Ron Rivera Presser: “Is our franchise QB on the roster?”

Washington Football Team | Head Coach Ron Rivera Press Conference https://t.co/KkgII2rsvq

— Washington Football Team (@WashingtonNFL) November 9, 2020

Ron Rivera said Allen is seeing the doctors today but it would be premature to rule him out for the year. #WashingtonFootball

— Chris Russell AKA The Rooster (@Russellmania621) November 9, 2020

Rivera said Alex Smith is a very veteran quarterback who has helped a lot of talented young QBs become pros in the NFL. He said this will help Dwayne Haskins as he develops.

— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) November 9, 2020

Rivera said Smith helped the offense account for 20 points. He had three INTs, but one was because J.D. McKissic fell down and the other two were because he tried to force things. He isn't going to fault Smith for trying to make plays when the team is in desperation mode.

— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) November 9, 2020

Rivera on Alex Smith's game-sealing interception: "It's hard to fault a guy when you're in desperation mode."

Rivera highlighted the team's 250+ yards of total offense in the second half as a reason to feel good about Smith's performance.

— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) November 9, 2020

Ron Rivera cited the division race among other factors when making the QB change in Week 5. As for staying with Alex Smith as the starter now, Ron Rivera said, "Nothing has really changed in the NFC East other than we lost the tiebreaker with the Giants. It's still a close race."

— Ben Standig (@BenStandig) November 9, 2020

Rivera said Smith has been working hard to try and come back. It doesn't surprise him that Smith has earned another opportunity.

— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) November 9, 2020

Rivera said Smith's work ethic is legendary. That's the type of player he has been his entire career. It reminds him a lot of Philip Rivers in that he arrives early, stays late and does everything he can to be ready for gameday.

— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) November 9, 2020

Here's Ron Rivera on the QBs. Says it's a great opportunity for Dwayne Haskins to watch a pro like Alex Smith prepare. pic.twitter.com/c6pNA7Yo0Y

— michael phillips (@michaelpRTD) November 9, 2020

Ron Rivera said having Alex Smith start can benefit Dwayne Haskins too: "I think Dwayne is going to truly see how to prepare as a starter. ... And who knows, he may get his opportunity again."

— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) November 9, 2020

Ron Rivera thinks Dwayne Haskins has handled the last month or so — with the demotion, trade speculation, etc — well.

— Matthew Paras (@Matthew_Paras) November 9, 2020

Ron Rivera on Dwayne Haskins: "We're hoping to see a guy that has a talented arm, that's a good pocket passer ... but does he put it all together ... and become a more astute player and student of this game.

"His arm talent is legit. Now let's see him put it altogether."

— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) November 9, 2020

"The only thing that separates it is the guys that work the hardest" is such an indictment. https://t.co/Jbol4kL6u4

— Matthew Paras (@Matthew_Paras) November 9, 2020

Rivera mentioned gap integrity again when it comes to Washington stopping the run. He said yesterday that was an issue, and it's important for the players to understand that going forward.

— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) November 9, 2020

Ron Rivera said the run defense problem is NOT the philosophy of "stopping the run on the way to the quarterback" which they have preached. He's says it's about playing holding their position, gap integrity, etc as opposed to the philosophy. #WashingtonFootballTeam

— Chris Russell AKA The Rooster (@Russellmania621) November 9, 2020

Rivera admitted his disappointment about Washington not being able to stop the run. They made some adjustments, but those "didn't stick as well as we would like to."

— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) November 9, 2020

Ron Rivera on sticking with Alex Smith as their starter: "Nothing has really changed in the NFC East other than we lost the tiebreaker with the Giants. It's still a close race."

— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) November 9, 2020

Rivera on the NFC East: "It's still a close race." Philly leads the division at 3-4-1, followed by @WashingtonNFL (2-6), Dallas (2-7) and the Giants (2-7)

— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) November 9, 2020

Rivera isn't discouraged, but: "At some point, we're going to have to win football games. That's the truth of the matter."

— Matthew Paras (@Matthew_Paras) November 9, 2020

Ron Rivera says the amount of young players on the field is a reason for optimism, but the coach allows "maybe I'm a little overly optimistic"

— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) November 9, 2020

Ron Rivera says that he's optimistic about the team because they have so many young players and they are improving.

Cites Cam Sims as an example.

Says he might be a bit more optimistic than he should be, but that's what he believes.

— Chris Russell AKA The Rooster (@Russellmania621) November 9, 2020

Rivera says Washington's coaches need to evaluate themselves to start. Are they putting players in best spots to win games - then they look at players

— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) November 9, 2020

Rivera said that sudden change (aka turnovers) is a big part of this game, and you have to be able to handle those situations consistently. Washington's defense has not been good enough in this area.

— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) November 9, 2020

Ron Rivera also said that part of the evaluation process for the defense is when they are given a short field. He understands the D having its back against the wall, but hopes the unit doesn't break or forces a turnover in those situations.

— Rhiannon Walker (@InstantRHIplay) November 9, 2020

Rivera says Washington will hold internal discussions about bringing in 3rd QB

— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) November 9, 2020

Rivera: "That's the question we have to answer as coaches: Is our franchise quarterback on the roster?"

— Matthew Paras (@Matthew_Paras) November 9, 2020

Ron Rivera says "it's no different in practice than what you see in the game."

Meaning they were sloppy in practice as Jimmy Moreland indicated last night.

Ron essentially confirms the sloppiness element. #WashingtonFootball @WSHFootballSI

— Chris Russell AKA The Rooster (@Russellmania621) November 9, 2020

Ron Rivera said of the difference with guys finding success in the league, is some guys rely on their great talent, and that will take them so far. But the players who match that talent with great practice habits are the ones who do well.

— Rhiannon Walker (@InstantRHIplay) November 9, 2020