Welcome to the Command Center Podcast. I'm Julie Donaldson. Things have been super quiet around the practice facility here in Ashburn as the players are all gone, the coaches are all gone, but they'll be back before we know when OTAs pick up again. Now until them, well, we have memories of the season that was to keep us company. Now. One of those memories came in the first game of the season when Washington played its first regular season game as the Commanders. It was a close matchup with the
Jacks won. The Commanders won twenty eight to twenty two, and six of those points came via a touchdown reception from Curtis Samuel. Pretty cool moment to be a part of and something Curtis discussed when he joined London Fletcher and Santana Moss and the Players Club after locker clean out here it is thanks for joining us again, man, before you wait out to do I know everybody go, you know, to get to the postseason and get to
the big dance. Unfortunately we didn't get a chance that How you feel as a seva, how you feel that you guys in your room responding this year with all the different musical chairs, with the quarterbacks, and everything like that. Um, I feel like we did a great job. We didn't really one thing. I like that. We didn't really do it Like we didn't really focus on pay attention too much of Oh who was at quarterback? You know what I'm saying. Focus on our job as a receiver, just
to get open, No, no matter who's out there. We got to make the job easier on the quarterbacks. You know, try to win, try to win out one on one matchups and give our quarterback the best chance I possible to complete the ball for you. M sixty four receps and second on the team in receptions. Was that? Uh? No? After last year and you know, not being healthy, you
go through the season, play the full season. How did it feel to be able to show show DC and show this area what you were what you were capable of doing. Oh, that was very important for me. I feel like that was one of the things last year. I want to play so bad. It's just one of those things like they brought me here to you know, play and to be out there and you know, make plays. You know what I'm saying. I come to be out there. So that was kind of frustrating. So they you know,
I take the all season hard. I pushed myself to limits that I ain't even know I could do certain things. Honestly, like I'm like, I can't. I don't want no surprises during the season. I want to know that I can cut, I can plan, I can stop on a dime after running full speed and be able to do it the next day. So, you know, being out there, being being able to be out there this year and make an impact,
you know, that's exciting for me. Speaking of how you attack the off season last year, Um, what are your off season plans do you? Are you one of the guys that take a little time, get a little you know, get away from the game a little bit, or are you one of those guys say, hey, man, you know at the week or so, I got to get back out there in the gym. Oh No, I definitely take some time. I know me more importantly, I know, as I say this all the time, as long as I'm available,
I know them and make something happen. You know. My main goal each and every all seasons is to be healthy, get my body that time to rest and and then start training. You mentioned that on the first time you came on Players Club in college, you and Terry went fishing this uh this salt season. Any any players to go fishing? We're not We're not listen here here here be out. The reason I asked that is because I've only been fishing like once or twice. We call one fish.
We're gonna bring the players club ta and I be you a tear. We're gonna go fishing. I ain't getting I ain't get on the boat. I ain't getting on the fishing. I don't like we can do that. Let me, let me be on the dock. Just give me the wan. Want to go on the boat at all? Not at all. Not I I said the same thing, like you could swim, but can't you like that's different. I don't even I don't even like the beach. Yeah, I'll be honest, I don't like the beach. You like the pool? Yeah, I'm
pool guy. You ain't wrong. You know I lived on the water at one time and I used to go out there with my jet skis, and I should be like, bro, you know what, it's just all just for the looks, because it ain't. I don't like this open seat listen stuff down there. I don't want to see so come on, I ain't at when you think about this season, the abbs and flow of it. This last question for me, what are you going to remember most about this year?
That's tough, h Honestly, first game of the season, I feel like that was just one of those statement games for me, um mentally, you know, for me and for other people. You know, I was able to go out there, you know, score the first touchdown Commander's history, after dealing what I dealt dealt with last year. Um able to catch the ball in space, made guys miss show the crowd,
get them hyped. I remember how crazy the crowd was going when I was out there doing all those moves, and I just felt the energy and the excitement, you know that that the fans had for that first game of the season, and I really felt like I was back. So that's a moment that I would never forget. And speaking of that moment, and you know, like I said, Wenna, let you get up out of here, that's something that
we want to see more of. I mean, I understand that this group, the receiver corps, had a productive season, but when the talent like you guys have, you know, even though you had sixty four catches. That's cool, but I see I feel like we left a lot out there with you about talking about everybody in general, with you, it was more than what we can I'm okay with that gadget stuff. I'm cool with that. No, you can
do it because you played the back position. But I think as a receiver, you a mismatched waiting to happen, and I feel like it's a lot more we haven't stored you. So I'm just saying this on your way out, and I'm hoping and I'm looking forward to us expanding your role. I'm seeing you with more yards and more touchdowns and more touches because I feel like we left a lot out there, and you know, um, we can be that much more potent as a receiver, corp and
as an offense if we really allow you guys to flourish. Absolutely. Um, I definitely agree with you on that one. Um how I how I UM attack that Mentally, it's just saying I gotta attack the season hard. You know what I'm saying. I gotta I gotta be in the best shape. I gotta become the best receiver I could possibly be. Because once as soon as OTA's hit and I got out and showed them and do those things consistently. You know, I'm not saying I haven't, but just keep on doing
it over and over again. We'll build the trust within the coaches. And you know it's to say, hey, let's get this guy the ball. So that's how on my part, that's how I affect that. You know, I can't control um, the play calling, whoever get the ball, you know, but all I can do is just, um, go out there, you know, keep improving and show the coaches that I'm that I'm here and that I want the ball and um that I'm make something happen when I touched the ball.
Appreciate thank you for all your news and analysis. For sure to tune into Command Center weeknights at five and ten pm on NBC Sports Washington. You can also stream on YouTube and commanders dot com.