Pressers

Ron Rivera Presser: “We’re not even close to where we should be, or where I think we can be.”

Ron Rivera speaks to the media after today's practice

By Scott Jennings@ScottJenningsHH Sep 16, 2020, 2:30pm EDT

Ron Rivera was there for Washington's first practice since defeating the Philadelphia Eagles 27-17 on Sunday. He said he was surprised by how the team started out the game, falling behind 17-0. Rivera sees a lot of room for improvement, and "they're not even close to where they should be".

The left side of the offensive line was the weak point that kept getting the most attention during and after the game. Rivera again said that Geron Christian Sr. And Wes Martin struggled early, but played better as the game went on.

Rivera is moving onto the Arizona Cardinals this week, and he said watching QB Kyler Murray gives him anxiety. The Cardinals beat the 49ers on Sunday because they were able to neutralize their stellar DL with a strong running game, short throws, and Murray's ability to move outside the pocket.

Press Conference - Head Coach Ron Rivera https://t.co/Atogze8YZY
— Washington Football Team (@WashingtonNFL) September 16, 2020

Injury report:

Washington's injury/practice report for Wednesday:

LB Cole Holcomb (knee) - Limited

LB Thomas Davis (calf) - Full

CB Kendall Fuller (knee) - Full
— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) September 16, 2020

Geron Christian Sr./Wes Martin:

Ron Rivera said Geron Christian and Wes Martin played "pretty good football" after a rough start. @WSHFootballSI
— Chris Russell AKA The Rooster (@Russellmania621) September 16, 2020

Rivera admits the left side of the offensive line did not play well the first quarter and a half. Said it could have been jitters.

But from there, he saw them respond and play better.
— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) September 16, 2020

Ron Rivera said he saw all the "reports" of how poorly Geron Christian and Wes Martin played, but reiterated that they overcame that poor start. Here's what he might have been referencing: https://t.co/iONxgAV4Pw
— Matthew Paras (@Matthew_Paras) September 16, 2020

Kyler Murray:

Ron just said Kyler gives him anxiety. So everyone's feeling anxious heading into this one https://t.co/j4al1ps8YJ
— Pete Hailey (@PeteHaileyNBCS) September 16, 2020

Coach Rivera: Kyler Murray, keep him in the pocket, contained, hemmed up, cannot allow him to get outside of the pocket. Tremendous young man with a terrific skill set. If we don't contain him, we lose. #WashingtonFootball
— Julie Donaldson (@juliedonaldson_) September 16, 2020

DeAndre Hopkins:

Rivera said the Cardinals have "a lot of playmakers. Added that based on Deandre Hopkins' numbers in Week 1, he seems very comfortable with Kyler Murray.
— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) September 16, 2020

Cardinals offense vs 49ers Defensive Line:

Rivera believes Arizona was able to neutralize San Fran's defensive line by having a good running game and making quick throws.
— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) September 16, 2020

Ron Rivera says that the Cardinals were able to offset the 49ers defensive line by running well, quick passes and Murray making plays with his legs. How Washington offsets that goes into game planning so we'll have to see.
— Rhiannon Walker (@InstantRHIplay) September 16, 2020

Ryan Kerrigan:

Rivera called Ryan Kerrigan a "true pro" who understands how to make the most of his opportunities.
— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) September 16, 2020

Rivera called Ryan Kerrigan a true pro. He understands what it takes to play each week, Rivera said, and he understands his role. Kerrigan had 22 snaps on Sunday, and Rivera said he made the most of his opportunity.
— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) September 16, 2020

Slow start vs Eagles:

Rivera said the thing that surprised him more than anything else was how they played the first quarter and a half. But once they settled in, Rivera saw them play how he knew they could.
— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) September 16, 2020

Rivera says the team has to continue working on getting better. He was surprised at how they went down 17-0 against the Eagles, but he liked his players' poise when they responded.
— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) September 16, 2020

"We're not even close to where we should be, or where I think we can be." Ron Rivera on the things that surprised him in Week 1, and how he believes this team can get better from that performance moving forward.
— Rhiannon Walker (@InstantRHIplay) September 16, 2020

New roster options:

Rivera doesn't anticipate any changes with his treatment plan going into the first road game.
— Ben Standig (@BenStandig) September 16, 2020

Rivera said he appreciates the new rules that allow teams to temporarily elevate players from the practice squad. It came in handy Sunday with WR Cam Sims, who excelled on special teams.
— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) September 16, 2020

Cancer treatment on the road:

Rivera doesn't anticipate any changes with his treatment plan going into the first road game.
— Ben Standig (@BenStandig) September 16, 2020

Ron Rivera said he'll map out a plan with Washington's team doctor, Dr. Anthony Casolaro, and head athletic trainer Ryan Vermillion to manage his own health on the road. Said if he needs to get an IV at halftime again, he will.
— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) September 16, 2020

Eric Reid:

Ron Rivera on Eric Reid: ‘He’s a heck of a teammate. He was not an issue.’ Rivera says if Washington didn’t have Landon Collins they’d call Eric Reid.
— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) September 16, 2020

Ron Rivera said no team has asked him about Eric Reid, who claimed he was being blackballed by the NFL. If teams asked, he'd have nothing but positive things to say. Also mentions if Landon Collins gets hurt, he would call Reid.
— Matthew Paras (@Matthew_Paras) September 16, 2020

Rivera coaches Reid last year in Carolina and Reid played well, set franchise records for the Panthers.
— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) September 16, 2020

Wide receivers:

Rivera on working out WRs today: "That's our biggest concern, is that we’re young at that position."
— John Keim (@john_keim) September 16, 2020

Ron Rivera said he's concerned with Washington's youth at wide receiver. He says he has more playing experience in the NFL (nine seasons) than that position has collectively (eight seasons)
— Matthew Paras (@Matthew_Paras) September 16, 2020

Chase Young:

Ron Rivera says Chase Young is very much a left and right defensive end and that I might be fishing for something on that.

That's OK..just something I noticed on Sunday.
— Chris Russell AKA The Rooster (@Russellmania621) September 16, 2020