Jay Gruden spoke to reporters today as the Redskins adjust to Colt McCoy as their new starting QB following Alex Smith’s season-ending leg injury. The Redskins are on a short week as they prepare for Thursday’s away game against the Cowboys on Thanksgiving Day. There were no real injury updates, but no one has been ruled out yet.
Colt McCoy also answered questions from the media. He talked about the opportunity to start, visiting Alex Smith, his last game, and his future. McCoy gets his first start since 2014 this week against the Cowboys.
WATCH LIVE: Head coach Jay Gruden and QB Colt McCoy speak to the media Tuesday from Redskins Park. https://t.co/YDRmA97dcr
— Washington Redskins (@Redskins) November 20, 2018
Injury updates:
Gruden has no real update on injuries. Thompson Crowder and Dunbar were working w trainers
— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) November 20, 2018
Jay Gruden said Chris Thompson And Jamison Crowder both worked with trainers today during the walk thru. Have another one later today. Unsure about them yet for Thursday.
— John Keim (@john_keim) November 20, 2018
Trent Williams:
The key for left tackle Trent Williams will be whether or not he can grip with the cast on his right hand to protect his thumb. If he can grip he will play.
— John Keim (@john_keim) November 20, 2018
Jay Gruden says he’s optimistic about Trent Williams suiting up Thursday in Dallas. Williams, whose been out with a thumb injury, was close to playing Sunday. Again, the decision will be determined by how much he’s able to use his hand while wearing a cast. #Redskins
— Tarik El-Bashir (@Tarik_ElBashir) November 20, 2018
Amari Cooper:
Gruden says Amari Cooper is a big weapon for Dallas and Cowboys might try to take more shots down field
— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) November 20, 2018
Josh Norman:
Gruden said that without Dunbar the Redskins have relied on Josh Norman traveling with top WR more. Hruden says Norman has done well in that role.
— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) November 20, 2018
Jay Gruden said he’s been pleased with how Josh Norman has done traveling with top WRs. Says “couple holding calls; one was legitimate.”
— John Keim (@john_keim) November 20, 2018
Film review:
Gruden says the review process was cut very short this week. They made a cut up of a few key plays but they quickly got on to Dallas.
— Craig Hoffman (@CraigHoffman) November 20, 2018
Chris Thompson:
Gruden says Chris Thompson would help this team so much in big plays, but also in pass protection. Was an issue against Houston without him.
— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) November 20, 2018
Colt McCoy:
Jay Gruden on Colt McCoy- “We’re paying him pretty good to be our backup, for a reason.”
— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) November 20, 2018
Jay says biggest issue for Colt is going to be handling live reps throughout a game. Hasn’t taken any since preseason and took none last year. #Redskins
— George Wallace (@GWallaceWTOP) November 20, 2018
How much he knew about QB Colt McCoy before he joined the team:
”A little bit, I didn’t follow him a whole lot. I know he was in Cleveland, but at Texas, he was one of the all-time winningest quarterbacks in the history of college football. You’ve got to have a little bit of respect for the guy to know that he can compete and play. But it wasn’t until we really got him that I got to know him and watch him play and progress, that I thought we have a pretty special guy here in the building. When you have a chance to have two quarterbacks, last year we had Kirk [Cousins] and Colt, this year we had Alex [Smith] and Colt, it’s a heck of a benefit. We’re paying him pretty good to be our backup for a reason in case something like this happens, we feel very comfortable. I’ve seen him out here. I know nobody else has. They probably just remember him playing in Cleveland, maybe a little bit of preseason [and in first year here, but I’ve seen him progress as a player, as a person throughout his stint here. But now it’s a matter of live reps, he hasn’t taken a lot. Last week was the first time he’s taken them since preseason and he didn’t take any last year in the regular season, just in the preseason. So, I think that’s the biggest issue we are going to see, is how he handles the live reps, the entire game plan with the cadence, the protections, all that. It’s just a little bit different than sitting on the sidelines and helping out your buddy. I fully anticipate he is ready to go and I think he’ll have a big day.”
Run defense:
Jay Gruden talking about the run defense that has lagged a bit the last several weeks. #redskins pic.twitter.com/7flzaFKVJP
— Kareem Copeland (@kareemcopeland) November 20, 2018
Colt McCoy Presser
Cadence:
Colt: “Biggest thing for me is getting in and out of the huddle and guys getting used to me and My cadence.” #Redskins. pic.twitter.com/tCVWzsEmS2
— George Wallace (@GWallaceWTOP) November 20, 2018
Starting opportunity:
The new starter. “I don’t take this for granted” McCoy said of starting. pic.twitter.com/gvw1PWeqPB
— John Keim (@john_keim) November 20, 2018
Alex Smith:
McCoy says he went and visited Alex Smith on Monday. Colt said Alex told him to run with it and go have fun, “Just be me.”
— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) November 20, 2018
McCoy says he went and saw Alex Smith yesterday. He says all things considered, Smith is in good spirits.
— Craig Hoffman (@CraigHoffman) November 20, 2018
He also said Alex told him to go run with the opportunity. McCoy is very grateful he got to see Smith and his family. They’ve grown quite close.
Josh Doctson pass at end of Texans game:
McCoy says he liked his decision on this play. He actually thought Doctson caught it and was running up to clock it. Would have been extremely close. https://t.co/beGui1r4CJ
— Craig Hoffman (@CraigHoffman) November 20, 2018
Kirk Cousins:
Colt McCoy said he hasn’t talked to Kirk Cousins since the Smith injury
— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) November 20, 2018