All 32 NFL teams have been significantly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Without OTAs, minicamp and a normal training camp in a typical offseason, every club will have to use some imagination and creativity in order to get their team up to game speed by Week 1.
The extremities and nuances of this odd offseason certainly give some teams an advantage over others. Clubs like New England, Seattle, New Orleans and Kansas City -- teams that have had lots of continuity both with their players and head coach -- enter the 2020 season with an advantage over a team like Washington, who has a new coach in Ron Rivera and a whole cast of new arrivals.
Rivera understands that Washington may be at a disadvantage, especially with no preseason games. Washington has multiple question marks on both sides of the ball, and plenty of starting jobs up for grabs. The preseason usually helps make those decisions for coaches easier.
However, the head coach said that despite all the hurdles the team will have to overcome due to the circumstances, there is one advantage Washington has entering the 2020 season.
"To me, the only advantage that we have is that we are a mystery," Rivera said on a Zoom call with local media on Monday. "Some of the teams that have the same coaches, those things are pretty much set."
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As it stands now, Dwayne Haskins is Washington's presumptive starting QB. But on Tuesday, Rivera -- once again -- preached competition at the position. With no preseason, the head coach could, theoretically, keep his decision private on who the team's starter will be until they trot out onto the field versus Philadelphia in September.
At running back, Washington has six players for likely four spots. Second-year back Bryce Love passed his physical, while Derrius Guice is also 100 percent healthy entering camp. Washington still has future Hall of Famer Adrian Peterson under contract, the team's top rusher the past two seasons. All this goes without mentioning versatile rookie Antonio Gibson and free agent signings J.D. McKissic and Peyton Barber.
Other battles include left guard, cornerback and the wide receiver spot opposite of Terry McLaurin. In short, Washington still has a lot to figure out.
"Everything is a big question mark right now. It is really," Rivera said. "What is our combination going to be at running back? What is our combination at receiver? Defensive line shape? How is our offensive line shaping up? There are so many questions that haven't been answered or we haven't even started on yet."
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These are all decisions Rivera and his staff will make over the next seven or so weeks prior to Week 1.
While the head coach doesn't know what his starting unit will exactly look like when the season begins, neither does Washington's opponents -- a positive Rivera is taking out of the unprecedented situation.
"The one advantage we have is that no one is really going to know what we do once we start playing football again," Rivera said. "That is really the only advantage we will have."
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MORE WASHINGTON FOOTBALL NEWS:
- Ron Rivera: Looking for WR help?
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- Haskins vs. Allen: 'Pure competition'
Ron Rivera sees one advantage of having no preseason games: 'We are a mystery' originally appeared on NBC Sports Washington
