Ron Rivera Redskins Presser: If you trade back, you still need to get an impact payer

#Redskins head coach Ron Rivera spoke to the local media via video conference this afternoon. Here's the full 30-minute interview session: https://t.co/Jnx2Z13cn6

— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) April 7, 2020

Rivera starts by sending his condolences and best wishes to the family of former #Redskins legend Bobby Mitchell, who passed away on Sunday.

— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) April 7, 2020

.@RiverboatRonHC on the late great Bobby Mitchell: "One of those iconic players." Opens his press availability with wishing his family well. #Redskins

— Chris Russell AKA "The Rooster" (@Russellmania621) April 7, 2020

Ron Rivera says that he and the team have talked to Trent Williams and his agent, and out of respect wouldn't go into detail. Said they're still working on a possible trade. But right now he's under contract a member of the team #HTTR

— Rhiannon Walker (@InstantRHIplay) April 7, 2020

Rivera says no update on Trent Williams situation. On Quinton Dunbar, Rivera says "he was looking for something we werent going to give him."

— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) April 7, 2020

Ron Rivera on why Redskins chose to move on from Quinton Dunbar.

"He wanted a new contract. He had another year on his contract. We didn't know him. His agent and attitude didn't change so we decided to move on."

— The Team 980 & 95.9FM (@team980) April 7, 2020

Ron Rivera says the Redskins weren't willing to give Dunbar a new contract and decided to move on. He says they got "fair value" for him (a fifth-round pick)

— Matthew Paras (@Matthew_Paras) April 7, 2020

Ron Rivera said that the team releasing Montae Nicholson had to two do with the situations he's been involved with -- two police encounters in less than a year -- and believing he needed a fresh start #HTTR

— Rhiannon Walker (@InstantRHIplay) April 7, 2020

Rivera on free agency approach: "We were looking to fill needs." He cites Thomas Davis as an example, someone who will help build their culture. "He still plays at a very high level."

— Matthew Paras (@Matthew_Paras) April 7, 2020

Rivera says Kendall Fuller has "very good value" and that Sean Davis will come in and play free safety right away.

— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) April 7, 2020

Rivera said they believe Jon Bostic has the tools to lead the defense. Also talked about Kendall Fuller’s versatility and Sean Davis’ ability to play free safety.

— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) April 7, 2020

Sean Davis is a guy Ron Rivera and his staff believes can be the starting free safety and will compete to earn that role #HTTR

— Rhiannon Walker (@InstantRHIplay) April 7, 2020

In Carolina, Rivera tried to identify players "on the cusp" of becoming a solid starter. He just used Sean Davis an example of that. He likes how he fits with the rest of the secondary.

— Matthew Paras (@Matthew_Paras) April 7, 2020

Rivera compares Sean Davis to the success Mike Mitchell had with the Panthers. I like that comp. Makes sense

— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) April 7, 2020

Ron Rivera says "we have time to be patient and develop these guys"

— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) April 7, 2020

On his level of concern about not being able to workout his players this week and the draft going virtual, says he's drawing from his experience nine years ago. He's not too concerned because he went through this -- first season as a head coach there was the lockout #HTTR

— Rhiannon Walker (@InstantRHIplay) April 7, 2020

Rivera says he's not too concerned right now, notes that he's been thru this before in Carolina when he took over and the lockout. "Biggest thing is to be ready when we get back on the field."

— George Wallace (@GWallaceWTOP) April 7, 2020

Rivera said that going through the 2011 NFL lockout has and will help him as he leads the #Redskins through this unique situation. Said that when appropriate, they will begin virtual activities.

— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) April 7, 2020

Rivera says he was watching CBS This Morning and it reminded him of how their draft room is probably going to have to be run.

— Matthew Paras (@Matthew_Paras) April 7, 2020

Ron Rivera on Amari Cooper: "Amari is somebody that we chased and we chased very hard...We would have loved to have him." Rivera adds he respects Cooper's decision.

— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) April 7, 2020

"Amari is someone we chased very hard up until the end." Ron Rivera on the interest the team had #HTTR

— Rhiannon Walker (@InstantRHIplay) April 7, 2020

The Redskins pursued WR Amari Cooper and TE Austin Hooper in free agency as potential splash signings on offense, but they landed neither.

HC Ron Rivera on why they chased Cooper hard and Hooper not as much as most seem to think. pic.twitter.com/xi4t2J3Fov

— Sam Fortier (@Sam4TR) April 7, 2020

Ron Rivera said the Redskins "weren't really into" the Austin Hooper sweepstakes. Rivera said the Redskins weren't looking to reset the tight end $$ market like Cleveland did

— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) April 7, 2020

Rivera: I like Darby. His anticipation is tremendous. We’re very excited about him. #Redskins

— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) April 7, 2020

Ron Rivera said CB Ronald Darby is a player he likes and is excited about. He thinks he has a chance to be really good. He has a quick twitch and will play through the reciever in matchups. #Redskins

— Lake Lewis Jr (@LakeLewis) April 7, 2020

Says without meetings and Pro Days, this is when coaches now have to rely on their scouts and the work they do. Getting started tomorrow on positional coaches' readings on skillset, how players fit into the system #HTTR

— Rhiannon Walker (@InstantRHIplay) April 7, 2020

Rivera: "We'll find out how good we are without being to really evaluate. We're challenged with that. I think Kyle Smith has done a tremendous job the last few drafts."

— George Wallace (@GWallaceWTOP) April 7, 2020

Ron Rivera makes it very clear that just because a player has great numbers doesn't mean that they'll fit the system, and fit is tremendously important to this group #HTTR

— Rhiannon Walker (@InstantRHIplay) April 7, 2020

Ron Rivera says Kyle Allen is the right kind of person for the QB room. He will be fired up if he's the starter, but also fired up to be the backup. He has the right makeup for the situation, said he worked great behind Cam Newton in Carolina.

— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) April 7, 2020

Ron Rivera believes that the competition between Kyle Allen and Dwayne Haskins will be a really good one, because he's seen how he studies and prepares, he's been in the QB room with a strong personality in Cam Newton and he'll be happy whether he wins the job or is backup #HTTR

— Rhiannon Walker (@InstantRHIplay) April 7, 2020

Logan Thomas, Ron Rivera says, shows flashes of being able to find the crease to a lesser degree than Greg Olsen. Rivera says that Aaron Rodgers described Richard Rodgers as a "safety valve." #HTTR

— Rhiannon Walker (@InstantRHIplay) April 7, 2020

Rivera said that TE coach Pete Hoener was really excited about @LoganThomasSr_6 because of his smarts, savvy and athletic ability. Plus he’s still continuing to learn the position after switching from QB.

— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) April 7, 2020

It looks like tight ends are going to be an important part of the #Redskins offense. Rivera said there could two or even three tight ends in personnel sets next year.

— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) April 7, 2020

Rivera regarding the draft: All of the options are available with every pick.

— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) April 7, 2020

Ron Rivera said that all he had for a week was a laptop and iPad and all the video tape the team sent him. So he's gotten through all that. He was in the house by himself with no TV otherwise, and laughed talking about the adjustment #HTTR

— Rhiannon Walker (@InstantRHIplay) April 7, 2020

The Redskins have a preliminary draft board set, but they'll go over positions with their position coaches starting tomorrow, Rivera said.

— Matthew Paras (@Matthew_Paras) April 7, 2020

Rivera said the #Redskins will begin the coaches readings tomorrow, and that will likely continue for five days. By coaches readings, he means that each position coach will give their thoughts on draft prospects after watching the film.

— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) April 7, 2020

Love this answer from Coach Rivera on the multiple one-year/short term deals the Redskins have given out in Free Agency. "It's an opportunity to prove it." Gives guys the chance to do their job. (@PeteHaileyNBCS with the Q). #httr #redskins

— Julie Donaldson (@JDonaldsonNBCS) April 7, 2020

Rivera said the one year deals for his FA signings are a chance for guys to bet on themselves and play for bigger contracts. He likes guys that want to come in and compete and be a part of what is being built. #Redskins

— Lake Lewis Jr (@LakeLewis) April 7, 2020

Ron Rivera says its exciting to hear players signing with the team are signing in large part because of him and his coaching staff #HTTR

— Rhiannon Walker (@InstantRHIplay) April 7, 2020

Ron Rivera says he talks to owner Dan Snyder daily to every other day. Says Snyder just wants to be informed. Says he's done the lassiez-faire thing being hands off, but now, he's just making sure Rivera and Kyle Smith have the tools they need. #HTTR

— Rhiannon Walker (@InstantRHIplay) April 7, 2020

Ron Rivera said team owner Dan Snyder isn’t there to impose his will but to give them everything they need to be successful. He said things are going really well with Snyder and that they talk every other day. #Redskins

— Lake Lewis Jr (@LakeLewis) April 7, 2020

Says the timeline for the turnaround for the team won't be overnight, however, it does need to be soon. He says by the third season in Carolina they were on the up and up. Really wants to earn the fans trust back and have them back in the stands. #HTTR

— Rhiannon Walker (@InstantRHIplay) April 7, 2020

Ron Rivera says its extremely important that whoever they pick in the first round needs to be someone who can come in and play. Same thing with a trade back situation, if they do that, the next guy they take has to be a high-impact guy #HTTR

— Rhiannon Walker (@InstantRHIplay) April 7, 2020

Rivera said that when you have a top 5 pick, that player needs to be an “immediate impact player.” And if you’re trading back, then the player you end up taking needs to be almost as good, if not as good, than the player you’re giving up. #Redskins

— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) April 7, 2020

"I like to believe in the back of my mind, we know what we're going to do," Ron Rivera says on if he knows what they'll do at No. 2, but it is a fluid situation. Never know what could happen. #HTTR

— Rhiannon Walker (@InstantRHIplay) April 7, 2020

If you're gonna make a trade and move back, that guy has to be able to make an impact. HC Ron Rivera stresses you have to get value - not just a bunch of picks. You pick a guy that can change your football team for years to come. #httr #redskins

— Julie Donaldson (@JDonaldsonNBCS) April 7, 2020

#Redskins HC Ron Rivera on if there will be fewer trades because of the fully virtual draft: pic.twitter.com/WH7n069v7M

— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) April 7, 2020

Ron Rivera says of Alex Smith and Reuben Foster that the last time he saw them they were both in the middle of their rehab. Not counting on anyone just yet, because they haven't had a chance to see them. #HTTR

— Rhiannon Walker (@InstantRHIplay) April 7, 2020

Rivera on Reuben Foster and Alex Smith working back from injuries. Noted both worked hard when he last saw them, but hard to gauge under these circumstances. Doesn't sound like Rivera is assuming either will be available when practices begin just cause, but remains hopeful.

— Ben Standig (@BenStandig) April 7, 2020

Interesting note from Rivera’s press conference. Mentioned that every year, there’s at least one rookie starting. He believes in playing young players if they’re ready, and the #Redskins have plenty of guys who could fit that description.

— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) April 7, 2020