Ron Rivera Presser: Taylor Heinicke is playing smarter, not taking unnecessary hits

LIVE: Coach Rivera speaks to the media after the game https://t.co/zbzPqTwYfc

— Washington Football Team (@WashingtonNFL) August 21, 2021

Rivera on the first offense: pic.twitter.com/F57z0boGu8

— John Keim (@john_keim) August 21, 2021

Ron Rivera addressing the media. There were a lot of good things from the offense, some things to clean up. He was pleased with how the ball was run.

— Zach Selby (@ZachSelbyWFT) August 21, 2021

Rivera on the opening offense: “Fitzy was a little fired up. He overshot throws that he has been making. … A little uncharacteristic of him.”

He says the offense can be a “little more efficient” even though it was the preseason.

— Matthew Paras (@Matthew_Paras) August 21, 2021

Rivera was fine with the field goal operation. Wants to keep honing it and getting it better. Hopkins hit all three of his field goals today.

— Zach Selby (@ZachSelbyWFT) August 21, 2021

Rivera: we saw some really good things from the nickel.

— Zach Selby (@ZachSelbyWFT) August 21, 2021

Rivera thought Patterson played solid. He’s a dynamic young player. Patterson had 95 total yards and a score

— Zach Selby (@ZachSelbyWFT) August 21, 2021

Rivera calls Jaret Patterson "explosive" and "dynamic," and says his one of those players unafraid of the spotlight. Says they have a role in mind for him.

— Ben Standig (@BenStandig) August 21, 2021

Ron Rivera on Jaret Patterson: "That’s what you’re looking for. You’re looking for those guys that step up and make plays."

Rivera added that a number of young players on the defensive line impressed him.

— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) August 21, 2021

Rivera said he felt Patterson really stood out when with the 2s. Said he did a “nice job” in limited time with the 1s.

— John Keim (@john_keim) August 21, 2021

“That’s what you want:” Rivera was excited to see Jaret Patterson fight for additional yards, also shouts out the offensive line up front.

— Matthew Paras (@Matthew_Paras) August 21, 2021

“He was pretty dynamic.” Ron Rivera on Jaret Patterson in the KR game

— Rhiannon Walker (@InstantRHIplay) August 21, 2021

Ron Rivera said Benjamin St-Juste had a good game tonight. Liked that DC Jack Del Rio put them in some stressful situations to see how they’d respond

— Rhiannon Walker (@InstantRHIplay) August 21, 2021

Rivera said Heinicke’s mobility showed in plays. It’s an asset that he shows often, and he’s getting smarter about learning when to slide.

— Zach Selby (@ZachSelbyWFT) August 21, 2021

Rivera was happy to see Taylor Heinicke play smarter by running out of bounds and not taking unnecessary hits.

— Matthew Paras (@Matthew_Paras) August 21, 2021

Rivera says Darrick Forrest tried to hit #Bengals WR in chest at goal line. Intention obviously not to hit helmet to helmet. @team980 @LockedWFTPod

— Chris Russell AKA The Rooster (@Russellmania621) August 21, 2021

Rivera was also pleased with how some of the young offensive and defensive linemen fought. They’re doing what it take to finish and win reps. That’s what Rivera wants to see.

— Zach Selby (@ZachSelbyWFT) August 21, 2021

Rivera on Gandy-Golden. pic.twitter.com/SNLnGJO1a7

— John Keim (@john_keim) August 21, 2021

It was good to see AGG bounce back, Rivera said. He used his size to his advantage and on the two-point conversion, “he plucked that ball” with some strong hands.

— Zach Selby (@ZachSelbyWFT) August 21, 2021

Ron sounds quite pleased with AGG tonight. Noted that he “plucked” the two pointer out of the air after not doing so in NE last week and was overall more aggressive when the ball came his way

— Pete Hailey (@PeteHaileyNBCS) August 21, 2021

Kendall Fuller isn’t dealing with an injury, Ron Rivera said. The coaching staff just determined he wasn’t going to play. Team got to see St-Juste, McTyer and other corners.

— Matthew Paras (@Matthew_Paras) August 21, 2021