What did it mean Friday that Dan Quinn had his cap facing forward during his press conference?
No, I am not making too much of it, but it was quite noticeable that Coach Quinn was not adorning his cap in his usual backward mode.
More significantly, Quinn named the three captains for Sunday’s Week 9 contest at the New York Giants. Quinn said receiver Noah Brown, safety Quan Martin, and tight end John Bates will lead the Commanders on Sunday.
“I just love the toughness these guys have, what they bring. So, it’s fun part of every Friday talking to the team about those three,” said Quinn.
With the cut-down day, all 32 teams had reduced their rosters to 53. The Commanders signed 12 players to their practice squad the following day. The next day, Brown was still available, so the Commanders grabbed him for free and signed him to the 53-man roster.
Brown not only has a Hail Mary-winning touchdown on his 2024 resume, but he also has 17 catches for 258 yards, averaging 15.8 yards a reception. Twelve of those catches have been for first downs, moving the chains, and his lone touchdown is one he will recall for the rest of his life.
Martin was a second-round choice in Ron Rivera’s last draft (2023). Last week, Martin recorded 11 tackles (nine solo, two assists), with one being for a loss. Starting all eight games thus far this season, he has 31 solo tackles and 13 assists.
In his fourth season out of Boise State, some might point to Bates only starting two games this season and only recording three receptions. However, Quinn quickly volunteered regarding Bates, “John, just all the energy he brings. There’s a lot of the dirty work that doesn’t show up on the stat sheet. So, all three of those guys, they’ll lead us this week.”
Quinn concluded by expressing it had been a “good week of practice, tough division matchup, and seven weeks ago, good fight. Expect the same good fight, hard, however long it takes. Five quarters, longer mindset. And so that’s where we’re at.”
Perhaps the cap on the correct way indicated Quinn really means business this week (Insert wink)?
