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Rain forced the Washington Football team inside for today’s practice, so we were limited to practice updates from the PR team. Ron Rivera said the team will have a very important practice tomorrow that will help determine the depth on the team as they prepare for roster cut downs in a week. Players are starting to separate, and now they need to figure out the rotational and special teams players. Monday will see the team scrimmaging at FedEx Field.
Some positions that are still being sorted out are on the offensive line, wide receivers, and linebackers. Rivera is happy with rookie Keith Ismael, and they have been plugging him into different positions as they work on finding the best combinations on the OL. Free agent signing Wes Schweitzer was dinged up early in camp, but is back now and has Rivera’s attention.
Antonio Gibson continues to get a lot of buzz, and Rivera says the team has a big plan for him, but they’re not showing all their cards yet. He has been described as an every down back by local reporters, and someone that can be deployed from anywhere in the field. The other rookier Antonio(Gandy-Golden) was injured yesterday, but Rivera said it’s nothing serious. Veteran WR, and recent FA signing, Dontrelle Inman has been mentoring AGG, and Rivera said he is a positive influence on the other receivers and a welcome addition to the team.
Training Camp Press Conference - Head Coach Ron Rivera https://t.co/m76GmCXWfq
— Washington Football Team (@WashingtonNFL) August 29, 2020
Alex Smith:
Ron Rivera addressing the media today and he calls Alex Smith taking 11v11 snaps "a very big step." Rivera says he wants to see Smith go full 11v11 this week. "The hope is in the next few days we can continue to progress"
— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) August 29, 2020
.@RiverboatRonHC says he wants to see Alex Smith this week in full 11-on-11 drills and when in pads (shells today).
— Chris Russell AKA The Rooster (@Russellmania621) August 29, 2020
The #Project11 journey just continues to amaze. @WSHFootballSI #WFT @theMMQB
53-man roster:
Rivera said he is looking for guys who belong in the rotation in the final roster. He wants to see if they can separate themselves from the rest of the 80-man roster in practice.
— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) August 29, 2020
With a week before roster cuts, Rivera said they are determining the top 35-40 players and then the primary rotational guys.
— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) August 29, 2020
Rivera on final cuts. Says the vets will have an advantage over the kids. That’s just a reality amid this wild year.
— Ben Standig (@BenStandig) August 29, 2020
Sunday Practice:
Rivera talking about Sunday's practice has me excited. Sounds like could be some real competitive situations
— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) August 29, 2020
Rivera said there have already been a few players who have stood out to him. He won't reveal who those players are, obviously, but he plans on putting players in situations to stand out in the upcoming practices.
— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) August 29, 2020
Rivera sounds excited about tomorrow's practice as it pertains to finding out who deserves to make this roster. He's got me excited now.
— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) August 29, 2020
FedEx Field scrimmage:
Update: @WashingtonNFL will practice at FedExField on Monday. The players will be in shells. Rivera said it will be more about operations of getting ready for gameday.
— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) August 29, 2020
Keith Ismael:
Rivera said Keith Ismael has done a nice job of learning the roles of center and guard. They have thrown a lot of information at Ismael, Rivera said, but he has handled himself well throughout camp.
— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) August 29, 2020
Antonio Gibson:
Rivera said the team has a plan for Antonio Gibson, who he said has shown that is a talented football player. They're keeping that plan a secret, but he did say there are a lot of things they can do with Gibson.
— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) August 29, 2020
Antonio Gandy-Golden:
I asked Ron Rivera for an update on Antonio Gandy Golden - "He got hurt and it's nothing serious.
— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) August 29, 2020
Dontrelle Inman:
Rivera said Dontrelle Inman has "put his arm around" AGG and the other younger guys. Added he's been a nice addition.
— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) August 29, 2020
Rivera said Dontrelle Inman has done some things to prove that he can be a reliable weapon and a welcome addition to the offense. Rivera said Inman has also put his arm around Antonio Gandy-Golden, which he said has been cool to see.
— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) August 29, 2020
Rivera said Dontrelle Inman has done some things to prove that he can be a reliable weapon and a welcome addition to the offense. Rivera said Inman has also put his arm around Antonio Gandy-Golden, which he said has been cool to see.
— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) August 29, 2020
Finding the right combination:
Rivera said they're still trying to find the right combinations at certain spots. LG seems like one of those. Wes Martin has been the main starter, but Joshua Garnett and Keith Ismael have played there in recent days.
— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) August 29, 2020
Wide receivers:
Rivera said he is starting to see receivers start to separate themselves during practice. The light bulb is starting to turn on for some of them, he said.
— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) August 29, 2020
Wes Schweitzer:
Sounds like Rivera feels very comfortable with a guy like Wes Schweitzer who is just returning to practice after missing a lot of time, compared to a rookie like Saahdiq Charles. Versatility for the veteran is key. @WSHFootballSI
— Chris Russell AKA The Rooster (@Russellmania621) August 29, 2020