Terry McLaurin, Jonathan Allen, and Logan Thomas talk training camp, contracts, and playing for Washington
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By: Scott Jennings
Three stars talk to the press after practice
LIVE: WR Terry McLaurin speaks to the media after Day 1 of camp https://t.co/HRKUBkXiZK
— Washington Football Team (@WashingtonNFL) July 28, 2021
New year mentality:
McLaurin now – “have to comeback with a new year mentality, something to prove.”
— George Wallace (@GWallaceWTOP) July 28, 2021
Terry McLaurin at the podium. Says he plans to come out with a mentality of something to prove — because this is what he does every year. I’d say it’s working.
— Ben Standig (@BenStandig) July 28, 2021
Offseason conditioning:
Terry McLaurin said that he did work in the offseason to strength his ankles to withstand a 17-game season. He’s working on his release and wants to be able to stretch the field more.
— Rhiannon Walker (@InstantRHIplay) July 28, 2021
It’s not me, it’s all of us:
Great quote here from McLaurin: It’s not me, it’s all of us.
— Zach Selby (@ZachSelbyWFT) July 28, 2021
Deep ball threat:
Terry McLaurin said that in order for him to become that deep ball threat that he has to continue to do the work during reps in practice.
— Rhiannon Walker (@InstantRHIplay) July 28, 2021
McLaurin says he wants to be more consistent and improve as a deep threat pic.twitter.com/EVepxwKMNj
— George Wallace (@GWallaceWTOP) July 28, 2021
He also explained that he wants to get back to making more of those deeeeeeep splash plays in 2021. Says Fitz will help in that regard, but they need to get their chemistry down in practice. His YPC dropped three yards from his rookie year to his second year https://t.co/zLY2R4RQIR
— Pete Hailey (@PeteHaileyNBCS) July 28, 2021
Ryan Fitzpatrick:
McLaurin said Fitzpatrick is comfortable with the players around him and knows what to do to help them be successful.
— Zach Selby (@ZachSelbyWFT) July 28, 2021
McLaurin said Fitzpatrick “empowers” teammates. He’s not a “rah-rah” guy, but when he makes a big play, you feel it. That comes from his experience, and McLaurin knows that if Fitz is telling you something, it’s for a good reason.
— Zach Selby (@ZachSelbyWFT) July 28, 2021
Vaccinations:
Terry McLaurin: “Yeah, I’m vaccinated. Our team has done a good job of bringing in the experts. … As a leader, I wanted to do what’s the best for our team.”
— Matthew Paras (@Matthew_Paras) July 28, 2021
Terry McLaurin on vax rate: “I’m vaccinated. … I think it comes down to everybody’s personal choice, but at the end of the day, as a leader, I just want to do what’s best for the team. But I do respect what everyone chooses.”
— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) July 28, 2021
Terry McLaurin is asked by @davidaldridgedc about the possible dilemma of unvaccinated players testing positive during the season, perhaps during a playoff push. Says we know that can come into play. Hopes whatever decisions guys make it’s in the best interest of the team.
— Ben Standig (@BenStandig) July 28, 2021
Terry says guys have to be mindful of the situation Ron Rivera was in last year. “Guys have to make their own decision but have to be mindful how it impacts our team.”
— George Wallace (@GWallaceWTOP) July 28, 2021
Expectations for Year 3:
Terry McLaurin details the expectations for Year 3 pic.twitter.com/USCBO6LzXe
— Matthew Paras (@Matthew_Paras) July 28, 2021
Curtis Samuel:
McLaurin said it’s cool to have a guy like Curtis Samuel on the field. Not only do they know each other on the field, but they’re good friends off of it. Samuel is so dynamic, he said, and is able to do a lot with the ball in his hands.
— Zach Selby (@ZachSelbyWFT) July 28, 2021
It helps a lot to have good communication with Samuel, McLaurin said. Referenced back to their days at Ohio State when they would go over the scripts together before gamedays.
— Zach Selby (@ZachSelbyWFT) July 28, 2021
Terry McLaurin said Curtis Samuel lived with him during OTAs and they would study plays and concepts together. Like they were roommates at Ohio State all over again
— Ethan Cadeaux (@Ethan_Cadeaux) July 28, 2021
Terry McLaurin said that Curtis Samuel has improved a lot even from last season. Understanding how to manipulate the coverage, his route running has continued to get better, and he’s using his intelligence to find new ways to get open
— Rhiannon Walker (@InstantRHIplay) July 28, 2021
LIVE: DL Jon Allen speaks to the media after Day 1 of camp https://t.co/ET9xGSbuhM
— Washington Football Team (@WashingtonNFL) July 28, 2021
Contract extension:
Jonathan Allen says he’s ecstatic about the contract. “I’m happy and ready to play football.” pic.twitter.com/2HBagxSBbO
— George Wallace (@GWallaceWTOP) July 28, 2021
Jonathan Allen says the contract extension has been something they’ve been working on since April. It was tough, but something both sides wanted to get done. He’s happy it happened before training camp, so he can just worry about football and not worry about the contract
— Rhiannon Walker (@InstantRHIplay) July 28, 2021
Jonathan Allen said one of his goals was to play his entire career with one team, so yes it means a lot he gets to do with his hometown team
— Rhiannon Walker (@InstantRHIplay) July 28, 2021
Allen said his goal is to play for only one team in the NFL. Said this contract doesn’t ensure that, but it’s certainly a start.
— John Keim (@john_keim) July 28, 2021
iDL Jon Allen, who’s now under contract in Washington until 2026. He said negotiations were emotional even though people always say it’s business. pic.twitter.com/6O0zmE4iKV
— Sam Fortier (@Sam4TR) July 28, 2021
Jon Allen is obviously excited he and the team agreed to a new contract that keeps him home and got him paid. There was stress going through negotiations for the first time. “This is life-changing money.” Now, it’s all about football for 93.
— Ben Standig (@BenStandig) July 28, 2021
This year is different:
Jonathan Allen: The biggest thing we had with our success on defense last year is understanding that this year is different.
— Matthew Paras (@Matthew_Paras) July 28, 2021
Allen says coming into the season they have to understand they haven’t accomplished anything and are starting at the bottom
— George Wallace (@GWallaceWTOP) July 28, 2021
Allen said while last year was good, felt they left a lot of plays on the field. Said attitude is more “if we do this and do this right, who knows what we can do… We had a good season but it wasn’t anywhere” near what they feel capable of.
— John Keim (@john_keim) July 28, 2021
LIVE: TE Logan Thomas speaks to the media after Day 1 of camp https://t.co/rfhVDMjv4K
— Washington Football Team (@WashingtonNFL) July 28, 2021
Dream come true:
Logan Thomas: “It’s amazing to play for my hometown team. It’s a dream come true for me.”
— George Wallace (@GWallaceWTOP) July 28, 2021
Logan Thomas: “I’m blessed beyond belief. I want to say. thank you to Dan and the organization. … For me, it’s a dream come true.”
— Matthew Paras (@Matthew_Paras) July 28, 2021
Washington for life:
Logan Thomas: “I know Jon [Allen] said Washington for life, and I feel the exact same way”
— Pete Hailey (@PeteHaileyNBCS) July 28, 2021
Logan Thomas on what it means for Washington to keep him and Jon Allen. pic.twitter.com/UqqoOtR88t
— Ben Standig (@BenStandig) July 28, 2021
Hometown team:
Thomas grew up in the area, so he knows about Washington’s culture and has seen the highs of the 90s and early 2000s. He wants to get the team back to that success.
— Zach Selby (@ZachSelbyWFT) July 28, 2021
Vaccination:
Logan Thomas says he won’t share his vaccination status — he did come in talking to media with a mask. He restated previous sentiments that it’s everyone’s right to choose and respects others decisions
— Rhiannon Walker (@InstantRHIplay) July 28, 2021
Contract negotiations:
Logan Thomas said that the team approached him with extension talks and the initial numbers weren’t what he thought he was worth. Both sides kept working on it, and things heated up the 12 hours before they agreed to terms
— Rhiannon Walker (@InstantRHIplay) July 28, 2021
Opportunity in Washington:
Thomas said he always knew he could play if he got the opportunity. Washington gave him that chance and he feels “super blessed.”
— Zach Selby (@ZachSelbyWFT) July 28, 2021
NFL journey:
Thomas has been cut multiple times throughout his career, but now he has an extension after a great season. He said if you keep your head down and put in the work, it will pay off.
— Zach Selby (@ZachSelbyWFT) July 28, 2021
Ryan Fitzpatrick:
“Fitz is awesome,” Thomas said. His energy just glows.
— Zach Selby (@ZachSelbyWFT) July 28, 2021
Missed the fans last year:
Thomas, like the rest of the team, missed the fans last year. Hearing them cheer after a big play gave him a boost.
— Zach Selby (@ZachSelbyWFT) July 28, 2021
Helping teammates and the team:
Logan Thomas said the next level for him is “helping others around me, not just worry about myself. I know I’ll be here at least a couple more years. If I can grab a guy and make them 5 percent better it makes our team better.”
— John Keim (@john_keim) July 28, 2021
