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Ron Rivera said starting left tackle Geron Christian Sr was hurting a little bit and was given a veteran’s day off. Reports from practice said he looked injured, but he doesn’t appear on today’s injury report. Cornelius Lucas took snaps at LT with the 1s in his place.
Rivera says the team will continue to find ways to improve the running game, but playing from behind affects how they run the ball. Washington is only averaging 3.5 yards per carry through the first 6 games of the season.
The NFL trade deadline is approaching, but Rivera wouldn’t say if the team is considering any deals. He said the team will discuss any players they have interest in, and go from there.
Rivera was asked about his inconsistent messaging again today. He said he is making decisions that are best for the team, and he doesn’t feel the need to apologize for them. John Madden’s advice to him was to go with your gut, and that’s what Rivera has been doing this year. He said he deals with each situation as they happen, and it’s a balancing act.
Press Conference: Ron RiveraHead Coach Ron Rivera spoke to the media about the upcoming trade deadline, what he has learned from John Madden and more
Posted by Washington Football Team on Thursday, October 22, 2020
Injury update:
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Washington's injury report:
— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) October 22, 2020
DNP
Geron Christian (knee)
Saahdiq Charles (knee)
Antonio Gandy-Golden (hamstring)
James Smith-Williams (concussion)
Isaiah Wright (shoulder)
FULL
Kevin Pierre-Louis (shoulder)
Chase Young (groin)
Logan Thomas (neck)
Ronald Darby (illness)
Geron Christian Sr.:
Ron Rivera doesnt offer much info on Geron Christian - says he got a veterans day off - but the coach expects his left tackle to be fine tomorrow
— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) October 22, 2020
Ron Rivera said that Geron Christian was a little sore today, so the coaches gave him a vet day. He wasn't on the injury report
— Rhiannon Walker (@InstantRHIplay) October 22, 2020
Tempo:
Rivera said the tempo has continued the way he wants to. The team had an up tempo practice today, he said, and hopefully that will continue Sunday.
— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) October 22, 2020
Running game:
Rivera said he doesn't see an issue with the running game. They've been playing from behind, which has affected how they run the ball. But they will continue to find ways of improving in the ground game.
— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) October 22, 2020
Despite @WashingtonNFL averaging just 3.5 yards per carry, Rivera said he does not see any issues with the running game. Said that the team being down has made it difficult to run.
— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) October 22, 2020
Donation to the Cal softball program:
Regarding the $500K donation that both Ron and Stephanie Rivera just gave Cal softball, he said there's a disparity in gender equity. They want to create the same opportunity for women going forward.
— Rhiannon Walker (@InstantRHIplay) October 22, 2020
Big news right here ⬇️
— Cal Softball (@CalSB) October 22, 2020
️ https://t.co/ZlNw8VpZsd
Thank you so much @RiverboatRonHC and @CoachRiv2 for your generous gift
Your support means everything to us.#GoBears #CalFamily pic.twitter.com/VfvT3jPLuk
Trade deadline:
Ron Rivera on trade deadline deals: We will see. We will get to that point when we get to that point.
— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) October 22, 2020
The trade deadline is approaching, and Rivera said "we'll see" when it comes to Washington being active. He doesn't want to live in a "what if" situations. If there is an option that interests the team, they will discuss it.
— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) October 22, 2020
Inconsistencies:
Ron Rivera says his message can sometimes seem inconsistent because he relies on his gut:
— Sam Fortier (@Sam4TR) October 22, 2020
“One thing that I’ve learned is you have to treat everybody fairly, but you’re not going to be able to treat everybody the same.”
Full answer: pic.twitter.com/IKfJZn7so5
Asked if there are some inconsistent decisions, Ron Rivera says he's making the best calls for this football team based on his gut feel knowing his team. He wont apologize but admits it looks inconsistent at times.
— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) October 22, 2020
Ron Rivera says he's making decisions as they come along. "It does look a little inconsistent, but" says he's going by his gut. He says John Madden's advice helped guide him to rely on his gut instincts. "That's really what I did," he said.
— Matthew Paras (@Matthew_Paras) October 22, 2020
Ron Rivera asked about inconsistencies in messaging. Says he relies on his gut feeling: "You treat each situation as it comes along & that's kind of where we are....It does look a little inconsistent, but the consistency is I'm going to make them based on what I know, my gut."
— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) October 22, 2020
Rivera: "That's part of my prerogative as coach: I can change my mind."
— Matthew Paras (@Matthew_Paras) October 22, 2020
Rivera: "The message you guys hear is much different than the one I give to the players. ... As I go through this, it's a balancing act, it's a delicate balancing act sometimes."
— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) October 22, 2020
Creating turnovers vs Dallas:
Dallas has a -12 turnover differential, worst in the league. There was an emphasis on takeaways today, Rivera said, and the team has to win the turnover battle. He said they have to stick to it but also understand there is a fine line between making plays playing smart.
— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) October 22, 2020
3rd downs:
Rivera would like to see the defense improve at third down. Offensively, he would like to see the team give itself more opportunities to establish the run. In the bye week, they will conduct a self-scout and see what areas they need to address.
— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) October 22, 2020
Robert Foster:
Rivera said that WR Robert Foster will not clear the COVID protocols in time to play Sunday. And even if he did, Rivera said he probably wouldn't play because he wouldn't know what to do.
— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) October 22, 2020
However, Rivera highlighted his speed and special teams ability.
Rivera answers a question about WR Robert Foster even though I'm not sure that signing is official. Anyway, Foster won't be available for Sunday because of the Covid protocols. He also doesn't know the playbook. But Rivera likes one aspect of his game. "Fast."
— Ben Standig (@BenStandig) October 22, 2020
Cam Sims:
Rivera said it looks like Cam Sims will get more opportunities. They know he has huge value at special teams, but the team wants to know what else he can do.
— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) October 22, 2020
Division game:
Rivera said this game is important, especially considering this is a division game against the NFC East leaders. But every game is important, he said, and they're all must-win situations.
— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) October 22, 2020