While we in the Motor City area well aware of the detractors and maligning surrounding Detroit Lions head coach Matt Patricia, don’t count Washington Football Team head coach Ron Rivera among his detractors.
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Rivera, whom Patricia described as a “great friend and mentor”, believes in the importance of veteran coaches reaching out and assisting their younger counterparts.
“I was fortunate that I had some veteran coaches reach out to me and really help me along the way and that’s all I’m trying to be is a sounding board for those guys,” Rivera said. “Because sometimes it takes a little bit to get your footing. It’s not easy. You are 1 of 32 and there’s a lot of pressure inside and a lot of pressure outside and sometimes you just need a friendly ear.
“Matt’s one of those young guys I’ve respected. I’ve seen the guy have a lot of success in his career. He’s worked his butt off to get to where he is today and you want to see all those guys succeed.”
Rivera also had good things to say about Lions cornerback Jeff Okudah, whom they selected with the 3rd overall pick in this year’s NFL Draft.
“He’s a dynamic football player,” Rivera said of Okudah. “The young man has a chance, he really does, to be one of the really good ones in this league. He’s got the size, stature … (he’s) smart, understands the game, got a skill set and he’s just going to get better.”
– – Quotes via Tim Twentyman of DetroitLions.com Link – –
