Washington s rookie class brings experience, but there s still plenty to learn Follow Us
Question of the Day
ASHBURN Ron Rivera had some advice for Washington’s rookie class: If you don’t know, ask.
The Washington coach said he wanted players to reach out if they had any questions. He’d rather they do that than carry on and repeat mistakes.
So as Rivera roamed from position to position this past weekend at the team’s rookie minicamp, the coach saw exactly what he was hoping for first-year players were indeed asking coaches for insight. Perhaps more importantly, Rivera said he saw players digesting that information and applying it on the field.
John Bates and Reyes are taking turns on the sled now. Was talking to his former Bronco teammate Riley Smith the other day and he healed praise on how much Bates loves to block. pic.twitter.com/cfbTd3krao Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) May 14, 2021
Rivera also noticed that some players looked differently in person than they did on tape. Wideout
Dax Milne, for example, came across as a lot bigger and stouter than Rivera anticipated. What s more, Rivera thought he moved well at a bigger size, which was pleasantly surprising to the head coach. I think they were all what you are hoping for. That was pleasing, Rivera said. A big reason for the surprise was because it was the first time seeing most of these guys in person. That is something that you go OK, he is a little different than I had thought. You can only tell so much on tape and once you get to watch them in person you get a better feel for them and how they are going to fit us.
Evaluating Washington’s 2021 draft class on character metrics
Photo by Mark LoMoglio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Earlier in the week, I looked at the athleticism of Washington’s 2021 draft class compared to some of the most athletic draft classes in the past 30+ years. That was a relatively easy exercise compared to what I’m proposing to do today, which is to try to plumb the depths of these players’ characters. There are no easy single metrics, there are no in-person interviews. I don’t have access to anything about them beyond what I can find on the internet through relatively straightforward searches.
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Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
It’s been a unique year for NFL scouts and personnel in evaluating talent, thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic.
That certainly applied to those who were trying to acquire valuable information and insight on former BYU quarterback Zach Wilson throughout the draft process leading up to the 2021 NFL draft.
It also led to some interesting little details stories of how these men and women went about doing their jobs while adjusting their fact-gathering process. Related
A hug at pro day leads to valuable insight
Cimini explained that Douglas only met Wilson in person once during the draft process, at BYU’s pro day in late March. It was a meeting that made a strong impression “Ultimately that pro day really, really cemented it,” Douglas told Cimini.
2021 Mason/Brennan Preseason Hype! Awards: RIP Colt Brennan Edition
In memoriam
Former Washington Redskins 6th round draft pick Colt Brennan has reportedly passed away at the way-too-young age of 37. Brennan was a star in college at the University of Hawaii and brought that hype with him to Washington in 2008. Brennan was a cult sensation during his brief time here, and was the inspiration for the annual Mason/Brennan Preseason Hype! Awards here at Hogs Haven.
This was started as a tongue-in-cheek tribute to players that fans push to the moon before they play a snap, or after one great performance in the preseason. But it also puts the focus on some of the unheralded players who fans hype up and have a fighter’s chance at making Washington’s roster. Colt Brennan was a great college player that lit up the preseason, but injuries and other issues saw him flame out in the NFL early. RIP Colt and thanks for the inspiration.