On this episode of the Coach McVay Show, Sean McVay joins J.B. Long and D’Marco Farr to break down Sunday’s games against the Baltimore Ravens. McVay discusses positive takeaways coming off a close game against a good Baltimore Ravens team, gives the latest updates on Rams injuries coming out of Week 14, and looks ahead to Sunday's Week 15 matchup against the Washington Commanders.
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:04):
Hello everyone, and welcome back to the Coach mcveaih Show,
presented by Microsoft Surface.
Speaker 2 (00:08):
I'm JB.
Speaker 1 (00:08):
Long with Tomarco Farr and the head coach of your
Los Angeles Rams, Sean McVeigh. They're home for two two
games in five days, in fact that Sofi Stadium, Washington
and New Orleans coming up. But we'll review the trip
to Baltimore first. And it's been a little quiet around
here on this Monday. I understand you gave the players
a couple extra hours to regroup for what's the head
down the stretch.
Speaker 3 (00:26):
It was a long trip back, you know, we didn't
get back until late. Thought it was important to get
them in here, get them, you know, a lift in
their treatment, and then be able to get them out.
I thought they competed hard, did a lot of really
good things, some things that we can definitely learn from.
But I thought the most important thing was let's get
them rested, rejuvenated, bring them back Wednesday, make the necessary corrections,
(00:48):
and let's focus our energy on Washington.
Speaker 4 (00:51):
You know, it's a hell of a hell of a
way to win a game on a punt return, but
I thought, and it's crazy, I said this during the broadcast.
Speaker 2 (00:58):
Here we are sitting watching this.
Speaker 4 (01:00):
Young team grow up, and you took them to Baltimore
and here they are going those to those one of
the best teams in the league.
Speaker 2 (01:06):
I mean, that's something.
Speaker 4 (01:06):
Even though it's not the results you wanted, you have
to be pleased with that sort of effort and what
you saw.
Speaker 3 (01:11):
Yeah, I was proud of a lot of things, and
you know, but that's what we expected of this team.
They've earned the right to feel confident to go in
and play the way that they did. And I thought
there was a lot of really good things that we
can move on and be able to use, you know,
to our benefit as we try to finish up the
season the right way. And then there's some things that
we'll be able to clean up, all of which is correctable.
(01:31):
But to put yourself in those positions is such a
credit to our players, and I think there's plays that
we could have made to be able to change the
outcome of the game.
Speaker 5 (01:39):
It didn't go down the way that we wanted it to.
Speaker 3 (01:41):
But it is always about your response, and that's the
most important thing. It's okay to be frustrated, to be
pissed off, because you come that close and you felt
like you, you know, did enough things to really put
yourself in a position where you're closing out that game.
And I know coaches and players feel that way, But
let's channel our energy in the right direction.
Speaker 1 (02:00):
We always focus on the three three and a half
hours that decide outcomes, but yesterday reminded me of just
how much work goes into the week to get on
that plane and have that disposition and that game plan
to take on a team like the Ravens. How pleased
were you with the week of preparation and anticipation of
week four two?
Speaker 3 (02:14):
I was really pleased, and I was pleased with the
way that our guys handled the ebbs and flows of
the game. I mean, you're talking about nine lead changes,
you're talking about overcoming a lot of adversity. You're talking
about just being able to be in the moment playoff
on one another. And they did that and they stayed connected,
and that is a great atmosphere and environment. That's as
complete a football team as there is in the National
Football League. And our guys know that they're capable of
(02:37):
playing at that level. But we got to be able
to finish those types of games. But again, I'll keep
saying it over and over again. As frustrating as that is,
that game's over with and we can't allow the Ravens
to beat us twice.
Speaker 2 (02:48):
I've been to that stadium a few times. I've never
heard it so quiet.
Speaker 4 (02:52):
I mean, you did exactly what you needed to do
to take the crowd out of the game and win
the football game. It's just like you said, the result
wasn't what you wanted, soving forward. You're a quarterback, unreal.
You can tell he's back to health, and the way
he's timing some of those deep balls. Seeing Cooper cup
come underneath those, I mean, wow, sky's the limit when
you have a quarterback playing like that.
Speaker 3 (03:12):
Yeah, he's playing really well. I think he's seeing the
field excellent. I think he's doing a great job of
getting a variety of different playmakers involved. I think we're
at our best when the ball gets spread around and
had some crucial and critical you know, handling of blitz
situations or where he's getting pressure and throwing some balls
off a drift. It's great to be able to see
Cooper make his plays. Pooka got involved, and then DeMarcus Robinson,
(03:34):
you know, Davis Allen obviously, but Matthew was was leading
the charge and he had great command all.
Speaker 2 (03:40):
Day, great catches everywhere. Yeah, oh my god.
Speaker 4 (03:43):
The one with Puka when he laid out, I mean, geez,
come on, man, really circus catch after circus catch?
Speaker 3 (03:48):
Absolutely no, and guys, you know they play for each other.
I think that's really powerful. But that was a big
time played by Puka to be able to, you know,
get us down in the in the red area and
then ultimately to be able to punch that in with
the Marcus to take the lead.
Speaker 5 (04:01):
There's a huge play for us.
Speaker 1 (04:02):
You and Matthew have both talked about how hard he
went to work this offseason on some of his biomechanics,
like being nimble in and around the pocket. Is he
playing as well manipulating the pocket with his athleticism at
thirty five as maybe he ever has in his career.
Speaker 3 (04:15):
I think he's definitely shown examples of that, and I
think he's feeling good. I mean, you look at the
touchdown to DeMarcus Robinson where he's up, he's up and
then he's back out of the pocket. He's being able to,
you know, just be able to buy himself a little
bit extra time on certain things when the pocket or
the protection does break down a little bit, and think
he's doing a really good.
Speaker 2 (04:34):
Job with that nine runs to start the game.
Speaker 5 (04:36):
That's how restriction runs, you know.
Speaker 3 (04:39):
Yeah, yeah, and he should have kept running it really probably,
but you know, they did a good job. I thought
Kyron saw the holes really well. He's such a tough,
physical runner. He's got great vision. I thought the guys were,
you know, being able to stay connected. It was a
bummer to be able to lose Hunter long. I thought
he was playing really well early on in that game.
He and Robert are big, big time players for us,
(04:59):
and and really Rob especially, but then also Hunter. It
was great to be able to see him get some
confidence play well, and I hated.
Speaker 5 (05:07):
For him that he ended up getting injured on the punt.
What's the's an MCL will be out for the rest
of the year.
Speaker 2 (05:12):
Oh man, Yeah, that's Barmer. Yeah and Rob.
Speaker 3 (05:15):
Rob's a groin, so you know, those are those are
fickle injuries, as we all know. And whether he's available
this week or not, you know, we'll just take it
a day at a time with him. But if there's
anybody that's going to turn over quickly, it'll be him.
He was trying to come back in the game, but
you know the surface and the way that you need
to be able to play.
Speaker 5 (05:31):
And I thought Joe.
Speaker 3 (05:32):
Noapum did a nice job stepping in in his absence.
But you know, we we love it when Rob's out there.
He makes such a big difference.
Speaker 1 (05:39):
And Davis Allen stepping in for those injured tight ends.
Had a career day, kind of like the preseason when
he stepped into his own light. Seems like his future
is very bright.
Speaker 3 (05:46):
Yeah, he did a really good job. I think there
you know, I mean, you look at it. I want
to say. Nick Kayley said he had to combine just
under forty snaps and all the games combined going into
that game, and then he plays over fifty yesterday, and
so he got a lot of experience in a short
amount of time. One of the things you can feel
when you watch him it's not too big for him.
He's been in a lot of big time games at Clemson.
(06:06):
Made four big time catches for us. They were all
really critical plays for us. I thought he did some
good things in the run game and in protection and
some things we can improve upon. But I love his
game day demeanor. He's got great soft hands, he's got
a great feel for the game. He's gonna be a
good football player.
Speaker 2 (06:20):
What was that one in the middle of the field?
Speaker 5 (06:22):
Sea route catch team route.
Speaker 3 (06:24):
It was a great, great connection by he and Matthew
right there versus the blitz, and Matthew recognized it and
did a great job at delivering a big time throw.
Speaker 4 (06:32):
That's a ten degree of difficulty. Nice catch, great catch, unbelievable.
How do you olne you the big the button got?
Speaker 5 (06:37):
You did good? You know, I mean you look at it.
Speaker 3 (06:39):
That defense is loaded. You know they're they're they're loaded.
They're really well coached. They play excellent on all three levels,
and you see why. A lot of the accolades that
they've received are earned and come with a lot of merit.
And and when you feel their presence, you know they've
they've got some really disruptive guys.
Speaker 5 (06:56):
I thought the line did a nice job.
Speaker 3 (06:58):
I think there's some things, like I've said and say
it over and over again, we can always improve starts
with myself. But I thought they competed hard. I thought
they were ready to go. I thought they had the
right look in their eye. And then there was some
good production in both phases that we can move forward.
Speaker 1 (07:12):
With three explosive touchdowns going the other way as some
guys got lose for the Baltimore Ravens. Russian cover go
hand to hand though, So when you say like the
secondary had a tough day of it, was that true
or was it really some breakdowns getting to the quarterback
and finishing those rushes as well?
Speaker 3 (07:26):
You know, it's always about team defense. There was some
uncharacteristic communication errors, and I think that's going to be
really the theme for our team, you know, and I
take you know, I think that starts with us, you know,
to see some of those things occur.
Speaker 5 (07:40):
We've got to do a better job.
Speaker 3 (07:42):
Starts with me and then really with the coaches and
then echoes down to the players because we got the
right kind of guys. They're so conscientious, they're so thoughtful
and making sure that we're on the screws with just
you know, final coverage matchups. What are the types of
different coverage contours and pressures that we're trying to bring.
Same thing on the offensive side, whether it's IDEP protection,
get the cadence off my communication into Matthew. I thought
(08:03):
there was some things that we can do a better
job of overall. But I got a lot of confidence
in our defense JV. I thought they made a lot
of really good plays, but those plays that you alluded
to were some uncharacteristic breakdowns that that we'll clean up
and we'll fix moving forward.
Speaker 4 (08:18):
There's some big plays, but there's a lot of good
ones in there versus the run. Lamar had to be
special to get out a few times. I mean, there's
some good plays on deficulse.
Speaker 5 (08:26):
There was you know, it's a heavyweight fight.
Speaker 3 (08:27):
I mean, you're gonna take your shots, and how you
respond is the most important thing. And you know, I
love the way that they ended up forcing the three
and out in the first overtime and and then offensively,
you get the ball and you got a chance to
be able to go create and we just didn't do enough.
And then ultimately the game ends on a punt return.
But there was a back and forth slug fest. There
was a lot of good responses. There's a lot of
(08:48):
things that we can clean up, but you know, you
give credit to a really good team. They forced some
of those errors in communication, but those are things that
I have tremendous confidence and our coaches and our players
and you know, really myself for us to be able
to get that stuff cleaned up.
Speaker 1 (09:01):
Quentin Lake back this week to kind of complete that
mix in the back end.
Speaker 3 (09:04):
Yeah, you know, we'll get him back involved getting into
the early parts of our prep with Washington.
Speaker 5 (09:10):
They do a good job.
Speaker 3 (09:11):
They present a lot of problems with their personnel and
in the way that they can spread the ball around,
and so we'll look at how we want to try
to defend them and wear quintin fence in the mix
into that mix.
Speaker 2 (09:20):
Have you started the prep yet on Washington? Yeah, a
little bit on the plane on the long plane, right, Yeah,
that was.
Speaker 5 (09:25):
That was way too long. It's freaking brutal.
Speaker 3 (09:28):
I mean, yeah, that yesterday was a very you know,
I was so proud of this group and I love
working with this team, but you know, you want so
badly for us to be able to figure out a
way to get over the hump and get those kind
of results that we want, and you know you're close,
but hey, let's let's uh, let's move forward the right way.
(09:49):
But yeah, that was a tough.
Speaker 5 (09:50):
Frustrating one and it was a long, too long flight back.
Speaker 4 (09:53):
It should burn though. I mean, you got guys going
to the wire, I mean, going to their physical limits
trying to win games.
Speaker 2 (09:58):
I mean, how can you.
Speaker 3 (09:59):
Not putting it all out there, you know, And that's
why you want to work that much harder to try
to eliminate any gray, make it as clean as we
can for them as possible, do our job within the
framework of our responsibilities, and then ultimately give them a
chance to go shine. And there was a lot of
examples and instances where that was the case. And then
there's certainly some things that we can do to help.
And that's why you want to go back to work
(10:20):
and focus this energy that you have in the right direction,
because it can piss you off if you're not careful.
Speaker 1 (10:26):
How important was that building block for Lucas Haversik and
what's he wanting to do as a pro in this lead?
Speaker 3 (10:31):
Yeah, I loved his response. You know, you bring Mason
Crossby in here, have a little bit of competition. He
ended up doing a really nice job throughout the course
of the week at practice, and then put him in
some situations where you talk about crunch time kicks, whether
it's making the extra points, whether it's making an extra
a field goal, as basically almost times expiring at the
end of the game or a fifty plus yard field goal.
(10:51):
In those elements, he was a stud. He responded the
right way last week.
Speaker 4 (10:55):
Yeah, he stepped right in the one and just banged
it deep. I mean, look, that's the response you're looking for.
I'm not sure if that's why you made the move,
but I'm sure that's the response you're looking for when
you're challenged.
Speaker 3 (11:05):
It was and and I think you give him a
ton of credit, you know, and Chase in spring as well,
But he's the one that's got to go out and
do the work and come through in those critical and
crunch time moments, and he certainly did that yesterday.
Speaker 1 (11:17):
How do you try to elevate that third phase for
this final month of the season, Get more, get better
out of your kicking game so that this group can
get to where they want to go.
Speaker 5 (11:25):
Think you identify where the problems are.
Speaker 3 (11:28):
You know, what are some of the downfalls or the
pitfalls or some of the areas that were coming up short,
and and you keep working. And we got a lot
of young players that are playing in those phases, and
you know, it all goes hand in hand. Football is
the greatest team sport that there is. But I think
you just you take it one snap at a time.
You look at each play as its own separate entity.
And it wasn't all bad. We started the game out
(11:50):
really well. They tried to take a kickout deep, We
pin them down, you know, deep in their own territory,
and and that was a good start. And then for
the rest of the day, it's touchbacks and then you're
really you know, your you're fair catching or you're taking
touchbacks and your kick return And only times we were
really competing was in the punt and punt return phases.
And certainly those will be areas of emphasis that we
(12:11):
can improve upon.
Speaker 4 (12:12):
I got confused with the sack with the when he
let it go, you gave Barrin Young the sack and
it wasn't the sack, And it took like five minutes
to figure out.
Speaker 3 (12:18):
Yeah, oh yeah, there was a there was a lot
of technicalities with that, but ultimately I'm glad you got
said they couldn't overturn it. And then you know, you
feel like you're in a pretty good situation right there
with a third and long, and you know they got
to score with a minute, you know, twenty eight or
whatever it was left in the game and they make
a big time play and you credit those guys for
being able to deliver.
Speaker 1 (12:36):
Right, there is there anything to be achieved with looking
for a flag on the game winning punt return like
it is many minute of your time worth that at.
Speaker 3 (12:43):
I mean, I think you look to be able to
create clarity in terms of what are the things that
these guys are looking at, how it's being officiated. It'll
drive you crazy because you see it and you think
you understand exactly what should be called, but it wasn't,
and and there was there's there's going to be things
like that that sometimes benefit us and sometimes don't. And
our job is to try to take out the margin
(13:05):
for air for imperfect situations like that. There was a
lot of other opportunities to be able to make the
play on that given you know, punt return that wasn't
exclusive to just that block in the back. We had
six misstackles on that play. We didn't get the location
where we wanted, and so we'll learn from it.
Speaker 5 (13:22):
We'll move on.
Speaker 3 (13:23):
But you know, I could sit here and be upset
about it, but it is wasted energy and you try
to channel it in the right direction.
Speaker 4 (13:31):
I'm with you, like, you got to get the guy
on the ground, no matter what happens. You got to
get the guy on the ground. But it didn't happen.
And maybe if you didn't get blocked in the back,
maybe you would get him on the ground. Did I
just say that out loud? I'm sorry anyway, but I'm
with you. That's the one thing I want to know,
will we Yeah? I just thought that's the one thing
I woke up thinking about, Like, dang, maybe you should
have called that one.
Speaker 3 (13:48):
But there's a lot of things I woke up thinking about,
and that wasn't really one of them.
Speaker 2 (13:51):
That's not one.
Speaker 1 (13:52):
But there's examples around the league, right, like the NFL story.
Much as we're engrossed in our own game, is Kadarius
Tony lining up off side for the Kansas City Chief?
And I know you and your staff take those league
wide examples and teach your own players week after week
after week, do you not?
Speaker 5 (14:06):
Yeah?
Speaker 3 (14:06):
And that's the goal is And there's always points of emphasis.
And again, like it's an imperfect thing. You know, some
of these are judgment calls, and you know, all right, well,
one crew might make a call and another crew might
and not. And really our job is to try to
be able to you know, teach the fundamentals of the
techniques within each phase and how it's being officiated. We
(14:28):
make certain specific examples of the points of emphasis because
they're more in tune with making calls on things that
you know, are all encompassing to the game in different situations.
And that's why you got to be a smart team.
But really, when you when you do the things that
you're capable of, there was a lot of other instances
for us to be able to overcome and find a
(14:48):
way to be able to push through. And it never
comes down to just one play.
Speaker 2 (14:52):
No doubt.
Speaker 4 (14:53):
I know this has become a meme in the NFL
like we're onto whatever, but you really are on to Washington.
Speaker 2 (14:58):
You can't mean.
Speaker 5 (15:00):
Twice because yeah, because it's the truth. Yeah, I mean,
you know, if you said that we.
Speaker 3 (15:04):
Can change the outcome of Baltimore, yeah, well then we'll
do that, you know, we'll, we'll, but but that outcome
has done with. Now what you can't ignore are the
things that are going to be in alignment with what
you're going to be asking your players doing moving forward.
You know, you've got to make those corrections. You got
to be able to, you know, rip some of those
band aids off, whether it be coaches or players and
address those things. But you want to spend your emotional
(15:26):
and physical energy in the right direction that's geared towards. Hey,
let's go get number seven, let's stay in this race,
and let's keep playing good football, because it wasn't. You know,
they did play good football yesterday. You know, you give
the Ravens credit for forcing some of the things that
didn't go down the way they wanted to. There's a
reason why that's a ten win football team over there.
They've done a lot of great things. They're a really
(15:47):
good team. But we expected to go in there and
win the game, and we're not going to apologize for
those expectations. And I thought we played well enough to
do it, and we didn't ultimately get it done.
Speaker 1 (15:56):
I haven't asked about two two out well yet. Did
he enter the concussion?
Speaker 3 (15:59):
Did he entered the concussion PROTOCT call, He hit his
head pretty good. He came in seemed like he was,
you know, taking steps in the right direction. Today, we'll
continue to take him through that protocol. Be smart about
that and We'll see what that means for his game status.
Speaker 1 (16:14):
In the meantime. DeMarcus Robinson gives you something different, but
gives you something very productive. The offense has looked good
the more opportunities he's had these last things.
Speaker 5 (16:21):
Yes, he's done a really good job.
Speaker 3 (16:22):
I think Matthew and him have developed a good rapport
over these last couple of weeks. Big target, big catch radius.
He's got a nice play energy about himself. I thought
he made a handful of big plays again yesterday the touchdown.
He's winning some isolation routes on the outside that were
some big plays, one in the two minutes drill at
the end of the game to kick a field goal,
one on a third down that led to a scoring drive.
(16:45):
And he is he's doing a good job competing without
the ball. I really enjoy being around him. He's got
he's got a good energy for our team.
Speaker 4 (16:51):
Is that a trust thing quarterback receiver or do you
have to call plays? Hey, I want you to throw
it to him?
Speaker 5 (16:56):
Oh no, No, that's the trust thing.
Speaker 3 (16:58):
I think. You know, Matthews has some different options and
he does a great job of getting the ball where
it should go.
Speaker 5 (17:03):
But there are certain instances where.
Speaker 3 (17:05):
It's kind of a yes no or alerts based on
whatever coverage the defense presents, And in those instances, those
were all right. I got a look and I might
be able to go elsewhere, but I trust this guy,
and I thought, uh, I thought those two did a
really good job in the times that they connected.
Speaker 5 (17:19):
Yesterday?
Speaker 1 (17:20):
Did Odell offer you a copy of his sweatshirt?
Speaker 3 (17:22):
You know, I didn't get a chance to go out
early enough to see it. Veronica had told me about it,
and it's a pretty cool deal.
Speaker 5 (17:28):
I was.
Speaker 3 (17:29):
I'll be rooting for him the rest of the way. Now,
he made some great plays that impacted the outcome, But
like you guys know, I love Odell.
Speaker 1 (17:35):
Yeah, that was awesome. He came to the hotel on
Saturday night to say hi to some Ramsy's wearing a
Super Bowl ring in the locker room. You're right, he
handled that that really well. One other bit from behind
the scenes here in Thousand Oaks. You know, Steve Abyla
is gonna go dress as Santa Claus and go over
to the team party at the Agora offices today.
Speaker 2 (17:51):
That's awesoret Christmas.
Speaker 5 (17:52):
I did not know that those are the types of rookies.
That's cool.
Speaker 1 (17:55):
You got on your roster.
Speaker 2 (17:56):
Here you go.
Speaker 3 (17:57):
That's a good it's a good glimmer of sunlight in
otherwise frustrating day.
Speaker 2 (18:02):
Yeah, no doubt, it's fun though. He's such a light
you know. Yeah, he's he's and he's nut.
Speaker 5 (18:09):
Did he basically volunteer for that role?
Speaker 2 (18:12):
I think he did.
Speaker 1 (18:13):
You know, he's the kind of outward looking person that's
interested in what goes on in the business side of
the operations here. How many people pour into each game
week and each season. And he's got candy canes in
the sand outfit, and he's gonna, I think, recruit some
rookies to go with him.
Speaker 5 (18:27):
So that's awesome.
Speaker 1 (18:28):
I mean, like you're, like you said times like disappointed
that the win wasn't banked yesterday, but not demoralized by
the way that they played. Or what's for this team?
Absolutely little Christmas cheer andfully two more, two more wins
under the tree before we hit the holiday?
Speaker 2 (18:43):
How about four? How man?
Speaker 1 (18:45):
We got left two games in five days before Christmas?
Speaker 5 (18:48):
Them all let's got I heard him, I got him.
Speaker 1 (18:53):
I let you take care of the officials, I keep
or Sean, and you got a lot to do between
now and then. Thank you for stopping the guys to
the Coach mcfaith Show presented by Microsoft Surface.
Speaker 3 (19:05):
M hm.
Speaker 5 (19:07):
Mm hmmm.
Speaker 4 (19:10):
Mm hmmm hmm
Hello everyone, and welcome back to the Coach mcveaih Show,
presented by Microsoft Surface.
Speaker 2 (00:08):
I'm JB.
Speaker 1 (00:08):
Long with Tomarco Farr and the head coach of your
Los Angeles Rams, Sean McVeigh. They're home for two two
games in five days, in fact that Sofi Stadium, Washington
and New Orleans coming up. But we'll review the trip
to Baltimore first. And it's been a little quiet around
here on this Monday. I understand you gave the players
a couple extra hours to regroup for what's the head
down the stretch.
Speaker 3 (00:26):
It was a long trip back, you know, we didn't
get back until late. Thought it was important to get
them in here, get them, you know, a lift in
their treatment, and then be able to get them out.
I thought they competed hard, did a lot of really
good things, some things that we can definitely learn from.
But I thought the most important thing was let's get
them rested, rejuvenated, bring them back Wednesday, make the necessary corrections,
(00:48):
and let's focus our energy on Washington.
Speaker 4 (00:51):
You know, it's a hell of a hell of a
way to win a game on a punt return, but
I thought, and it's crazy, I said this during the broadcast.
Speaker 2 (00:58):
Here we are sitting watching this.
Speaker 4 (01:00):
Young team grow up, and you took them to Baltimore
and here they are going those to those one of
the best teams in the league.
Speaker 2 (01:06):
I mean, that's something.
Speaker 4 (01:06):
Even though it's not the results you wanted, you have
to be pleased with that sort of effort and what
you saw.
Speaker 3 (01:11):
Yeah, I was proud of a lot of things, and
you know, but that's what we expected of this team.
They've earned the right to feel confident to go in
and play the way that they did. And I thought
there was a lot of really good things that we
can move on and be able to use, you know,
to our benefit as we try to finish up the
season the right way. And then there's some things that
we'll be able to clean up, all of which is correctable.
(01:31):
But to put yourself in those positions is such a
credit to our players, and I think there's plays that
we could have made to be able to change the
outcome of the game.
Speaker 5 (01:39):
It didn't go down the way that we wanted it to.
Speaker 3 (01:41):
But it is always about your response, and that's the
most important thing. It's okay to be frustrated, to be
pissed off, because you come that close and you felt
like you, you know, did enough things to really put
yourself in a position where you're closing out that game.
And I know coaches and players feel that way, But
let's channel our energy in the right direction.
Speaker 1 (02:00):
We always focus on the three three and a half
hours that decide outcomes, but yesterday reminded me of just
how much work goes into the week to get on
that plane and have that disposition and that game plan
to take on a team like the Ravens. How pleased
were you with the week of preparation and anticipation of
week four two?
Speaker 3 (02:14):
I was really pleased, and I was pleased with the
way that our guys handled the ebbs and flows of
the game. I mean, you're talking about nine lead changes,
you're talking about overcoming a lot of adversity. You're talking
about just being able to be in the moment playoff
on one another. And they did that and they stayed connected,
and that is a great atmosphere and environment. That's as
complete a football team as there is in the National
Football League. And our guys know that they're capable of
(02:37):
playing at that level. But we got to be able
to finish those types of games. But again, I'll keep
saying it over and over again. As frustrating as that is,
that game's over with and we can't allow the Ravens
to beat us twice.
Speaker 2 (02:48):
I've been to that stadium a few times. I've never
heard it so quiet.
Speaker 4 (02:52):
I mean, you did exactly what you needed to do
to take the crowd out of the game and win
the football game. It's just like you said, the result
wasn't what you wanted, soving forward. You're a quarterback, unreal.
You can tell he's back to health, and the way
he's timing some of those deep balls. Seeing Cooper cup
come underneath those, I mean, wow, sky's the limit when
you have a quarterback playing like that.
Speaker 3 (03:12):
Yeah, he's playing really well. I think he's seeing the
field excellent. I think he's doing a great job of
getting a variety of different playmakers involved. I think we're
at our best when the ball gets spread around and
had some crucial and critical you know, handling of blitz
situations or where he's getting pressure and throwing some balls
off a drift. It's great to be able to see
Cooper make his plays. Pooka got involved, and then DeMarcus Robinson,
(03:34):
you know, Davis Allen obviously, but Matthew was was leading
the charge and he had great command all.
Speaker 2 (03:40):
Day, great catches everywhere. Yeah, oh my god.
Speaker 4 (03:43):
The one with Puka when he laid out, I mean, geez,
come on, man, really circus catch after circus catch?
Speaker 3 (03:48):
Absolutely no, and guys, you know they play for each other.
I think that's really powerful. But that was a big
time played by Puka to be able to, you know,
get us down in the in the red area and
then ultimately to be able to punch that in with
the Marcus to take the lead.
Speaker 5 (04:01):
There's a huge play for us.
Speaker 1 (04:02):
You and Matthew have both talked about how hard he
went to work this offseason on some of his biomechanics,
like being nimble in and around the pocket. Is he
playing as well manipulating the pocket with his athleticism at
thirty five as maybe he ever has in his career.
Speaker 3 (04:15):
I think he's definitely shown examples of that, and I
think he's feeling good. I mean, you look at the
touchdown to DeMarcus Robinson where he's up, he's up and
then he's back out of the pocket. He's being able to,
you know, just be able to buy himself a little
bit extra time on certain things when the pocket or
the protection does break down a little bit, and think
he's doing a really good.
Speaker 2 (04:34):
Job with that nine runs to start the game.
Speaker 5 (04:36):
That's how restriction runs, you know.
Speaker 3 (04:39):
Yeah, yeah, and he should have kept running it really probably,
but you know, they did a good job. I thought
Kyron saw the holes really well. He's such a tough,
physical runner. He's got great vision. I thought the guys were,
you know, being able to stay connected. It was a
bummer to be able to lose Hunter long. I thought
he was playing really well early on in that game.
He and Robert are big, big time players for us,
(04:59):
and and really Rob especially, but then also Hunter. It
was great to be able to see him get some
confidence play well, and I hated.
Speaker 5 (05:07):
For him that he ended up getting injured on the punt.
What's the's an MCL will be out for the rest
of the year.
Speaker 2 (05:12):
Oh man, Yeah, that's Barmer. Yeah and Rob.
Speaker 3 (05:15):
Rob's a groin, so you know, those are those are
fickle injuries, as we all know. And whether he's available
this week or not, you know, we'll just take it
a day at a time with him. But if there's
anybody that's going to turn over quickly, it'll be him.
He was trying to come back in the game, but
you know the surface and the way that you need
to be able to play.
Speaker 5 (05:31):
And I thought Joe.
Speaker 3 (05:32):
Noapum did a nice job stepping in in his absence.
But you know, we we love it when Rob's out there.
He makes such a big difference.
Speaker 1 (05:39):
And Davis Allen stepping in for those injured tight ends.
Had a career day, kind of like the preseason when
he stepped into his own light. Seems like his future
is very bright.
Speaker 3 (05:46):
Yeah, he did a really good job. I think there
you know, I mean, you look at it. I want
to say. Nick Kayley said he had to combine just
under forty snaps and all the games combined going into
that game, and then he plays over fifty yesterday, and
so he got a lot of experience in a short
amount of time. One of the things you can feel
when you watch him it's not too big for him.
He's been in a lot of big time games at Clemson.
(06:06):
Made four big time catches for us. They were all
really critical plays for us. I thought he did some
good things in the run game and in protection and
some things we can improve upon. But I love his
game day demeanor. He's got great soft hands, he's got
a great feel for the game. He's gonna be a
good football player.
Speaker 2 (06:20):
What was that one in the middle of the field?
Speaker 5 (06:22):
Sea route catch team route.
Speaker 3 (06:24):
It was a great, great connection by he and Matthew
right there versus the blitz, and Matthew recognized it and
did a great job at delivering a big time throw.
Speaker 4 (06:32):
That's a ten degree of difficulty. Nice catch, great catch, unbelievable.
How do you olne you the big the button got?
Speaker 5 (06:37):
You did good? You know, I mean you look at it.
Speaker 3 (06:39):
That defense is loaded. You know they're they're they're loaded.
They're really well coached. They play excellent on all three levels,
and you see why. A lot of the accolades that
they've received are earned and come with a lot of merit.
And and when you feel their presence, you know they've
they've got some really disruptive guys.
Speaker 5 (06:56):
I thought the line did a nice job.
Speaker 3 (06:58):
I think there's some things, like I've said and say
it over and over again, we can always improve starts
with myself. But I thought they competed hard. I thought
they were ready to go. I thought they had the
right look in their eye. And then there was some
good production in both phases that we can move forward.
Speaker 1 (07:12):
With three explosive touchdowns going the other way as some
guys got lose for the Baltimore Ravens. Russian cover go
hand to hand though, So when you say like the
secondary had a tough day of it, was that true
or was it really some breakdowns getting to the quarterback
and finishing those rushes as well?
Speaker 3 (07:26):
You know, it's always about team defense. There was some
uncharacteristic communication errors, and I think that's going to be
really the theme for our team, you know, and I
take you know, I think that starts with us, you know,
to see some of those things occur.
Speaker 5 (07:40):
We've got to do a better job.
Speaker 3 (07:42):
Starts with me and then really with the coaches and
then echoes down to the players because we got the
right kind of guys. They're so conscientious, they're so thoughtful
and making sure that we're on the screws with just
you know, final coverage matchups. What are the types of
different coverage contours and pressures that we're trying to bring.
Same thing on the offensive side, whether it's IDEP protection,
get the cadence off my communication into Matthew. I thought
(08:03):
there was some things that we can do a better
job of overall. But I got a lot of confidence
in our defense JV. I thought they made a lot
of really good plays, but those plays that you alluded
to were some uncharacteristic breakdowns that that we'll clean up
and we'll fix moving forward.
Speaker 4 (08:18):
There's some big plays, but there's a lot of good
ones in there versus the run. Lamar had to be
special to get out a few times. I mean, there's
some good plays on deficulse.
Speaker 5 (08:26):
There was you know, it's a heavyweight fight.
Speaker 3 (08:27):
I mean, you're gonna take your shots, and how you
respond is the most important thing. And you know, I
love the way that they ended up forcing the three
and out in the first overtime and and then offensively,
you get the ball and you got a chance to
be able to go create and we just didn't do enough.
And then ultimately the game ends on a punt return.
But there was a back and forth slug fest. There
was a lot of good responses. There's a lot of
(08:48):
things that we can clean up, but you know, you
give credit to a really good team. They forced some
of those errors in communication, but those are things that
I have tremendous confidence and our coaches and our players
and you know, really myself for us to be able
to get that stuff cleaned up.
Speaker 1 (09:01):
Quentin Lake back this week to kind of complete that
mix in the back end.
Speaker 3 (09:04):
Yeah, you know, we'll get him back involved getting into
the early parts of our prep with Washington.
Speaker 5 (09:10):
They do a good job.
Speaker 3 (09:11):
They present a lot of problems with their personnel and
in the way that they can spread the ball around,
and so we'll look at how we want to try
to defend them and wear quintin fence in the mix
into that mix.
Speaker 2 (09:20):
Have you started the prep yet on Washington? Yeah, a
little bit on the plane on the long plane, right, Yeah,
that was.
Speaker 5 (09:25):
That was way too long. It's freaking brutal.
Speaker 3 (09:28):
I mean, yeah, that yesterday was a very you know,
I was so proud of this group and I love
working with this team, but you know, you want so
badly for us to be able to figure out a
way to get over the hump and get those kind
of results that we want, and you know you're close,
but hey, let's let's uh, let's move forward the right way.
(09:49):
But yeah, that was a tough.
Speaker 5 (09:50):
Frustrating one and it was a long, too long flight back.
Speaker 4 (09:53):
It should burn though. I mean, you got guys going
to the wire, I mean, going to their physical limits
trying to win games.
Speaker 2 (09:58):
I mean, how can you.
Speaker 3 (09:59):
Not putting it all out there, you know, And that's
why you want to work that much harder to try
to eliminate any gray, make it as clean as we
can for them as possible, do our job within the
framework of our responsibilities, and then ultimately give them a
chance to go shine. And there was a lot of
examples and instances where that was the case. And then
there's certainly some things that we can do to help.
And that's why you want to go back to work
(10:20):
and focus this energy that you have in the right direction,
because it can piss you off if you're not careful.
Speaker 1 (10:26):
How important was that building block for Lucas Haversik and
what's he wanting to do as a pro in this lead?
Speaker 3 (10:31):
Yeah, I loved his response. You know, you bring Mason
Crossby in here, have a little bit of competition. He
ended up doing a really nice job throughout the course
of the week at practice, and then put him in
some situations where you talk about crunch time kicks, whether
it's making the extra points, whether it's making an extra
a field goal, as basically almost times expiring at the
end of the game or a fifty plus yard field goal.
(10:51):
In those elements, he was a stud. He responded the
right way last week.
Speaker 4 (10:55):
Yeah, he stepped right in the one and just banged
it deep. I mean, look, that's the response you're looking for.
I'm not sure if that's why you made the move,
but I'm sure that's the response you're looking for when
you're challenged.
Speaker 3 (11:05):
It was and and I think you give him a
ton of credit, you know, and Chase in spring as well,
But he's the one that's got to go out and
do the work and come through in those critical and
crunch time moments, and he certainly did that yesterday.
Speaker 1 (11:17):
How do you try to elevate that third phase for
this final month of the season, Get more, get better
out of your kicking game so that this group can
get to where they want to go.
Speaker 5 (11:25):
Think you identify where the problems are.
Speaker 3 (11:28):
You know, what are some of the downfalls or the
pitfalls or some of the areas that were coming up short,
and and you keep working. And we got a lot
of young players that are playing in those phases, and
you know, it all goes hand in hand. Football is
the greatest team sport that there is. But I think
you just you take it one snap at a time.
You look at each play as its own separate entity.
And it wasn't all bad. We started the game out
(11:50):
really well. They tried to take a kickout deep, We
pin them down, you know, deep in their own territory,
and and that was a good start. And then for
the rest of the day, it's touchbacks and then you're
really you know, your you're fair catching or you're taking
touchbacks and your kick return And only times we were
really competing was in the punt and punt return phases.
And certainly those will be areas of emphasis that we
(12:11):
can improve upon.
Speaker 4 (12:12):
I got confused with the sack with the when he
let it go, you gave Barrin Young the sack and
it wasn't the sack, And it took like five minutes
to figure out.
Speaker 3 (12:18):
Yeah, oh yeah, there was a there was a lot
of technicalities with that, but ultimately I'm glad you got
said they couldn't overturn it. And then you know, you
feel like you're in a pretty good situation right there
with a third and long, and you know they got
to score with a minute, you know, twenty eight or
whatever it was left in the game and they make
a big time play and you credit those guys for
being able to deliver.
Speaker 1 (12:36):
Right, there is there anything to be achieved with looking
for a flag on the game winning punt return like
it is many minute of your time worth that at.
Speaker 3 (12:43):
I mean, I think you look to be able to
create clarity in terms of what are the things that
these guys are looking at, how it's being officiated. It'll
drive you crazy because you see it and you think
you understand exactly what should be called, but it wasn't,
and and there was there's there's going to be things
like that that sometimes benefit us and sometimes don't. And
our job is to try to take out the margin
(13:05):
for air for imperfect situations like that. There was a
lot of other opportunities to be able to make the
play on that given you know, punt return that wasn't
exclusive to just that block in the back. We had
six misstackles on that play. We didn't get the location
where we wanted, and so we'll learn from it.
Speaker 5 (13:22):
We'll move on.
Speaker 3 (13:23):
But you know, I could sit here and be upset
about it, but it is wasted energy and you try
to channel it in the right direction.
Speaker 4 (13:31):
I'm with you, like, you got to get the guy
on the ground, no matter what happens. You got to
get the guy on the ground. But it didn't happen.
And maybe if you didn't get blocked in the back,
maybe you would get him on the ground. Did I
just say that out loud? I'm sorry anyway, but I'm
with you. That's the one thing I want to know,
will we Yeah? I just thought that's the one thing
I woke up thinking about, Like, dang, maybe you should
have called that one.
Speaker 3 (13:48):
But there's a lot of things I woke up thinking about,
and that wasn't really one of them.
Speaker 2 (13:51):
That's not one.
Speaker 1 (13:52):
But there's examples around the league, right, like the NFL story.
Much as we're engrossed in our own game, is Kadarius
Tony lining up off side for the Kansas City Chief?
And I know you and your staff take those league
wide examples and teach your own players week after week
after week, do you not?
Speaker 5 (14:06):
Yeah?
Speaker 3 (14:06):
And that's the goal is And there's always points of emphasis.
And again, like it's an imperfect thing. You know, some
of these are judgment calls, and you know, all right, well,
one crew might make a call and another crew might
and not. And really our job is to try to
be able to you know, teach the fundamentals of the
techniques within each phase and how it's being officiated. We
(14:28):
make certain specific examples of the points of emphasis because
they're more in tune with making calls on things that
you know, are all encompassing to the game in different situations.
And that's why you got to be a smart team.
But really, when you when you do the things that
you're capable of, there was a lot of other instances
for us to be able to overcome and find a
(14:48):
way to be able to push through. And it never
comes down to just one play.
Speaker 2 (14:52):
No doubt.
Speaker 4 (14:53):
I know this has become a meme in the NFL
like we're onto whatever, but you really are on to Washington.
Speaker 2 (14:58):
You can't mean.
Speaker 5 (15:00):
Twice because yeah, because it's the truth. Yeah, I mean,
you know, if you said that we.
Speaker 3 (15:04):
Can change the outcome of Baltimore, yeah, well then we'll
do that, you know, we'll, we'll, but but that outcome
has done with. Now what you can't ignore are the
things that are going to be in alignment with what
you're going to be asking your players doing moving forward.
You know, you've got to make those corrections. You got
to be able to, you know, rip some of those
band aids off, whether it be coaches or players and
address those things. But you want to spend your emotional
(15:26):
and physical energy in the right direction that's geared towards. Hey,
let's go get number seven, let's stay in this race,
and let's keep playing good football, because it wasn't. You know,
they did play good football yesterday. You know, you give
the Ravens credit for forcing some of the things that
didn't go down the way they wanted to. There's a
reason why that's a ten win football team over there.
They've done a lot of great things. They're a really
(15:47):
good team. But we expected to go in there and
win the game, and we're not going to apologize for
those expectations. And I thought we played well enough to
do it, and we didn't ultimately get it done.
Speaker 1 (15:56):
I haven't asked about two two out well yet. Did
he enter the concussion?
Speaker 3 (15:59):
Did he entered the concussion PROTOCT call, He hit his
head pretty good. He came in seemed like he was,
you know, taking steps in the right direction. Today, we'll
continue to take him through that protocol. Be smart about
that and We'll see what that means for his game status.
Speaker 1 (16:14):
In the meantime. DeMarcus Robinson gives you something different, but
gives you something very productive. The offense has looked good
the more opportunities he's had these last things.
Speaker 5 (16:21):
Yes, he's done a really good job.
Speaker 3 (16:22):
I think Matthew and him have developed a good rapport
over these last couple of weeks. Big target, big catch radius.
He's got a nice play energy about himself. I thought
he made a handful of big plays again yesterday the touchdown.
He's winning some isolation routes on the outside that were
some big plays, one in the two minutes drill at
the end of the game to kick a field goal,
one on a third down that led to a scoring drive.
(16:45):
And he is he's doing a good job competing without
the ball. I really enjoy being around him. He's got
he's got a good energy for our team.
Speaker 4 (16:51):
Is that a trust thing quarterback receiver or do you
have to call plays? Hey, I want you to throw
it to him?
Speaker 5 (16:56):
Oh no, No, that's the trust thing.
Speaker 3 (16:58):
I think. You know, Matthews has some different options and
he does a great job of getting the ball where
it should go.
Speaker 5 (17:03):
But there are certain instances where.
Speaker 3 (17:05):
It's kind of a yes no or alerts based on
whatever coverage the defense presents, And in those instances, those
were all right. I got a look and I might
be able to go elsewhere, but I trust this guy,
and I thought, uh, I thought those two did a
really good job in the times that they connected.
Speaker 5 (17:19):
Yesterday?
Speaker 1 (17:20):
Did Odell offer you a copy of his sweatshirt?
Speaker 3 (17:22):
You know, I didn't get a chance to go out
early enough to see it. Veronica had told me about it,
and it's a pretty cool deal.
Speaker 5 (17:28):
I was.
Speaker 3 (17:29):
I'll be rooting for him the rest of the way. Now,
he made some great plays that impacted the outcome, But
like you guys know, I love Odell.
Speaker 1 (17:35):
Yeah, that was awesome. He came to the hotel on
Saturday night to say hi to some Ramsy's wearing a
Super Bowl ring in the locker room. You're right, he
handled that that really well. One other bit from behind
the scenes here in Thousand Oaks. You know, Steve Abyla
is gonna go dress as Santa Claus and go over
to the team party at the Agora offices today.
Speaker 2 (17:51):
That's awesoret Christmas.
Speaker 5 (17:52):
I did not know that those are the types of rookies.
That's cool.
Speaker 1 (17:55):
You got on your roster.
Speaker 2 (17:56):
Here you go.
Speaker 3 (17:57):
That's a good it's a good glimmer of sunlight in
otherwise frustrating day.
Speaker 2 (18:02):
Yeah, no doubt, it's fun though. He's such a light
you know. Yeah, he's he's and he's nut.
Speaker 5 (18:09):
Did he basically volunteer for that role?
Speaker 2 (18:12):
I think he did.
Speaker 1 (18:13):
You know, he's the kind of outward looking person that's
interested in what goes on in the business side of
the operations here. How many people pour into each game
week and each season. And he's got candy canes in
the sand outfit, and he's gonna, I think, recruit some
rookies to go with him.
Speaker 5 (18:27):
So that's awesome.
Speaker 1 (18:28):
I mean, like you're, like you said times like disappointed
that the win wasn't banked yesterday, but not demoralized by
the way that they played. Or what's for this team?
Absolutely little Christmas cheer andfully two more, two more wins
under the tree before we hit the holiday?
Speaker 2 (18:43):
How about four? How man?
Speaker 1 (18:45):
We got left two games in five days before Christmas?
Speaker 5 (18:48):
Them all let's got I heard him, I got him.
Speaker 1 (18:53):
I let you take care of the officials, I keep
or Sean, and you got a lot to do between
now and then. Thank you for stopping the guys to
the Coach mcfaith Show presented by Microsoft Surface.
Speaker 3 (19:05):
M hm.
Speaker 5 (19:07):
Mm hmmm.
Speaker 4 (19:10):
Mm hmmm hmm
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