Top quotes from Ron Rivera’s video conference on Tuesday

Washington’s head coach Ron Rivera sat down on a video call with media members on Tuesday to kick off training camp and answer questions about the upcoming season. In an unprecedented year where things are anything but normal, there was a lot to talk about, especially when you consider all of the off-field things that have been going on in Washington over the past month.

In the interview, Rivera discussed the personnel on the team, where he felt the roster could get better, and what some of his expectations going forward were. Here are the best quotes from the meeting.

Neither Alex Smith or Reuben Foster passed the football portion of their physical, Ron Rivera said.

— Rhiannon Walker (@InstantRHIplay) July 28, 2020

Rivera said the biggest thing about putting Alex Smith and Reuben Foster was that the team wanted to monitor both players on the football side of things. He added that both players have had a good offseason with their recovery.

— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) July 28, 2020

Ron Rivera says he feels very confident that Reuben Foster and Alex Smith will eventually pass the football portion of their physical. They can be taken off the list as soon as that's accomplished.

— Rhiannon Walker (@InstantRHIplay) July 28, 2020

Rivera on COVID: I do know that for us to have a successful showing it comes to being disciplined. Says players need to follow protocols. "It's hard to say what it would take to shut everything down"

— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) July 28, 2020

Ron Rivera says Bryce Love passed his physical

— Rhiannon Walker (@InstantRHIplay) July 28, 2020

Bryce Love is someone that the coaching staff wants to watch on the field in the coming days. Especially in that crowded backfield, Ron Rivera said.

— Rhiannon Walker (@InstantRHIplay) July 28, 2020

I asked Ron Rivera what happens if Alex Smith passes his physical.

'Then he becomes a part of the equation.'

— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) July 28, 2020

Rivera believes the ramp up period that will happen before practices this training camp is a good idea. It’ll give the players a chance to get back into football shape gradually rather than jumping into full contact.

— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) July 28, 2020

Ron Rivera: I dont want an atmosphere around here where people are scared to tell the truth

— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) July 28, 2020

Ron Rivera says he's trying to create a family atmosphere, and one thing he learned from Mike Ditka is creating an atmosphere where people take ownership of what's happening in the organization.

— Rhiannon Walker (@InstantRHIplay) July 28, 2020

Ron Rivera on if Washington needs to add more help at WR with Kelvin Harmon and Cody Latimer out: "It's something we're going to look at."

— Sam Fortier (@Sam4TR) July 28, 2020

Rivera says if there was a position of concern it 'most certainly' would be WR depth

— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) July 28, 2020

Ron Rivera says his relationship with owner Dan Snyder has been good. The two talk almost every day and have developed a good relationship. "I feel comfortable and confident."

— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) July 28, 2020

Ron Rivera says over the last two months, his relationship with owner Dan Snyder has evolved to where they talk everyday for 30 minutes or so. He says Snyder ask his opinion on topics regularly.

— Rhiannon Walker (@InstantRHIplay) July 28, 2020

All the excitement on the D-Line usually includes Jon Allen, Daron Payne and Matt Ioannidis but Ron Rivera makes a point to include Tim Settle when he talks about the group

— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) July 28, 2020

The big question on the defensive side of the ball is about how the cornerback competition is going to play out, and how will the defensive line play impact the coverage, Ron Rivera said.

— Rhiannon Walker (@InstantRHIplay) July 28, 2020

Ron Rivera said it's going to be "very, very difficult" to get a sense of his team before Week 1. The team plans on more live practices during the preseason, he added.

— Sam Fortier (@Sam4TR) July 28, 2020