Leaders coach Ron Rivera opened the press conference Wednesday with a prepared statement Regarding comments He talked about offensive coordinator Eric Bienemy the day before.
Rivera said on Tuesday that some offensive players are “struggling with certain things” that Beniemi has been doing since they were hired this season and that they are “a little concerned” with Beniemi’s level of severity. Rivera compared this style to that used by defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio and said that Del Rio’s coaching experience may be responsible for this difference in style.
On Wednesday, Rivera said he liked the “overarching message” Beniemi sent players and boiled it down to “we have to learn to be comfortable when we’re uncomfortable.” He added that his comments about Del Rio were not intended to suggest one way is better than the other and he pointed to playing Mike Ditka and Buddy Ryan to make the point. Rivera also said he and Bienemy had a conversation to clear the air.
“I basically told him I put my feet in my mouth,” Rivera said. “I think what I said wasn’t as clear as it should be. I think the understanding of that is just the fact that I think everyone is making, in my opinion, a little more than they should be doing.”
Rivera said he believes Beniemi’s approach is paying off for offense and said the past few practices have been the best of the team’s training camp. This fieldwork will be the final assessment for Bieniemy, Rivera, and everyone else on the leadership training staff trying to show the new ownership that they are the right people for their jobs.
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