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May 27, 2026
QB Jayden Daniels
On how it feels to be back for OTA’s:
“I mean, it's exciting. I'm back, get to learn my new teammates and get to build with them and lookforward to this year.”
On if he has anything to prove this season:
“I mean, I think in this profession, if you feel like you don't have something to prove, then youshouldn't be doing it. So, that should answer your question, yeah.”On working with Offensive Coordinator David Blough:“It's fun. I mean, it's been awesome just to see his offensive mind, his creative mind and juicesflowing and we're building this thing together.”
On if he likes the new offense:“Yeah, I mean, I love the offense. I mean, I love what Blough’s doing. I love how he's creating anddesigning different things and then we're going from there. But for me personally, it's just how can Iget better as a football player.”
On how the offense can help him as a player:“I would just say is go out there and play quarterback. I mean, every system I've been in, they askeda lot of me. So, I wouldn't say it is different than anything it's just a different coordinator.”
On if he was involved in conversations about moving to Blough at offensive coordinator:“I would say I was in the loop, but a lot of stuff is above my pay grade, so that's it.”
On going through this offseason after how the 2025 season went:“I would say, I mean, it left a bitter taste in my mouth from last year and just how everything playedout. So, you kind of just go in that offseason and just figure out ways to mentally get betterphysically and emotionally and everything. So, I was just going out there and just kind of juststaying out the way and just focus on what I could focus on, control what I could control.”
On what he worked on this offseason:“Lift, film, when they made a hire talked to Blough, just had conversations with him. Not even justabout football, but just about life in general. And then just be around my loved ones and the ones Icare about most.”
On working on being under center:“Nah, I mean, I always did that. You gotta be versatile in whatever you can and I had to be wellrounded. So, ever since I got in the NFL, it's kind of just been the thing. So, it's not anything likesuper new to me.”
On RB Rachaad White being a Commander:“It's fun. I mean, just the player he is and he had the opportunity to go anywhere else and he chosehere, so salute to him and obviously I've been knowing him since I was like 19, so it is fun to kind ofjust get him back in the same building and build off that rapport we have.”
On where Brandon Aiyuk fits in on the team:“I don't know. I don't have a sense on it. That is my brother and we have a personal relationship, buthis football future, that's out of my control.”On what he took from last season to build on for this season:“I mean, continue just to pour into my teammates, the people around me. I gotta pour into myselffirst, but also be able to pour into them and uplift them and make sure that they're doing everythingand we could go and move forward and then ultimately win football games.”
On WR Antonio Williams:“I mean, smooth kid. Very crafty within his routes and I'm excited just to continue to build thatrapport with him.”
On TE Chig Okonkwo:“I mean, I was super excited we got Chig. Just how he plays, he plays fast. Everything's one hundredpercent with him, so he's smart. Som he’s been in this league for some time and now he gets to go out there and show his talents on a bigger stage and a bigger role in the offense. So, I'm superexcited to also build that rapport with him too.”
On what he likes about the new offensive system:“I'm still learning too, so I don't have that, I don't have an answer for you right there, but I'll just sayI'm just excited to see Blough live in action, you know? And for the first time and be able to go outthere and see how he calls plays and gets his rhythm and his cadence of things.”
On if he felt nervous to start over this season:“Yes and nah, not, nah, nah, nah, nah. [Laugh], nah not nervous. I would just say more so excited. Imean, football is like, I got in this business, I love football. I have a passion for it but also, you know,we're still building, so it's one day at a time, one step at a time. And obviously, you know, you don'twant to peak too early, so you got to kind of just have a plan and, you know, follow your routinetoo.”
On working with Blough:“I can't tell you what the meetings are like. I'd be telling a secret. I mean a lot, it's a collaborativething. Not even just with me, but the quarterback room. Everybody in the offense, offensive staff, allthe players. Like if you have ideas, Blough has an open-door policy.”
On the receiver room:“I mean, I'm excited with the guys we have in the room. All eager, young and we're going out thereand we're building that chemistry on and off the field. So that's kind of just the biggest thing for us.And I'm excited to go out here today with only day one, but continue to build that rapport, moveforward them.”
On working with his teammates outside of the facility during the break:“I mean outside of here, I mean they came to LA for a couple days and that was pretty much it. Butthe offseason was kind of just me, you know, building myself up from the ground up. Building myfoundation and just bringing the guys out whenever they're ready. Not really just for football X’s andO’s, more so just to build on a more personable level and build that connection chemistry, youknow.”
On taking on more responsibility in year three:“I would say it's kind of, the standard hasn't changed, you know, since I was able to come out hereand obviously make an impact and, you know, guys are looking at me since year one. But now it'sjust like, ‘okay, how can I be able just to build a connection with everybody within the lockerroom?’. I do have a voice in a lot of people listen to what I'm going to say, but from there, justcontinue to just show up and just be myself every day.”
On differences in terminology when it comes to calling plays in the huddle versus no huddle:“I mean terminology probably, we have kind of the same thing. We just weren't in the huddle. Youknow, you might have some wordy calls, you might not, but it is really, it is nothing new. I mean,being a huddle, it is what it is. I mean, if we're huddle, no huddle, like even, you know, the prioroffense we huddle sometimes. So, from there it's just kind of just going out there and just making sure that I'm able to go out there and kind of just paint the picture for everybody on offense andjust make sure all 11 are on the same page.”
On if his passion for football has changed since his injury last season:“I mean, it sucked. It wasn't like, I wouldn't say it was like what I wanted or it was fun for mebecause I love football and I love it, but the passion didn't change. I mean, it just made, it made itmore kind of like a, I guess a miserable feeling. Not be able to go out there and do what I got to doon a daily basis and having setbacks.”
Head Coach Dan Quinn
Opening Statement:“Wanted to first start off with condolences to the family of [Former AP News Journalist] HowardF endrich and I enjoyed getting to know him and when I heard that raspy voice that I knew where itwas coming from and, and who it was. I knew he was a friend of many of you in the room, so Iwanted to give a shout out to him. And on a happier note, I thought, what a very cool moment tohear The Media Good Guy Award being named after [Former Washington WR] Santana Moss and Ithink that's a name and award that fit s when you hear his name and good guy, those two gotogether . For today , I'm pumped to get rolling with the guys on the field. Spring ball is an importantpart of our ramp up for training camp, as you can imagine with two new systems . Looking forexcellent communication, all three phases and working really hard on the specific skills that go intothese plays. And that's the movements, that's the skill, that's what you have to go through, youknow, over these next few weeks on the play design. So , that's what I'm looking for from there. I'mstarting to get to know the team and th e locker room a lot better, you know, with some new faces,with some veterans and the rookies to add. And so , some really talented guys, but I love the lockerroom and the men that make it up, and I'm looking forward to getting rolling with them kind of as we start this next phase together. So , all that said, let's kick it off to you guys. ”
On what he’s seen from QB Jayden Daniels coming back from last season :“I always notice and admire him of just like the work ethic, the coming back to get it right . His mental quickness is always something that just jumps out to me of like learning a system so quicklyand fast. And so , I think I saw that a few years ago and I'm feeling those same instincts now as you guys will see at practice, you know, more huddle and it'll look differently. You'll see him undercenter more, but you see the same intent, you see the same communication. And I think it's themental quickness that just, he makes things that are difficult, look easy. And I know they're not[laugh s], you know , with some play calls and how he goes about it, but that's one of the things Ireally respect .”
On Daniels’ development working under center :“Yeah, we've done a good bit of it. It's mostly just right now it's been against, you know, offense -onoffense in phase two. So , that's why I think the next few weeks will be important for that as we getstarted. But they've definitely put in the work together so far. But like most things we just need repsand time on task at it .”
On Offensive Coordinator David Blough :“Yeah, the first part, let ’s even take it back a step, was to say, ‘C an we throw an incredible offseason in the teaching in the installs? ’ I think that's the first part that I saw David and [DefensiveCoordinator] Daronte [Jones] nail, over the first couple of weeks. They're going back through kindof like, almost like a second time right now on the things they want to emphasize for today'spractice, but that's what I've seen from him. I wanted to see big collaboration, their communication,like our offensive staff has got a lot of experience, be able to use those guys in different ways. Andso , that's what I've seen so far. I'm pleased with what I've seen and now it's kind of to take the nextstep and the execution piece is a big part of it. There's also a part in this time of year and into training camp to a certain degree that you do some exploring, ‘Alright, what's best for this player,what's best for this route? ’ And sometimes it takes a few sessions to go through that and let's hitthat again, let's try that route again. And then there's other things where you say, ‘L et's hold on that. ’ And so , they've got a big amount that's installed, so far. And so, over the next couple weeks here and then through camp it kind of gets refined and you really hit on the things that you like.And I remember asking Jayden just the other day, ‘Hey, what were the concepts that you liked themost? ’ And he was able to already say that these are the ones that feel the best .”
On what he learned from his first year as a coordinator :“I think the first part is you go like, you know, what are the families like on a defensive part? Theseare the one highs, these are the two high s. On the same thing on the offensive side from a rungame, these are the play actions that marry with those. So often times you have too much volume as a coordinator early because ‘Okay, this will be good, this will be good ’. And then you kind of start going down to say, ‘Alright, what needs the most attention? Are we seeing that? What needs towork? ’ So, it's a process to go through, but it's also one that's exciting because now you're startingto understand what unique qualities a player has. And I'm excited for them to see [TE] Chig[Okonkwo] going against the defense for the first time, what's the best routes for him, how's thebest way to utilize him? So , there's like small moments like that to go. And same thing on Daronte’sside now that we've added [LB] Sonny [Styles] and what unique things does he bring? Andobviously [CB] Amik [Robertson] , you know, as a DB and Nick [Cross] and so like all thosethings are kind of fun and each day you go home and ‘Okay what would that look like differently? ’And you want to assess how the teaching's going, how the players are learning. And that's thenumber one job of the coordinator. Like are they picking up what we're teaching. And that'sprobably the hardest part because you've been doing so much of that as a position coach and nowyou know you want to get it across to the staff to see the teaching going to the players and that'swhat you're constantly evaluating .”
On what his ideal offense looks like :“I think the efficienc y is the number one thing. You know, especially on the early downs. If there's abalance in the run pass ratios, then we're hitting the marks probably at the right strides. And Iwould say the explosives will be up knowing we can do that. And so that's the f irst part, you know,I'm looking for one that has good balance, like I say will always be 50 /50, but if you can find thatand attack in that way, that's what success would look like to me early on .”
On the speed of the defense during OTA’s:“Yeah, and it 's tricky because this time of year, from a league standpoint, no contested catches togo. And so, what we're trying to get across, are you in the right spot? In other words, if I wasguarding you and you had four or five yards of separation, you've won th at rep. I may not be able toclose and get the ball out, but can we match, can we shadow people? What can we do into that?And so, what I think you'll see is on the speed elements of the pass plays, that's what I'm lookingfor. Game speed, full, no collisi ons. The big guys, they won't be hitting it at full speed. That one ismore at a controlled tempo. Are they in the right fits defensively? Are they hitting the right targets?But for the perimeter, we really want to see the speed, even though it's not comb ative with the ballin the air. You can tell. And that's okay, that's just the guidelines that we have for right now. But Ihave been impressed by Daronte's teaching. He's thoughtful about it. And much like we weretalking earlier with David, now assessing and refining as it's going to go, usually on an install, thefirst part will be similar defenses then another couple practi ces, a different style, another after that.And so, then you can cover all the bases over the spring. And if you can get all those on tape andtaught and we also film all our meetings of that, then you can get a sense fo r when we go back totraining camp, even though we might not have a ton of plays, we did have a few to go back and pullfrom.”
On if Daniels has something to prove this season:“That's a question for him, but I would say what his teammates, his coaches know this is arelentless competitor. One of the traits I admire the most about him is his ability to deliver in clutchmoments. And that's something that goes with the work and th e preparation to go do that. But Ithink just his competitive nature almost answers that all the time. T hat he's a lways wanting toprove and get to that space.”
On what he wants to see from Daniels over the next few weeks:“I think just the urgency with the offense. He's a multiplier so the quickness in and out of thehuddles, the motions, the shifts, the communication, the checks at the line of scrimmage, those arethe things that are there. He's worked incredibly hard on h is skills for the offseason, the throwing ,that part I'm certain will come through. So, it's more of his ability to communicate with everybodyelse and really get all of them on the same page quickly. He's one of the fastest learners so he'llpick up on things most quickly. And then how can he get that to everyone else in that space?”
On how much he pays attention to interactions between players:“Yeah, I think you have to create space for that to happen. It's not like on a force, ‘Hey, you talk to him,’ but they do happen organically. There's sometimes it's in the meeting room, where do you sit?It could be out at the workout on the field to go a fterwards. You see a lot of guys hanging outtogether, kind of going through things. If you were a young player or a new player, there's a numberof people that you'd lean in on this team. ‘Hey man, you mind going through that? Can we gothrough it again?’ When you put in new systems, they're all really on the same page now. So, it's not like one person's been in the same system five years and say yeah, I know all that. So, having a collective group share and that helps because there's not a lot of separati on between where therookies are or a new player is on the knowledge of the system compared to a current Commanderveteran.”
On what he’s looking for out of the players not practicing:“Yeah, they’re kind of in all sorts of spots really. Some still on their way back and getting towardsthe latter parts of the rehab to go into that. For example, a DA [DE Dorance Armstrong] or [DE]Deatrich [Wise] in that space. So, there's guys in differe nt spots. And I think all of it's kind ofgeared towards camp to see what that would look like. Yeah, I think that'll be fluid here through theOTA’s. But the number one thing is that they're on the way back and making good strides in thatway.”
On the example set by having Daniels and WR Terry McLaurin at OTA’s:“Yeah, I think number one, I've been pleased with the team and their connection that they'rebuilding together. And that happens in these times of spring ball and practices to go. And so, as they're building that, they're growing a connection, they're grow ing that type of brotherhood thatyou need to play well. And so, I think we'll just continue to see that over the course of the spring. Ialways think of this time of year, man, it's a ramp up. Can you get all the skills, the system,everything in order when you do get to training camp, man, you can really let it go. And so, it's animportant phase for that, especially because it's new. But kind of to the point of people are indifferent spaces, not everybody will be going today, but we do have quite a few.”
On reps for rookies:“You do need both. I'll start probably from the second part of the question, earning it. And that doescome throu gh a little bit of the competition. And so, during this time of year, what are youcompeting and what does that look like? And so, in Antonio's [WR Antonio Williams] spot, it's theroute, it's the movements, it's the catching when he is targeted, he'll wor k with a number ofdifferent groups as we go through the process. As far as [LB] Sonny [Styles] goes, it's different.You're not going to see his plays on the ball, but can we see the burst, the movement and as alinebacker, man, do we want to feel his com munication. So, during this time of year everybody getsreps, but they're not all the same, but you'll see guys moving in and out of different groups over thenext few weeks and Sonny and Antonio, they're have definitely earned some space to get morereps. ”
On if he notices anything different with Daniels:“I think the vocal part is a little bit been due to the nature of the offense to where there's morehuddle, there's more time, there's more communication in this system from the quarterback to allthe ot her guys. So, that part, I think I feel that . I wouldn't say it's more or less, but you'll hear himmore even as you're watching practice from the side due to the nature of how we're doing things inand out of plays. So, I would say that's one different, but from the work ethic and him gettinghimsel f ready to play, man, that's one of his calling cards and so he's always one that's way out infront in that space.”
QB Jayden Daniels
On how it feels to be back for OTA’s:
“I mean, it's exciting. I'm back, get to learn my new teammates and get to build with them and lookforward to this year.”
On if he has anything to prove this season:
“I mean, I think in this profession, if you feel like you don't have something to prove, then youshouldn't be doing it. So, that should answer your question, yeah.”On working with Offensive Coordinator David Blough:“It's fun. I mean, it's been awesome just to see his offensive mind, his creative mind and juicesflowing and we're building this thing together.”
On if he likes the new offense:“Yeah, I mean, I love the offense. I mean, I love what Blough’s doing. I love how he's creating anddesigning different things and then we're going from there. But for me personally, it's just how can Iget better as a football player.”
On how the offense can help him as a player:“I would just say is go out there and play quarterback. I mean, every system I've been in, they askeda lot of me. So, I wouldn't say it is different than anything it's just a different coordinator.”
On if he was involved in conversations about moving to Blough at offensive coordinator:“I would say I was in the loop, but a lot of stuff is above my pay grade, so that's it.”
On going through this offseason after how the 2025 season went:“I would say, I mean, it left a bitter taste in my mouth from last year and just how everything playedout. So, you kind of just go in that offseason and just figure out ways to mentally get betterphysically and emotionally and everything. So, I was just going out there and just kind of juststaying out the way and just focus on what I could focus on, control what I could control.”
On what he worked on this offseason:“Lift, film, when they made a hire talked to Blough, just had conversations with him. Not even justabout football, but just about life in general. And then just be around my loved ones and the ones Icare about most.”
On working on being under center:“Nah, I mean, I always did that. You gotta be versatile in whatever you can and I had to be wellrounded. So, ever since I got in the NFL, it's kind of just been the thing. So, it's not anything likesuper new to me.”
On RB Rachaad White being a Commander:“It's fun. I mean, just the player he is and he had the opportunity to go anywhere else and he chosehere, so salute to him and obviously I've been knowing him since I was like 19, so it is fun to kind ofjust get him back in the same building and build off that rapport we have.”
On where Brandon Aiyuk fits in on the team:“I don't know. I don't have a sense on it. That is my brother and we have a personal relationship, buthis football future, that's out of my control.”On what he took from last season to build on for this season:“I mean, continue just to pour into my teammates, the people around me. I gotta pour into myselffirst, but also be able to pour into them and uplift them and make sure that they're doing everythingand we could go and move forward and then ultimately win football games.”
On WR Antonio Williams:“I mean, smooth kid. Very crafty within his routes and I'm excited just to continue to build thatrapport with him.”
On TE Chig Okonkwo:“I mean, I was super excited we got Chig. Just how he plays, he plays fast. Everything's one hundredpercent with him, so he's smart. Som he’s been in this league for some time and now he gets to go out there and show his talents on a bigger stage and a bigger role in the offense. So, I'm superexcited to also build that rapport with him too.”
On what he likes about the new offensive system:“I'm still learning too, so I don't have that, I don't have an answer for you right there, but I'll just sayI'm just excited to see Blough live in action, you know? And for the first time and be able to go outthere and see how he calls plays and gets his rhythm and his cadence of things.”
On if he felt nervous to start over this season:“Yes and nah, not, nah, nah, nah, nah. [Laugh], nah not nervous. I would just say more so excited. Imean, football is like, I got in this business, I love football. I have a passion for it but also, you know,we're still building, so it's one day at a time, one step at a time. And obviously, you know, you don'twant to peak too early, so you got to kind of just have a plan and, you know, follow your routinetoo.”
On working with Blough:“I can't tell you what the meetings are like. I'd be telling a secret. I mean a lot, it's a collaborativething. Not even just with me, but the quarterback room. Everybody in the offense, offensive staff, allthe players. Like if you have ideas, Blough has an open-door policy.”
On the receiver room:“I mean, I'm excited with the guys we have in the room. All eager, young and we're going out thereand we're building that chemistry on and off the field. So that's kind of just the biggest thing for us.And I'm excited to go out here today with only day one, but continue to build that rapport, moveforward them.”
On working with his teammates outside of the facility during the break:“I mean outside of here, I mean they came to LA for a couple days and that was pretty much it. Butthe offseason was kind of just me, you know, building myself up from the ground up. Building myfoundation and just bringing the guys out whenever they're ready. Not really just for football X’s andO’s, more so just to build on a more personable level and build that connection chemistry, youknow.”
On taking on more responsibility in year three:“I would say it's kind of, the standard hasn't changed, you know, since I was able to come out hereand obviously make an impact and, you know, guys are looking at me since year one. But now it'sjust like, ‘okay, how can I be able just to build a connection with everybody within the lockerroom?’. I do have a voice in a lot of people listen to what I'm going to say, but from there, justcontinue to just show up and just be myself every day.”
On differences in terminology when it comes to calling plays in the huddle versus no huddle:“I mean terminology probably, we have kind of the same thing. We just weren't in the huddle. Youknow, you might have some wordy calls, you might not, but it is really, it is nothing new. I mean,being a huddle, it is what it is. I mean, if we're huddle, no huddle, like even, you know, the prioroffense we huddle sometimes. So, from there it's just kind of just going out there and just making sure that I'm able to go out there and kind of just paint the picture for everybody on offense andjust make sure all 11 are on the same page.”
On if his passion for football has changed since his injury last season:“I mean, it sucked. It wasn't like, I wouldn't say it was like what I wanted or it was fun for mebecause I love football and I love it, but the passion didn't change. I mean, it just made, it made itmore kind of like a, I guess a miserable feeling. Not be able to go out there and do what I got to doon a daily basis and having setbacks.”
Head Coach Dan Quinn
Opening Statement:“Wanted to first start off with condolences to the family of [Former AP News Journalist] HowardF endrich and I enjoyed getting to know him and when I heard that raspy voice that I knew where itwas coming from and, and who it was. I knew he was a friend of many of you in the room, so Iwanted to give a shout out to him. And on a happier note, I thought, what a very cool moment tohear The Media Good Guy Award being named after [Former Washington WR] Santana Moss and Ithink that's a name and award that fit s when you hear his name and good guy, those two gotogether . For today , I'm pumped to get rolling with the guys on the field. Spring ball is an importantpart of our ramp up for training camp, as you can imagine with two new systems . Looking forexcellent communication, all three phases and working really hard on the specific skills that go intothese plays. And that's the movements, that's the skill, that's what you have to go through, youknow, over these next few weeks on the play design. So , that's what I'm looking for from there. I'mstarting to get to know the team and th e locker room a lot better, you know, with some new faces,with some veterans and the rookies to add. And so , some really talented guys, but I love the lockerroom and the men that make it up, and I'm looking forward to getting rolling with them kind of as we start this next phase together. So , all that said, let's kick it off to you guys. ”
On what he’s seen from QB Jayden Daniels coming back from last season :“I always notice and admire him of just like the work ethic, the coming back to get it right . His mental quickness is always something that just jumps out to me of like learning a system so quicklyand fast. And so , I think I saw that a few years ago and I'm feeling those same instincts now as you guys will see at practice, you know, more huddle and it'll look differently. You'll see him undercenter more, but you see the same intent, you see the same communication. And I think it's themental quickness that just, he makes things that are difficult, look easy. And I know they're not[laugh s], you know , with some play calls and how he goes about it, but that's one of the things Ireally respect .”
On Daniels’ development working under center :“Yeah, we've done a good bit of it. It's mostly just right now it's been against, you know, offense -onoffense in phase two. So , that's why I think the next few weeks will be important for that as we getstarted. But they've definitely put in the work together so far. But like most things we just need repsand time on task at it .”
On Offensive Coordinator David Blough :“Yeah, the first part, let ’s even take it back a step, was to say, ‘C an we throw an incredible offseason in the teaching in the installs? ’ I think that's the first part that I saw David and [DefensiveCoordinator] Daronte [Jones] nail, over the first couple of weeks. They're going back through kindof like, almost like a second time right now on the things they want to emphasize for today'spractice, but that's what I've seen from him. I wanted to see big collaboration, their communication,like our offensive staff has got a lot of experience, be able to use those guys in different ways. Andso , that's what I've seen so far. I'm pleased with what I've seen and now it's kind of to take the nextstep and the execution piece is a big part of it. There's also a part in this time of year and into training camp to a certain degree that you do some exploring, ‘Alright, what's best for this player,what's best for this route? ’ And sometimes it takes a few sessions to go through that and let's hitthat again, let's try that route again. And then there's other things where you say, ‘L et's hold on that. ’ And so , they've got a big amount that's installed, so far. And so, over the next couple weeks here and then through camp it kind of gets refined and you really hit on the things that you like.And I remember asking Jayden just the other day, ‘Hey, what were the concepts that you liked themost? ’ And he was able to already say that these are the ones that feel the best .”
On what he learned from his first year as a coordinator :“I think the first part is you go like, you know, what are the families like on a defensive part? Theseare the one highs, these are the two high s. On the same thing on the offensive side from a rungame, these are the play actions that marry with those. So often times you have too much volume as a coordinator early because ‘Okay, this will be good, this will be good ’. And then you kind of start going down to say, ‘Alright, what needs the most attention? Are we seeing that? What needs towork? ’ So, it's a process to go through, but it's also one that's exciting because now you're startingto understand what unique qualities a player has. And I'm excited for them to see [TE] Chig[Okonkwo] going against the defense for the first time, what's the best routes for him, how's thebest way to utilize him? So , there's like small moments like that to go. And same thing on Daronte’sside now that we've added [LB] Sonny [Styles] and what unique things does he bring? Andobviously [CB] Amik [Robertson] , you know, as a DB and Nick [Cross] and so like all thosethings are kind of fun and each day you go home and ‘Okay what would that look like differently? ’And you want to assess how the teaching's going, how the players are learning. And that's thenumber one job of the coordinator. Like are they picking up what we're teaching. And that'sprobably the hardest part because you've been doing so much of that as a position coach and nowyou know you want to get it across to the staff to see the teaching going to the players and that'swhat you're constantly evaluating .”
On what his ideal offense looks like :“I think the efficienc y is the number one thing. You know, especially on the early downs. If there's abalance in the run pass ratios, then we're hitting the marks probably at the right strides. And Iwould say the explosives will be up knowing we can do that. And so that's the f irst part, you know,I'm looking for one that has good balance, like I say will always be 50 /50, but if you can find thatand attack in that way, that's what success would look like to me early on .”
On the speed of the defense during OTA’s:“Yeah, and it 's tricky because this time of year, from a league standpoint, no contested catches togo. And so, what we're trying to get across, are you in the right spot? In other words, if I wasguarding you and you had four or five yards of separation, you've won th at rep. I may not be able toclose and get the ball out, but can we match, can we shadow people? What can we do into that?And so, what I think you'll see is on the speed elements of the pass plays, that's what I'm lookingfor. Game speed, full, no collisi ons. The big guys, they won't be hitting it at full speed. That one ismore at a controlled tempo. Are they in the right fits defensively? Are they hitting the right targets?But for the perimeter, we really want to see the speed, even though it's not comb ative with the ballin the air. You can tell. And that's okay, that's just the guidelines that we have for right now. But Ihave been impressed by Daronte's teaching. He's thoughtful about it. And much like we weretalking earlier with David, now assessing and refining as it's going to go, usually on an install, thefirst part will be similar defenses then another couple practi ces, a different style, another after that.And so, then you can cover all the bases over the spring. And if you can get all those on tape andtaught and we also film all our meetings of that, then you can get a sense fo r when we go back totraining camp, even though we might not have a ton of plays, we did have a few to go back and pullfrom.”
On if Daniels has something to prove this season:“That's a question for him, but I would say what his teammates, his coaches know this is arelentless competitor. One of the traits I admire the most about him is his ability to deliver in clutchmoments. And that's something that goes with the work and th e preparation to go do that. But Ithink just his competitive nature almost answers that all the time. T hat he's a lways wanting toprove and get to that space.”
On what he wants to see from Daniels over the next few weeks:“I think just the urgency with the offense. He's a multiplier so the quickness in and out of thehuddles, the motions, the shifts, the communication, the checks at the line of scrimmage, those arethe things that are there. He's worked incredibly hard on h is skills for the offseason, the throwing ,that part I'm certain will come through. So, it's more of his ability to communicate with everybodyelse and really get all of them on the same page quickly. He's one of the fastest learners so he'llpick up on things most quickly. And then how can he get that to everyone else in that space?”
On how much he pays attention to interactions between players:“Yeah, I think you have to create space for that to happen. It's not like on a force, ‘Hey, you talk to him,’ but they do happen organically. There's sometimes it's in the meeting room, where do you sit?It could be out at the workout on the field to go a fterwards. You see a lot of guys hanging outtogether, kind of going through things. If you were a young player or a new player, there's a numberof people that you'd lean in on this team. ‘Hey man, you mind going through that? Can we gothrough it again?’ When you put in new systems, they're all really on the same page now. So, it's not like one person's been in the same system five years and say yeah, I know all that. So, having a collective group share and that helps because there's not a lot of separati on between where therookies are or a new player is on the knowledge of the system compared to a current Commanderveteran.”
On what he’s looking for out of the players not practicing:“Yeah, they’re kind of in all sorts of spots really. Some still on their way back and getting towardsthe latter parts of the rehab to go into that. For example, a DA [DE Dorance Armstrong] or [DE]Deatrich [Wise] in that space. So, there's guys in differe nt spots. And I think all of it's kind ofgeared towards camp to see what that would look like. Yeah, I think that'll be fluid here through theOTA’s. But the number one thing is that they're on the way back and making good strides in thatway.”
On the example set by having Daniels and WR Terry McLaurin at OTA’s:“Yeah, I think number one, I've been pleased with the team and their connection that they'rebuilding together. And that happens in these times of spring ball and practices to go. And so, as they're building that, they're growing a connection, they're grow ing that type of brotherhood thatyou need to play well. And so, I think we'll just continue to see that over the course of the spring. Ialways think of this time of year, man, it's a ramp up. Can you get all the skills, the system,everything in order when you do get to training camp, man, you can really let it go. And so, it's animportant phase for that, especially because it's new. But kind of to the point of people are indifferent spaces, not everybody will be going today, but we do have quite a few.”
On reps for rookies:“You do need both. I'll start probably from the second part of the question, earning it. And that doescome throu gh a little bit of the competition. And so, during this time of year, what are youcompeting and what does that look like? And so, in Antonio's [WR Antonio Williams] spot, it's theroute, it's the movements, it's the catching when he is targeted, he'll wor k with a number ofdifferent groups as we go through the process. As far as [LB] Sonny [Styles] goes, it's different.You're not going to see his plays on the ball, but can we see the burst, the movement and as alinebacker, man, do we want to feel his com munication. So, during this time of year everybody getsreps, but they're not all the same, but you'll see guys moving in and out of different groups over thenext few weeks and Sonny and Antonio, they're have definitely earned some space to get morereps. ”
On if he notices anything different with Daniels:“I think the vocal part is a little bit been due to the nature of the offense to where there's morehuddle, there's more time, there's more communication in this system from the quarterback to allthe ot her guys. So, that part, I think I feel that . I wouldn't say it's more or less, but you'll hear himmore even as you're watching practice from the side due to the nature of how we're doing things inand out of plays. So, I would say that's one different, but from the work ethic and him gettinghimsel f ready to play, man, that's one of his calling cards and so he's always one that's way out infront in that space.”