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Washington Football Team Defensive Coordinator Jack Del Rio talked to reporters and said there are opportunities for the defense to get better. They need to get better on third down and in the red zone. The return of DB Kendall Fuller has led to several other players on the defense having their playing time reduced. Fuller had his first 2 interception game last week against Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens. Tackling is still an issue for this team, but Del Rio declined to call any individual players out.
Press Conference: Jack Del RioDefensive Coordinator Jack Del Rio spoke to the media about what he expects to see this Sunday and more.
Posted by Washington Football Team on Thursday, October 8, 2020
Ryan Kerrigan:
Defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio is addressing the media now. Says Ryan Kerrigan has been a "very good contributor" a quarter of the way through the season. Highlighted his effort, preparation and professionalism.
— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) October 8, 2020
Del Rio is up next. He said Ryan Kerrigan has been a good contributor and gives good effort. Also said he was a "pro's pro."
— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) October 8, 2020
Looking to improve:
Defensive Coordinator Jack Del Rio spoke to the media about what he has seen from his group so far.
— Washington Football Team (@WashingtonNFL) October 8, 2020
Del Rio on his assessment of the defense through four games: "We've got a good group, we're doing some good things, and we're capable of being better."
— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) October 8, 2020
Del Rio said Washington is playing pretty solid defense, but there are opportunities to get better and the team is looking forward to improving.
— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) October 8, 2020
.@coachdelrio said his defense is always trying to be better on third down in the red zone and today (each Thursday) is called "Turnover Thursday."#NFL wide, they are sub-40% allowed which is a big improvement from last year & below the @NFL average of 43.03% @WashingtonNFL
— Chris Russell AKA The Rooster (@Russellmania621) October 8, 2020
Kendall Fuller:
Del Rio said the discrepancies in snap counts among defensive backs has to do with Kendall Fuller coming back. Fuller playing nearly every snap has taken snaps away from Jimmy Moreland and Fabian Moreau.
— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) October 8, 2020
Tackling:
"To be a great defense, you have to tackle well."
— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) October 8, 2020
Del Rio won't highlight one specific player, but he did say Washington needs to tackle better.
Thomas Davis:
Del Rio said Thomas Davis will impact the defense more as he gets healthier. The coaches are hoping that he continues to improve and that his contribution will increase each week.
— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) October 8, 2020
Kyle Allen:
Jack Del Rio is asked what kind of thoughts or interactions he's had with Kyle Allen here.
— Ben Standig (@BenStandig) October 8, 2020
"Not much."
Jonathan was next up at the Zoom mic. He said the Alex Smith is a pro’s pro and he would have been more surprised if he didn’t come back from what should have been a career-ending injury. Allen said Smith is ready to take a hit, and that he wouldn’t think twice about hitting him in a game if they were on different teams. Football is a dangerous sport and everyone knows the risks.
Jonathan Allen once again stated how much he hates losing, which he says every time he talks to the media. He doesn't give a damn what the offense does, because the defense still needs to do their job at a high level.
Jonathan Allen
QB switch:
Jon Allen with reporters. On the QB change. Look, this Allen isn't the type to weigh into such matters and he sticks to the script. Says "it's unfortunate for Dwayne but an opportunity for Kyle Allen."
— Ben Standig (@BenStandig) October 8, 2020
Alex Smith:
Allen: Alex Smith is more than healthy enough to take a hit.
— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) October 8, 2020
DL Jon Allen praised QB Alex Smith's recovery but said that, as much as he hates to admit it, he wouldn't think twice about hitting Smith in a game if he were a defender.
— Sam Fortier (@Sam4TR) October 8, 2020
"There's no nice way to do what we do. It's a dangerous game."
Jon Allen on Alex Smith: "I'd be more surprised if he DIDN'T come back from the injury, just knowing the kind of player he is, the kind of personality he has and the kind of work ethic he has....If he needed to play, he definitely could do it and he could do it at a high level."
— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) October 8, 2020
Losing:
Allen said the losses Washington has had have stemmed from what the defense has done. At the end of the day, he said, the defense is the one who is giving up the points.
— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) October 8, 2020
Allen said the difference between winning and losing in the NFL is so marginal. The sky is the limit for the defense, but they have to play at a high level consistently.
— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) October 8, 2020
Jonathan Allen: "There are a lot of things that go on in the NFL, but for me it's all about winning. And from player's point of view, that's all I care about. ... I want to win and I want to win now."
— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) October 8, 2020
Do your job:
Jon Allen's thoughts on how a defense should react to their offense putting them in a bad position is the right one. Now, the WFT defense has to follow through on what he's saying pic.twitter.com/TgZGC9MzB6
— Pete Hailey (@PeteHaileyNBCS) October 8, 2020
Jon Allen: "I don’t give a damn what the offense does; as a defense we have to do our job at a high level."
— John Keim (@john_keim) October 8, 2020
J.D. McKissic goes with the flow and follows the coach's lead. McKissic said the offense wasn’t too hard for him to study. It all comes down to studying the playbook. He can always be better and doesn’t feel like he has mastered it, but he does feel comfortable in the system.
J.D. McKissic
Go with the flow:
J.D. McKissic is addressing the media. As a player, he said he has to go with the flow. If that's what the coaches feel is the best move, then that's what he will support.
— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) October 8, 2020
Mastering the playbook:
McKissic said the offense wasn't too hard for him to study. It all comes down to studying the playbook. He can always be better and doesn't feel like he has mastered it, but he does feel comfortable in the system.
— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) October 8, 2020
Alex Smith:
McKissic is very excited for Alex Smith. He has worked extremely hard to get where he is today, McKissic said.
— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) October 8, 2020
McKissic has seen some crazy injuries, but he has never seen anything like Smith's broken leg two years ago. He said Smith deserves respect for putting in the effort to come back.
— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) October 8, 2020
Antonio Gibson:
McKissic said Antonio Gibson is young, but his progress through four games has certainly been unique.
— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) October 8, 2020