Marcus Mariota and other new Washington Commanders players answer questions from the media
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By: Scott Jennings
Marcus Mariota and other new players talk to the media
The Washington Commanders announced the signings of nine free agents yesterday. Eight of the nine were from other teams, along with a re-signing. Efe Obada and the new players spoke to the media. Marcus Mariota’s signing was announced and then he spoke to the media. Shortly after that, the Commanders trade last year’s starting QB Sam Howell to the Seattle Seahawks. Mariota talked about serving any role in the team including being a mentor to young QBs, and playing when needed. He said QBs always want to be the starter, but he’s been through a lot during his career, going from being the #2 overall pick, to a backup.
Marcus Mariota
LIVE: QB Marcus Mariota meets the media https://t.co/0Sk85VAkA5
— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) March 14, 2024
Role on the team:
Marcus Mariota: “If I’m called upon to be ready to play, I’m ready for that. I’m also confident in my ability to mentor.”
— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) March 14, 2024
After a messy exit from Atlanta, Marcus Mariota said something like this last year in Philly and repeated the sentiment this year. Just what Washington wanted to hear. https://t.co/wqXUZOI93a
— Sam Fortier (@Sam4TR) March 14, 2024
Strong coaching staff:
Marcus Mariota time. Said he wanted to work with strong coaching staff and Dan Quinn fit the bill.
Said he’s confident in his ability to play and be a mentor for a young QB.
— Ben Standig (@BenStandig) March 14, 2024
Mariota has a lot of respect for the coaching staff, which includes Brian Johnson, who he worked with in Philadelphia. Wants to be a part of what they’re building in Washington
— Zach Selby (@ZachSelbyWC) March 14, 2024
Dealt with a lot in his career:
Marcus Mariota: pic.twitter.com/wFGocKp6VZ
— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) March 14, 2024
Kliff Kingsbury:
Mariota said he can envision himself in Kliff Kingsbury’s offense. Has appreciation for the scheme
— Zach Selby (@ZachSelbyWC) March 14, 2024
Brian Johnson:
Marcus Mariota said Brian Johnson being in Washington as assistant HC/pass game coordinator factored heavily in his decision to come here. “I think very highly of Brian. … I just want to surround myself with good people.”
— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) March 14, 2024
Frankie Luvu:
New Commander @frankluvu7 has said Marcus Mariota was one of his childhood idols w their Polynesian background – His first career sack came against Marcus, “After that sack, I was thinking, ‘Should I help him up or should I just go celebrate?'” pic.twitter.com/Ni0Z7nHqcy
— Mitchell Tischler (@Mitch_Tischler) March 14, 2024
Mariota on Frankie Luvu (said he’s gotten to know him over the years; both have Polynesian roots): “if you ever just turn on tape and watch that guy run around and make plays, it is really, really impressive.”
— John Keim (@john_keim) March 14, 2024
Dorance Armstrong
LIVE: DE Dorance Armstrong meets the media https://t.co/b70uRrWJDt
— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) March 14, 2024
Following Dan Quinn and Joe Whitt to Washington:
Dorance Armstrong is addressing the media. Said it wasn’t hard to pick Washington as his destination. On Dan Quinn and Joe Whitt, he said they want to get the best out of and spoke highly of their ability to relate to players
— Zach Selby (@ZachSelbyWC) March 14, 2024
Dan Quinn/Joe Whitt’s defense:
Armstrong said the defense got better each year in Dallas with Quinn as the DC, and that’s all you can ask for. Thinks Whitt is going to do great as Washington’s DC and people should expect the defense to be something special
— Zach Selby (@ZachSelbyWC) March 14, 2024
Frankie Luvu
LIVE: LB Frankie Luvu meets the media https://t.co/BkFzSiWRSA
— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) March 14, 2024
Grit and dog mentality:
Frankie Luvu is addressing the media now. He believes he can bring grit and a dog mentality to the defense
— Zach Selby (@ZachSelbyWC) March 14, 2024
Frankie Luvu said what he adds is “energy, tenacity, grit.”
— John Keim (@john_keim) March 14, 2024
Versatility:
Luvu said he wouldn’t label himself as one position as a linebacker. He just likes to be versatile
— Zach Selby (@ZachSelbyWC) March 14, 2024
Bobby Wagner:
Frankie Luvu on playing with Bobby Wagner: “That guy is the epitome of a linebacker.” Luvu says it’s an honor to play with a guy like Wagner
— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) March 14, 2024
Jeremy Chinn
LIVE: S Jeremy Chinn meets the media https://t.co/Owm6OWv2Wu
— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) March 14, 2024
Playing for Dan Quinn and Joe Whitt:
Jeremy Chinn says he wanted to come to Washington to play for Dan Quinn and Joe Whitt. “A run and hit type defense fits my game, what I can do on the football field.”
— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) March 14, 2024
Jeremy Chinn is addressing the media. He believes Quinn’s run and hit type of defense is a perfect fit for him
— Zach Selby (@ZachSelbyWC) March 14, 2024
Frankie Luvu:
Chinn called Frankie Luvu “a dog” who is going to give his all every Sunday
— Zach Selby (@ZachSelbyWC) March 14, 2024
Nick Allegretti
LIVE: G Nick Allegretti meets the media https://t.co/aRKljWXTRC
— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) March 14, 2024
Earning a starting job:
Nick Allegretti said he was looking for a place to start, “and that’s my goal coming to Washington.”
Said no promises from the staff were made, but he knew about the LG opening.
— Ben Standig (@BenStandig) March 14, 2024
Nick Allegretti said he’s eyeing the Commanders’ LG vacancy: “I will never expect anybody to give me a job. I want to earn that, and I think I have a good opportunity here.”
— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) March 14, 2024
Elbow injury:
Nick Allegretti on the elbow injury he suffered in the Super Bowl: “If we’re playing today, I’m playing. … It’s at a spot where I feel really good with it. … I expect no limitations from that.”
— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) March 14, 2024
Nick Allegretti said his torn UCL suffered in the Super Bowel has improved enough that he could play today if needed. Added he is glad that isn’t the case.
— Ben Standig (@BenStandig) March 14, 2024
Efe Obada
Dan Quinn:
Efe Obada re-signed; said only 2 coaches reached out to him when he was in the hospital with a broken leg: Ron Rivera and Dan Quinn. Obada said he was at his lowest point. He hadn’t talked to Quinn in “years”. Had been in Atl camp 2-3 weeks when DQ was there.
— John Keim (@john_keim) March 14, 2024
Efe Obada says that while in the hospital after his significant leg injury and “at his lowest” point emotionally, heard from Dan Quinn, who he’d met years before. Quinn texted “You’re a warrior. You’ll get through it.”
Obada: “It met the world to me.”
— Ben Standig (@BenStandig) March 14, 2024
Vibe in the building:
Efe Obada said the Commanders facility feels different now — “electric” and “new” and “genuine.”
“You guys aren’t even in the building, and you can feel it, right?”
— Sam Fortier (@Sam4TR) March 14, 2024
Anthony Pittman
Good special teams player:
Anthony Pittman on what it takes to be a good special teams player: “It’s just energy and effort.”
— John Keim (@john_keim) March 14, 2024
Bobby Wagner:
New LB Anthony Pittman said he followed Bobby Wagner growing up. “Not to make him sound old…”
— Ben Standig (@BenStandig) March 14, 2024
Brandon McManus
LIVE: K Brandon McManus meets the media https://t.co/cK8jj0XZmq
— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) March 14, 2024
Signing with Washington:
Brandon McManus is addressing the media. Said he’s excited to be part of a new chapter with a franchise that has great history
— Zach Selby (@ZachSelbyWC) March 14, 2024
Special Teams Coordinator Larry Izzo:
McManus said ST coordinator Larry Izzo was one of the best special teams players in league history. Said he played the game physically and expects his players to do the same
— Zach Selby (@ZachSelbyWC) March 14, 2024
Kicks under 50 yards:
McManus said he thinks his ability to hit kicks under 50 yards is what separates him from most kickers
— Zach Selby (@ZachSelbyWC) March 14, 2024
Kicked at RFK Stadium:
Cool nugget: Brandon McManus kicked at RFK Stadium in 2009 when Temple played UCLA in the Eagle Bank Bowl. Said the field was frozen.
— John Keim (@john_keim) March 14, 2024
Tyler Ott
Special Teams Coordinator Larry Izzo:
New Commanders long snapper Tyler Ott is really excited to get started in Washington and play for special teams coach Larry Izzo again. “He’s gonna get these guys to play really hard for him.”
— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) March 14, 2024
Making 4th downs less stressful:
Tyler Ott says his goal is to “make 4th down a whole lot less stressful around here.” The fan base very much agrees
— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) March 14, 2024
Tyler Biadasz
LIVE: C Tyler Biadasz meets the media https://t.co/MHstPjZe00
— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) March 15, 2024
Leadership:
Tyler Biadasz is addressing the media right now. Said he’s grown in several ways over the last few year. The biggest area: leading a group of men and putting himself in the position possible to be available for his teammates
— Zach Selby (@ZachSelbyWC) March 15, 2024
Chemistry:
Biadasz has played with several quarterbacks in his career and said it’s all about establishing a strong chemistry together
— Zach Selby (@ZachSelbyWC) March 15, 2024
Offseason workouts:
Reminder, courtesy of new Washington C Tyler Biadasz: The Commanders’ offseason workout program starts in only 2 weeks.
Teams with new head coaches can begin April 1.
— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) March 15, 2024
Dan Quinn:
Tyler Biadasz said Dan Quinn would sit at lunch with other players (not just D). Said he brings “great energy”. And he said Quinn was “all about grit and tenacity and winning.”
— John Keim (@john_keim) March 15, 2024
Originally posted on Hogs Haven
