Bill Callahan Redskins Presser: “3rd downs have really been our Achilles heel.”

Bill Callahan and Greg Manusky answer questions after today’s presser

By Scott Jennings@ScottJenningsHH Nov 14, 2019, 4:00pm EST

NFL: San Francisco 49ers at Washington Redskins

Redskins interim Head Coach Bill Callahan and Defensive Coordinator Greg Manusky spoke to the media after today’s practice. The team is preparing for a home game against the New York Jets following their bye week. Dwayne Haskins Jr. has been named the starter at QB for the rest of the season. Derrius Guice is returning from injured reserve, and will split the backfield with Adrian Peterson(Chris Thompson is still out with turf toe). The team has self-scouted and (finally)realized they are horrible on first downs. They’ve also realized that they need to get Terry McLaurin more involved in the offense.

Watch Live: Post-Practice Press Conferences https://t.co/9eekItrZ1Y
— Washington Redskins (@Redskins) November 14, 2019

Adrian Peterson:

Bill Callahan said Adrian Peterson just had a day of rest. Fine for Sunday.
— John Keim (@john_keim) November 14, 2019

Bill Callahan says Adrian Peterson’s rest day today was purely about that. No injury.
— Craig Hoffman (@CraigHoffman) November 14, 2019

Callahan raves about Adrian Peterson. Says he’s impressed by his approach. Says always first in line and sits in front row during meetings etc. “he’s like a rookie on Day One” in trying to learn. This is 1 reason they want him to continue as the starter. Good approach to mimic.
— John Keim (@john_keim) November 14, 2019

Derrius Guice:

Callahan floats the possibility of Guice and Peterson being on the field at the same time.
— Matthew Paras (@Matthew_Paras) November 14, 2019

In explaining how Peterson and Guice can fit together one of the things Callahan suggested was putting them in the backfield together. He didn’t say rhey would be played together on Sunday but threw out the possibility as something that could be done.
— Les Carpenter (@Lescarpenter) November 14, 2019

Callahan grinned at the possibility of the Redskins employing both Derrius Guice and Adrian Peterson in the backfield at the same time.

Said it would provide the defense with a unique wrinkle to stop and he's looking forward to both backs' production against the Jets.
— Ryan Fowler (@FowlerRyan1) November 14, 2019

Callahan on Peterson/Guice share: We’ll see how it plays out. ... Don’t have a crystal ball on that one. #redskins pic.twitter.com/d9smRgNtna
— Kareem Copeland (@kareemcopeland) November 14, 2019

Wide Receivers:

Callahan mentioned a bunch of receivers when asked which young players he’d like to get a look at the rest of the season. Highlighted Cam Sims, Davin Kidsy, Maurice Smith, etc. #Redskins
— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) November 14, 2019

Terry McLaurin:

Callahan says the Redskins offense will try to move around the WRs more in an effort to free up guys like Terry McLaurin
— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) November 14, 2019

Callahan said one thing that can help Terry McLaurin is moving him around a little more. He’s capable of running routes from different spots.
— John Keim (@john_keim) November 14, 2019

Callahan says that one of the big things they found in the self-scout during the bye is that they need to move their WR’s more.

I would expect to see McLaurin more in the slot to try and free him up.
— Craig Hoffman (@CraigHoffman) November 14, 2019

Dwayne Haskins Jr.:

Callahan: Haskins has excellent mobility. He demonstrated that well against the Bills and it will be a part of the plan moving forward. #Redskins #HTTR
— Zach Selby (@DarDarBinx61) November 14, 2019

Callahan on Haskins: "He has excellent mobility."

Added his ability to "vary his launch point" and move in the pocket will not allow defenses to pin their ears back and throw "fastballs" all game long.
— Ryan Fowler (@FowlerRyan1) November 14, 2019

Tim Settle:

Bill Callahan on Tim Settle - “we backed him down.” Leg injury. Very vague details.
— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) November 14, 2019

Young offensive playmakers:

Callahan On seeing Haskins, Guice and McLaurin on field together: “We’re excited to see all three of them. “
— George Wallace (@GWallaceWTOP) November 14, 2019

Jamison Crowder/Trey Quinn/Steven Sims Jr.:

Bill Callahan on facing Jamison Crowder - I’ve always liked him
Callahan adds Trey Quinn “has done a very good job” too
— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) November 14, 2019

Bill Callahan says he could see more time for Steven Sims moving forward, but also praises Trey Quinn. The Redskins haven’t had consistent slot production since Jamison Crowder left
— Matthew Paras (@Matthew_Paras) November 14, 2019

3rd downs:

“3rd downs have really been our Achilles heel.”
— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) November 14, 2019

Greg Manusky Presser

3rd Down:

Greg Manusky talking first today. He says Redskins need to get better on 3rd down and getting to the QB

Yes. That’s correct.
— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) November 14, 2019

Pressure:

Greg Manusky says “we need to get more pressure on the edge.”
— John Keim (@john_keim) November 14, 2019

Improvement:

Manusky credits the improvement from the first quarter to the second quarter of the season to having a lot of younger players that have improved throughout the year. #Redskins
— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) November 14, 2019

Manusky said he’s seen improvement on defense in the way the players have meshed together. He noted the team’s number of young players.
— Matthew Paras (@Matthew_Paras) November 14, 2019

1v1:

Manusky says more players up front need to win 1v1 battles
— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) November 14, 2019

Montez Sweat:

Manusky on Montez Sweat: “Von (Miller) his first year, he had six sacks. ... It’s a process.”
— Matthew Paras (@Matthew_Paras) November 14, 2019

Manusky: Montez Sweat is getting better each week. He's young, but improving on his reads and overall game. #Redskins #HTTR
— Zach Selby (@DarDarBinx61) November 14, 2019