Joe Whitt Presser: “Four plays cost us the [Ravens] game”

Defensive Coordinator Joe Whitt speaks to the media before practice

Ahead of the home game versus the Carolina Panthers this Sunday, defensive coordinator Joe Whitt met with local reporters on Thursday morning before practice.

He opened his press conference today talking again about breakdowns in communication, saying that “four plays cost us the game”.

He added, “If we don’t give up those 4 individual plays, we win that ball game.”

And, “I can’t keep coming up here saying the same thing. I’ve got to get it corrected.” Whitt spent time in the press conference expanding on the details of what went wrong and how it can be corrected going forward, saying, “When you give up those explosives, you get 30 [points] put on you, and you lose a game that you should’ve won. Shoulda, woulda, coulda.”

Whitt described himself as being frustrated because the Commanders defense helped the Ravens beat them. He did say that Ravens WR Zay Flowers “just had a good day” and clarified that none of the four plays resulting from poor communication that he discussed earlier involved the young receiver.

Whitt addressed the injuries suffered against the Ravens, but said that, like running, blocking and tackling, injuries are “just part of NFL football” and talked about the opportunities that are created for the other players on the roster.

Asked about Johnny Newton, Whitt described him as “a young man that has explosion”, adding that he was excited to see what the rookie DT can do with more reps in the game. “We need him to play well.”

Discussing Frankie Luvu, Whitt focused on the linebacker’s play style and said that he is used in Washington similarly to the way Micah Parsons was used by the same coaching staff in Dallas. He described Luvu as “a dynamic player” and “a stud” and said that the coaches make an effort to put him into favorable matchups as much as possible.

Asked about Daron Payne, Whitt downplayed the lack of statistical production, adding that Payne “has given us what we want”, and absolving the veteran DT from responsibility for the Ravens’ success in the run game on Sunday. Whit stressed that Payne is a team leader and repeated that he’s “doing the things he needs to do.”

He also talked about the details about how the Commanders defense has played against the run, and addressed the differences in game planning for different opponents.

Looking ahead to the Panthers, Joe Whitt started out by focusing WR Dionte Johnson, saying that when Whitt put on the tape, he saw “a dynamic young player that I enjoyed just watching.” He also praised the OL blocking, the hard running of the RB, and the skilled play of the quarterback.

Whitt seemed underwhelmed about his unit’s turnover performance, lamenting, “We’ve got, what, one interception in six games? That’s just not what I’m used to. We’ve got to get more.” Whitt said that the goal prior to the game was to force “two-plus” turnovers, and pointed out that they forced a fumble, that the ball was on the ground, but “we didn’t get it”, adding “that changes the game.” Whitt summarized, “You’ve got to make those plays when you get the opportunity.”