ASHBURN, Va. — Washington Commanders minicamp wrapped up in Ashburn, Virginia on Friday. Now, the team gets ready for a little break before intensity ramps up in July for training camp.
As the team got ready for the summer break, Linebackers Coach Ken Norton, Jr. wanted to address the squad. Norton won three straight Super Bowls as a player with Dallas and San Francisco. But Head Coach Dan Quinn said he didn't talk about his Super Bowl experience.
"What he talked about today wasn't about the Super Bowl teams, it was about the lead-up to that, and what these 40 days are like in between, what you call the end of minicamp into what the start of that next is. He talked about that love, that connection, the work. He talked about being some hungry wolves," Quinn said.
There are some hungry running backs, too. Brian Robinson, Jr. is joined by a new teammate in the backfield this season, Austin Ekeler. They could form a big one-two punch for the team, and there is major respect between them.
"Austin is a great leader, a great competitor, a great veteran," Robinson said. "He's a guy that young guys could easily lean on. I feel like Austin has been a great addition to our team."
Ekeler said competition in the running back room will help everyone improve.
"When I was a starter it was like, 'You're trying to take my job and it's my job not to let you take my job.' That's what your mindset has to be. I'm a leader I'm going to try to help you. I'm going to help you as much as I can because you pushing me is going to make me a better person, just like I'm going to try to push you," he said.
Quinn said the two running backs are different, which gives the team balance.
"It's pretty rare that you have guys with unique stuff and unique talents, and are not cookie cutter same-as," Quinn said. "To have that kind of balance, as an offensive play caller and as a head coach, more things open up to you because of that."
As we all know, the fate of the Commanders will rest on the shoulders, the arm, the legs and the mind of rookie Quarterback Jayden Daniels. Even Quinn knows the "break" won't actually be one.
"It's harder for the rookie player because their offseason wasn't typical. So their first calendar as a rookie is hard. We do have to find small breaks, because the times that we are together are intense," Quinn said.
For his part, Daniels said he's ready for the next chapter.
"We're excited for the new regime out here... It's a breath of fresh air for these fans. I know they're excited to come out here and see us compete in training camp. We're excited to go out there and compete for them," Daniels said.
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