Sean McVay, Matthew Stafford & Davante Adams On Working On A Baseball Field, Prep For Jaguars & More

Sean McVay, Matthew Stafford & Davante Adams On Working On A Baseball Field, Prep For Jaguars & More

Okay. Um, you know, first of all, just want to thank the Baltimore Orioles. You know, what a amazing opportunity and really just how gracious they’ve been to offer up the opportunity to be able to use their facilities and um it’s a really cool thing for our players and and hopefully it’s going to lead to a great week of preparation. Had a good walkth through looking forward to having a good practice. So, very grateful for them. Um, as far as injuries are concerned, Kobe Parkinson will be full. Omar Spates and 22 Atwell will be limited. um guys that will be DNPs, Blake Quorum, uh Puka Nua, Rob Havenstein, and then Josiah Stewart uh ended up, you know, coming down. He was a little sick today. So, um hopefully he’s feeling better tomorrow. But those other guys, you know, Blake and Puka with their ankles and Rob with his ankle as well. Do you um expect Puka to practice at all this week? You know, it’s it’s hard to say right now. You know, he’s not going to practice today and um you know, we’ll see where tomorrow’s at. What about Omar Spates? How’s he looking right now? He’s looking good. you know, he’ll be uh he’ll be limited today, but he’s making really good progress, too. And so, um if things go according to plan, should expect him to be ready to go for the game. Does the length of the trip, the flight you’re going to take affect at all how you guys handle injuries this week? It doesn’t, you know, because we’ve got everybody here in terms of what what do you mean by that? Just like who we would bring and stuff like that? No, because we’ve got our whole practice squad because we’re really doing the majority of our prep here. Um and want to be able to have everybody get that experience and especially just because we’re leaving a little bit later. This is similar, but it’s even a little bit later um that we’re leaving compared to when we’ve done this trip before, Sarah. So, um you know, it doesn’t affect any of those things. What So, what will be kind of the determining factor for Puka? I know you had said you didn’t scans made it look like it probably isn’t something longterm, but what’s going to be your barometer for whether he practices and plays? I think just that I think we talked about it a little bit the other day. You know, there’s a difference between return to play, return to performance. So you want to put him in a position to have successful outcomes. I do think some of that, you know, is reflected in is he able to go through practice and really get a good feel to allow him to feel comfortable and confident and what we would be asking if he goes. Um if not, then you have a ton of confidence in the group that uh you know, with the guys that’ll be asked to take on, you know, bigger roles, but you don’t ever replace a stud like him. But we’ve got a lot of confidence in the other guys if that’s the case. Is there any way you would play him if he didn’t practice this week? You know, I think it’d probably be tough to say, but uh, you know, I certainly don’t want to pigeon hole myself into, you know, a kind of a an approach like that, but I I think that you would like him to be able to do that. You mentioned you thought 22 would be back. Is there just a process of kind of easing him back in this week? Yeah, when we put limited, it means really that, you know, if he was going to take a normal workload, we’re just a little bit more mindful of some of the high speeded yards. Um, everything is trending in the direction of we expect him to be ready to roll. just being smart um easing him back in, but it’s not because of any sort of setbacks. He’s making good progress tonight, so we feel good about him. When we asked you about it making, you know, big play at the end of the game and waiting for his turn, um I guess how does that translate to waiting for the opportunity to if he needs to step up and be more of like a, you know, focal point of the offense. You know, I think what’s great about Tutu is whatever he’s asked, you know, I think, and I’ve mentioned this previously, you know, when he’s gotten opportunities to take on bigger roles, whether it was a couple years ago when Cooper’s been on IR, missed extended periods of time, he’s really answered the bell. Um, and then this year, even though there’s been limited opportunities, I think what you’ve seen is the impact that he can have. Um, you know, with the way that he’s able to affect and influence coverage, you know, the big plays that he makes against the Niners, the big play that he made against India that you’re talking about. And so, moment’s not too big. He loves it. And I think, you know, he he plays big and and he’s he’s shown that he’s consistently, you know, ready to go depending upon what’s asked of him. And and uh if Puka isn’t able to go, then looking forward to seeing Tutu do his thing. Sean, you’re going to go play regardless of whether Puka goes or not. You’re going to go play a game in a city where uh the Crockies have another team. What has been your experience with them only owning multiple teams? Um and kind of the relationship you’ve built with some of these other organizations? Uh it’s special, you know, because I think there’s an understanding of a willingness to share. You know, there’s so many things that are similar and in alignment even if it might be different arenas or different sports, but you know, leadership, you know, trying to get everybody on the same page. What are the things that you want to commit to with your values and principles? I’ve gotten to have a relationship with Muel that I really cherish and value. Learned a lot from just watching the way that he moves. And then when we’ve gotten a chance to visit with one another, um, you know, had a chance to connect with Nuggets, Avalanche people, and it’s it’s really special, you know, and I think then, you know, with Kevin’s involvement and interactions and exposure to all parts of it, um, it’s helpful to really be able to see, you know, what it looks like. And I think you’re seeing, you know, all their organizations that they oversee, it’s not by coincidence that, uh, you know, it starts at the top and and why they’ve been successful and why they do things the right way. Kell was in LA last year. It sounds like maybe he gave a speech to the team or talked to you guys. Is there anything you can share from that? I think you know what you feel from him. There’s there’s such a consistent alignment in terms of the things that we value, but you know, you talk about building relationships, having the courage to go for it, being steady through the tough moments. Um, you know, being connected where you’re in it with the group. And, you know, one of the things that I love about him that, you know, we try to be able to do is is he’s so reflective on where can he continue to grow. and he’s not afraid to ask questions that he wants real honest feedback from his guys of where he can improve for them or maybe what are the things that they really like that he wants to continue to do whether that be with his players with his staff. Um, but the way that he leads and the way that he models the way is is a great example and and I’ve really cherished just, you know, watching him navigate the different, you know, the different things that you’re responsible for navigating in leadership positions. Um, you know, and then the the great pressure or, you know, whatever it is. It’s it’s a privilege and uh and he embraces it and it’s cool to watch him move and how he handles it all. What will be different about how you run practice in a baseball stadium like this? Are there certain things you can’t do? No, there’s no limitations. I mean, it’s unbelievable. We, you know, we we might not be able to take some of the vertical shots. We’re a little bit more limited with some of the vertical grass, but that’s probably a good thing. But, you know, we’ll be able to do everything. Um, you got two spot walkthroughs. We’ll be able to get individual. We’ll be able to come together in team settings and activate all parts of the field. And it’s a pretty damn cool setting. So, uh, you know, we’re excited about it. You guys bring the golf. Yes. Berg and those guys do an amazing job. So, it’s really a credit to our whole group. You know, you talk about, you know, sometimes I get spoiled where you just show up and everything’s there, but the amount of work that goes on behind this behind the scenes from guys like Brennan Ber, Dan Demetri, just our operations as a whole, um, it’s really impressive. We’re grateful for it and and I think it’s going to be a really great work week for us and we’re excited about it. Sean, we asked you about coaching against the Jaguars, against Liam and Jaguars last week, but now that you’re actually doing it, what what’s it like to prepare for him, this team specifically? And just against your history, you know, going against guys from your coaching tree that are now head coaches. What What are the challenges and what are the if any? I think that I think that it’s a fun narrative, but it still is the Rams versus the Jaguars. They do a great job in all three phases. you can see the identity, the personality of the team in a lot of ways is reflective of the good traits that Liam has. You know, they’re playing tough. There’s a commitment to, you know, a style of play that they have really in all three phases. But, um, you know, it’s really about the Rams versus the Jags. And he’s done an excellent job of evolving, you know, bringing, you know, his offense to life, what he wants to be able to do and what he wants their defense and their teams to look like. And, you know, we’ve done the same. But, what I do know is you’re going against a guy that, you know, they’re really well coached. um they have some familiarity with some of the things that we’re trying to do just like we do them, but you don’t know when you’re going to activate it and and it’s about these players and us as coaches trying to make good decisions to put them in right spots. Okay, thanks guys. What does the last couple days look like in Baltimore for you? Uh not a whole lot of action. Just kind of uh hanging out in the hotel um watching tape, trying to get ready. Um yeah, it’s been pretty, you know, non-escript for me. Um just getting ready to play ball, but this is really awesome. came over here on Monday for our workout and then back again obviously today and really cool to be to be here doing this. Is it I mean when you’re on the field is it any different being in this venue practicing than it would be anywhere else? I mean when I’m when I’m under center no but uh you know when I’m defense is up or special teams is going to take a peek around. It’s pretty cool. It’s really cool for us to be able to use you know really the dugout and uh clubhouse all that kind of stuff. It’s uh it’s cool for our guys to see kind of what they go through on a daily basis and some of their stuff and us guys that used to play baseball are fired up to be here before you really started focusing on football and you played baseball in high school. Probably were would have been a prospect had you gone that way. Did you ever dream about playing in a venue like this? I loved it. I I mean I thought I would have played baseball up until probably my sophomore year of high school. I was then I started playing, you know, quarterback and and um was, you know, got some offers to play football and and all that kind of stuff. So, kind of ended on baseball, but I loved it growing up. I mean, this was my favorite sport and and uh still love watching it and and maybe I’ll take some infield at some point uh this week. That would be more fun than probably trying to hit right now. So, um but yeah, it’s it’s cool to be out here. When was the last time you were like physically on a baseball field like this? Um I mean, I threw out a first pitch at Dodger Stadium at some point. Um but uh moving around freely without uh you know the other guys out there. It’s been a while. So it’s uh it’s cool. Um Sean said Puka is not going to practice today and see what happens through the week. Um if he’s not available, how does that do you feel like that impacts you guys as I mean obviously he’s a he’s a great player. You know, he’s a guy that does a lot for us both in the run game and the pass game. Um got great energy on game day. Um, so if he’s not able to go, then, you know, obviously his presence will be, you know, missed, but at the same time, I have total trust and confidence in all the other guys that we have, um, you know, to get out there and go make plays for us. I I know you’re saying you have confidence in everyone. You do have a three-time allp pro also in that receiver course. So, in terms of if Puka isn’t there, is there comfort knowing you have a guy like Devonte who can step up? Yeah, I mean he’s uh you know, he’s one of the best receivers of our era and uh we’re lucky to have him and and um yeah, I mean, absolutely. I mean, he’s he’s a great player, so we’re uh we’re fired up. How do you think the connection has been with him so far this year and what, I guess, have you guys been able to add to it over the course of six years? Yeah, there’s been some good ones. There’s been some missed ones. You know, I would I would take uh the majority of the blame on a lot of those. You know, just give him a better chance on a couple. And uh you know, he’s he’s still doing a great job of winning. I mean, I I missed him on the one corner route in the end zone and and uh man, he made his guy look foolish. So, he’s doing a great job separating. I got to give him a couple couple better chances. When you watch film this year, specifically against on Sunday against the Ravens, when you looked at the execution in the red zone, what do you what stands out to you? Uh I mean, the the early execution was just two throws really missed by me. That’s I mean, that’s the biggest thing I think when it boils down to there. There’s a nothing scientific about this, but it just seems like games in London typically aren’t the, you know, free flowing stuff that we’re accustomed to seeing, you know, in NFL stadiums. Is is there a reason why that? I mean, is it the travel or what’s kind of been your experience or maybe your just thoughts on why those games seem to be a little bit more of a slog? Yeah, I don’t know. Um, I’ve only been a part of two. It’s been 10 years. um don’t usually wake up for the what time is it on the west coast is it’s 9:30 6:30 6:30 yeah so that’s a tough wake up uh sometimes on game day but uh no I think um you know it is difficult to travel that far and play there’s no question about it um it’s nice being able to go from the east coast uh and get over there and not make it you know west coast all the way there um but I couldn’t put my finger on either I mean I was a part of one we were down I think 24-3 at halftime came back and won the game um and then the second when we got beat by the Chiefs pretty handily. We had a coordinator change on the way to London which was less than ideal. So um but um no, I don’t know. It’s uh it’s it’s a long way to go. Different venue, different place. Um you know, we’re playing a team that has been over there a lot and goes over there a lot. So it’s a it’s a challenge for us. You mentioned is that a challenge with them maybe more used to the cadence of going over there? I mean, you would think that they’ve got it pretty dialed in. Um you know, but once the ball snapped, nobody cares if they got there that day or we ate this food or slept on this flight or did that. It’s like go play the game. 22’s made some big time catches, limited opportunities so far. Guess what’s your confidence of if you know if Puka can’t go or if he’s limited, you know, taking what you’ve kind of built with with Tutu and and kind of growing it out through a full game. Yeah, absolutely. Um, you know, every opportunity we’ve given him, he’s uh he’s seized it. So, I don’t see anything different happening if he gets more opportunities in this game. Uh, you know, I got a ton of trust in him. I’ve got some reps from years past with him that I, you know, I believe in him obviously a ton and he made some big plays for us, um, you know, not too long ago, a couple weeks ago. So, um, Tutu is a, uh, you know, big part of our team. Cool. Thanks, guys. We talked to you last week. You talked about maybe some of the challenges of not being back in LA the week getting ready for London. What has it been like the last couple days as you get ready for this? Um, I mean, it hasn’t been anything crazy. It’s just like I said, it’s just more about being in your rhythm and being able to stay with the things that you that you need throughout the week to have you ready for game day. But they’re doing things for us to make sure we still have, you know, as much as we can get here. What did the last two days look like for you? Um, I mean, a lot of film, um, a lot of a lot of teammate interaction, obviously, not having our families here and spending a little bit more time together. Um, getting getting receiver dinners, just kind of having a little fellowship on the on the off day yesterday. And then uh yeah, just trying to go about the the the deal about as smoothly and normal as possible, but it’s it’s not always easy when you’re away, but yeah, making it work. You ever practice in a baseball stadium before? Uh no, have not done that before. First time. Does is there any once you’re out there, is there any different with the surroundings um being in not on a p a regular practice field or in a football stadium? I mean, it’s just grass. We got enough we got enough space. We’re not using really 100 yards as it you know, normally. So, um I know the defense probably not thrilled about having what is this 25 yards of field here. Um but yeah, I mean they can work on red zone stuff. So, we’ll be okay. How’s this compared to uh other unique practice settings that you’ve had in your career if you’ve had any that are kind of similar to this? Well, I mean it’s the the optics of it is obviously it’s a lot different, but like I said, it’s just grass at the end of the day. Barring nobody ends up in the in the infield here, I think we’ll be okay. I mean, in Oakland, they used to play in a stadium where the baseball field was part of it. Can you imagine having to play football games on a baseball infield? I think whoever was the head of the CBA at that point, we got to talk. We got to somehow bring them back up and we can’t let them get away with this cuz that’d be crazy. I would not want to fall on this. And they were playing on it when I was in the league, too. I just never had the um the the privilege of playing on a on a baseball infield before. How would you evaluate how you guys have done in the red zone or the red area this season? Um, I mean, it hasn’t been to our standard for sure. I mean, it’s it’s been some some self-inflicted there. Um, timing issues, a few different things. I know. Um, that’s that’s an area that I pride myself on being productive in, and I got to make sure I’m doing a a good enough or better job than than what I’ve done so far. Um, just making sure we putting up points and converting, you know, keeping drives going and and all that stuff. What kind of conversations you had with Sean and maybe Matthew about those instances? Uh, I mean, we just try to get to the bottom of it. Obviously, when it’s just executing something that’s there, it’s pretty simple just figuring it out. And then if we obviously don’t have a good enough, you know, plan going into any situation, which we do, you know, 99.9% of the time. Obviously, there’s adjustments that are made there as well. But it’s not a panic thing because we know we got what it takes. It’s just a matter of figuring it out. You’ve been through this a few different times, building with a new quarterback, a couple different times at least. What how do you think this one has gone so far? How do you value kind of your connection with Matthew up to this point? Yeah, not I mean it’s not how I drew it up as far as um you know efficiency goes. I I think we both would have liked to be a little bit more efficient, but I know for myself over the last few just based off how we started um a little bit of pressing I think just playing going out and just just playing and figuring it out. me being Devonte Adams, him being Matthew Stafford, and you know, everybody else being themselves and not feeling a sense of having to fix it and and do anything crazy to fix it, but just going out and making plays. Do you feel any I guess sense of urgency to get it going a little quicker this week just with given that Puka, you know, his status is up in the air? Yeah, well, I mean, we’re not taking our time by any stretch of the imagination. I wouldn’t say a sense of urgency is the necessary term uh given we’re we got a pretty good sense of urgency now. We just it’s it’s just not easy, man. I played with Aaron for, you know, majority of my career. We played nine years together, basically. And um it didn’t definitely didn’t start off first couple years, let alone first couple games the way that we got going. So, not that we have another 10 years to go, but it it takes time. It’s not easy. Um you know, Puka and Matthew have been playing together for years now, and um you know, they they have a little better understanding for where one another is going to be, what what to expect, and and just making, you know, making it work. It’s been a few where there’s really no excuse for, you know, me or him or whatever. So, we just got to put it together. In general, what does a defense do differently or what can they do differently in the red area that makes it harder there than anywhere else on the field? Well, I think it just comes down to space. Obviously, anytime it gets tighter, it makes it a little tougher to score. you think being closer that’s you know be easier to have explosive plays but the you know the the the looks get trickier sometimes and um becomes a little harder to execute cuz you know everybody’s hunkering down the same way that we went down there and stopped them on the one yard line you know it becomes a a tough game and you got to make sure you’re doing everything right I think it’s a little bit more imperative everybody um you know dominates their one-on-one or their situation whatever it is if it’s zone or or whatever the case may be but handles their 111 to to make sure we get it done. All right. Thanks very much.

Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay, quarterback Matthew Stafford, and wide receiver Davante Adams talk about their experience practicing on a baseball field, preparation for their Week 7 matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars in London, and more.

0:00 Sean McVay opening statement
0:21 Injury Updates
1:02 Whether the length of the flight affects how they will handle injuries
1:33 The deciding factory for Puka Nacua to play
2:29 The process of Tutu Atwell returning to play
2:51 The opportunity Tutu Atwell has to make a bigger impact in the offense
3:44 His experience with Owner/Chariman E. Stanley Kroenke owning multiple teams and the relationship he’s built with the other organizations
4:43 Arsenal Manager Mikel Arteta speaking to the team last season
5:43 Whether there are limitations of practicing in a baseball stadium
6:09 Whether the team brought the goal post
6:35 What it’s like to prepare for the Jaguars and coaches that he has experience with

7:32 Matthew Stafford on what the last couple of days have looked like in Baltimore
8:05 Whether Camden Yards feels different than anywhere else when they are practicing
8:32 Whether he ever dreamt about playing in a venue like Camden Yards & the last time he was physically on a baseball field like this
9:09 How it impacts the team if WR Puka Nacua cannot play Sunday
9:24 Whether having WR Davante Adams offers comfort
9:51 The connection with Adams and what’s been added to it in six weeks
10:15 What stands out about the execution in the red zone against the Ravens
10:39 Why he thinks games in London can be a little sloppier than in NFL stadiums
10:56 Whether he feels like the Jaguars are more used to the cadence of traveling to London
12:23 His confidence in WR Tutu Atwell

13:00 Davante Adams on what it’s been like preparing in Baltimore for the Week 7 game in London
13:24 What the last two days have looked like for him
13:48 Whether he’s practiced in a baseball stadium before & whether there’s anything different about practicing in a ball park instead of a football field
14:17 How it compares to other unique practice settings he’s had, if he’s had any at all
14:36 Whether he can imagine playing football games on a baseball field like the Oakland Raiders used to
15:03 His evaluation of how the team has performed in the redzone this season
15:29 Conversations he’s had with HC Sean McVay and QB Matthew Stafford on increasing redzone production
15:54 How he evaluates his connection with Stafford
16:30 Whether he can imagine playing football games on a baseball field like the Oakland Raiders used to
17:20 His evaluation of how the team has performed in the redzone this season

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