New Washington Commanders defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. was introduced to the local media and fans on Thursday and it couldn’t have gone any better.
The veteran NFL assistant and first-time coordinator was honest, direct, passionate, energetic and grateful in his first meeting with the local media. Whitt described his philosophies, such as “the ball is life,” meaning his defense would be focused on turning the ball over as much as possible.
There was the moment when he said the Commanders will have a way of doing things, and if you can’t follow, then you probably won’t be around too long. Or, how about the moment where Whitt discussed winning streaks, losing streaks, and coaches working longer hours when their team was on a losing streak?
“So, when coaches started to stay later when we’ve lost two or three games, man, you were cheating us,” Whitt said. “Because if you thought that was going to give us a better chance of winning, you would’ve done it before we lost.”
Great stuff.
Whitt impressed everyone. We go to X — formerly Twitter — to see the reactions to Whitt’s first press conference with the Commanders.
The Joe Whitt Jr. highlights you didn't know you needed: 😤 pic.twitter.com/YRjJMMMiNM
— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) February 16, 2024
These are words for now, but Commanders DC Joe Whitt Jr. won his press conference right here.
What type of defense will you have in Washington?
Whitt Jr. said, "we're going to be a run and hit defense. We are going to run and put our bodies on people in a violent manner."
BAM! pic.twitter.com/hJdB7IEWeY
— Scott Abraham (@Scott7news) February 15, 2024
Hearing Joe Whitt say that they’re going to build the Commanders defense instead of bringing over another team’s defense>>
— Jamual (@LetMualTellit) February 15, 2024
Every WSH fan after that Joe Whitt press conference https://t.co/ZMsuOeD46T pic.twitter.com/aZWKa1ubTc
— Ⓜ️ike Hall (@TBZmoneymike301) February 15, 2024
Couple thoughts from today’s Commanders presser.
Kingsbury is smart. Like Gibbs might call super smart. This guy will be rocket fuel to the offense if he doesn’t outsmart himself, which coaches often do.
Whitt will be a head coach elsewhere if this team wins.
Ok, too tired…
— Rick Snider's Washington (@Snide_Remarks) February 16, 2024
Joe Whitt means business, just gave this message to staff meeting: "The way that we live is not for everybody…We're going to run and put our bodies on people in a violent manner."
— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) February 15, 2024
I’m not usually one to buy too much into coaches press conferences, but Joe Whitt Jr. just knocked that one out of the park.
— Mark Bullock (@MarkBullockNFL) February 15, 2024
The Commanders fan base after hearing all the football talk in that Joe Whitt Jr. press conference: pic.twitter.com/ICHoV3iFje
— Ben Standig (@BenStandig) February 15, 2024
Joe Whitt Jr. has me ready to run through a brick wall:
"It's more about the play style than anything else. We're going to get that right first. We're going to be a run and hit defense. The way that we live is not for everybody because we are going to put our bodies on people in…
— Grant Paulsen (@granthpaulsen) February 15, 2024
Joe Whitt Jr. Commanders D-Coord “the way that we live, is not for everybody”. Snap!!
— Chick Hernandez (@MrChickSports) February 15, 2024
If you can hit a grand slam in a press conference, Joe Whitt Jr. just did, in his first time meeting media and talking to #Commanders fans.
Really, really impressive.
Of course — PC's don't equal winning games but man…
All your reaction right now on @team980 & @Audacy app
— Chris Russell AKA the 🐓🐓! (@Russellmania621) February 15, 2024
I bet Joe Whitt Jr. has created more excitement from Washington fans in 5 mins of this presser than the last DC did in 4 years
— Mark Bullock (@MarkBullockNFL) February 15, 2024
Mrs. Whitt, I regret to inform you that your husband Joe has a bad case of that dog in him.
— Burgundy Blog (@BurgundyBlog) February 15, 2024
When Joe Whitt said Sean Taylor was his favorite player and says it means a lot to be coaching in Washington. #HTTC #Commanders pic.twitter.com/6bZrjGGfXN
— Tipsy (@STX21) February 15, 2024
I was very pleased to see Joe Whitt dismiss the 3-4 vs. 4-3 question. The answer is nickel. Everyone plays nickel 90% of the time. No one cares where the linebackers line up anymore as long as they can cover. I’m glad he’s not living in 2004 like the last group.
— Eric Sully (@CommandersRealm) February 16, 2024
I'm fired up for Joe Whitt Jr, if he takes half of what he's saying to game days, this is going to be an unrecognizable defense
— Mitchell Tischler (@Mitch_Tischler) February 15, 2024
Joe Whitt with my favorite quote of any Commanders representative in 2024: "The way that we live is not for everybody. It's not. Because we're gonna run and put our bodies on people. In a violent manner."
— Burgundy Blog (@BurgundyBlog) February 15, 2024
Whitt SWAGGER CRAZY
— Rio Robinson (@Rio_Robinson91) February 15, 2024
Joe Whitt Jr just name dropped Ryan Clark, Marcus Washington and Sean Taylor as his favorite player
Me: pic.twitter.com/hAUk8Fon6J
— Mike Callow (@Mike_Callow) February 15, 2024
I'm such a Joe Whitt Jr. mark.
The ball is life!
— Grant Paulsen (@granthpaulsen) February 15, 2024
After listening to Whitt Jr speak, man I really believe @_Dfoe5 will take his game to another stratosphere this season!!!! LFG pic.twitter.com/jZdZYLxoDV
— Commando G (@ICre8SportsTalk) February 15, 2024
I love Joe Whitt’s energy..the defense can use that type of passion
— Dre (@DCSportsDre) February 15, 2024
Whitt understanding how to teach and that the responsibility of learning is on the teacher, is perhaps the most important thing said today. https://t.co/DYLMQLh2Wi
— Craig Hoffman (@CraigHoffman) February 15, 2024
Ok but this was COLD from Joe Whitt Jr., man 🥶
Happy for him. pic.twitter.com/cMo09sziNw
— Mauricio Rodríguez (@MauNFL) February 15, 2024
Joe Whitt Jr. vs. Jack Del Rio on the microphone
QUITE THE DIFFERENCE. Wow, I love the passion and energy from Whitt Jr.
— Scott Abraham (@Scott7news) February 15, 2024
Joe Whitt Jr said you won’t be here if you aren’t playing how they want you to play and says they will play defense violently… I’m loving what he said. 🔥
— Zac (@DCzWall) February 15, 2024
Washington commanders fans question!
After hearing Joe Whitt Interview Who felt like they wanted to run through a wall for this Brother I want to get on that Damn Field the way, he was talking.🤔🔥✊🏿#Httc @Commanders https://t.co/6Qw2ZMqGeq pic.twitter.com/XMASnfQFMJ
— Bigsimple422 (@bigsimple422) February 15, 2024
