Grant and Danny
Austin Ekeler On The Outlook Of The 2024 Commanders
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We are joined by Austin Eckler running back with the commanders who is lucky enough at this point in his career to not have to worry about staring at his phone all day long, but Austin, I am curious as a veteran with pelts on the wall, you know, what today is like for you and just your perspective on so many of your teammates have been working their butts off who are having their dreams set to the side here potentially on speed bumps, but it's a tough day around the league. Yeah, it's a big day for multiple reasons and I remember and it was an eight years ago, eight years ago around this time I had, I actually got a call but it was from our player director telling me that I need to go find an apartment and that was a really special moment. I immediately called my mom right after. I remember she was crying, I was crying because, you know, some of the work that we've been putting in had finally come to fruition and we're looking forward to finally getting on, get on the NFL team, but obviously there's the flip side of that as well where a lot of guys have been putting in, you know, that work as well and it doesn't, it doesn't come yet. Their time isn't now and it doesn't mean their time is never going to come but it might not be in that certain team or that certain moment. So it's a time where, look, there's, there's a lot of great stuff happening but also a lot of movement obviously in the other direction as well. Austin, can you go into what maybe you said to a teammate or two because I think that's very sage advice, right? It's easy to think about the here and now and get bad news and be very focused on that but that big picture thing is probably really hard after the work you've just now kind of put in. Did you talk to any of the young guys who might be facing this today and maybe share some of that? Yeah, you know, actually yesterday or two days ago before our game, we're just telling these young guys just, you know, make sure that whatever you do, after this game, you feel like there's nothing else you could have done. You feel like you've exhausted every ounce of energy that you could absolutely exhaust and no matter what, if you do that, guess what? You'll be able to live with yourself and know that you put everything on the line and it wasn't something that you didn't do that caused you to fail. It was ever, you did everything and I told them, like, look, I'm proud of you guys for the work you've been putting in and there's, I didn't tell them this but in my mind, there's no telling how it's going to turn out, you know? So I just try to keep it as positive as I can and pushing those guys to make sure that they understand that this has been a important moment and then also that leave it all out there on the line. Austin Echler on Grant and Danny here on the fan and your one in DC joined the commanders in part because you worked with Anthony Lynn in the past. So you kind of knew what to expect. I'd imagine in the meeting room and on the practice field from this staff, but what are your early returns and thoughts on this group after now navigating a training camp and your first preseason with them? Yeah, I definitely knew what to expect from Anthony Lynn and he has been living up to that as well. Funny story, actually, my rookie year, he was my head coach and he's a big running bad guy. That's where a lot of his knowledge is. He came sprinting across the field because my track on a track play was off by about a half yard and so that is how detailed this man is when it comes to the right back position. So for me as a competitor, I couldn't wait to get in that room because I'd love to be coached. I want to make sure my details are on point. I want to be held accountable. So that has been our room dynamic, but then also getting to know Dan Quinn and I've been saying this, but if I were ever to be a head coach, I would want to be like Dan Quinn. He understands that coaching processes, coaching brotherhood, coaching, how to hold the standard. What the standard is, is the way that you get the results that you want. If you coach results, hey, we got to go win a Super Bowl, we got to win games, there's no substance to that. That doesn't mean anything. But if we're talking about how we should interact with each other, how we should practice together. What's an example of, hey, this is a bad rep by you. Pull it up. This is a good rep by you. Pull it up. Those are the things that create processes in our brotherhood within our culture that allows us to play and keep ourselves held to a standard where we can play at a high level. And then the results will hopefully come from what we want. So I really appreciate Dan Quinn and what he's about. Austin Eckler with this year. I'm Grant and Danny. And Austin, you mentioned you've been around for a minute played for a few different head coaches now. How did this kind of camp preseason sort of compare and contrast to ones you've gone through previously? Wow. I mean, this sounds going to sound like it's a big Dan Quinn hype session. But this man really understands the power of keeping the body healthy and making sure that recovery is integrated into the, not just what we have going on, but integrated into the schedule. We have mandatory hour recovery sessions within the schedule. I know in the past it's really been like, hey, get your recovery during lunch and stuff like that. And you have like a longer lunch, but we bring in specific people. You have people doing massages, dry needling every day during training camp. And so that was something that was really new to me and kind of showed me where Dan's mind is that when it comes to taking care of his team and understanding that a healthy team is a very effective and dangerous team on game day. So it has been an amazing camp and I've been so blessed to be out here and looking forward to getting into regular season. Austin Echler, one of the veterans with the commanders, one of their leaders who's been setting the tone this summer out in Ashburn. Of course, led the NFL and touchdowns over a couple of years span and 21 and 22 with the Chargers and we're thrilled to have them now in the nation's capital here on Grant and Danny with us on the fan today, specific to the Jaden Daniels hype going into training camp and really not knowing what to expect. And you've been around some young QBs. You kind of went through this with Justin Herbert, like, do you go about that now differently having lived that experience once where you go up and introduce yourself and try to answer as many questions as possible or do you let a young kid come to you and what has that been like and kind of feeling Daniels out in that way? Yeah, I think as the veteran and being around a lot of younger guys, you realize that coming into the NFL is actually really intimidating for a lot of people for different reasons. One of them being like, hey, you've been watching these guys or playing with them on Matt and or looking up to some of these guys and now you're in the same room with them. So as an older person in the locker, I'm not saying they all looked up to me, but just that's kind of a sense. Like, man, these guys have been in the league for a long time, they've earned their respect. So you kind of feel like, okay, I still have to get my stripes and I have to earn my respect out there. And so as an older player, I definitely have been the one that, you know, I'm going to approach you. I'm going to introduce myself to you. I'm going to ask you a question. I'm going to come up to you after practice because that's the position I'm in. And I know it was the opposite when I had Philip Rivers when he was a veteran, he would do that same stuff for us and he would come up to us or want to get routes after practice to get on the same page. And now it's kind of the role flips now that I'm going into your age and coming into your one. And he'll get there. Well, he's got a great mentor in Marcus Marioda in that room that's really been doing a good job. I'm super proud of him too, how he's been, you know, showing the ways of what a veteran quarterback does, you know, during the off season, you know, in season, you know, leading the, just the offense, the cadence, all this stuff. So James in good hands and I'm looking forward to seeing him excel as well. Austin Echler on Grant and Danny here on the thin. How do you feel about now the structure? It seems like we're eventually going to 18 games and then two preseason games, but right now you've got the three exhibition games. Most teams choose two to let guys like you play in and then sit you for the third, which you guys did games one and two on the field as a group of starters. And how does the joint practice fit into this now? Do you feel like you get more out of those? Like could you get ready for a season as a running back, not taking on a whole lot of contact or being tackled without playing in the preseason? Are you in a position where you kind of need that at this point? Well, first off, I just want to say we, the PA have not agreed to anything. So this 18 games are a bunch of BS, let's just get that out of the way. You know, I think this is a tactic in my opinion by the NFL side, trying to push this narrative of that's where we're going. So that players start thinking about it, but, um, not we look, we're smarter than that. Like we know exactly what going on and we're definitely aware of what's going on with them. You know, potentially leaking 18 games, right, potentially, right. Um, so here's the thing for us before you move on to the other part of the question. I actually want to follow up on that. So do you not think it's, it's headed in that direction? I mean, obviously there's going to be a, there's going to, you guys are going to have to agree, but you, well, you wouldn't bet on that at this point. It just seems obvious that they're going to keep it's what they want. So yeah, I mean, true, the ownership, they guys want 20 games, they want, they want as many games as they can get, they get 50 out of us, they get 50 out of us. And so what do we have to do? We got to make sure that we put ourselves in a position where we can protect ourselves as players, right. And we can actually make sure that if we are going to give up, um, some of our time and work more, then there's got to be the proper compensation and the proper things that we feel is worth that extra gain and so on and so forth. So that's where I am. Yes, obviously they want more, but is it going to be worth it to us to give them more? The seasons may be changing, but the deals of the sharpest rides are unbeatable as ever. Hey, what's going on? It's your girl, Tasha McKeea. And I need you to join the sharpest rides for their fall into savings events where they're offering incredible prices on their massive inventory. That's right. Everything is on sale now, shot from sleek sedans to rugged SUVs and sporty convertibles. The sharpest rides has the perfect ride to match your fall adventures, plus with their exclusive financing options, getting behind the wheel of your dream car has never been easier. Log on and shop online at the sharpestrides.com right from the palm of your hands, or check other massive inventory in person at the sharpest rides located 2250 South City home street in Inglewood. Either way, you will fall into savings. Don't miss out. Look forward to the sharpestrides.com today and explore the deals that make every season better. And tell them that your girl, Tasha McKeea sent you the sharpest rides, affordable, sexy, sharp. This episode is brought to you by Progressive Insurance. Whether you love true crime or comedy, celebrity interviews or news, you call the shots on what's in your podcast queue. And guess what? Now you can call them on your auto insurance too, with the name of your price tool from Progressive. It works just the way it sounds. You tell Progressive how much you want to pay for car insurance, and they'll show you coverage options that fit your budget. Get your quote today at Progressive.com to join the over 28 million drivers who trust Progressive. Progressive Casualty Insurance Company and affiliates price and coverage match limited by state law. Doors take us to summers away, or winter adventures, and afternoon getaways. Your dedicated Fidelity advisor can help you open those doors by working with you on a comprehensive plan to help you reach your wealth's full potential, because doors were meant to be opened. Visit Fidelity.com/wealth, investment minimums apply Fidelity Brokerage Services, LLC member NYSE SIPC. Now I think that's well said, and then specific to the juxtaposition now of joint practice first pre-season game, the narrative has become, and I think coaches have pushed this even a little bit, too. I don't know what your perspective is. Like the joint practices are as helpful and or maybe better than the pre-season. The way it was explained to me by a lot of coaches over the years is they can kind of dictate situations, practice more things that they want to get looks at guys, because you can't really do that in a game. You may not get a goal line or a short yardage or something like that. How do you feel as a player in that regard? Look, for the last four years, I have actually played in a pre-season game, and that includes the years that I led the league and touched sounds and had 1,600 all-purpose yards those years. We did have joint practices during those times, so that definitely gave us, that was like our game reps. Like, hey, it still wasn't live, but it's as close to live as you're going to get. You're going to get someone in some other color, just not going to the ground or cutting or anything like that. There's definitely a lot of value in those joint practices, which is why we do them. There's not a ton of reps to go around when you have a 90-man roster to get a good evaluate situation on people, so you want to make sure you're maximizing the opportunities that you have. I don't mind the pre-season game, but I think they're actually super beneficial for multiple reasons. Get the stadiums ready, get coaches ready, especially new coaches coming in, so they know their process and all of that. There's value in all of it, and it just depends on how we want to balance it. Obviously, we just have four. Now, I'm thinking about four is like, dang, if we had a whole 'nother week of pre-season that would be wild. I could definitely see it going down to two at some point, but not in exchange for another game. I don't know. That's a whole different conversation. Austin Echler with this here on G&D. Austin, give me a second. All right. While you mentioned this, while you were out just in LA, minding your business, putting up 1600 total yards and 20 touchdowns pretty much, I have long been a huge fan of yours, and what I've done is I've begged for an Austin Echler type running back here in town. We got the best version of that, and turns out it's actually Austin Echler. Years past, what would happen is a guy with your skillset that's so good out of the backfield, great and pass pro that could do all these things. It's okay, it's third and long. Let's trot that guy out there. I have been screaming at nobody because I'm just a pudgy idiot, but screaming at nobody, I need my super effective playmaker, not just to be third down reserved. Are we getting early down Austin Echler? And who do I have to talk to? I mean, if you look at my past history, I've always, I mean, these past four years anyway, I've been on the field pretty much the entire time so I take a thrive off. That was the dynamic in the past. Obviously, it's a new dynamic now coming in with Brian Robinson in the room as well. He's a different type of back than I am with different types of bodies, but he's shown he could carry the load all three down, so for me, and what's really great is I'm with Cliff Kingberry, who in my opinion is putting us in perfect positions so that we can actually maximize our talent. And so I'm going to be on the field all over the place. And I don't think you'll have to worry about me being on the field when it's a crunch time third down, things like that, because Cliff's been doing a good job making sure that, hey, we're putting our playmakers on the field so they can make plays and put them in positions where they're best at. So, you know, the plays will come, my friend. The plays will absolutely come. Thank you. It makes me feel better. We're getting lots of tweets, Austin, and also comments from our YouTube chat with people with questions for you, just want to bang through a couple of these real quick on Grant and Danny. A lot of people are asking you about fantasy. You're kind of the player synonymous with being okay with the idea that fantasy football exists and it doesn't seem to bother you. I don't want to say it's a part of the industry that you enjoy, but I'm seeing a lot of people who are asking you questions about fantasy. How did that come about? I mean, did you just always play fantasy football and like most players where you kind of drop it when you start playing? You continue to? No, so my love of fantasy came from what it does for the sport. Actually, most of my fans, I would say, have come because of fantasy. Really? Oh, yeah. And the power of having you on someone's team that they don't even know. They might not even know that I was on the charges, but they're like, "Oh, we love this Austin Network guy. Who is he?" Like, they know my name because I was on their fantasy team and now they're watching the Chargers or watching me because I'm on their fantasy football team. So the fact that it's bringing new communities into the ecosystem of players that are on different teams is what I love about it. I love how it brings people together. I'm a community builder. That's what I do in my foundation and my businesses. I build communities. And that's one of the main reasons I love fantasy. And so it's introduced me to a lot of new people. I do play. I have, you know, I carry league that I'm a part of as well. So I'm definitely in there and I'm definitely rooting for guys on other teams, you know, left for playing them. That's a good time. That's cool. So I have too many fantasy questions then. The first would be when you're in a league, do you have, like, is there a rule that you get yourself? Like, what if someone drafts you? And then secondly, give us a sleeper commander's player on offense who we should be considering in fantasy that might not be obvious. Ooh, interesting. Well, I can't get too much away on the insider stuff because we haven't got to week one yet, so I want to get to week one before I start leaking stuff and give myself in trouble. Okay. I like that. So I'm not going to be doing that. But as far as me getting myself, I always am trying to get myself and it's actually easy right now because, you know, people think I'm just, you know, in the trash can apparently for my year. 80 p over 100 Austin. I think it's great value. Yeah. So look, I'm getting, so there you go. If you need a sleeper, you know, people thought, oh, you know, often played on one and a half ankles last year. And he wasn't very good. All I got, you know, like eight touchdowns in a thousand yards. He's washed up. And I was like, y'all need to chill out, man. Like I was going through. So our team was, you know, going through some stuff, had some injuries, lingering around, and now I'm back and healthy. So I'm getting myself all over the place. Yeah. But I'm always trying to get myself. Well, we want to ask you about experience, an app that you've got. It's a fan engagement platform. You mentioned you were working on when we had you on several months ago. And I think you made a lot of progress on it. You know, 85 active NFL players are going to participate. Tell us about it. Yeah. We have 94 professional football players on there right now and actually just brought on our first school. But what's really cool, we just launched a new interaction called fan mail, which allows you to send it an item to get signed by that player that's offering it. And so right now you can only get it from any of the Washington players. And so that's the biggest announcement that we've had lately. So if you want to get your off-neck lageries signed or a car signed by me or John's and Alan or Mark's Marioda, Luke McCaffrey, all these other guys that are out there, you can go and check it out. And it's actually called experience, but spelled E-K-S-P-E-R-I-E-N-C-E. So X, like my last name, experience. So really excited about it and loving what we've been doing so far and the engagements have been great with the fans and the area. It's really a methodology for us to open ourselves up and give you more of a fan experience than just being in the stands. Last one for me, Austin, as you guys get ready to, you know, as this roster gets finalized, you can start playing games here next weekend. What's the biggest key for you guys to get off to a fat start? Fast start, do you think? But also a fat start. A fat start. Do you want to go up to a fat start? We want you guys to be a fat chicken and not skinny. Yeah, go to eat fast food. I love it. I love it. You know, for us, man, we have a lot of moving parts and new players on this team and players that have had kind of success in the past as well. And when you bring a lot of people together, it comes down to how well you gilled, which comes down to one thing, the details. How detailed can we be in the fundamentals and getting lined up and operating? Because if we do that, we're going to be a pretty good offense and it's going to be hard to stop us. But if we're a little, you know, lackadaisical in the communication, it's not where it needs to be, you know, it's going to be tough for us. So that's the NFL, but especially when you have new teams, new coaches, rookie quarterback, especially important. And so what do you think I'm going to be, you know, preaching the next couple of weeks is detail, detail, detail, detail until I'm blue in the face because that's where it's got to be. That's what's going to help us win games. Austin, you got married this offseason, obviously, right in time to get back to work. I don't know if you've even had time, you and Melanie, to kind of experience what there is to offer in DC yet or find restaurants you like, has it been all work and things will slow down a little bit in season in terms of some nights off or have you even seen the new community? So my wife would tell me that until you guys I am a workaholic and I am always trying to build. Like I am a builder, a heart, I'm an entrepreneur, and football happens to be, you know, the thing you guys know me for, but as you see, even with experience, I'm out building apps, I'm building foundations, we're building, you know, communities online. And so that's what I do for my fun free time. But yeah, every once in a while, make sure we get out to date night and we'll check out DC. I'm out around the town a little bit meeting some new people. I'm a big networker. So there's fun in the things that we like to do, but it also sometimes looks up, looks like work to other people. So that's what we do. I love it. You're always making moves. Austin, we appreciate it. We'll be pulling for you to get off to the quick start this year and you heard it from Austin Echler. Don't sleep. Grab him in those fantasy drafts. Thanks, man. Good luck to you, buddy. Appreciate it, guys. Thanks. All right, you got it. There's Austin Echler on Grant and Danny here on the fan. The seasons may be changing, but the deals of the sharpest rides are unbeatable as ever. Hey, what's going on? It's your girl, Tasha McKia. And I need you to join the sharpest rides for their fall into savings events where they're offering incredible prices on their massive inventory. That's right. Everything is on sale now, shot from sleek sedans to rugged SUVs and sporty convertibles. The sharpest rides has the perfect ride to match your fall adventures, plus with their exclusive financing options, getting behind the wheel of your dream car has never been easier. Log on and shop online at thesharpestrides.com right from the palm of your hands, or check other massive inventory in person at the sharpest rides located 2250 South Sea Home Street in Inglewood. Either way, you will fall into savings. Don't miss out. Head on over to the sharpestrides.com today and explore the deals that make every season better. Tell them that your girl, Tasha McKia sent you the sharpest ride, affordable, sexy, sharp. This episode is brought to you by Progressive Insurance. Whether you love true crime or comedy, celebrity interviews or news, you call the shots on what's in your podcast queue. And guess what? Now you can call them on your auto insurance too, with the name of your price tool from Progressive. It works just the way it sounds. You tell Progressive how much you want to pay for car insurance and they'll show you coverage options that fit your budget. Get your quote today at Progressive.com to join the over 28 million drivers who trust Progressive. Progressive Casualty Insurance Company and affiliates price and coverage match limited by state law. Hey NFL fans, you can start the season with a big return on Fandal, America's number one sports book. So when you get a hunch in the middle of the game, you can check out the latest stats, view live play by play, and so much more on the same page where you place your bets. You'll get started with $200 in bonus bets guaranteed when you place your first five dollar bet. That's Fandal.com/sportsfan. Never waste a hunch and make every moment more with Fandal, an official sports book partner of the NFL. Must be 21 plus and present in Colorado. First online real moneyweights are only $10 first deposit required. Bonus issued is now a throwable bonus bet set expired seven days after receipt. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fandal.com gambling problem call 1-800-522-4700. Here autumn leaves, you won't be covering roads alone this season. Toyota's lineup of cool, colorful vehicles is ready to ride by your side. Take on fall in a trail tackling Tacoma, or go for the powerful Tundra. Head to toyota.com for more info or visit your local Toyota dealership today. Toyota, let's go places. If your day sounds like, you deserve medulla. If you've persevered through, you deserve this rich golden lager with a crisp or refreshing taste. Or if you overcame, you deserve this ice cold reward.