PHOENIX – Seattle linebacker Bobby Wagner and defensive end Cliff Avril are big-time supporters of defensive coordinator Dan Quinn, who's set to be named as the Falcons' 16th head coach on Monday.
“I think he’s done a great job of focusing on the task at hand which is to win the Super Bowl,” Wagner said on Monday. “I know that he’s got bigger endeavors on down the line, but he’s approached it like we need to win this game.”
Wagner had a message for the Falcons.
“They are getting a great coach,” Wagner said.
What makes him a great coach?
“His leadership,” Wagner said. “I feel like he’s very open and easy to talk with. It’s not like you have to do it his way. He’s going to talk to you and say why his way is great. I think the biggest thing is that he’s a great communicator. He definitely helps you understand the game.”
Avril works daily with Quinn, who’s a defensive line coach by trade.
“DQ is awesome,” Avril said. “He’s a coach you can go and talk to at any time if you have any concerns about any plays or how your position is supposed to play it or whatever.”
The Seahawks contend that Quinn tried to create schemes that play to his players’ strengths.
“He’ll cater to you if need be, if that’s not going to hurt the defense,” Avril said. “He’s just someone you can go talk to and break film down with.”
Avril said it would be wrong not give Quinn credit for the success of Seattle’s defense over the past two seasons.
“The last two years, he’s been very important,” Avril said. “He’s been the (defensive) coordinator and we’ve been playing decent ball on defense. He has a lot to do with it and how he coaches, schemes and with the type of players he brings in to execute the schemes. He’s done a great job with that.”
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