Sean McVay, Matthew Stafford, More Rams Players & Coordinators On Sunday’s Panthers Matchup

Sean McVay, Matthew Stafford, More Rams Players & Coordinators On Sunday’s Panthers Matchup

As far as injuries are concerned, um 22 will be back as will Aello will start both of those guys clocks. Good news on on Aello, different from kind of what I had told you guys about. Xavier will be back from the concussion at full. Cam Kitchens, David Questberry and Byron Young will be DMPS. Cam with his shoulder, David Questinberry with his groin, and Byron Young with uh with a knee. I do with what is the period that you expect? I think he’ll be able to play this week. So, um, he got some scans. The the goal and the anticipation is, uh, to be able to do that, but with both he and Tutu, we’ll get through the week and we’ll see where they’re both at. But it’ll be good to get them back on the practice squad or on the practice field. What will that mean to get a Kell back, especially with all the bucks in the secondary? It means a lot. And that’s why, um, you know, talking with Reggie, seeing where he’s at. He’s been chomping at the bit. Um, the scan uh, looked really good. And so he’s done some different things with Reggie and his group that would try to simulate, you know, some of the physical contact and being able to trust it. And obviously the practice settings will be really good. But it it means a lot, you know, because putting Roger Mccur on IR, you know, he got his groin. It’s such a bummer, you know, because, you know, you you lose Q, you go get Roger, you know, in the instance that uh if something were to happen to Q and you lose both of those guys. And so to get a Kell back, we’ve got some flexibility. I can’t say enough about what a great job Josh Wallace has done. Um, and then we got uh Darren Kendrick coming back where we claimed him off of waiverss and and he’s a guy that has familiarity and flexibility both inside and outside. And you know, this is that time of year. Uh, but we do feel fortunate that guys that you’re asking to step up uh are people that, you know, understand what’s going on, have real game experience, and and that means a lot this time of year. Coach, uh, Sunday or Monday, I couldn’t help but when I woke up noticing how the entire media football world had granted you guys the greatest team in the history Yeah. of football and you know Chuck Null’s got nothing on you now. I’m wondering if you noticed it too and if you made a message to your squad about where this is in the season and how dangerous that can be. Yeah. You know, and I think what I did see some of those different things, you know, I because we I talked to you guys, but I I I stay pretty disciplined relative to seeing those things, but you can’t help when you look at NFL Network or you look at just some of the major websites, you know, just being a fan of the game. you acknowledge it and and what you say is is the guys have earned the right to get that. That’s not why we do it and that’s not um anything that moves us forward, but it’s um it’s a sign of respect for what they’ve done through 11 games and we got six more guaranteed and the only thing I’m worried about is is Wednesday. What I do feel good about is the maturity and the humility of this group. They understand that the confidence that you’re seeing them play with on Sundays or whenever our games are is earned throughout the work week. um the way that they celebrate each other, the way that they trust one another, but the way that they really challenge themselves throughout the course of the week. And our guys, I think, have earned the right to play with some, you know, confidence the last handful of weeks and and you got to earn it again. Uh humility is only a day away. Our guys understand that, but uh no, we acknowledge, we celebrate, you know, really cool stuff that they’re doing. We talk about enjoyment of other successes all the time. We’re not worried about the outside in narrative, but you can’t help but be aware of it. And and now you say, “Hey, why is that coming?” because there’s been a discipline, there’s been a humility, and there’s been a commitment to a process. Let’s continue to raise our standards and ascend week in and week out and really day in and day out is what we’ve talked about. You expect Cam to be able to play on Sunday? I do. Yeah. Yeah. He’s uh I do. He’s he’s played really well. I’ve been so proud of him and um just the ascension and the different play making, his versatility. I mean, you see, you know, he he’s playing at a pretty different speed, a lot of confidence. Coach Beak and Aubrey do such a great job, but I do expect Cam to be ready to roll. Sean Harrison Mas hit first two field goal attempts of his NFL career. It seems like he’s been pretty calm and confident since he walked in the building. Has his like emotional regulation stood out to you at all? Yeah, it’s a good way to put it. Emotional regulation like the opposite of me, huh? You know, so uh he he has he’s been steady, you know, and I think when you look at his career at Missouri and even some of the circumstances in the UFFL, he’s been a cool customer. Um just comes in and goes to work and and I think he feels very grateful. you know, you can see there’s probably a healthy perspective that allows him to realize this is a blessing. It’s never a burden. Um, and I’ve been really pleased with what he’s done. You know, he’s made all 13 of the attempts that he’s had up to this point. And uh, and I think that’s a credit to Jake and Ethan and in the protection as well. But it was good to be able to get off a couple of those field goal opportunities because other than that, it’s been exclusively extra extra points. Him being able to hit the one from 40 and then for 52. Um, I think that’s great for that overall operation and I was really happy for him. It’s awesome. Coach, when you look at somebody like him, Go ahead. Play somebody like Bryce Young and see how he’s evolved. What are some of the challenges that he presented? Athleticism, escapability. I mean, you look at um, you know, he’s always been a dynamic athlete and he can, you know, for a guy that he can move and manipulate the pocket, he can change his arm slot and then he’s able to keep his eyes downfield off schedule. That Atlanta game, you know, just just watch that and you see how dynamic he is. Um, and and I think it’s pretty cool some of the different things that he’s been through. um a lot a lot more good than some challenging moments, but I think that says a lot about him. We got respect for him and got to do a good job of being able to keep him contained and they’ve got some real weapons. Uh and they do a good job of accentuating those guys skill sets. You mentioned Harrison Davis, but what did you think about the protection of the operation? I thought it was good. You know, um McCollum’s one of the guys that does a really good job of bending the edge. You know, he did a nice job, but the timing ended up beating it on the one 52 yard that he had. So, overall, I’ve been really pleased with that operation as a whole. And um I think a lot of the work that the guys have put in behind the scenes, what’s what’s refreshing is that you’re starting to see that translate for successful outcomes and I think the confidence is compounding and want to continue to build on that Nick Nick Bannon to the active roster. Little down in 13 personnel this last week. Was that matchup dependent or is it just tough availability? you know, you know, so now you the thing is is that was part of the thought process is is you give yourself a chance to be able to activate, you know, all your different personnels, whether it be 11, 12, 13, you know, who knows, maybe 14 at some point, huh? You know, no, I wouldn’t say never, but um but the the you know, he was a guy that um you know, both Les and John McCay liked. I had some familiarity with him and you’re just kind of looking around the league. Um, feel good about some of the guys we have on the practice squad. But with Higgby being out for some time right now, you do want to make sure that if you decide to go with a couple guys up that you’re not one injury away from losing, you know, a portion of your game plan, if that’s the way that you lean and and the direction that you want to go. Sean, on the game Sunday night, Devonte talked about that quick pass to the corner to him that it was actually something that happened at practice where he wasn’t the number one option, but he saw it that Matthew saw it on the board that oh, he could be an option. Is that normal to find something? You talking about on his 24-y touchdown? Yeah. Yes. Is that the one you’re talking about? Yes. Yeah. Um, that is normal. You know, I think what’s cool is is a lot of the dialogue that goes on in our absence as coaches, I think, can sometimes be the most beneficial because they’re the ones that are bringing it to life. And, you know, like I’ve told you before, and really Devonte’s this too, but Matthew is an extension of the coaching staff. And on that particular concept, um, he had a couple different options and and there was a three-man surface to the other side that was kind of coming into his vision. He had a good feel for the post player was kind of middled up right there and and he was able to periff Devonte’s release and get the ball up and down, but um you don’t take for granted how rare it is the things Matthew can see and then the ability to be able to win quickly, stay stacked, and then be able to finish that um was cool. But those guys are always talking about how can we improve things. And that’s what’s great about having these video boards out here. You don’t wait till practice. you’re I think the best corrections are made in real time and then when you’re able to see it and then in between series when the offense is going and then the defense is up now those guys are able to kind of be able to collaborate, communicate and get connected on all right what’s the best way to be able to move forward rather than having to wait until the next day or when you get back in the film room um being able to do that in the real time and and that’s what the real ones do and and that’s what those two guys did in that instance. Font has been one of the best in terms of his release off the line of scrimmage for a long time now as a play caller. How do you accentuate or or you know bring to life that skill? Yeah, you don’t have to do much. He makes it right. I mean, you look at the way that he was able to win versus, you know, hard outside in leverage with inside presence based on the one that he had caught against Seattle and he still found a way and Matthew did a great job of getting it up and down. That’s been, you know, Devonte is, you know, since I’ve been coaching, there’s nobody that’s been better about being able to get parallel and work edges on people. I mean, that’s that’s a special trait. And if you guys ask him about it and the level and the depth of knowledge and the thought process that goes into understanding is, you know, to have the physical but also the above the neck understanding of, you know, just there’s there’s an art to it when you hear him articulate it. when we first uh when he came out here to sign uh we went out to dinner and you know he was standing up in the restaurant showing some of his releases and you know I mean this guy loves it and it’s you know I love learning some of the different things and and I’ve been a fan of watching it and it’s pretty cool to see it uh come to life in a Rams uniform. What restaurant were you at and were you getting looks from other people? Uh we were at Bird Streets and uh we didn’t get too many looks. We we kind of had it was I think people were like that’s some cool right there. All right. When Sean when you’re calling plays are you ever conscious of matchups with Devonte’s experience if he’s matched up against a rookie or a younger player. You’re conscious of that in in real time. Oh yeah. Yeah, I mean those are things I mean I think part of our job is is to be aware of you know it’s it always starts with us but then there’s an element of uh the opposing team’s personnel and and and their scheme and trying to ultimately put our players in favorable outcomes with our decisions. The players bring it to life but um that’s absolutely something that we’re in tune with. What makes you ask that Gary? Just asking. Just wondering. Good. Um Nate Landman’s extension when a guy comes in does a great job as a team leader and he gets rewarded. How does that permeate within your your locker room? Yeah. I I think what’s the coolest thing about it Grod is that when that came out you know he’s so humble he wouldn’t say anything but then you know you guys as soon as things happen you know you guys are as you sometimes you know before me on some of this stuff but the reaction from his teammates is so authentic and that’s part of what I talk about the enjoyment of other successes or good things happening because he’s earned that respect and he checks all the boxes of the things that we want to be about um you know with the character with the competitiveness the mental and physical toughness his ability to uplift and elevate others, his ability to put his arm around guys, and like I’ve told you guys before about him, he’s just got a great feel, great emotional intelligence, and understanding how to be able to lead, pick and choose his spots um with the right timing and the right tone. And and he’s really endeared himself to this locker room in a in a very short amount of time by just naturally, as I’ve come to get to know him, just being himself. And it was really cool to be able to see and his wife Brena be able to go over there and sign the contract. And um when you feel the gratitude, you know, you want to, you know, do right by people. And um his teammates were excited, but I think you want to make sure you’re very cognizant of recognizing and rewarding the people. No different than how excited people were for Kairen. You know, when we ended up signing him before the season, guys get excited because those are the types of players that they want to play with. And um good things happen when you when you lean on those kinds of people. Matthew, uh after the game, Devonte was talking about how you guys made an adjustment that you saw on his 25 yard touchdown. uh that you saw in the video board that he wasn’t the first option but you saw in the video that he made a move. Does that happen a lot? Can you kind of explain and then how it translated into the game? Yeah, we’re always communicating um just trying to find, you know, ways, you know, little edges in a game if you can to uh to be better to help us succeed. And he’s a veteran guy. He’s been around for a long time. So, he’s always finding um you know, things with with corners or just communicating with me, hey, this is how I see this. This is how I think this could go. and and um try to do my best to you know understand those ops and and give him those ops when uh when he has the chance and obviously made a great play. So was that touchdown a direct result of what happened here? Yeah, I mean sometimes um you know it’s uh yes that one probably, you know, that’s probably more me just getting used to his release on that play and and what he was uh what he was thinking. Um but uh yeah, he’s always communicating with me trying to trying to make us, you know, make us better. Sean was just talking about how detailed Devonte is with his releases and how he, you know, processes those things. How were you able to throughout the course of this season kind of understand his process and and get the timing lined up with his releases? Yeah, I think it’s just work, you know. I think it’s just going uh, you know, going out there and working on it, seeing it, talking about it. Um, it’s constant. Um, that’s really with all the guys. He’s one of them obviously, but um he does a great job at the line of scrimmage, does a great job of uh communicating like I said earlier and uh I think just getting those reps together always helps. Another no look touchdown to Colby on Sunday. Is that something that you ever can anticipate before the play like based off of coverage and play call that you might need to pull that trick out sometimes. Uh sometimes not. Sometimes it happens within the flow of a game or you know what they’re presenting pre- snap isn’t exactly what you get post snap. That happens a lot in this league. But, um, certain times there’s, you know, a free defender, you might say, that I know is going to be, you know, have not that much work to do. And if I can put them where I want them and and open up something else or really if the play is going to be good anyways, but I can make it better, um, I feel like that’s, you know, part of my job description and and sometimes that happens. When did you first start experimenting looks? Uh, it’s been a while. You know, I’ve done it for a long time. I feel like uh you know I think I’ve done a decent amount of those especially when I was with you know Calvin and Detroit like I’ve said before everybody kind of knows in the building that we’re trying to get him the ball and and in certain areas of the field and I was able to uh to just try to help um you know keep him open as long as you could. How do you shut out the noise of MVP conversation, those kinds of things as you kind of move forward? I just continue to show up here every day, try to do my best, work hard, um, be a leader for this team, worry about the things that I can control in this building, and try to be the best teammate I can, and listen, I’ll let all that other stuff take care of itself. It’s not something that’s, uh, difficult for me to, you know, compartmentalize. That’s this whole position. That’s this whole job is, right? Like, I’m here. I’m all in when I’m here. I’m all in on a walkth through or a practice, and I go home and I’ve got a family, I’m dad and husband and all that. So, um, not a lot of time in the day to think about other things to be honest with you. What do you think has been the biggest factor with your offensive line, the defense, different combinations that have had to play this year in them keeping you protected, keeping you upright? Uh, they’ve been they’ve been fantastic. Yeah, they’ve done a hell of a job. Um, you know, I think like you said, there have been, you know, a couple times here and there we’ve had to, you know, shift some guys around and move some guys around. Um, I think the guys that have come in and played have played at a really high level. Um, you know, I think obviously Wendy’s doing a great job getting them coached up and I think Sean does a great job of mixing and matching and um, you know, running the ball, play action, get me out of the pocket, drop back. We’re doing all sorts of different stuff to try to keep defenses on their heels so they can’t just pin pin their ears back and go, “Hey, you know, they’re going to drop back pass all day. Matthew’s going to be nine yards deep in the pocket and he ain’t moving.” So, um, you know, we do a, uh, you know, we do do a decent job of of trying to be, um, as collaborative as we can in our offensive approach to to help everybody out. Was talking about how long Sean’s play calls are. Is that are his play calls typical to the head coach or are they longer? And how long did it take you to get used to it? Um, yeah. I mean, they’re they’re long. Um, I feel like they might have been longer, you know, when I first got here. You know, we found certain ways to pair stuff down years after after years and years of doing the same kind of stuff. Um, but uh, yeah, they’re they’re on the longer end of of what I’ve been exposed to. I’m sure there’s other people out there that, you know, say more words, but um, you know, I think communication is good and and a lot of times when we’re saying all those words, it’s helpful to me, too, because then I’m picturing it in my head, too. With 22 coming back this week, uh, just knowing his skill set and the role you guys have been on, what do you feel like he can kind of add to what you guys have done the past? Yeah, he’s an explosive player. Um, you know, obviously he can, uh, you know, get behind the defense. He’s made some big plays in this league. I think he’s made some big plays this season for us. So, um you know, he’s a guy that’s a home run threat every time he’s on the field. Uh great teammate. Um was unbelievable in his rehab process and getting back and and um just always being the same guy when we see him, which is which is uh awesome. But, um excited for him just to feel healthy again and and feel good to go. What’s it like going against a defense in Carolina that has so many guys that have been in this building? Uh yeah, it’s it’s interesting. You know, that happens sometimes in the league, especially around here because I feel like uh you know, all of our coaches and or players get, you know, at the end of every season, they’re all over the league and and getting head coaching jobs or whatever it is. But been with you know, was with E here for a little bit and then obviously some of the guys that are that are playing over there as well. So, um you know, a lot of respect for him. Really well coached, uh disciplined defense. He did a nice job the other night getting the, you know, getting turnovers, turning the ball over. So, you got to be got to be smart with it, but uh you know, talented group. Could you give us an example of a long play call? I don’t want to I don’t want to put one out there for you. I don’t want what an old play that you would never run again. Um, no. I can’t even think. I’m I’m not going to go there with it. Sorry. Excitement to just get 22 back into this offense and kind of Yeah. Any Yeah. No, anytime you get a guy back of of his caliber, you’ll take it, right? You know, so he’s done a great job with the rehab process and it’ll be just fun, you know, when when he’s doing a lot of the rehab. We as coaches don’t don’t get to see a lot of it. So just getting out on the grass or out on air, stuff like that will be big. What’s it like for you to have so many weapons across the field for Matthew to throw to or hand off? Yeah, it doesn’t stink. You know, I mean there’s and and you know, not just in front of you guys, but you know, we say that because the guys can handle it. I mean, anyone who’s in there on any given play, we have confidence in. That’s why they’re in there. And more importantly, Matthew has confidence in him. And across the board, you know, everyone is um you know, not surprised by someone making a play. Uh you saw M last week make two big plays. I know you’re kind of referring to that, but it’s it’s week in and week out. Um you know, just be in the right spot at the right time. You know, work your fundamentals and and uh when you get your ops, make the most of it. And so far through 11 weeks, you know, pretty pretty pleased with how those guys are are making it happen. I asked Matthew what he thought the key was to this offensive line doing such a great job this year keeping him clean. Uh even with the different combinations, what’s what’s your opinion? What has been the Yeah, I think it’s across the board. I mean, in in all phases, it takes all 11, you know, getting getting the play in, getting the right play that are not going to be dead plays, operating the right way, getting the line of scrimmage where you’re not rushed. Uh and then when that ball snack, making it come to life. So when it comes to the pass game, you know, receivers getting off a jam, you know, getting to A to B as fast as humanly possible in zone coverage, distributing the field, Matthew clicking through your progressions, you know, obviously offensive line communicating, making sure they’re going to the right people back, picking up the right guy in the blitz, like it takes everybody. And so, yeah, I mean, I think the line is is doing a great job through 11 weeks. Uh, I think they’re straining, you know, because they know if nine gets one extra click, a lot of a lot of times good things happen. But again, it’s it’s not just them. It’s everyone across the board doing their job and um you know getting through 11 weeks and I’m going to keep saying that it’s um you know it’s been good. I think our we’ve steadily gotten better. This is a whole new week and this game you know will humble you quickly. So we got to get right back to work. Have you seen from Nick B added to the active roster just as it was kind of helping out with practice? Yeah. No, it’s uh good to get him. He’s played a lot of ball. It was crazy when I saw that it was uh he came out in 16. I mean, it’s it it’s like I’m aging quickly because it feels like it wasn’t long ago that I was evaluating him. So, he’s had a great career and anytime you can bring in a guy that’s played a lot of good football in this league, uh you’ll take it. You guys have been extremely uh efficient in in the first quarter of the past five or six weeks. What do you attribute to that to? Um, you know, again, just uh kind of almost what I was saying right there, just the guys just doing their job and operating and executing, you know, um you know, taking all those guys. It’s it’s a fun watch for me from above. I’m sure it is for you guys as well. Just seeing how these guys operate, getting in and out of the huddle, getting, you know, I mean, you can just you can tell the guys know what they’re doing, you know, and that’s a credit to those guys being on on their stuff. Credit to the position coaches getting these guys ready to go. So, um, you know, you always want to start fast. It’s not just something that you just say. you want to, you know, and then you want that second drive to to go well. Then you want that third, then you want to finish great, and then you want to, you know, so I mean, it’s it’s like just live in the moment each each play, each drive, and handle your stuff. And fortunately, for the last few weeks, you know, those first drives outside of Seattle where we got all the way down there and didn’t didn’t finish it. But, uh, you know, for the most part, we’ve we’ve done what we’re supposed to do. When you’re coaching up the box and Matthew does one of the no look passes, are you noticing that like in real time or do you kind of see it later and just what’s the reaction to seeing Yeah, there’s times where I feel like he’s looking eight rows to the right and the ball’s going to the left and you can actually tell. So, um, yeah, I mean, it’s, you know, he’s the one out there playing and and, you know, he knows what he’s doing when he’s doing that stuff. It’s one of those things you tell the young quarterbacks, whether it be in this building or, you know, the other 31 teams, hey, you know, that’s really cool what he’s doing, but don’t try to be like him. He’s earned the right and and he knows what he’s doing and why he’s doing it. So, uh, yeah, he’s pretty special talent. Terrence talked about how uh you guys started installing 13 personnel in chunks like uh around Baltimore week. What was kind of the process of deciding like how to install such a chunk personnel package like into the offense by week? Yeah, I mean um you know we we stay separate for the most part in the run game and then we get into the pass game. We go in there as a as a skill group and you know sometimes I’ll install it as all 13. Sometimes I’ll be mix and match. Sometimes they’ll throw in some other stuff. Sometimes we’ll tell jokes, you know. So, uh, you try to just keep the meetings is, you know, I mean that’s it’s a lot of information and it’s the same voice and obviously Sean and everyone, you know, talking and being collaborative, but uh, yeah, I mean it’s it’s, you know, whatever we think is necessary for that week and in terms of how they’re going to get the information. Um, you know, some weeks are are different than others. Sean was talking about how detailed Devonte is with his releases. How have you seen that affect the way defenses can or can’t attack this offense? He’s been a problem at the line of scrimmage well before he got here. Uh he’s he’s arguably, you know, at least in, you know, since he’s been in the league in 14, probably not even arguably, he’s probably the best release guy, you know, of of that time. And he’s still doing it. And it’s no different than what we said when we got him here, you know, back in the spring and how he felt in August. like dude still got a lot of juice in that body as you guys can see. He’s a problem at the line of scrimmage. Um he’s that it’s he knows ball really well, but like it’s the stuff that he does within the moment and and why he’s doing it. It’s it’s uh it’s next level type stuff. And again, if you want to have the career that he’s had, a Hall of Fame career, you’re going to think that way, you know, and so and and and you have the ability to do what you’re thinking and and it makes sense, you know. So, it’s uh it’ll never get old. It was really fun from afar um watching him. Um it was fun, you know, particularly because it was with my brother, too, as long as he wasn’t playing a team that I was associated with, obviously. But, you know, be able to kind of get up close and personal this last year with it and and really kind of dig into why he’s doing it. It’s a uh it’s a unique deal. To follow up on that, can you help me understand when a guy is that good off the release, how much is that above the neck versus just phenomenal athleticism? Yeah, I mean, he knows where he wants to be when he needs to be there, right? He’s got a great sense of timing. So, um he’s got a great sense of the defender he’s going against, you know, whether it be through the film study or sometimes it’s, hey, how’s this guy going to uh play me? And I might I might release on a run play to just kind of see, you know, how he’s going to react and stuff. So, it’s the game within the game, right? Um, you know, uh, those are kind of things that you you can see you can see what he’s doing, but I mean, there’s things that he’s probably setting up that we don’t even know, right? You know, like I just said on a run play and stuff like that. So, it’s um, it’s pretty unique thing and it’s a unique trait. And again, that’s one of the reasons amongst a lot of reasons why he’s had the, you know, success he’s had throughout his career. What’s your reaction to getting a color back? uh excited, you know, um he he’s been around um but excited to see him go out there today and uh you know, we’ll kind of figure out his role just like we do everyone here throughout the week. Um obviously we haven’t seen him, he hasn’t taken a full speed snap yet or anything like that, but um you know, he’s just another uh obviously been a really good player, productive player for us and um guy that has a skill set that we could definitely use. So it’s great to have him. When you have guys like Emanuel and Kobe who are playing so well on the outside right now, what is that process of trying to integrate Kell back in while still riding a hot hand with those guys? Yeah, I mean definitely definitely don’t want to get those guys out of their flow um playing great football right now and you know want to keep those guys in a good rhythm and feeling good and exactly what they’re doing and you know Aubrey does such a good job of of giving each guys roles. There’s ways to get guys on the field where um and have specific roles for the game. So, you know, based on what happens today and tomorrow at practice, we’ll come up with a plan for the week for those guys and um those guys will know it going into the game and we’ll see how the game unfolds to see exactly how those roles uh shape out, especially over the last four games. What’s it been like seeing Emanuel play like the player you guys knew he’d be capable of being? Yeah, that’s exactly it, Steu. Um, we saw it all training camp, all of OTAAS. And, uh, I’m just excited that, you know, he, uh, you know, the country is getting a chance to see it and people around the league are getting a chance to see what a competitor is. Um, how tough he is. Um, you know, he makes plays with the ball in the air, how athletic he is. So, you know, it’s just exa exactly what it is. We’ve been seeing it and and, you know, it’s a credit to him. He’s been practicing really hard and, uh, you know, his performance is a result of the work he’s put in and he knows that. So, we’re just going to try to continue to do that. with a player like that who, you know, had a dip last year and now he’s ascending, can you kind of notice his confidence taking off kind of in the moments outside the game? Uh, for sure. Um, you know, I think it’s just I think that’s anybody. You know, you just feel um more credibility with your teammates when you’re going down the field and making plays. And it’s one thing to do in practice, but when you go out and you’re making big plays to help the team win week after week, um, you know, I think you definitely see, you know, a little bounce in their step. So, it’s been cool to see and really happy for him. John a long time. What do you think about what you something or a couple things that stand out? Oh man, I mean it’s almost everything. You know, you feel like um you know, it’s just our first year when he was head coach. There’s a lot of things. I think it’s more of just just the amount of issues and the things that go across the head coach’s plate that that he kind of has to deal with on a daily basis. And um really the things that are meaningful to him is the relationship he creates throughout the whole team. He’s the happiest. he’ll be the first to tell you. Um he’s the happiest during during the week when when the players are here and he can go interact with them and wants to be a part of their lives and impact them and their families and uh you know he he just has such a good relationship. He has a real special relationship with the defensive guys and I think it’s pretty cool. Um so it’s just been fun to see. Talked a lot about the sack assist this year, but was it cool to see the emotion for Kobe breaking through with a couple yesterday on Sunday? Definitely. you know, um you know, just like anybody, all those guys, they always want to get sacks and and you know, and it helps the team and there’s nothing wrong with it and he’s going to do anything to help the team win, but uh it’s always good to see see some of those guys um get on the board with a few sacks. Speaking of confidence, uh the other Kobe, Kobe Durant, with not just the interception, but how well he’s played. How would you describe that? He’s just a productive player. He’s a playmaker, and he really always has been since he’s been here. and uh you know some stuff uh it’s on us to put him in the right positions and uh guys playing well around him. I think the guys around him are communicating really well and uh he’s taken his game to the next level. Um it’s a huge credit to uh to uh Aubrey and Beak and and Mike Harris of uh continue to work with him and growing and uh you know he he’s you know I remember when he was a young guy just coming to the league um and secondary coach and and now he’s kind of the you know a veteran of the group and played a ton of football and you know you’re seeing that. this is if you guys continue to play well, um your name already is kind of being floated out there as being part of the next head coaching carousel pool. How do you how will you handle that having seen other guys from this staff go through? Yeah, you know, you obviously you always kind of prepare for it, I think, in the summer. Um, where you just kind of get ready because some of those things can happen hopefully you’re in the playoffs and stuff like that, but and then once you do that, you know, you really just you just play the whole season and just continue to focus one day at a time and playing good defense and really not even thinking about it at all to be honest. Is it a goal of yours to be a head coach? Uh, I think that’s the goal of of any coach that wants to be in the league. You want to take yourself to the highest profession. That doesn’t mean you’re just going to walk away for any single opportunity. Um, I love it here. Um, you know, it’s my family loves it here. We’ve been here nine, 10 years. You know, coaching with my best friends. We obviously have a great group of players and, uh, a great staff. So, uh, you know, for the right opportunity, you know, we’ll see. But, like I said, not really thinking about it too much right now. Devonte Sean was uh, talking about how detailed your approach is to uh, watching film and and studying how you’re going to release against certain people. Can you just what’s your process for that? Um I mean it’s a it’s a pretty extensive process but um um in a nutshell I mean it’s basically you just find out you know obviously it’s it’s not like an algorithm or anything but you know see how how tall a person is how how rangy they are. You know some guys are more long levered. So but just getting a plan together based off their technique what they do. Do they shoot their hands? are they, you know, are they a a soft shoe corner where they kind of back out of there? They kind of press just to, you know, interrupt the timing. So, it’s it’s important to u, you know, evaluate the the film on that just cuz if you go into it not knowing a guy’s technique, then, you know, to take potentially, you know, too many reps throughout the game to kind of put together and figure out a comfortable way to attack him. So to me, I try to figure out exactly, you know, what kind of guy he is, what does he do, what does he like to do, and then from there, you you obviously still got to, you know, play the play and and and play the down and respect some sometimes a guy like 27, he’s not really a a quick, you know, he’ll he’ll like to shoot his hands last week. I saw on tape a lot where he’ll shoot his hands and then get out of there and then um so I had that in my mind and then actually my first rep press rep against him, he shot his hands and stayed firm at the line. Um, you know, just based off of probably watching my tape and seeing me hop off the line and thinking that that will work. Um, so just just playing the playing it down is the most important part. You know, you obviously got to understand coverages and a lot of different things. Really longwinded way to say um basically you just scout out the guy and what he likes to do and then formulate a good plan based off of that uh to execute your job. Sean said when when you came out to sign, you guys went out to dinner and you were actually standing up in a restaurant demonstrating some of your Do you do you recall that? And what what was what was that scene like and what was happening? Well, well, Sean failed to mention. It wasn’t it wasn’t like a bunch of attention because Sean’s a very elite uh individual and he’s got um he’s got he’s got certain Yeah. different different types of rooms and memberships you need for some of these places he goes to eat. So, I was invited to this. I don’t have a membership at at this place, but um thankfully I was able to do that because it wasn’t a big crowd in there, but um was able to get up and just kind of talk through some stuff and you just talking about two football meattheads that you know or football nerds I guess you could say that think about the game in a very intricate way and you know obviously his angle is a lot different than mine being a coach. So, me being able to talk to him about some stuff and um get him excited about, you know, a few things um and him, you know, just kind of basically making some of these plays come to life before I even had opportunity to to to run some of the routes. So, um yeah, it was it was fun. Good meal. It was it was just good fellowship. So, you get up and illustrated in the restaurant. Is that just a part of your game that you gives you a lot of? I mean, the game just excites me in general, honestly. I mean, talking about releases, routes, um the blocking part doesn’t excite me quite as much, but but the all of the routes, you know, in in the the things that that make up, you know, great receivers, um I’m I just get fully immersed in it. And um you know, it wasn’t something where I was like, oh, like, you know, I didn’t even look around. It was just like as soon as I thought about it, bounce up and talk about something. It wasn’t nothing crazy. I think it was just more like talking about the way I attack him. It was a little bit more of that. Um, so it wasn’t a big shout, but it still was I did get up. You talked about I mean obviously Sean recruiting you, but just have you seen him get excited the more you guys talked and he kind of realized what he could do with you and and some of your skill sets. Like have you seen him just have fun with that? Yeah, I mean you still can continue to see it now. I mean, you go out there on the field now, um, one of one of the quotes that I feel like stands out for me is, and it’s not just like a singular time, but he’s he’s always mentioning, um, whether he’ll text me about something that we’re going getting ready to put in in the red zone or in the field, he’ll say, you know, here here’s what I I got a good idea about something, and I’m excited to see you bring it to life. Basically, like, you know, we got a certain route and this is how I draw the route. But a lot of times when I draw a route for you, you run it in a way that’s, you know, um, you know, unique to you and your abilities. And um that’s that’s ultimately what makes the the you know the player coach thing work really well is if you can take a good idea and somehow make it you know improve it a little bit or or just bring it to life how how it was on paper. Um but a lot of things that I do is unconventional. So I feel like the you know the technique that I use is something that maybe he wouldn’t you know see. So even today you know he gave me a rod and I went out there and did it and I can see it in his body language. He’s like you got it. So you’ll see him doing that sometimes. What’s the process of developing an unconventional technique? How do you kind of build that up over the years? Um, I mean really it’s the the the buildup of it is me. Um, a lot of times putting together a plan like whether it’s walk through, jog through, I take those that process real serious because that’s when everything slows down a lot and when everything’s, you know, going full speed, it’s easy to rush movements and not fully because the idea of receiver is like deception obviously. So everything that I’m doing, if I’m trying to run, you know, the the kind of outbreaker I ran on their sideline that I caught and it was maybe like a gain of 15 or or so or whatever, you know, I’m I’m doing that in and if I just get that in practice, I may not, you know, nod them quite as hard to get him to really believe the vertical part before I break out. So in walkthroughs when we’re kind of going half speed, it kind of allows me to slow down and really stick and then let the guy, you know, see what I’m trying to get him to see versus me just knowing it. Because if I go out there and, you know, if I do this, you don’t know if I was really trying to go inside or outside. But if I lean inside now, your brain, you know, because everything, it takes the the brain time to process what’s going on, too. So, the the quicker you move, um, obviously it can benefit you, but it can also hurt you if you don’t, you know, lock in on the details of the route and sell what you’re trying to sell. On that deception route, on the deception topic, excuse me. Coach Laflur said he he finds that you’re like maybe on a running play you might be selling it. Is that like a chess match in your head? 100%. I mean you still releases all the time where I’ll do something um it might be eyes whatever I line up all the time and I might sit here if I got a certain route and I’ll be looking inside and then I’ll peek to the sideline kind of like I’m getting ready to run a route over there. It’s just a it’s a big, you know, cerebral game out there and a lot of people don’t hone in on it like how I do. And I find that that gives me a big big edge. You know, if I stare at the sideline a couple times before and then take off running that way, surely that guy’s going to be a little slower to to move as I’m, you know, darting across the field. He’s like, “Wait, whoa, he was looking over here, you know, like why is he sprinting this way?” And then now he’s behind the play. And um, you know, any even if it’s just a half a yard, like that that’ll give me edge. Devonte, earlier in your career, who did you see those things in as a player? Um, I mean to be honest it wasn’t it wasn’t really something that I seen. It was just something that I learned to develop because you know I got this title of being like the release guy you know pretty early in my career just you know kind of having the feed and you know the basketball movements. So it was something that I wanted to kind of lock in and take it to the next level. And I felt like um you know if using certain mental cues like that could kind of help me and it just it was something that I saw work for me and I just continue to push it. How how has your mindset changed as you went early in your career as a young guy going against the veteran quarterbacks of the day to the veteran receiver now going against the younger quarterbacks? I mean, it’s you obviously get more comfortable, but I I like to treat everybody like they’re a veteran when out when they’re out there. Um the the second you you know look at a guy like he’s a young player or whatever, you know, he can everybody out here is getting paid. So, um you know, they can take advantage of you if you take them lightly. Similarly, you know, you play the Saints that that week. We come out with the same mindset like they were, you know, uh, you know, undefeated versus looking at them like they’re a team that’s not great because at the end of the day, they they got a bunch of NFL players over there that play at a high level. And all you have to do is, like I said to you guys before, it don’t matter how good you are, it’s about how good you play. So, if you don’t go out there and put it on tape and and treat everybody like they’re, you know, one of the best, then you you can definitely get caught slipping. GC, you know, you guys talk a lot about sack assist, but could you for Kobe being, you know, emotionally with a couple big ones on Sunday. Yeah. No, you can definitely see it kind of in his uh in his eyes and his demeanor, but you know, he he works very hard. So, if anybody’s deserving of that moment, it’s it’s very much. What was the uh celebration that you guys all did? So, GIF, our defensive line coach, I don’t know what he started doing this. He started doing it one practice randomly cuz he was like, he was like, as an old dude, you can’t dance above your head. He was like, you got to keep everything down low. So he started doing that. So we all like after we get sacked, everybody gets sacked, we’re going to do that. Like do your own celebration and do that. What What is gift? Think of that. He started doing it like he started repping it out too. So he was having a good time. We was having fun for you to have a multiple sack game. What how’d you feel about that? And what moving forward what’s your next goal? Yeah, I mean I I don’t really have any goals. Like I just kind of go out there and play. But I feel like this was one of the first weeks uh all year, you know, maybe one or two games besides this I like actually like uh didn’t hold back at all in practice whether we had pads on or not have pads on. I was still doing everything at 100% not too much worried about anything else but besides just getting better. So to see it actually translate to the field just makes me realize like that should be the standard period. What what inspired I guess that to be your practice happens last week? I actually spoke to uh you know Joe Kigglio my own uh coach and I spoke to uh Sean and they both were telling me the same thing like when you uh my pre-play demeanor when it’s sharp and when it’s crisp you know it’s going to be a good play versus you see some of the other plays where I’m not fully set in motion fully you know in my uh position and they might be okay it might be all right but it’s not the standard I have for myself after the game Sunday you were one of the guys that said you weren’t you weren’t aware of the standings how how challenging is that with social media and being nine and two right now. No, I just swipe by it. I mean, like social media not too hard for me. I be on Tik Tok. They don’t have on Tik Tok for real. So So like I I just kind of like run by it. Like sometimes my dad will call me, but my dad like he knows I don’t really like talking about that stuff too much. So he’ll just talk to me about like my personal play or like how the defense is doing as a whole, but he’ll never tell me about the standings. He’ll never tell me, “Oh, y’all defense is this many points up above everyone, whatever.” Like they just all kind of keep it quiet. My whole family and everyone I keep close to me. So it’s not too hard when you have a good uh foundation around you. What do you like talking to your dad about? I mean, we just talk about regular stuff. We’ll talk about my brother. We’ll talk about family. We’ll talk about just life outside of football. We’ll talk about football, too. I’ll talk about how practice went. The weight room. My dad’s a big lifter, so me and him will talk about the weight room, how I I be pissing him off. I’ll be telling him how much I surpassed him. So, so we’ll just talk about regular stuff. Like me and my dad probably the best relationship I have with anybody in the world. How much can you lift? Good. How much can you lift? Can I like on what? Like on bench or squat? Like bench? My max bench is probably around 490 something, but that was probably about like two, three years ago. So, I probably I could probably push up a little bit more on that. You mentioned the defense as a whole, just for all of you guys who have been a part of Emanuel’s journey, especially over the last year. What’s it like seeing him play the way he has, especially over the last four games? Yeah, I mean, Emanuel is somebody like I don’t uh he’s somebody I hang around with a lot outside of the facility. Me and him will go grab dinner sometimes. We’ll go to this mall, we’ll go do this, we’ll go do that. We’ll just sit down and watch the game. So, you know, when you form that kind of relationship, you see what that person does on the field also and see how much work he puts in in the weight room, in the meeting room, in the facility, on the practice field and to see it finally translate, you know, especially I didn’t know too much about his past before he got here to hear how like kind of people were counting him out now that he’s dominating. People are like, “Okay, like the Rams are doing something.” No, that was just Eman. That’s who he always was. It just took, you know, a good group around him like believing in him for him to dominate like this. You got another athletic quarterback this week. What What are your impressions of Bryson? No, Bryce, he’s very he’s very athletic. He’s fast. He can get the ball on. When he’s comfortable in the pocket, he can do a lot of damage. I mean, what was it like 434 or something like that? Some 400 something yards. Uh I mean that you throwing that you throw 400 something. So, you know, he he’s a a very good quarterback. So, we just have to keep him in contain. We have to get to him. When we get to him, we have to make him feel us even if he gets the ball off. So, you know, use advantage of our like, you know, getting close to the quarterback. Obviously, no late hits or anything like that, but just kind of make him feel us. Is that sack celebration going to be a thing for the rest of the year? We’re probably going to knock it off till it gets too old. What’s the temperature been like with you guys in terms of I mean there is a rush of national media anointing you guys the champions already, but obviously there’s a lot of football left. What’s kind of been the temperament amongst the team after the Sunday night win? Yeah, I think it’s something that coach said is uh we feel like we’re we’re the best team right now, but it’s also week uh week 12. The the season’s not ending anytime soon. So, uh, the opportunity to go out and continue to prove ourselves is something that we’re continuing to strive for. And I think that’s that’s how we feel in the locker room where there’s a confidence that we feel like we earn every week and it gets to show out there on Sundays and that’s something that we’re prepared to earn again this week. How do you kind of shut out the outside noise? Um, I think in uh born at 2001, like I like and see being the social media age kid, I’m like I it’s hard to really shut it out, I guess, in in the sense of uh you see the media, but I guess it’s what the message that you internalize. Um you you see stuff on scrolling on Instagram or on Twitter and uh it’s it feels good, but I guess the messages come back in when when we’re having our team meetings and in our our our unit meetings, the the message is we have to earn the right again. So, uh, the opportunity to go out here and prove, uh, on a Wednesday, we’re getting ready to to to still out there, run routes, and get active, and, uh, to work our techniques is, uh, is still a privilege and something that it gets me excited. Jared said it should go on Tik Tok because there are no standings. What was that? He said Jared said there’s no standings on Tik Tok. So, that’s for these girls. Oh, okay. That’s I’m like my TikTok is honestly a lot of uh there’s a anime show or animation show called uh, Invincible. It’s on Amazon Prime. I’ I’ve enjoyed the the edits I’ve seen of that that lately. favorite that you’ve seen. Actually, I mean, the one that I think this uh I mean, I’m sure that there’s ones I could think of in the archives that I got saved on my phone somewhere, some of the clips in Green Bay, but I think we I paused the clip while we’re going in our receiver meeting today and being like, “Wow, you see the you see the end zone view of that that the the fade um and uh not favorable leverage at the start of the play and he 17 finds a way.” I think it it is uh it is an honor to be able to on watch that live and in person on the field with him and then just to be able to ask questions. We’re we’re out here at practice and we’re they’re calling us in and we’re we’re midcon conversation talking about how to how to steal leverage uh the way to work defenders and so it’s a it’s something that we continue to earn and it’s something that it’s given me confidence watching him. So how much of that when from your lens is his athletics athleticism versus a cerebral above the neck? Oo. Uh, I would say it it is uh the perfect combination because I I have the opportunity and that our guys have opportunity to see him in the weight room and uh there is still a lot of physical ability in in his body and uh but then that you understand the mental game and the chess game that uh has happened through snap one to snap 60 whatever it is and uh he’s he’s playing that chess game the entire game. Uh so it’s an exciting thing to watch as you go through the the the clips on on a Monday and watch of like build up build up build up and all right now it comes to life. So, um, it is the perfect combination. Do you know Ted Roya? Um, McMillan for your Not not not uh too much. I I I’ve got I’ve had a chance to watch his game, um, especially as a Polynesian uh another Polynesian athlete. I think as and as a wide receiver, as somebody who um is in the skill position, to see him go in the first round and kind of set the the new standard for uh the our our culture and uh is something is exciting and he’s a Jordan athlete as well. So to see him have his success and then to play it would be exciting that hopefully uh um after the game he’s he’s not uh too mad and we’ll be able to exchange jerseys. Do do you feel like your success, especially your early success in the NFL open the door even larger for guys like him and other guys that are coming? Uh, I think so. I I I know that there’s a I mean, I think of the the people who paved I looked up to especially in the skill position was was the Giu Smith shoes of the world. There wasn’t a ton of uh Polynesian athletes playing in the skill position. So to see um his success I’m to to have him be other Polynesian athletes say that my my name is mentioned and wanted them to be able to to run into people and score some touchdowns every once in a while is a is a cool thought to think about. The Devonte talked about how extensive his process is for watching film and preparing his releases against certain opponents. Have you picked up on any of that and has that kind of rubbed off on you at all? Um I know there’s I see him def watching tape in in all of our meetings. um while he he does his uh he has his process and I think it’s been cool to be in the conversations with him of when we’re in the unit meetings the the things that he’s noticing and then also just watching the the clips on my own of being like wow um how how the defenses are trying to play us and being able to watch him and be like all right and some of the conversations this had of like how he’s watching the tape through his kind of thought process has been fun with chemistry being important how you’ve been able to build the chemistry with you and Devonte over the course of time to where it is now how much that helped as a as a player as well as off. Um I it’s funny. I I mean I think uh as a receiver I feel like it’s something I mentioned. I’m like the game of basketball. Um I one I think about how receive like what who who you like to play and just like the thought process of like how do you move? I like that. So it’s been fun to have those conversations. Uh his confidence in his basketball game is is just as high as his confidence in his football game. So, it’s been fun to have those conversations, see him move, but just uh I think in just some of the normal conversations we have, um learning about his family, him being a part of my life, and just spending the time that we’ve had since the moment he’s got here has uh has built up the time in the locker room and especially in the in the cafeteria. Spooka, you’ve always been a very grateful young man. What’s this Thanksgiving is another practice day, but what are you what are you grateful for this year? Um uh I Yeah, uh family has always been something important to me. Um my my my family’s been here for all the home games. my mom just barely left. Uh, and I I’ve had the opportunity to welcome a new family member to my family this year and my son. So, the opportunity to to spend time with him and to to give him uh all of the blessings that I’ve received in my life and to be able to share those with him is something that I’m extremely grateful for. How does it feel to be a dad? It’s uh it has been the best. I feel like that’s it’s been my new superpower. That’s how I heal up. Everybody’s always like, “Man, you take a lot of shots and I’m like h” and then I get to see my son and it all feels right. So it has been a huge blessing for me and uh it gives me an extra added motivation to go out there and to perform my best so he can see

Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay, offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur, defensive coordinator Chris Shula, wide receiver Davante Adams, and outside linebacker Jared Verse talk about preparing to face off against the Carolina Panthers during Week 13.

0:00 Sean McVay on injury updates
1:41 Media headlines
3:23 Injury update
3:41 Harrison Mevis’ emotional regualtion
4:37 Challenges vs. Panthers
5:18 Special teams protection
5:47 Roster changes
6:37 Importance of film study
8:09 Exentuating Davante Adams’ strengths
9:11 Signing Davante Adams
9:25 Davante Adams matching with rookies
10:04 Nate Landman’s contract extension

11:32 Matthew Stafford on studying film
12:37 Understanding Davante Adams’ releases
13:10 On the fly play calls
13:48 No-look passes
14:12 MVP conversations
14:49 Offensive line
15:40 Sean McVay’s play calls
16:14 Tutu Atwell’s return
16:47 Panthers defense
17:21 Long play calls

17:37 Mike LaFleur talks Tutu Atwell’s return
17:57 Having a lot os weapons on the field
18:39 Key to the offensive line’s success
19:46 Roster changes
20:09 Efficiency on downs
21:06 Coaching in the box
21:43 Offensive meetings
22:33 Davante Adams’ detailed releases
23:51 Davante Adams’ great sense of timing

24:40 Chris Shula talk Akhello Witherspoon’s return
25:06 Defensive backs rotation
25:44 Emmanuel Forbes Jr.’s growth
26:18 Forbes’ confidence growing
26:46 Sean McVay’s impact
27:30 Players getting sacks
27:51 Cobie Durant’s production
28:32 Media headlines
29:06 Head coach goals

29:31 Davante Adams talks detailed approach to studying film
31:15 Signing to the Rams
32:22 Exciting routes to play
32:59 Talking with Sean McVay about routes
34:10 Taking walk throughs seriously
35:24 Cerebral game of football
36:16 Looking up to certain players in his early career
36:48 Changing mindsets from rookie to veteran

37:42 Jared Verse talks Kobie Turner’s sack
38:01 Defensive celebrations
38:23 Having a multiple sack game
38:32 Changing his practice style
39:23 Social media
40:01 Talking with his dad
40:22 Lifting
40:35 Emmanuel Forbes’ growth
41:18 Impressions of Bryce Young
41:48 Sack celebrations

41:55 Puka Nacua on team temperament
42:32 Shutting down the outside noise
43:11 His Tik Tok feed
43:30 Favorite Davante Adams clips
44:15 Davante Adams’ athleticism and cerebral game
44:54 Polynesian athletes
45:27 Early success in the NFL
46:00 Davante Adams’ extensive process of watching film
46:38 Building chemistry with Davante Adams
47:20 Gratefulness this year
47:51 Being a dad

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