
Dan Quinn speaks with the media before the first day of training camp
Washington Commander head coach Dan Quinn spoke to the media for the second day in a row this morning. Yesterday he was joined by general manager Adam Peters, and he got another chance to tell us how excited everyone is for the start of training camp today. He opened with a great injury update, rookie DT Johnny Newton has been cleared to practice, and will be on the field with the rest of the team today. He has been sidelined after having surgery(Jones fracture) on both of his feet.
Quinn said the team will be focusing on red zone work today. He said he’s not patient, and he wants to see an urgency in practice. The team is hyped up, but he’s focused on getting the team to practice like they plan to play. Quinn praised TE Zach Ertz’s veteran leadership, saying he’s not here to coach his teammates, and he can still play at a high level in the NFL.
LIVE: HC Dan Quinn speaks to the media before Day 1 of training camp https://t.co/wud3r6RVEJ
— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) July 24, 2024
Injury updates:
Dan Quinn opening statement on:
* DT Johnny Newton activated
* DE Efe Obada to PUP
* Today’s practice focus pic.twitter.com/nBQeH6dX7I— Ben Standig (@BenStandig) July 24, 2024
DQ on Johnny Newton – “He’s so ready to go…We were hoping he could get back soon…We’re really pumped he’s ready to start…He’s back.”
— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) July 24, 2024
Red zone work:
Quinn also said they will be working on a lot of red zone situations today on Day 1
— George Wallace (@GWallaceWTOP) July 24, 2024
Team staying off-site:
The Commanders are staying at the Lansdowne Resort for training camp this year. Not exactly roughing it. The resort sits on ~500 acres in the Potomac River Valley and has 3 golf courses, 4 pools, 2 lighted tennis courts and 3 pickleball courts.
Uh, yeah, new era indeed.…
— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) July 24, 2024
Commanders staying off site this camp (nearby resort). First time in a while. Quinn says it’s good for “chemistry, connections, meetings.” Calls it an important time together; “to have everyone close by … pays dividends.”
— John Keim (@john_keim) July 24, 2024
Zach Ertz:
DQ on Zach Ertz – “the leadership is remarkable” but also talks about his route running, ability to find spots in zone and vs man. DQ makes clear Ertz “isn’t here to coach” and that the vet TE can still play at high level
— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) July 24, 2024
Quinn on Zach Ertz: “The leadership for him I thought it would be good but it’s been remarkable. He’s not here to coach, but he has a presence, standards, that others can emulate. In the passing game he has a very good awareness, the nuances of a route.”
— John Keim (@john_keim) July 24, 2024
Team energy:
Quinn: “This the right spot with the right people, so let it rip.”
— George Wallace (@GWallaceWTOP) July 24, 2024
Dan Quinn addressing the media before practice. He said there’s an energy that comes with starting some thing new. There’s a lot of excitement surrounding the Commanders right now. Believes he’s in the right place with the right people
— Zach Selby (@ZachSelbyWC) July 24, 2024
Rebuild vs recalibration:
DQ on a rebuild: “I’m not the best on patience…I’m just the opposite frankly. I want urgency.” Says training camp is about competing at highest levels and down the road is for down the road
— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) July 24, 2024
Quinn: “I’m not the best on patience… It’s how quickly can we get to become good. I want urgency in all we’re doing…” He wants the ‘execution and communication’ in practice to be the same as it would be in a game. If not, “how can you perform in a game?”
— John Keim (@john_keim) July 24, 2024