:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/67233539/Screenshot_20200820_120452_Periscope.0.jpg)
Ron Rivera talked about today's Washington Football Team practice that saw the defense dominate the offense. He said it wasn't all on the QB, and a lot of the veteran offensive linemen were give vet days off today. Five O L were also brought in for workouts today.
The coaches are working Alex Smith into practice more, and getting him more comfortable as he started 9 on 9's today. Kyle Allen has done a nice job, but sometimes bypasses the easy play for the sensational play. Dwayne Haskins Jr. has showed the progress Rivera is looking for, and is listening to his coaches. He's not afraid to bring the pass rush in practice, because the QBs can't get too comfortable and have to react to pressure.
Rivera spoke encouragingly about TEs Marcus Baugh and Logan Thomas. He also said UDFA WR Isaiah Wright is getting attention in camp. Antonio Gandy-Golden is using his body well in practice. Rivera praised RB Bryce Love's versatility and ability to absorb contact.
Training Camp Press Conference - Head Coach Ron Rivera https://t.co/6nKaPT7Njc
— Washington Football Team (@WashingtonNFL) August 20, 2020
Struggles on offense:
Ron Rivera said his offensive struggles weren't just related to the quarterbacks today.
— Matthew Paras (@Matthew_Paras) August 20, 2020
Ron Rivera wants his QBs making good decisions. He can deal with inaccuracies from young passers but needs good decisions
— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) August 20, 2020
Rivera said the offense struggled at times, but there were some positive things from practice. The biggest thing the coaches are concerned with is making sure quarterbacks and receivers make correct decisions on plays.
— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) August 20, 2020
Young offensive linemen:
Rivera said there eight offensive linemen who played 80 reps today. He said that will be an important factor in evaluating the younger players.
— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) August 20, 2020
Rivera said there were a lot of veteran off days today. With an off-day tomorrow, the team decided to keep some guys out (Moses, Kerrigan, etc.) Rivera said this allowed them to see a lot of younger guys. Said 8 OL took at least 80 reps.
— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) August 20, 2020
Tryouts:
Washington tried out five offensive linemen Wednesday: T Brady Aiello, T Dino Boyd, G Joshua Garnett, T Diuegot Joseph, T David Steinmetz
— Matthew Paras (@Matthew_Paras) August 19, 2020
Ron Rivera said they anticipate having more than just O-linemen try out soon to compete for roster spots. Said there are a couple other spots they're looking at.
— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) August 20, 2020
Marcus Baugh:
Ron Rivera on Marcus Baugh - he’s a young athletic tight end with a lot to learn.
— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) August 20, 2020
Rivera said Marcus Baugh is a talented player. They know he's growing and learning, and tight ends coach Pete Hoener was curious to see what he has. Baugh has speed and good hands, but Rivera said he still has a long way to go.
— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) August 20, 2020
Rivera on TE Marcus Baugh: "He's a young, athletic tight end." Baugh was with Carolina last year and stood out in the preseason finale. Unfortunately he got hurt and they had to put him on IR.
— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) August 20, 2020
Baugh got some first-team reps today along with Logan Thomas.
Alex Smith:
Ron Rivera on Alex Smith working in 9-on-9: "It's about getting comfortable. It's another step in the process. ... It is another milestone for Alex, and I'm very happy for him."
— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) August 20, 2020
9 on 9 drills:
Rivera said that he learned about 9-on-9 drills from Norv Turner in San Diego. He likes the 9-on-9 because the QBs have to consider the pass-rush. Also allows two OL and DL to face-off.
— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) August 20, 2020
Ron Rivera says he picked up doing on 9-on-9 drills from Norv Turner when they were in San Diego together. He likes that the quarterbacks don't get to hold the ball as long as they do in 7-on-7s.
— Matthew Paras (@Matthew_Paras) August 20, 2020
Kyle Allen:
Rivera said Kyle Allen has done a "nice job" through three days of practice. He said there are times when Allen will bypass an easier play to try a more sensational play, but he likes Allen's decision-making overall.
— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) August 20, 2020
Rivera: Sometimes Allen has a tendency to bypass the easy target "for the sensational." Part of this process for this young QB. https://t.co/BVq6r6zFCc
— Ben Standig (@BenStandig) August 20, 2020
Dwayne Haskins Jr.:
Ron Rivera says he’s seeing development each day from Dwayne Haskins as well as other young players. Coaches still trying to teach little details. “He’s listening, that’s a positive.”
— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) August 20, 2020
Ron Rivera says "there was a couple of things that happened out there.....(to Dwayne) ...He's listening..that's a huge deal for us. We've been really pleased with the coachable nature of our guys." @WSHFootballSI @theMMQB @1067theFan @LockedWFTPod
— Chris Russell AKA The Rooster (@Russellmania621) August 20, 2020
Rivera says he's seeing day-to-day progress from Dwayne Haskins. He doesn't want one step forward, two steps back. He said Haskins and others are willing to listen. "We've been really, really pleased with the coachable nature of these guys," he said.
— Matthew Paras (@Matthew_Paras) August 20, 2020
Rivera said that he has seen the progress that he wants to see from Haskins so far. Rivera said he's hearing Ken Zampese and Scott Turner give him some coaching tips after plays, and Haskins is listening and learning.
— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) August 20, 2020
Pass rush in practice:
Rivera said he does not like to take away from the aggressiveness from the pass-rush during practice. But he wants the pass-rushers to be in control where they can peel off before touching the QB.
— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) August 20, 2020
Rivera, on his stance with QBs getting hit in team drills during camp: "If you're always protecting them, they get a little too comfortable and it's not realistic."
— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) August 20, 2020
Ron Rivera on protecting QB's in practice is sensitive but what he tells guys is this:
— Chris Russell AKA The Rooster (@Russellmania621) August 20, 2020
"Hey dude..these guys are around you..Make your decisions and go." @WSHFootballSI @theMMQB @1067theFan @LockedWFTPod
Logan Thomas:
Ron Rivera on Logan Thomas - I see the growth. I love the effort. “He’s the kind of guy you want to grow with”
— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) August 20, 2020
Bryce Love:
Rivera (jokingly) was wondering how Bryce Love got a vet day off.
— Chris Russell AKA The Rooster (@Russellmania621) August 20, 2020
Says the zone/gap scheme they ran at Stanford fits what they do. @WSHFootballSI @theMMQB @1067theFan @LockedWFTPod
Rivera says he expects Bryce Love to continue to grow during camp and that he will get an opportunity this fall
— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) August 20, 2020
Rivera joked that he was trying to figure out how RB Bryce Love got a veteran day off, but he's really liked what he has seen from the second-year Pro. Rivera has especially liked Love being able to absorb contact coming off the injury.
— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) August 20, 2020
Rivera on Bryce Love: "He has showed some versatility. He really has." He says Love can run out of a variety of formations and they can incorporate some concepts that Stanford ran for him in college.
— Matthew Paras (@Matthew_Paras) August 20, 2020
Evaluating players:
A little insight in how Rivera evaluates players: he has to be aware of players who are playing well without pads. Things become more difficult when the pads come on, and he cautioned "falling in love" with a guy who's playing well w/o pads and "no consequences."
— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) August 20, 2020
Young WRs:
Rivera named Isaiah Wright as a guy who has caught some people's attention during camp. He also listed AGG and Trey Quinn as two players who have done some good things in the last three days.
— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) August 20, 2020
Rivera says Isaiah Wright and Cam Sims have flashed. He adds AGG has used his body well to haul in passes. "Trey Quinn is another guy" that deserves mention. "It's an interesting group."
— Matthew Paras (@Matthew_Paras) August 20, 2020
In addition to McLaurin and Sims, Rivera said Cam Sims has done some "very positive things" and Isaiah Wright has "caught people's attention." Rivera also says that AGG is using his body like he did when he was at Liberty. Also praised Quinn and Inman.
— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) August 20, 2020
Ron Rivera classified Washington's WRs in a top tier -- Terry McLaurin, Steven Sims, Dontrelle Inman -- and identified four others as impressive early in camp.
— Sam Fortier (@Sam4TR) August 20, 2020
Third-year pro Cam Sims, third-year pro Trey Quinn, rookie Antonio Gandy-Golden and UDFA Isaiah Wright.