1 00:00:03,120 --> 00:00:09,400 Speaker 1: Welcome to the Command Center Podcast. I'm Julie Donaldson. It's 2 00:00:09,400 --> 00:00:12,080 Speaker 1: the first NFC East Division matchup for the Commanders as 3 00:00:12,119 --> 00:00:14,880 Speaker 1: they welcome the Eagles to FedEx Field on Sunday. London 4 00:00:14,920 --> 00:00:18,480 Speaker 1: Fletcher and Santana Moss joined me to preview Philadelphia. I'm 5 00:00:18,520 --> 00:00:20,400 Speaker 1: gonna rattle off all these names and you just tell 6 00:00:20,440 --> 00:00:23,160 Speaker 1: me what you think about it. You're ready, Terry McLaurin, 7 00:00:23,920 --> 00:00:28,080 Speaker 1: John Dodson, Curtis Samuel A. J. Brown, and DeVante Smith. 8 00:00:29,080 --> 00:00:31,600 Speaker 1: I mean, that's a receipt. That's a quarterback stream to 9 00:00:31,680 --> 00:00:33,920 Speaker 1: have all those guys, um, I think on our side, 10 00:00:33,960 --> 00:00:36,720 Speaker 1: I'm gonna take us because we you know, we gotta 11 00:00:36,720 --> 00:00:39,319 Speaker 1: take the brigand in and go. But it'd be great, man, 12 00:00:39,400 --> 00:00:41,120 Speaker 1: just to you know, see those guys squad and then 13 00:00:41,200 --> 00:00:43,800 Speaker 1: do that thing. I'm hoping that our receiver corps come 14 00:00:43,880 --> 00:00:46,519 Speaker 1: out on top. If you're a dB, what are you 15 00:00:46,600 --> 00:00:49,080 Speaker 1: thinking knowing that there's so many different playmakers on both sides, 16 00:00:49,120 --> 00:00:51,479 Speaker 1: it's gonna be it's gonna be tough. You guys. They 17 00:00:51,600 --> 00:00:53,200 Speaker 1: drew the short end of the stick, so to speak, 18 00:00:53,200 --> 00:00:55,840 Speaker 1: in especially on our end because of Philadelphi's ability to 19 00:00:55,920 --> 00:00:58,600 Speaker 1: run the boss well You're gonna have to be in 20 00:00:58,640 --> 00:01:00,720 Speaker 1: a lot of man and man coverage where you're not 21 00:01:00,760 --> 00:01:03,120 Speaker 1: gonna have you know, safeties over the top all the time, 22 00:01:03,120 --> 00:01:04,800 Speaker 1: and you're gonna have to hold up. And they have 23 00:01:04,920 --> 00:01:07,319 Speaker 1: the big, big play guys Smith, you can take the 24 00:01:07,360 --> 00:01:08,880 Speaker 1: top off the defense. But then you had the big 25 00:01:08,920 --> 00:01:12,760 Speaker 1: physical receiver and um, you know the guy they traded 26 00:01:12,800 --> 00:01:17,520 Speaker 1: for from Tennessee, A J. Brown. So that's gonna be 27 00:01:17,560 --> 00:01:19,680 Speaker 1: a challenge for for us defensively because we're gonna be 28 00:01:19,720 --> 00:01:22,399 Speaker 1: focused on stopping that run. And you mentioned stopping the run. 29 00:01:22,480 --> 00:01:25,120 Speaker 1: They have the league's second best rushing attack, averaging one 30 00:01:25,200 --> 00:01:28,560 Speaker 1: hundred and eighty nine and one hundred and eighty nine 31 00:01:28,640 --> 00:01:30,920 Speaker 1: and a half rushing yards one night. You just call 32 00:01:30,959 --> 00:01:37,920 Speaker 1: it one night in this um. But according to the 33 00:01:37,959 --> 00:01:39,960 Speaker 1: way that they run the ball, they I mean, they 34 00:01:39,959 --> 00:01:41,960 Speaker 1: can get what they want. The challenge you are trying 35 00:01:41,959 --> 00:01:44,039 Speaker 1: to stop that, it's it's a it's gonna be a 36 00:01:44,040 --> 00:01:46,840 Speaker 1: great challenge just in stopping mile sounders first and foremost, 37 00:01:47,160 --> 00:01:50,120 Speaker 1: we especially the way we despend defended the run in 38 00:01:50,280 --> 00:01:52,080 Speaker 1: these first two ball games. We're gonna have to be 39 00:01:52,080 --> 00:01:55,080 Speaker 1: better in our run fits bettering, you know, coming up 40 00:01:55,120 --> 00:01:57,440 Speaker 1: non you know where your gap is, and that gap 41 00:01:57,480 --> 00:01:59,840 Speaker 1: can move if they're pulling line in and pulling tight ends. 42 00:01:59,840 --> 00:02:02,400 Speaker 1: They like that. I understanding where you fitted, where your 43 00:02:02,480 --> 00:02:05,080 Speaker 1: extra defender is. And then you throw in the mix 44 00:02:05,520 --> 00:02:08,239 Speaker 1: the Jalen Hurst and his ability to run the ball. 45 00:02:08,639 --> 00:02:10,640 Speaker 1: Now you have to account for him as a defense 46 00:02:10,680 --> 00:02:13,320 Speaker 1: and that's where the problem lies. And that's why Philadelphia 47 00:02:13,360 --> 00:02:15,520 Speaker 1: is so difficult to defend when you're stopping to run 48 00:02:15,520 --> 00:02:17,200 Speaker 1: against them. Towner, Yeah, that's one of the things that 49 00:02:17,240 --> 00:02:18,919 Speaker 1: I asked you when I came in, Like, you know 50 00:02:19,440 --> 00:02:22,640 Speaker 1: how difficult is to be a linebacker in this situation, 51 00:02:22,680 --> 00:02:24,120 Speaker 1: knowing that you have a running back that can be 52 00:02:24,160 --> 00:02:26,440 Speaker 1: so elusive in the backfield and the quarterback to have 53 00:02:26,520 --> 00:02:28,720 Speaker 1: to worry about. I remember having those days when we 54 00:02:28,760 --> 00:02:30,480 Speaker 1: had guys who can do it. But um, I think 55 00:02:30,480 --> 00:02:32,280 Speaker 1: our team's up for the challenge. You no gotta bring 56 00:02:32,320 --> 00:02:34,440 Speaker 1: some guys in that box. So those guys aren't going 57 00:02:34,520 --> 00:02:37,600 Speaker 1: to be on the Allen on the outside chase. Rually, 58 00:02:37,639 --> 00:02:39,600 Speaker 1: it goes to the ir the challenge of replacing him. 59 00:02:39,919 --> 00:02:42,480 Speaker 1: It's gonna be a big challenge because the center, he's 60 00:02:42,680 --> 00:02:45,360 Speaker 1: responsible for getting all your protection together, your lives side 61 00:02:45,360 --> 00:02:47,880 Speaker 1: He's typically the smartest guy on the offense. So that's 62 00:02:47,880 --> 00:02:51,200 Speaker 1: not just a little situation where you lose a left 63 00:02:51,200 --> 00:02:53,960 Speaker 1: guard losing the tackle, I mean losing your center. That's big. 64 00:02:54,160 --> 00:02:55,880 Speaker 1: Wellus I had the chance to sit down with wide 65 00:02:55,880 --> 00:02:58,520 Speaker 1: receiver Curtis Samuel will chat about his strong start to 66 00:02:58,560 --> 00:03:00,960 Speaker 1: the season. Curtis Samuel, let me ask you, how are 67 00:03:00,960 --> 00:03:03,320 Speaker 1: you feeling? Because we were calling that game and we 68 00:03:03,440 --> 00:03:05,919 Speaker 1: go to celebrate the touchdown and all of a sudden, 69 00:03:05,919 --> 00:03:09,320 Speaker 1: I'm like going, oh no, he's not getting up, are you? 70 00:03:09,400 --> 00:03:12,079 Speaker 1: I mean, are you physically Okay? Yeah, I'm physically good. Um, 71 00:03:12,080 --> 00:03:13,920 Speaker 1: I mean the scoreboard probably had allowed to do with it. 72 00:03:13,960 --> 00:03:15,840 Speaker 1: There's no need for me to dance with the scorebore 73 00:03:15,880 --> 00:03:18,680 Speaker 1: looking where it was. Um, I was a little bit 74 00:03:18,720 --> 00:03:20,480 Speaker 1: of time. I was a little bit tired and I 75 00:03:20,480 --> 00:03:22,320 Speaker 1: got hit my lip a little bit, so I had 76 00:03:22,360 --> 00:03:25,120 Speaker 1: to lay down on the floor. Flow let me get 77 00:03:25,200 --> 00:03:28,560 Speaker 1: myself back together. Okay, Well, it's great to see you 78 00:03:28,600 --> 00:03:30,120 Speaker 1: in the end zone. It's not the second game in 79 00:03:30,160 --> 00:03:32,280 Speaker 1: a row we've seen that. You haven't been able to 80 00:03:32,320 --> 00:03:34,960 Speaker 1: do that since twenty twenty. It's been a hot minute 81 00:03:35,040 --> 00:03:36,920 Speaker 1: for you. How does it feel to kind of to 82 00:03:37,040 --> 00:03:39,280 Speaker 1: be back doing what you know you're capable of and 83 00:03:39,360 --> 00:03:41,200 Speaker 1: what this team brought you in too do. Um, it 84 00:03:41,200 --> 00:03:43,760 Speaker 1: feels it feels amazing. You know, I'm thankful to be 85 00:03:43,800 --> 00:03:45,520 Speaker 1: able to score the touchdown, so you know, when about 86 00:03:45,520 --> 00:03:47,560 Speaker 1: get the opportunities to get the chance. But pretty much, 87 00:03:47,560 --> 00:03:50,240 Speaker 1: it's all about scoring the ball, you know, um, just 88 00:03:50,280 --> 00:03:52,720 Speaker 1: winning the game. So whether I do it, I block 89 00:03:52,760 --> 00:03:54,600 Speaker 1: for somebody else to do it, that's all it's about. 90 00:03:54,960 --> 00:03:57,240 Speaker 1: I'm definitely grateful, you know, to be able to keep 91 00:03:57,280 --> 00:04:00,200 Speaker 1: scoring touchdowns two weeks in a row after everything I've 92 00:04:00,200 --> 00:04:02,320 Speaker 1: been through last year. But I'm just grateful for the 93 00:04:02,320 --> 00:04:05,480 Speaker 1: opportunities that coach give me, you know, in trusting me 94 00:04:05,520 --> 00:04:08,120 Speaker 1: to make those types of plays, opportunities you said you 95 00:04:08,120 --> 00:04:10,560 Speaker 1: were retired as well. I mean they're using you a lot. 96 00:04:10,600 --> 00:04:12,400 Speaker 1: This is a second straight game as well that you've 97 00:04:12,400 --> 00:04:16,080 Speaker 1: had at least seven receptions in a game. Are you 98 00:04:16,200 --> 00:04:18,360 Speaker 1: physically feeling that or is it like, is there a 99 00:04:18,400 --> 00:04:20,359 Speaker 1: different approach, a mindset you have to go into the 100 00:04:20,400 --> 00:04:23,520 Speaker 1: game knowing that they're going to rely on you often 101 00:04:23,640 --> 00:04:26,080 Speaker 1: in a lot. It's just though, it's one of the 102 00:04:26,120 --> 00:04:28,839 Speaker 1: things where I felt like, um, I know, I'm gonna 103 00:04:28,839 --> 00:04:30,120 Speaker 1: touched the ball a lot, you know what I'm saying. 104 00:04:30,160 --> 00:04:32,120 Speaker 1: That's something that I want, you know, and the trusting 105 00:04:32,160 --> 00:04:34,279 Speaker 1: me to make plays when I do touch the ball. 106 00:04:34,400 --> 00:04:35,839 Speaker 1: My mind said, every time I touch the ball, I 107 00:04:35,839 --> 00:04:38,320 Speaker 1: gotta make something happen, you know. And I feel like 108 00:04:38,320 --> 00:04:40,120 Speaker 1: I'm doing that, and it's just about keeping it up. 109 00:04:40,520 --> 00:04:42,520 Speaker 1: Last season, you were saying, when you're getting out there, 110 00:04:42,960 --> 00:04:45,000 Speaker 1: you physically thought you could do it, but it's the 111 00:04:45,040 --> 00:04:47,200 Speaker 1: mindset that's saying, Okay, I can make these cuts. We're 112 00:04:47,240 --> 00:04:49,320 Speaker 1: seeing you make some crazy cuts that we're feeling like 113 00:04:49,320 --> 00:04:52,200 Speaker 1: you're breaking angles and maybe even playing some hoops out there. Yeah. 114 00:04:52,920 --> 00:04:55,200 Speaker 1: Is that more physically or is it that just the 115 00:04:55,240 --> 00:04:57,719 Speaker 1: mindset to say I can sit here and jerk the 116 00:04:57,720 --> 00:05:01,320 Speaker 1: defenders back around physically. I just I feel real good. 117 00:05:01,360 --> 00:05:03,479 Speaker 1: I feel real confident and what I'm able to go 118 00:05:03,480 --> 00:05:06,800 Speaker 1: out there and do make make guys miss make those 119 00:05:06,880 --> 00:05:08,960 Speaker 1: quick fast cuts. You know, last shot I didn't. I 120 00:05:09,040 --> 00:05:11,400 Speaker 1: didn't have the confidence and I know I couldn't do it. 121 00:05:11,480 --> 00:05:13,200 Speaker 1: You know, this year is a little different because I 122 00:05:13,240 --> 00:05:14,560 Speaker 1: have the confidence and I know I could do it 123 00:05:14,560 --> 00:05:18,279 Speaker 1: because I've showed myself throughout the whole off season. I 124 00:05:18,360 --> 00:05:20,560 Speaker 1: did it in OTAs and I'm continue to do it now. 125 00:05:20,760 --> 00:05:23,520 Speaker 1: It's exciting to watch. Oh, it's amazing. I mean you're 126 00:05:23,560 --> 00:05:26,040 Speaker 1: in that room with Terry mccorda and Johan Dodson. They 127 00:05:26,080 --> 00:05:28,520 Speaker 1: do some outstanding, amazing catches as well. But like, do 128 00:05:28,560 --> 00:05:30,640 Speaker 1: you guys kind of talk a little about that. No, 129 00:05:30,880 --> 00:05:32,880 Speaker 1: it's just one of the things. We got three guys 130 00:05:32,880 --> 00:05:34,720 Speaker 1: in our room. I can't even say three. We got 131 00:05:34,760 --> 00:05:37,000 Speaker 1: a whole room, guys. You know a lot of guys. 132 00:05:37,120 --> 00:05:39,680 Speaker 1: Everybody got the impact. Everybody make plays all over throughout 133 00:05:39,680 --> 00:05:41,520 Speaker 1: the field. But you know, when we're out there, it's 134 00:05:41,560 --> 00:05:43,599 Speaker 1: just one of those things where we're just relying on 135 00:05:43,640 --> 00:05:46,040 Speaker 1: each other, you know, when somebody making players like all right, 136 00:05:46,080 --> 00:05:47,360 Speaker 1: good player, you know what I'm saying. And then when 137 00:05:47,400 --> 00:05:48,840 Speaker 1: I get my chance, I'm gonna do the same thing 138 00:05:48,839 --> 00:05:50,520 Speaker 1: because we know we've got the skill set and we 139 00:05:50,600 --> 00:05:52,000 Speaker 1: got the talent, you know, to be able to do 140 00:05:52,080 --> 00:05:54,920 Speaker 1: things like that. What if you've seen from Dodson, because 141 00:05:54,960 --> 00:05:56,960 Speaker 1: there's sometimes he brings that ball down and we're not 142 00:05:57,000 --> 00:05:59,000 Speaker 1: sure how even Santana Moss at times will say I'm 143 00:05:59,080 --> 00:06:03,760 Speaker 1: dropping that. No that he hands, Yeah, he got hands 144 00:06:03,760 --> 00:06:06,720 Speaker 1: and He's done it throughout training camp OTAs and he's 145 00:06:06,760 --> 00:06:08,719 Speaker 1: continued to do it. Now. You know, you put the 146 00:06:08,720 --> 00:06:10,599 Speaker 1: ball anywhere around, you know he's gonna make the play, 147 00:06:10,680 --> 00:06:13,080 Speaker 1: and you know to have that type of skill set 148 00:06:13,120 --> 00:06:15,040 Speaker 1: as a rookie especial, would you say you're the best 149 00:06:15,080 --> 00:06:19,520 Speaker 1: dancer on the team by far? Of course, if he'd 150 00:06:19,520 --> 00:06:22,160 Speaker 1: say the same thing exactly, they got a dance battle me, 151 00:06:22,279 --> 00:06:25,320 Speaker 1: we could do it. What about between Terry or Jehad 152 00:06:25,400 --> 00:06:28,479 Speaker 1: as well? Yeah, they dying a lie. I haven't seen Jehan, 153 00:06:28,520 --> 00:06:29,880 Speaker 1: but I know Terry could dance a little bit. He 154 00:06:29,960 --> 00:06:33,000 Speaker 1: might not pull it out with Terry got some moves, yeah, yeah, 155 00:06:33,120 --> 00:06:35,440 Speaker 1: from you right, I'm tell him a little bit of 156 00:06:35,440 --> 00:06:42,080 Speaker 1: college Curtis. Thank you, Thank you so much. You can 157 00:06:42,120 --> 00:06:44,720 Speaker 1: listen to the full interview on Commanders dot com. Tune 158 00:06:44,760 --> 00:06:47,279 Speaker 1: into command Since You weeknights five thirty ten pm on 159 00:06:47,520 --> 00:06:50,400 Speaker 1: NBC Sports Washington. You can stream the full episode on 160 00:06:50,440 --> 00:06:56,520 Speaker 1: YouTube and Commanders dot com.