The Washington Football Team held a very important practice today, and it got more intense as expected. Ron Rivera has 1 more week to evaluate his team before rosters get cut down to 53 players next Sunday at 4pm. He said there are 7 or 8 players that need to be evaluated. The team did special teams work today that will determine the fate of some of these bottom of the roster guys. Rivera said the team has more depth than coaches thought it did, and specifically mentioned the safeties.
The big news of the day was Jonathan Allen going down with an apparent left knee injury. Rivera said he got rolled up on, it doesn’t look that serious, and they had to stop him from getting back onto the field. The team has been cautious with players who get knicked up in camp, and allowed them to heal so the injury doesn’t get more aggravated. He mentioned Chase Young as someone they gave generous time to before allowing him to return to full practice. This is good news for Allen, and reporters said he was walking fine after practice.
Training Camp Press Conference - Head Coach Ron Rivera https://t.co/YDiUQR5NI0
— Washington Football Team (@WashingtonNFL) August 30, 2020
Special Teams:
Ron Rivera says the goal was trying to replicate game situations, especially on special teams. "We tried to create that," he said. He said special teams was a big focus today.
— Matthew Paras (@Matthew_Paras) August 30, 2020
Jonathan Allen:
Here's Ron Rivera on Jonathan Allen: "Got rolled up on, doesn't look serious." pic.twitter.com/nhfFYjOU7p
— michael phillips (@michaelpRTD) August 30, 2020
Ron Rivera says Jonathan Alen: "It doesn't look serious."
— Matthew Paras (@Matthew_Paras) August 30, 2020
Coach Ron Rivera said that Jonathan Allen got rolled up on. Team held him out. He wanted to go back out.
— Rhiannon Walker (@InstantRHIplay) August 30, 2020
Halftime:
The team simulated sort of a halftime today, and Rivera said there was a little bit of a lull in the three series afterwards. Preached after practice about needing to come out strong after the break.
— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) August 30, 2020
100% focus/effort:
.@RiverboatRonHC said he met with his team on field after practice for a long time because he felt there were a couple of periods where "there was a little bit of a lull" and wants 100% focus/effort.
— Chris Russell AKA The Rooster (@Russellmania621) August 30, 2020
Was pleased overall w/ effort. @WSHFootballSI @WashingtonNFL
Reviewing practice tape:
Rivera said there were some good things and some things that need to be corrected today. There were some really good decisions made by the quarterbacks today, he said. He's really anxious to begin looking at the film from today.
— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) August 30, 2020
Rivera said he's excited to watch the tape to see the special teams portions and check out the positive plays throughout the practice.
— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) August 30, 2020
Quarterbacks:
Rivera compliments the QBs: "There were some really good decisions made by our quarterbacks today."
— michael phillips (@michaelpRTD) August 30, 2020
Alex Smith:
.@RiverboatRonHC liked the decision making of his quarterbacks today.
— Chris Russell AKA The Rooster (@Russellmania621) August 30, 2020
Said Alex Smith not participating in team drills today was "planned."@WSHFootballSI @theMMQB @WashingtonNFL
Roster evaluations:
Rivera said there are still a few decisions to be made for the roster. Said there were seven and maybe eight players who need to be evaluated.
— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) August 30, 2020
Rivera said there are seven or eight players that the coaching staff is still trying to decide on. Roster cuts are next Saturday.
— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) August 30, 2020
Rivera says still deciding 7-8 spots. Key: special teams. hard to know about how young guys will do on ST with no preseason games. "If you're honest, you won't [know]," Rivera said. Says "on the 1st Sunday you'll find out whether or not they have what it takes."
— John Keim (@john_keim) August 30, 2020
Depth:
Rivera said the team has more depth than he originally anticipated. There's another full week until the coaches have to make decisions and a "whole bunch of guys" who they need to see more from.
— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) August 30, 2020
Rivera said he thinks that they have more depth at safety than they originally thought.
— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) August 30, 2020
Kendall Fuller:
Kendall Fuller a non-participant once again. Ron Rivera says players with nagging injuries are often better served being shut down for a few days as opposed to playing through it.
— michael phillips (@michaelpRTD) August 30, 2020
Fabian Moreau:
Rivera said Fabian Moreau has done a nice job. Said Moreau has been knicked up recently, but he has done some nice things when he's been out there.
— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) August 30, 2020
Evaluating the second-team:
Rivera said it was valuable to have the second-team players go up against the starters. Allowed the coaches to evaluate those players against heightened competition.
— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) August 30, 2020
Bryce Love/Reuben Foster:
Rivera said Bryce Love and Reuben Foster have worked hard and he's looking forward to seeing what they do next. The important thing for them is to break through to the next step.
— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) August 30, 2020
Saahdiq Charles:
Rivera said it has been tough with Saahdiq Charles dealing with an injury. But what they have seen prior to the injury is promising and he's a smart player. He's looking forward to getting back in practice.
— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) August 30, 2020
Wes Martin:
Head coach Ron Rivera praised Wes Martin for being a good pulling guard. That's no surprise. Here's what former assistant OL coach Phil Rauscher said last year:
— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) August 30, 2020
"When he pulls, he's so physical and the collision is so violent that everybody wants to watch."