Running Backs Coach Duce Staley (7.31.26)
How would you say Quinshon (Judkins) looks? From our view, he looks like the same Quinshon from before the injury.
“That’s because there aren’t pads on him [kidding.] No, I must admit he’s been working his a** off to try to get back to what he was. He’s been doing a great job with his rehab, the trainers have done a great job with him, and he’s been fully committed to getting back.”
When you think about his rookie year, what did you see that impressed you the most, and what did you think he needed to get better at?
“It starts in the room with his focus and concentration, second to none. He’s a sponge; he wants to learn more, he wants to get more. It’s been really good to get him in the room and show him looks. Maybe he went out there and failed, but the next time he saw it, he corrected himself and did well.”
Todd Monken was able to put together some really good rushing offenses in Baltimore. Obviously, it’ll look a little different with this personnel group, but how do you think that scheme could bring out a bit more from Quinshon?
“First, you have to understand that as a new head coach walking in the building, what’s on his mind. It starts with the offensive line. He evaluates to see what he has, defensive line and offensive line, but he’ll start with the offense to see what he has. Once you get that evaluation over with, that tells you what you can do. There are levels to it. It starts there, and then you start to see what you can do. Then you put the icing on the cake a little bit later.”
What do you think, assuming he’s healthy, what kind of jump can Quinshon make from his first year to his second?
“You saw what he was able to do last year. He missed a couple of days in training camp, still was able to come back, adjust, and was in great shape. He’s in great shape now. I think the sky’s the limit. I’ll tell you one thing: I’m going to push him and find out.”
What about Dylan Sampson, what are you looking for in his second year?
“Dylan’s been really good. I always start in the classroom, because if you can teach them and they can learn at a rapid pace, they can go out there and show it on the field. He’s one of those guys who takes pride in learning fast and teaching others. He has the playbook down already, now he has to go out there, stay healthy and showcase his talent.”
Behind Quinshon and Dylan, there’s no clear third running back. What type of skills are you looking for from that third guy? Whether it’s Ahmani Marshall, Raheim Sanders, or someone else on the roster?
“It’s a good question, because you’re always looking for three good backs to go into the season with. I look for a mixture: we’ve got Samp, who I’ll call ‘Lightning,’ and we’ve got Q, who I call ‘Thunder,’ and I want a mixture of both. But sometimes it doesn’t work out that way, so you take whatever you get. If you’ve got a guy who’s a little smaller, like Samp, who can go out there and run routes and make plays that way, you get him. If you’ve got a guy who’s a little bigger, like Mani (Ahmani Marshall), who can go out there and make plays like, Q, you get him. So, it’s open.”
Right before his injury last year, Q started coming alive in the passing game. Heading into year two, where do you see that taking him as a true dual-threat weapon?
“It starts with protection first in the passing game, especially in this offense. You want to run the ball, protect the O-line, and be able to run it and pass off of action. He’s been very good this offseason understanding the protection part of it first and then come the screens and the routes. I think Q can play all three downs. I don’t even think that’s a question. He just has to focus and get his mind right.”
When we talk to the players, they mention Todd’s intensity on the field, but how he is also a great relationship builder off the field. From these first couple of practices, what have you noticed about the intensity and energy out there from everyone?
“It’s been next level. I love it, because that’s me. I’m the same way. Just to be able to see it from him, he brings a lot of energy, not just on the field – but in the building, he brings a lot of energy. So, when the guys gravitate toward that, they love it, they love to see it and feel it. And it’s real, it’s genuine. No matter if it’s good or bad, you’re going to get that from Todd, which I love.”
What’s exciting for you about having a head coach who matches your energy and intensity?
“It’s exciting for me to have somebody screaming and hollering and doing the same stuff I’m doing, because I’m screaming and I’m hollering. So, when I’ve got the head coach doing the same thing, it’s a tag team.”
There was a lot of turnover on the offensive staff, but Todd kept you around. What does that mean to you?
“It means a lot, from Todd and from the organization. It tells you what they think of me. I take pride in that, and I’m just ready to work.”
Last year when we talked about Dylan before the season, you thought he might be able to be one of those guys who gets the ball a lot. Do you still feel that if something happened to Q, he could fill that role, or do you see him more as a third-down back?
“Without a doubt, he could fill that role – I don’t even second-guess that. If something did happen to Q, or whoever it is, I’d put Dylan in there, and we’d continue to roll.”
It seems like Raheim Sanders took the mantle at the end of last year and took advantage of the opportunity. How do you feel about him taking it to the next step?
“He understood his role. One thing about this league, being able to get into and play this league for a long time, you have to understand your role, and when the opportunity is presented, you’ve got to take advantage of it. He did exactly that.”
You haven’t really had a true fullback the last couple of years. How does that change things for you, and do you like having that guy?
“I love it. Especially in today’s defenses, where you see the linebackers getting smaller and smaller. The linebackers are getting smaller and smaller so they can run with number three cover number three and cover some of these receivers. When you face a defense like that and you’ve got a fullback who can go in there and crack a couple heads, it makes you feel good.”