Today was the first practice of the Washington Football Team that was open to reporters (see photos, videos and updates here). It was also the first day the team had pads and head coach Ron Rivera was excited to see some of his new players. He was not upset about the pace and some of the bad habits that players had early in camp after a long period of time.
Alex Smith is slowly being reintroduced into football after his life-threatening leg / infection was removed two years ago. Rivera looks at how Smith, Reuben Foster and Bryce Love are reacting to their return on football practice.
You will see many different combinations of players as the team tries to figure out the depth map. Rivera specifically pointed out the offensive line and linebackers. Dwayne Haskins Jr. has also gotten some work done with all the WRs.
Tempo:
Ron Rivera: “Pace up is important because we have to learn how to play hard.”
He said he saw small mistakes that left him disappointed.
– Matthew Paras (@Matthew_Paras) August 18, 2020
Ron Rivera said he wants his team to play fast and he was sometimes disappointed with the pace. Also saw some good things, but he wants his boys to be aware of the situation and that players know their assignments.
– JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) August 18, 2020
Ron Rivera said he saw some things he liked, some things he did not do in Washington’s first padded practice. He focused the team on and emphasized attention to detail and pace – two things he emphasized all offseason, really.
Nicki Jhabvala @NickiJhabvala August 18, 2020
Alex Smith:
Rivera says they are slowly trying to get Alex Smith back into football. Today was his first 7 on 7 job.
– Matthew Paras (@Matthew_Paras) August 18, 2020
Ron Rivera said they are slowly bringing in Alex Smith. Has been in 7-on-7 today, where there was no threat from people moving his feet and watching him move. They will keep tabs on how he progressed.
– Rhiannon Walker (@InstantRHIplay) August 18, 2020
Rivera says Alex Smith’s footwork is crucial when evaluating. He said he saw good movement in his progressions. “You see he’s still in agreement with this,” he said.
– Matthew Paras (@Matthew_Paras) August 18, 2020
Rivera said he saw Alex Smith’s good move in pads. He’s a cruel veteran, Rivera said, and he continued with his progress.
– Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) August 18, 2020
Players returning from injury:
Rivera said he looked at players returning from leg injuries such as Reuben Foster, Alex Smith and Bryce Love. Rivera said it was fun to see them because he could see them gaining more confidence in their legs.
– Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) August 18, 2020
Landon Collins:
Rivera on Landon Collins: “He’s a boy who can surround the troops.” He says they expect him to become a leader.
– Matthew Paras (@Matthew_Paras) August 18, 2020
Trojan Apke:
Troy Apke performed admirably for free. Rivera said he has sharp movements and he is a smart player. Rivera also stressed the importance of finding the right combination of players so that the rotation could change every day.
– Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) August 18, 2020
Different combinations in practice:
Rivera: “Very few positions are currently set in our head.” He says you will see several combos of boys at positions as camp continues.
– George Wallace (@GWallaceWTOP) August 18, 2020
Rivera: “Very few positions are set in our heads at the moment. … You’ll definitely see another group of linebackers, that’s for sure.”
Nicki Jhabvala @NickiJhabvala August 18, 2020
Add to that what Rivera said about finding the right combination: he said while Haskins mostly worked with the first offensive line, but he worked with the second group of receivers and the first league.
– Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) August 18, 2020
Young QBs:
Rivera about what they were looking for from their young QBs: “Keep her body eyes on … You hear us talk about mechanics, you hear us talk about footwork. As long as he makes good decisions, you feel like he’s moving. “
Nicki Jhabvala @NickiJhabvala August 18, 2020
Correct bad habits:
Rivera said he feels there are a lot of bad habits that need to be corrected because of the time players leave the field with the pandemic. “We need to understand them that this is how we do things, and this is how we want it.”
Nicki Jhabvala @NickiJhabvala August 18, 2020
Since there were no OTAs or minicamps, Rivera knew some players today would be a bit quiet. So, he reiterated that they should do things as the coaches ask of them. If that happens, then glory will go to them.
– Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) August 18, 2020
Practice:
Rivera about guys hitting today: “I’m excited about it.”
– George Wallace (@GWallaceWTOP) August 18, 2020
Jonathan Allen:
Rivera said Jonathan Allen came to him during practice and asked him how much he missed it. And honestly, he does. It’s exciting, Rivera said, to see everyone back on the field in pads.
– Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) August 18, 2020
Ryan Kerrigan:
Rivera said Ryan Kerrigan really took it upon himself to put his hand on the ground, which was fun to watch.
– Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) August 18, 2020
Rivera says some guys have trouble with some of the technical stuff to go from 3-4 to 4-3, but when the light bulb comes on, they see it …
Says he can see Kerrigan getting more comfortable with his hand down in dirt. @WSHFootballSI @SInow @ 1067theFan @LockedWFTPod
Chris Russell AKA The Rooster (@ Russellmania621) August 18, 2020
Head coach Ron Rivera said he was “very pleased” with what he saw of Montez Sweat and Chase Young. Rivera also loves what he sees of Kerrigan as he goes on to put in the dirt all the time.
– Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) August 18, 2020
Dwayne Haskins Jr .:
Head coach Ron Rivera said that Dwayne Haskins jr. “Made some really good decisions” during today’s practice.
– Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) August 18, 2020
Damage updates:
Ron Rivera, who does not like to talk about injuries, says DE Ryan Anderson and OL Saahdiq Charles missed practice today for minor injuries. Anderson worked on the sidelines, and Rivera said the team hopes to have both back on the field “in the next day or two.”
– Sam Fortier (@ Sam4TR) August 18, 2020
Team President Jason Wright:
Rivera takes some time to chat about Jason Wright. He is excited to work with him. He knew him as a player, and now he is being taught as a person.
– Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) August 18, 2020
