Training camp is well under way across the NFL, which means there’s no shortage of bizarre quotes and moments from the summer practices leading up to the season.
NFL fans were especially perplexed by news of new Commanders offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy being “too intense” in practices as he installs his playbook as a first-year OC in Washington.
Coach Ron Rivera addressed Bieniemy’s intensity and how his players have reacted to the practices in camp thus far.
“Yeah, they have,” Rivera said as he addressed whether or not players had struggled with the intensity. “And one of the biggest things is – I had a number of guys come to me and I said, ‘Hey, just go talk to him.’ I said, ‘Understand what he’s trying to get across to you.’ I think as they go and they talk and they listen to him, it’s been enlightening for a lot of these guys. I mean, it’s a whole different approach. Again, you’re getting a different kind of player from the players back in the past, especially in light of how things are coming out of college football. So a lot of these young guys, they do struggle with certain things and a lot of it…is from where they’ve been. I mean, guys coming from certain programs are used to it. Guys coming from other programs aren’t as much. So, us as a coach, I kind of have to assimilate and get a feel for everybody.
“Eric has an approach and it’s the way he does things and it’s not going to change because he believes in it. Jack [Del Rio] has his approach. Having been a head coach, I think Jack has a tendency to try to figure guys out a little bit more as opposed to, ‘Hey, this is it, this is the way it’s going to be,’ that type of stuff. Eric hasn’t had that experience yet.”
When Rivera was asked if the players thought Bieniemy was riding them too hard, Rivera was blunt in his response.
“Well, um, they just were a little concerned.”
OK.
The Commanders, who are overhauling the offense with a new offensive coordinator and new quarterback to try to compete in the NFC East, have players who believe a two-time Super Bowl winning offensive coordinator is riding them too hard.
NFL fans and media alike had plenty of thoughts on this, as one would imagine. Here are some of the best reactions from social media in light of the comments from Rivera:
As a Chiefs fan, EB is good. He keeps guys in line. Accountability at all times
— Eric Lupardus🎭 (@BIG_E_KC) August 8, 2023
we haven't even had 1 preseason game yet...
— Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) August 8, 2023
and players are complaining to the HC about the OC behind his back...
and then the HC is airing that laundry publicly in the media without wholesale defending his handpicked OC
yikes https://t.co/1SsJiINoVj
These quotes are telling. Bieniemy’s style is definitely not what today’s players prefer. If they excel, they’ll come to love it. If they don’t? https://t.co/PnGP1Om5Zu
— Grant Paulsen (@granthpaulsen) August 8, 2023
EB to the podium now and asked to respond to this.
— Craig Hoffman (@CraigHoffman) August 8, 2023
He says "we have to get uncomfortable to get comfortable," but that he's an open book. He says he'd be scared too at the beginning, but guys tend to warm up as they get to know him. https://t.co/fWX9B4gpoz
Lol EB has a high standard, it’s a proven one.
— DMac Wake (@DMacWake316) August 8, 2023
Either you work to play up to it or get left behind. https://t.co/WeAhA1QqcS
Idk what’s wilder: the quote itself or just straight up saying this out loud https://t.co/gBQmqDoCuU
— JP Acosta (Pug Dederson Stan Acct) (@acosta32_jp) August 8, 2023
