Joe Whitt Jr and Kliff Kingsbury talk to the media before practice
Washington Commanders defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr and offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury spoke to the media before the start of today’s practice. Whitt Jr thank the fans who have been showing up to games, and said the they provide a much-needed buzz on game days.Thevdefense is working without Jonathan Allen, and other players like Phidarian Mathis have stepped up and is a “big man playing big”. Rookie LB Jordan Magee was activated from IR yesterday, and he’ll have to get up to the speed of the game so he’s not slowing anyone else down.
He had good things to say about Chicago Bears rookie QB Caleb Williams and veteran WR DJ Moore. He talked about Williams’ escapability, and said that he can make any throw when he gets his feet. He also said Moore has been underrated for years.
Joe Whitt Jr
LIVE: DC Joe Whitt Jr. speaks to the media before practice https://t.co/hnRzfEbRTc
— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) October 24, 2024
Fans at Northwest Stadium:
Joe Whitt Jr. on the fans providing a needed buzz from the start against the Panthers. pic.twitter.com/3Uk04anGIb
— Ben Standig (@BenStandig) October 24, 2024
DC Joe Whitt Jr credited the fans for the “energy they brought to the stadium”. filtered down to the players.
— John Keim (@john_keim) October 24, 2024
Caleb Williams:
Commanders DC Joe Whitt has been very impressed with Bears rookie QB Caleb Williams – credits the escapability but adds “when he sets his feet he can make any throw” pic.twitter.com/ANmx3FUoHV
— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) October 24, 2024
Whitt on Caleb Williams: “…talented young player who will be good for a long time.”
— John Keim (@john_keim) October 24, 2024
DJ Moore:
Whitt on Bears WR DJ Moore: “Hasn’t gotten the credit he deserves over the years.”
— John Keim (@john_keim) October 24, 2024
Dante Fowler Jr:
Commanders DC Joe Whitt on @dantefowler: “I probably haven’t highlighted him enough coming in here. He’s a very physical player. … He’s always going to run through people. If I tell him to run through that wall, he’s going to hit it hard.”
— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) October 24, 2024
Jordan Magee:
Joe Whitt thinks rookie LB Jordan Magee has to get in the fit and flow now that he’s back from the IR – “we got to make sure we can get him in the groove and not slow anybody else down”
— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) October 24, 2024
Defensive line without Jonathan Allen:
Joe Whitt on Commanders D-line in first game without Jon Allen – “they played well. They played as a collective.” Whitt’s been particularly impressed by Mathis eating blocks
— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) October 24, 2024
Phidarian Mathis:
Whitt on Phidarian Mathis: “Phil is playing some of his best ball as of late. it might not show up on the stat sheet, but he’s a big man playing big.”
— John Keim (@john_keim) October 24, 2024
Kliff Kingsbury has several players on offense dealing with injuries, he biggest of them being Jayden Daniels rib injury from last week’s big win over the Carolina Panthers. The rookie QB wasn’t at practice again today, and it’s looking more likely he won’t be available when Washington hosts the Chicago Bears on Sunday. Kingsbury said the team will have to figure out ways to protect him if he does play.
One of those “protections” are his left tackles, who are also both dealing with injuries. Rookie Brandon Coleman suffered a concussion and hasn’t practiced, but head coach Dan Quinn said he was meeting all his markers. Cornelius Lucas has a neck injury and was wearing a non-contact jersey at practice.
Another rookie, TE Ben Sinnott, had a big moment vs the Panthers. He got his first reception and it was also his first NFL TD. The play he scored on was called Taylor Swift, and Kingsbury said they have several plays named after pop singers.
Kliff Kingsbury
LIVE: OC Kliff Kingsbury speaks to the media before practice https://t.co/yoxi08A7XP
— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) October 24, 2024
Caleb Williams:
Kliff Kingsbury calls Caleb Williams a “freaky talent”
— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) October 24, 2024
Ben Sinnott’s first TD on “Taylor Swift” play call:
The play that @ben_sinnott‘s first TD came on has a unique name pic.twitter.com/yLbjxucmIm
— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) October 24, 2024
Kingsbury: “That was a good play. We’ll use it again.”
Sounds like a football Love Story. https://t.co/kuwgjdJo88
— Ben Standig (@BenStandig) October 24, 2024
Ben Sinnott’s first TD catch came on a play called Taylor Swift – Kliff Kingsbury says “you can’t beat that for a first TD”
— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) October 24, 2024
Kliff Kingsbury confirmed there is also a “Kelce” play. “It’s not Travis Kelce. Just Kelce. And they’re not married together.”https://t.co/eADvCHbNcz
— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) October 24, 2024
Protecting Jayden Daniels:
Kliff Kingsbury says the Commanders coaching staff has to figure out how best to Protect Jayden Daniels if he does play this weekend. Good questions from @Mitch_Tischler pic.twitter.com/WJev0dB0Xj
— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) October 24, 2024
Terry McLaurin
Playing with different QBs:
Terry McLaurin, who’s had a dozen QBs in his career, was asked if a new QB this week would change anything.
The facial expression says it all pic.twitter.com/KQ3A4GD4V5
— Sam Fortier (@Sam4TR) October 24, 2024
Ben Sinnott
“Taylor Swift” playcall for his first TD:
Man of the hour Ben Sinnott https://t.co/kuwgjdJVXG pic.twitter.com/0novq4ukQn
— Ben Standig (@BenStandig) October 24, 2024