Ron Rivera really liked how his players put the Buffalo fiasco behind them quickly.
“The execution was really good, I thought at times and so I think that really spoke well to the guys practicing, preparing all week coming off of the Buffalo game. I thought the guys came in and had a really good Wednesday.”
Rivera also thinks new offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy is still getting to know his offensive personnel and they are still learning the new offensive system.
“I think a lot of what’s happening is everybody’s kind of still learning. We’re still in that phase. I mean, you can say all you want about having OTAs, minicamp, training camp, preseason games, but now with the actual games itself, now you know exactly what you got, what you’re doing out there and you feel as if everything’s coming together”
One calendar year can be significantly better. You recall last year, the Chicago game in Week 6 is when Washington fans showed up in Chicago wearing bags over their faces, and many chanting, “Sell the team.”
Rivera said he feels “Very fortunate. Things have changed, and it’s been different. It’s been refreshing…It’s one of those things that we’re very fortunate to be where we are. What Mr. [Josh] Harris and his group have brought has been very different, and it’s allowed me, it’s allowed us, to keep the focus on football, the players, as it should be and what we do on the field.”
As the team couldn’t wait to get on the field against the Eagles, turning the page from the Bills embarrassment, Rivera is hoping the team wants to turn the page from the Eagles to the Bears exclusively.
“…I’ve tried to talk to as many of the players as I can and just touch bases, see where everybody is, and the responses have been terrific. They really have. They’ve been tremendous. There’s a sense of eagerness right now. You know, it’s funny; I felt that on Wednesday, and I know I told you guys last week that I thought we had a good Wednesday. I felt that way about yesterday, coming in, and just in less than 24 hours, they were back here, and you know, there is this little bit more maturity, I think, and kind of in a really good way.”