Like him or don’t like him, Jack Del Rio is a good leader for the Commanders.
Del Rio’s mindset is good for the culture of your team. He is not playing the victim, not an excuse maker, not a weak-minded person.
Thursday, chatting with the media these good qualities were readily on display.
“You play the season. You do the best you can to prepare each week, go out and compete and you have to live with the results. That’s what it is.”
BOTD: 4/4/1963 Jack Del Rio (1985-86 #Saints, 1987-88 #Chiefs, 1989-91 #Cowboys, 1992-95 #Vikings). #NFL pic.twitter.com/E2pzjC20V5
— Ken Crippen (@KenCrippen) April 4, 2016
So Del Rio presses on this week toward the final game, asking his players to
“be professional, showing up every day, being strong, doing the right thing for your teammates, for your team, looking to compete no matter what we’re doing, no matter who we’re playing, looking to compete. So, those are the things that, that I focus on.”
When Del Rio was asked if there’s anyone, in particular, he is looking to evaluate, calmly but assuredly, he responded, “Everybody gets evaluated. There may be a few guys that are forced into duty with some of the injuries we’ve had. So, we’ll expect those guys to go in and give us their best, see how they’ve developed during the year and what they’ve learned and let them express themselves. Put your best foot forward and show us what you got.”
One reporter asked if he could give the big picture of the defense this season:
“I really appreciate, respect, love the guys, the effort, the, the commitment to this organization. Preparing hard every week, going out and giving us what they have each week. Sticking together, through adversity and things. I think it’s been outstanding. I think there have been a lot of real positives. So ultimately, as a team, we wanted more out of this year, but I’m proud of the effort that the guys gave.”
Does Del Rio worry about if he will be back next year?
“I’m not a worrier. I’m a guy that brings the best I can each day, enjoys the moment. I don’t look at it that way. This is a time of year that can be the other part. This is not the best part, but I enjoy competing and working and doing the best I can to help the organization I’m with. And that’s how I look at it.”
