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Redskins Head Coach spoke to reporters today at the NFL Scouting Combine. He talked about a wide range of topics from the draft to free agency, current QBs to potential QBs the Redskins could pursue, and recent coaching changes.
Watch full press conferences from the 2019 NFL Combine here:https://t.co/ObDdvLVYUh
— Washington Redskins (@Redskins) February 28, 2019
Quarterback:
Gruden says Redskins have to address QB. Free agency and draft are options.
— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) February 28, 2019
Gruden says it’s a possibility they use the 15th pick on a quarterback, but they need to meet with them first.
— Matthew Paras (@Matthew_Paras) February 28, 2019
Jay Gruden says he has only studied in detail five of the QB's in this year's draft class so far. Presumably Haskins, Murray, Lock and Jones. Wonder who the 5th is? Grier?
— Grant Paulsen (@granthpaulsen) February 28, 2019
Josh Johnson:
Gruden says he likes Josh Johnson. Skins are talking with his agent
— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) February 28, 2019
Gruden revealed Josh Johnson is still recovering from an ankle injury. He's a free agent they will look like, but it certainly sounded like they would like a better option to compete with/back up McCoy.
— Craig Hoffman (@CraigHoffman) February 28, 2019
Colt McCoy:
Gruden was asked why he’s confident McCoy could get the job done. “I’ve just seen him throw the ball for five years in the offseason and training camp,” he said. (Interestingly, Gruden also mentioned McCoy’s need to dial it back a bit w/ regard to staying healthy). #Redskins pic.twitter.com/S410WeD04I
— Tarik El-Bashir (@Tarik_ElBashir) February 28, 2019
Gruden - The organization feels very comfortable with Colt McCoy as QB but we always want competitio
— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) February 28, 2019
Jay Gruden on why he likes Colt McCoy despite poor track record: "I've been around him for five years and I could be really ignorant but I've just seen him throw the ball." #Redskins
— Grant Paulsen (@granthpaulsen) February 28, 2019
Rookie quarterback:
Gruden: “I’d have no problem starting a rookie quarterback”
— Matthew Paras (@Matthew_Paras) February 28, 2019
“There’s always urgency for sure, and when you draft a rookie quarterback, if you draft a rookie quarterback, you expect them to play,” Gruden said. “You don’t have a lot of time. You expect these guys to play, if you invest a draft pick in these guys. They should come in and be ready to play. You’re drafting them for a reason, not to hold a clipboard.”
Trades:
Gruden on trading up - There’s a lot of great players in the draft pic.twitter.com/WxX2zyDMwf
— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) February 28, 2019
Preston Smith:
Gruden says pass rusher is an issue with Preston Smith heading for free agency. He then said almost everything is an issue
— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) February 28, 2019
Gruden on Preston Smith - he’s going to demand some attention
— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) February 28, 2019
Offensive line injuries:
Want to talk about injuries? Gruden says he isn’t even sure if RedskiNs will have any offensive linemen available for OTAs.
— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) February 28, 2019
Brandon Scherff:
Extending Brandon Scherff is “definitely” a priority. Gruden says they’ll get it done.
— Matthew Paras (@Matthew_Paras) February 28, 2019
Jay Gruden made it sound like locking up Brandon Scherff is a major priority this offseason: "For sure. He's a great player without a doubt. I don't know if people understand the effect he has on his team when he's not playing." #Redskins
— Grant Paulsen (@granthpaulsen) February 28, 2019
Coaching changes:
Some of the Redskins coaching staff changes were by design. Wanted more experience on defensive staff
— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) February 28, 2019
In previous questions, Gruden had said adding experience to the defensive staff was a huge priority. They wanted someone who had play calling experience, especially on the back end.
— Craig Hoffman (@CraigHoffman) February 28, 2019
That's what led to Ray Horton as the DB's coach. Sounds like he's gonna have a huge voice.
“Defensively, I wanted to add some experience there to help Coach Manusky, somebody who has actually called defenses, and we added two great ones,” Gruden said. “Tim Rattay, the quarterback’s coach, I just felt like I knew him for a little bit of time in Tampa, and his demeanor is perfect for Alex and Colt, and I think they’ll mesh very well.
“I think if you look around the league nowadays, there’s more and more chefs. I think ideas are great. I think when you sit down and talk about putting a plan together offseason, during the season, during the week, short weeks, I think the more people you have with ideas the better you can function.”
Kevin O’Connell:
Gruden says other teams were trying to get interviews with Kevin OConnell as offensive coordinator. Redskins wanted to keep him and gave him the promotion.
— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) February 28, 2019
Inside Linebacker:
Since Gruden mentioned addressing ILB, I asked if that means adios, Zach Brown. Jay said no decisions made. Noted the defense struggled as the season went along and he liked the DL. Also mentioned Reuben Foster, at least in terms of uncertainty with possible league punishment.
— Ben Standig (@BenStandig) February 28, 2019
Derrius Guice:
As you’ve probably seen on social media, #Redskins RB Derrius Guice is making good progress as he returns from knee surgery. That said, Jay Gruden said Guice probably won’t be full-go until late summer. pic.twitter.com/35kctLY1Fu
— Tarik El-Bashir (@Tarik_ElBashir) February 28, 2019
Jay Gruden on Derrius Guice - He’s an Instagram star. Should be full go by training camp.
— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) February 28, 2019
Alex Smith:
Gruden says it’s very hard for the team to deal with the Alex Smith injury. There isn’t a timeline and that makes it even more difficult. Very much sounds like the Redskins aren’t moving on from him though.
— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) February 28, 2019
Trent Williams:
Trent Williams had a procedure on his scalp.
— Matthew Paras (@Matthew_Paras) February 28, 2019
Kyler Murray:
“In the past, there would be some major questions about his size. But I think Russell Wilson has put an end to all that.” — #Redskins Coach Jay Gruden on Kyler Murray. #NFLCombine pic.twitter.com/lOO1a5qx9I
— Tarik El-Bashir (@Tarik_ElBashir) February 28, 2019
Jay Gruden said he believes Kyler Murray will be an excellent NFL quarterback
— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) February 28, 2019
Gruden on Kyler. Said Russ Wilson busted myth of the small QB. Tape shows Murray can play.
— Ben Standig (@BenStandig) February 28, 2019
Jay also jokes if Murray went baseball he probably gets Bryce Harper's contract.
Cutting players:
Asked about cutting specific players, Gruden shut it down. “There’s not a chance.”
— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) February 28, 2019
Adrian Peterson:
Jay Gruden confirms that the #Redskins have been in touch with Adrian Peterson. Sounds like Peterson wants more than they are offering right now.
— Grant Paulsen (@granthpaulsen) February 28, 2019
Skins had contact a while back w/Peterson. nothing new. Not much movement there entering week. still think tricky deal: how much $ should be guaranteed? How much should be about incentives? depends on how they want to handle Guice's work load upon return. AP still has value
— John Keim (@john_keim) February 28, 2019
Reuben Foster:
Jay Gruden said the #Redskins are in a holding pattern re: Reuben Foster's status. "We're just waiting," he said. "He's still on the commissioner's exempt list. We'll see what they have in store for him."
— Tarik El-Bashir (@Tarik_ElBashir) February 28, 2019