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The Washington Football Team got their first win in a month, and Ron Rivera wants everyone to know that losing sucks. The team doesn't have much time to enjoy their win over the Bengals, they're already preparing for their Thanksgiving Day game against the Dallas Cowboys. The week will basically be walkthroughs and Zoom meetings. They travel to Dallas on Wednesday.
Rivera was impressed with a lot of his players on Sunday, and he ran down a list. This included Ronald Darby, Kam Curl, Chase Young, Morgan Moses, Wes Schweitzer, Brandon Scherff, Chase Roullier, and a few others. Chase Young's off the field intangibles are incredible. His athleticism and work ethic make him an exciting young player.
Head Coach Ron Rivera spoke to the media about what he saw from the team yesterday, the challenges of the short week, and more
Posted by Washington Football Team on Monday, November 23, 2020
Injury report:
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Short week schedule:
Head coach Ron Rivera is addressing the media now. He said today will the chance for the players to get treatment, a lift and walkthrough to break a sweat. They'll also have meetings over Zoom.
— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) November 23, 2020
Washington's plan for the short week, per Ron Rivera:
— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) November 23, 2020
Monday: Treatment, lift, jog, Zoom meetings, walkthrough
Tuesday: Practice at faster pace but no pads, cram as much game-planning as possible
Wednesday: Travel
Thursday: Game
Chase Young:
Rivera said Chase Young's off the field intangibles are incredible, whether it's workouts or being in the classroom. The COVID protocols change things, but Rivera is confident Young will find a way.
— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) November 23, 2020
Ron Rivera says Chase Young always finds a way to get that time in to hit the weight room go through reps. Said this discussing how protocols have limited that for the team
— Rhiannon Walker (@InstantRHIplay) November 23, 2020
Ron Rivera on DE Chase Young: "The off-the-field stuff, the intangibles, are unbelievable." Combined with his athleticism and work ethic, that makes for an exciting young player.
— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) November 23, 2020
Scott Turner:
Rivera said Scott Turner is opening up the playbook more. Not only is that because of Alex Smith's experience, but it also has a lot to do with how the other positions have developed.
— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) November 23, 2020
Upcoming schedule:
Ron Rivera on the upcoming schedule: "The next few weeks are going to be challenging based on who we play."
— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) November 23, 2020
After playing Dallas on Thanksgiving, @WashingtonNFL travels to play the undefeated Steelers. Then it goes to San Francisco and hosts Seattle.
Dallas Cowboys on Thanksgiving:
Ron Rivera said Dallas is going to be a tough game. It's TG and they had a win. It's going to be an interesting two weeks.
— Lake Lewis Jr (@LakeLewis) November 23, 2020
Alex Smith:
What Rivera said about this play:https://t.co/0Rhjas7j8E pic.twitter.com/Vgan713u2k
— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) November 23, 2020
Rivera said Smith has an ability to help the others around, and that's important as Washington tries to put more wins together.
— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) November 23, 2020
Ron Rivera thinks Alex Smith's experience will be important for Washington's run down the stretch. He says Smith's confidence and comfortability in the scheme has been helpful. Cites one throw to Cam Sims as an example.
— Matthew Paras (@Matthew_Paras) November 23, 2020
Losing sucks:
Rivera said that Washington's last three losses, though, have felt different. He sees his team starting to get it. "Having come in ... but seeing what I've seen, I've been encouraged," Rivera said. https://t.co/jxGWiKIz1f
— Matthew Paras (@Matthew_Paras) November 23, 2020
Ron Rivera: "Losing sucks. It's just miserable." Says the last few losses weren't awful because of the direction they were heading in two #NYG losses & #Lions game.
— Chris Russell AKA The Rooster (@Russellmania621) November 23, 2020
"It's been very positive.....I'm encouraged."
Praises Ronald Darby & Kam Curl - liked linebacker rotation.
Standouts vs Bengals:
Rivera said there were some really good individual efforts against the Bengals. He mentioned Ronald Darby and Kamren Curl specifically. Darby tied a career-high four pass breakups.
— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) November 23, 2020
Ron Rivera mentioned Ron Darby, Kam Curl, Chase Young, Morgan Moses, Wes Schweitzer, Brandon Scherff, among others, who had standout performances vs. the Bengals.
— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) November 23, 2020
Ron Rivera cites performances that stood out starting with Ronald Darby. Also mentions:
— Ben Standig (@BenStandig) November 23, 2020
*Curl
*Linebacker rotation
* Went up and down the OL * "Really pleased" with Morgan Moses at LT
The top 2 offensive linemen around the league in Week 11, so far, per PFF: Wes Schweitzer and Brandon Scheff.
— Ben Standig (@BenStandig) November 23, 2020
Ron Rivera praised the OL today during his presser including those two: pic.twitter.com/zoOOsDrx9Y
Rivera mentioned Ronald Darby a few times for how he played. Broke up a few passes down the field; good coverage overall.
— John Keim (@john_keim) November 23, 2020
Safeties:
"I thought it was pretty good" on the safety play overall.
— Chris Russell AKA The Rooster (@Russellmania621) November 23, 2020
Wishes Apke would have held on to the football for INT.
Said he had a few good run fits.
"Solid effort" @WSHFootballSI
Rivera liked how the safeties performed yesterday. He would have liked Apke to grab that interception, but said it was a "solid effort" from him and Kam Curl.
— Matthew Paras (@Matthew_Paras) November 23, 2020
Practice:
Ron Rivera says sometimes the players practice so hard, he has to slow them down. They carry it over to shells and he has to remind them to take care of each other
— Rhiannon Walker (@InstantRHIplay) November 23, 2020
Winning:
"Give yourself a chance to win, and the winning will come."
— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) November 23, 2020
Rivera said the team has a lot of learning to do, but there are some encouraging signs from the past few weeks. The players practice hard, and it's starting to carry over in games.
Starting faster:
Ron Rivera said he and his coaching staff talk a lot about how the team can start games faster. "It really comes down to just making plays."@WashingtonNFL did score first yesterday, but it went into halftime trailing, 9-7.
— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) November 23, 2020
Responsibilities:
Rivera wants his players to take ownership of their responsibilities. It's not just about blocking; it's about creating a bigger hole for the running backs. It's not just about hitting a crease; it's about about exploding through the crease. Don't just do your job. Do it better.
— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) November 23, 2020
Ron Rivera wants his team to understand that "doing your job is one thing, but doing your job with a little something extra." That could mean finishing a tackle or a block. Whatever it is, that extra oomph makes a difference.
— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) November 23, 2020
Preventing big plays:
Ron Rivera confirms @WashingtonNFL's defense was focused on keeping everything in front of them, which resulted in the Bengals gradually moving down the field. It was banking on the Bengals eventually making mistakes, and that's what happened with two missed FGs and a fumble.
— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) November 23, 2020
Ron Rivera praised Jack Del Rio for how he mixed up the looks and coverages to help Washington's defense improve on third downs (Bengals went 3-of-13 on 3rd downs) and limit explosive plays. Cincinnati had only one play of 20+ yards: a 25-yard completion to Tee Higgins in the Q2.
— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) November 23, 2020
3rd down defense:
.@RiverboatRonHC gave a terrific answer on why the #WashingtonFootball had success on third down defense (3-13). Said @coachdelrio really mixed it up and on 1st/2nd down - they were trying to keep things in front. Got tighter & more creative on $$$ down. pic.twitter.com/BMw01ywGSc
— Chris Russell AKA The Rooster (@Russellmania621) November 23, 2020