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Jack Del Rio’s defense has been a big improvement this season, but the Washington Football Team is still 1-1 as they prepare to head to Cleveland to face the Browns on Sunday. He said they have two impressive RBs in Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt, and Cleveland is one of the most dominating rushing teams this year. He said they also have a good quarterback and receivers. Shutting down their offense will be a big task, but Del Rio’s players are looking for to the challenge.
Ron Rivera has an eye for the future, but Del Rio’s focus is on right now. Rivera has to take the longview as he looks to rebuild a 3-13 team, and a dying franchise simultaneously. Del Rio is focus on winning now, and getting the most out of his players. They have some issues to clean up, but they’re working on those issues, and continue to grow. He emphasizes that it’s a team effort to make improvements across the board, from the coaches down.
Cleveland Browns running game:
Cleveland has one of the most dominant rushing teams in the first two weeks. Del Rio said the Browns have two impressive RBs who have strong rushing averages. He and his defense are ready to compete.
— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) September 24, 2020
Browns offense:
Del Rio said Cleveland has a good group. They have a good quarterback, good receivers and running backs who are running really well. It's going to be a challenge, he said, but the defense is looking forward to meeting that challenge.
— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) September 24, 2020
Future is now:
Jack Del Rio says Ron Rivera has an eye on the future but for Del Rio his focus is on “right now”
— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) September 24, 2020
This is more about Rivera’s larger job than Del Rio's view. Serving as coach and final decision-maker often leads to conflict since the two jobs warrant different outlooks. Rivera, to date, maintaining appropriate balance.
— Ben Standig (@BenStandig) September 24, 2020
Playing at a high level:
Defensive Coordinator Jack Del Rio discusses what he wants to see from his group in Week 3⃣.
— Washington Football Team (@WashingtonNFL) September 24, 2020
DC Jack Del Rio now at the mic. "I think we have the ability to play at a high level, and we need to get that done." Said he felt the same way coming off the Week 1 win despite the D's much better production then.
— Adam Zielonka (@Adam_Zielonka) September 24, 2020
"We want to continue to grow."
— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) September 24, 2020
Del Rio thinks Washington's defense is a unit that can play at a high level. They have some things to clean up, but they working on fixing those issues.
Cardinal’s offense:
Del Rio said there were a couple of plays made by Arizona's offense that shouldn't have, but they're not going to dwell on negative things. They'll tip their cap to the offense when they make good plays, but they'll move on and focus on the next play.
— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) September 24, 2020
Kyler Murray:
How does @coachdelrio get his defense to play a little more aggressive?
— Chris Russell AKA The Rooster (@Russellmania621) September 24, 2020
"Not play Kyler Murray!"
Simple. #WashingtonFootball@WSHFootballSI @theMMQB @SInow @LockedWFTPod
Del Rio answering how the D can be less tentative: "Not face Kyler Murray."
— Adam Zielonka (@Adam_Zielonka) September 24, 2020
Wait till he sees who they're facing in Week 4 though. (It's Lamar Jackson.)
Del Rio had a rule when playing Barry Sanders: "You can't relax until you're on the bus."
— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) September 24, 2020
There were moments during last Sunday's game where that was also true facing Kyler Murray.
Secondary:
Del Rio said as a group, the secondary have done some good things. He acknowledges there are things they need to clean up, and they look to improve throughout the year. He likes the group they have, and everyone will do their part to improve.
— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) September 24, 2020
.@coachdelrio says the defense is obviously a work in progress. Sounds like (without mentioning names) some guys that took heat from media/fans aren't as much as fault as we assign.
— Chris Russell AKA The Rooster (@Russellmania621) September 24, 2020
Rivera mentioned Apke the other day in this regard. @WSHFootballSI #WashingtonFootball
Team improvements:
"We are all in it together. It's not lip service." - @coachdelrio on what he told his guys about what he & they can do better as a unit. @WSHFootballSI #WashingtonFootball @theMMQB @SInow @LockedWFTPod
— Chris Russell AKA The Rooster (@Russellmania621) September 24, 2020
Jack Del Rio has said throughout our presser that there are he can do better as the DC. What're those? He kept specifics to himself, but said he has acknowledged them to the team so they know it's a "we" not "I" need to get better mentality and to set the example.
— Rhiannon Walker (@InstantRHIplay) September 24, 2020
Terry McLaurin also spoke to the media today, and talked about his growth as a wide receiver in the NFL. He has worked out of the slot more, and this will improve his ability to make plays from anywhere on the field. He said he works better against man coverage, and has been working to match his route concepts differently depending on if he’s lined up inside or outside. His biggest improvements from last year have been getting the ball in contested catches and getting yards after the catch. McLaurin led all NFL receivers last week with 84 yards.
Terry McLaurin
Working the slot:
Terry McLaurin says his advancement as a WR that can operate in the slot is evident from last Sunday (TD). Says he works best vs. man coverage, saw outside leverage & knew he would be primary.
— Chris Russell AKA The Rooster (@Russellmania621) September 24, 2020
Says he's been working on matching up his route concepts different inside/out. #NFL
Return to Ohio:
Terry McLaurin: "I think the mentality you have coming from Ohio State (@OhioStateFB) is just the competitiveness."
— Chris Russell AKA The Rooster (@Russellmania621) September 24, 2020
Says going back to Ohio is not that big of a deal. Getting a win & getting off to a better start is. @WSHFootballSI
Getting Antonio Gibson’s 1st TD ball for him:
Terry McLaurin says he told the ref in Arizona "Yo...can I get that ball for my guy (Antonio Gibson)," after his first #NFL touchdown.
— Chris Russell AKA The Rooster (@Russellmania621) September 24, 2020
Ref said he couldn't give it right away, @TheTerry_25 said he got it in a little negotiation and after another play. #WashingtonFootball
Improvements from last year:
Terry McLaurin says he's improved the most on his contested catches and RAC from year one to now. @WSHFootballSI @LockedWFTPod
— Chris Russell AKA The Rooster (@Russellmania621) September 24, 2020
Denzel Ward:
When he thinks about facing Denzel Ward, Terry McLaurin thinks of this meme. He says they’re both very competitive former Buckeyes who love to get after it. Was a funny answer pic.twitter.com/fUE5dZRm0V
— Pete Hailey (@PeteHaileyNBCS) September 24, 2020
Landon Collins said the defense is really close to where they want it to be. He enjoys mentoring young players like Troy Apke and Kamren Curl. He remains friends with former New York Giants teammate Odell Beckham Jr., but on Sunday they are on opposite sides.
Landon Collins
Really close:
Landon Collins feels #WashingtonFootball defense is really close to where they want it to be.
— Adam Zielonka (@Adam_Zielonka) September 24, 2020
Odell Beckham Jr.:
Landon Collins smiles as he says that former Giants teammate Odell Beckham Facetimed him this morning. "It's gonna be fun" to face off against him in Cleveland this week.
— Adam Zielonka (@Adam_Zielonka) September 24, 2020
Landon Collins on the mic. Said he and Odell Beckham remain friends. Face timed today and everything. Come Sunday, he's on the other side, have no fear.
— Ben Standig (@BenStandig) September 24, 2020
Mentoring young players:
Sounds like Collins enjoys the role of mentoring younger guys in the defensive backfield like Apke and Kamren Curl. Said it's the kind of thing he's done most of his career.
— Adam Zielonka (@Adam_Zielonka) September 24, 2020