Dan Quinn Presser: “I’m not concerned” with Jayden Daniels’ leg soreness affecting him in the playoffs

Dan Quinn speaks to the media on “Tell the Truth Monday”

Dan Quinn spoke to the media for his weekly “Tell the truth Monday”, and he called today’s meeting with the team a two-parter. They recapped the team’s win over the Dallas Cowboys, and also talked about Sunday night’s wild card playoff game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The team still has a lot of things to clean up as they prepare for their first appearance in the postseason of the Josh Harris/Adam Peters/Dan Quinn era. Penalties, sacks, and the running game all need to improve.

Quinn gave positive updates on several players who have missed time, and also said he’s not concerned with Jayden Daniels’ leg soreness that was sighted as the reason for Marcus Mariota playing in the second half in the season finale. He said he’s feeling good about the team’s health at this point in the season, and he’s hoping to get several players back for the playoffs.

Quinn called this Sunday’s game against the Buccaneers a full circle moment, and he loves loves. He admits Tampa Bay got them good, and it never really felt close. The Commanders are a different team as they head into their second season. Quinn praised Baker Mayfield’s elusiveness, and called him a rare competitor. The Commanders couldn’t sack him in Week 1, and that needs to change on Sunday night.

Opening Statement:

Good to see everybody. As we got going with the guys today, our “Tell the Truth Monday” was a two-parter today. So, we had a recap of Dallas, of the things we liked, some of the things we still obviously need to work on. Told the team we were pleased in terms of the work that we did in the red zone, both sides of the ball. And I thought penalties was one of the topics that we had, and that was certainly better, but plenty for us to go on.

And then, we went through what’s next and beginning with Tampa, I thought full circle moments are definitely cool and we started our season against Tampa and now we get to begin our second season there as well. And so, it’s a great measuring stick. You go back and you watch that game and see how much we’ve changed in that time. Because they got us good for sure. And it didn’t even feel that close, so we got lots of work to do but we’re really pumped to get rolling for the week.

We got a real process that we like that you guys know about and we’ll stay really consistent with that through the week and really ready to get rolling. So, all that said, let’s get rocking with you guys.

Playoff rematch against the Buccaneers:

How different the team is from Week 1:

Yeah, I think who they are and what they do, meaning us. What we were, I would say we’re a scheme and we knew we would grow into that. All three phases, guys coming together. What we didn’t know was really who they are and what we’ve learned over these 17 weeks, this is a resilient group, man. These guys love to fight. They have a real connection, that’s a really powerful thing. You can see how close they are. You see it on the field, off the field, I love what we stand for. The guys have really put the work in and in the situation side of things.

And so, on the end of the games I think over the last month that’s probably really expressed itself fully from New Orleans, Philadelphia, Atlanta, and yesterday, that there is a poise that goes on for the players into those spaces. And so, I’d say that’s something from week one to now has definitely changed. I think at that spot they didn’t know who they would become yet, and you have to go and grow through some of those sessions to do that. And so, I think that’s probably our biggest change. We knew scheme wise those things would evolve, but getting the connection going as a team, that’s a big deal, identity, all those kind of things.

Resilient group:

Injury management during the Dallas game and updates on other team injuries:

I think so. I think you have to depend on the game first, to say what’s required for that game to go to win it? And I thought Dallas was really up field, they’re playing aggressive. This would be one that we have to get outside the pocket a lot, so that’s why I decided but I didn’t really go into that space like either or.

Biadasz is doing good, coming back next on that. Marshon was also doing well, ran today, so arrow was going up. Magee, I’m just kind of reframing some of the guys that missed last week’s game that we were hoping trending up. Same with Cornelius Lucas. So, from a medical side, those are the guys that are trending up and we’ll get rolling into practice on Wednesday.

The concern level for QB Jayden Daniels:

I’m not concerned. I’m feeling good going into the weekend. I’m actually feeling good on the team’s health, so that’s a good thing when you get to this time of year, heading into the guys. And hopefully having some guy back too.

Daniels managing the entirety of this year:

Yeah, he really did a nice job of finding his own rhythm for that and it takes a little bit of trial early. ‘What do I do on Tuesday? What do I do on Wednesday?’ And so, the guys, strength and athletic training side, arm care and shoulder care of things that go all along with that, with the quarterbacks. So, there was a lot to learn. We knew at some point there would be a silver lining with that late bye, we didn’t talk about it but having it at the end does provide the team maybe with more energy than you normally would have. It was good to see that on the plane ride home last night. And then again today with the guys knowing that there’s a lot left in the tank.

The run defense against Dallas:

Well, the takeaways would be no takeaways, so I don’t like that. A, number one, top of the pile. I really thought they stood up down in the red zone. I thought that was the part that changed the game. Thought Dallas went for it on fourth down at the end of the half and to get that stop was a big deal. The run game, I didn’t feel as good last night. The slow, the run that went for six or the run that went for, it was different than an explosive. I thought, I’m trying to use a good example.

Against Chicago for instance, good, good, good, Swift had a 50-yarder. In the early part of Philadelphia, long one by Saquon and ratcheted it up. So, I didn’t love that there were some five- and six-yard runs. I was happy that there weren’t the explosive types. That was a big deal but I would say the thing I was most proud of was the red zone. And then I thought they had a good four-minute stop to create the opportunity to go down and win the game.

Giving up six sacks against Dallas and on if injuries have played a role in giving up more sacks as recently:

Honestly, I thought in this last game three of them could have not been sacks. Get the ball out, throw it while you’re on the scramble to go. So, they weren’t all in a traditional sense of in the pocket to go. Now what I don’t love also is the negative play that comes with it, on the early downs that goes into second and 15 or second and long. Because then it kind of changes how you have to call it. So, those are definitely the early down ones, we’ve got to get that out of our game.

How the team can stay on schedule on early downs without running success:

I’d say there’s lots of ways, RPOs are one where it’s both balance, quick games another one. You have to get, you’ve heard me say it, completions and rushes. And so, to have a side like we did yesterday on a lopsided time of possession, it’s hard to win that way. I think we ended up with like 80 plays defensively and you just lose some of that energy that goes with it. And so, it has to be about extending the drives. And so, when you get behind some of the, like a sack kind of early down, it makes it more difficult to have that type of, even the RPO or the quick game throw doesn’t give you the shot sometimes that you need. So, it’s all related to me, the completions and the runs.

Buccaneers QB Baker Mayfield:

I think they just had a fantastic year. I think he’s always been able to rip it and been aggressive in and outside the pocket. Having the run game balance for them, I think that’s what sets their offense apart this year. The addition of Irving, their run game, the play pass that goes with it, that is an impressive thing. And so, that has been really consistent through the year, the running game that goes along and matches up well with their play passes.

Is there a secret sauce to sacking Mayfield?:

We certainly didn’t have it, if there is. He is a rare competitor in that way and there’s some guys that, in the pocket, the foot quickness the ability to move a shoulder to get underneath somebody. They do have that. And you do have to make sure when you are rushing somebody that, we call it a cage, where you try to put somebody into a spot to at least not allow them to hitch up and go. But he just had a fantastic year, now that we’re going into the full breakdowns now and going into it, when you place somebody so early you don’t necessarily see it all. Then you look up and you see, 41 touchdowns and you see a lot of progress of moments and people. Yeah, a lot of respect for what they’re doing offensively, for sure.

Brian Robinson Jr:

Yeah, and we’re trying like hell to get him and others going in this space. One of the things I did like yesterday and Anthony had said this, we were going through the game grades, from a past protection standpoint, that was one of the spots that we thought was good with Brian’s size. It’s one of his hidden, I’m going to say hidden talents, obviously he’s had that, but it is different when you have somebody his size who can step up into the gaps and go to it. So, he did a nice job onto that.

But more than anything, man, we want to be able to get them downhill, be aggressive into that space and we haven’t hit that mark that we wanted to as much. And so, when we do get behind on some of those early downs, it does make it more challenging. There’s been a previous game we had penalties that knocked us into this space and so it’s something that heading into this second season that it’s really important to us to make sure we find our ways to get that done.

Postseason craziness:

Well, a lot and I think it’s a really good thing. There’s a lot of lessons that we go through. There really is. And now is the time to put those lessons together. And one of the things I love is the shit gets crazy in the postseason and our team, we know crazy stuff. And so, sorry you’re on TV, might not be able to use that, but we like crazy and it does serve you well in moments that come up. And I think over the last month our games have come down to the end. And what I told them last night, just because we can does not mean we have to do this.

But I do love that there is a confidence with the group, because they have been in a lot of fights and on that sideline when you’re there, there’s not a panic about it. There’s not anything other than real belief that we’re going to go make the next play to do the next thing. And that is a strong thing that I couldn’t have scripted anymore for our team.

And so, to be in those kind of fights, it is really important because if you aren’t in any and you get to them, you’ll feel tight, you would. And so, we’ve been in a lot of wild moments, and I think those are the things that concern you well. Because those moments, they are a hundred percent coming up here in the postseason.

Is it possible to treat this week like a normal game?:

You’d better have your process down of how you prepare it, how you play it. If you have those things right, by the time the game comes, you put in the work so you have this confidence that goes with it. If you cheat yourself in the preparation of what it could be, you’ll feel that in the game. So, it is absolutely about the work to get ready. And then once you do now get the kickoff, you put the work in, man. You’re ready for this moment. And so that’s when I see it, but I don’t see it as our team where you have to over try, no one here has to put the cape on. We’ve got to play complementary football like we’re capable of. This is a tough, hard team and we’ve got to do us remarkably well.

Handling the crazy moments on the sideline:

It’s pretty awesome to be on the sideline when these moments are taking place. Most of them I’m trying to be a play ahead or I’m talking it through. So, even in the game yesterday, ‘This is our field goal line.’ So, once we get to that spot. And then Marcus had the long scramble and then it allowed us to say, ‘Hey, here’s the next scenario where it’s inbounds play, we’d go clock it to give ourselves a chance at the next one.’ So, it’s fun when we talk through a lot of the moments that come up and then we get to go live them because we practice all of these way more than we ever play it.

And that’s kind of the thing about football, you practice way more than you play and it’s kind of so much different than basketball where you get all these games and you can keep extending things. So, your heart rate’s up but you’re kind of ready for the moments and the guys have been in there and I know we’ve done a good job during the week when they’ll be watching other games and text you or ‘Did you see that? Did this just happened?’ Like things that we would call, and so the fact that they do that on their own I think that’s a really cool thing.

Team captains for the playoffs:

How the offensive line will matchup with Tampa Bay’s front:

Yes, and that is one of the real strong points of Tampa. And so, the run defense is also really strong. Because sometimes you can just see, here’s somebody blitzing, but they also have a good run pressure package as well. They got a big front, so for us, the protection’s going to be a really big deal for us to make sure that we have the right looks for the right people and then how do we feature our players, tight ends, running backs, receivers to match up because sometimes in their system big guys have to drop, they can overload to a side. And so, we’ve got to make sure that we really find our matchups. And then you have to make sure that the run after catch element is there because they’re not going to give you lots of shots. And so, when your chances come to go nail a big play, an explosive play, you’ve got to go deliver on those.

The growth of first year players in the second half of the season:

Yeah, the maturity for those two [Daniels and CB Mike Sainristil], and a number of their teammates jumps out to me. And what I’ve come to know about them is these are really disciplined guys. So, motivation takes you so far, it’s the discipline and doing the things right over and over again, all of the unseen work. And so, I’ve come to really count on that discipline from Jayden and whether it was decisions for him with the ball or with Mike making the transition from nickel out to corner.

And dealing with those guys, I’ve found that’s the common thread. I’ve felt, these are very disciplined young guys and they’ve really applied that discipline to their football life and it’s no surprise that, why they’re having this kind of success because they can absolutely stay in it. And that’s kind of the definition of grit, of doing those things, the hard things over and over again. And both Jayden and Mikey, they really have that.

Injury updates for Brandon Coleman and Austin Seibert:

Brandon is doing well, had a good session today to get rolling. So, as we’re going into it, I really think from a team health standpoint, we’ll have a better sense for Wednesday but going into today and the meetings and our runs and rehab runs, all of that was a positive day for us. And as far as Austin goes, no updates on him as we’re hitting, but we were certainly pleased with what we saw from Zane.