Top Ad
I DIG Radio
www.idigradio.com
Listen live to the best music from around the world!
I DIG Style
www.idigstyle.com
Learn about the latest fashion styles and more...

Rivera's family to help him during Redskins' draft

Written by 
Published in Breaking News
Wednesday, 22 April 2020 08:50

Ron Rivera will rely on an army of personnel spread throughout the country during his first NFL draft as coach of the Washington Redskins. But at home, he will need the help of two others to make it work: his wife and daughter.

Rivera's wife, Stephanie, and daughter, Courtney, will play roles during the draft -- allowing the coach to stay focused on the big-screen TVs and computers. His daughter, who works for the Redskins' social media department, put together a video for USAA detailing Rivera's home setup -- and showing Stephanie keeping him fed with pancakes.

Their roles will be a little different Thursday night, however. They will take notes for Rivera during the draft and cross off names as they come off the board. Rivera also listed his wife's cellphone number as an emergency contact number for the league.

"It's teamwork, just like in the military," Rivera said. "Everyone in the house will be doing something."

That includes his two dogs: a golden retriever named Tahoe and a rescue terrier lab mix named Sierra.

Their role?

"Comfort support," Rivera said.

It could be that kind of a night for everyone in the NFL, given the unprecedented nature of the event. The draft will be conducted remotely, instead of at one location, because of the coronavirus pandemic.

The Redskins have the No. 2 pick and are widely expected to draft Ohio State defensive end Chase Young, but Rivera said they have had conversations with teams about a possible trade.

League sources expect Washington to keep the pick, and a source told ESPN's Jeremy Fowler that Rivera and Young have had a one-on-one discussion in recent days that was very positive. Another source told ESPN that teams that have talked to the Redskins about a trade for the No. 2 pick lack the necessary assets to complete a deal. ESPN's Josina Anderson reported Wednesday that one team already has laid out a "complete deal" for the selection.

"I always tell everybody, 'You never know,'" Rivera said in a phone call Wednesday morning. "I do like where we are, I do like the circumstances, and I do like the players at that pick. With our first pick, it has to be an impact player."

Rivera did say he would like to add picks in the middle rounds. The Redskins currently have one pick in the third round and two in the fourth.

But their draft preparation, like every other team's, extends beyond picking players. It revolves around making their home setup as fail-proof as possible.

Rivera will have two televisions -- one is 80 inches; the other is 60 -- set up in his "war room" (his basement). The Redskins' IT department provided three laptop computers, a desktop, two hardline phones, a speaker setup and a printer. One line will be connected to the league, and the other to Redskins' coaches and front-office members. Owner Dan Snyder will be watching the proceedings from his home.

In addition to participating in the league's mock draft, the Redskins have held two of their own, with a third scheduled for Wednesday afternoon. They conducted a four-round mock Tuesday. Kyle Smith, the team's vice president of player personnel, has the same setup as Rivera and joked about a fire hazard.

"We said, 'What are you talking about?'" Rivera said. "And he showed us his carpet and you could see the cables running on it. I said, 'If you didn't have the shag carpet, you wouldn't have to worry about it.'"

Rivera said there have been no glitches thus far. They even conducted mock trades, which allowed them to go over a scenario in which one staffer, in charge of submitting names to the league, was also taking calls on trades.

While his dogs might provide comfort support, these exercises give Rivera even more.

"You know what, I don't think I'm concerned," Rivera said. "I really don't. I feel good, knock on wood. It's like in the military, they call these maneuvers. We're practicing what we need to do. That's what we've done. We're working out the kinks."

Rivera's approach stems from another family member. His late father, Eugenio, was an engineer in the U.S. Army, and Rivera has often cited that military background as critical to his coaching philosophy.

"He was always prepared to do something the regular soldier couldn't as an engineer," Rivera said. "The biggest thing growing up on Army bases is when you're going to school at 7:30 in the morning and you see troops in formation or marching to firing ranges, there's a discipline -- and that's a discipline you need.

"You have to be prepared and ready to handle all situations, circumstances. You truly get an opportunity to watch the teamwork."

Read 1063 times

Soccer

Navas bids farewell in Sevilla defeat to Madrid

Navas bids farewell in Sevilla defeat to Madrid

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsJesús Navas played the last LaLiga game of his 21-year career on Su...

Salah-inspired Liverpool beat Spurs in 6-3 thriller

Salah-inspired Liverpool beat Spurs in 6-3 thriller

Liverpool extended their lead at the top of the Premier League with a dominant but chaotic 6-3 win a...

Amorim after loss: Man United in 'tough moment'

Amorim after loss: Man United in 'tough moment'

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsMANCHESTER, England -- Ruben Amorim wasn't kidding when he said "th...

2026 FIFA


2028 LOS ANGELES OLYMPIC

UEFA

2024 PARIS OLYMPIC


Basketball

Wall tries broadcasting, still hopes for NBA return

Wall tries broadcasting, still hopes for NBA return

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsORLANDO, Fla. -- John Wall was at the G League Winter Showcase last...

Wemby historic in 30-point, 10-block showcase

Wemby historic in 30-point, 10-block showcase

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsVictor Wembanyama scored 30 points and tied a career high with 10 b...

Baseball

Rickey Henderson wasn't as good as he says he was -- he was better

Rickey Henderson wasn't as good as he says he was -- he was better

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsBefore he was a somebody, Rickey Henderson was already a constituen...

Phils acquire lefty Luzardo in trade with Marlins

Phils acquire lefty Luzardo in trade with Marlins

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsThe Philadelphia Phillies acquired left-handed starter Jesus Luzard...

Sports Leagues

  • FIFA

    Fédération Internationale de Football Association
  • NBA

    National Basketball Association
  • ATP

    Association of Tennis Professionals
  • MLB

    Major League Baseball
  • ITTF

    International Table Tennis Federation
  • NFL

    Nactional Football Leagues
  • FISB

    Federation Internationale de Speedball

About Us

I Dig® is a leading global brand that makes it more enjoyable to surf the internet, conduct transactions and access, share, and create information.  Today I Dig® attracts millions of users every month.r

 

Phone: (800) 737. 6040
Fax: (800) 825 5558
Website: www.idig.com
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Affiliated