1 00:00:00,080 --> 00:00:02,880 Speaker 1: Bring on. Liam Griffin is with the Washington Times covers 2 00:00:02,920 --> 00:00:05,320 Speaker 1: the Commanders. Liam, you're on with Nick Ferguson and Ryan Edwards. 3 00:00:05,320 --> 00:00:05,840 Speaker 1: How are you. 4 00:00:06,760 --> 00:00:08,000 Speaker 2: I'm doing well. How are you guys doing. 5 00:00:08,080 --> 00:00:11,720 Speaker 1: We're doing fantastic, very excited about this game. Tell me, 6 00:00:12,000 --> 00:00:14,880 Speaker 1: I guess from your perspective, and I know injuries certainly 7 00:00:14,880 --> 00:00:17,919 Speaker 1: played a factor. What has gone wrong in your opinion 8 00:00:17,960 --> 00:00:19,200 Speaker 1: this season for Washington? 9 00:00:20,600 --> 00:00:22,400 Speaker 2: It'd be a much shorter less to talk about what's 10 00:00:22,440 --> 00:00:24,640 Speaker 2: gone right because at the mention of those injuries have 11 00:00:24,960 --> 00:00:28,800 Speaker 2: absolutely ravaged the team. They're still missing their top two quarterbacks, 12 00:00:28,800 --> 00:00:31,800 Speaker 2: they're missing their top two edge rushers. But they're finally 13 00:00:31,840 --> 00:00:35,520 Speaker 2: getting a little bit healthier with Terry McLaurin and Noah 14 00:00:35,560 --> 00:00:38,720 Speaker 2: Brown coming back this week, maybe Ja Daniels. But it's 15 00:00:38,800 --> 00:00:43,200 Speaker 2: just so little continuity throughout the roster that has really 16 00:00:43,240 --> 00:00:46,120 Speaker 2: made them easy to game plan against. And they have 17 00:00:46,280 --> 00:00:49,320 Speaker 2: shown in inability to really adapt to those injuries. 18 00:00:51,600 --> 00:00:54,600 Speaker 3: Man, when you think about these the struggles that the 19 00:00:54,640 --> 00:00:57,680 Speaker 3: Commanders have had, and I know the biggest question there 20 00:00:57,680 --> 00:01:01,720 Speaker 3: three and eighteen and everyone's wondering, okay, well, well dan 21 00:01:01,840 --> 00:01:06,480 Speaker 3: Quinn if cleared and if he wants to play Jane Daniels, like, 22 00:01:06,600 --> 00:01:09,040 Speaker 3: does he allow him to play. I'm a fan of 23 00:01:09,080 --> 00:01:12,640 Speaker 3: protecting players from themselves, but I'll ask you, for someone 24 00:01:12,680 --> 00:01:16,679 Speaker 3: who covers the team, would you be all in favor 25 00:01:16,720 --> 00:01:20,399 Speaker 3: of Jane Daniels starting against this vaulted Broncos defense. 26 00:01:21,760 --> 00:01:24,680 Speaker 2: So I was out of practice today. It was their 27 00:01:24,680 --> 00:01:27,520 Speaker 2: first open practice of the week for media, and Jamie 28 00:01:27,680 --> 00:01:29,679 Speaker 2: was back out there and he was throwing. But it 29 00:01:29,720 --> 00:01:32,600 Speaker 2: seems unlikely that he'll be able to play on Sunday. 30 00:01:32,880 --> 00:01:35,720 Speaker 2: He's still holding that left elbow a little bit gingerly, 31 00:01:36,720 --> 00:01:39,600 Speaker 2: but they seem really unlikely to want to start him 32 00:01:39,800 --> 00:01:41,640 Speaker 2: or want to sit him for the rest of the season. 33 00:01:41,959 --> 00:01:45,160 Speaker 2: He is someone who is a really high level competitor. 34 00:01:45,120 --> 00:01:46,880 Speaker 2: It's something they talk about a lot in the building, 35 00:01:47,280 --> 00:01:49,640 Speaker 2: and he is going to be scratching and calling to 36 00:01:49,680 --> 00:01:53,040 Speaker 2: get back on the field, and Dan Quinn is someone 37 00:01:53,120 --> 00:01:56,480 Speaker 2: who wants Jade Daniels to get those rests. He had 38 00:01:56,480 --> 00:01:59,760 Speaker 2: a great first season, but he's still a young quarterback 39 00:01:59,800 --> 00:02:01,600 Speaker 2: and you have a lot more tape on him, and 40 00:02:01,640 --> 00:02:03,520 Speaker 2: so they want to have him back on the field 41 00:02:03,560 --> 00:02:06,520 Speaker 2: to continue to adapt the speed of NFL action. You 42 00:02:06,600 --> 00:02:08,320 Speaker 2: really don't want to sit a guy who's looking like 43 00:02:08,360 --> 00:02:11,400 Speaker 2: the franchise quarterback on the bench for the rest of 44 00:02:11,400 --> 00:02:14,240 Speaker 2: the season, have a whole offseason. So the fan base 45 00:02:14,280 --> 00:02:18,000 Speaker 2: here is really concerned about Jade Daniels' injury history and 46 00:02:18,000 --> 00:02:21,520 Speaker 2: potentral injury is going forward, but that's not a huge 47 00:02:21,600 --> 00:02:24,600 Speaker 2: concern that is shared in the building. So as soon 48 00:02:24,639 --> 00:02:26,919 Speaker 2: as he is back healthy, included by the medical staff, 49 00:02:26,960 --> 00:02:28,520 Speaker 2: he is going to be back on the field and 50 00:02:28,639 --> 00:02:32,320 Speaker 2: back starting. But we can't match up against the Denver 51 00:02:32,400 --> 00:02:34,799 Speaker 2: Broncos is tough, and then the status doesn't get much 52 00:02:34,840 --> 00:02:39,120 Speaker 2: easier going forward because after that they'll have Brian Flores 53 00:02:39,120 --> 00:02:42,280 Speaker 2: and the Minnesota Vikings who loves to blitz opposing quarterbacks, 54 00:02:42,280 --> 00:02:44,440 Speaker 2: and then a kind of vaulted defensive line at the 55 00:02:44,480 --> 00:02:47,160 Speaker 2: New York Giants. So there's no easy way to get 56 00:02:47,200 --> 00:02:48,919 Speaker 2: him back in, but they're going to get him back 57 00:02:48,919 --> 00:02:49,600 Speaker 2: on there at some point. 58 00:02:50,760 --> 00:02:52,600 Speaker 1: I want to ask you about the running game because 59 00:02:52,720 --> 00:02:55,000 Speaker 1: it is something that Washington is a very well this 60 00:02:55,080 --> 00:02:57,079 Speaker 1: year at number six in League one hundred and thirty 61 00:02:57,120 --> 00:02:59,200 Speaker 1: eight point five rushing yards per game. And I was 62 00:02:59,240 --> 00:03:02,079 Speaker 1: such a big fan of Rossky Merrit and I sort 63 00:03:02,080 --> 00:03:03,919 Speaker 1: of thought that that would be kind of the bell 64 00:03:04,040 --> 00:03:07,799 Speaker 1: cow guy, but for some reason, I don't know, has 65 00:03:07,840 --> 00:03:10,000 Speaker 1: he fallen out of favor. I know that we saw 66 00:03:10,000 --> 00:03:13,919 Speaker 1: a lot of more Chris Rodriguez last week. What's your 67 00:03:13,919 --> 00:03:16,640 Speaker 1: opinion on the running back rotation right now? 68 00:03:18,040 --> 00:03:20,800 Speaker 2: So they like everybody that they have in that group, 69 00:03:21,040 --> 00:03:23,240 Speaker 2: even Jeremy mcnagels is a bit of a journeyman as 70 00:03:23,280 --> 00:03:25,200 Speaker 2: someone who gets a lot of work in that third 71 00:03:25,240 --> 00:03:28,720 Speaker 2: down situation catnic passes out of the backfield, but they're 72 00:03:28,880 --> 00:03:31,760 Speaker 2: very comfortable cycling running backs in and out almost on 73 00:03:31,800 --> 00:03:34,920 Speaker 2: a drive by drive basis. They feel like both of 74 00:03:34,960 --> 00:03:37,880 Speaker 2: those guys, Chris Rodriguez and Bill Krofsky Merritt, do a 75 00:03:37,880 --> 00:03:40,400 Speaker 2: lot of things very well. Bill has flashed a bit 76 00:03:40,400 --> 00:03:43,040 Speaker 2: more explosiveness for as Rodriguez can be that kind of 77 00:03:43,120 --> 00:03:46,800 Speaker 2: downfill between the sackles runner. But it's been a really 78 00:03:47,320 --> 00:03:50,200 Speaker 2: uphill battle for them to get that running attack going 79 00:03:50,560 --> 00:03:53,560 Speaker 2: over the last few weeks because they've had so many 80 00:03:53,560 --> 00:03:57,200 Speaker 2: injuries to the receiver group and with Daniels out as 81 00:03:57,200 --> 00:04:01,240 Speaker 2: well Mariota taking stamps, it's really hard for them to 82 00:04:01,240 --> 00:04:03,680 Speaker 2: earn the respective opposing defense and so being able to 83 00:04:03,760 --> 00:04:06,640 Speaker 2: stack the box and really target that running group, and 84 00:04:06,640 --> 00:04:08,920 Speaker 2: then also they're getting behind so early in games that 85 00:04:08,920 --> 00:04:11,880 Speaker 2: it's kind of shifting that game script. So Bill is 86 00:04:11,960 --> 00:04:14,960 Speaker 2: someone who is still a young player. He's still getting 87 00:04:15,000 --> 00:04:18,000 Speaker 2: used to speed of NFL action. You'll see him try 88 00:04:18,080 --> 00:04:20,640 Speaker 2: to make a cut that isn't quite there. He has 89 00:04:20,720 --> 00:04:24,040 Speaker 2: great vision, great seleration on that one cut ability, but 90 00:04:24,120 --> 00:04:27,360 Speaker 2: they are still working on turning him into it every 91 00:04:27,440 --> 00:04:27,960 Speaker 2: down back. 92 00:04:29,600 --> 00:04:32,400 Speaker 3: So what is the worth coming out of Washington as 93 00:04:32,400 --> 00:04:35,960 Speaker 3: far as Sara McLaurin, Nor Brown and Deebo Samuels. Is 94 00:04:36,279 --> 00:04:40,320 Speaker 3: there possibility that these guys could play? Because I was 95 00:04:40,360 --> 00:04:43,440 Speaker 3: reading something that said that they all participating in practice. 96 00:04:43,880 --> 00:04:46,280 Speaker 3: If they are all or two of them are able 97 00:04:46,320 --> 00:04:50,600 Speaker 3: to play, how does that change things offensively for Marcus 98 00:04:50,640 --> 00:04:53,080 Speaker 3: Mariota and the run game that you were just speaking about. 99 00:04:54,279 --> 00:04:57,200 Speaker 2: Yeah, so all three of those guys practice today and 100 00:04:57,240 --> 00:05:00,280 Speaker 2: in a limited capacity, both Terry and no Or we're 101 00:05:00,320 --> 00:05:03,080 Speaker 2: limited as their current back off injury. But I would 102 00:05:03,080 --> 00:05:05,400 Speaker 2: expect to see all three of them on the field 103 00:05:05,440 --> 00:05:08,880 Speaker 2: together on Sunday, which hasn't happened a whole lot of season. 104 00:05:08,880 --> 00:05:10,160 Speaker 2: I think the last time that all three of them 105 00:05:10,160 --> 00:05:13,200 Speaker 2: are together in Week two. But that really opens up 106 00:05:13,240 --> 00:05:16,920 Speaker 2: what they can do as an offense because whereas they've 107 00:05:16,920 --> 00:05:19,320 Speaker 2: really show up is they've had no one on the 108 00:05:19,320 --> 00:05:22,000 Speaker 2: outside who can help stretch the field so they can 109 00:05:22,000 --> 00:05:24,400 Speaker 2: push the ball downfield. Terry McLaurin is someone who can 110 00:05:24,400 --> 00:05:28,719 Speaker 2: take the top off the defense and really threaten posting secondaries, 111 00:05:28,960 --> 00:05:31,560 Speaker 2: and that opens up so much underneath for guys like Debo, 112 00:05:31,600 --> 00:05:34,280 Speaker 2: who's a great run after cast guy. He's someone who 113 00:05:34,360 --> 00:05:36,720 Speaker 2: is explosive. He can take something like a screen or 114 00:05:36,760 --> 00:05:39,240 Speaker 2: a splant and makes that something that you have to 115 00:05:39,279 --> 00:05:42,240 Speaker 2: gain plan for. And Noah Brown is a great possession receiver. 116 00:05:42,600 --> 00:05:44,320 Speaker 2: He is kind of one of the best in the 117 00:05:44,400 --> 00:05:47,200 Speaker 2: league and strong I got to pass their peers sales downfield, 118 00:05:47,520 --> 00:05:50,119 Speaker 2: so that gives you another option when you're looking to 119 00:05:50,160 --> 00:05:55,280 Speaker 2: stretch that secondary, and it's giving them explosiveness that has 120 00:05:55,360 --> 00:05:58,520 Speaker 2: really been lacking. Nothing has come easy for that offense 121 00:05:58,640 --> 00:06:01,320 Speaker 2: or for that passing attack, and having an all thro 122 00:06:01,480 --> 00:06:04,719 Speaker 2: like Terry McLaurin really gives you an opportunity to at 123 00:06:04,800 --> 00:06:07,200 Speaker 2: least stay in the game and you're not you know, 124 00:06:07,240 --> 00:06:08,680 Speaker 2: you're not having to get a vnting hardway. 125 00:06:09,440 --> 00:06:11,719 Speaker 1: Last one I have for you and Liam Griffin joining 126 00:06:11,760 --> 00:06:15,159 Speaker 1: us here. So coming off of whatever ends up happening 127 00:06:15,200 --> 00:06:16,880 Speaker 1: next year, I mean, certainly last year going to the 128 00:06:16,960 --> 00:06:19,680 Speaker 1: NFC Championship game. This year has not been quite to 129 00:06:19,760 --> 00:06:23,120 Speaker 1: that level obviously, So what will be sort of the 130 00:06:23,880 --> 00:06:26,479 Speaker 1: I guess not sus spin off of this season? What 131 00:06:26,480 --> 00:06:29,200 Speaker 1: will be the discussion of how this team can sort 132 00:06:29,200 --> 00:06:31,479 Speaker 1: of bounce back and what kind of moves do you 133 00:06:31,520 --> 00:06:33,600 Speaker 1: expect them to make in the offseason. 134 00:06:34,920 --> 00:06:38,080 Speaker 2: So that there it's a really good question because there's 135 00:06:38,120 --> 00:06:41,039 Speaker 2: a lot that has to be fixed for this team 136 00:06:41,080 --> 00:06:42,840 Speaker 2: if they want to compete at the same levels as 137 00:06:42,839 --> 00:06:46,080 Speaker 2: the able last year. Excuse me, because they are the 138 00:06:46,200 --> 00:06:48,880 Speaker 2: oldest roster in the league, they get a lot of 139 00:06:48,880 --> 00:06:51,160 Speaker 2: this idea of them being this young upstarts. They've got 140 00:06:51,240 --> 00:06:53,640 Speaker 2: Jay dam Up under center and some of these young weapons, 141 00:06:53,839 --> 00:06:56,880 Speaker 2: but throughout the roster they've got like Bobby Wagner, who 142 00:06:56,960 --> 00:06:59,440 Speaker 2: is sports the Lord of later part of his career. 143 00:07:00,240 --> 00:07:02,880 Speaker 2: Hurts is one of their key targets. That's tight end. 144 00:07:03,320 --> 00:07:06,400 Speaker 2: He's going on thirty five, thirty six. You're going to 145 00:07:06,560 --> 00:07:09,520 Speaker 2: have to filter those guys out and be able to 146 00:07:09,520 --> 00:07:12,440 Speaker 2: do that without a Steve's drop off. And also because 147 00:07:12,440 --> 00:07:14,200 Speaker 2: of the movie, they've made the off season trading for 148 00:07:14,280 --> 00:07:17,640 Speaker 2: Laramie Tunsel, trading for Deebo Samuel. They're entering this off 149 00:07:17,640 --> 00:07:20,760 Speaker 2: season with a decrease in draft capital, so they're going 150 00:07:20,800 --> 00:07:22,800 Speaker 2: to have to be active in free agency and bring 151 00:07:22,840 --> 00:07:26,520 Speaker 2: in fresh blood without trying to keep it at that 152 00:07:26,600 --> 00:07:29,760 Speaker 2: same ultimately level that they've really had. So it's going 153 00:07:29,800 --> 00:07:32,200 Speaker 2: to be a challenge for Adam Peters and dan Quinn 154 00:07:32,200 --> 00:07:35,280 Speaker 2: to really establish an identity in the off season with 155 00:07:35,360 --> 00:07:37,000 Speaker 2: this limited resources in the draft. 156 00:07:37,720 --> 00:07:40,120 Speaker 1: Really appreciate the time tonight, Liam, Thank you so much 157 00:07:40,160 --> 00:07:43,520 Speaker 1: for your insight, SOB, thanks for having me all right, 158 00:07:43,520 --> 00:07:44,480 Speaker 1: Thank you, Liam Griffin.