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Commanders Head Coach Dan Quinn
Opening statement:
““First thing I wanted to hit before we got started, tonight I thought it was really cool to see burgundy and
gold in the crowd, behind our bench. And to see that here in Arizona to show up and I felt their presence,
so that was really cool. From the team standpoint, I thought a couple things. First, I thought it was an
important road trip. A lot of sacrifice to go out to Cincinnati Monday night way here, away from their
families to do that. And so we wanted to make sure that was worth it, that sacrifice. (I) thought the guys
worked really hard during the week, getting us ready for this game. They have a number of talented
players, so I thought the guys coming in late on a Tuesday really put the work in. And then the last piece,
I thought tonight was an example of complimentary football. Again, why that's so big, first drive down
scoring for us to go answer, a big deal. We had an interception, the defense went, to go and get a
three-and-out stop. So I thought those were the things that I felt that (was) complimentary ball that I talk
about a lot. And then the last piece, I thought just a quick shout out to the big guys. To have a big rushing
performance, with over 200 yards and no sacks. That's a big guy's kind of day. To see those guys really
ramped up and ready in the running backs, tight ends, a whole group of it all. I thought that was really
strong. So all that said, let's get rocking.”
On the importance of today’s game in establishing a defensive identity:
“It was an important one. I had told the defense here (that) you're closer than you think. And it hadn't been
the performances that we wanted going into today, but I didn't think we were as far off. So, I thought (to)
knock one out with ‘Juice’ (Commanders CB Benjamin St.-Juste) to get one, get the recovery. I thought
that was big. (I) felt their pass rush, and the guys, their energy. (The) nice thing as a coach on games like
this, there's clearly things to improve upon. We had some penalties that we wouldn't have liked. But by
and large, I thought seeing defensively - especially on that stop after the interception - I thought what a
great example of having one another's back. From the offense after the first score to go down and score
and then defensively after the interception to go do the same. That was really cool for me to see.”
On what the victory meant for Offensive Coordinator Kliff Kingsbury and receiving a game ball:
“I thought Kliff (Kingsbury) was really - Over the last few weeks, I thought the connection, the game
planning to go, and so yes he did. I've been in that space before and know there's some emotion that
goes with that of playing somewhere where you put so much into it and it doesn't go the way that you
want. So yeah, he definitely got one today and there'll be some others as we get back home, but I wasn't
going to leave Arizona without presenting one to him. But he did an excellent job all week, honestly just
like staying in it, the game plan, the focus, the effort and no one would've ever known otherwise. The
internal side and those emotions that are there, but it was really cool to see that after the game.”
On ending the half and coming out of the half scoring points:
“Those are the margins when you get a chance to go get an opportunity. And so for them going on fourth,
getting the stop and we still had timeouts available at that spot. So, knowing we're not far away, we can
use the clock and use what we needed to do. Then getting a chance to come out for the second half of it.
That was a really big turning point in the game.”
On Commanders DL Dorance Armstrong create along the defensive line:
“I really felt their connection with all four. That's such a big piece of this, much like any good defense
where you're connected in a way where there's tackling and two guys have leverage or it's a stunt that
works together into that. So, I felt more of that in this game and that type of communication and
connection isn't built overnight, but that was definitely a good sign to see them take those steps today.”
On the offense sustaining drives and how it relieves pressure on the defense:
“We're not there yet in terms of the takeaways. We're going to be, but we're not there yet. I thought we
had some chances at some today. We just didn’t nail all of them. But their offense, they've got some
tough guys to match up with. From receiver, running back and quarterback, the way they deploy the guys.
So we knew it was going to be a challenge coming in. But at the end of it, we were looking for
improvement. Like I said, I told the defense that you're closer than you think, we've missed the mark,
threw some games on some spots. But I thought third down, especially in the first half was a really big
part of that.”
On things Jayden Daniels has to work on:
“I said it earlier, but after the interception, I thought what a great illustration (it was) with the defense going
right away to get a stop. There's so many things for us, after a win like this, we can get better at this and
get better at this and that's what we're going to go chase. Just constant improvement, but like I said, big
for us on a road trip to leave here with two wins. That was a big deal, a lot of sacrifice and effort to go into
it. Let's get back home and reset the whole thing and get rolling again.”
On Jayden Daniels poise and how he handles the pressure:
“Yeah, I had told him earlier that I was really proud of him. I knew there were some extra stories being
here back at ASU. And much like Kliff you would never have known that. There was a history here. He
and I were in the bubble at ASU talking about how I had coached on a team that had practiced here for
the Super Bowl during his time here. I just thought he handled it like a real G. Stayed steady all the way
through in terms of the preparation. He and the quarterbacks and the guys, there were many late nights in
the room watching tape together. There was just one office down from mine in the hotel and all the way
through the week including last night, just putting in the extra time going into it. They just kind of stayed
around and were talking through all the stuff, so I think that speaks to their preparation.”
On how impressed he was with the tight end group:
“Yeah, I thought that's what it's all about. That complimentary side to things and as we're going through it,
there'll be things for us to improve upon, but it starts with (Commanders TE) Zach (Ertz) in terms of
standards and how we go about things. To see all those guys rotate through and get rolling, that was big. I
thought (Commanders RB) Jeremy McNichols was another one at the running back spot. I said on Friday
that he was going to be one of the captains and humility and trust are some of the things that I spoke
about, I think of him. Whatever role he has, the dirty work, the blitz pickup, he's always down for it and I
thought I saw that again tonight.”
On different playmakers stepping up each game:
“I think there was a lot of talk about who's two and I think we've established that different guys in different
roles and how they would come through, but (Commanders WR Olamide Zaccheaus) O.Z. had really had
some big pickups today. He was going to be out of the backfield some to work like (Commanders RB)
Austin (Ekeler). And so we had to work some of that because Austin's got so many unique things about
him as well in the run game and the passing game. We knew O.Z. could pick up on some of that as well.
Maybe not carrying it out of the backfield like Austin, but out of the backfield. You saw some of that as
well tonight as well, knowing that he'd take up some of that, that we were going to miss from Austin.”
On the offensive line and what has he seen from an improvement standpoint:
“I think that it’s probably been that way for a while. It was in camp and we’re working through it and we
had some injuries and we are still trying to work through that. We’re still doing some rotating at the tackle
spot and that’s not the worst thing to have guys and depth. I thought (Commanders OLs) Nick (Allegretti)
and Sam (Cosmi) and Tyler (Biadasz) inside were really strong all the way through to make sure when we
have our chances and get our runs and completions high like they were today that gives us a real
advantage because then time of possession shifts and the ways that you can go through that. Although
it's no huddle, there’s a lot of attacking and tempo and we can change some of that. It makes it difficult to
prepare for, honestly, because there’s no huddle and then you’re changing tempos and then you huddle
and come out with different groups. The guys have really been putting in the work. It’s a lot to go through
to get the guys ready for the week, but for the big guys, it was their kind of day.”
On playing 12-personnel a lot today and if the Cardinal defense impacted that gameplan:
“A little bit of both. We thought we knew we’d have to try to get on the ball some. It’s part of what we do.
(Cardinals S) Budda Baker is such a good competitor man, so we’d have to find ways to not allow him to
ruin the game. He’s got that kind of ability to him. I love him as a competitor where he comes from (when)
blitzing. We’d have to spread out some, even when you’re in a bigger group. Sometimes getting
(Commanders RB) Brian (Robinson Jr.) and the guys downhill was a big piece of it too, but it was just
finding the matchups that we can go to try to create leverage or an advantage.”
On the team’s third-down defense and what he saw today:
“Quite honestly, I thought it was more about the execution. Even all the way back to Tampa. We had
some chances and we didn’t make them, so that’s no excuse because you don’t get do overs, but you
have to nail the moments when they’re there. I felt communication. I felt the way to go through would be
good but I got to tip your hat to (Washington Defensive Coordinator) Joe (Whitt Jr.) and to the staff where
it’s been a hard few weeks for them. And I told them they were closer than they thought. Keep digging,
keep finding the right spaces, but for that group specifically, I was pleased for them to get some stops on
a really talented offense. They can score from a lot of spots on the field and they’ve shown that.”
Opening statement:
““First thing I wanted to hit before we got started, tonight I thought it was really cool to see burgundy and
gold in the crowd, behind our bench. And to see that here in Arizona to show up and I felt their presence,
so that was really cool. From the team standpoint, I thought a couple things. First, I thought it was an
important road trip. A lot of sacrifice to go out to Cincinnati Monday night way here, away from their
families to do that. And so we wanted to make sure that was worth it, that sacrifice. (I) thought the guys
worked really hard during the week, getting us ready for this game. They have a number of talented
players, so I thought the guys coming in late on a Tuesday really put the work in. And then the last piece,
I thought tonight was an example of complimentary football. Again, why that's so big, first drive down
scoring for us to go answer, a big deal. We had an interception, the defense went, to go and get a
three-and-out stop. So I thought those were the things that I felt that (was) complimentary ball that I talk
about a lot. And then the last piece, I thought just a quick shout out to the big guys. To have a big rushing
performance, with over 200 yards and no sacks. That's a big guy's kind of day. To see those guys really
ramped up and ready in the running backs, tight ends, a whole group of it all. I thought that was really
strong. So all that said, let's get rocking.”
On the importance of today’s game in establishing a defensive identity:
“It was an important one. I had told the defense here (that) you're closer than you think. And it hadn't been
the performances that we wanted going into today, but I didn't think we were as far off. So, I thought (to)
knock one out with ‘Juice’ (Commanders CB Benjamin St.-Juste) to get one, get the recovery. I thought
that was big. (I) felt their pass rush, and the guys, their energy. (The) nice thing as a coach on games like
this, there's clearly things to improve upon. We had some penalties that we wouldn't have liked. But by
and large, I thought seeing defensively - especially on that stop after the interception - I thought what a
great example of having one another's back. From the offense after the first score to go down and score
and then defensively after the interception to go do the same. That was really cool for me to see.”
On what the victory meant for Offensive Coordinator Kliff Kingsbury and receiving a game ball:
“I thought Kliff (Kingsbury) was really - Over the last few weeks, I thought the connection, the game
planning to go, and so yes he did. I've been in that space before and know there's some emotion that
goes with that of playing somewhere where you put so much into it and it doesn't go the way that you
want. So yeah, he definitely got one today and there'll be some others as we get back home, but I wasn't
going to leave Arizona without presenting one to him. But he did an excellent job all week, honestly just
like staying in it, the game plan, the focus, the effort and no one would've ever known otherwise. The
internal side and those emotions that are there, but it was really cool to see that after the game.”
On ending the half and coming out of the half scoring points:
“Those are the margins when you get a chance to go get an opportunity. And so for them going on fourth,
getting the stop and we still had timeouts available at that spot. So, knowing we're not far away, we can
use the clock and use what we needed to do. Then getting a chance to come out for the second half of it.
That was a really big turning point in the game.”
On Commanders DL Dorance Armstrong create along the defensive line:
“I really felt their connection with all four. That's such a big piece of this, much like any good defense
where you're connected in a way where there's tackling and two guys have leverage or it's a stunt that
works together into that. So, I felt more of that in this game and that type of communication and
connection isn't built overnight, but that was definitely a good sign to see them take those steps today.”
On the offense sustaining drives and how it relieves pressure on the defense:
“We're not there yet in terms of the takeaways. We're going to be, but we're not there yet. I thought we
had some chances at some today. We just didn’t nail all of them. But their offense, they've got some
tough guys to match up with. From receiver, running back and quarterback, the way they deploy the guys.
So we knew it was going to be a challenge coming in. But at the end of it, we were looking for
improvement. Like I said, I told the defense that you're closer than you think, we've missed the mark,
threw some games on some spots. But I thought third down, especially in the first half was a really big
part of that.”
On things Jayden Daniels has to work on:
“I said it earlier, but after the interception, I thought what a great illustration (it was) with the defense going
right away to get a stop. There's so many things for us, after a win like this, we can get better at this and
get better at this and that's what we're going to go chase. Just constant improvement, but like I said, big
for us on a road trip to leave here with two wins. That was a big deal, a lot of sacrifice and effort to go into
it. Let's get back home and reset the whole thing and get rolling again.”
On Jayden Daniels poise and how he handles the pressure:
“Yeah, I had told him earlier that I was really proud of him. I knew there were some extra stories being
here back at ASU. And much like Kliff you would never have known that. There was a history here. He
and I were in the bubble at ASU talking about how I had coached on a team that had practiced here for
the Super Bowl during his time here. I just thought he handled it like a real G. Stayed steady all the way
through in terms of the preparation. He and the quarterbacks and the guys, there were many late nights in
the room watching tape together. There was just one office down from mine in the hotel and all the way
through the week including last night, just putting in the extra time going into it. They just kind of stayed
around and were talking through all the stuff, so I think that speaks to their preparation.”
On how impressed he was with the tight end group:
“Yeah, I thought that's what it's all about. That complimentary side to things and as we're going through it,
there'll be things for us to improve upon, but it starts with (Commanders TE) Zach (Ertz) in terms of
standards and how we go about things. To see all those guys rotate through and get rolling, that was big. I
thought (Commanders RB) Jeremy McNichols was another one at the running back spot. I said on Friday
that he was going to be one of the captains and humility and trust are some of the things that I spoke
about, I think of him. Whatever role he has, the dirty work, the blitz pickup, he's always down for it and I
thought I saw that again tonight.”
On different playmakers stepping up each game:
“I think there was a lot of talk about who's two and I think we've established that different guys in different
roles and how they would come through, but (Commanders WR Olamide Zaccheaus) O.Z. had really had
some big pickups today. He was going to be out of the backfield some to work like (Commanders RB)
Austin (Ekeler). And so we had to work some of that because Austin's got so many unique things about
him as well in the run game and the passing game. We knew O.Z. could pick up on some of that as well.
Maybe not carrying it out of the backfield like Austin, but out of the backfield. You saw some of that as
well tonight as well, knowing that he'd take up some of that, that we were going to miss from Austin.”
On the offensive line and what has he seen from an improvement standpoint:
“I think that it’s probably been that way for a while. It was in camp and we’re working through it and we
had some injuries and we are still trying to work through that. We’re still doing some rotating at the tackle
spot and that’s not the worst thing to have guys and depth. I thought (Commanders OLs) Nick (Allegretti)
and Sam (Cosmi) and Tyler (Biadasz) inside were really strong all the way through to make sure when we
have our chances and get our runs and completions high like they were today that gives us a real
advantage because then time of possession shifts and the ways that you can go through that. Although
it's no huddle, there’s a lot of attacking and tempo and we can change some of that. It makes it difficult to
prepare for, honestly, because there’s no huddle and then you’re changing tempos and then you huddle
and come out with different groups. The guys have really been putting in the work. It’s a lot to go through
to get the guys ready for the week, but for the big guys, it was their kind of day.”
On playing 12-personnel a lot today and if the Cardinal defense impacted that gameplan:
“A little bit of both. We thought we knew we’d have to try to get on the ball some. It’s part of what we do.
(Cardinals S) Budda Baker is such a good competitor man, so we’d have to find ways to not allow him to
ruin the game. He’s got that kind of ability to him. I love him as a competitor where he comes from (when)
blitzing. We’d have to spread out some, even when you’re in a bigger group. Sometimes getting
(Commanders RB) Brian (Robinson Jr.) and the guys downhill was a big piece of it too, but it was just
finding the matchups that we can go to try to create leverage or an advantage.”
On the team’s third-down defense and what he saw today:
“Quite honestly, I thought it was more about the execution. Even all the way back to Tampa. We had
some chances and we didn’t make them, so that’s no excuse because you don’t get do overs, but you
have to nail the moments when they’re there. I felt communication. I felt the way to go through would be
good but I got to tip your hat to (Washington Defensive Coordinator) Joe (Whitt Jr.) and to the staff where
it’s been a hard few weeks for them. And I told them they were closer than they thought. Keep digging,
keep finding the right spaces, but for that group specifically, I was pleased for them to get some stops on
a really talented offense. They can score from a lot of spots on the field and they’ve shown that.”