Ron Rivera Presser: Washington added a lot of speed at wide receiver, this group could be dynamic

Coach Rivera speaks to the media after Day 2 of rookie minicamp https://t.co/vadhUVbp8c

— Washington Football Team (@WashingtonNFL) May 15, 2021

Ron Rivera opens his press conference shouting other DC teams. Wished the Capitals luck for the playoffs and congratulated Wizards for making the play in. He mentioned the Nats, Mystics and Spirit too

— Matthew Paras (@Matthew_Paras) May 15, 2021

Ron Rivera says Norv Turner always has an open invitation to Washington practices. Rivera says he really values his opinion

— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) May 15, 2021

Norv Turner is in town visiting his son Scott, Washington's OC, so Rivera invited to practice: "I really do value his opinion so I think it’s cool to have him around to look at some things and be able to talk to him about what’s going on and what he thinks.”
( @j_macpost) pic.twitter.com/uaWCYq4vHe

— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) May 15, 2021

Rivera says he “has no issue” with going away for training camp but no finalized details yet. My guess is a few days or maybe a week away but not like previous years w 3 weeks in Richmond

— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) May 15, 2021

Rivera said he liked Bobby McCain for his position flex. He can play safety and was a corner before switching.

— Matthew Paras (@Matthew_Paras) May 15, 2021

Rivera's explanation for signing McCain, as expected, centers on position flex. The interchangeable aspect allows the defense to adjust easily when the offense moves players in motion. Shift one player instead of four, and so on. https://t.co/XNNhmSW1lL

— Ben Standig (@BenStandig) May 15, 2021

Rivera said he saw player improve from yesterday. The retention from yesterday and was good, and they were able to take what they were taught and put it on the field.

— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) May 15, 2021

Rivera stressed to his players that this is a teaching opportunity. He's not looking for anything smash mouth. He wants to see them work on their techniques and trying to improve. There will be a time for more intense competition, but now is not it.

— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) May 15, 2021

Ron Rivera says he’s really excited to see Washington’s new WR group. Says the team added a lot of speed and “that group could be dynamic”

— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) May 15, 2021

Rivera is looking forward to looking at the entire group of WRs. They improved in speed and they set out to find a complement to Terry McLaurin. The team feels like they have got not just one, but several to play off McLaurin's skillset.

— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) May 15, 2021

Ron Rivera talks often about roster depth and competition so I asked which groups excite him most. Starts with receivers since they added multiple players with speed to compliment McLaurin. Also mentioned TE, DL and LB.

— Ben Standig (@BenStandig) May 15, 2021

Ron Rivera said it was “cool” to have things a little more normal with no masks needed (if vaccinated). Here’s his entire quote. pic.twitter.com/3t6lHUcCmb

— John Keim (@john_keim) May 15, 2021

Ron Rivera on if he feels things are returning to normal with new CDC guidelines and NFL rules for vaccinated staffers: "I hope people understand just how important it is to get vaccinated. ... I hope people go out there and get these vaccinations so we can return to normal."

— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) May 15, 2021

Ron Rivera encouraged everyone to get vaccinated and said the coronavirus vaccine is no different from past vaxs, such as smallpox.

“You’ve got to get those [vaccines] to be safe going forward. ... I hope people go out and get those vaccinations so we can get back to normal.”

— Sam Fortier (@Sam4TR) May 15, 2021

A lot of players in Washington's rookie class had plenty of experience in college. That is helpful, Rivera thinks, in their development and it's something the coaches can build on.

— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) May 15, 2021

Washington has players like Saahdiq Charles and AGG who are returning from injury this year. Rivera wants to get those players on the field as soon as possible so he and the coaches can evaluate them.

— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) May 15, 2021

Ron Rivera said his only schedule gripe, other than traveling to the west coast after MNF, was five NFCE games to end the year.

“Their thought process is were all going to be jumbled at the end and we’ll have a round-robin tournament to see who gets in [to the playoffs].”

— Sam Fortier (@Sam4TR) May 15, 2021

Some presser takeaways:
- Rivera likes the schedule for most partS only concern is going from Monday nighter to west coast trip. (Seattle to Vegas)

- Asked what competition he’s most eager to see play out, he mentioned wide receiver since the makeover that position went

— Matthew Paras (@Matthew_Paras) May 15, 2021

- Rivera/Del Rio want their safeties to be interchangeable so when there’s motion across, the strong can become the free and vice versa if the situation calls for it.

- Rivers is glad there’s loosening of protocols/encouraged everyone to get vaccinated if they haven’t.

— Matthew Paras (@Matthew_Paras) May 15, 2021