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A variety of styles and personalities were on display on Tuesday as head coach Ron Rivera, first round draft pick Jahan Dotson, and veterans William Jackson III, Jonathan Allen, and Curtis Samuel spoke to the media at the first-ever Washington Commanders Organized Team Activities.
Ron Rivera
LIVE: HC Ron Rivera speaks with the media at OTAs https://t.co/oS5ZxFvyIb
— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) May 24, 2022
Attendance:
Rivera said Montez Sweat was excused for a personal reason and is expected back tomorrow. Chase Young is still in Colorado rehabbing his knee and is expected to arrive in a couple weeks.
— Matthew Paras (@Matthew_Paras) May 24, 2022
Ron Rivera said DE Montez Sweat and WR Cam Sims are away for personal reasons and should return soon.
— Sam Fortier (@Sam4TR) May 24, 2022
Rivera said Chase Young, who was also not here, has a medical plan and should return for some voluntary portion of OTAs.
On Terry McLaurin’s contract: “Just a matter of time.”
OTAs:
Rivera at the mic. Said OTAs are a time to learn technique and establish a relationship with teammates. Added that the players looked good at practice today in rainy conditions
— Zach Selby (@ZachSelbyWC) May 24, 2022
Terry McLaurin:
Ron Rivera didn't want to get into specifics when asked about Terry McLaurin's contract situation. What he told reporters: "Just that we've had communication with him, are working with him. Just a matter of time."
— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) May 24, 2022
Regarding McLaurin's absence, Rivera says the two sides are working through the extension talks. No specific update provided. https://t.co/i42mEDnsQT
— Ben Standig (@BenStandig) May 24, 2022
Curtis Samuel:
Rivera said Curtis Samuel looks good and fits very well into what the team is trying to do on offense.
— Zach Selby (@ZachSelbyWC) May 24, 2022
Carson Wentz:
Rivera said Carson Wentz did some good things today and is looking forward to seeing him progress throughout OTAs
— Zach Selby (@ZachSelbyWC) May 24, 2022
Ron Rivera was asked about Aikman’s comments by @Matthew_Paras. Said “it’s fine” and that “this is a good opportunity for Carson.” https://t.co/YipkRejxhd
— Ethan Cadeaux (@Ethan_Cadeaux) May 24, 2022
No joint team practices:
Ron Rivera says no joint practices. "We're going to focus on us."
— Ben Standig (@BenStandig) May 24, 2022
Will Adams
Rivera on Will Adams, an HBCU alum from Virginia State: he has a lot of potential and showed his savviness already
— Zach Selby (@ZachSelbyWC) May 24, 2022
RBBC:
Rivera on the RB group. Said for the most part it will be by committee. Trying to emulate his Carolina days. @nandodifino @MatthewBerryTMR
— Ben Standig (@BenStandig) May 24, 2022
New facilities:
Ron Rivera is getting the chance to provide input on what he wants the team’s new facility to look like. His biggest emphasis: Room. Much more room. Also talking to Snyders about weight room, offices, etc. Isn’t involved on the where of the project
— Pete Hailey (@PeteHaileyNBCS) May 24, 2022
Kam Curl:
Asked Ron Rivera who the leader is in the @Commanders secondary with Collins gone, McCain on a new contract:
— Bijan Todd (@bijan_todd) May 24, 2022
“I think the guy that’s kinda starting to find his voice is Kam Curl. He’s played very well for us…[the group] is really coming together.” pic.twitter.com/BVvw9ajkxF
Jahan Dotson
LIVE: Jahan Dotson speaks with the media at OTAs https://t.co/x5U0TqDyeL
— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) May 24, 2022
Carson Wentz:
Jahan Dotson at the podium. Said it was fun out at practice today and liked catching passes from Carson Wentz. Really likes how precise he is with his passes
— Zach Selby (@ZachSelbyWC) May 24, 2022
Terry McLaurin:
Jahan Dotson said he hasn’t talked with Terry McLaurin yet.
— Matthew Paras (@Matthew_Paras) May 24, 2022
Returning punts:
Jahan Dotson hopes to return punts at some point this year but hasn’t gotten much more clarity on his future at that spot. He was back there with a few other Commanders today pic.twitter.com/tOtYZYFfF5
— Pete Hailey (@PeteHaileyNBCS) May 24, 2022
Learning the playbook:
Dotson said he’s focused on being a sponge and is focused on getting to know the playbook as much as possible this summer
— Zach Selby (@ZachSelbyWC) May 24, 2022
Jahan Dotson here — said learning the playbook is what he’s trying to work on most during OTAs. Compared it to speaking English his whole life then trying to learn a new language now pic.twitter.com/2C6OGeJcrC
— Ethan Cadeaux (@Ethan_Cadeaux) May 24, 2022
Competition:
Dotson: “The competition brings out the best in me. I don’t know how good I can be until I go up against these guys.”
— George Wallace (@GWallaceWTOP) May 24, 2022
William Jackson III
LIVE: William Jackson III speaks with the media at OTAs https://t.co/LzfiWLaUSt
— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) May 24, 2022
Communication:
William Jackson is at the mic now. He said the secondary is having fun and communicating better
— Zach Selby (@ZachSelbyWC) May 24, 2022
New number:
William Jackson III said he wanted to switch from No. 23 to No. 3 because that was his college number.
— Matthew Paras (@Matthew_Paras) May 24, 2022
Jahan Dotson:
Jackson on Jahan Dotson: he’s good. He’s gonna be good for a long time.
— Zach Selby (@ZachSelbyWC) May 24, 2022
First year in Washington:
From the Bucs game on (post-bye), WJ3 felt like he was back to normal. Smiling, playing loose https://t.co/n62PnJ60LB
— Pete Hailey (@PeteHaileyNBCS) May 24, 2022
Recorded this William Jackson - @PeteHaileyNBCS chat on Jackson's comfort level this year compared to his admitted struggles early in 2021. pic.twitter.com/ck0d9ZMnyF
— Ben Standig (@BenStandig) May 24, 2022
Expectations vs reality:
Jackson said the defense put a lot of pressure on themselves last year, because they knew they were supposed to be good. This year, the players have been getting more familiar with each other, and that should transfer to the field
— Zach Selby (@ZachSelbyWC) May 24, 2022
Jonathan Allen
LIVE: Jonathan Allen speaks with the media at OTAs https://t.co/HG4W5IzARt
— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) May 24, 2022
Missing players:
Jonathan Allen says No concern for the guys that aren’t here, knows they’ll be here eventually. pic.twitter.com/OptTPBXwBg
— George Wallace (@GWallaceWTOP) May 24, 2022
Defensive line depth:
Jon Allen said no Matt Ioannidis and Tim Settle made it "a little weird today" but that's the deal. Players are "hired hands" so it's wise to expect changes.
— Ben Standig (@BenStandig) May 24, 2022
Jon Allen acknowledged that it was strange to hit the field today without Matt Ioannidis and Tim Settle. As for Phidarian Mathis, he sees mental toughness out of him and thinks he’ll be just fine transitioning to the pros pic.twitter.com/Gq5tU4kTIG
— Pete Hailey (@PeteHaileyNBCS) May 24, 2022
Improving on expectations:
Jon Allen is up next. As far as expectations are concerned, he said you are what you put on tape, and all he’s worried about is improving.
— Zach Selby (@ZachSelbyWC) May 24, 2022
Alabama rookies:
Allen on what he’s seen from Phidarian Mathis and Brian Robinson: they’ve met every expectation he has for fellow Alabama alums
— Zach Selby (@ZachSelbyWC) May 24, 2022
Curtis Samuel
LIVE: Curtis Samuel speaks with the media at OTAs https://t.co/ZWHt59C1Ua
— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) May 24, 2022
Health:
Curtis Samuel is at the mic. It’s exciting to be back, he said. The hamstring is not hindering him at all, and it’s refreshing to be on the field
— Zach Selby (@ZachSelbyWC) May 24, 2022
Curtis Samuel: “They just believe in my skill set. They believe in what I can do. … I’ve been around them before so that helps.” https://t.co/WEvKCt2GfE
— Matthew Paras (@Matthew_Paras) May 24, 2022
Curtis Samuel was constantly asking himself last season: “What’s going to happen if I run fast?” He was constantly questioning his body and if he could go at full speed. Says with reps and workouts over the past few months, he’s much more confident pic.twitter.com/p0zUUL2hA2
— Pete Hailey (@PeteHaileyNBCS) May 24, 2022
Samuel on his health: “I’m great. Y’all saw me flying around out there.”
— Zach Selby (@ZachSelbyWC) May 24, 2022
Jahan Dotson:
Samuel said Jahan is a great player. “There’s no such thing as too many weapons”
— Zach Selby (@ZachSelbyWC) May 24, 2022
Cole Holcomb
MLB:
Cole Holcomb is up next. The coaches have been adamant that he’s going to get a shot at MIKE. He appreciates the support and says that having the role full time will be much easier after making the calls from multiple spots last year
— Zach Selby (@ZachSelbyWC) May 24, 2022
Carson Wentz:
Cole Holcomb on Carson Wentz: “He’s got a cannon… He’s going to expand our offense” pic.twitter.com/4o4kXQ5qPe
— Pete Hailey (@PeteHaileyNBCS) May 24, 2022
Antonio Gibson
Carson Wentz:
Antonio Gibson addressing the media. He’s excited to get to work with the rest of the offense and was impressed with Carson Wentz today
— Zach Selby (@ZachSelbyWC) May 24, 2022
Weight loss:
Antonio Gibson made losing weight a priority this offseason. Believes doing so will lead to him getting more of his “quick twitch” ability back — and could also improve his durability pic.twitter.com/kpbW0LrU0U
— Pete Hailey (@PeteHaileyNBCS) May 24, 2022
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