Joe Whitt Jr, Kliff Kingsbury, and Dan Quinn talk about facing the Eagles for a third time – Hogs Haven
Filed under:Washington’s coaches and players speak to the mediaIt’s been a busy week for the Washington Commanders as they prepare to face the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC Championship game on Sunday. This will be the third meeting between the two teams this season, and the victor goes to the Super Bowl, and wins the series 2-1. Dan Quinn spoke to the media yesterday, and got another turn behind the mic before today’s practice.First up were his two coordinators, with DC Joe Whitt Jr up first. He talked about playing more zone coverage against the Detroit Lions to muddy up the middle for Lions QB Jared Goff. That strategy worked, and Washington forced five turnovers, four of them courtesy of the veteran QB. Stopping Saquon Barkley has been the goal of every team that has played the Eagles this season, and that won’t be any different on Sunday. Whitt Jr said you can bottle him up, but then he’ll break free for an explosive run, and those plays can’t happen.LIVE: HC Dan Quinn, OC Kliff Kingsbury and DC Joe Whitt Jr. speak to the media https://t.co/i7ILAT3TWWJoe Whitt Jr. said the plan against the Lions was to play more zone even of that meant allowing more yards, but to also make the view “cloudy” for Jared Goff in the hopes of his defense making plays on the ball. That worked.Commanders defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. on the microphone today.About building a new culture in Washington, Whitt Jr. said, “you have to be a little bit crazy to be here because the way we do things is not the normal way.” pic.twitter.com/TSdw3dq8wdCommanders D.C. Joe Whitt Jr.: “The way we live here is different. … You have to be a little bit crazy to be here because the way we do things is not the normal way and we don’t want it to be the normal way.”Joe Whitt Jr., “We have to do whatever we have to do to keep Saquon from hitting those explosive runs.”Commanders DC Joe Whitt on Jon Allen’s play since coming back from surgery: “He’s been playing better as he’s been coming along, and I think he’s going to play his best ball here.”Whitt: “We can be the team that started to turn and if we keep on staying focused and win this game we can reap the rewards at the same time and that rarely happens.”Commanders defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. loves playing on the road.Whitt Jr. and the players ready for the Linc and those Philly fans.He said, “that’s the best feeling in the world, going into somebody else’s house and it’s quiet.” pic.twitter.com/tec4NARKDzWhitt: “I love love love playing on the road. … no better feeling than to walk out of that place and it’s quiet.”.@Bwagz on his relationship with @JayD__5 pic.twitter.com/wduRCmRT8wLB Bobby Wagner on his trash talk with Jayden Daniels: “You got to treat him like the child that he is.” pic.twitter.com/vJYHys2t0cBobby Wagner on stopping Saquon Barkley: “This is going to be a game about discipline.”Bobby Wagner on playoff run – the two times they said we’re underdogs I think we played our best ball pic.twitter.com/Zg9eijUumZCommanders rookie DT Johnny Newton with a big ole smile “s***, we get to play the Eagles again.” pic.twitter.com/hkHtFSXt4MThe #Commanders are days away from their NFC Championship showdown with Philly. The teams have met twice already this season, but this time is for all the marbles.What will it boil down to? Rookie DT Johnny Newton: “Whoever’s the toughest and who wants it more.” pic.twitter.com/K0eDLJAtIpSunday is looming. A trip to the Super Bowl is on the line.Commanders DT Jalyn Holmes said “gotta stick to the basics” pic.twitter.com/Km2bOFyYpFLIVE: HC Dan Quinn, OC Kliff Kingsbury and DC Joe Whitt Jr. speak to the media https://t.co/i7ILAT3TWW(Starts @ 13:20)Kliff Kingsbury said Eagles DC Vic Fangio “must be a great teacher” because whoever they plug in does their job. Kingsbury said the Eagles have “the best defensive spacing I’ve ever seen.”Kingsbury on McLaurin: “one of the best I’ve seen at attacking the ball in the air.”Kliff Kingsbury = players coachThe Commanders offensive coordinator always takes input from his players on what plays to call during the game.Kliff said, “it’s about the players, not the plays.” pic.twitter.com/RWPAPT583aCommanders vs. Philly Part 3.The stakes on Sunday could not be higher.WR Olamide Zaccheaus said, “just comes down to playing ball. Obviously we are familiar with them and they’re familiar with us. It’s just going to come down to execution and taking care of the ball.” pic.twitter.com/0y8LvfHG47So many different players have been stepping up this season for the Washington Commanders.I had a great chat with TE John Bates today.He’s looking forward to playing in his first NFC Championship game. pic.twitter.com/pQGSZmkTTlLove the direct, short answer here from Commanders center Tyler Biadasz.He said, “only one goal is to beat Philly” pic.twitter.com/FWK6VceQP9No Sam Cosmi, enter Trent Scott.He’s ready to go on Sunday pic.twitter.com/DMbxsoRcsnLIVE: HC Dan Quinn, OC Kliff Kingsbury and DC Joe Whitt Jr. speak to the media https://t.co/i7ILAT3TWW(Starts @ 27:55)@Commanders coach Dan Quinn said his team hasn’t reached its ceiling. The confidence he has in his team is still on display before the most important game in franchise history in nearly 35 years. #NFL #RaiseHail pic.twitter.com/1dqj6RGTwzDan Quinn: “we have found our identity… we haven’t found our ceiling.”Dan Quinn addressing the media. Said Jon Allen’s most recent game against the Lions was the most impactful since he came back from his injury. Speaks to the work he’s put in to getting healthy and ready to contributeQuinn said with Barkley, there’s a start and stop feature about his game that makes him unique. He’s got rare change of direction, and the vision behind the line make him a difficult challengeQuinn said the Commanders have gotten better on the field, but they’ve also improved “between their ears.” They’re as mentally tough as they’ve ever been, and Daniels’ growth has been a big part of thatDan Quinn on when he knew Jayden was something special pic.twitter.com/mFINcK5uP2NFC Championship practice vibes… had to thaw the field to get back outside: pic.twitter.com/AGqiYmiXaCGambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537). Hope is here. GamblingHelpLineMA.org or call (800) 327-5050 for 24/7 support (MA). Visit www.mdgamblinghelp.org (MD). Call 877-8HOPE-NY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY). 21+ (18+ D.C.) and present in select states (for KS, in affiliation with Kansas Star Casino). Call 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT) or visit FanDuel.com/RG.
