By james art The Washington Commanders are off to an impressive 5-2 start through the first seven weeks of the season, surpassing most expectations near the midpoint of the schedule and already within two wins of surpassing the 6.5-win preseason projection that many oddsmakers had placed on the team.
As good as they’ve been, however, commanders still have room to grow. This fact is equally exciting for fans of the franchise and terrifying for detractors.
Just this past week, there were people debating whether this Washington team — seven weeks later — might be able to beat the same Tampa Bay Buccaneers team it lost to in Week 1. That’s a satisfying thought for those who support and follow the team. But that’s not something that will satisfy head coach Dan Quinn as he focuses on keeping his team on the path to progress.
“I think we’re making progress,” Quinn said at his press conference Wednesday. “But we’re not there yet.”
Quinn emphasized that the Commanders have laid a solid foundation, but the team needs to take its game to the next level.
He highlighted the improvement in key areas such as physicality and communication at the line of scrimmage and asked: “What about our physicality? There is another level. What about line communication? There’s another level,” pointing to the need for improved performance both on the field and in communication between players.
He also praised the team’s progress in specific aspects of the game, noting, “I like what I’ve seen in the running game. I like the special teams side of things.”
Quinn made it clear that this Washington roster needs to capitalize on that momentum immediately, saying, “You don’t wait. Come on. Do it now. There is no waiting. You are absolutely doing it again.”
Quinn’s comments shed light on the Commanders’ fast start and their team-building process, while challenging them to elevate their fitness and communication as they seek to cement their identity on the field. His team will get a chance to do just that when they host the Chicago Bears this Sunday at 4:25 PM ET on FOX.
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