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Ron Rivera was not happy with Washington's kick returners taking the ball out of the end zone and not being able to even make it back to the 20 yard line. The team is trying to find their returners after letting DeAndre Carter leave in free agency. This was not a good start for the unit, and Rivera called it infuriating.
He was also not happy with the defenses inability to capitalize on 2nd and longs. The Panthers had a few drives extended that should have been cut short, and the players will probably not like that film session this week.
Rivera was asked about Antonio Gibson fumbling the ball, and issue he has had throughout his time in Washington. He wants the young RB to stop stutter-stepping so much and just plant and go. He also doesn't want to see Gibson trying to extend plays that aren't going anywhere. This leads to trouble and more opportunities for the defense to pop the ball out. Rivera was pleased with Gibson's play after he returned to the field.
Rivera was happy with the play of all 3 of his QBs today. Wentz was accurate, went through his progressions well, and had control of the offense. Sam Howell played some great bal late in the game. Rivera said he's got a bright future and he just needs to continue to learn and develop.
Ron Rivera
POSTGAME: HC Ron Rivera speaks to the media after the game https://t.co/4YVHOJ7y6X
— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) August 13, 2022
Kick returns:
Ron Rivera addressing the media. Said he was pleased for the most part with the starters but chastised the kickoff return and defense on the last drive. Said the team can't start drives outside of the 20-yard line and has to figure out how to get off the field on second-and-long
— Zach Selby (@ZachSelbyWC) August 13, 2022
Washington did not return its first two kickoffs to the 20, and Ron Rivera found that "infuriating."
— Ben Standig (@BenStandig) August 13, 2022
Defense:
Ron Rivera was clearly upset with his kick return unit and his defenses inability to make plays on 2nd and long. Interesting to hear him challenge those groups right after a preseason game. #Commanders
— Grant Paulsen (@granthpaulsen) August 13, 2022
Antonio Gibson:
Antonio Gibson had fumble issues last year and lost the ball on his second carry of the season today.
— NBC Sports Commanders (@NBCSCommanders) August 13, 2022
"Antonio's gotta run hard," Ron Rivera said postgame: pic.twitter.com/hp2c7XiTUT
Rivera on Gibson fumble: “Antonio has to run hard”. Pleased w how he came back in the 2nd half pic.twitter.com/iP0QUv9Auz
— George Wallace (@GWallaceWTOP) August 13, 2022
Ron Rivera said Antonio Gibson gets himself into trouble by too much stutter stepping; liked how he ran after he returned from the fumble.
— John Keim (@john_keim) August 13, 2022
Carson Wentz/offense:
Ron Rivera gives his thoughts on Carson Wentz's debut pic.twitter.com/palnDhhV68
— NBC Sports Commanders (@NBCSCommanders) August 13, 2022
Rivera pleased with Wentz and the offense.
— George Wallace (@GWallaceWTOP) August 13, 2022
Rivera said the offensive line protected Wentz well, and the QB delivered the ball accurately
— Zach Selby (@ZachSelbyWC) August 13, 2022
Ron Rivera praised Carson Wentz’s performance vs Carolina. Said he liked his ball placement, how he went through his progressions, etc.
— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) August 13, 2022
Amari Rogers/Curtis Hodges:
Rivera says Armani Rogers and Curtis Hodges did a “hell of a job” playing essentially the whole game. Washington was very thin at tight end.
— Matthew Paras (@Matthew_Paras) August 13, 2022
He said St-Juste has a hamstring injury, which kept him out.
Benjamin St-Juste:
Ron Rivera anticipated Benjamin St-Juste playing today but hamstring tightness kept the corner out.
— Ben Standig (@BenStandig) August 13, 2022
It’s a hamstring issue for BSJ. The hammy tightened up on him after Thursday’s practice and the team held him out today because of that
— Pete Hailey (@PeteHaileyNBCS) August 13, 2022
Sam Howell:
Rivera said Sam Howell is very smart and played a lot like what he saw in college. He's going to continue to learn and develop
— Zach Selby (@ZachSelbyWC) August 13, 2022
Ron Rivera says of Sam Howell - “The more he learns the better he’s going to become…I think he’s going to have a bright future”
— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) August 13, 2022
Brian Robinson:
Rivera: Brian Robinson showed us why we drafted him. His style sets a tone for the offensive line
— Zach Selby (@ZachSelbyWC) August 13, 2022
Rivera liked what he saw from Brian Robinson. Rivera:. “Physical… downhill… good lean… moves the pile… creates energy.”
— John Keim (@john_keim) August 13, 2022
New fight song:
Ron Rivera still hasn’t heard the new revised fight song, despite the song being played during the game. Ron said someone tried to send the song to him before the game but Ron said he couldn’t open it. #HTTC
— Darren M. Haynes (@DarrenMHaynes) August 13, 2022
Hitting in camp:
Ron Rivera says they've hit more in camp this year than in past. Says they measure everything electronically to make sure not too much. #Commanders
— Chris Russell AKA the ! (@Russellmania621) August 13, 2022
Carson Wentz
POSTGAME: QB Carson Wentz speaks to the media after the game https://t.co/l1bhnXHuRI
— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) August 13, 2022
Potential:
Wentz: “We have the potential to have a fun explosive offense … but we have a long way to go.”
— Matthew Paras (@Matthew_Paras) August 13, 2022