Three things to watch at Washington Football Team padded practices
By Ian Cummings
No. 1 – How will Ron Rivera mimic game-type situations?
The NFL will proceed with football in 2020, but not without some drastic changes to protocol. Among those changes was the complete cancellation of preseason — a four-game slate with the purpose of gearing up players for regular season action.
Without preseason to help the players get accustomed to the pace and physicality of real games, the Washington Football Team, along with other organizations across the league, will be forced to mimic game-type situations.
In doing so, Washington will face several key decisions to make. How exactly will they mimic game-type situations, in a way that accurately gauges player utility? How far will they go with contact, and how will they find a way to make sure that all players get the necessary snaps to prove their mettle?
Ron Rivera’s first offseason with the Washington Football Team has proven to be an interesting, and this requirement only compounds the intrigue. The fact of the matter is, some players’ roster fates may partially rest on how Rivera tackles this issue, but flexibility amidst uncertain circumstances will also be key.