It's Dallas week.
We catch up with head coach Dan Quinn to talk about the greatest rivalry in the NFL, Commanders versus the Cowboys, and of course we can get in and talk about our must watch matchups so we can get this win at home against the Cowboys.
All that and more.
A game plan.
Welcoming and our fearless leader, head coach Dan Quinn. Dan, we talked about the last time on the game plan had some extra time ten days, how did you use it?
Well?
One good to be back with you here on the game plan on the couch where it happens. There's a lot of discussions going down here going you know, for the players, having a few extra days in an NFL season makes a really big difference.
UH, to go through it.
From the coaching side, you want to make sure you can get all the information from the game, and so we did that on Monday, and we went back to tell the truth, what we liked, what we didn't, what
needs to get there. And so I love that the team is becoming battle tested, but you do have to go through the hard moments to do that and you grow stronger from it, and we will, so we use that extra time just to make sure we can emphasize some things that we want to emphasize over these next two weeks prior to getting into our buy.
Yeah, and so obviously tell the truth of something we did in Atlanta, like can you kind of maybe explain to fans what that is and where the benefit is for something like.
That, And I want to make sure it's clear it's good to explain it because it's not about placing blame right on a player or a coach. It's just about getting our football aligned exactly like we want it. And telling the truth is really important, and as important is being able to receive it. And that goes both ways as coaches and players. Like I've learned a lot from players through the years, especially from the lens of the helmet.
I can remember that would be hard from the lens of the helmet, well said, And those are important days. And like in any good relationship, you know, being able to tell the truth and explain it and go through it, and then once it's done, now you apply the things that you need to for this week, because not every lesson is.
For every player.
Love, and as you're going through it, you know this what could be true for one might not be true for the other, and so that's how we recalibrate ourselves, get that past us, and then get on to the next.
And talk about telling them the truth.
Well, we have a divisional game coming up, So what has been the message this week to the guys?
More than anything, as important as our preparation is for Dallas and it's big and we'll know them, it's also has so much to do with us. We felt we just missed the mark on some execution, on some things
that are really important. So as important as the preparation is into Dallas, a lot of this game we want to make sure that when you guys watch us, you see our play style, you see our finishing, you see our execution at an elite level, and if we take care of those things, you know, we'll like how the game looks. And so that's really important to us.
And so how much of that kind of comes off of Pittsburgh or Philly or is it just kind of something you said from the whole season in terms of self scouting. We want to get back to these points kind of you know what I'm saying, is it is it just be the last two games, or.
Is there more of the last few games. Yeah, and those ones they're hard that you go through, but you grow during the hard times and that's what makes you stronger and you need those. And it's hard going on the road in the short week and the vision opponent and tough game, and so the fact that you're right there, ready to go toe to toe and you don't come out on top. Those are ones like how do we win this? How do you win ugly? How do you
win left handed? How do you win those kind of moments, But you do have to go through them logan to recognize it. And so although the team was mad and upset, there's things to be gained from that. And so that's
what we wanted to emphasize going into the week. As important as the Dallas and its division and all the matchups, still it's about how we get down And I think that's a really important facet that I want our fans and everybody else to know, Like, yeah, the preparation is there, but every time you guys watch us play, I want to say, this is how we fight.
And so I love that about our team.
And although we don't always come out on top, but since the opening game, we've had some losses.
After that, Tampa won.
But like when it comes down to the end, like we're in this thing to go fight it out.
And I love that about our guys.
Now, Coach, I'm sure you notice a little bit. But these Commanders Cowboys games, it's a big rivalry in the NFL. It's pretty contents, have a lot of emotion behind it for you and your words. What emotions come with playing your former team and playing the Dallas Cowboys as a commander.
Not as much for me, honestly, And I'll tell you why. When you've been around enough like I have, you have good relationships with a lot of people on different teams, and so you enjoy that. I happen to be, you know, coming from there. But it's still about the guys you know, in between the white lines, and so I'll enjoy seeing, you know, some of our friends that you know will
be here, whether it be coaches or players. But ultimately, man, it's about this game, this matchup, and so the Washington Dallas game been going on a long time and the players will see some of that history. I think it's important for us to know where we want to go. We show clips from you know, all the way up through and why that rivalry and how did it become? I want them now that they're a part of it. We got a lot of rookies and free agents and new coaches here to know, like why this rivalry is
important and not every division has them. So the fact that we do, like that's a really cool thing. Not every you know, in college conference has all arrive, especially now, but in this one, they've been playing this one for a while and a lot of good teams, a lot of good matchups, and so here as we're getting into November football, like, it's really cool and to do it at home?
What are we talking about? Yeah?
And I think the other thing I wanted to ask you is like it is weird as a player going from oh, you know, I've played for the Commanders and now I'm playing the Commanders and you're with the with Dallas last year.
Is that it's kind of like you want to go back.
And I always felt like when I was playing, you wanted to really show them what's up, or because you've got good relationships, it's like you're competitive with those guys. It's not like a bad thing. It's like you just want to put your best foot forward. Is there any that going on now?
Or you want to beat your brothers at ye? That's right, yeah, like it is. But that's a competitive good way. And so for me growing up the youngest of six, I know what, uh you know, wanting to compete and battle for it looks like so. But once you're in it, then the emotions of that are different.
You know.
Now it's about going and battling for it. But uh, yeah, that's that's just how we do business.
No doubt. I'm glad you said. You know, you're kind of dust around that.
We're about to say that.
You'll show you can say whatever you want somehw turning the page, let's look at our defense because we found some sex success against a really tough Eagles Wide Receiver Corps.
Now we have CD Landman Company.
Does last week's game give more confidence coming into a game like this?
I think the development your and Mike is one of them. Mike, you yeah, and you know, like and playing outside it.
It doesn't just go on a linear course. You know, development goes and it goes and then at the end you look up and Mike's playing here and so but you have to go through all the phases of all the players and going through it, and he'll have more challenges, but I love what he stands for as a competitor, and he's growing, he's getting stronger, and there's a lot of guys that are doing that, and most of them hadn't played, you know, the three preseason games and eleven
games straight, and they're you know, so like having a minute just to exhale on you know, Friday and Saturday for them and you know, ramp back up right into a division game. The guys are absolutely, you know, rare to get going. So it does give you confidence, but you have to you have to go do it again and again and again, and then you don't have to do anything different. You just have to play to your standard and to your way. And Mike's creating that for himself.
And talk about Mike, because I think a lot of fans say, oh, it's corner like it's but there's an inside, outside element. Could you maybe tell talk about why it would be so challenging for him to kind of do what he's done.
Through the course of yours. Yeah.
So I think for all of us, you get good at a job and you keep working up in that one job and you keep going. And so if you had two jobs and how do you balance both of them? And you work one job and it turns into a different one. And so those are the type of people that figure it out and they find a way. And Mike is that type of competitor that he just won't back off.
And we're facing a guy in Cooper Russia backup quarterback. Now, normally there's not a lot of information on back of quarterback, but you're very familiar with Cooper Russ on your words, how would you characterize a quarterback like Cooper Russ.
And what we're going to see someday.
Yeah, it's a extremely fast processor of information and so many times I can remember in practice, you know, asking him before what do you think this coverage is going to be? You know, as you know, how quickly could you tell like was.
It like for yourself scouting you're doing the defense?
Oh?
Really?
Yeah, because a lot of times he was running the carded defense. Yeah, what do you think Coop?
Man?
And man?
Yeah?
And not cute this guy was looking.
You know.
So he was a very quick process of information. Fantastic teammate for Dak and as a quarterback, that's so important to know that you're supporting the person that's playing, and you have to also get yourself ready to play in case of So it's not you're not a coach, but you don't get the same game reps as everybody else does. And uh, but I'd say his ability to process quickly, make fast decisions and playing the position, well, that's that's what you know sticks out to me.
Yeah, And there hasn't been like a ton of film on him, you know. In the offense, I've always found kind of changes depending on the personnel, Like how do you kind of anticipate, you know, like what it's going to look like potentially from Mike McCarthy, you know.
Yeah, and so the fact that he's been in the system with Mike for a while, between he and Trey Lance, and how do you feature different plays with different guys in But uh, I know he has a lot of confidence in Cooper, as he should and.
It's been there for a long time.
Yeah.
So, like he beat out Kellen Moore, you know, to be back up quarterback, and so Kellen was coaching Cooper. He was like, I was like, so this is the guy that got you into coaching.
Well yeah kind of And so.
He's just got a really smart, you know, processing way about him to play the position. And Mike's experience and really talented teaching the quarterback position really feeds into that with Cooper, like he's able to take the information that Mike can give him and then processing quickly.
And coach, we got to talk about this offense. Our quarterback Jaden Daniels. What do you expect to see from him coming off backs back losses coming into this game.
At home, Well, I think number one, playing the position well, taking care of the ball like he's done an exceptional job of that. We had an interception in the game, but over the you know, first eleven games, it's one of the things that Jayden does well, like he puts it in the right spot for the right person to go.
What I think you'll see from him is just the full complement of him playing it outside the pocket, keeping his eyes down, feel running when the opportunities are there, so being a true dual threat to go do that. I think you know, we'll see that, you know, come full circle here on the Sunday afternoon.
And coach today is my cause my cleats.
Now.
I don't know if every coach participates in it. But will you be participating getting and if so, what is your cause?
I will be And it's a it's it's an awesome program. And so to be able to like give and you know, you find out a lot about other players too, and for the other people that are doing it, and tell me about that, why is that cause.
Important to you?
And so it's a really impactful weekend for the NFL. So yes, I will uh three causes that I'd like to you know, recognize and be a part of. And so one is that Bobby Ingram Foundation that will support sickle cell. The second one will be the Coach Greg Napp Memorial Fund, which supports distracted driving. And then the third one is a program called Merging Vets and Players.
So it's a.
Combination of retired combat veterans and professional ballplayers and fighters and so that peer to peer counseling that when you take off the uniform, the importance of that, and so those two groups get together on a weekly basis, workout and share that locker room and period to peer counseling that takes place. And so those are the three programs that I'm able to shine a light on and very happy to do so well.
Coach, We appreciate you so much shining the light on such great causes and always we appreciate you spending time with us. Now you're and Logan and getting the film room and talk about some defense, yes your favorite.
Thank you so much for your time. We were off the people's couching the people's couch.
Commanders family, We know you are enjoying the game plan. However, if you want to see coach and logan Paul said break down plays in the film room, you could check that out on the Commander's YouTube page. Logan, our ticket to the win is our must watch matters. Now, you only got like forty seconds, so let's get.
To a Wily versus Parsons.
Yeah, this is gonna be an awesome matchup.
One of the best pass rutchers in the NFL, and Wiley's had a great season, but how does Cliff help him out?
And doing a great job all year?
Now Jade and Daniels versus Cowboys defense.
Oh, this guy Zimber brings a ton of pressure. Man, everybody from the stands come on Everburg, butitson how does he handle it? He's gonna do a great job. Simple cover in structors.
I think he's gonna dice a.
Model and surprise, surprise, digs worthus.
Terry McLaurin winds up on the defensive right, and Terry's kind of over the information. These guys have such great battles every single year.
I can't wait to check it out.
Now you've got it.
These are your tickets to a win for today's game against the Dallas Cowboys for here coach dan Quinn, Logan Paulson, and Brian Covid.
This is the game plan. See y'all next Sunday Commander's Family.
You could catch us every Sunday on WSA nine Sunday mornings before year games.
This is game plan with Brian cob Junior and Logan Paulson. He coach dan Quinn. Till next Sunday Commander's Family. Yeah,