Washington Football Team Head Coach Ron Rivera held his first presser of this year's version of training camp. He is high on Saahdiq Charles, but also mentioned Geron Christian Sr. for the tackle position. Rivera said that Center (Chase Roullier), Guard (Brandon Scherff), and Tackle (Morgan Moses) is very strong coming into camp, but someone could come out of the woodwork to push those guys. He characterized Brandon Scherff as darn good, and as good as advertised.
Rivera talked about Alex Smith’s amazing recovery, but says he has to be able to move and protect himself before he is in the mix for the QB position. Smith knows about 75% of the playbook and current starting QB Dwayne Haskins Jr isn’t far behind. Haskins has done everything that Rivera has asked him to do and deserves recognition for it.
Rivera talked about the ongoing changes that every team has to go through as the world deals with the COVID-19 pandemic. Philadelphia Eagles Head Coach Doug Pederson recently tested positive, and Rivera said Washington would be prepared if that happened here. He is also supportive of players that opt out this year.
Training Camp Press Conference - Head Coach Ron Rivera https://t.co/mdcpxV7wsl
— Washington Football Team (@WashingtonNFL) August 4, 2020
Dontrelle Inman:
Ron Rivera says the Dontrelle Inman signing will be official shortly. Big WR that helps a young group
— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) August 4, 2020
Tight ends:
Rivera says he feels good about the tight ends. Just need to get Logan Thomas through the COVID-19 protocol.
— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) August 4, 2020
Saahdiq Charles:
Ron Rivera said Saahdiq Charles has looked good so far. Big, athletic, raw, and said if he can learn the language and techniques, they think they'll have a really good football player.
— Rhiannon Walker (@InstantRHIplay) August 4, 2020
Ron Rivera on Saadhiq Charles: You have to learn the langauage. That's the thing that slows rookies down.
— Matthew Paras (@Matthew_Paras) August 4, 2020
Then he goes on to say that he's also excited about Geron Christian.
Ron Rivera said that how much no offseason hurts a rookie OL depends on what they do to get themselves ready. Saahdiq Charles went out and sought the advice of another player.
— Rhiannon Walker (@InstantRHIplay) August 4, 2020
Starting OL:
Rivera said that center, right guard and right tackle are "very strong coming into this." He really likes what they have in Chase Roullier, Brandon Scherff and Morgan Moses.
— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) August 4, 2020
I liked the question by @InstantRHIplay, asking Ron if there's competition elsewhere on the O-line besides LT and LG. Ron, who LOVES BATTLING, said he's a fan of what he has at C, RG and RT and doesn't envision much change there
— Pete Hailey (@PeteHaileyNBCS) August 4, 2020
Rivera excited to see the left tackle battle play out. Mentions the two youngsters, Charles and Christian specifically. The center and right side appears set, as expected.
— Ben Standig (@BenStandig) August 4, 2020
Brandon Scherff:
Ron Rivera said Brandon Scherff has been "darn good" and "as good as advertised." They have extra time to get to know him, work out something long-term.
— Rhiannon Walker (@InstantRHIplay) August 4, 2020
Ron Rivera on Brandon Scherff and reaching a longterm deal: "He's been as good as advertised. ... It's one of those things, going into the offseason, who knows."
— Matthew Paras (@Matthew_Paras) August 4, 2020
Alex Smith:
Ron Rivera gives the Alex Smith update. Very impressed so far. pic.twitter.com/uUXnpXH4AE
— michael phillips (@michaelpRTD) August 4, 2020
Ron Rivera on Alex Smith: "He's looked good, he really has. I'll be honest, I was pleasantly surprised by how far along he really is. ... He's looked really fluid, he really has."
— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) August 4, 2020
Ron Rivera said he's off on the side working with the trainer trying to mirror what the QBs are doing on the field. He's very pleased with how hard he's worked to be at this point.
— Rhiannon Walker (@InstantRHIplay) August 4, 2020
Rivera says there is no deadline for when Alex Smith must be fully cleared to enter the competition. Issue wont be knowledge of the playbook. It's protecting himself.
— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) August 4, 2020
Rivera on Alex Smith: "I can envision it. ... He did some really good things last week, went through all four workout days and had no residual effect."
— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) August 4, 2020
Dwayne Haskins Jr.:
Rivera says Alex Smith knows about 75% of the playbook. What about Dwayne Haskins? "He's not far behind," he said. Rivera had strong praise for Haskins' studying.
— Matthew Paras (@Matthew_Paras) August 4, 2020
Ron Rivera on Dwayne Haskins - He's done a great job of studying and getting ready. He's done the things that puts him right there where he needs to be.
— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) August 4, 2020
(Still Haskins' job to me)
Ron Rivera said Dwayne Haskins did the extra things that he asked of him, in addition to the training. He's done the job that he believes deserve recognition and is up there.
— Rhiannon Walker (@InstantRHIplay) August 4, 2020
Technique of tackling:
Rivera said working on the technique of tackling will be crucial without preseason games. Added that during the lockout in 2011, he noticed his team wasn't tackling as well as they should going on.
— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) August 4, 2020
Rivera on Alex Smith: “I’ve been pleasantly surprised to see how far along he is...tribute to who he is, his trainers and his doctors.”
— John Keim (@john_keim) August 4, 2020
Rivera says he's been "pleasantly surprised" to see how far along Alex Smith to this point. Says he looks "fluid" out there. Credits the QBs effort and drive.
— Ben Standig (@BenStandig) August 4, 2020
COVID-19 contingency plan:
Ron Rivera, when asked about what happened to Eagles coach Doug Pederson, said they have a contingency plan. Talked about it two weeks ago. They have assistant coaches in place, and he said his coaches have to release they maybe asked to step at a moment's notice.
— Rhiannon Walker (@InstantRHIplay) August 4, 2020
COVID-19 opt outs:
Ron Rivera says it's helpful to have the opt out deadline. "It's a very serious situation" and Rivera adds he wont judge any player for the decision they make
— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) August 4, 2020
Ron Rivera discussing the opt out, said he had a convo with Josh Harvey-Clemons about his decision to opt out. It was heartfelt, not easy, and Rivera said he told him he respects his decision and who is he to judge someone's reason.
— Rhiannon Walker (@InstantRHIplay) August 4, 2020
Workouts:
Rivera says the workouts for the Washington Football Team right now are closest to OTAs. Actual training camp is still a few weeks away
— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) August 4, 2020
Ron Rivera, talking to his coaches, said they're basically in the OTA phase. They'll move into phase two shortly, and then they'll move to pads. Once the players put the pads on, they'll know where guys are.
— Rhiannon Walker (@InstantRHIplay) August 4, 2020
Rookie playing time:
Ron Rivera, who is known for playing his rookies, said he's not counting them out. He wants to see them in pads. He wants to see how they handle the mental demands of the job.
— Rhiannon Walker (@InstantRHIplay) August 4, 2020
Antonio Gibson:
Ron Rivera said instead of giving Antonio Gibson the entire list of what he has to do, they're giving him the plays he has to focus on between RB and WR. They don't want to overwhelm him, and they'll add more as time moves on.
— Rhiannon Walker (@InstantRHIplay) August 4, 2020
Ronald Darby:
Rivera says he likes Ronald Darby's explosiveness: "I don't think his skill set has worn any." But he says Darby needs to be more disciplined, which has "gotten him in trouble a couple times."
— Matthew Paras (@Matthew_Paras) August 4, 2020
Ron Rivera likes Ronald Darby's explosiveness and ability to attack the ball. Said sometimes he does get caught with eyes in the backfield and needs to be more disciplined. He doesn't see any deterioration in his skill set.
— Rhiannon Walker (@InstantRHIplay) August 4, 2020