1-on-1 with Taylor Heinicke | Episode 50

you know, both opponents to twenty one yards combined. And if you're talking about our offense, you want to put them into the equation that two headed munsters starting to come alive back there. We're starting to see what the effects can be when we have a great running game. So I'm looking forward to seeing what this thing could become. And they're not giving up the explosive plays like they

were beginning of the season as well. Yeah, not giving up the explosive players on the back end of the defense and being able to get to the quarterback getting more more pressure on him. We didn't get to Rogers in the game on Sunday, but we got a lot of pressure on him. He felt he felt the presence of our defensive line and he knew he had to get the ball out of his heads a lot, a lot quicker and you know when you look at it, also in this two game winner streak, there's been a

lot of complimentary football and special teams that contributed. Another takeaway with the putt I mean trust way. Yeah, the things he's able to do with that football punting and it does tricks to the punt returners. Great, great complimentary football. That's why we've been able to win ball games. And of course the turnovers that they've been able to grab

from that as well on special teams. But that's what they always say is you have to be able to have the offense compliment the defense and then special teams as well. It's a team game here, okay, so we want to keep it going, though, What is the trick when you're feeling like this to keep it going? Santanna, there's no trick. I mean, I think one of the things that you've seen now you know that our offense have to continue to play the way they've been playing,

specially on third down. Last week was a much better performance and outcome for them on the third down and our defenses have been doing a weekend and week out, you know, to say that there's going to stop Aaron Rodgers and the Packers to have no third down convergence that it was like almost saying that that's impossible, but

they were not. Then did I think our offense has to continue to move the ball and put up points This week, They're gonna have a different quarterback that they're going up against than what they might have prepared for with Matt Ryan. Same Ellinger takes over as the culture like kind of shaking things up a little bit. But London, you can anticipate he was probably gonna use this lags a little bit more than what Matt Ryan would have, and we've seen how that can be a little bit

of challenge. Even when Aaron Rodgers cut out there and ran a little bit, he was able to throw that touchdown pass being able to extend the play. But you're trying to prepare for a quarterback that you don't have much film on. Yeah, you know, you've had some opportunities to see him in the preseason and he ran around Mason plays during the preseason. You understand his athleticism. So when you say when you look at him. What can the coach do differently from offensive standpoint to make him

comfortable in the game plan? Move the pocket, bootlegs things, a lot of things like we did with Taylor Heineke, not just asking him to be a drop back quarterback. That's why I anticipate the coach doing and also leaning more on their run game with a guy like Sam Ellinger a quarterback position. That's the same thing I said, we haven't seen a guy pass the ball that much in a real act, you know, NFL game, But the preseason is going to be our tests. We're gonna have

to watch what this guy did on film. And but when you have a guy like him, he's going to get his confidence from moving around, trying to get some of those first nowns and making those plays with this lady. So we have to be fishing when it comes to, you know, those lanes as a defender, especially those guys up front, making sure they stay sound and making sure they protect the edge. Quarterback Taylor Heineke's two touchdown performance led the Commanders over the Green Bay Packers in Week seven.

I sat down with the quarterback to recap with the win meant to him. The dust is settled a little bit because there are a lot of emotions after that game is where where's the feelings? The emotions now? Um, they're kind of dying down. I'm trying to get him to die down a little bit. You know. It's a long season and we gotta get ready for Indy. So I'm gonna enjoy this one today and dive into Endie tomorrow. So I'm gonna try and enjoy it for the rest

of the day. We were very well aware of that Green Bay was your team growing up and something that you would bond with your dad over unfunctually your dad not being able to be here, But what do you think he would be saying and how would he be celebrating this with you? Yeah, it's pretty pretty standard for my dad. He would just give me his famous bear hug, tell me he's proud of me, he loves me, and then we would probably share a beer over some some

steak or something. So, um, I know he was washing down yesterday and he's he's really proud of me. I know your entire family is, as is the fan base as well. Are you aware, like, do you hear the chance from the crowds of hi McKy hi ni key. Do you hear that when you're in the moment? Not really? Um, I mean sometimes I hear it, but um again, like yesterday, Um,

that was the last thing that was on my mind. Um, you know, rough first half, and I was just trying to get back and give our chance, our team a chance to win. So um. But you know, when things are going great, you can kind of hear him and kind of enjoy it. But you know, for a game like yesterday, it's uh, you know, you're trying to focus in. You know, you could have easily kind of crumbled that first half, but instead there's something in you that just

doesn't quit. A lot of guys will say you've got like that dog in you, and we heard hear the word like moxie all the time with you. Where does that mentality come from? I think a lot of it has to come from Brett fare Yeah. So I grew up watching and you go back and watch his film. The dude never gave up. He was tough, and he had a lot of fun out there, and you know that's why I fell in love with the game of football.

So every time I go out there, I pretend like it's my last game, I go out there and trat fun and leave it all out there, and I think that's what makes me the player I am today. You've got Indianapolis coming up now that you get like, look, it's it was one week with the starters that you had last week preparing for it. What are you wanting to work on this week now that you've got even more time there? Um, I would say more with just timing with receivers. Hopefully we get you know, Dots in

back and hopefully get Logan back. But yeah, I think if you just keep on working on the timing with the guys and putting the balls where they want them, you know, we'll be in good shape and again offensive and keep doing their thing running backs, keep keep running the ball that they are, and I think we'll be

in all right shape. You know, it was really cool to be able to see how the your teammates were interacting with you in the locker room post game, and there's just pure joy from everyone for for what you had to overcome, for keeping them in the game, for being able to get that victory. And there's that one picture with John Allen. You know, find somebody that looks at you like you know, um, but you know what does how does it make you and help you to

know that your teammates like they believe in you? Um, and that's very evident. Yeah. Well, going back to the picture, I texted Emily or a photographer, and I was like, he really had to post that one. You know, it looks kind of suspect there, but uh, you know it was. It was a great moment for John and I and he's he's been in my ear throughout the year. Um. You know, if your time ever comes, we believe in you and just go out there and do your thing.

So um, you know when you have a captain like that, you know, telling you that even when you're not starting, Um, you know what, it means a lot to me. Um. You know, all the guys come up after the game. It's nice to have that encouragement. It's nice to have, you know, guys having your back. So, um, you know they know I got there back too, and hopefully we can just keep this thing rolling. Okay, two wins in a row, let's make it three in Indiana Agolis. Thank you, Taylor,

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