Mike LaFleur, Chris Shula & Chase Blackburn Talk To The Media After Third Day Of Training Camp

Mike LaFleur, Chris Shula & Chase Blackburn Talk To The Media After Third Day Of Training Camp

uh saying what do you what do you need to see from Nate or Croy or whoever it may be to Yeah and and we really you know having Omar kind of come on late at the end of the year and all he’s done is just progress. I mean, he was in the facility every day this off seasonason then. Nathan Landman’s just a guy. He comes from some similar language in Atlanta and obviously uh Jimmy Lake was with him who’s now with us now. So, he has a lot of familiarity. So, it really feels like, you know, it doesn’t, you know, it feels like we got guys that can communicate and kind of get the defense set. But, uh, yeah, you know, Roseboom’s one of my guys, you know, was with him when he when he came out and, uh, you know, when he was just a special teamer and practice well guy to when he didn’t. So, he had an awesome year last year. So, it’s going to be a huge hole to fill. Chris, how do you explain the balance that you got? A lot of continuity, a lot of different guys build for sure. How do you describe the balance of same but new? Yeah, it’s um it’s a really good question because you you never want to rest on what you did last year or anything like that and you always want to start from square one, but at the same time, you know, there is a definite definitely a knowledge of hey, we have been in the system. We kind of know what some of these guys can do. they’ve played together a lot more. We’ve been in some different situations. So, you’re really trying to build off that, but at the same time, it’s it’s square one. You don’t step skip any steps. You know, first day of camp, still the first day of camp, and we’re going to start from square one and build from there. What are early impressions? No pads yet, but just forward going back to spring through first. He’s been awesome. Um, he’s been what we hoped and more. Um, really like him. Really like him in the Dline room. you know, he’s quiet outside the room, but in there you can tell uh they got a great uh rapport, especially with Kobe, uh Fisk, TD, those guys. And uh yeah, he’s been really impressive so far. So excited to see what him and uh pads here. What about year two Jared first kind of coming in? What do you see if anything different from when he came in as a rookie? Yeah, I think it’s like, you know, I think we all just know each other a lot more. Um you know, he understands the defense more. He understands, you know, when he can take his playoffs. um he’s a guy that really likes to be coached hard and um when your best players like to be coached hard, you know, I think that sets the culture for the whole defense. So, um he’s a guy that, you know, we try to hold accountable for playing within the scheme of the defense and playing hard every single play and he’s a guy that wants to be held accountable to do that. So, um you know, it’s fun just seeing him kind of take a growth and take a step more of a leadership role and more of a vocal role. U you know, Mike Hoy was, you know, kind of the voice in that room last year. Um, so him and BY have kind of combined, they kind of take those those roles because they’ve played so much football. Does it surprise you at all that his reaction to the workout with Aaron Donald to say, “I need to make my workout tighter now?” No, not at all. I mean, have you seen Aaron Donald? You know, so no, not at all. What stands out about the autonomy that Sean gives you and Mike and and Chase just in terms of having that continuity and familiarity at each of those uh positions on the coaching staff, season over season? Yeah, I mean it’s it’s cool to kind of, you know, take the whole off season and, you know, I always think you don’t coach in the NFL, you just you live in the NFL. So like I could be at Sean’s h we could be at work talking about our families or I could be at Sean’s house, we could be talking about defensive scheme. You just never know what’s going on. So we’ve really had u um a lot of time this offseason to kind of clean up a lot of the stuff from last year, you know, kind of over clean up some of the language and he’s just he’s just an awesome resource. seen those our defense as good as anybody and he’s an awesome resource whether to um have suggestions or kind of bounce stuff off him or or you know language or different things like that or hey this is what the offense is seeing this is what you know may hurt offenses so um you know it’s just been non-stop communication it’s been fun I guess what I more what I mean is just what what does that trust allow you to do in terms of yeah it allows me to be myself and uh you know we had a big talk you know we were struggling going into the buy last year and uh you you know, it was like just be yourself. What’d you do at John Carroll? You know, when I was deco my first year at John Carroll, like what exactly would you do? And uh you know, that kind of resonated with me and um you know, and and I know he’s got my back. He’s always believed in me and uh you know, that’s a big feeling when you when you feel safety like that as a coach when you’re not out walking on eggshells. If you make a call or do this defense or you make a mistake, um you know, allows you to be a lot freer and we want our players to play like that, too. Byron said he could tell that you felt like you had a better grip on just like what props are available for which pieces of the defense. Like how did that familiarity with your personnel influence like the way you approach this off season? Yeah, everything’s about the players. So, you know, we’re going to build a foundational scheme that, you know, can evolve and adapt to the teams that we’re playing, but it’s always going to be based around what our guys can do. So, um I think we know in the back of our head certain things that our guys can do best and, uh, you know, we’re going to try and put them in those guys positions. And what’s really fun is, you know, now him, you know, by and verse and those guys kind of understand what we’re trying to accomplish and they can come up with suggestions. So, it’s just like we’re working with each other all the time to put them in the best spots. Does Quinton make play defense? Oh, he he’s the lynch pin. I mean, he’s everything. Uh um you know, communicator. He moves around. Um he can really be he allows us, how I like to say it, he allows us always to get our best guys on the field. Um he can play nickel. He you know these days a lot of times when you are playing nickel you you get put in the run field. You’re almost like a linebacker sometimes in a 4-3 defense and he does that. Then the next thing he’s covering a slot receiver and then the next thing he’s now he’s deep playing middle of the post safety. Now he’s playing at half field. He does all these different techniques and I think he’s one of the best tacklers on the team but I think he’s probably one of the most underrated physical players in the league. And um he’s always been one of our best tacklers and he’s and he’s been one of our best communicators. Smart. you can do a lot of stuff with him just because you know you’re not going to overload him, you know, and he’s going to get everybody right around him. So, in addition, I think he makes the guys around him play better, too. A lot of talk about the defense this offse. What makes you so confident that, you know, not adding somebody to this unit is, you know, the right thing to do and that they’re going to be successful? Yeah, I mean, we we really like our guys. Um, you know, we thought we had, you know, with as far as D will and getting Aello back and, you know, Jacobe had an awesome game in playoffs versus Minnesota and I think you saw what D will and Aello did. And then as far as, you know, bringing in Emanuel Forbes, he’s been excellent. There’s a lot of depth in that room. There’s other guys there that uh maybe didn’t get as much playing time that are kind of lingering in the background that have done an awesome job as well. So, you know, we’re pretty excited about them. We’re really excited about them, I should say. And uh, you know, we really like what they bring to our defense. What does Go ahead. What does having Devonte on the other side do for you guys as a defense? Yeah, he’s he he’s scary. You know, it’s nice right now when it uh you know, right now you’re not really kicking yourself as a coach, you know, when he’s isolated on a you know, on a third down or a critical down, you know, you know, in training camp rules, but uh yeah, when it when it uh when the lights come on, um it’s scary. He definitely he’s definitely something you got to be aware of where he’s at every single play. Awesome. Last one. Obviously, you’ve had eight seasons with the Rams. You’ve had Aaron Donald for so many seasons now. Jared versus entering his second season. I know versus his own I would say a player, but what is the biggest resemblance that you that you see in that kind of resembles Donald? They work hard and love to be coached hard and they love football. Um, it’s really easy and guys that do that and Aaron Donald was like that. He was the hardest worker on the team. He led the defense. He held guys accountable for playing hard and uh you know Verse has obviously taken steps in that direction and and that’s exactly where he’s at. Awesome. Thanks guys. Appreciate it. How’s it? Good. Real good. Here we are. Um what’s it been like? We I know we talked to you about having Devonte in the mix during OTAAS, but now out in training camp, what have you seen and what do you think he’s adding to the offense? Obviously, his his numbers and his career are speaking for itself. You know, I just he’s in such great shape physically. He’s in such great shape mentally. You know, you can just He’s just having fun being out here. And um it’s training camp. We haven’t put the pads on or anything like that, so it still has resemblance of OTAAS obviously, but uh you know, when you get just even a little bit closer, you get through the summer, you can see the guys just obviously just, you know, kicks up a little bit and uh he’s in such a good spot. He he it’s like he’s been here the whole time, you know, so it’s uh it’s great to have him. What are the early impressions of TJ Hunters? Uh another pro, right? I mean, he’s played a lot of good football. have uh unfortunately but fortunately you know uh have been against him quite a bit in this division you know for what feels like I guess seven years now six years um so a lot of respect for him as a player never knew him as a person until we uh you know got him and really we got him so late that in the summer you didn’t know you know I didn’t know who he was and then uh and then just this these last few days really getting to know him and he’s a he’s a professional it’s awesome to have him you have such a deep tight end room now I was curious what your reaction and thoughts of Terrence Ferguson first few days. Yeah, just uh you know, off of what he was doing in OTAAS. Um it’s just not too big for him, you know, he just has that look in his eye and and uh real smart kid schematically. I mean, picked it up no problem in the spring and then just kind of the review as as we’ve done these last few days. Really picked up right where he left off in terms of schematics. And then it’s just going to be, you know, every single day just building and stacking uh you know, and getting used to the speed of this game. And it’ll be great to get the pads on for all these rookies, for all the guys, but but the rookies, you know, um having those pads on and playing ball for a month, playing in the preseason, stuff like that leading up to September. But really impressed with them. Do you guys look at for some of the rookies like that that go from a long college season, combine, draft, everything? They don’t get the normal break. Does that play an effect how you I I’ve told, you know, especially when I was a position coach, but I tell the rookies all the time, guys, it’s the longest year of probably your professional career. And I’m I’m obviously college as well because it’s exactly what you said. You go in college, I mean they they start practice all summer, right? So he plays that last year at Oregon. Um obviously they go to the college football playoff and then when they’re done he has to get ready to train to get ready for the combine for his pro day for whatever visits. Then you get drafted. Then you come, you got a whole new playbook and you got a few weeks off, but you take a few weeks off. Now you’re going to be behind physically. So it’s just like you tell those guys, yeah, you think you have five, six weeks off before training camp. You can’t stop. Wait until next February. I promise it’ll pay off where you can finally take a deep breath. But uh that’s just the life of a rookie. I mean, it is what it is. And you know, I think all of them would would take that. Yeah. What stands out about the amount of trust and autonomy and responsibility that Shawn gives you and you know, Chris and Chase and and how does that help you be a better coach? Yeah, I mean um really appreciate, you know, how much trust he has in all of us. And it’s not just us coordinators. It’s all, you know, all of us, the staff and and really the players in the organization, you know. Um there’s a reason this place is has been what it’s been for for nine years now. It starts with his leadership and and you know, ownership and and less and um Tony and Demoff and all that. It’s it’s such a collaborative group and you know, uh feel very fortunate that he has that trust in us. But again, it’s um it’s uh you know, it starts with his leadership and it’s been great. How how much of a luxury is it just for you guys with Stafford out to have someone of Jimmy’s experience to be able to pass? Yeah, the show goes on when we’re out here, right? I mean, he’s a he’s a proven very very good quarterback in this league. Obviously, I have a huge history with him. Um I’ve always loved Jimmy as a person. I’ve always loved his game and respected his game. Um, you know, obviously now going into year two, he knows this locker room and, uh, the guys don’t blink when he’s out there because he has command of that huddle and, uh, you know, and the coolest part, and I’ve I’ve been on record saying this, he’s got Matthew’s back at a level that is so awesome, you know. So, he wants Matthew to be out here in the worst way, just like we all do. But until then, um, you know, he’s just going to go do what Jimmy does. Sean has said that he wants, uh, more versatile offense this year. What’s been your role in in kind of implementing it and teaching that? Yeah, I don’t know. I mean, my role is my role, right, as the offensive coordinator just with installs and stuff like that and scripts and getting the guys ready to to practice every day and building the foundation and all that. No different than it was a year ago. Um, you know, and so every year you’re just trying to evolve, you know, what what kind of team do we have? What kind of roster we have? We got the, like we just said, the the plethora of of tight ends right there and how do we utilize that? So, you know, again, we we have um I think a a thoughts of what this offense is going to look like, but every year it’s not exactly the way that you think it’s going to look like. You know, the amount of work we put in the spring, obviously, in training camp, you know, it’ll it’ll organically um you know, come together as we get going, but u I like where we’re at. Couple more. What’s the vision for Blake Corum and how can he get on the field more? Yeah, you know, I think uh Blake, like a lot of these guys, uh put a lot of time in from, you know, when we got done in January to where he’s at right now. So, he’s uh you know, he came in, he’s in I I don’t want to say better shape. He just has another year of of working and and getting better and working on what he needed to improve. And he’s in a great place. The best part about Blake, very good football player, but the best part about Blake, his mindset’s right. You know, he’s just attacking it. He’s worried about himself. Again, for backs, wait till you put the pads on and and you get tackled and stuff like that. That’s when you really see it. But, uh, again, love where Blake’s at. What’s unique about the skill set that Xavier Smith? You know, you guys saw the plays he made, whether it be obviously versus Vegas having that awesome 25 yardd run going across Seattle, the last game of the year. I mean, he was putting some tough situations behind the line of scrimmage with some uh some of the stuff we were doing and making, you know, little or, you know, making nothing into something. Um, obviously the return for San Francisco and in, uh, what would that be, week three, um, that set up, uh, that last, you know, game-winning drive, whatnot. But, um, the other thing that’s about him is he’s got a violence about him when he has the ball in his hand, whether it be in the return game or or obviously on offense. So, he’s another guy that, uh, you just root for because uh, one, he’s got a good skill set, too, he’s tough, but he’s always got a great demeanor about himself, great smile on his face, and really attacks us. He he he loves this game. We’re going to see a lot we’re going to see a lot of stances in August. Where has he come from where last where he was last year and what kind of progress do you see from that guy? I almost don’t want to tell you. I almost want you to see it for yourself. But uh no, I’m so happy for him. You know, he’s in uh again know I’m speaking volumes about all these guys, but it’s how I really feel. But uh he’s in such a good place mentally, and when you’re in such a good place mentally, you can now allow your physical abilities to take, you know, uh hold. And so, um, again, I’ve, like I’ve said, I think Dave Rickone and the rest of the quarterbacks have done such an awesome job with Stson, um, along the way. And again, ultimately, it’s it was on Stson to get to where he wants to be. And I think, um, he’s right where he should be. I’m super excited to watch him through August, particularly in those preseason games, but just every day, and, uh, he’s just getting better and better. I I think he’s had two really impressive days. Hey, coach. Uh, last one, guys. Question for you is obviously the NFC West is such a tough division. Every team including you guys can score points and then kind of handle the hammer on the defense. I mean, what is the tone that you want to set in your second year here? Is it kind of modify what you did last year or kind of keep keep the keep the same I would say philosophy that you have? Yeah, I don’t you know the tone is just to keep stacking days and building on our foundation. Like to answer your question, u NFC West is tough, but it’s not really our concern right now. We’re concerned about us. We open with Houston. Really not even concerned about them right now, right? We just got we’re worried about oursel uh stacking days, being as good as we can can be competing against each other. You know, we have a hard enough time going against our defense right now, right? And uh and blocking those guys. So, um which is fun. It’s great competition out there through two days again. We’ll get through tomorrow. It’ll be a great day. We’ll get back. We’ll finally be able to put on the pads and we’ll see how good we can get leading up into September. And that’s really our only focus. And everything else is just, you know, we’ll take it week to week and go from there. All right, guys. Thank you. Early impressions of Smith. Yeah, I think first and foremost I think you feel really confident with both of them. Um, obviously they both have experience in games and have put a lot of good stuff on tape and so it’s going to be a great competition with the, you know, slightly updated kickoff rules. Do you still feel like you’re kind of experimenting with how those things look compared to like this time last year? um a little less because I think you have a little bit more data to go off of and then you know there’s some with the kick and some with like in your coverage about maybe running some different things and getting the ball on the ground in different ways or you know maybe some gap schemes in the return game which we experimented with last year and um but yeah I think you have a better grip upon it. Um just the one thing will be obviously there’s going to be more kicks covered. I think when I think you can we thought that last year didn’t quite come to fruition, but with the new touchback I think that’s going to be that more prevalent. Safety was kind of a big focus for that rule change. Have you seen that come through in your opinion? Yeah, I mean that all the data that we got from from the safety commission was positive. So, I think took a lot of long speed yardage off of guys, high-speed collisions, things of that nature and and it uh showed up. Doesn’t look like there are a ton of roster spots on this team overall in terms of like you know really up for grabs. How does that affect your job as as a special team coordinator when you know a lot of the guys who are going to be on the team? Does is that good or is it bad? I think there’s still you you could say that every year and you know there’s always things that happen. There’s injuries that occur during training camp. You don’t ever want preseason games, things like that. a lot of things sort themselves out a little bit, but you also never want to take away from those guys that are fighting and competing because you can find really good players that are going to come in here and have a chance to to operate if you give them the opportunity. And so, um, I think that’s kind of what you have to do. I mean, one thing is a lot of guys, like you said, have those reps and so you may not need to see quite as much of them to get a better evaluation of some other guys that you haven’t seen. And so, that’s it’s kind of where that changes a little bit. What strides have you seen from Josh Cardi in his first NFL offseason? Say that one more side. What strides have you seen from Josh Cardi in his first NFL offseason? I think the comfortability just of having the reps um being in those moments, having the same uh snapper and the holder. Um the confidence that’s built in the offseason together um training camp together going through it and having those knowing that he has the confidence and the the complete trust of all his teammates too. So, I think that’s that always helps. Going back to returner with Xavier and Brit, what did you see out of that position last year? What was your evaluation of it that led you to believe that competition was something that would benefit that spot? I think we’re always trying to strive for competition. I don’t know that that was any one thing or you know, anything like that. I thought Xavier did a really good job. Obviously had a lot of value in a different lot of different roles too of being kick returner, gunner, um punt returner, playing on kickoff, making tackles. So, I think there’s some versatility and things that he showed outside of just the return position. Um, when you look at the the career that Cubby’s had and and I’ve studied him for a long time, he’s one of the guys that I had highly rated coming out of college and free agency and different things. So, I think just in general, you want to make your football team better. And so, ironing sharp sharpening iron is the best way to do it. And I guess beyond that, just what stands out about the trust that um Sean puts in you and Mike and Chris in terms of responsibility do your jobs? Yeah, I think that’s it’s shown daily. Uh he talks about modeling the way and he does that really well with with us and being um experts in our own position groups and what we’re doing and what was expected of us and handling situations and running things in an efficient effective manner. And when that means me and coach Kotwa are together or we break up in certain groups and then I can deviate and put some onus on him to get certain things coached up. Having a guy like him that has a lot of experience coaching in this league at a high level and being a coordinator is huge and so you can develop a lot of trust there and and kind of divvy up the work a little bit. Good. All right. Thank you. Thank you.

Los Angeles Rams offensive coordinator Mike LeFleur, defensive coordinator Chris Shula, and special teams coordinator Chase Blackburn address the media at Training Camp sponsored by UNIFY Financial Credit Union.

00:00 Chris Shula
07:34 Mike LeFleur
16:29 Chase Blackburn

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