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Dwayne HaskinsJr. and other players answered questions from the media following today's Week 1 practice. The Washington Football Team is preparing to host the Philadelphia Eagles at FedEx Field on Sunday, September 13th.
Dwayne Haskins has been playing QB since he was 10 years old and has passionately studied the game since then. He says he started playing chess to train how to mentally prepare for situations.
Head Coach Ron Rivera missed today's practice to begin his cancer treatments. Haskins said Rivera's challenge at the beginning of the offseason provided some extra motivation for him. Rivera is a straight shooter with him, and has helped him improve going into his 2nd NFL season.
Press Conference - Dwayne Haskins Jr. https://t.co/WcnuR8mRMR
— Washington Football Team (@WashingtonNFL) September 8, 2020
Since he was 10:
Dwayne Haskins addressing the media now. Said he's been playing QB since he was 10 years old. He said while other kids were out watching Scooby-Doo, he was out learning about defenses.
— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) September 8, 2020
Ron Rivera:
Haskins said that Coach Rivera's challenge provided some "extra motivation" for Haskins going into this offseason. That work has paid off.
— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) September 8, 2020
Haskins said he knows Ron Rivera will tell him "the good, the bad and the ugly" on every play. He appreciates that from his coaches because he knows they're trying to help him get better.
— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) September 8, 2020
Haskins said his conversations with Rivera are always opportunities to learn. When he's off the field, their talks are more casual. But on the field, it's all about business.
— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) September 8, 2020
Chess:
Haskins said he loves chess. He learned how to win in about 8 or 10 moves in college. Haskins also played a lot of chess this offseason to train how he mentally approaches situations.
— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) September 8, 2020
Haskins added that chess is something he plays in the offseason with other quarterbacks. https://t.co/WMKXjD9VK0
— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) September 8, 2020
2020 success:
.@dh_simba7 defines what success will look like for him this year pic.twitter.com/wV0NlY8yne
— Washington Football Team (@WashingtonNFL) September 8, 2020
Dwayne Haskins says success for him in 2020 isnt a numerical, but rather finding the good plays and avoiding bad plays. Winning games. More TDs than INTs.
— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) September 8, 2020
Haskins said success to him is helping the team win more games, find ways to lead and help the team have a better demeanor.
— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) September 8, 2020
How does Dwayne Haskins define success this season? More wins, sure. Helping with a better team demeanor, yeah.
— Ben Standig (@BenStandig) September 8, 2020
Preparation:
Haskins said all the coaches are preaching attitude, preparation and effort.
— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) September 8, 2020
Haskins lists three words that a lot of players have used this offseason: attitude, preparation and effort. Rivera preaches those principles day in and day out.
— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) September 8, 2020
Learning an offense:
Haskins says that learning an offense is not about memorization. It's about fully understanding the concepts and being prepared for every situation.
— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) September 8, 2020
Year 2:
Haskins said the offense really started clicking for him during Week 2 or Week 3 of training camp.
— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) September 8, 2020
Alex Smith:
"[Smith] is a great commodity to have in the room." https://t.co/XYFJgAlOTt
— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) September 8, 2020
The benefit of Alex Smith to the QB room: Almost like having a QB encyclopedia for the others. True pro. Can ask about so many on-field situations, etc. Haskins said he's still learning so he often will "think back to what Alex said. It helps me out a lot."
— John Keim (@john_keim) September 8, 2020
Several other players were available to the media via zoom after today's practice.
J.D. McKissic
Becoming a better RB:
J.D. McKissic is addressing the media right now. McKissic was named the starting RB today. He said he was focused on doing everything he could at the best of his ability throughout training camp. His primary focus was becoming a better back.
— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) September 8, 2020
Antonio Gibson:
McKissic said he and Antonio Gibson are more than capable of catching passes out of the backfield, but he feels like all four of Washington's running backs can catch passes.
— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) September 8, 2020
Dwayne Haskins Jr.:
McKissic said Haskins has been focused and making adjustment for the past month. He's been doing a fantastic job, he said, and he can't wait to see what Haskins can do this year.
— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) September 8, 2020
Starting RB:
Here's J.D. McKissic, promising his spot at No. 1 on the depth chart won't go to his head - mostly because it doesn't guarantee anything. pic.twitter.com/UkYfCfuxuv
— michael phillips (@michaelpRTD) September 8, 2020
McKissic said he's always been a hard worker. He called being named the starting RB "unbelievable," but he won't take that for granted.
— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) September 8, 2020
McKissic just learned about the RB1 showing from reporters. Takes it in stride because he understands he might not actually be the first RB on the field Sunday in this expected RBBC.
— Ben Standig (@BenStandig) September 8, 2020
Ron Rivera:
McKissic explained what it means to have a "player's coach" like Ron Rivera. He said Rivera knows what the players are going through and how to work with them as opposed to putting his stamp on things and saying things will go his way.
— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) September 8, 2020
Isaiah Wright
Undrafted:
Isaiah Wright is addressing the media right now. He was the only undrafted player Washington kept. He said it was a testament to the hard work he put in and cut day was emotional for him.
— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) September 8, 2020
Isaiah Wright says he has a chip on his shoulder to prove that he should have been drafted.
— Chris Russell AKA The Rooster (@Russellmania621) September 8, 2020
Carried that with him through camp. Says "everything started happening naturally" in camp.
Says practice at FedEx and a leaping catch there made him realize that he belonged.
Isaiah Wright cited this play, from last week, as a point where he started putting together everything he learned and played without needing to slow down to think. https://t.co/upe3jejQvu
— michael phillips (@michaelpRTD) September 8, 2020
Lifelong dream:
Wright said he called his mom and they both cried together.
— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) September 8, 2020
A lifelong dream came true. An example of how important Saturday was to young players.
Versatility:
Wright said he is versatile, so he's willing to do whatever it takes to contribute.
— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) September 8, 2020
Adjusting to playing at the next level:
Wright said things are still happening fast, but things are starting to slow down on the field. He doesn't want to get comfortable, but he has started to adjust to playing in the NFL.
— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) September 8, 2020
Wright said he wasn't trying to make plays, but things were slowly starting to come naturally. That showed him that if he let things happen as opposed to trying to make things happen, he could be successful.
— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) September 8, 2020
Terry McLaurin/Steven Sims Jr.:
Wright often likes to be close to players like Terry McLaurin and Steven Sims to learn from them and watch how they prepare themselves for each practice.
— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) September 8, 2020
Wright felt blessed to be around household names and NFL starters because he was able to learn from them.
— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) September 8, 2020
Hard work:
"I'm no stranger to hard work."
— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) September 8, 2020
Wright said making the roster is an example of hard work paying off.
Limited opportunity:
Wright said he was so nervous about having enough time to prove he deserved to be on the roster because of the altered training camp. Rather than let that overcome him, he tried to embrace his position and listen to advice from his brother.
— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) September 8, 2020
#83:
Wright wearing a mask on the Zoom with his number "83" on it. Said it came with his welcome to the team gift bag.
— Ben Standig (@BenStandig) September 8, 2020
Ronald Darby
Playing against the Eagles Week 1:
Ronald Darby is up next on the Zoom presser. Darby will be playing his former team in Week 1. He said he's looking forward to going against everybody on the Eagles' offense and making plays.
— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) September 8, 2020
Carson Wentz:
Darby said Carson Wentz's preparation is really good. He comes prepared, Darby said, and he'll be ready to play "from quarter 1 to quarter 4."
— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) September 8, 2020
After playing for the Eagles for three years, I asked Ronald Darby if he'd rather get to hit Carson Wentz or get an interception. Darby says he wants the INT.
— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) September 8, 2020
DeSean Jackson:
Darby said DeShaun Jackson has a different level of speed.
— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) September 8, 2020
Washington’s defense:
Darby said he likes the scheme in Washington. It's different from he what he's played in most of his career, but it does set people up to make plays.
— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) September 8, 2020
Ronald Darby says he's used to playing more man coverage exclusively than they are going to play here under @coachdelrio ...
— Chris Russell AKA The Rooster (@Russellmania621) September 8, 2020
As expected, sounds like it's going to be a healthy mix. #Eagles @WashingtonNFL @LockedWFTPod @WSHFootballSI
Terry McLaurin:
Darby said he has seen how hard Terry McLaurin works. He makes all his routes look the same.
— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) September 8, 2020
Ron Rivera:
Ronald Darby said
— Ben Standig (@BenStandig) September 8, 2020
Tuesday's practice felt weird withou Ron Rivera "because we know what he's going through."