The Facts: Starting with his introductory press conference as Redskins head coach and including many of his public comments since, Ron Rivera has made one thing clear to e Haskins: The starting quarterback job is going to be earned by, not handed to, the second-year passer. Haskins has heard Rivera’s remarks and is ready to embrace the coach’s challenge. “That’s cool,” Haskins told reporters on Friday. “I’m just going to have to work hard and eventually take it over. Just do your best to be accountable for what you have to do and be ready to go.”

Diehards Line: As NBCSports.com's Peter Hailey noted, Rivera has often mentioned how he needs to see Haskins assume more of a leadership role and display a hunger to get better after a rocky, yet tantalizing rookie year. He’s also made sure to bring up Alex Smith’s name as someone not to forget under center, indicating Smith or someone else could be given a chance to start for Washington at QB instead of the recent first-round pick. On a Friday in February, a day far away from any meaningful action or practice or game, Haskins sounded optimistic and ready. “I’m excited talking to him, talking to Scott [Turner],” he said. “I’m excited to actually do football things with those guys and I feel like we’re going to do a lot of great things together.”