1 00:00:03,279 --> 00:00:09,760 Speaker 1: Welcome to the Command Center Podcast. I'm Julie Donaldson. The 2 00:00:09,760 --> 00:00:12,480 Speaker 1: Commanders look to improve their win streak to three this 3 00:00:12,520 --> 00:00:15,720 Speaker 1: weekend in Indianapolis. I caught up with London Fletcher and 4 00:00:15,800 --> 00:00:18,160 Speaker 1: Santana Moss to break down what the Commanders can do 5 00:00:18,239 --> 00:00:20,640 Speaker 1: to get the edge over the Colts. I think our 6 00:00:20,720 --> 00:00:23,040 Speaker 1: defense playing stinging. You know, I've been talking about this 7 00:00:23,079 --> 00:00:25,000 Speaker 1: defense for the last word four or five weeks, but 8 00:00:25,079 --> 00:00:27,720 Speaker 1: the last two weeks in particular, these guys have held, 9 00:00:27,800 --> 00:00:30,600 Speaker 1: you know, both opponents to twenty one yards combined. And 10 00:00:30,800 --> 00:00:32,440 Speaker 1: if you're talking about our offense, you want to put 11 00:00:32,440 --> 00:00:35,040 Speaker 1: them into the equation that two headed munsters starting to 12 00:00:35,040 --> 00:00:37,040 Speaker 1: come alive back there. We're starting to see what the 13 00:00:37,120 --> 00:00:39,040 Speaker 1: effects can be when we have a great running game. 14 00:00:39,080 --> 00:00:41,440 Speaker 1: So I'm looking forward to seeing what this thing could become. 15 00:00:41,600 --> 00:00:43,440 Speaker 1: And they're not giving up the explosive plays like they 16 00:00:43,440 --> 00:00:45,400 Speaker 1: were beginning of the season as well. Yeah, not giving 17 00:00:45,440 --> 00:00:47,040 Speaker 1: up the explosive players on the back end of the 18 00:00:47,120 --> 00:00:49,600 Speaker 1: defense and being able to get to the quarterback getting 19 00:00:49,640 --> 00:00:52,320 Speaker 1: more more pressure on him. We didn't get to Rogers 20 00:00:52,320 --> 00:00:54,080 Speaker 1: in the game on Sunday, but we got a lot 21 00:00:54,080 --> 00:00:56,560 Speaker 1: of pressure on him. He felt he felt the presence 22 00:00:56,560 --> 00:00:58,000 Speaker 1: of our defensive line and he knew he had to 23 00:00:58,040 --> 00:01:00,120 Speaker 1: get the ball out of his heads a lot, a 24 00:01:00,120 --> 00:01:02,040 Speaker 1: lot quicker and you know when you look at it, 25 00:01:02,080 --> 00:01:04,240 Speaker 1: also in this two game winner streak, there's been a 26 00:01:04,280 --> 00:01:07,840 Speaker 1: lot of complimentary football and special teams that contributed. Another 27 00:01:07,959 --> 00:01:10,880 Speaker 1: takeaway with the putt I mean trust way. Yeah, the 28 00:01:10,880 --> 00:01:13,240 Speaker 1: things he's able to do with that football punting and 29 00:01:13,400 --> 00:01:17,880 Speaker 1: it does tricks to the punt returners. Great, great complimentary football. 30 00:01:17,880 --> 00:01:19,640 Speaker 1: That's why we've been able to win ball games. And 31 00:01:19,680 --> 00:01:21,680 Speaker 1: of course the turnovers that they've been able to grab 32 00:01:21,800 --> 00:01:23,920 Speaker 1: from that as well on special teams. But that's what 33 00:01:23,920 --> 00:01:25,480 Speaker 1: they always say is you have to be able to 34 00:01:25,480 --> 00:01:27,959 Speaker 1: have the offense compliment the defense and then special teams 35 00:01:27,959 --> 00:01:30,560 Speaker 1: as well. It's a team game here, okay, so we 36 00:01:30,640 --> 00:01:33,040 Speaker 1: want to keep it going, though, What is the trick 37 00:01:33,360 --> 00:01:35,360 Speaker 1: when you're feeling like this to keep it going? Santanna, 38 00:01:35,400 --> 00:01:36,880 Speaker 1: there's no trick. I mean, I think one of the 39 00:01:36,880 --> 00:01:39,320 Speaker 1: things that you've seen now you know that our offense 40 00:01:39,360 --> 00:01:41,440 Speaker 1: have to continue to play the way they've been playing, 41 00:01:41,480 --> 00:01:44,040 Speaker 1: specially on third down. Last week was a much better 42 00:01:44,680 --> 00:01:46,920 Speaker 1: performance and outcome for them on the third down and 43 00:01:46,920 --> 00:01:48,840 Speaker 1: our defenses have been doing a weekend and week out, 44 00:01:49,120 --> 00:01:51,080 Speaker 1: you know, to say that there's going to stop Aaron 45 00:01:51,200 --> 00:01:53,800 Speaker 1: Rodgers and the Packers to have no third down convergence 46 00:01:53,840 --> 00:01:56,240 Speaker 1: that it was like almost saying that that's impossible, but 47 00:01:56,360 --> 00:01:58,040 Speaker 1: they were not. Then did I think our offense has 48 00:01:58,080 --> 00:01:59,880 Speaker 1: to continue to move the ball and put up points 49 00:02:00,360 --> 00:02:02,120 Speaker 1: This week, They're gonna have a different quarterback that they're 50 00:02:02,120 --> 00:02:03,840 Speaker 1: going up against than what they might have prepared for 51 00:02:03,880 --> 00:02:06,400 Speaker 1: with Matt Ryan. Same Ellinger takes over as the culture 52 00:02:06,440 --> 00:02:09,040 Speaker 1: like kind of shaking things up a little bit. But London, 53 00:02:09,840 --> 00:02:11,679 Speaker 1: you can anticipate he was probably gonna use this lags 54 00:02:11,720 --> 00:02:13,480 Speaker 1: a little bit more than what Matt Ryan would have, 55 00:02:13,800 --> 00:02:15,200 Speaker 1: and we've seen how that can be a little bit 56 00:02:15,240 --> 00:02:17,359 Speaker 1: of challenge. Even when Aaron Rodgers cut out there and 57 00:02:17,440 --> 00:02:18,679 Speaker 1: ran a little bit, he was able to throw that 58 00:02:18,720 --> 00:02:20,799 Speaker 1: touchdown pass being able to extend the play. But you're 59 00:02:20,800 --> 00:02:22,400 Speaker 1: trying to prepare for a quarterback that you don't have 60 00:02:22,560 --> 00:02:25,760 Speaker 1: much film on. Yeah, you know, you've had some opportunities 61 00:02:25,760 --> 00:02:28,120 Speaker 1: to see him in the preseason and he ran around 62 00:02:28,120 --> 00:02:31,560 Speaker 1: Mason plays during the preseason. You understand his athleticism. So 63 00:02:31,680 --> 00:02:33,560 Speaker 1: when you say when you look at him. What can 64 00:02:33,600 --> 00:02:37,040 Speaker 1: the coach do differently from offensive standpoint to make him 65 00:02:37,040 --> 00:02:40,960 Speaker 1: comfortable in the game plan? Move the pocket, bootlegs things, 66 00:02:41,000 --> 00:02:43,080 Speaker 1: a lot of things like we did with Taylor Heineke, 67 00:02:43,560 --> 00:02:46,280 Speaker 1: not just asking him to be a drop back quarterback. 68 00:02:46,600 --> 00:02:49,320 Speaker 1: That's why I anticipate the coach doing and also leaning 69 00:02:49,360 --> 00:02:52,280 Speaker 1: more on their run game with a guy like Sam 70 00:02:52,600 --> 00:02:56,080 Speaker 1: Ellinger a quarterback position. That's the same thing I said, 71 00:02:56,440 --> 00:02:58,720 Speaker 1: we haven't seen a guy pass the ball that much 72 00:02:59,000 --> 00:03:01,720 Speaker 1: in a real act, you know, NFL game, But the 73 00:03:01,720 --> 00:03:03,720 Speaker 1: preseason is going to be our tests. We're gonna have 74 00:03:03,760 --> 00:03:05,400 Speaker 1: to watch what this guy did on film. And but 75 00:03:05,520 --> 00:03:07,440 Speaker 1: when you have a guy like him, he's going to 76 00:03:07,520 --> 00:03:09,800 Speaker 1: get his confidence from moving around, trying to get some 77 00:03:09,840 --> 00:03:12,120 Speaker 1: of those first nowns and making those plays with this lady. 78 00:03:12,200 --> 00:03:13,880 Speaker 1: So we have to be fishing when it comes to, 79 00:03:14,160 --> 00:03:17,040 Speaker 1: you know, those lanes as a defender, especially those guys 80 00:03:17,200 --> 00:03:19,560 Speaker 1: up front, making sure they stay sound and making sure 81 00:03:19,560 --> 00:03:23,600 Speaker 1: they protect the edge. Quarterback Taylor Heineke's two touchdown performance 82 00:03:23,720 --> 00:03:26,400 Speaker 1: led the Commanders over the Green Bay Packers in Week seven. 83 00:03:26,800 --> 00:03:29,040 Speaker 1: I sat down with the quarterback to recap with the 84 00:03:29,080 --> 00:03:32,680 Speaker 1: win meant to him. The dust is settled a little 85 00:03:32,680 --> 00:03:36,280 Speaker 1: bit because there are a lot of emotions after that 86 00:03:36,320 --> 00:03:40,760 Speaker 1: game is where where's the feelings? The emotions now? Um, 87 00:03:41,240 --> 00:03:44,320 Speaker 1: they're kind of dying down. I'm trying to get him 88 00:03:44,320 --> 00:03:45,840 Speaker 1: to die down a little bit. You know. It's a 89 00:03:45,840 --> 00:03:48,760 Speaker 1: long season and we gotta get ready for Indy. So 90 00:03:49,240 --> 00:03:52,800 Speaker 1: I'm gonna enjoy this one today and dive into Endie tomorrow. 91 00:03:52,840 --> 00:03:54,839 Speaker 1: So I'm gonna try and enjoy it for the rest 92 00:03:54,840 --> 00:03:57,160 Speaker 1: of the day. We were very well aware of that 93 00:03:57,280 --> 00:04:00,320 Speaker 1: Green Bay was your team growing up and something that 94 00:04:00,360 --> 00:04:03,080 Speaker 1: you would bond with your dad over unfunctually your dad 95 00:04:03,200 --> 00:04:04,680 Speaker 1: not being able to be here, But what do you 96 00:04:04,720 --> 00:04:06,520 Speaker 1: think he would be saying and how would he be 97 00:04:06,560 --> 00:04:10,560 Speaker 1: celebrating this with you? Yeah, it's pretty pretty standard for 98 00:04:10,640 --> 00:04:13,800 Speaker 1: my dad. He would just give me his famous bear hug, 99 00:04:14,160 --> 00:04:15,920 Speaker 1: tell me he's proud of me, he loves me, and 100 00:04:15,960 --> 00:04:18,520 Speaker 1: then we would probably share a beer over some some 101 00:04:18,640 --> 00:04:21,559 Speaker 1: steak or something. So, um, I know he was washing 102 00:04:21,600 --> 00:04:24,039 Speaker 1: down yesterday and he's he's really proud of me. I 103 00:04:24,080 --> 00:04:26,280 Speaker 1: know your entire family is, as is the fan base 104 00:04:26,320 --> 00:04:28,800 Speaker 1: as well. Are you aware, like, do you hear the 105 00:04:28,880 --> 00:04:31,920 Speaker 1: chance from the crowds of hi McKy hi ni key. 106 00:04:32,120 --> 00:04:35,520 Speaker 1: Do you hear that when you're in the moment? Not really? Um, 107 00:04:35,560 --> 00:04:39,400 Speaker 1: I mean sometimes I hear it, but um again, like yesterday, Um, 108 00:04:39,680 --> 00:04:42,080 Speaker 1: that was the last thing that was on my mind. Um, 109 00:04:42,120 --> 00:04:44,120 Speaker 1: you know, rough first half, and I was just trying 110 00:04:44,120 --> 00:04:45,800 Speaker 1: to get back and give our chance, our team a 111 00:04:45,880 --> 00:04:48,880 Speaker 1: chance to win. So um. But you know, when things 112 00:04:48,920 --> 00:04:50,359 Speaker 1: are going great, you can kind of hear him and 113 00:04:50,440 --> 00:04:52,200 Speaker 1: kind of enjoy it. But you know, for a game 114 00:04:52,240 --> 00:04:54,719 Speaker 1: like yesterday, it's uh, you know, you're trying to focus in. 115 00:04:55,120 --> 00:04:57,960 Speaker 1: You know, you could have easily kind of crumbled that 116 00:04:58,040 --> 00:05:01,039 Speaker 1: first half, but instead there's something in you that just 117 00:05:01,480 --> 00:05:04,040 Speaker 1: doesn't quit. A lot of guys will say you've got 118 00:05:04,040 --> 00:05:05,880 Speaker 1: like that dog in you, and we heard hear the 119 00:05:05,880 --> 00:05:08,640 Speaker 1: word like moxie all the time with you. Where does 120 00:05:08,680 --> 00:05:11,160 Speaker 1: that mentality come from? I think a lot of it 121 00:05:11,240 --> 00:05:13,560 Speaker 1: has to come from Brett fare Yeah. So I grew 122 00:05:13,640 --> 00:05:16,119 Speaker 1: up watching and you go back and watch his film. 123 00:05:16,240 --> 00:05:19,719 Speaker 1: The dude never gave up. He was tough, and he 124 00:05:19,720 --> 00:05:21,440 Speaker 1: had a lot of fun out there, and you know 125 00:05:21,480 --> 00:05:23,080 Speaker 1: that's why I fell in love with the game of football. 126 00:05:23,120 --> 00:05:26,159 Speaker 1: So every time I go out there, I pretend like 127 00:05:26,160 --> 00:05:27,599 Speaker 1: it's my last game, I go out there and trat 128 00:05:27,640 --> 00:05:29,600 Speaker 1: fun and leave it all out there, and I think 129 00:05:29,600 --> 00:05:31,120 Speaker 1: that's what makes me the player I am today. You've 130 00:05:31,160 --> 00:05:34,240 Speaker 1: got Indianapolis coming up now that you get like, look, 131 00:05:34,279 --> 00:05:36,240 Speaker 1: it's it was one week with the starters that you 132 00:05:36,320 --> 00:05:38,360 Speaker 1: had last week preparing for it. What are you wanting 133 00:05:38,400 --> 00:05:40,320 Speaker 1: to work on this week now that you've got even 134 00:05:40,320 --> 00:05:43,719 Speaker 1: more time there? Um, I would say more with just 135 00:05:43,800 --> 00:05:46,320 Speaker 1: timing with receivers. Hopefully we get you know, Dots in 136 00:05:46,400 --> 00:05:49,760 Speaker 1: back and hopefully get Logan back. But yeah, I think 137 00:05:49,800 --> 00:05:51,359 Speaker 1: if you just keep on working on the timing with 138 00:05:51,360 --> 00:05:53,520 Speaker 1: the guys and putting the balls where they want them, 139 00:05:54,160 --> 00:05:56,039 Speaker 1: you know, we'll be in good shape and again offensive 140 00:05:56,080 --> 00:05:58,400 Speaker 1: and keep doing their thing running backs, keep keep running 141 00:05:58,400 --> 00:06:00,520 Speaker 1: the ball that they are, and I think we'll be 142 00:06:00,520 --> 00:06:02,799 Speaker 1: in all right shape. You know, it was really cool 143 00:06:02,839 --> 00:06:04,640 Speaker 1: to be able to see how the your teammates were 144 00:06:04,640 --> 00:06:08,400 Speaker 1: interacting with you in the locker room post game, and 145 00:06:08,440 --> 00:06:11,880 Speaker 1: there's just pure joy from everyone for for what you 146 00:06:11,880 --> 00:06:13,760 Speaker 1: had to overcome, for keeping them in the game, for 147 00:06:13,839 --> 00:06:16,120 Speaker 1: being able to get that victory. And there's that one 148 00:06:16,120 --> 00:06:19,920 Speaker 1: picture with John Allen. You know, find somebody that looks 149 00:06:19,960 --> 00:06:22,960 Speaker 1: at you like you know, um, but you know what 150 00:06:23,040 --> 00:06:25,760 Speaker 1: does how does it make you and help you to 151 00:06:25,920 --> 00:06:29,520 Speaker 1: know that your teammates like they believe in you? Um, 152 00:06:29,680 --> 00:06:33,280 Speaker 1: and that's very evident. Yeah. Well, going back to the picture, 153 00:06:33,880 --> 00:06:35,800 Speaker 1: I texted Emily or a photographer, and I was like, 154 00:06:35,800 --> 00:06:37,880 Speaker 1: he really had to post that one. You know, it 155 00:06:37,920 --> 00:06:40,760 Speaker 1: looks kind of suspect there, but uh, you know it was. 156 00:06:40,839 --> 00:06:42,720 Speaker 1: It was a great moment for John and I and 157 00:06:42,960 --> 00:06:46,000 Speaker 1: he's he's been in my ear throughout the year. Um. 158 00:06:46,040 --> 00:06:47,760 Speaker 1: You know, if your time ever comes, we believe in 159 00:06:47,800 --> 00:06:50,120 Speaker 1: you and just go out there and do your thing. 160 00:06:50,760 --> 00:06:52,640 Speaker 1: So um, you know when you have a captain like that, 161 00:06:53,120 --> 00:06:55,560 Speaker 1: you know, telling you that even when you're not starting, Um, 162 00:06:55,600 --> 00:06:57,839 Speaker 1: you know what, it means a lot to me. Um. 163 00:06:57,960 --> 00:06:59,719 Speaker 1: You know, all the guys come up after the game. 164 00:06:59,800 --> 00:07:01,720 Speaker 1: It's nice to have that encouragement. It's nice to have, 165 00:07:02,080 --> 00:07:05,919 Speaker 1: you know, guys having your back. So, um, you know 166 00:07:05,680 --> 00:07:08,320 Speaker 1: they know I got there back too, and hopefully we 167 00:07:08,320 --> 00:07:10,480 Speaker 1: can just keep this thing rolling. Okay, two wins in 168 00:07:10,480 --> 00:07:12,920 Speaker 1: a row, let's make it three in Indiana Agolis. Thank you, Taylor, 169 00:07:13,000 --> 00:07:17,800 Speaker 1: Thank you for all of your news and analysis. Be 170 00:07:17,840 --> 00:07:19,840 Speaker 1: sure to tune into Command Center week nights if five 171 00:07:19,880 --> 00:07:23,040 Speaker 1: thirty and ten pm on NBC Sports Washington. You can 172 00:07:23,040 --> 00:07:29,440 Speaker 1: also stream on YouTube and commanders dot com