Press Release: #REDSKINS Post Game Quotes

[TK]

REDSKINS HEAD COACH JAY GRUDEN

 

 

 

On RB Samaje Perine’s injury:

"Samaje went in and got checked for twisted ankle, but looks like it’s OK. Everything else was negative. Twisted ankle for Samaje."

 

On WR Cam Sims’ performance:

"Yeah exactly, I mean it’s not always going to be perfect in pro football. Sometimes you’re going to have some things happen to you that you didn’t expect but he bounced back and made some big plays. Even the touchdown that was called back was an unbelievable catch. So, I was glad to see him show up. He didn’t hang his head, he just came back and kept fighting. What a great sign for a pro athlete because that will happen from time to time with a key drop."

 

On what stood out about WR Cam Sims and CB Danny Johnson:

"I think what you’re looking for from these young players is when they get their opportunity to play in a team situation or individuals, you see them and you want to see them flash and you want to see them just continue to get better and continue to make the plays that they started to make. And Danny [Johnson] has been consistent you know – he’s been both inside and outside and Cam [Sims] has done a good job in both X and Z position for us. So, both impressive kids. We got another big game against Denver next week and still some more evaluating time, but very impressed with both of them."

 

On how much fun the win is during preseason:

"Yeah, I don’t care what anybody says, it’s a heck of a lot more fun to win than lose no matter when it is, you know, that’s just the way it is – preseason or not. It’s great to see our guys come back. Great goal line, stand there at the end holding them to three points, that kept us within a point of a lead and then obviously [Kevin] Hogan did a great job leading the troops, Cam [Sims] made a big play, offensive line gave him some protection. Kevin had a big scramble for first down and got out of bounds, so a lot of guys made plays in that drive and it was good to see and of course [Dustin Hopkins] drained the kick."

 

On the game-winning field goal:

"We evaluate all the situations, so it’s important. It’s a big kick for [Dustin] [Hopkins], a big snap for [Nick] Sundberg, and a big hold for Tress Way. I don’t care, its still good work for them. There’s big time protection on that play. And great situational work for the offensive line, two-minute, handling all the stunts and the new guys are picking those up. Daron [Payne] did a good job throughout the course of the game. He got beat a few times, but finding good things to look at. There are a lot of things to evaluate and it won’t stop tonight. It will just keep going for another two weeks."

 

On seeing QB Alex Smith getting hit on his first play:

"I tried to call a simple play, a little bootleg away from all the pressure and he got hit right in the mouth so that was another great call by me [sarcastic tone]. I think he can handle a hit. He’s been playing for 25 years, he’ll be fine."

 

On QB Alex Smith's overall play:

"I thought it was good. The first play was a great play. You know, you always expect the worst case when you do a naked bootleg or a peep around the end. We messed up the block there on the play side that he booted too, but he made a great throw to Paul [Richardson Jr.] and Paul made a good job making something happen. He made a couple other good throws. I was impressed. It was good, a good tempo."

 

On DL Daron Payne:

“He missed a little bit of time with his injury, but the little bit we saw in OTAs and what we’ve seen so far, we feel really confident that Daron Payne is going to be a force in this division for a lot of years.”

 

On WR Cam Sims’ development:

"He’s not developed yet. He’s still as raw as can be. He’s a big, talented guy. He’s got big strong hands, he’s a size mismatch for some of these corners. He can high-point and jump. That’s good. We still got to clean up some of his routes, some of those stems, some of his alignments. But overall, you just look for a young guy like that to make steady progress and he’s done that. And when the ball’s in the air, he’s made more plays than he hasn’t. We’ll keep looking at him. We still have a lot of guys in that receiver room that are impressive to me. He’s one of them."

 

On new NFL helmet rules and whether he saw the flagged hit on QB Colt McCoy:

"No, I didn’t see what happened. I was watching downfield. Sorry."

 

On RB Byron Marshall injury status:

"Yeah, [Marshall] got checked out. Everything’s OK. He got an MRI. I don’t know, he got checked out. Everything’s OK."

 

On resting starters and their potential injury status:

“[Jamison] Crowder’s got a little bit of a groin he’s been working with. Chris Thompson is obviously still recovering. Same with Jordan Reed, same with Trent Williams. I think those are the big four, right?”

 

On depth at the running back position:

“We’re still in the process of trying to figure that out. Rob Kelley and [Samaje] Perine. We wanted to get Samaje some good looks, he got hurt on his first run. Had a great run. 30-yard run but hurt his ankle. I wanted to try and get a good look at Byron and he kind of got dinged up there. Rob Kelley got a few touches and obviously, Martez [Carter] had a couple good looks. Kapri Bibbs continues to be consistent. His job is protecting, running routes and running the ball. It’ll be a tough deal for us to figure that all out but we will.”

 

 

 

 

 

REDSKINS QB ALEX SMITH

 

On getting hit on the first drive:

“To be honest, you know, it’s almost a blessing to go out there. You haven’t played in a long time; you haven’t taken a hit. We’ve been wearing, you know, yellow jerseys all off-season and to kind of get that first shot, get the completion, it was nice. A nice way to start it off kind of get the cob webs out, get you back into football mode right away. You know, I thought we did a nice job, got into some rhythm, which was nice, moved the chains. Of course, they couldn’t finish it off on third-and-nine. But yeah, it was good to get a little rhythm going, good to get into the huddle with the guys and get out of the field again.”

 

On changes coming into Washington:

“Yeah, I mean, for me, it’s way too soon to evaluate right. I mean we’re full steam ahead. We’ve got a lot ahead of us. Everything said on opening day like everybody around the league right now, so we’ve got a lot ahead of us to work for and prepare for that. That’s all that really matter right now, but its ways too soon to evaluate.”

 

On his mindset coming into the situation, team and teammates:

“For me, let’s go. I mean it was an opportunity, you know, and everything I’ve been through in my career. Never take it for granted. How thankful I am for this opportunity, and I’m going to do everything I can with it. Work as hard as I can, you know, and make the most of this. Thankfully, we’ve got a bunch of good teammates, and I think they think the same way.”

 

On feeling like he has to prove himself:

“Yeah, I feel like I have more to prove than ever, and I feel like I am in a great place to do it. I’m just happy about that challenge. Back in a new conference, new division, we’ve got a tough schedule, but you know what, I wouldn’t have it any other way. I’m excited for it. We’ve got a bunch of guys, like I said, I think they have that same mentality, so I’m pumped to be here.”

 

On what he likes about this offense:

“Well, I just think how versatile we are. I don’t think there is anything we can’t do or won’t do. We’ve got coaches that are creative, great teachers putting us in great situations. I think we’ve got a much of guys that are really-really talented and that can handle the volume.”

 

REDSKINS S TROY APKE

 

On his first NFL interception:

"It was a great feeling. I didn’t know what to expect. I ended up dropping the ball but someone picked it up for me and brought it to the sideline and gave it to me. I don’t know who that was but I am happy they brought it. Definitely - a great feeling to get my first one. Hopefully there are many more to come but I think Deshazor [Everett] had a great play on the ball and he tipped it up, I was just there."

 

On playing at FedExField for the first time:

"[It was] my first time in FedExField. Just being out there and seeing all the fans, it was a great feeling."

 

On what he did after the interception:

"I don’t know what I did after but I know I dropped the ball, but [teammates] were like, ‘Why’d you drop the ball'."

 

REDSKINS QB COLT McCOY

 

On taking a big hit in the first half:

“Well, I wish I would have seen the catch. I think we got the penalty for it, and we got a lot of yards out of it.”

On him connecting with wide receivers after previous drops:
“Yeah, that was unfortunate because we lost points on that drive, but at the same time, I was the first to go over to him and say, 'Hey, shake it off. We will talk about it tomorrow'."

 

REDSKINS CB JOSH NORMAN

 

On how he felt in first home preseason game:

"I felt good. I didn’t do too much of anything other than go out there and do the coverages that coach [Defensive Coordinator Greg Manusky] called for like two series and then I was out. We tried to stay up off the ground as much as we could and we got out of there good on the defensive side of the ball, with no real injuries or anything so that is the main thing."

 

On executing the defensive schemes:

"We had great execution I feel like, and the first drive was a quick three-and-out and we came back and got off the field so there were a lot of good things to take from that. A couple of young guys had interceptions, and you know tips and overthrows are what you ask for on defense, and someone just coming out there lurking for that ball and it was there."

 

On a missed interception via the whistle:

"Danny [Johnson] had one earlier but the referee blew the whistle. That’s kind of how it goes sometimes you know, but hey, you just go out and keep fighting."

 

On the state of the Redskins:

"I’ll say this; it’s a good time to be a Redskin. You see that progression of three years and sitting back and watching those young bulls go at it and go hunt and it’s a great feeling."

 

REDSKINS DL DARON PAYNE

 

On playing in his first NFL game:

"It felt good. It’s something I have been working for my whole life. I’m definitely blessed and happy for the opportunity."

 

On his performance tonight:

"I’m going go out there and give my hardest every chance I get."

 

On lining up with former Alabama teammate DL Jonathan Allen:

"It felt like old college days."

 

On fellow rookies’ performances:

"I’m all into seeing other guys eating (making big plays) like Cam Sims. Happy to see them ball."

 

On the front four on defense:

"I know we go to practice every day and work hard. I think we will have a good front four this year and we are going to get after it every day."

 

REDSKINS DT TIM SETTLE

 

On growing as a player:

“I feel like I’m still learning. My goal is to progress every week and learn from the mistakes I had last week and keep moving forward. I’m still learning, I still ask questions and I still have some technique errors to fix but I’m going to get it done. I’ve got a couple more weeks."

 

On him watching DL Daron Payne play tonight in his first preseason game:

"He was ready to go. I was hyping him up a bit before the game, and he said ‘you going to see’ and he showed me. I was watching him the whole time and I saw when the dude went at him and he cut back inside and I said ‘Whoa! Whoa! Whoa!’ and I was so into it."

[redskinss]

18 minutes ago, TK said:

He’s got big strong hands

And post interception.