Everything Dan Quinn Said After Commanders’ Preseason Loss to Lions

The Washington Commanders lost their second preseason game to the Detroit Lions, 17-13, on Saturday. After the game, Quinn discussed the offensive line, quarterback competition, defensive takeaways, Amik Robertson, Jaden Bradley, and more.

Here is everything Quinn said after the loss:

Opening statement

"Offensively, a few of the explosive passes. Negative-wise, there's a lot to be desired run game-wise, offensively. Didn't like the pass pro, obviously, on the first series. And then the penalties, especially in the return game, that kept pushing us back. And that is one of the things that we have hit the mark on a lot. So, to have some penalties, felt like the drive, now we're back to the 10, back four. And then the last piece, the third- and fourth-down execution. I thought we lost both sides of that and wasn't up to the level that I would like."

Just the way the game started offensively, was there any thought of having Jayden Daniels come out for a second series?

"No. Going into it, I knew this was, if it was going to be 10 plays or three plays, that's how we were going to do it. Same thing defensively. So, I just kind of stuck to the game plan of what we had. Fortunately, he's throwing an excellent camp, and so I've been pleased with what I've seen from him. It's important to get these looks, but I wanted to, if I set a plan up, I was going to stick to it."

Last week you talked about the defense always thinking turnover. What did you think of seeing that show up again to start the game?

“Yeah. To see that was a great play by Amik, and I know there was a big fight for the ball as it got towards the end. I think that Josephs was the one that ended up getting it. But even in there to go dig for it and battle, that was a big deal. And obviously with Quan having another one, that has to be just part of what we're doing and how we're thinking and the way we practice. So, I like seeing those. And I thought having some chances to get some fourth-down stops today, those are the ones I look back — I'm looking forward to watching the tape tonight."

What did you see from Sam Hartman and Athan Kaliakmanis over the last couple weeks, particularly in this game?

“Yeah. The thing that I liked, I did see some explosive plays that were shots down the field. I think one was to Nash, another one to Bradley. I liked the catch that went to Williams. So, I thought I'm seeing that in some man-to-man, to see some of the accuracy of where to go. So, that part I was pleased with. And when you play a lot of man-to-man, those are the opportunities that you want to get. So, they're battling for it. There'll be a bunch of things we're going to want to look at to keep digging in, and another game coming up. It's so important for them, honestly, in the game. For those guys, managing the clock, working it all, being in tough scenarios, feeling the rush — they don't do that in practice. So, the next practice, the next game, will also be super valuable for both of them."

What did you see from the offensive line, both from the group that started and the other combinations throughout the game?

“Yeah, there's a lot of groups that went in and out. And so, the first crew of Conerly and Cosmi, I thought I liked how they're playing together, their communication. And Sam's really having a good camp. He's maybe playing the best that I've seen him play in the couple, three years. His technique, he's on it. I like what I'm seeing on the outside at left tackle. So, we got work to do to figure out where we want to get to at center. But with a lot of people in there, it wasn't like a one line, two line. So, Wylie played some and then we moved. You probably saw different guys at left tackle, right tackle. We rotated guys at guard. So, today was about opportunities, giving guys their opportunities, and I'll look forward to taking a look."

How tricky is it to balance wanting Jayden Daniels to get work with knowing Week 1 is what matters?

“Yeah, you want to thread the needle as close as you can. And there's times in practice where he may take as many of the reps as he can. I think we had a tough practice Wednesday and Thursday, and he might have took 40, 45 of the plays, just runs, passes, just so he's getting into the game shape and the rhythm. So, it helps with the joint practices. He can take a lot of those. But, you know, all along the plan was to get him some work in this one, too.”

With the offense and defense only playing one series, what was the deciding factor in how much work you wanted them to get?

“I think it's important going through the whole process, getting ready to go. New looks, tackling, all the space to go. You'd love to break it up. Okay, you'd play eight-and-a-half plays, this guy plays some, but it's not really how it goes. So, I set the course of this is how we'd go, and then when we hit that, I said, okay, this is how we're going to go."

On Amik Robertson's competitiveness

"Yeah, I just think it speaks to the competitor of who he is. I love what he's added to our team. I love seeing him and Mike battle for it, but he is a legit dog-ass competitor. I love that he brings that."

What did you think of Jaden Bradley's catch?

"Yeah, it was fun. There was a lot of energy. I don't know if you guys could see it on the sideline, there was a lot of people yelling, ‘And-one.’ So, there's a foul. So, it was nice to see a deep play like that. And as a receiver, you want your chances for the shot play. So, yeah, the guys were excited for him on that one, and Nash as well."

Beyond the catch, what has Jaden Bradley done on special teams and elsewhere to catch your eye?

"He has, in terms of a competitive nature, and that was from the beginning. He wanted to return kicks. He wanted to be back for punt, knowing that there was going to be a spot for special teams. So, I like, JP, the way he's competing. And that's what's called upon. And so, then to be rewarded with a big play like that, just competing, he stands for that. And so, he's developing. Bobby's doing a good job with him of more and getting to the action. So, we like where he's headed."

From the first preseason game to today, what have you seen from Sonny Styles?

"Sonny. Yeah. So, I thought, one, he's in excellent shape. We had two really tough practices back-to-back. That was kind of the peak of camp for us into that space. Seeing him get vocal with the down guys, the communication has just ramped up, I felt, defensively over the last couple of days. Daronte has some checks that they get in and out of calls. And so, being in charge and doing that, I felt like that was at a higher level over the week. And I was certainly glad to see that."

How encouraging was it to see the front seven create pressure even with several players missing?

"Yeah, it's important because when you're trying to look at it to say, all right, who beat somebody in pressure? Was it singled up? Was it a pass stunt that got them there? But the execution of that improved pass rush-wise. I thought in Week 1, in the second half, it felt slower to go. And so, knowing Eric Henderson and their guys and Pags really dug in on that, I thought they took a step forward. And so, I expect that to go again.”

The defense has five takeaways through two preseason games. What will it take to translate that into the regular season?

"Yeah, I think number one, what I'd like to see more of is some forced fumbles into the contact. The second, the third guy in, more shots at it because that's all part of it. And we've been training hard in that way. And what sometimes happens in practice, you're thinking about it, and then you get into the game and you're just, okay, I'm on to the next play and thinking about the call. And I want to make sure, finish through the runner going all the way down and having that mindset to take your shot. So, I'm looking forward to seeing how many shots on the ball, batted passes, PBUs, punches at it that are there. Because the end result of two is nice, but I want to make sure we're going through the process to create them, because that's, to me, as important as just the end result. If you can get two or three, it's how are you creating them? How are you practicing it? So, I'm looking forward to watching that."

After going back to the first offensive drive, what did you see go wrong up front when Jayden Daniels was sacked?

"I guess on the first play-pass, I saw pressure inside. And then on the second one, it felt like outside with the tight ends. I think it was John and Chig that were there. So, that's the look I had, but I didn't get a great view of it. But that's what it looked like to me. And so, I'll look forward to go watch it.

Have you noticed anything about this defense that is allowing Quan Martin to play more freely and make plays on the ball?

"I don't think there's a difference with that. He's always somebody that has good ball skills, and he's got the speed to get to the locations for that. So, I'm not surprised. He's had experience playing nickel. He's usually at his best when he's got, as a high safety, to come and make some plays. So, we've seen him do that. So, I was not surprised. In fact, to see those happen, I was glad. He's been working hard on the deep catches, the different spaces. So, if we can add more shots in our tackling to create some fumbles, then I think everything gets elevated. But he's off to a great start.

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