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Ron Rivera addresses the media a day after Brandon Scherff was officially given the franchise tag for the 2nd year in a row. Free agency begins a week from today at 4pm. Rivera said the team is not desperate, and they plan to build the team the right way, and add players that can help them win. He is very focused on re-signing players, and that includes Kevin Pierre-Louis along with Scherff.
The Washington Football Team has been very aggressive in their pursuit of a veteran QB, reportedly calling on the three QBs already traded(Matthew Stafford, Jared Goff, Carson Wentz) along with others who could be made available(Marcus Mariota, Sam Darnold). Rivera wouldn’t go into detail, but he did say “we’re out there” when asked. He insists the team still has time to figure it out, but if a new “franchise QB” isn’t found, they will go with the guys that give them a chance to win. He expects ERFA Kyle Allen to be back for the start of training camp.
LIVE: Coach Rivera speaks to the media https://t.co/xB0CNSQe4u
— Washington Football Team (@WashingtonNFL) March 10, 2021
Not desperate:
Ron Rivera talking to media now: "We're not desperate. ... We're looking to build a sustainable winning culture."
— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) March 10, 2021
In advance of free agency, Ron Rivera says Washington is "not desperate." His focus is building his team for the long haul and do it "the right way" even with $$ to spend
— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) March 10, 2021
.@RiverboatRonHC meeting with the media now "We're not desperate. There's no immediate need" and says they will be patient and won't 'throw the plan away." #WashingtonFootball
— Chris Russell AKA The Rooster (@Russellmania621) March 10, 2021
Building a sustainable winner:
Ron Rivera, as he's said many times, emphasizes he won't take "one big shot," but is aiming to build a sustainable winner. pic.twitter.com/8pcIXRAZu1
— michael phillips (@michaelpRTD) March 10, 2021
Ron Rivera says they want to look at every option they have. They want to move cautiously and smart. They want to be able to say they put the right pieces in place. They don't want to have to start over year after year.
— Rhiannon Walker (@InstantRHIplay) March 10, 2021
Quarterback:
Rivera on the QB situation: "We're going to continue to look. ... We still have time and we're going to continue to explore all the options that are out there. I get it, you guys want answers. But we don't have answers for you."
— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) March 10, 2021
Ron Rivera on free agency: "You want to be able to say, 'This is our franchise quarterback,' but you don't know that until he starts playing." He added the team could have "quarterbackS" compete next year. He reiterated they'll be patient.
— Sam Fortier (@Sam4TR) March 10, 2021
Pursuing a veteran QB:
"I think the biggest thing is that we're out there." - @RiverboatRonHC when asked to characterize the reports and speculation that #WashingtonFootball is one of the most aggressive teams in the QB market.
— Chris Russell AKA The Rooster (@Russellmania621) March 10, 2021
COVID-19 vaccine:
.@RiverboatRonHC says even though he's vaccinated - he still wears his mask. As he is right now.
— Chris Russell AKA The Rooster (@Russellmania621) March 10, 2021
Obviously a smart, responsible thing to do. #WashingtonFootball
Martin Mayhew/Marty Hurney:
One thing Ron Rivera said talking about Marty Hurney and Martin Mayhew that I thought was interesting is that they also brought in guys who had seen failure. Because they want to know how to avoid those pitfalls. Goes beyond people who have just experienced constant success
— Rhiannon Walker (@InstantRHIplay) March 10, 2021
Free agency plans:
Washington has a "couple of players" they're going to chase immediately in free agency, but if they strike out, they'll take a step back and use a similar approach as last year. (Washington brought in bargain-bin guys that paid off, i.e. Logan Thomas, J.D. McKissic)
— Matthew Paras (@Matthew_Paras) March 10, 2021
Re-signing players:
Ron Rivera says Washington's cap room is an opportunity but his focus is locking up their own guys too
— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) March 10, 2021
Ron Rivera says they have to look at their guys first, before they go out looking at other team's free agents or those players in the draft. Rivera says they like this draft and especially at specific positions
— Rhiannon Walker (@InstantRHIplay) March 10, 2021
Brandon Scherff:
Ron's full answer on Brandon Scherff.
— michael phillips (@michaelpRTD) March 10, 2021
To me, this doesn't scream "I'm itching to lock this guy up with big money long-term." pic.twitter.com/6zfBNglG75
Ron Rivera on why Brandon Scherff was tagged for a second straight year: "We want to show the players we can keep our own." He would like to get a long-term deal done.
— Matthew Paras (@Matthew_Paras) March 10, 2021
Speaking on Brandon Scherff, Ron Rivera said it be nice to work out a long-term deal with him. They just don't know just yet. They wanted to show that they have an interest in keeping their own.
— Rhiannon Walker (@InstantRHIplay) March 10, 2021
Alex Smith:
Rivera: "I want you to understand this. If there was anybody behind you the whole way, it was Mr. Snyder." https://t.co/BARPETv3Ke
— Matthew Paras (@Matthew_Paras) March 10, 2021
Ron Rivera says one of the thing that he struggled with everyday was putting him out there and if he got hurt, he'd be the coach who put him out there. That was something he thought about, and he told Smith that in their conversation
— Rhiannon Walker (@InstantRHIplay) March 10, 2021
Ron Rivera on Alex Smith: "He'll get an opportunity to play again."
— Rhiannon Walker (@InstantRHIplay) March 10, 2021
Kyle Allen:
Ron Rivera just told reporters he "definitely" expects QB Kyle Allen to participate at the start of training camp.
— Grant Paulsen (@granthpaulsen) March 10, 2021
Allen is a restricted free agent. Sounds like Rivera expects Allen to be here. Not surprising. He has talked all offseason like Allen is in WFT's plans.
NFL investigation of the Washington Football Team/Dan Snyder:
Ron Rivera asked if the Wilkinson Report should be released publicly. Passes on the question. pic.twitter.com/aPeA1WqQ9n
— michael phillips (@michaelpRTD) March 10, 2021
Ron Rivera says 'that's beyond me' in terms of the @NFL releasing Dan Snyder/Beth Wilkinson report.
— Chris Russell AKA The Rooster (@Russellmania621) March 10, 2021
Kevin Pierre-Louis:
Ron Rivera: "I'd love to see us get a guy with the skillset of Kevin Pierre-Louis, whether it's Kevin or someone else. I'd love to have Kevin back."
— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) March 10, 2021
Player’s value:
Tough part for NFL coaches - figuring out what's a player's value. Rivera says coaches "cringe" trying to figure that out
— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) March 10, 2021
Landon Collins:
Rivera says Washington needs to see how Landon Collins is progressing for the 2021 season
— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) March 10, 2021
Cam Newton:
Asked about Cam Newton, Ron Rivera says he cant talk about it bc free agency hasnt started.
— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) March 10, 2021
Ok.