Washington Commanders head coach Dan Quinn addressed the media the day after the team's 21-6 win over the New York Giants. Here are some of his final thoughts before the Commanders move on to the Green Bay Packers on Thursday.
\-- Deebo Samuel's performance was "about what I expected," Quinn said, because of how versatile he was as a weapon on offense as a returner on kickoffs. Samuel led the team with 77 receiving yards and 96 yards overall, despite them missing connections on some plays. Samuel's value also came from how the defense reacted to his presence, as he put in motion several times on Sunday.
\-- It was Jacory Croskey-Merritt's first regular season game, and while Quinn said "everybody's a little nervous for that first game that you get to go play," he could tell Croskey-Merritt was ready to go.
"I think the readiness to go and play. He's really put the time in to go, and so I thought he's got a lot of reps with the guys going through it."
\-- Sunday's game was also Samuel's debut as a kick returner for the team, and he had two attempts for 50 yards. Samuel plays hard and endures heavy contact from defenders, but Quinn is not concerned about the extra physicality that Samuel will see on special teams.
"I wouldn't put him in if I felt like that would be the case because I do know it's some game-breaking plays, but if we can be the best at that, then I think that's a really big \[opportunity\] to do it."
\-- Quinn said he was surprised when he heard the Cowboys had traded Micah Parsons to the Packers. As someone who coached him during his days as the Cowboys' defensive coordinator, he knows how deadly Parsons can be for an offense. He has rare speed, which is difficult to simulate in practice.