Rivera's Message Before Commanders' Joint Practices With Ravens: 'Don't Want To Go Around And B.S.'

Training camp is about to ramp up for the Washington Commanders.

Tuesday will be the first of two days that Washington will be participating in joint practices with the Baltimore Ravens. With practicing against an opposing team on the horizon, there's going to be a shift and Washington head coach Ron Rivera had a message for his team.

"Next time we're on the practice field it's going to be competitive," Rivera said. "We're not there to beat anybody up. We're there to play against somebody and learn and grow and develop. I was very direct about that and I'm going to be very direct in the next couple meetings we have leading right up to practice. We don't want to go around and b***s***."

Joint practices have become much more commonplace among teams and in some cases, have become more valuable than preseason games. Having joint practices against a team of Baltimore's caliber should be more than beneficial for Washington.

"We want to get around, we want to learn, we want to grow, we want to be able to work our offense and defense and special teams against a very good football team," Rivera said. "A very well-coached football team that's pretty much been one of the standards for the last 14 years since John Harbaugh arrived on the scene. We all can learn something from those guys and that's the approach I want everybody taking."

For the Commanders' defense, an opportunity to face a quarterback the caliber of Lamar Jackson will show Washington where its defense stands. It will also give them meaningful reps against a running quarterback after Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson ran for 20 yards on three carries against them on Friday.

Washington quarterback Sam Howell will also be put to the test against one of the better defense's in football last season. The Ravens allowed the third fewest points per game in 2022.

"We're not doing this for any position specifically, we're doing this for everybody," Rivera said. "Do I want to see some specific groups step it up [and] be better than they were the other night? Absolutely. And some individuals as well...The biggest thing our guys gotta understand is this is a chance to do a little studying, a little preparing and then going out there and competing against a very good football team."

The Commanders host the Ravens at FedEx Field on Aug. 21 at 8 p.m. on Monday Night Football.

Want the latest in breaking news and insider information on the Washington Commanders? Click Here.

Follow Commander Country on Twitter.

Want even more Washington Commanders news? Check out the SI.com team page here