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Jack Del Rio: "I got excited...to help grow this team into a winner."
For Jack Del Rio, it's all coming together. A long-time NFL player, defensive coordinator and head coach is back in the game after two years to re-charge the batteries at ESPN.
The Redskins media has not been able to pick his brain yet but he did shape his message recently to NFL insiders, Ian Rapoport, Mike Garafolo and Tom Pelissero of NFL Network and Westwood One's "RapSheet + Friends".
"Coach Ron Rivera and I spoke about this opportunity and about the new direction for the franchise," Del Rio said.
Rapoport asked Del Rio about the lack of a past connection between he and Rivera - if it was just Del Rio being the best guy out there.
"That's the way I approached it. I thought it was a great opportunity for me to join a guy that I think is excellent at what he does and support him in every way possible and help him win."
Del Rio mentioned that he went to several training camps last year and of course covered the NFL for ESPN & ESPN Radio. "I miss the competition."
When asked about the Redskins change from a 3-4 to a 4.3 - Del Rio answered it exactly as I hoped. It's nowhere near the No. 1 issue.
"To me, it's not that big of a deal. You're talking about how you're going to play about 25% of your snaps....It's not as huge of a change as people think."
He specifically mentioned that he wants Montez Sweat and Ryan Kerrigan to go "more forward."
Del Rio's son, Luke, appears to be joining the Redskins coaching staff as well in an unspecified role.
Chris Russell is the Publisher of Maven & Sports Illustrated's Washington Redskins channel. He can be heard on 106.7 The FAN in the Washington D.C. area and world-wide on Radio.com. Chris also hosts the "Locked on Redskins" Podcast and can be read via subscription to Warpath Magazine. You can e-mail Chris at russellmania09@Gmail.com or follow him on Twitter at @Russellmania621.
