Day 4 of Washington Commanders training camp brought fans and a whole new level of excitement around the players that will eventually form the 2024 roster.

As usual, head coach Dan Quinn spoke to the media ahead of the Commanders’ practice, kicking off our top quotes of the day.

Opening Statement: “Good morning everybody. It’s a cool day and I’m pumped to get started, because it is the first open practice with the fans. And so to see this connection, fan base and this team and how important that is, so to have this kind of turnout what we’re expecting on day one of an open practice, I think that’s really cool and appreciative [of the fans]. So, let’s get the whole thing rocking.”

On how coaching against rookie quarterbacks can help mold QB Jayden Daniels:

“Yeah, because you’re not going to give every look in terms of what they are going to see. But for any young player, quarterbacks, other positions, what’s the same and then what’s different? For a quarterback, the two minute timing rules are different than they are in college. So, getting on the ball and playing quickly. Yeah, it’s two minute, it’s the same but different. And so those are the examples of things of timing rules and field locations that are different. As far as the defensive coordinator goes, matchups and where it is as opposed to moving quickly in college. Sometimes you don’t get into those, but knowing your own team, your own strengths and matchups, that’s something that quarterbacks in the NFL start that trajectory quickly.”

On how he can help Daniels get there:

“Well, I think one, the system can too to make sure, what’s the read, what’s the look to find it. And then, non-scripted plays after we get through installs, those help. Where there’s not an alert or something coming from the coach, but just truly non-scripted sessions, which we’ll have quite a few of those as well.”

On what he’s seen from CB Mike Sainristil:

“Yeah, we still are exploring some more of that. What I have seen is excellent ability to stay connected man-to-man. He’s a very good communicator, very intentional about that. We’ve put him back some on the return because he has excellent ball skills, so punt returning and kick returning. And so, I just want to keep exploring that and then make sure we’re never adding so much that it takes away from learning at his primary position. But that’ll include the special teams portion on the return side for sure. So, that would be one that added value that he could do.”

On if there is a change in energy with fans in attendance:

“Yes, there is. I felt it early this morning driving in and seeing people parking up on the grass to get here early. And it’s such a cool reminder to know this historic fan base here and knowing finally a real part of that. And so to see that, it definitely brought up a good feeling of what is next here. As far as the energy that happens, it’s good because what you want at practice is really getting ready to practice performing. And so the more people, energy, crowd noise of things that can go with that, that’s all part of performing. It’s a fun part of having that experience.”

On what he’s seen from WRs Luke McCaffrey, Terry McLaurin and Jahan Dotson:

“Yeah, Terry I had said this the other day, just there’s so much about him of what does a pro look like. When he steps into that arena, it is all business all the time and so Luke has a lot of those traits. To see what it can look like from a professional at the same position to go, it’s excellent. I also love seeing the connection with him and [wide receivers coach] Bobby [Engram], because Bobby Engram, if you were playing receiver, he’s somebody you’d want to develop underneath. He’s seen it, he’s coached it, he knows what it looks like, he can see it from the lens of the helmet. And so that’s a rare person that can do that. So yeah, I’m encouraged by what we’ve seen. Came in with high expectations just about the competitor, but the ability to learn and apply it has been excellent too.”

On what stage McCaffrey is in, in terms of his skills and development:

“I would say it’s more refined than I expected. That’s a great question, because I would say his work ethic is higher than most. And so I’m not sure at Rice [University] that transition, he applied it at a very high level. You can see he’s curious about learning and finding new ways to do things. Perhaps playing quarterback had an impact on that, in terms of concepts and depth and the importance of that. But the individual skill part, he’s really coming on. So, I would say it’s further than I thought it would be, but I’m not surprised based on his makeup. I would say it’s definitely going to be going up the more he is here. But he was further along than I had anticipated.”

On what he knew about the fanbase before becoming head coach:

“Yeah, I think probably it leads to me growing up on the East Coast. So, seeing the games of Washington and New York and Philadelphia and Dallas. Those were the ones that when John Madden and Pat Summerall were calling a game, that was the ones that were on. And then going to college locally here. So, growing up and where I fell in love with football, you recognized what that was here. And I can still remember even telling [Cowboys owner Jerry Jones] when I left Dallas, and he said, ‘That’s such an important fan base Dan, that you’re the right man for that.’ And so I appreciated that, this is from a competitor who knew the importance of this franchise, this city, and he had saw that connection firsthand. So yeah, it’s really cool to be a part of.”

On his interactions with fans in everyday life:

“Yeah, it’s been very cool to see support, ‘We’re pumped you’re here, we’re glad, go get ’em,’ that kind of stuff. So, seeing that when you’re part of the community, it feels good because usually when you’re in the office and you’re just here to home you don’t feel it on a regular basis. So, being out and seeing some people and feeling that support, it’s really a cool thing.”

On his message to players before playing in front of Commanders fans for the first time:

“What we’re all starting to learn is the importance of practice here. The only way to become excellent at something is to practice. That is the way, and so adding the fanbase into that, the excitement, the performing that goes with that, that’s really important because you don’t want to ever assume, ‘Okay in the lights, how’s it going to go?’ But seeing that type of support and enthusiasm with that, that’s a really big piece. So yeah, we’re really pumped about everybody being here.”