Pressers

Ron Rivera Presser: “We have some tough decisions to make at linebacker”

Ron Rivera speaks to the media after today’s practice

By Scott Jennings@ScottJenningsHH Aug 31, 2020, 3:00pm EDT

Ron Rivera talked to reporters after the Washington Football Team held their first practice at FedEx Field, which is also the last training camp practice. Rivera has been impressed with Dwayne Haskins Jr.’s growth during the offseason and at camp. He has adjusted to the new coaches, offense, and getting the starting reps in camp. Rivera was asked when he would name a starting QB, and he gave the date of the season opener against the Eagles...September 13th.

There will be a lot of tough decisions to make at multiple positions when the roster gets cut down in less than a week. Rivera pointed to linebacker as a spot with heavy competition that will make it difficult on coaches. Yesterday’s practice which featured a lot of special teams work helped make some roster decisions easier.

(Note: Video was not made available from the team)

Communication:

Ron Rivera said they had a little bit of a "hiccup" in communication between OC Scott Turner and Dwayne Haskins during 2-minute, but otherwise it went smoothly.
— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) August 31, 2020

Fake crowd noise:

Ron Rivera said he doesn't think the fake crowd noise will make much of a difference this upcoming season.
— Matthew Paras (@Matthew_Paras) August 31, 2020

Linebackers:

Rivera said he likes his group of linebackers and there are some tough decisions on the horizon. The coaching staff will have to decide who to start, who will be backups and who will be cut.
— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) August 31, 2020

Rivera on linebacker: "We have some tough decisions to make." He said he likes overall depth of the group. The tough decisions will be who starts and who is a backup.
— Matthew Paras (@Matthew_Paras) August 31, 2020

Dwayne Haskins Jr.:

Ron Rivera on Dwayne Haskins' camp: There are moments where you can see that learning is happening. pic.twitter.com/faUumDjErr
— michael phillips (@michaelpRTD) August 31, 2020

Ron Rivera on Dwayne Haskins' growth in 2020 - This has been tough and I thought he did really well
— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) August 31, 2020

Rivera said he's seen growth in Dwayne Haskins throughout camp. "You really do." He says it's promising.
— Matthew Paras (@Matthew_Paras) August 31, 2020

Ron Rivera asked to define Haskins’ two weeks of camp: "Growth... He's showing those moments that really tell you he's learning."
— Ben Standig (@BenStandig) August 31, 2020

Rivera summed up Dwayne Haskins' camp by saying, "He's growing." He thinks Haskins has adjusted to the new coaches and adjustments to training camp. There are still some lessons to be learned, but there has been progress.
— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) August 31, 2020

Naming a starting QB:

Dwayne Haskins has taken almost all the reps with the 1s. Ron Rivera was asked when he'd officially name his starting quarterback.

"The 13th is the opener, right?" Rivera said and winked.
— Sam Fortier (@Sam4TR) August 31, 2020

Isaiah Wright:

Rivera says Isaiah Wright is starting to learn and get more comfortable in what the offense is doing. As a result, he's starting to play faster. He's not ready for prime time, Rivera said, but he has been doing some nice things.
— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) August 31, 2020

Rivera on Isaiah Wright. Likes the skills, but one of those guys who could've used those practices.
— Ben Standig (@BenStandig) August 31, 2020

Thomas Davis:

Ron Rivera says they took Thomas Davis out after individuals because the field was slick and they wanted him to get off his feet.

Mentions Jon Bostic and Jeremy Sprinkle as big ST contributors as well in camp.

Also Kam Curl & Antonio Gibson by name.
— Chris Russell AKA The Rooster (@Russellmania621) August 31, 2020

Special teams:

After watching yesterday's film, Rivera believes they got what they wanted to with the special teams work. Highlighted two veterans (Bostic and Sprinkle) and three rookies (Gibson, Curl and Smith-Williams)
— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) August 31, 2020

John Thompson:

Coach Ron Rivera said that former Georgetown coach and Hall of Famer John Thompson was icon and his passing today was sad. Discussed how he pushed his players to be developed fully as people and athletes.
— Rhiannon Walker (@InstantRHIplay) August 31, 2020

RFK/FedEx Field:

Rivera has a lot of memories playing at RFK and coaching at FedExField with the Panthers. This is home, Rivera said, and he wants to reestablish the earlier success the team had.
— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) August 31, 2020

Rivera on being at FedEx for the 1st time as the HC: "My memories of playing at old RFK and coming here and coaching, I'd love to be able to restore that because the fan base here is something else. We have to give them a reason to come and cheer."
— John Keim (@john_keim) August 31, 2020

Ronald Darby:

Rivera on the Darby interception: "A veteran corner baited him into the mistake." Also said Haskins got greedy. https://t.co/p8rHvcpy3r
— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) August 31, 2020