Tag: 2021 NFL training camp

Brandon Scherff and David Sharpe placed on reserve/COVID-19 list

Washington now has six players on the reserve/COVID-19 list.

Earlier this week, Washington head coach Ron Rivera voiced his concerns on the team’s low COVID-19 vaccination rate and saw four players added to the reserve/COVID-19 list.

On Saturday’s final practice in Richmond before heading back to Ashburn, Washington added two more to the list: right guard Brandon Scherff and offensive tackle David Sharpe.

Scherff and Sharpe join wide receiver Curtis Samuel, defensive tackle Matt Ioannidis, offensive tackle Cornelius Lucas and defensive back Chris Miller on the list.

Rivera spoke after practice and said some players were set up to get the vaccine on Sunday.

Washington already has more player’s on the reserve/COVID-19 list this week than it had last season before vaccinations were available.

It’s easy to understand Rivera’s frustration because it could put Washington at a disadvantage on game days if this happens during the season.

 

 

 

 

Ron Rivera playfully tells Cole Holcomb to get a haircut

Ron Rivera wished Cole Holcomb a happy birthday — and told him to get a haircut.

Washington linebacker Cole Holcomb may have the best — or most interesting — haircut in the NFL. It all depends on how you view the mullet.

Friday was Holcomb’s 25th birthday, and to celebrate, Washington’s social media team set up a “Cole Holcomb Birthday Cam” for players as they arrived on the field.

Several players stopped by the camera and wished Holcomb a happy birthday. Logan Thomas, Tress Way and Antonio Gibson were among those players.

Also stopping by was head coach Ron Rivera, who offered Holcomb some playful advice.

“Hey, it’s Cole Holcomb’s birthday,” Rivera said. “Happy birthday, Cole. Get a haircut.”

It was hilarious and gives you yet another glimpse into why players love Rivera.

Credit should also be given to Washington’s social media team. That group creates fun content each day and gives fans access to training camp that can’t make it to Richmond.

Ryan Fitzpatrick describes being sacked by Sean Taylor

Ryan Fitzpatrick flinches at the sight of a Sean Taylor jersey during Washington’s training camp. He was joking — we think.

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Ryan Fitzpatrick entered the NFL all the way back in 2005 as a seventh-round pick of the St. Louis Rams. His first NFL start came on Dec. 4, 2005, against the Washington Football Team.

Fitzpatrick made his NFL debut the week before, coming off the bench to replace injured starter Jamie Martin, and led the Rams to a come-from-behind win over the Houston Texans.

Roaming Washington’s secondary that day was the late, great Sean Taylor. In that game, Taylor brought down Fitzpatrick for a sack in what would be a 24-9 Washington win.

Fitzpatrick met with the media on Thursday after practice and was asked about that game.

“I just saw a Sean Taylor jersey out there and flinched,” Fitzpatrick said. “He was obviously an incredible player. At that time, I probably didn’t know who sacked me because I was trying to figure out what I was in the huddle with. He was obviously a great player.”

It was a cool moment in Fitzpatrick’s press conference, which certainly made plenty of longtime Washington fans smile.

Ryan Fitzpatrick describes being sacked by Sean Taylor

Ryan Fitzpatrick flinches at the sight of a Sean Taylor jersey during Washington’s training camp. He was joking — we think.

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Ryan Fitzpatrick entered the NFL all the way back in 2005 as a seventh-round pick of the St. Louis Rams. His first NFL start came on Dec. 4, 2005, against the Washington Football Team.

Fitzpatrick made his NFL debut the week before, coming off the bench to replace injured starter Jamie Martin, and led the Rams to a come-from-behind win over the Houston Texans.

Roaming Washington’s secondary that day was the late, great Sean Taylor. In that game, Taylor brought down Fitzpatrick for a sack in what would be a 24-9 Washington win.

Fitzpatrick met with the media on Thursday after practice and was asked about that game.

“I just saw a Sean Taylor jersey out there and flinched,” Fitzpatrick said. “He was obviously an incredible player. At that time, I probably didn’t know who sacked me because I was trying to figure out what I was in the huddle with. He was obviously a great player.”

It was a cool moment in Fitzpatrick’s press conference, which certainly made plenty of longtime Washington fans smile.

Chase Young wants to help Samuel Cosmi get better

Chase Young believes he can help Samuel Cosmi.

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When Washington defensive end Chase Young was enjoying a standout rookie season in 2020, he was working in practice every day against longtime right tackle Morgan Moses.

Moses helped Young get better as the season wore on by not taking it easy on the then-rookie defender.

Washington released Moses in May, and now, rookie second-round pick Samuel Cosmi is running with the first team at right tackle while Cornelius Lucas is out.

Young, who spoke with the media after practice on Thursday, wants to help Cosmi get better.

“Yeah, somebody like Sam, I feel like the best thing I can do for them is just to give him everything I have, just to give him my best. If it’s going in every day and destroying him, then that’s what I have to do. That’s what I expected last year; Morgan Moses strapped me up every play.”

Young noted he would be there for Cosmi after practice to answer questions, but the best way to prepare him for the NFL was to give him his best on every play.

Young is a consummate leader. He is not only an elite talent, but he has a strong work ethic and is always there to encourage his teammates — no matter their place on the roster.

As for Cosmi, there is no better preparation for life in the NFL than going against Young and Montez Sweat in practice each day.

Kendall Fuller is a top 10 cornerback in the NFL in ‘Madden NFL 22’

Kendall Fuller is a top-10 corner, according to ‘Madden NFL 22.’

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EA Sports missed the mark earlier this week when Washington defensive end Chase Young was somehow not listed as one of the top 10 edge rushers in the “Madden NFL 22” video game.

Perhaps, the folks at EA Sports slightly redeemed themselves with its top 10 cornerback ratings for the new game.

Washington cornerback Kendall Fuller made the list, receiving an 89 overall rating, and ranked as the No. 9 corner in the NFL.

Is Fuller actually the No. 9 cornerback in all of the NFL? That’s debatable. We do know Fuller is good — and versatile. His ability to play the slot, outside and at free safety, makes him an invaluable member of Ron Rivera’s defense.

Fuller had some good moments in his return to Washington in 2020. Overall, bringing back Fuller was one of the many smart moves Rivera made in his first season.

Fuller is slated to start at outside cornerback in 2021. However, if rookie Benjamin St-Juste can force his way into the lineup, Fuller could move back into the slot where he is one of the best in the NFL.

“Madden NFL 22” is slated for worldwide release on Aug. 20.

WATCH: Washington press conferences from training camp on Thursday

Ron Rivera, Chase Young, Ryan Fitzpatrick and Jamin Davis all met with the media on Thursday.

The Washington Football Team took the field for day two of training camp on Thursday. Washington’s top three quarterbacks — Ryan Fitzpatrick, Taylor Heinicke, and Kyle Allen — all saw plenty of action on the practice field.

The defense ruled the day on Wednesday, but the offense was a bit better on Thursday. Washington is still without wide receiver Curtis Samuel, who was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list.

After practice, head coach Ron Rivera met with the media to discuss everything from Chase Young to Ryan Fitzpatrick to COVID-19.

Young, Fitzpatrick and rookie linebacker Jamin Davis also met with the media.

Here’s a look at all four press conferences from Richmond on day two of Washington training camp.

Curtis Samuel, Matt Ioannidis added to COVID-19 list

Washington fans will have to wait a bit longer to see Curtis Samuel.

The Washington Football Team will have to wait a bit longer for wide receiver Curtis Samuel to take the field this summer.

On Thursday, the team placed Samuel, defensive tackle Matt Ioannidis and cornerback Chris Miller on the reserve/COVID-19 list. This list is for players who either tested positive for COVID-19 or were in close contact with someone who tested positive.

Samuel, who is nursing a groin injury from minicamp, was originally placed on the physically unable to perform list Tuesday.

Ioannidis is returning after missing most of last season with a bicep injury. He was placed on the COVID-19 list in Nov. 2020.

Washington did receive some good news on the roster front Thursday as defensive tackle Tim Settle was returned to the active roster. Settle was originally placed on the non-football illness list on Tuesday.

Washington adds Justus Reed and Nick Guggemos to training camp roster

Washington added depth at tight end and defensive end in Reed and Guggemos.

The Washington Football Team signed a pair of players to their training camp roster on Thursday morning before practice.

Justus Reed is a 6-foot-3, 255-pound defensive end who originally signed as an undrafted free agent with the Tennessee Titans. He was waived in June. Reed played his senior season at Virginia Tech, where he recorded 28 tackles, including nine for loss and 6.5 sacks.

Reed had a bit of a long college career. He began at Florida in 2014 before injuries derailed him. From there, he would go to Youngstown State, where he would spend the next three seasons and earned All-Missouri Valley first-team honors in 2019.

Reed transferred to Virginia Tech as a graduate student in 2020.

Washington also signed tight end Nick Guggemos. Guggemos is a 6-foot-5, 231-pound tight who played collegiately at the University of St. Thomas in Minnesota.

Guggemos signed with the Seattle Seahawks after the 2021 NFL draft but was released one month later. Guggemos spent three years away from football and participated in the University of Minnesota’s pro day earlier this year, where he impressed with his speed and athleticism.

Guggemos was signed after Washington waived Deon Yelder on Monday, and Tyrone Swoopes did not report to training camp.

Washington adds Justus Reed and Nick Guggemos to training camp roster

Washington added depth at tight end and defensive end in Reed and Guggemos.

The Washington Football Team signed a pair of players to their training camp roster on Thursday morning before practice.

Justus Reed is a 6-foot-3, 255-pound defensive end who originally signed as an undrafted free agent with the Tennessee Titans. He was waived in June. Reed played his senior season at Virginia Tech, where he recorded 28 tackles, including nine for loss and 6.5 sacks.

Reed had a bit of a long college career. He began at Florida in 2014 before injuries derailed him. From there, he would go to Youngstown State, where he would spend the next three seasons and earned All-Missouri Valley first-team honors in 2019.

Reed transferred to Virginia Tech as a graduate student in 2020.

Washington also signed tight end Nick Guggemos. Guggemos is a 6-foot-5, 231-pound tight who played collegiately at the University of St. Thomas in Minnesota.

Guggemos signed with the Seattle Seahawks after the 2021 NFL draft but was released one month later. Guggemos spent three years away from football and participated in the University of Minnesota’s pro day earlier this year, where he impressed with his speed and athleticism.

Guggemos was signed after Washington waived Deon Yelder on Monday, and Tyrone Swoopes did not report to training camp.