Sean McVay On Kobie Turner’s Leadership, Extending Nate Landman’s Contract & Tutu Atwell’s Return

Sean McVay On Kobie Turner’s Leadership, Extending Nate Landman’s Contract & Tutu Atwell’s Return

[Music] Well, happy Thanksgiving week everyone and welcome to the Coach McVey show presented by Microsoft Surface co-pilot plus PC. I’m JB Long with the head coach of your Los Angeles Rams, the 9 and2 and running first in the NFC Los Angeles Rams. Here is Shawn McFay. Good to see you. Good to see you too, man. That was a fun night at Sofi. We’ve had some mountaintop moments there, but that one felt special. Yeah, it was fun and I thought the atmosphere was outstanding and and I thought our guys gave the fans a chance to get into the game right away. You know, get the stop defensively offensively. Overcame some situations that we want to try to avoid, you know, some big third down conversions, getting into some second and longs, but um get a touchdown and then for Kobe to be able to get the touchdown to to go up 14 nothing, then it leads to a 21 nothing. It was it was big and guys have started really fast and we got to continue to be able to do that. Yeah. All right, let’s start with the last thing I heard last night, which was Devonte Adams uh addressing the media saying this is the most fun he’s ever had playing football in his life as the leader of this locker room. What does that mean? That means a lot, you know, and and he’s a real one and he’s not going to say it if he doesn’t mean it. and he’s had an amazing amount of positive experiences to draw on, but I think it’s about the people. You know, you look at uh his teammates, how much he enjoys, whether it’s um his receiver room, whether it’s guys on defense, whether it’s the relationship between he and Matthew that’s continuing to develop and blossom um his relationship with his coaches. It’s pretty special. But it’s always about people. Um and I think there’s meaningful relationships that are impactful. I think he enjoys the rhythm and he’s been a huge part of it. And you know that’s that’s pretty cool to hear and and it means a lot and let’s continue to do some cool stuff together. Everyone loves to win. I mean that makes it fun. But I was thinking this morning about how there was an element of fun that predated the winning for the Rams. Like if you want to go back to Maui, the offseason program, like there was a joy around this group before you ever won a game. Is that true that the sequencing of of fun and winning? Well, I think good football is fun, but I think you’re exactly right and I think there’s a genuine enjoyment for what we do. Do you enjoy coming in? Do you do you love football? Do you love doing it with people that have similar values and principles but that also have different personalities that helps you expand and broaden your horizons? And so, um, I I agree with that. And then I think it’s only gotten better. And one of my favorite things about this team is how connected we’ve stayed in some really challenging, you know, the the two losses are as heartbreaking of losses as I’ve been a part of in regards to how they went down, but the responses have been exactly in alignment. And I think every single experience, whether it be positive um or some of the challenging ones, has made this group what it is through 11 games and want to continue on this theme, but but it I I think you’re right in terms of predating some of the positive experiences that we’ve seen when the games are unfolding. Do you coach how to handle success, how to let success kind of flywheel into more success? Well, I don’t know about that. I think what you try to do is have a commitment to, you know, certain standards and and a consistency of your weekly rhythm, your approach. We try to be inside out, whether there’s good things going on or whether there’s, you know, negative things going on more than anything else. I think outside and it’s such a blessing how many people care about what’s going on and the amount of attention that these guys get for for doing good stuff, but uh it shouldn’t affect our ability to be inside out and and what’s important is is how we’re present, how we continue to take steps. I think the thing that I’m encouraged about is the way guys are playing, but man, there’s a lot of room for growth. And that’s collectively. That’s coaches and players alike. Um, there’s a lot of positive experiences, but I think that when you have the right kinds of people and they understand that the confidence they have and that they play with on Sundays is earned through work, um, and that humility is only a day away in this league, our guys understand that. And so, we try to be consistent in in our approach whether we win or lose. It’s an easy transition to the Stafford section of this program as we do every week. And it’s Thanksgiving week and there’s six games to go in the regular season and MVP chants are ringing throughout Sofi Stadium. And so I’ve resisted the urge to ask the dumb question, but I’ll ask it here in the hopes of getting a good answer. What would it mean to you if Matthew Stafford were to win an MVP? Yeah, I mean I think it would, you know, you want to try to do right by your players. You know, I think the cool thing is is that what Matthew would say is I’m not putting a label on it. I’m just enjoying playing. love being a part of this group and um you know that would be really special because it would represent what he means as a leader for a football team but again I know he doesn’t think about that we’re not thinking about those kind of things u but there’s nothing that’s more gratifying than to see you be a small part of other successes and that’s why I love this team that’s why I love what they’re about celebrating each other’s successes you know and this is the greatest team sport that there is but man we are certainly lucky to have him leading the way and wouldn’t want anybody else doing that for us. And uh you know, you want to continue to try to do your part to help put our players and especially him in situations that give them a chance to ultimately bring the cool stuff to life. And that’s what they’ve done. It’s it’s a player’s game. This uh streak of perfection that he’s on, it’s going to end at some point. But I think what’s most enjoyable about this interceptionfree run is that we already know how he’s going to react when it does end, which is to say he’s not going to react at all. I mean, even think about where it started with the first drive in Philadelphia. That was his last one. Look at how he played the rest of that game. And so, you know, that when it does happen, all he’s going to do is strap it up and go again. No question. You know, and he’s going to play each snap as its own entity. I think the one thing people, you know, and I know you know this too, is like, you know, he’s got these amazing numbers, but he still is being smart and aggressive, you know, like it’s not like there’s not opportunities that he’s not pushing the ball down the field, activating inside windows, you know, with some body presence. I mean, and he is uh he just got the courage to be able to go for it. Um, and I think there’s a clarity of what he’s seeing. um there’s a clarity of trust with the people that he’s doing it with and I think that’s why you’re seeing him play the way that he is and I expect that to continue as long as you know he continues to just be who he is and our players around him do that week in and week out day in and day out. I was listening to your press conference driving home last night and you went to the the fine wine line again and said he could play for another but a goodie for some of these guys we’ve had. Man, keep keep using it. But my thought was uh he may play 10 more years but he’s never going to report to training camp again after the way this summer went. But then he steps to the podium and what does he do? He actually touts what Jimmy did for this team during training camp and then how badly it irritates him when he has a bad practice. That’s right. and that the go ball to Devonte only happens because he missed Devonte in practice this week and you looked at it on film and you talked about it because that play wasn’t necessarily a first look for Dvonte was you know I mean and he said it I mean he sees so much and he’s got such a big picture understanding of he was able to you know kind of peak the release and had a concept coming into his vision the post player was you know really cheating towards the the formation there wasn’t a lot of vertical grasp but like stuff that he’s able to see is incredible while still playing within the timing and rhythm and his understanding of the intent of these things that we’re trying to get off is it’s really special. But the game means a lot to him. And like you know, if you wonder why people love Matthew Stafford, look no further than the humility that he has, but also this quiet confidence and just kind of ease at how he moves. But um and I agree with him. I think it’s a tremendous credit to Jimmy. But to even acknowledge that just shows his overall awareness and what a special and rare person he is. I think a lot of people watching on TV saw that second half and they feel the Rams in command of that game. They’re like, “Why is Seawn still so upset with Matthew?” Like, what what are they what are they arguing about? It’s a lot of love. You know, we’re we we love each other enough and and I can get a little bit upset, but he knows, you know, the people you’re most comfortable with. But that was that was me being a basket case. But I I think it fits with the theme, right, where yeah, that game is is squared away and you’re not trying to run up the score, but you are chasing your best selves. And whether that’s out here at the practice field or in the second half against the Bucks, that’s all you’re after. There’s no question. And there was a different approach, but there was still, you know, an expectations of how I want to communicate. Um, I don’t like that. That doesn’t do anything to move us forward. When I get that way, I could do a better job with the clarity of communication, but I think we love each other enough to know that, hey, I’m I always will apologize. I’m not going to be perfect. And that was certainly an instance. I’m glad you did the TV catch that they did. Dang it. Something tells me Matthew gives as good as he takes. Oh. Oh, yeah. Well, that’s that’s Yeah, that’s exactly right. That’s why the headset is so funny because he can’t talk back to me in that thing. With that, let’s get to our film breakdown presented by Microsoft Surface Co-Pilot Plus PC where every day is game day. We’ve gotten this nice little rhythm of giving you a defensive play and an offensive play, Sean. And here’s another week where we cannot overlook the land shark, Kobe Durant, and his pick six. Yeah, incredible. You know, just taking advantage of an opportunity. You know, they they just dish the ball to the flat. good push and rush. He’s bobbling it and then he, you know, just does a great job taking it away. And then look at Cam Kitchens be able to have the juice. He and BY get out in front just shield him from Baker. He scores, you know, and this is, you know, just the joy that these guys have, but it’s rushing coverage. Um, it’s taking advantage of opportunities. You know, this is kind of, you say it’s lucky. Well, he’s bobbling it. This is a really reliable player in Attton, but you don’t miss your ops. And he rips it out. Unbelievable job by him. and he’s just had a knack and they kind of come in bunches and what a great feel and a great illustration of guys playing for one another just to be able to get out in front right here. Um, and then I’m I’m always loving watching the celebrations that these guys have and that they kind of choreograph with each other. It lets them know lets me know that they expect to be able to make these types of plays. This that this stadium was on fire when they ended up making this play. It was awesome. Yeah, even your quarterbacks throwing the the shark. That was cool. Uh Rams have a pick in four straight regular season games for the first time since 2018. And it wasn’t just that play though. It was the biggest highlight for Kobe. He had the early PBU on the deep shot. He blew up a perimeter screen. Like he’s doing it all for your secondary. He’s he’s playing complete, you know, and I think really, you know, Emanuel Forbes had a great game. D will made some great plays. Josh Wallace, you know, it’s a bummer for McCreary. He ended up getting his groin on the one play that he did play defensively or kind of felt it a little bit. But um those guys on the back seven played really well. I thought Cam Kens and Cam Curl were excellent. You want to see a great play, watch the screen play that Kens makes um on the third down and seven in the high red area. He’s a post player in the middle of the field and comes out of nowhere like he’s just, you know, like a human missile. And that was an incredible play by him. Let’s do one more. Kobe Parkinson has a touchdown three straight. Three weeks in a row, man. This is cool for Kobe. He’s played really well both phases, but excellent job here. You know, they kind of have a, you know, three over two type of deal. uh running a man coverage route on uh Levante David. They kind of got that safety flatfooted with 50 feet 5050 feet on the inside and he and Matthew on the same page just doing a great job of activating, you know, the window that we were trying to attack right there. But um big time play and awesome to see Warren with the spike. It’s a great spike by Warren. Um excellent execution, great protection up front and um you know, our our guys are really having an understanding of what we’re really trying to get done. Puka ties down that inside safety. Um, and now Kobe’s doing a great job of being able to run away from the leverage and and making a big play. I think he was four for four on his targets. Really good. And um, you know, the run game, he’s a stud, man. I’m happy for Kobe and really happy for our group as a whole. Another great play by Matthew. Great presence of mind by Parkinson to go get that football and give it to McClendon. Uh, he’s going to be our guest on the player show this week. Warren is Warren is. How’d he perform in his fourth start of the season? He’s done great. You know, Warren is, I mean, he’s playing really well. Um, he’s got such a cool, quieted confidence, a calm, and a poise, and he was outstanding. You know, I loved what I saw from Warren. One other tight end thought Davis Allen offrame catches. My goodness, he’s got those go- go gadget. Stole that one from somebody else. That was not intended for him on that play. Oh, really? No, that was uh but it was a great catch. He climbed the ladder. He showed his athleticism. It was great play on the screen. Davis is a stud. you know, those those tight ends are playing with a lot of confidence right now. Um, I think their coach, Scooter Huff, does such a great job, you know, and I give, you know, you talk about Matthew. Um, you know, Dave Ron and his relationship, you know, that that is a really cool thing to watch. Dave’s such a great coach, a great communicator. He’s so steady. And, um, you know, I I just, you know, I love seeing these guys have success. You talk about Warren, what a tremendous, you know, tribute to him and, you know, and and the coaches and, you know, they’re doing a great job. Rams tight ends with six touchdowns in the Rams last five games. You’re going to get 22 Atwell back this week. Some speed element over the top. Be great. You know, he’s been chomping at the bit. You know, we were probably just airing on the side of caution to put him on IR in the first place. Um he’ll be ready to go and then I’ll be uh looking forward to connecting with Reggie and kind of seeing what it looks like for Kella Witherspoon and hopefully we came out of this game clean. You know, meantime, Kate Mumfield stepping into more with X-Man also out of your rotation. And I mean that catch he made um Stafford almost threw it like a slider. He did. I mean he couldn’t have possibly seen Kannata. He just must have known where he might be. You know he’s just got a great feel. I thought both the catches that M had you know were excellent job by our offensive line and Matthew being able to read with his feet and be able to get through progressions. Um you know I thought those were elite examples of just highlevel quarterback play. M is a reliable guy and he knows the big picture of what we’re trying to get done. He’s able to play a bunch of different spots and I was happy for him to be able to have you know two huge conversions. The third down was outstanding and you know I think the other one was on kind of a second down situation where he wanted to get back on track and he did a great job on both those. You mentioned Forb’s name along the way there and when you take the field this Sunday at Carolina it will be exactly a year since he was waved by the Washington Commanders. Last night he faced seven targets, did not allow a catch, recorded a career-high p five passes defended. Um what can you say about the year he’s had and the way he’s grown within this season? It’s awesome. It’s such a tribute to um you know his work being around a coach in Aubry Pleasant that’ll really put your arm around you and you know tell you I love you and care about you and challenge you in the right ways. And I think you know his willingness uh to be open to allowing Aubrey to coach him hard because he knows first of all this guy loves me and cares about me. He believes in me. Um and I think he’s just consistently improving and growing and it’s awesome. you know, what a cool story. Uh, a great tribute and testament to his resolve, mental toughness, being in a situation where he’s around somebody special like Aubrey and his teammates. And, um, you know, want to continue to, you know, just, you know, do a great job of of continuing to grow. I think that’s the most important part of our group collectively, whether you talk about Forbes or just our team as a whole. I think the encouraging thing when you look at the film, man, there’s still so much room for growth. And I think our guys understand that and they got the appropriate amount of humility, but also there’s a confidence and the swagger that’s earned week in and week out. And um and I think they’re starting to understand that. Humility is an interesting word because I remember Emanuel saying that he thinks he’s as fast as Tutu. Yeah. But at the end of that first half, I think he got a dose of humility. Yeah. I think, you know, I think he just ran out of gas. I I was telling you before the show, he looked like me on the open 400 down the backstretch, man. And I looked pretty good through those first 300 and then the uh the truck jumped on my back. But uh he was awesome. Did a great job right there. And uh hey still got it the pick right there. Yeah, he’s hitting. We talked about Durant’s hits. You talked about Kinchin’s Cam Curl, man. The way that he is lighting offensive players on fire. He shed that block on a on the toss play to Tez Johnson. I mean, he is arriving with violence. Yeah, I think the coolest thing about that one is he’s so violent. He’s a great open field tackler. He’s so tough at the point of attack. He’s got great range in the intermediate and deep parts of the field as well. But what’s cool about that is is if you look at that play that you’re talking about, unbelievable effort and it and it was two plays, you know, they had there was one play in between where he ended up not making a tackle that he’s accustomed to making and it’s always about that response. This guy is a stud. Um he’s so tough. He’s doing a great job communicating. He has a really great understanding. He’s he’s a really smart football player with a big picture acumen. and that was a great play by him, but he’s made a lot of those over the course of this year. I’ll preface this by saying on this show we like pressures and picks more than sacks. Yes, agreed. Fine. But it was nice to get the sacks back in the column, especially for someone like Kobe Turner or Jared Verse, both of whom were due. You It was They both did a great job. I thought they played relentless throughout the course of the night. Um it was cool to be able to see both of those guys get, you know, the the production. So, I was happy for them, but I thought they influenced and impacted the game. Not exclusive to those two sacks that they got. um you know, but just overall and their effort. We talked about honoring AD with the way that we played, you know, collectively as a team and I thought the guys did that. I love what you said cuz I felt the same way that as special as his championship season was that Aaron played 22 and 23 and weathered that storm and passed that baton to so many of that members of that group. Really special. Yeah. I mean, he’s he’s had just such a tremendous impact and influence on, you know, what is a, you know, kind of a new iteration, you know, in our organization, but he set the foundation and guys like Kobe and by got to see it um firsthand. You know, guys like Aello and Kobe, you know, Quinton Lake, they were all here as well. So, I think it’s pretty special to have, you know, seen the way that he moves, what he’s about, and uh how much he impacted a lot of the cool things that are going on right now. I was thinking about that with respect to Turner, right? is he, you know, he played alongside and then without Aaron and now with Puna. How has his role in the context of this year’s defensive front changed? You know, I just think he’s naturally asserted and ascended into, you know, this great leader that’s himself. You know, he’s I think the the great people that you’re around, you learn from him and you take parts of them, but you still want to be authentically yourself. Um, that’s exactly who he is. He is so refreshingly secure in himself. Um, but I think he’s just naturally consistently grown into he’s he’s been a great player from his rookie year, but he’s getting better because of the way he works at it. And then I think he’s figuring out um and just has a good feel to be able to pick and choose his spots when how to be able to, you know, lead in his way that’s authentic to him. And uh he’s a stud. Speaking of leadership, why was it important to you and to the Los Angeles Rams to get Nate Lamb Man extended in the middle of this season? Yeah, I I think you know because he was a guy that that had earned it and he had shown the way that he had led and uh connected with his teammates and his coaches and the way that he was impacting things in a positive way that this was a smart thing. Matthew Sharon and and Ean deserve a ton of credit as Tony Pastors and um I’m really happy for him and and I think the great thing about him is is when you see the responses from his teammates when they see that go down um you know that it’s the right decision to kind of reward people that are deserving of it. when you see how authentically happy guys are that uh that represent a lot of the things that we want to be about. Really happy for Nate. All right, I have a story to relay. Comes from our good friend DeMarco Far who can spin a tail. So, I don’t know how accurate this is, but this is what he told us on air yesterday. Okay, that uh MAS came out and got checked by the uniform guys, you know, the uniform police that are down there pregame. Apparently, they were set to find him for not having all the pads that are required for a defensive lineman wearing number 92. Okay. until they realized he was the kicker. Do you think that’s got a shot to be true to be accurate? Yeah, I do. I do. I I could see that, man. You know, sometimes you’re not sure. He He could He could double down as that. We’ll keep him uh you know, it was really cool by him. He did a great job uh consistent on the extra points again and then to be able to hit two field goals, one from 40, one from 52. Um Meas did good, man. But you’re not going to use him at three technique. We’re not going to use him at three technique. We’ll keep him kicking it right between the uprights. Three points is fine. Uh it is Thanksgiving week of course. Um and I wonder how you handle first of all the holiday schedule going on the road to Carolina with the team this week. Yeah, really what you do is uh you just move things up on Thursday. So you have an accelerated day so guys can get time with their families. Um still think it’s important you know that is so important to get the appropriate time with their families but want to make sure that all right are we able to adjust and adapt but still be able to get the work that’s needed to be able to do what we want to try to be able to do or give ourselves the best chance to do that on Sunday against the Panthers. So really the only adjustment that we make is we kind of accelerate and move up to Thursday, but that’s an important day in our work rhythm and hopefully we won’t have rain this week. That’s right. It’s a good point. Although I heard you practice pretty well in that rain. Um the Rams have the longest Thanksgiving game drought in the league. Haven’t played on that holiday since 75. Would you like to play on Thanksgiving? You know what? I I whatever the schedule is, I I don’t worry about the things that are a little bit outside of my control. So if we had to play on Thanksgiving, great. If not, we’ll still enjoy uh you know what we’ve been doing. very disciplined answer by you. I appreciate it. How about your sense of gratitude this holiday season? Yeah. Uh you know, just people in my life, you know, the the the players, the coaches, my wife and family. Um you know, I just have a lot to be thankful for. Uh but most importantly, you know, as it relates to just being here, I’ve said it before, you know, it’s a it’s a real blessing to be able to be around a lot of people that your motivation is I don’t want to let you down. Want to consistently try to do right by them. Um they inspire me to want to be better and uh my cup’s always full for that reason. You’re a blessing to us too, man. Thank you for your time and for everything you’ve done for the Rams. Have a great Thursday um and Sunday in Carolina. Let’s do it. All right, for Sean McVey, JB Long, thank you for joining us. Wishing you a happy Thanksgiving as well. This is the Coach McVey Show presented by Microsoft Surface Co-Pilot Plus PC.

Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay sits down with J.B. Long on The Coach McVay Show to discuss defensive end Kobie Turner’s evolving leadership, inside linebacker Nate Landman’s hard work leading to a contract extension, and wide receiver Tutu Atwell’s expected return this Sunday against the Carolina Panthers.

0:00 Intro
0:23 Recapping win vs. Buccaneers
0:55 Davante Adams having fun with the Rams
1:42 Building a joyful environment
2:51 How to handle success
3:53 Matthew Stafford’s MVP contention
7:24 Sunday’s expectations
8:27 Film Breakdown: Cobie Durant’s pick-six
9:41 Defensive backs room
10:26 Film Breakdown: Colby Parkinson TD
11:30 Warren McClendon’s development
11:45 Davis Allen & tight end confidence
12:30 Tutu Atwell’s return
12:48 Konata Mumpfield’s great catches
13:32 Emmanuel Forbes Jr.’s progress this year
15:18 Kam Curl’s biggest plays
16:04 Kobie Turner & Jared Verse’s sacks
16:38 Aaron Donald’s impact on the organization
17:16 Kobie Turner’s role on defense
18:01 Nate Landman’s contract extension
18:43 Harrison Mevis’ great field goal kicks
19:33 Holiday schedule on the road
20:11 Playing on Thanksgiving
20:33 Gratitude this season

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