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The Washington Commanders are practicing again today as the prepare for the season opener against the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday. Assistant Head Coach/Offensive Coordinator Eric Bieniemy both spoke with the media, and provided some updates and insight on the first home game of the season.
Eric Bieniemy is excited for the game, and looking forward to watching his guys play after a long offseason, training camp, and preseason working together to install a new offense and mindset. He said if you ain’t nervous, you ain’t ready, but you always have to have that calm, quiet demeanor about yourself that shows that confidence.
Eric Bieniemy
Season opener:
Eric Bieniemy: "I'm excited about this weekend, looking forward to watching our guys play. But before we peak too soon we have to make sure we take care of business today."
— John Keim (@john_keim) September 7, 2023
Nervous energy:
Eric Bieniemy: "I was taught a long time ago, if you ain't nervous, you ain't ready. ... There's always a nervous energy, but you always got to have that quiet, calm demeanor about yourself that shows that confidence, because your plays will sense that energy you're exuding."
— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) September 7, 2023
Goals:
Eric Bieniemy: "Our goal is to drag our ass collectively over the finish line."@NickiJhabvala: "That's our goal too."
— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) September 7, 2023
Deion Sanders first win as Colorado’s head coach:
Eric Bieniemy on Colorado's win over TCU: "Can't say what I want to say, but I'm tapping the table. But it was outstanding. ... Very happy for @DeionSanders, very happy for that staff. Very happy, very proud and looking forward to seeing all the things they'll accomplish this…
— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) September 7, 2023
EB says he's very happy and proud of what Deion did in Colorado. Says he watched the game with alumni in the area.
— George Wallace (@GWallaceWTOP) September 7, 2023
Terry McLaurin:
Bieniemy on @TheTerry_25: "The ultimate professional. The ultimate warrior. Huge fan of Terry. ... Love the person. Love the competitor. Love the leader. Love the captain. The thing that I love about him is he's consistent in his behavior. He's consistent in everything he does.…
— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) September 7, 2023
Sam Howell:
Bieniemy on Sam Howell: "Sam actually has a personality. He's a great kid; he's actually funny. The beauty is he's wholesome and he's just who he is. ...a good-hearted kid who has a tremendous amount of talent who has a quiet calm confident demeanor."
— John Keim (@john_keim) September 7, 2023
Brian Robinson, Jr.
Winning attitude:
You can't ignore the excitement surrounding this Washington Commanders team.
— Scott Abraham (@Scott7news) September 7, 2023
Running back Brian Robinson Jr. feels it and see's it inside the locker room.
BRob said, "I feel like we have a great winning attitude in this building right now." pic.twitter.com/0ccBsZV2rU
Curtis Samuel
Overlooking the Cardinals:
Favorites, underdogs it doesn't matter in the NFL.
— Scott Abraham (@Scott7news) September 7, 2023
Curtis Samuel and his Commanders teammates will not be overlooking the Cardinals come Sunday.
Samuel said, "Everybody is an NFL team. Everybody can go out there and play no matter what team you're going against." pic.twitter.com/IJO547kR9f
Antonio Gibson
Commanders fans,
— Scott Abraham (@Scott7news) September 7, 2023
Antonio Gibson has a special message for you for Sunday's game.
AG said, "Bring that energy, I want to feel the crowd shaking...just have fun, let's get lit!" pic.twitter.com/xg6jZJqXta
Logan Thomas
That first game of the season is always special.
— Scott Abraham (@Scott7news) September 7, 2023
It doesn't matter if it's Pop Warner or the NFL...there's always that extra excitement.
Commanders tight end Logan Thomas said, "You get to learn that measuring stick. It's the start of what it's going to be for 17 weeks." pic.twitter.com/F8ks6jWt3h
Sam Cosmi
The Commanders worked "their tails off" in training camp.
— Scott Abraham (@Scott7news) September 7, 2023
Sam Cosmi believes this team is ready saying, "I feel like we're the most conditioned when going into games. You win a lot games in the 4th quarter and I think we're going to outlast a lot of teams in the 4th quarter." pic.twitter.com/6k30kT3f1n
Jack Del Rio is entering his fourth season as Washington’s defensive coordinator, and he is still saying his defense’s priority is to create turnovers. The team gave Del Rio a gift during the draft by drafting ballhawk Emmanuel Forbes, Jr. in the first round this year. He, along with other coaches, continue to preach starting fast, something that has been a problem during Head Coach Ron Rivera’s time here.
Del Rio plans on studying both of the Arizona Cardinals quarterbacks, even if new head coach Jonathan Gannon won’t name a starter for some kind of competitive advantage. Veteran Josh Dobbs is reportedly going to start on Sunday, and Washington has already faced him during the first preseason game, when he was still with the Cleveland Browns. Del Rio also said that Chase Young came into this season as healthy as he’s seen him since his rookie season. They will wait for the green light from the doctors, but he’ll be ready to go when he’s cleared.
Jack Del Rio
LIVE: DC Jack Del Rio speaks with the media before Thursday's practice https://t.co/dPraVGIlWo
— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) September 7, 2023
Start fast, create turnovers:
Jack Del Rio if this D is ready to start fast: "We're going to find out. That's been an emphasis for us, starting fast creating more turnovers. That's 1 and 2 and not necessarily in that order and we need both."
— John Keim (@john_keim) September 7, 2023
Season opener vs the Cardinals:
Del Rio said they'll study both Arizona QBs and checking out O's associated with the Cards coaches.
— John Keim (@john_keim) September 7, 2023
"Openers are always full of the unknown so there will be some unscouted looks. We'll play fast to it, we'll correct it on the sidelines and we'll move on."
Chase Young:
Del Rio on Chase Young: "He's working hard to be ready to go. He came back as healthy as I've seen him since his rookie year. It's great to see. We're waiting on the blessing from the doctors to give him a green light. When we get there, he'll go."
— John Keim (@john_keim) September 7, 2023
Daron Payne
Daron Payne wants it LOUD at FedEx Field on Sunday.
— Scott Abraham (@Scott7news) September 7, 2023
He is encouraging every fan to bring the noise.
Daron said, "I just want to hear it on 3rd downs for the defense throughout the game, just make sure we can feel you." pic.twitter.com/dIBnCERtim
Quan Martin
Sunday will be extra special for a lot of Commanders players.
— Scott Abraham (@Scott7news) September 7, 2023
Rookie Quan Martin will be making his NFL debut.
As you can imagine, he is so excited saying, "this is something I've dreamed of my whole life." pic.twitter.com/451eUTChkl
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