2025 Washington Commanders- All Things Defense

Joe Whitt's Introductory presser was so exciting

We are going to be arriving violently, turn the ball over and disrupt QBs.
(Not many helmets on the QB - need more pressure, 4 games - one turnover)

On game day he is not about yelling, it's about putting players in the right positions
(Lots of missed tackles and not a lot of violent hit, poor adjustments) Maybe they need a more vocal coach on the sideline

Whitt and DQ have had two years to put the right players together to institute their defense. It doesn't feel like this D is a couple players away from making their vision a reality
 
DWinzit said:
Joe Whitt's Introductory presser was so exciting

We are going to be arriving violently, turn the ball over and disrupt QBs.
(Not many helmets on the QB - need more pressure, 4 games - one turnover)

On game day he is not about yelling, it's about putting players in the right positions
(Lots of missed tackles and not a lot of violent hit, poor adjustments) Maybe they need a more vocal coach on the sideline

Whitt and DQ have had two years to put the right players together to institute their defense. It doesn't feel like this D is a couple players away from making their vision a reality
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DQ tends to not interfere with his coordinators like Whitt (DC).
Reaves and Mikey both made comments that made it somewhat sound like it could be on communication and players, but I am not sure - if so, it sounds like it could be within the DB unit. I know there are some cases where the open player looks like he was expected to be picked up and no one did so (that has happened at least a couple of times in explosives).

I didn't remember who our DB coach was. (below link) - I wonder if his father, former head coach Ed, has any connection to DQ. This kind of stuff bugs me a lot, but I will reserve judgement. Always seems suspicious, especially after the years of failure by Scott Turner and the obvious Turner connection.

Tommy Donatell - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org en.wikipedia.org
edit: well, looking at his commanders bio, they list some accomplishments that sound OK. I guess we just have to hope that there is a solid accountability structure if needed (this is always the key in any org anyway).
 
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Solitary Man said:
Time to fast track Kaho and Medrano. Copycat league. Gonna see wheel routes and and attempts to get Wagner in coverage. They made the roster. They can’t just be special teams players. Get em some game reps.
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Speaking of Kaho, any word on his health? He laid a vicious hit on a kickoff return and seemed to knock himself out just for a bit, but immediately got up afterwards. I thought for sure he was concussed but it could've looked worse than what it was.
 
When you get blown up like they did against the Packers and Falcons, and even to some extent - those big plays given up to the Raiders….its a combination of poor coaching and talent.

Clearly they were outschemed. Clearly the tape led these opposing OC’s to water and they quenched their thirst. If it happens once, so be it - but it keeps happening. Simply not good enough from our DC.

At the same time, when I look at the talent on that side of the ball and I compare it to the better teams, ours really pales in comparison. We don’t have a blue chip player on the defensive side of the ball. We literally have not one defensive player that strikes fear in the opposition.

Our only opportunity this year or next is for 5 to take the next step, play at an elite level consistently and drag the rest of these guys with him.
 
SkinsInSATX said:
Speaking of Kaho, any word on his health? He laid a vicious hit on a kickoff return and seemed to knock himself out just for a bit, but immediately got up afterwards. I thought for sure he was concussed but it could've looked worse than what it was.
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If it was in Atlanta I didn’t see it. We should hear today or tomorrow if anything is up.
 
So, for the constant communication breakdowns, we either have stupid players or inept coaches (or both). We're seeing the same things week after week, which I would typically attribute to poor coaching. Either Whitt or Donatell need to start being held accountable for the constant problems the unit is facing.
 
The problem is that this team is not good at anything on D. they cant cover in man or in zone. Their 4 player pass rush is weak/ borderline non existent against average olines.. and only good against bad Oline teams. Coaching is inept and rigid.. does not adjust at half, no creative blitzes.
I wanst a fan of Quinn hire ... and it seems like his Atl history is repeating itself. Strong O, hindered by terrible D
Macdonald rebuilt Seattle D in one season... Quinn cant do it, going on 2
 
As Galdi stated today when Quinn is the DEF Coordinator his defenses have all been top 5 and when he is a head coach his defenses are bad
 
tomwvr said:
As Galdi stated today when Quinn is the DEF Coordinator his defenses have all been top 5 and when he is a head coach his defenses are bad
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It would seem that it's time to change that and start interfering (make suggestions) with his DC. Whitt seems like the type that would accept advice from DQ. They both have mentioned communications a lot with players and staff.
 
RabidFan said:
Man I wish we kept Curl and Chinn....I like Quan but man we are giving up wide open Wrs with broken coverage again weekly it seems.
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Kam is having a good season in LA so far. Let's not forget though that he was part of the 2023 secondary, which was way worse than this one
 
tomwvr said:
As Galdi stated today when Quinn is the DEF Coordinator his defenses have all been top 5 and when he is a head coach his defenses are bad
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It's too bad that Quinn doesn't like to mess with coordinating while head coach. I get his explanations for it which is he doesn't want to spread himself too thin. But they might be squandering a SB window by putting out a defense this bad.

For those interested, I watched this PFF take of last Sunday's game. among the points

A. Lattimore right now is unplayable at CB, he's that bad

B. They got no choice but the ride of the ups and downs of Sainristil and Amos because they are young

C. They won't make the playoffs if it continues to be this bad

D. Secondary worse than last year

 
DWinzit said:
It would seem that it's time to change that and start interfering (make suggestions) with his DC. Whitt seems like the type that would accept advice from DQ. They both have mentioned communications a lot with players and staff.
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Maybe but I wonder on two fronts:

A. Quinn being so vocal about being reluctant about being involved in X's and O's. He thinks it gets in the way of being a good head coach.

B. Am guessing that Whitt has wanted to get out of Quinn's shadow and Qunn probably convinced him it's his baby when he asked him to be his coordinator and that he won't interfere. Now, I got no idea of course. But it seems like a human nature thing that it could have gone down like that.
 
skinsinparadise said:
Maybe but I wonder on two fronts:

A. Quinn being so vocal about being reluctant about being involved in X's and O's. He thinks it gets in the way of being a good head coach.

B. Am guessing that Whitt has wanted to get out of Quinn's shadow and Qunn probably convinced him it's his baby when he asked him to be his coordinator and that he won't interfere. Now, I got no idea of course. But it seems like a human nature thing that it could have gone down like that.
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I get that but Whitt spoke of discussing with all staff how to best put the players in a winning position. DQ should be included in those discussions. It feels negligent for Whitt not to go to DQ and vice versa.
 
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DWinzit said:
I get that but Whitt spoke of discussing with all staff how to best put the players in a winning position. DQ should be included in those discussions. It feels negligent for Whitt not to go to DQ and vice versa.
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I think it would be pretty shocking if Quinn wasn’t in those D room meetings and game planning sessions. Of course he is, I’m sure Whitt gets his input.

It’s not working, as the actual play calling (game day) and execution (practice days + talent) is poor. But in terms of evaluating opponent tendencies and cooking up the game plan, I think it would be very surprising to learn that Quinn isn’t attending and actively involved in those meetings. Offense as well when they don’t overlap. But you can’t be a CEO style HC if you aren’t overseeing those critical meetings and joining in, it’s a collaborative staff after all. Something about the collaboration is bearing rotten fruit, however.
 
Conn said:
I think it would be pretty shocking if Quinn wasn’t in those D room meetings and game planning sessions. Of course he is, I’m sure Whitt gets his input.

It’s not working, as the actual play calling (game day) and execution (practice days + talent) is poor. But in terms of evaluating opponent tendencies and cooking up the game plan, I think it would be very surprising to learn that Quinn isn’t attending and actively involved in those meetings. Offense as well when they don’t overlap. But you can’t be a CEO style HC if you aren’t overseeing those critical meetings and joining in, it’s a collaborative staff after all. Something about the collaboration is bearing rotten fruit, however.
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Agree. He was the DC in Seattle, after all??? In their hay-day, iirc...I'm just a girl, but I'll never believe he doesn't have a stake in how our defense is (or is not) operating.
(Which is what someone posted earlier, when he's HC...yada, yada.)
 
Wednesday October 1st. Injury report defense.
DE-Dorance ArmstrongIllnessDNP
LB-Nick BelloreQuad/NIR(Rest
LB-Ale KahoConcussionDNP
OLB-Von MillerNIR(Rest)DNP
CB-Mike SainristilKneeDNP
S-Percy ButlerHipLimited
 
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