Washington football players talk about the end of their wild 2020 season

Kevin Pierre-Louis is addressing the media. He's hopeful for the Washington organization going forward. He's been with a few teams now and can tell when things are heading in the right direction. Washington is on that path.

— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) January 10, 2021

Kevin Pierre-Louis: "Nothing but hopeful for this organization going forward." He knows a good thing when he sees one -- he was on the Seahawks' Super Bowl team in 2014 -- and he sees that in Washington.

— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) January 10, 2021

Pierre-Louis said everything trickles down from Ron Rivera and the captains. It's execution, he said. Rivera is a guy who does what he says he will and he tells them how much he believes in them.

— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) January 10, 2021

Kevin Pierre-Louis on @WashingtonNFL's defense:
"There's no doubt in my mind, all the pieces are here."

Goes on to say that "it's going to be exciting watching the Washington Football Team going forward."

— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) January 10, 2021

Pierre-Louis said he will from this season that things won't always go your way. They went from a team that didn't look like they would make the playoffs to being in the Wild Card. Said he can tell his grandkids that he was part of the Washington Footaball Team

— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) January 10, 2021

Kevin Pierre-Louis effusive in his praise of Rivera/where the team is headed.
"I can tell my grandkids one day when they hear the Washington Football team that I was part of that. I saw the magic that was happening in the beginning."

— John Keim (@john_keim) January 10, 2021

LB Kevin Pierre-Louis on his impending free agency: "I would love to be back here, but you never know what's going to happen in this business."

The seven-year pro had a career year in Washington with 56 combined tackles and a sack in 11 starts.

— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) January 10, 2021

#WashingtonFootball Safety Jeremy Reaves says this season has come full circle. "The growth was me in general" ...Was on practice squad.

"I was able to learn while I wasn't playing."

— Chris Russell AKA The Rooster (@Russellmania621) January 10, 2021

Jeremy Reaves is up next. He said he took steps forward as a person, and that showed itself on the field.

— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) January 10, 2021

Jeremy Reaves: "Nine weeks ago I was a practice-squad guy fighting for a job every day. Yesterday I was starting in a playoff game. ... They trusted me, which says a lot about them, and I think says a lot about the work I put in when I was on the practice squad."

— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) January 10, 2021

Exit interviews today. Won't share too many since you'll see them parceled out over the coming weeks, but one theme is a love for this coaching staff. Here's Jeremy Reaves, on Rivera sticking by him instead of signing Eric Reid. pic.twitter.com/mqWzX2qHq0

— michael phillips (@michaelpRTD) January 10, 2021

Reaves said Rivera and the other coaches put their confidence in him. He appreciates that and believes that comes from all the work he did on the practice squad.

— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) January 10, 2021

"I'll run through a wall for Coach." @RiverboatRonHC

"I'm super thankful. Super grateful." https://t.co/VCrJT2bFU6

— Washington Football On SI.com (@WSHFootballSI) January 10, 2021

There was a time when Rivera got pressure to sign Eric Reid, but he wanted to give Reaves a chance. He would run through a brick wall for Rivera for that. It didn't have to be like that, he said, and he wants to keep playing hard.

— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) January 10, 2021

The margin for error is slim against great quarterbacks, Reaves said, and he and the rest of the young players got to see that firsthand.

— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) January 10, 2021

Safety Jeremy Reaves on what the @WashingtonNFL defense needs to do to take that next step:

"Continue to trust each other, and continue to play hard."

— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) January 10, 2021

Jeremy Reaves, on if Week 5 was a turning point: "We knew going into Week 5 that we were going to be playing playoff football from that week forward. The focus, yeah, it did shift a little bit because now we were locked in on what we were trying to attain as a group, as a team."

— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) January 10, 2021

Terry McLaurin received the Good Guy award from the local media. Always professional to deal with; thoughtful answers, insightful. "I accept it humbly," McLaurin said...

Then deflects to PR staff for their help too.

— John Keim (@john_keim) January 10, 2021

Terry mentioned that he realized how tough this year was/is and that he saw @AdrianPeterson win that award last year & was important to see. https://t.co/RMr3PPd5z8

— Washington Football On SI.com (@WSHFootballSI) January 10, 2021

Brandon Scherff said it was a "true honor" to be named to first-team all pro. He called it a personal goal to check off the list.

— Matthew Paras (@Matthew_Paras) January 10, 2021

Brandon Scherff is addressing the media now. Said making first-team All-Pro is an "incredible honor." Credits his teammates for helping him accomplish this.

— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) January 10, 2021

Brandon Scherff on Ron Rivera: "We never gave up. Coach Rivera wanted to come in and change the culture, and he did. I absolutely love him."

— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) January 10, 2021

RG Brandon Scherff: "Coach Rivera wanted to come in and change the culture, and he did. I absolutely love him. I absolutely love playing for him."

— Sam Fortier (@Sam4TR) January 10, 2021

Scherff said nobody gave Washington a shot this year. To see the way they team played last night, it's something they can build. It shows the character and resiliency

— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) January 10, 2021

Scherff on if he wants to stay here long term: "Absolutely. I love it here. I love coach Rivera; I love coach Matsko. I love everybody, love the defensive guys here. We are building something to absolutely make a run for it in the future."

— John Keim (@john_keim) January 10, 2021

Brandon Scherff: "I love it here ... We are building something here." Says he's looking forward to the offseason and working out a deal to stay.

— michael phillips (@michaelpRTD) January 10, 2021

Brandon Scherff once again brings up how he wants to stay with the franchise that drafted him, so I asked him why. His answer: "Finishing what you started. I like to do that... Hopefully I can sign my name to stay here"

— Pete Hailey (@PeteHaileyNBCS) January 10, 2021

As Chase Roullier was going to the team facility to sign his contract extension, Scherff said he texted some of the offensive linemen thanking them for everything.

— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) January 10, 2021

Scherff and Morgan Moses have developed a close relationship over the past six years. Moses is a warrior, he said, and seeing him fight through injuries and them growing together has been great to experience.

— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) January 10, 2021

Brandon Scherff and longtime OL tag team partner Morgan Moses talked postgame:
"He said 'that's not the last game I play with you.' I said I hope it's not either."

— Ben Standig (@BenStandig) January 10, 2021

Matsko had a big mental aspect to his coaching style. They went through a lot of walk throughs, which helped the players take care of their bodies.

— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) January 10, 2021

Watching Alex Smith come back has been "remarkable," Scherff said. He's an inspiration to everyone about never giving up.

— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) January 10, 2021

Brandon Scherff shaved head and all -- shaved his head at 1:30 A this morning and joked that the Busch Light's 'already started' #WashingtonFootball

— Chris Russell AKA The Rooster (@Russellmania621) January 10, 2021

Brandon Scherff said he had been growing his beard out since taking his first COVID test July 22.

More than 5 months later, after Washington's loss to the Bucs last night, he shaved his head and beard at 1:30 in the morning.

"New year, new me," he joked.

— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) January 10, 2021

Brandon Scherff said he missed OTAs because it's a "time where you really get to know guys" since they have Thursday to Sunday off. Said some of his best memories are racing to former center Kory Lichtensteiger's house on Thursdays to play volleyball.

— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) January 10, 2021

Ryan Kerrigan said there was emotion postgame and he's glad he took the time to take in the moment last night.https://t.co/RDIlqIqNOe

— Ben Standig (@BenStandig) January 10, 2021

Kerrigan said he took one more walk onto the grass last night and looked at both end zones. One where he scored his first TD. The other where he and Preston Smith combined for a strip sack TD against Dallas. A lot of memories for him in that stadium and he wanted to remember them pic.twitter.com/D9PtBX7CPk

— Pete Hailey (@PeteHaileyNBCS) January 10, 2021

Ryan Kerrigan: "I still feel like I have a lot of ball in me, a lot of good productive years ahead of me. I definitely want to be a starter. I think any player would say that."

— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) January 10, 2021

Kerrigan on his future: "I definitely want to be a starter again... I don't think anybody wants to settle for being a role player, a reserve player."

— John Keim (@john_keim) January 10, 2021

Ryan Kerrigan makes the point that because he did not play as much as years past, he's not as beat up. Could help him add 1-2 years to his career.

— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) January 10, 2021

Ryan Kerrigan on his impending free agency: "I got to really be open-minded to several factors, and open-minded to all teams."

— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) January 10, 2021

Ryan Kerrigan says it will be a tough balance between starting /being with a contender.

Sounds like he knows this is it.

— Chris Russell AKA The Rooster (@Russellmania621) January 10, 2021

Ryan Kerrigan is addressing the media now. He never thought he would be the franchise's all-time official sack lead, but he said he's really blessed and fortunate to have accomplished that.

— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) January 10, 2021

Whatever happens next, Ryan Kerrigan is the franchise’s all-time sacks leader. The 2011 first rounder says he never could have imagined such things back then. "That's pretty damn cool."

— Ben Standig (@BenStandig) January 10, 2021

Ryan Kerrigan "The D-Line is in good hands."

Scheme allows linebackers to come down hill and play to strengths #WashingtonFootball

— Washington Football On SI.com (@WSHFootballSI) January 10, 2021

Antonio Gibson is up next in the player availability marathon. He thinks his rookie season went well for a player who only had 33 carries in college. He's looking forward to the offseason.

— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) January 10, 2021

Gibson said his toes doesn't feel too bad right now. Everybody gets banged up late in the season, so you have to keep fighting through it.

— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) January 10, 2021

RB Antonio Gibson said his turf toe injury won't require surgery and that it's "just a matter of rest."

"Coming out of the game it doesn't feel too bad. We have progress there."

— Sam Fortier (@Sam4TR) January 10, 2021

Antonio Gibson said his toe won't require surgery. Said when he noticed the impact most is after contact when trying to drive a pile...
Says he wants to slim down a little more... wants to get more explosive

— John Keim (@john_keim) January 10, 2021

Gibson said he had an amazing offensive line this season. They did a good job of making holes for him and helped give him pointers.

— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) January 10, 2021

Antonio Gibson said he plans to slim down a bit in the offseason and work to improve his explosiveness.

— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) January 10, 2021

Antonio Gibson seems excited to get after it this offseason. Has the mindset of "getting my body as fit as possible."

Added he wants to slim down and work on his explosiveness.

— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) January 10, 2021

And now we have J.D. McKissic. He think greatness is what the team is chasing and what it can be.

— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) January 10, 2021

J.D. McKissic: "My thing is to chase greatness... Greatness is where I feel this team can be." Cited how everyone stepped up when Rivera dealt with his cancer diagnosis as an example.

— Ben Standig (@BenStandig) January 10, 2021

McKissic said Washington was a couple of turnovers away from having a great. Once they get that fixed, the sky is the limit.

— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) January 10, 2021

McKissic's goal in the offseason is to rest up and get healthy. A lot of players fought through injuries to give their all on the field.

— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) January 10, 2021

McKissic said he surprised a lot of people this year, but he didn't surprise the people who believed in him.

— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) January 10, 2021

McKissic said he has never experienced a year in which an offense played with so many different QBs. It was a tough situation, but it's also a testament of the team's resiliency.

— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) January 10, 2021

McKissic said the team's biggest thing was to forget what the naysayers were saying about them.

— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) January 10, 2021

J.D. McKissic on rookie Antonio Gibson: "We knew AG was a heck of a player." Said their relationship is bigger than football.

"He's a special young man. I'm proud to call him my son."

— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) January 10, 2021

JD McKissic said it was good to see how mature Antonio Gibson was and how much he cares about the game and the team. ... "I'm proud to call him my son," he said, laughing.

— John Keim (@john_keim) January 10, 2021

Cam Sims is now up next. He had a good rapport with Heinicke last night with 13 targets. He said he and Heinicke started talking from the moment Heinicke signs with Washington

— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) January 10, 2021

Sims said he took advantage of his opportunities this year and believes that, for the most part, he succeeded.

— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) January 10, 2021

Sims said he took advantage of his opportunities this year and believes that, for the most part, he succeeded.

— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) January 10, 2021

Cornelius Lucas is addressing the media. He feels like the offensive came together well with each snap.

— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) January 10, 2021

Cornelius Lucas on what he learned about himself this year: "Pressure brings the best out of me."

— Matthew Paras (@Matthew_Paras) January 10, 2021

Cornelius Lucas on Taylor Heinicke: "Man, the guy's got some wheels, right?"

— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) January 10, 2021

Lucas said Heinicke is a true warrior for how he played last night. He has wheels, Lucas said with a laugh.

— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) January 10, 2021

Lucas was genuinely excited about playing left tackle because he's naturally left-handed. He said had to learn how to play right tackle when he started in the league.

— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) January 10, 2021

Lucas said he wants to get smarter, faster and stronger this offseason. The grind don't stop, he said.

— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) January 10, 2021

Logan Thomas is addressing the media now. Believes he started getting better and better each game in terms of understanding what OC Scott Turner and his quarterbacks were looking for.

— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) January 10, 2021

Thomas said the offense can be a lot better as long as the consistency continues to go up. There are a bunch of playmakers in the system, he said, and there's no telling what this offense can do.

— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) January 10, 2021

Logan Thomas said it's very encouraging that the team is hungry to improve. They believed they could win last night, and now that's the bar going forward. He wants to win a few more games and get back to the playoffs.

— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) January 10, 2021

Logan Thomas finished 2020 with 72 catches for 670 yards and 6 TDs. That's the best season for a Washington TE since Jordan Reed in 2015. And he says he can get much, much better

— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) January 10, 2021

Logan Thomas said he likes OTAs because it's when teams build comradery, but not having them this year allowed players to have extra rest ahead of training camp. So he's split about how he felt about not having OTAs.

— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) January 10, 2021

Thomas played a lot of snaps this season, especially later in the season, and he credits that durability to how he takes care of his body.

— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) January 10, 2021

"He was tough early and he was loving late." @LoganThomasSr_6 on #WashingtonFootball TE Coach Pete Hoener.

"He holds a special place in my heart."

— Chris Russell AKA The Rooster (@Russellmania621) January 10, 2021

Logan Thomas loves him some tight ends coach Pete Hoener, who was the one who lobbied for @WashingtonNFL to sign him this offseason.

"He was tough early, and he was loving late, and I think that helps. ...Pete is a special man, and he holds a special place in my heart."

— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) January 10, 2021

Thomas said Taylor Heinicke is tough as nails and deserves everything he gets after this game.

— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) January 10, 2021

Logan Thomas on Taylor Heinicke: "He embodies everything this team preaches."

— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) January 10, 2021

TE Logan Thomas on QB Alex Smith: "I can't imagine him not trying to play football again next year. ... Having a feel for Alex, I feel like he wants to play."

— Sam Fortier (@Sam4TR) January 10, 2021

Thomas has been seen how Alex Smith carries himself this year, and his leadership is something he can learn from. Smith has a presence about him, Thomas said, and he does a lot of smaller things that no one else sees.

— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) January 10, 2021

QB Alex Smith on not playing Saturday: "Really difficult. ... I'd felt so good, and I felt like I'd come so far in the Pittsburgh game. ... It was frustrating to have to sit there and not suit up and not hold up your end to the team."

— Sam Fortier (@Sam4TR) January 10, 2021

"It's not the way you want to finish out a season." https://t.co/kyZU6I8XlW

— Washington Football On SI.com (@WSHFootballSI) January 10, 2021

"I totally understood that" - decision by Rivera. https://t.co/xW92tup1jL

— Chris Russell AKA The Rooster (@Russellmania621) January 10, 2021

Alex Smith says the Bucs' pass rush impacted @WashingtonNFL's decision to start Taylor Heinicke.

Smith said the Eagles game was more of a pocket game, but in this game, he would have been forced to move around more.

— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) January 10, 2021

Alex Smith admits that his calf injury was "a little more complicated than that." He did not elaborate, but that's very interesting.

— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) January 10, 2021

Smith says the calf injury doesn't take away from what he was able to accomplish with his comeback from his broken leg: "This was a completely separate deal that was football. Football is a physical game."

— Matthew Paras (@Matthew_Paras) January 10, 2021

Alex Smith reiterates his calf injury "is a completely different deal" than his limb salvage. It just happens to be the same leg.

— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) January 10, 2021

Alex Smith: "To me it was more about the attempt and the journey than the outcome. More about that mindset of putting myself out there and really attempting this."

— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) January 10, 2021

Smith said he wanted to see what he had left in him after his injury. He's thankful that he did come back.

— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) January 10, 2021

Alex Smith says he "had so much fun this year" and playing football is "one of the greatest feelings in the world." Smith will take a few weeks to decide on next season.

— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) January 10, 2021

Alex Smith is now talking to the media. He said he had so much fun this year. To be back in the locker room is one of the greatest feelings in the world. He's going to take a few weeks to figure out his future. For now, he wants to live in the moment.

— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) January 10, 2021

Alex Smith said he's "going to take a few weeks" when asked about if he wants to continue playing. He admits his wife has been through a lot, so he'll seek his family's input.

— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) January 10, 2021

Alex Smith says he and his family are going to have a conversation about next steps. Says he owes them that, they’ve been through a lot. He’s enjoyed playing, but needs to have that discussion with them before deciding anything about next season

— Rhiannon Walker (@InstantRHIplay) January 10, 2021

Chase Young is now addressing the media. He immediately went to talk to Tom Brady after the game. He's the greatest, Young said, and he himself wants to be great. If he didn't want to be great, he shouldn't have been drafted with the No. 2 pick.

— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) January 10, 2021

Chase Young on why he sprinted over to Tom Brady right after the game: Called him the greatest, said if he didn’t want to do that, then he shouldn’t have been drafted at No. 2. He seeks greatness, told Brady he motivated him to be the best

— Rhiannon Walker (@InstantRHIplay) January 10, 2021

Young said he met Khalil Mack when he was in 10th grade. That has motivated him ever since. Those type of players inspire him to be great.

— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) January 10, 2021

Chase Young said his ankle got rolled up on late in Saturday's loss to the Buccaneers. Would it have bothered him from playing if Washington had pulled the upset? "You know I would have played."

— Matthew Paras (@Matthew_Paras) January 10, 2021

Chase Young: "It felt good being a professional... You're just living out your dreams... I never take for granted that this is a dream come true"

— Pete Hailey (@PeteHaileyNBCS) January 10, 2021

Chase Young: "We can get crazy better...We're not taking our foot off the gas"

— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) January 10, 2021

Young said the defense can be a lot better, even after finishing as the second-best unit. If this is Year 1, he can't wait to see what comes next.

— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) January 10, 2021

"I know things that I need to work on" but says he's going to talk to Sam Mills III and write some things down, put them on his wall to motivate. https://t.co/VC26DYoiIh

— Washington Football On SI.com (@WSHFootballSI) January 10, 2021

Young said he will talk to his coaches about the next steps of his progression. He knows things that he himself wants to work on, but he wants to hear from his coaches as well. He'll write them down get to work on them in the offseason.

— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) January 10, 2021

Chase Young thanks Ryan Kerrigan for opening up to him - "RK knows it's all love and were gonna have this relationship forever"

— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) January 10, 2021

Young said he will always thank Ryan Kerrigan for being the man and player he is. He opened his arms up to Young, and he's grateful for all he has learned.

— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) January 10, 2021

Kam Curl (@KCurl_2) - "I feel like I played pretty good"

"Just knowing what to do. Learning from the older guys."

"I feel like I was way better than that" on being a seventh-round pick.

— Chris Russell AKA The Rooster (@Russellmania621) January 10, 2021

Kamren Curl is now talking to the media. As a seventh-round pick, not many expected much of him. But with Landon going out with injury, he knew he had to step up, and now he has become one of Washington's most impressive rookies.

— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) January 10, 2021

Curl said he will train to continue to be versatile. He's not training to be a safety or a corner. He's training to be a defensive back and use all of his skills.

— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) January 10, 2021

Jon Bostic addressing the media. He said the team didn't finish the way it wanted, but the players learned a lot. The arrow is pointing up, he said.

— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) January 10, 2021

The foundation that Rivera has laid is big, Bostic said. Now the next step is climbing the top of the championship mountain. Now that the team has a taste of success, it wants to keep getting better.

— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) January 10, 2021

Statistically, Bostic said the defense played well, but there were several things they left on the table. He could see how everyone improved each game, though. He and his teammates are going to look back at the film and see where they can improve.

— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) January 10, 2021

Bostic said he's excited and looking forward to being back with Washington. He's been in a new defense every year since he's been in the league. The fact that he won't have to learn a new system in the offseason will be big going forward.

— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) January 10, 2021

Something new on deck for Jon Bostic: Playing in the same defensive scheme for the first time in his career. That includes when he stayed with a team multiple seasons.

— Ben Standig (@BenStandig) January 10, 2021

Bostic said the linebackers have a lot of guys who can do a lot of different things. That versatility was helpful this year. Multiple players have done a little of everything, and that led to them being able to fill a lot of roles.

— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) January 10, 2021