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Ron Rivera gave some updates following yesterday's last second loss to the Detroit Lions. He didn't talk about injured players like Deshazor Everett who reportedly suffered a high ankle sprain. He did say that Kendall Fuller could be seeing more time at FS, even though they need him at corner.
Yesterday's loss was filled with missed opportunities, and the team can't win until they stop leaving points on the field. The team only scored 3 points in the first half, but ran a lot of plays and had too many stalled drives. He called his players resilient for their second half comeback, but they need to play a complete game.
The Lions game-winning drive had multiple things happen that Rivera wasn't pleased with. The defense allowed the Lions receiver to get behind them deep, and he would have caught a back-breaker if it wasn't slightly overthrown. The next play the defense played softer coverage which allowed a 9 yard Marvin Jones catch to set up the game-winning field goal.
Chase Young also made a big rookie mistake when he pushed Matthew Stafford from behind late for a 15 yard roughing the passer penalty. Young immediately took ownership of it with Rivera, and also requested a chance to speak with the media after the game. Rivera called him an amazingly mature young player.
Rivera was asked if Alex Smith could be the team's franchise QB going forward, and he didn't give a definitive answer. He said it was a possibility, but a lot of it depends on Smith, and his plans for the future. Rivera did say that the last two games proved that Smith is back as a football player.
Dustin Hopkins has missed a kick in 6 of Washington's 9 games this year. He had an injured groin this week, but the team didn't elevate practice squad kicker Kaare Vedvik. Hopkins missed a 46 yard FG in the first half. Last week Rivera didn't sound like he was open to replacing Hopkins. This week he said they are discussing bringing in competition at kicker.
Head Coach Ron Rivera | Press Conference https://t.co/BZ3E5WUEzk
— Washington Football Team (@WashingtonNFL) November 16, 2020
1st half struggles:
Rivera said his team has been resilient and there is some fight in the players. He wishes they were more astute at doing their jobs in the first half and taking advantage of more opportunities.
— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) November 16, 2020
Head coach Ron Rivera is addressing the media now. He admits the team had some opportunities it missed the first half.
— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) November 16, 2020
"We've got to stop putting ourselves in that position."
In regard to the first-half mistakes on offense, Rivera said that simply put, they have to talk about these mistakes and get them corrected because that's at least nine points they left on the field.
— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) November 16, 2020
Missed opportunities in the red zone:
Rivera said again the team needs to take advantage of red zone chances. Also reiterated that Washington left nine points on the field.
— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) November 16, 2020
After watching the film, Rivera summarizes yesterday's game with this: "I saw some opportunities, we didn't take advantage of the opportunities, and because of that we lost the football game."
— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) November 16, 2020
Kendall Fuller:
Ron Rivera said Kendall Fuller "just got out of position" on the first drive bomb touchdown. #WashingtonFootball @WSHFootballSI @LockedWFTPod
— Chris Russell AKA The Rooster (@Russellmania621) November 16, 2020
Ron Rivera says the 55 yard bomb to Marvin Hall was a result of "poor eye discipline." Kendall Fuller bit too early on the route.
— Matthew Paras (@Matthew_Paras) November 16, 2020
Fuller at FS:
Asked Ron Rivera about playing Kendall Fuller at safety. Said he's needed at cornerback, but if Deshazor Everett misses time, it's an option that's on the table.
— michael phillips (@michaelpRTD) November 16, 2020
Ron Rivera on Kendall Fuller potentially playing some more safety: "We need him at corner, but that's also an option if it gets to that point."
— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) November 16, 2020
Alex Smith as the franchise QB:
Ron Rivera asked if Alex Smith could be a franchise quarterback pic.twitter.com/eLGGLfWyOW
— michael phillips (@michaelpRTD) November 16, 2020
When asked if Alex Smith could possibly be the franchise QB for the team, Ron Rivera says possibly. But adds, depends on how long they think he can play, how long does Smith want to play, can he sustain this high level of play?
— Rhiannon Walker (@InstantRHIplay) November 16, 2020
Smith is back:
Rivera said Smith has proven in the past couple of weeks that he is back. There are still some things he needs to work on, but two 300-yard performances has shown that he is back as a player.
— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) November 16, 2020
Lions game-winning drive:
Ron Rivera said of the deep shot Detroit missed on the play where the roughing was called, that receiver should never have gotten behind their deepest guy, and also he’d like to see the D play tighter on that 9 yard catch
— Rhiannon Walker (@InstantRHIplay) November 16, 2020
Ron Rivera says on the Chase Young penalty play -- an incomplete bomb....they can't let someone get behind them. They did.
— Chris Russell AKA The Rooster (@Russellmania621) November 16, 2020
Also said it probably affected how they played on the Marvin Jones + 9 gain on next play with softer coverage.
Wrote about it -->https://t.co/ab8G1KxaDT
Chase Young:
Ron Rivera said Chase Young apologized to him for his roughing penalty. Young also asked to talk to media after the game.
— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) November 16, 2020
Rivera called him "a young pro" and said he appreciates how he holds himself accountable.
Ron Rivera says Chase Young apologized after his late penalty yesterday: "Chase Young is a young pro and he's learning. He knows he made a mistake. ... He's an amazingly mature young player. He takes ownership."
— Matthew Paras (@Matthew_Paras) November 16, 2020
Dustin Hopkins competition:
Will Dustin Hopkins be replaced?
— michael phillips (@michaelpRTD) November 16, 2020
"We're discussing" pic.twitter.com/b8khTo8nAZ
Hmmm. Rivera was asked about a possible competition at the kicker spot and this time, he didn't back Dustin Hopkins like the week before. He says they're discussing it.
— Matthew Paras (@Matthew_Paras) November 16, 2020
1st year in Carolina compared to Washington:
In his first season at Carolina, Rivera also started the year 2-7, but he doesn't think it's fair to compare the two seasons because the structure is different. Washington is playing more young players and trying to see what it has at different positions.
— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) November 16, 2020