Daron Payne is entering his 3rd year in the league, and a lot of people, myself included, expect him to have a “breakout” year. He is working on breaking bad habits as the defense switches from a 3-4 to a 4-3 base. Payne loves the aggressive defense that DC Jack Del Rio is bringing this year.
Payne gave an injury update on his former Alabama teammate Jonathan Allen who left practice with a left leg injury today. He echoed what Ron Rivera said, Allen should be fine, and was held out as a precaution after getting rolled up on.
Daron Payne hates losing, and is doing everything in his power to turn this into a winning team. He holds himself to a higher standard which fits well with Rivera’s change in culture movement. Last year wasn’t even close to good enough, so what are you doing to improve this year?
Training Camp Press Conference - Daron Payne https://t.co/PlUKnOoqzZ
— Washington Football Team (@WashingtonNFL) August 30, 2020
Defense:
Daron Payne is now addressing the media. He said the defensive is working hard, but there is still a lot of work for improvement.
— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) August 30, 2020
Year 3:
Payne on his expectations for Year 3: the sky is always the limit, so he's going to push to be the best player he can be.
— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) August 30, 2020
Jonathan Allen:
Daron Payne said Jonathan Allen: "He's good. He said he was alright."
— Matthew Paras (@Matthew_Paras) August 30, 2020
Daron Payne said he checked on Jonathan Allen and Allen said he was "all right." Rivera said that Allen got "rolled up on" but that "it doesn't look serious." Rivera said Allen actually wanted to go back out there.
— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) August 30, 2020
Offensive line:
Payne said he really don't pay attention to the offensive line, which has been rotating guys in and out of the starting group. The biggest thing he is focused on winning each rep and working on his technique in every play.
— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) August 30, 2020
4-3 defense:
Payne says that playing in the 4-3 defense allows him to be more explosive and get after the passer more.
— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) August 30, 2020
Daron Payne says of the move to a 4-3: "Instead of being more head up and playing 2 gap, I'm taking vertical steps up the field and be more explosive and get to my pass rush more." Like it? "I just like playing football. This is a new style for me and I'm embracing it."
— John Keim (@john_keim) August 30, 2020
DL Coach Sam Mills III:
Payne said working with Sam Mills III has allowed them to be active with their hands and more active along the line of scrimmage.
— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) August 30, 2020
Breaking old habits:
Payne said the main adjustment for him this year has been breaking old habits. He wants to play hard and fast for the coaching staff and he's learning how to do that.
— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) August 30, 2020
Chase Young:
Daron Payne says he can't wait to see Chase Young out on the field on game day "crushing people."
— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) August 30, 2020
We are all Daron Payne.
Offseason conditioning:
Payne said he went into the offseason wanting to maintain his strength, improve his conditioning and work on his hips and hands.
— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) August 30, 2020
Jack Del Rio:
Payne said he like Jack Del Rio's aggressive style. He can see where the plays can be made in the system and can't wait to get started with the season.
— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) August 30, 2020
Daron Payne says "Coach Jack wants the best out of us" and says "it's different" -- Says he's "excited to put it all out there."
— Chris Russell AKA The Rooster (@Russellmania621) August 30, 2020
Says he's not trying to talk down on anybody but certainly seems to favor JDR so far. @WSHFootballSI
New coaches:
Payne said having a new coaching staff is nothing new. In fact, he had a new defensive line coach every season at Alabama. The biggest adjustment has been switching defense.
— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) August 30, 2020
High standards:
"It's definitely hard losing" - Daron Payne on the last two years after being at @AlabamaFTBL
— Chris Russell AKA The Rooster (@Russellmania621) August 30, 2020
"Every time I step on the field, I just want to be better than I was yesterday."
"I really hold myself at a high level...give it all I got." @WSHFootballSI @theMMQB
Regular season:
Payne said the regular season is definitely on his mind, and that makes him focus even harder on the task at hand each day.
— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) August 30, 2020