The Washington Football Team’s new WRs Coach Jeff Hostler has the most inexperienced group on the team, and probably the biggest challenge going into his first season with the team. He praised Terry McLaurin for his breakout rookie season, but he wants him to expand his game as defenses will work to stop him now that he is a clear #1 WR in the league. McLaurin will be moved around to take advantage of situations and his speed.
Coach Hostler was very honest about just how young and inexperienced the WRs are after Terry McLaurin. He admits he doesn’t know them yet, and some of them don’t even have much game tape to watch. He is penciling Steven Sims Jr. and Trey Quinn in for the slot position until they can get in more practice time to evaluate the group.
The WFT drafted two Antonios this year and Coach Hostler was asked about both of them. He says Antonio Gandy-Golden is faster than his 40 time suggests, and he keeps up with 4.3 guys. Antonio Gibson played WR in college, and it’s natural for him. This will make him a matchup issue for defenses when he’s playing out of the backfield this season.
Training Camp Press Conference - WR Coach Jim Hostler https://t.co/0wPanIjS0f
— Washington Football Team (@WashingtonNFL) August 6, 2020
WR Depth/Youth:
Hostler said there are plenty of young receivers who haven't played much yet. He wants to know what they have at the position, and he's eager to get on the field to figure that out.
— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) August 6, 2020
Hostler gets into the group. Notes the inexperience. That the group is so unproven makes it hard to know what is lacking. Training camp hopefully helps the coaches figure out what they've got.
— Ben Standig (@BenStandig) August 6, 2020
Hostler said it's hard to tell what the receiver group is lacking, mostly because they haven't been on the field running the offense yet. But he did point out the speed, size and diversity they possess. There's certainly a lot to be excited about with the young group.
— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) August 6, 2020
Hostler said that the team's depth will have to show up more than years past because there are not preseason games.
— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) August 6, 2020
Inexperience:
Some of Washington's receivers are so inexperienced, Hostler said there wasn't much tape to watch of them.
— Matthew Paras (@Matthew_Paras) August 6, 2020
Gotta credit Jim Hostler for his honesty - he says Terry McLaurin has proven himself but after that he has "no idea" what he's got in the other WRs
— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) August 6, 2020
Hostler said that it's good and bad to have a clean slate with a bunch of young receivers. A pro is that everyone buys in because that's the only way they've been taught, but the con is that they do not have experience.
— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) August 6, 2020
Slot WR:
Hostler admits that other than McLaurin the WR group is wide open and that he really doesn't know many in the room especially guys that lack recent tape. There's a lot to work through here for sure.
— Ben Standig (@BenStandig) August 6, 2020
Says S. Sims and Quinn are slot targets until further notice.
Alex Smith:
"He looks good. It's short of a miracle." Jim Jostler who was with Alex Smith in San Francisco when he was drafted in 2005.
— Rhiannon Walker (@InstantRHIplay) August 6, 2020
Terry McLaurin:
Hostler said the team's expectations for McLaurin are to improve every day and be a trusted receiver for the quarterback.
— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) August 6, 2020
Hostler gets into McLaurin. Mentions the extra attention sure to come his way after a stellar rookie campaign.
— Ben Standig (@BenStandig) August 6, 2020
Hostler on Terry McLaurin: "We just need to make him as good as we can make him, as good as we can make him."
— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) August 6, 2020
But after McLaurin, Hostler said he does not know who the No. 2 and No. 3 receivers are yet.
McLaurin surprised Hostler with his game speed against good players in the secondary. That normally takes time for receivers to develop. Now, he wants to see McLaurin develop his route tree and challenge defenders inside and out.
— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) August 6, 2020
Jim Hostler said Terry McLaurin is going to have to be moved around more, go inside and do more with and expand the route tree. That's the next step in his progression.
— Rhiannon Walker (@InstantRHIplay) August 6, 2020
Antonio Gibson:
Hostler said that Antonio Gibson is comfortable working with the receivers because "it's natural" for him. Called him a "matchup issue" for the defense that the team needs to take advantage of.
— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) August 6, 2020
Antonio Gandy-Golden:
WR coach Jim Hostler on how Antonio Gandy-Golden fits into the offense and full comments on how fast he’s running in practices pic.twitter.com/3clbWDEFu1
— Rhiannon Walker (@InstantRHIplay) August 6, 2020
Jim Hostler says Antonio Gandy-Golden plays faster than he was timed at the combine. Said he's keeping up with guys in the 4.3-4.4 40 times right now.
— Rhiannon Walker (@InstantRHIplay) August 6, 2020
Hostler said that rookie Antonio Gandy-Golden plays faster than his 40-time, which was 4.6 seconds at the combine.
— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) August 6, 2020
Hostler said he's staying with guys during workouts that run 4.3
WRs relationship with Dwayne Haskins Jr.:
Hostler said that getting back on the field last week, there were things between the quarterback and the receivers that were already starting to develop. That's a credit to Haskins working with the WRs this offseason.
— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) August 6, 2020
Kelvin Harmon:
Hostler said losing Kelvin Harmon hurts, especially in the run game, but added there are other players who can step up and handle that role.
— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) August 6, 2020
Missed practice time:
Jum Hostler laughs when he says of course they wish they could've had more time with the WRs. Those practice reps are invaluable, so there will be some challenges early in the season.
— Rhiannon Walker (@InstantRHIplay) August 6, 2020