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Redskins Head Coach Ron Rivera spoke with Redskins Chief Content Officer/Senior VP Larry Michael for a Virtual Leadership Luncheon hosted by the Loudon County Chamber of Commerce. Rivera talked about preparing for this year’s unprecedented virtual draft, and preparing the team’s draft board with scouts and coaches. He touched on the Need vs BPA debate, and said the Redskins will draft players to make their team better. He is big on leadership and taking responsibility, and he talked about what that means on his teams. And of course there were some technical difficulties on the Zoom call...
Virtual leadership luncheon with #Redskins head coach Ron Rivera is happening now. Follow this thread for updates.
— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) April 16, 2020
Also, here's the link: https://t.co/1G7ipJk6bw
Setting the draft board:
Rivera says he and Kyle Smith are currently working through their draft boards remotely using Zoom. They’ve been interacting with the scouts on how they want to shape their plan for next week. #Redskins
— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) April 16, 2020
Ron Rivera says the Redskins have been holding their pre-draft meetings over Zoom. They've reviewed every position with their scouts and coaches and have also reviewed their medical evaluations.
— Matthew Paras (@Matthew_Paras) April 16, 2020
Going through the draft board, Rivera said they have to be "really, really honest with themselves" about how they see players and where their needs are.
— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) April 16, 2020
BPA vs Need:
Rivera said the heavy lifting of the draft process is almost done. Now it's about "refining" the draft board. Rivera makes sure to note that it's not just about picking based on need or on best player available. It's about picking the best player on the board that fits a need.
— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) April 16, 2020
Rivera said he doesn’t necessarily want to pick for need and he doesn’t necessarily want to pick the best player available. He want to pick players that best fit the #Redskins and their plans.
— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) April 16, 2020
Rivera during virtual leadership luncheon acknowledges that sometimes need supersedes "best player available" in draft, if grades are close.
— Burgundy Blog (@BurgundyBlog) April 16, 2020
Free Agency:
In free agency, Rivera said the #Redskins were looking for players "on the cusp of taking that next big step." Also wanted players who fit the culture Rivera is trying to instill.
— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) April 16, 2020
Rivera: "I like to think we filled some pretty good voids with the guys we picked up [during free agency]."
— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) April 16, 2020
On a video chat with Loudoun County leadership luncheon Ron Rivera says they filled a lot of voids in FA so gives them freedom to not have to fill certain spots in FA. I know they’ve felt they created a lot more immediate depth with FA. Means don’t have to find that in draft
— John Keim (@john_keim) April 16, 2020
Wasn’t just about starting positions. Was about better depth. Was a big thing in FA. Want to avoid being forced to use low round picks or UDFAs as first line of depth. Real tough. Better to add in FA than expect several in draft to fill that role. That’s one point I heard https://t.co/WfXPmlGGD5
— John Keim (@john_keim) April 16, 2020
Technical difficulties:
Just as they were about to ask if the Redskins planned on drafting a quarterback
— Matthew Paras (@Matthew_Paras) April 16, 2020
He said this in his dining room about five seconds before the feed crashed. No lie. #Redskins! https://t.co/15h7zMS0tI
— Burgundy Blog (@BurgundyBlog) April 16, 2020
This is how they end up autodrafting Jerry Jeudy. https://t.co/8jN8buud8T
— michael phillips (@michaelpRTD) April 16, 2020
Just as Ron Rivera expressed confidence in the Redskins ability to navigate the NFL Draft with technology, his virtual leadership luncheon crashed.
— Sam Fortier (@Sam4TR) April 16, 2020
Virtual offseason program:
The Redskins plan to start the virtual offseason program on Monday, Ron Rivera said. Teams have the option to participate.
— Matthew Paras (@Matthew_Paras) April 16, 2020
Rivera said the #Redskins will begin "virtual coaching" on Monday. It's basically Phase 1 of the offseason training program.
— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) April 16, 2020
#Redskins virtual offseason training program schedule:
— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) April 16, 2020
Players meeting with coaches: 2 hours per day, 4 days per week for three weeks.
They will also be holding a virtual voluntary veteran camp as well.
Leadership:
Rivera said you can learn and grow to become a leader, but you have to want to do it.
— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) April 16, 2020
Rivera said his parents were big mentors in his life. He also mentioned coaches he’s played under like Mike Ditka and coaches he’s worked with like Andy Reid. #Redskins
— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) April 16, 2020
Rivera said you can lead a group a specific way, but each individual needs to be led differently. He prepares for this by listening, observing and building relationships. That allows him to customize his leadership style.
— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) April 16, 2020
2011 NFL lockout:
During the 2011 NFL lockout, Rivera learned that you have to be prepared and be able to adjust at any time.
— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) April 16, 2020
In this situation, the #Redskins will be able to virtually coach from April 20 to May 15. That's what they're preparing for.
Recent Redskins drafts:
Once again, Rivera brings up the #Redskins past three draft classes. Described them as "really good young draft classes."
— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) April 16, 2020
Rivera mentions the youth and talent on this #Redskins roster built in the last three drafts again. This has always been a big advantage on this team for him.
— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) April 16, 2020
Responsibility:
Rivera likes when players take responsibility for missteps on plays, which is something he values in players. They’re not looking to blame others for their own mistakes. #Redskins
— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) April 16, 2020
When talking to draft prospects, Rivera said he gets excited when guys accept responsibility.
— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) April 16, 2020
Rivera also likes to ask prospects who mentored them and impact them and what their upbringing was like.
Rivera was asked by a fan the one question he likes asking prospective picks. He said it was “who mentored you”? He likes seeing their eyes light up talking about it... I liked that question.
— John Keim (@john_keim) April 16, 2020
Be Better:
Ron Rivera on expectations for the upcoming season: "Be better." Said that refers to record, performance and approach.
— michael phillips (@michaelpRTD) April 16, 2020
Rivera on the expectations for the upcoming season: to be better. He can’t give a gauge, but he expects improvement and to develop a sustainable winning culture in 2020. #Redskins
— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) April 16, 2020
Position coaches:
When evaluating position coaches, Rivera said that the development of their players is the most important factor. Rivera said he likes to pop around to different position meetings so he can observe and listen.
— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) April 16, 2020
Rivera said he learned from Andy Reid that the head coach is responsible for the development of his position coaches.
— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) April 16, 2020
Team players:
“It’s not about me; it’s about we.” Rivera wants team guys on his roster. “We’ve all got to be in this together.” #Redskins
— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) April 16, 2020
Rivera on the common trait he wants in his players: "It's not about me, it's about we." He wants guys who are going to truly commit to the organization.
— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) April 16, 2020
Adrian Peterson:
Rivera just told this story when discussing AP. He was impressed https://t.co/tsUpFDF6Pf
— Matthew Paras (@Matthew_Paras) April 16, 2020
Happy Thanksgiving!:
Rivera with the mic drop at end of virtual luncheon: “oh and one last thing: happy thanksgiving”.
— John Keim (@john_keim) April 16, 2020