ASHBURN, Va. -- Washington Commanders coach Ron Rivera said he "put my foot in my mouth" when discussing Eric Bieniemy's intensity, insisting he did not want to portray his players as soft or the first-year offensive coordinator as too demanding.
Rivera said he told Bieniemy on Tuesday that what he said "wasn't as clear as it needed to be."
Rivera said Tuesday that some players were concerned with Bieniemy's coaching style, so he encouraged them to speak directly with their new coordinator. Rivera said players came away "enlightened" after talking to Bieniemy.
"I hired Eric and I loved his overall message to the team his first day -- that we have to learn to be comfortable when you're uncomfortable," Rivera said Wednesday.