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Thomas Davis Sr. spoke to the media after today's training camp practice. One of the main reasons he came to Washington was to reconnect with Ron Rivera. He said Rivera knows how to rebuild a culture, and he wants to help with his own leadership. He also said the release of Derrius Guice followung a domestic violence arrest sets an example.
Davis doesn't know what his role will be in Jack Del Rio's defense, but he is ready to help the team anyway he can. He talked very highly of Kevin Pierre-Louis, Reuben Foster, and Dwayne Haskins Jr.
Training Camp Press Conference - Thomas Davis Sr. https://t.co/MQIHT08EFH
— Washington Football Team (@WashingtonNFL) August 14, 2020
Washington Linebackers:
Davis said it's been fun working with the linebacker corp at Washington. It's an opportunity for all of them to work and grow together.
— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) August 14, 2020
Ron Rivera:
Davis said reuniting with Ron Rivera and Steve Russ was "definitely" a factor in coming to Washington. He knows what it's like to see Rivera rebuild a culture, and he wanted to be a part of that again.
— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) August 14, 2020
Davis expounded on Rivera building a new culture: you can't approach every situation the same way. Every situation poses its different challenges. But he is confident Rivera is the right guy and knows how to handle those challenges.
— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) August 14, 2020
Davis said Rivera is always a coach that listens and pays attention to veteran player. He played the game himself, so he gets where the players are coming from. He listens. He understands.
— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) August 14, 2020
Thomas Davis says Ron Rivera is approaching Washington's rebuild a little differently than Carolina since every situation is different. "He's always been a coach that listens," he said.
— Matthew Paras (@Matthew_Paras) August 14, 2020
Davis said that everywhere Rivera has been, he has not had trouble getting the people around him to buy in. Davis expects the same thing to happen in Washington, and he's here to help in any way he can.
— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) August 14, 2020
Thomas Davis says Ron Rivera had to "step up" and be the face when Jerry Richardson was facing sexual harassment allegations. He thinks that helped Rivera dealing with Washington's name change and everything else.
— Matthew Paras (@Matthew_Paras) August 14, 2020
Reuben Foster:
Davis said Reuben Foster is a physical specimen. He said Foster was born to play linebacker and seeing him make progress has been truly special, especially for someone like him who has experienced his own recovery process.
— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) August 14, 2020
Thomas Davis on Reuben Foster: "I feel like he was born to play the linebacker spot. ... To see Reuben do the things he's been doing day in and day out, I'm extremely impressed and excited for him."
— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) August 14, 2020
Davis tries to talk with Reuben Foster as much as possible. Foster is energetic and excited to get on the field again, and Davis and the rest of the team are constantly encouraging him.
— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) August 14, 2020
Kevin Pierre-Louis:
Thomas Davis praised Kevin Pierre-Louis: "He's a guy that I can see in this defense making a ton of plays."
— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) August 14, 2020
Said he's very humble, hard-working.
.@coachdelrio has brought up Kevin Pierre Louis a lot during the offseason, and Davis said KPL is a special player. He's explosive, Davis said, and he's excited to see him make plays in this defense.
— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) August 14, 2020
Davis has a lot of good things to say about newcomer Kevin Pierre-Louis. Among them: extremely explosive, fast, physical, humble, not afraid to ask questions.
— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) August 14, 2020
Davis expects KPL to make a lot of plays in this defense.
Dwayne Haskins Jr.:
Thomas Davis on Dwayne Haskins: "He has an infectious personality." He says he has the traits to lead a team.
— Matthew Paras (@Matthew_Paras) August 14, 2020
Leadership:
Davis said he was fortunate to have a lot of good leaders around him when he first arrived in Carolina in 2005. Over time, he learned which leadership methods worked best for him.
— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) August 14, 2020
Steve Russ said Davis was the best leader he had ever seen. That comes from the leaders that Davis had when he was a younger player. He takes an approach of leading by example and not being afraid to speak up when necessary.
— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) August 14, 2020
Thomas Davis said the main way he tries to lead is by being consistent. That’s with his approach, his work etc. he’ll also say things when necessary. But he said guys follow those who take a consistent approach and succeed.
— John Keim (@john_keim) August 14, 2020
Culture:
LB Thomas Davis said one reason he came here was to help “change the culture.”
— John Keim (@john_keim) August 14, 2020
Tackling:
Davis does not think tackling will be much of an issue without preseason games. Said that once you get to this level, it comes down to a "want to."
— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) August 14, 2020
"You either going to want to do it or you're not."
Davis doesn't think tackling will be much of an issue in the early part of the season, regardless of an altered offseason. It comes down to whether you want to or not, Davis said, and as long as there are coaches who teach the proper technique, there isn't anything to worry about
— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) August 14, 2020
Derrius Guice:
Thomas Davis on the Guice release. Thinks it sends a message to the team and around the league. "As players we have to take responsibility for our actions."
— Ben Standig (@BenStandig) August 14, 2020
Jack Del Rio:
Davis said Del Rio has a fiery personality and is all about continuity and doing your job. As a player, you get excited about playing for Del Rio because he's excited about being around you.
— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) August 14, 2020
Davis said Jack Del Rio is a fiery coach who is all about continuity and everyone doing their job.
— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) August 14, 2020
As far as his positioning, Davis will play wherever he fits best.
Davis called Jack Del Rio a “fiery personality.” Says he likes the consistency in approach/expectations. “You get excited about playing for him,” Davis said.
— John Keim (@john_keim) August 14, 2020
Role in the defense:
Davis doesn't have on specific role in mind. All he wants to do is help the defense win games.
— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) August 14, 2020