1 00:00:03,279 --> 00:00:09,800 Speaker 1: Welcome to the Command Center Podcast. I'm Julie Donaldson. Things 2 00:00:09,800 --> 00:00:12,319 Speaker 1: have been super quiet around the practice facility here in 3 00:00:12,360 --> 00:00:14,760 Speaker 1: Ashburn as the players are all gone, the coaches are 4 00:00:14,800 --> 00:00:17,439 Speaker 1: all gone, but they'll be back before we know when 5 00:00:17,480 --> 00:00:20,319 Speaker 1: OTAs pick up again. Now until them, well, we have 6 00:00:20,440 --> 00:00:23,520 Speaker 1: memories of the season that was to keep us company. Now. 7 00:00:23,520 --> 00:00:25,319 Speaker 1: One of those memories came in the first game of 8 00:00:25,320 --> 00:00:28,240 Speaker 1: the season when Washington played its first regular season game 9 00:00:28,240 --> 00:00:30,760 Speaker 1: as the Commanders. It was a close matchup with the 10 00:00:30,840 --> 00:00:33,319 Speaker 1: Jacks won. The Commanders won twenty eight to twenty two, 11 00:00:33,560 --> 00:00:36,159 Speaker 1: and six of those points came via a touchdown reception 12 00:00:36,200 --> 00:00:38,680 Speaker 1: from Curtis Samuel. Pretty cool moment to be a part 13 00:00:38,720 --> 00:00:41,560 Speaker 1: of and something Curtis discussed when he joined London Fletcher 14 00:00:41,600 --> 00:00:44,480 Speaker 1: and Santana Moss and the Players Club after locker clean 15 00:00:44,520 --> 00:00:47,080 Speaker 1: out here it is thanks for joining us again, man, 16 00:00:47,120 --> 00:00:51,040 Speaker 1: before you wait out to do I know everybody go, 17 00:00:51,560 --> 00:00:53,199 Speaker 1: you know, to get to the postseason and get to 18 00:00:53,280 --> 00:00:57,400 Speaker 1: the big dance. Unfortunately we didn't get a chance that 19 00:00:57,920 --> 00:01:00,920 Speaker 1: How you feel as a seva, how you feel that 20 00:01:00,960 --> 00:01:04,160 Speaker 1: you guys in your room responding this year with all 21 00:01:04,160 --> 00:01:08,240 Speaker 1: the different musical chairs, with the quarterbacks, and everything like that. Um, 22 00:01:08,240 --> 00:01:10,559 Speaker 1: I feel like we did a great job. We didn't 23 00:01:10,560 --> 00:01:12,520 Speaker 1: really one thing. I like that. We didn't really do 24 00:01:12,520 --> 00:01:15,480 Speaker 1: it Like we didn't really focus on pay attention too 25 00:01:15,600 --> 00:01:18,080 Speaker 1: much of Oh who was at quarterback? You know what 26 00:01:18,080 --> 00:01:20,360 Speaker 1: I'm saying. Focus on our job as a receiver, just 27 00:01:20,400 --> 00:01:22,600 Speaker 1: to get open, No, no matter who's out there. We 28 00:01:22,560 --> 00:01:24,399 Speaker 1: got to make the job easier on the quarterbacks. You know, 29 00:01:24,640 --> 00:01:26,720 Speaker 1: try to win, try to win out one on one 30 00:01:26,800 --> 00:01:29,160 Speaker 1: matchups and give our quarterback the best chance I possible 31 00:01:29,200 --> 00:01:32,840 Speaker 1: to complete the ball for you. M sixty four receps 32 00:01:32,880 --> 00:01:36,600 Speaker 1: and second on the team in receptions. Was that? Uh? No? 33 00:01:36,800 --> 00:01:40,039 Speaker 1: After last year and you know, not being healthy, you 34 00:01:40,080 --> 00:01:42,240 Speaker 1: go through the season, play the full season. How did 35 00:01:42,240 --> 00:01:44,640 Speaker 1: it feel to be able to show show DC and 36 00:01:44,720 --> 00:01:46,920 Speaker 1: show this area what you were what you were capable 37 00:01:46,920 --> 00:01:48,880 Speaker 1: of doing. Oh, that was very important for me. I 38 00:01:48,920 --> 00:01:50,200 Speaker 1: feel like that was one of the things last year. 39 00:01:50,280 --> 00:01:52,040 Speaker 1: I want to play so bad. It's just one of 40 00:01:52,040 --> 00:01:54,160 Speaker 1: those things like they brought me here to you know, 41 00:01:54,240 --> 00:01:56,800 Speaker 1: play and to be out there and you know, make plays. 42 00:01:56,880 --> 00:01:58,320 Speaker 1: You know what I'm saying. I come to be out there. 43 00:01:58,360 --> 00:02:00,520 Speaker 1: So that was kind of frustrating. So they you know, 44 00:02:00,560 --> 00:02:03,000 Speaker 1: I take the all season hard. I pushed myself to 45 00:02:03,080 --> 00:02:06,160 Speaker 1: limits that I ain't even know I could do certain things. Honestly, 46 00:02:06,280 --> 00:02:08,880 Speaker 1: like I'm like, I can't. I don't want no surprises 47 00:02:08,919 --> 00:02:11,280 Speaker 1: during the season. I want to know that I can cut, 48 00:02:11,320 --> 00:02:14,079 Speaker 1: I can plan, I can stop on a dime after 49 00:02:14,160 --> 00:02:16,000 Speaker 1: running full speed and be able to do it the 50 00:02:16,080 --> 00:02:19,119 Speaker 1: next day. So, you know, being out there, being being 51 00:02:19,160 --> 00:02:20,800 Speaker 1: able to be out there this year and make an impact, 52 00:02:21,000 --> 00:02:23,360 Speaker 1: you know, that's exciting for me. Speaking of how you 53 00:02:23,360 --> 00:02:27,320 Speaker 1: attack the off season last year, Um, what are your 54 00:02:27,320 --> 00:02:29,520 Speaker 1: off season plans do you? Are you one of the 55 00:02:29,560 --> 00:02:32,160 Speaker 1: guys that take a little time, get a little you know, 56 00:02:32,160 --> 00:02:34,440 Speaker 1: get away from the game a little bit, or are 57 00:02:34,480 --> 00:02:36,000 Speaker 1: you one of those guys say, hey, man, you know 58 00:02:36,200 --> 00:02:37,560 Speaker 1: at the week or so, I got to get back 59 00:02:37,560 --> 00:02:39,799 Speaker 1: out there in the gym. Oh No, I definitely take 60 00:02:39,840 --> 00:02:42,080 Speaker 1: some time. I know me more importantly, I know, as 61 00:02:42,520 --> 00:02:44,240 Speaker 1: I say this all the time, as long as I'm available, 62 00:02:44,240 --> 00:02:46,080 Speaker 1: I know them and make something happen. You know. My 63 00:02:46,120 --> 00:02:48,520 Speaker 1: main goal each and every all seasons is to be healthy, 64 00:02:48,960 --> 00:02:52,919 Speaker 1: get my body that time to rest and and then 65 00:02:53,320 --> 00:02:56,600 Speaker 1: start training. You mentioned that on the first time you 66 00:02:56,639 --> 00:02:59,520 Speaker 1: came on Players Club in college, you and Terry went 67 00:02:59,600 --> 00:03:04,480 Speaker 1: fishing this uh this salt season. Any any players to 68 00:03:04,560 --> 00:03:08,280 Speaker 1: go fishing? We're not We're not listen here here here 69 00:03:08,360 --> 00:03:11,440 Speaker 1: be out. The reason I asked that is because I've 70 00:03:11,440 --> 00:03:15,240 Speaker 1: only been fishing like once or twice. We call one fish. 71 00:03:15,480 --> 00:03:18,280 Speaker 1: We're gonna bring the players club ta and I be 72 00:03:18,440 --> 00:03:21,280 Speaker 1: you a tear. We're gonna go fishing. I ain't getting 73 00:03:21,320 --> 00:03:24,079 Speaker 1: I ain't get on the boat. I ain't getting on 74 00:03:24,120 --> 00:03:30,240 Speaker 1: the fishing. I don't like we can do that. Let me, 75 00:03:30,360 --> 00:03:33,080 Speaker 1: let me be on the dock. Just give me the wan. 76 00:03:33,600 --> 00:03:35,480 Speaker 1: Want to go on the boat at all? Not at all. 77 00:03:36,080 --> 00:03:42,480 Speaker 1: Not I I said the same thing, like you could swim, 78 00:03:42,560 --> 00:03:46,160 Speaker 1: but can't you like that's different. I don't even I 79 00:03:46,160 --> 00:03:48,400 Speaker 1: don't even like the beach. Yeah, I'll be honest, I 80 00:03:48,400 --> 00:03:51,680 Speaker 1: don't like the beach. You like the pool? Yeah, I'm 81 00:03:51,720 --> 00:03:56,040 Speaker 1: pool guy. You ain't wrong. You know I lived on 82 00:03:56,080 --> 00:03:57,440 Speaker 1: the water at one time and I used to go 83 00:03:57,440 --> 00:03:59,120 Speaker 1: out there with my jet skis, and I should be like, bro, 84 00:03:59,240 --> 00:04:01,880 Speaker 1: you know what, it's just all just for the looks, 85 00:04:01,880 --> 00:04:06,760 Speaker 1: because it ain't. I don't like this open seat listen 86 00:04:06,840 --> 00:04:09,160 Speaker 1: stuff down there. I don't want to see so come on, 87 00:04:09,240 --> 00:04:13,160 Speaker 1: I ain't at when you think about this season, the 88 00:04:13,160 --> 00:04:15,520 Speaker 1: abbs and flow of it. This last question for me, 89 00:04:16,360 --> 00:04:18,520 Speaker 1: what are you going to remember most about this year? 90 00:04:19,080 --> 00:04:23,880 Speaker 1: That's tough, h Honestly, first game of the season, I 91 00:04:23,920 --> 00:04:26,240 Speaker 1: feel like that was just one of those statement games 92 00:04:26,279 --> 00:04:29,359 Speaker 1: for me, um mentally, you know, for me and for 93 00:04:29,400 --> 00:04:31,160 Speaker 1: other people. You know, I was able to go out there, 94 00:04:31,640 --> 00:04:35,560 Speaker 1: you know, score the first touchdown Commander's history, after dealing 95 00:04:35,640 --> 00:04:39,880 Speaker 1: what I dealt dealt with last year. Um able to 96 00:04:40,080 --> 00:04:43,200 Speaker 1: catch the ball in space, made guys miss show the crowd, 97 00:04:43,240 --> 00:04:46,360 Speaker 1: get them hyped. I remember how crazy the crowd was 98 00:04:46,400 --> 00:04:48,080 Speaker 1: going when I was out there doing all those moves, 99 00:04:48,320 --> 00:04:51,360 Speaker 1: and I just felt the energy and the excitement, you 100 00:04:51,360 --> 00:04:53,280 Speaker 1: know that that the fans had for that first game 101 00:04:53,320 --> 00:04:55,400 Speaker 1: of the season, and I really felt like I was back. 102 00:04:55,440 --> 00:04:57,520 Speaker 1: So that's a moment that I would never forget. And 103 00:04:57,800 --> 00:05:01,440 Speaker 1: speaking of that moment, and you know, like I said, Wenna, 104 00:05:01,480 --> 00:05:03,680 Speaker 1: let you get up out of here, that's something that 105 00:05:04,120 --> 00:05:06,560 Speaker 1: we want to see more of. I mean, I understand 106 00:05:06,560 --> 00:05:09,920 Speaker 1: that this group, the receiver corps, had a productive season, 107 00:05:11,279 --> 00:05:14,160 Speaker 1: but when the talent like you guys have, you know, 108 00:05:14,760 --> 00:05:17,600 Speaker 1: even though you had sixty four catches. That's cool, but 109 00:05:17,680 --> 00:05:20,000 Speaker 1: I see I feel like we left a lot out 110 00:05:20,000 --> 00:05:23,080 Speaker 1: there with you about talking about everybody in general, with you, 111 00:05:23,400 --> 00:05:26,640 Speaker 1: it was more than what we can I'm okay with 112 00:05:26,680 --> 00:05:28,920 Speaker 1: that gadget stuff. I'm cool with that. No, you can 113 00:05:29,000 --> 00:05:31,640 Speaker 1: do it because you played the back position. But I 114 00:05:31,680 --> 00:05:34,000 Speaker 1: think as a receiver, you a mismatched waiting to happen, 115 00:05:34,120 --> 00:05:36,039 Speaker 1: and I feel like it's a lot more we haven't 116 00:05:36,040 --> 00:05:38,320 Speaker 1: stored you. So I'm just saying this on your way out, 117 00:05:38,320 --> 00:05:40,960 Speaker 1: and I'm hoping and I'm looking forward to us expanding 118 00:05:41,000 --> 00:05:43,640 Speaker 1: your role. I'm seeing you with more yards and more 119 00:05:43,680 --> 00:05:45,800 Speaker 1: touchdowns and more touches because I feel like we left 120 00:05:45,839 --> 00:05:49,080 Speaker 1: a lot out there, and you know, um, we can 121 00:05:49,160 --> 00:05:51,680 Speaker 1: be that much more potent as a receiver, corp and 122 00:05:51,720 --> 00:05:55,600 Speaker 1: as an offense if we really allow you guys to flourish. Absolutely. Um, 123 00:05:55,640 --> 00:05:59,000 Speaker 1: I definitely agree with you on that one. Um how 124 00:05:59,120 --> 00:06:03,839 Speaker 1: I how I UM attack that Mentally, it's just saying 125 00:06:04,839 --> 00:06:07,000 Speaker 1: I gotta attack the season hard. You know what I'm saying. 126 00:06:07,080 --> 00:06:08,960 Speaker 1: I gotta I gotta be in the best shape. I 127 00:06:09,000 --> 00:06:11,440 Speaker 1: gotta become the best receiver I could possibly be. Because 128 00:06:11,560 --> 00:06:13,600 Speaker 1: once as soon as OTA's hit and I got out 129 00:06:13,640 --> 00:06:15,920 Speaker 1: and showed them and do those things consistently. You know, 130 00:06:15,960 --> 00:06:18,080 Speaker 1: I'm not saying I haven't, but just keep on doing 131 00:06:18,120 --> 00:06:20,880 Speaker 1: it over and over again. We'll build the trust within 132 00:06:20,880 --> 00:06:22,480 Speaker 1: the coaches. And you know it's to say, hey, let's 133 00:06:22,480 --> 00:06:24,440 Speaker 1: get this guy the ball. So that's how on my part, 134 00:06:24,480 --> 00:06:27,000 Speaker 1: that's how I affect that. You know, I can't control um, 135 00:06:27,080 --> 00:06:29,479 Speaker 1: the play calling, whoever get the ball, you know, but 136 00:06:29,560 --> 00:06:31,680 Speaker 1: all I can do is just, um, go out there, 137 00:06:32,080 --> 00:06:34,840 Speaker 1: you know, keep improving and show the coaches that I'm 138 00:06:34,880 --> 00:06:37,320 Speaker 1: that I'm here and that I want the ball and 139 00:06:37,600 --> 00:06:39,599 Speaker 1: um that I'm make something happen when I touched the ball. 140 00:06:40,279 --> 00:06:45,160 Speaker 1: Appreciate thank you for all your news and analysis. For 141 00:06:45,320 --> 00:06:47,640 Speaker 1: sure to tune into Command Center weeknights at five and 142 00:06:47,760 --> 00:06:51,080 Speaker 1: ten pm on NBC Sports Washington. You can also stream 143 00:06:51,080 --> 00:07:00,120 Speaker 1: on YouTube and commanders dot com.