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The Washington Football Team lost to the Baltimore Ravens 31-17, and fell to 1-3 for the season. They are somehow still tied for 1st place with the Dallas Cowboys.
Ron Rivera was surprised with an entire section of cardboard cutouts that was dedicated to him. It featured coaches, players, and family members who have impacted his life and support his battle with cancer. He got emotional when he saw a cutout of his late brother who dies from pancreatic cancer in 2015.
Rivera was up and down with his health today, and said he was encouraged to hydrate throughout the game. He was asked if there are people in his life that could convince him to step away from the team if needed, and he said there are and he would listen to them.
Dwayne Haskins Jr. didn't turn the ball over today after a 4 turnover game last week. He played a safe game today, but Rivera still wants to see better situational football awareness from him. He went for it on 4th and goal at the 13 to test Haskins, and was disappointed he didn't throw it to the end zone to give his guys a chance to score. His QB will learn from this week's tape.
RiveraStrong:
Ron Rivera said he felt "pretty strong" at times today and other teams he needed a "quick break."
— Chris Russell AKA The Rooster (@Russellmania621) October 4, 2020
Tough day, tough week.
"It's a struggle, it's a battle." - He says he reps everyone that fights cancer.
Saw a picture of his brother who passed away there.
Ron Rivera says he took two bags of IV fluid before the game, water and gatorade...
— Chris Russell AKA The Rooster (@Russellmania621) October 4, 2020
Says Paul Kelley was hounding him to hydrate and rest.
Ron Rivera started choking up in the post-game presser when he was asked about the team's #Riverastrong surprise. His brother, who died from cancer, was among the 400+ cardboard faces in the stands supporting him.
— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) October 4, 2020
Ron Rivera on coaching today: "It's a struggle; it's a battle."
— Sam Fortier (@Sam4TR) October 4, 2020
He said he's fighting for everyone who's fighting or has fought cancer. His voice caught when he mentioned his bro Mickey, whose picture was in the collage he saw pregame. Mickey died from pancreatic cancer in 2015.
Head coach Ron Rivera choked up and held back tears when he talked about what the pregame tribute meant to hum: "It was really cool to come out early and see the tribute. My brother that passed away was in the collage, it meant a lot to me."
— Logan Campbell (@loganncampbelll) October 4, 2020
Taking a break from coaching during cancer treatment:
Ron Rivera on if there are people in his life who could tell him to step back and take a week or two off: "Most certainly there is. And I will listen too."
— Sam Fortier (@Sam4TR) October 4, 2020
Dwayne Haskins Jr.:
Rivera thought Dwayne handled the week pretty well with all the noise
— George Wallace (@GWallaceWTOP) October 4, 2020
Rivera said he threw some really good passes, but his full evaluation is something the coaches are going to have to dissect.
— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) October 4, 2020
Rivera liked Haskins' deep ball, but notes he need to improve on his situational awareness. He highlights the play on the fourth down in the end zone.
— Matthew Paras (@Matthew_Paras) October 4, 2020
Head coach Ron Rivera said he "loved the deep balls" Dwayne Haskins threw to Terry McLaurin. Also said he threw some "darts" over the middle and made "some really good decisions."
— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) October 4, 2020
However, Rivera said he was "a little disappointed" with Haskins' situational awareness.
Rivera says he wanted to see what would happen with Haskins on this play. Didn't love the situational awareness with the short pass. https://t.co/sJfgnzhoSY
— Ben Standig (@BenStandig) October 4, 2020
On 4th-and-goal from the 13, Ron Rivera said he went for it as a challenge to QB Dwayne Haskins. He wanted to see how he'd handle it.
— Sam Fortier (@Sam4TR) October 4, 2020
"If he's going to be a starter in this league and contribute to winning football games ... he's got to show growth. ... This is learn as you go."
Head coach Ron Rivera said that Dwayne Haskins "had his moments" today. Made some plays and missed some plays. Also said they'll talk about situational awareness. Haskins can't take that sack on 2nd-and-goal.
— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) October 4, 2020
Rivera said Haskins' good plays do no erase his bad plays and vice versa. He will learn from this tape, Rivera said.
— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) October 4, 2020
Running backs:
Head coach Ron Rivera on the RBs: "We have some quality backs, we really do." Said that OC Scott Turner is starting to learn and understand each of them better, which leads to them being put in better situations. Antonio Gibson (17 touches for 128 yards) was the clear standout.
— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) October 4, 2020
Dwayne Haskins Jr. played better this week, but he's not satisfied with his performance. He took what the defense gave him, but that limited his ability to take shots down the field. Haskins went over 300 yards today, but was limited to short passes throughout the day.
Dwayne Haskins Jr.
Not satisfied:
Dwayne Haskins at the podium now. Definitely not satisfied with his performance, but he thought he did a good job taking what the defense gave him. No turnovers today.
— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) October 4, 2020
Taking what the defense gave them:
Dwayne Haskins feels he did a "good job taking what the defense gave me"
— Chris Russell AKA The Rooster (@Russellmania621) October 4, 2020
Says he doesn't want to force anything...took a shot later.
"They were playing soft zone" and didn't give anything deep.
In control:
Haskins said he felt he was in better control...cool and calm
— George Wallace (@GWallaceWTOP) October 4, 2020
4th & 13:
Dwayne Haskins says again on the 4th/13 - they were playing soft zone and took away everything over the top.
— Chris Russell AKA The Rooster (@Russellmania621) October 4, 2020
Trusting his teammates:
Dwayne Haskins said he worked hard to forget last week and trust his teammates but needs to keep improving
— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) October 4, 2020
Ron Rivera:
Haskins says it's hard to see Rivera go through what he does to keep going. But "he's our leader" and an inspiration.
— Chris Russell AKA The Rooster (@Russellmania621) October 4, 2020
Dwayne Haskins said that it's tough to see coach Ron Rivera struggle with chemo and then turn around be at practice, trying to bring energy, etc. Said he went through a similar situation with former OSU coach Urban Meyer with his ailment.
— Rhiannon Walker (@InstantRHIplay) October 4, 2020
Antonio Gibson had a big day today, says he is learning every week as he transitions to being an NFL RB. One thing he knows he can do better is getting upfield sooner, and not trying to make things happen in the backfield. As a former receiver, he's used to making moves downfield, but knows he needs to get north and get yards.
Antonio Gibson
The #WashingtonFootball team may have lost on the field, but Antonio Gibson wins the uniform game for his postgame Zoom. pic.twitter.com/jZOioRqZMl
— Adam Winkler (@AdamWinkSports) October 4, 2020
Learning each week:
RB Antonio Gibson at the podium now. Said he felt comfortable today and that he's learning each week.
— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) October 4, 2020
Get upfield:
Antonio Gibson says he's still learning that he has to get "north" right away instead of trying to make plays in the backfield, because he's used to being a receiver and making plays downfield.
— Chris Russell AKA The Rooster (@Russellmania621) October 4, 2020
Gibson said that he's learning to pick and choose when he can try and make something happen and when to just get upfield and get some yards.
— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) October 4, 2020
Ron Rivera:
Antonio Gibson on Ron Rivera: "For him to come out and coach us through it ... it means a lot."
— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) October 4, 2020
Washington's offense:
Antonio Gibson on Washington's offense: "We still got a lot of work to do. Definitely got a lot of work to do. Once we put it all together, we're going to be something to deal with for sure."
— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) October 4, 2020