Mahomes’ leadership

#Chiefs right tackle Jawaan Taylor praised quarterback Patrick Mahomes’ leadership after Saturday’s practice. | from: @EdEastonJr

The protection of reigning MVP Patrick Mahomes remains a priority for the Kansas City Chiefs as they seek improvement on their offensive line each season. The departure of left tackle Orlando Brown Jr. in free agency may have seemed like a reason for fans to panic, but general manager Brett Veach viewed it as an opportunity to adjust both starting tackle positions in the offseason.

The Chiefs added Jawaan Taylor from the Jacksonville Jaguars to help solidify the right side of their offensive line. Taylor spoke to reporters after practice on Saturday about adjusting to Andy Reid’s system and his respect for Mahomes after nearly a week of workouts in St. Joseph.

“[He is] just [a] great leader, man, he brings that energy every day and, you know, he holds everybody accountable.” said Taylor, “If you mess up, we’re gonna redo it, you know, and even in walkthroughs and learning periods, we slow it down, and we get to learn the offense. So that’s helped me a lot with the walkthroughs and, you know, learning the things I like doing here.”

Taylor played his first four seasons with the Jaguars, emerging as one of the better right tackles in the NFL. Kansas City also added Donovan Smith in the offseason to play on the left side of the line, so Taylor only needs to make minor changes to his game in his first year with the Chiefs.

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Chiefs LB Nick Bolton embracing leadership role on Kansas City’s young defense

Bolton, who is just 23 years old, is embracing his new role as a salty veteran on the Chiefs’ defense. | from: @EdEastonJr

The Kansas City Chiefs defense hasn’t received the same praise as the team’s offense over the past few seasons. Most casual observers usually view them as the lesser of two units without those realizing the defensive improvement that has taken place over the last few seasons.

The Chiefs’ top playmakers on defense include All-Pro defensive lineman Chris Jones and rising linebacker Nick Bolton, the latter of whom has been vocal about a perceived lack of respect for the unit, and has vowed to play with a chip on his shoulder.

Bolton is entering his third season, and despite his youth has emerged as a key leader in the middle of Kansas City’s defense. He spoke to reporters after practice on Sunday about his place in coordinator Steve Spagnuolo’s system and the odd feeling of being viewed as a salty veteran at such a young age.

“I definitely want to be the best person I can be to help our team win. From a leadership role, man, [I’ll do] whatever the guys need me to do.” Bolton explained. “That’s kind of what I’m here for. I [will] be helping them learn, [the] young guys coming in, just to give them the opportunity to learn the scheme, how fast they can learn it kind of helps us out helps us be better man. So that’s just kind of my role here. Again, I’m just trying to make myself the best person I can be and especially helping the guys around me.”

Bolton finished amongst the NFL leaders on tackles last season but was shockingly left off the Pro Bowl roster. He has experienced so much in such a short time that rookies view him as an elder statesman in the team’s linebacking corps.

“Yeah, it’s kind of crazy; a lot of young guys don’t believe I’m 23 years old, man. I tell them I’m 23, and they look at me like I’m crazy. Well, I found out one of the young DBs may call and say, ‘Yes, sir’ My man, I’m 23 years old. Man, you’re probably older than me,” Bolton joked. “But again, those guys have bought in and invested. You can tell I watched the rookie training camp they had before we got here, and you can see those guys. They’ve been learning. They picked up where we left off at OTAs, and I’m proud of them for that.”

Bolton’s maturity in understanding he’s an essential voice in the locker room should help solidify things in camp while the Chris Jones situation unfolds.

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Chiefs LB Nick Bolton excited to get back to work, expand his leadership role

Nick Bolton told reporters on Monday that he’s excited to get back to work and expand his leadership role in the #Chiefs’ defense. | from @TheJohnDillon

Kansas City Chiefs fans were quick to take a liking to linebacker Nick Bolton when the team drafted him in 2021, but none could have predicted that he would play such a crucial role for the team during their Super Bowl LVII win.

Now entering his third professional season, Bolton is a tested veteran and the keystone in the middle of Kansas City’s defense. He spoke to reporters on Monday as Phase I of the offseason program began, explaining his expectations for the 2023 season. It appears the Chiefs’ coaching staff will be asking just a little more of him as the team looks to defend its championship title.

Asked specifically about where he saw growth in himself last season, Bolton made it clear that his rise to leadership in Kansas City’s defense was one of his most cherished accomplishments.

“I think my leadership role is ever evolving,” He explained. “It’s kind of just one of those things that just keeps growing as we keep going and I’m loving it. So I feel like that’s the next challenge going into this year – I’m trying to up my level of communication (and) leadership – that’s one of the biggest thing I know that’s going to be needed for this season.

“And also, man, just being around the guys, being around your brothers is something you miss. You don’t really realize until, boom, it’s over with and you just got to experience a couple of months by yourself, and you miss those guys. So, getting back in the building with those guys, man, it’s going to be fun. I’m excited for when we get back in the building.”

Clearly, Bolton’s enthusiasm to get back to work with his teammates is a good sign for his trajectory as the team’s defensive leader. Kansas City will need him to make good on every ounce of promise that he has shown in 2023 if they intend to remain the reigning Super Bowl champions for another season.

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Zay Jones: The Jaguars follow ‘great leader’ Evan Engram

Evan Engram has made an impact beyond his record-breaking statistics in his first season with the Jaguars

Evan Engram broke franchise records in his first season with the Jacksonville Jaguars, setting all-time best marks in receptions and receiving yards for a tight end. His impact on the team has gone beyond his production as a pass catcher, though.

“This guy is a great leader,” Jaguars receiver Zay Jones said of Engram during an interview the pair did with NBC’s Maria Taylor along with receiver Christian Kirk. “Evan really is a natural leader in the way that he speaks to the team. The way he just evokes his emotion.

“I don’t think it’s disingenuine, I think when he speaks, he really means it and a lot of people follow what he does and the types of things that he does. He leads by example and so when someone like that speaks before the game it’s like … I got people beside me that I know are gonna play with me.”

Engram, 28, joined the Jaguars in the offseason on a one-year, $9 million contract. It didn’t take long for coaches to start raving about the work ethic and character that the tight brought to the young team.

“He’s very unselfish,” Jaguars coach Doug Pederson told reporters in December after a win against the New York Jets. “He works extremely hard in practice. He wants to be good. He loves being coached and it shows on the field. He’s a really good teammate to have and leader of the team.”

The question in upcoming months will be what effort the Jaguars will make to keep Engram in Jacksonville. It’d be surprising if the team didn’t want to keep the impending free agent, but his value on the market has certainly risen after posting career numbers.

If a long-term deal isn’t the answer, the franchise tag could also be a logical move for the Jaguars. That’d guarantee that Engram is with the team for at least one more year with a price tag likely around $11-12 million.