Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay discusses injury updates on wide receiver Demarcus Robinson, quarterback Matthew Stafford, and tight end Tyler Higbee. McVay also talks about the offensive line’s performance in Week 13 and how the offense can improve on its slow starts to games.
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
Hey, Sean, any updates in terms of injuries to Marcus
or anyone else.
Speaker 2 (00:06):
Yeah, So you know, DeMarcus got just a little hand
of olgion yesterday, ended up coming back, so we'll just
kind of have to protect that and pat it. But
he should be good to go. But we've you know,
your typical bumps and bruises, but nothing that you know
should limit anybody's ability to be ready for the upcoming game.
Speaker 1 (00:26):
Matthew looked like got a little bit in this early
in the second quarter or something happened with his ankle
or leg. Is he okay or good?
Speaker 2 (00:34):
You just had a little lateral ankle sprain. Nothing that's
going to change his weekly rhythm as far as practice
stuff like that. He ran today with part of the
lift but got it banged up a little bit. He's tough,
he pushes through, and he should be good to go.
Speaker 1 (00:49):
You guys, claimed Emmanuel Forbes Junior off waivers from the Commanders. Correct,
we did, Yes, Can you tell us what went into
the thinking and how he might in.
Speaker 2 (01:00):
Yeah, a player that we liked as part of the
evaluation process coming out a couple of years ago out
Mississippi State had a lot of ball production had some
good tape out there even when we played them last
year playing you know, showed versatility, showed competitive toughness on
the edge, good ball skills, and so guy that you know,
don't know too much about personally. Kim Curll was excited
(01:22):
to be able to reunite with him, But we'll get
him in here and get him acclimated to the building.
But he was a guy that we liked and had
a familiarity with, just based on the evaluation coming out
of Mississippi State. And then I thought there was some
good tape that he's put out there when we've gone
against them, particularly later in the year last year.
Speaker 1 (01:41):
Will will there be a corresponding move And I think
I was reading the snap count correctly. It didn't look
like a Kello played yesterday.
Speaker 2 (01:51):
Yeah, you know, Dacobean and d Will ended up. We
will have to make a move, but it won't affect
the Kello. You know, we we will and and uh
D Kobe were able to go wire to wire and
they did a nice job for us. But Akello has
been a guy that we will certainly need. He's been
a big part of a lot of good things for us.
And uh We're grateful to have him on the on
(02:13):
the on the team.
Speaker 1 (02:14):
Thanks very much, You're.
Speaker 3 (02:15):
Welcome, Jordan, Hey Sean, Is there a possibility that Tyler
is back this week?
Speaker 2 (02:24):
There's a possibility. I think it's more likely. We'll see,
you know, what the following week looks like. But he
has exceeded everybody's expectations, probably other than his own. It
was great having him back out there. He'll get another
good week of practice and we'll see where that leaves us.
But if I was to say, is it more or
less likely that he would be able to play this week?
(02:45):
Probably a little bit less likely, even though he might
be able to. But whether or not, you know, we're
quite at that point. I don't know that yet.
Speaker 3 (02:53):
And then I know that after a couple of weeks,
you guys have re established some continuity along the offensive line.
What does that mean for Jonah Jackson now? And then
moving forward, We're taking it a.
Speaker 2 (03:05):
Week at a time, you know, I think the best
thing that you know sometimes I know, I know, I
personally get myself in trouble. You know, if you're not
in the present, I think that's the best thing that
you can do. Well, I'm not minimizing the way that
things could be affected. But I don't know what injury.
You know, we've been fortunate to stay healthy. I think
he's done a great job of practicing. He's improved. You
(03:26):
can see he's getting more and more comfortable with some
of the different things, and I've seen a lot of
I've been really impressed with just the man and the
way that he's handled a unique circumstance, to say the least,
as far as what that means. You know, I'm taking
it a day at a time with this group and
trying to pour into him and and he's approaching it
that same way. And I think there's been improvement on
(03:46):
his end from what we've been able to witness in
this practice settings.
Speaker 3 (03:50):
And then last for me, the Bills game a couple
of years ago, really physical game, and injuries started compounding
pretty much that night onward for you guys, and what
was kind of a crazy year at that point onward,
I guess, what do you remember from from that time
and what did it sort of reiterate to you about
(04:12):
continuing to develop that physicality that you want and that
you are trying you guys have been trying to instill
in your team after that time.
Speaker 2 (04:20):
Yeah, I think you know to I think we're are
can I think what you what you remember is that
every year is a new year and you have to
re establish. You have to continue to identify what are
the ways that maximize the group that you have. You
want to try to be smart about being healthy, but
but toughness will always last, you know, in a league
that's so cyclical, in a league that's ever changing, being
(04:41):
tough on both sides of the line of scrimmage, that's
tried and true and that sustains over time. You know,
you've eard me said before. Tough times don't last. Tough
people do we. I thought we played tough and gritty yesterday.
I think that was, you know, a step in the
direction that we need to be able to go and
that we want to go to maximize this group. But
that was that was a humbling night. I thought our
(05:02):
defense did a good job that night of being able
to take the football away. We weren't able to capitalize offensively,
but they got the best of us, and we all
saw what a freak show Josh Allen was in person,
and he's probably playing even better than he was then,
and that sure says a lot about what he's doing
for this team, and they've I mean, they just won
their fifth division in a row last night in week
(05:23):
twelve or their their twelve games. So it shows you
what kind of caliber team we got coming in here,
and we gotta be ready.
Speaker 3 (05:29):
Role Thanks, Sean, You're.
Speaker 2 (05:31):
Welcome, Adam.
Speaker 4 (05:34):
Hey, Sean, do you expect John Johnson or Troy Reider
to be back at practice this week?
Speaker 2 (05:40):
Yeah? You know, it's interesting because we got that one
spot left, and you know what's what's unique in terms
of being able to utilize that for the return off
of IR with the amount of slots that you do have,
both those guys could be physically ready. Both those guys
would represent our team getting better. The unique thing that
you know Less and I and some of the deep
some coaches we're talking about it earlier, is you know,
(06:03):
if you were to have an injury at one of
those positions, it maybe makes a little bit easier or
gives you some clarity in terms of, Okay, if we
had something at the safety, let's bring JJ back. If
we had something at the inside linebacker, let's get Troy back.
Speaker 3 (06:16):
You know.
Speaker 2 (06:16):
So those are ongoing conversations, but as of right now,
we're still working through that. Would love to have the
availability to bring them both back. It's a tough situation
that nobody to blame it us for that, and so
you know, we'll we'll handle it accordingly. But I don't
have a clear cut answer on that ada for you.
But they both could be available, but we only have
(06:36):
one of those guys that we could actually bring back.
Speaker 4 (06:39):
Does that ir math include kat Levinston having it does?
Speaker 2 (06:44):
Yeah, it does because of the way that we utilize
that spot at the beginning of roster cuts.
Speaker 4 (06:49):
Okay, and then yesterday somehow was the first time Rob
and Steve have been on the field together, Like the
first time you've had a full a lotment of offensive
lineman to pick from. So what was the assessment of
how that group played together yesterday?
Speaker 2 (07:07):
Tough? I thought they'd played gritty. I thought it was
especially illustrated in the run game, the way that we
came off, the way that we hit blocks. I thought
the backs, both backs were decisive, being able to press,
you know, the line of scrimmage and then get the
ball downhill, especially when they were really heavily committed to
the run with some of the different structures they were
(07:28):
playing defensively. But I thought Rob was really good. I
thought he played really productive in the run game. I
thought he strained to finish. I thought for the most part,
we did that across the board. There's always going to
be areas of improvement. But when you just flipped it
on and he said the identity that we wanted to
play with, I thought it was a step in the
right direction absolutely for our offensive line and it was
good to see that. And I thought that was a
(07:49):
big difference in us being able to, you know, get
the result that we were hunting up.
Speaker 4 (07:53):
I feel like as you tried to make that final
push towards the playoffs, important to finally have that whole
group together and try to, like Jordan was saying, build
that continuity now for.
Speaker 2 (08:04):
The Yeah, I think it's vital, you know. And I
think it's really vital for us to establish some different
ways of playing in a physical mindset of mentality. I
think that's going to be a key and critical factor
always if you want to be an offense that has
a chance to be productive, like we're obviously striving to do.
And I thought that was a big factor. So yes
to both of those questions without a doubt.
Speaker 4 (08:26):
Thanks Sean, You're welcome.
Speaker 5 (08:28):
Sarah. Hey, Sean, I know you are very focused on
what is happening now and not looking ahead, but I'm curious.
Jimmy Garoppolo signed a one year deal, obviously hasn't played
because Matthew Stafford has been healthy. How would you evaluate
how he's done this year and do you anticipate him
coming back next year?
Speaker 2 (08:46):
Yeah? I mean, I love Jimmy. I love being around him.
I love what I've seen from him. You guys have
heard me talk about, you know, just the opportunities that
he's had in these practice settings to show his stuff.
I've been a fan of Jimmy's for a long time,
whether it's competing against and watching him from Afar and
then you get to know him a little bit better,
you know, as far as those types of things, Like
(09:06):
you said, you know, we're in the moment. I love
working with Jimmy. I'm grateful to be here with him
right now. And obviously we love Matthew doing his thing
and leading our team. But I'm I'm focused on this
team and doing as good a job as I can
one day at a time. Would you would you like
to continue to work with him. Yeah, of course I
definitely would say that. But I'm enjoying working with him
(09:29):
right now maximizing those opportunities, and and then we'll we'll
have a little bit of clarity as we get through this.
But uh, you know, we're going to take it a
day at a time and try to be the best
we can for this week and our week of preparation
for the Buffalo Bills.
Speaker 5 (09:42):
As a backup quarterback when you aren't getting a chance
to play because of the starter's healthy, especially for a
veteran guy like Jimmy, what can you learn and take
to then have the opportunity to start again somewhere else
after this, Well, I.
Speaker 2 (09:57):
Think you can just maximize the opposite you're given, you know,
to continue to sharpen your skills to be able to
look at all, Right, what is a great player like
Matthew do? How does he go about the weekly rhythm
and his preparation. Jimmy's played at a high level this
in this league for a long time, and so he's
got his rhythm and routine. I think Dave R. Gohon
does a great job of being able to get both
(10:17):
Jimmy and Stetson up the speed on what we're trying
to do, because Matthew takes, you know, all those reps.
And I've been really impressed with just the consistency at
which Jimmy comes into the building, the way that he
interacts and acts and responds to his teammates and those
types of interactions, the way he elevates people around him,
the way that he's able to communicate with the coaches,
(10:38):
and he's really been a joy to be around.
Speaker 5 (10:40):
You've had a unique experience with Carson, with Jimmy, with
Baker that maybe the head coach would not get. When
you have a veteran quarterback like Matthew Stafford. What do
you enjoy about the opportunity to work with guys high picks,
veteran guys who have that experience.
Speaker 2 (10:57):
Yeah, just learning, you know, from their experiences, picking their brains,
where they've been, systems they've been a part of. You know,
There's just so much that those guys have to offer
from the accumulation of their experiences, all of them different,
but all of them in really cool atmospheres and environments
where I'm very curious as to what they've done, how
they go about it. Always trying to think about what
(11:18):
are the best ways for us to do certain things.
You know, I think there's a wisdom and there's you know,
just other experiences that you could draw on. But all
three of those guys there's a little bit different and
all of them were awesome, you know, to be around
in big time, you know, parts of our football team.
Thank you, You're welcome.
Speaker 6 (11:38):
Maria Hey, Sean having Hey, Having looked at the tape
and then thinking ahead to the next week, what can
you specifically work on in practice this week to get
off to a faster start.
Speaker 2 (11:51):
Yeah, I think this the consistent execution, you know. I
know we kind of talked a little bit about this
in the postgame presser with Jordan yesterday, you know, but
it really is how consistently can we how much can
we make sure that we're putting our guys in the
right spots and then they're able to execute, And it's
all of us in it together. But it's the consistent execution.
(12:12):
It's the consistent sound things that we're asking our guys
to do based on whatever those matchups are, the given
opponents and what we're anticipating and expecting. And you know,
there's been some examples where we've done it, and there's
been a lot of examples where we haven't done it
well enough, particularly on the offensive side of the ball,
you know, but we're going to continue to strive for
(12:33):
that consistency throughout four quarters. And that's you know, that's
really what I would say. I don't know if I
have some great answer for you. I wish I did,
otherwise we'd be doing it a little bit better.
Speaker 6 (12:44):
How frustrating is that for you to be on the
sideline as you see the time ticking away?
Speaker 2 (12:50):
You know, it's not I think you have to be
in the moment. I think you have to understand what
I tell you. What was it frustrating was some of
the great red zone stops that we were able to
get defensively, and for it to be you know, three
plays offensively in the first quarter. I feel like you
weren't able to get into a rhythm, but our defense
kept playing and for it to only be six to
nothing at the half. Based on everything that went on,
(13:11):
I think there was a lot of optimism and there
was a lot of encouragement on all, right, what we're
capable of doing if we just kind of put it together.
Talk about some of the things with a solution oriented
mindset of mentality, and the guys ultimately brought that to life.
But I know that we're at our best when we're
in the moment. We're totally immersed in being in the present,
doing the things that we can control, making sure that, hey,
(13:33):
when things aren't going down the way that we want,
let's be able to talk about it, let's communicate it,
let's correct it, and then let's ultimately try to be
able to give our guys the best opportunity to go execute.
And how that's brought to life with a mental and
a physical toughness, and I thought that was on display yesterday.
Do we want to start fast or of course, but
I think the resilience, the ability for guys to be
(13:54):
able to keep it together in spite of some of
the frustrating experiences is a good reflection on our football
team overall. Thank you, you're welcome, Erret.
Speaker 7 (14:06):
Thank coach McVeigh. A couple of quick ones for you
and for doing it against the Dolphins a couple of
weeks ago. I believe they ran three or four reverses
against you guys offensively. Are you seeing more reverses this year?
And if that's the case. What you're reasoning for them.
Speaker 2 (14:23):
Yeah, you're saying, are people running more against us? Yeah?
So are they just trying to get the edge with
the receiver. We do a great job pursuing to the football,
you know, and then dependent upon what that looks like
with flow away, if there's not some integrity based on
what that pursuit looks like, you open up some edges
(14:45):
and opportunities to be able to, you know, get the
flow of the defense going one way and come back
to the other. That is something that we've seen a
little bit. It started with Detroit in the very first
game of the year, you know, and usually if a
team shows that they can have some success on some stuff,
it's going to be replicated. This is the ultimate copycat league,
you know. And that's been there's been some opportunities where
(15:05):
people have replicated that had some success. We've made an
emphasis on it. They tried one yesterday, got got a
decent production on that game. But then there's been some
other opportunities where our ability to read out of the
stack redirect have some integrity in terms of what that
pursuit looks like on the backside. But that has been
a focal point for us, and I think, yeah, we
have seen some and it usually goes back to the
(15:28):
Lions had some successful ones on us, and then usually
people replicate it once it's on tape. If you show
that it's something that can work, you're gonna get it
until you show that you can consistently stop it.
Speaker 7 (15:41):
And then what's your policy on trick plays? I mean,
when do you like to run on? How many do
you usually have going into a game? And are you
seeing more trick plays league wide just because of try
and create explosives?
Speaker 2 (15:54):
Yeah, I mean I think you know, we haven't run
a whole lot of trick plays here. There's a lot
of success with people doing it. I think there's a
philosophy of a lot of people, you know, carry a
handful of, you know, an inventory of trick plays that
they start working throughout the course of the year that
they can kind of carry and that are all purpose
and might be a little bit better against certain teams. Obviously,
(16:15):
Detroit's gotten a lot of notoriety. They do a great
job with keeping it fun and uh and having a
you know, a large inventory of tricks. I know New
England with with Josh McDaniels for a handful of years
and Coach Belichick, they were always really good about having that.
I thought Mike, you know, when he was even with
the Jets, you know, they did a lot of different
cool stuff. We've done that here and there. But you know,
(16:38):
we're always going to do what we think is necessary.
But those those plays take time and if it's applicable,
then we'll do it. But it hasn't been something that's
been a huge focal point for us over the last
hand four years, and maybe we should start, you know,
implementing that a little more.
Speaker 7 (16:54):
Last one for your coach, bubble screens, I think we're
seeing less of those. Is that because of how you
can block as in the perimeter now versus how you
could block them in the past.
Speaker 2 (17:04):
I think so, you know, they're calling a lot more opis.
We actually threw a bubble screen touchdown yesterday to Puka.
You know, it might have looked a little bit different,
but that was a version of a bubble screen. But yes,
I think there's an uptip. You know, those plays are
being heavily officiated, whether you want to say it's these
RPOs or some of these where you know, if you're
(17:25):
making contact or alignments downfield. There has been a lot
of penalties called on those plays, which naturally makes you
a little bit more inclined to go away from those
and I think defenses are doing a better job with
perimeter control. You've got physical guys on the edges. You know,
you're getting some bigger bodies that are more versatile guys
that can play you know, the nickel or a safety
(17:47):
position and set edges, and so it's a little bit
more challenging, and then it's harder because of how it's officiated.
But there's still some teams that can make you pay.
But there's definitely been a down swinging, whether it's the
bubble screens or even some of the perimeter screens that maybe,
you know, we're a little bit more prevalent around the
league in years past. Thank you, coach, appreciate it. You're
welcome over wrap up with why okay.
Speaker 8 (18:13):
Hi Sean, you guys had a lot of success with
play action, not just this past week, but you know
the entire season, apart from just establishing the run. What
are some of the things that that your guys need
to do to execute that high level.
Speaker 4 (18:29):
Well?
Speaker 2 (18:30):
I think, you know, I think It always starts upfront
with the protection. You know, are you talking about a keeper?
A true play action? I think it's important to be
able to move the spot, but it really is you
know about you know, I do think the run certainly helps.
You know, being able to make things start out looking
the same and then end up different has always been
an important part of our offensive philosophy. And so you know,
(18:51):
what's the legitimacy of the action? What kind of run
seale are we getting? Are we running a boot? Are
we running a keeper? Are we running a play action?
Where is the setup point? But it really goes down
to guys just being able to do their job within
the framework of the play. Great protection and sell from
the line, great route distribution and separation by the skill
players they're getting out in the past pattern, and then
(19:14):
good timing and rhythm and good action by the quarterback
in the back. And so those are some of the
things that are key and critical as it relates to
the play action.
Speaker 8 (19:24):
And with that the offensive line. Is there anything different
that you asked them to do just in terms of
execution from you know, a regular passport?
Speaker 2 (19:38):
Yeah, I mean it is, you know, just some of
the different defensive structures you know, yeah, I mean it's
it's off of the run, Sell, I mean, there's a
lot of varieties that you can get as it relates
to what type of thing are we running. But I
think it's also really important for guys to understand the intent.
What are the mechanics of that particular play within the
(19:58):
framework of their role, what are the problems that can arise,
and ultimately, you know, what do those techniques and fundamentals
look like to be able to legitimize the intent of
the play in some of those play actions. Thank you, you
got it, man bes Coach, all right, thanks artists,
Hey, Sean, any updates in terms of injuries to Marcus
or anyone else.
Speaker 2 (00:06):
Yeah, So you know, DeMarcus got just a little hand
of olgion yesterday, ended up coming back, so we'll just
kind of have to protect that and pat it. But
he should be good to go. But we've you know,
your typical bumps and bruises, but nothing that you know
should limit anybody's ability to be ready for the upcoming game.
Speaker 1 (00:26):
Matthew looked like got a little bit in this early
in the second quarter or something happened with his ankle
or leg. Is he okay or good?
Speaker 2 (00:34):
You just had a little lateral ankle sprain. Nothing that's
going to change his weekly rhythm as far as practice
stuff like that. He ran today with part of the
lift but got it banged up a little bit. He's tough,
he pushes through, and he should be good to go.
Speaker 1 (00:49):
You guys, claimed Emmanuel Forbes Junior off waivers from the Commanders. Correct,
we did, Yes, Can you tell us what went into
the thinking and how he might in.
Speaker 2 (01:00):
Yeah, a player that we liked as part of the
evaluation process coming out a couple of years ago out
Mississippi State had a lot of ball production had some
good tape out there even when we played them last
year playing you know, showed versatility, showed competitive toughness on
the edge, good ball skills, and so guy that you know,
don't know too much about personally. Kim Curll was excited
(01:22):
to be able to reunite with him, But we'll get
him in here and get him acclimated to the building.
But he was a guy that we liked and had
a familiarity with, just based on the evaluation coming out
of Mississippi State. And then I thought there was some
good tape that he's put out there when we've gone
against them, particularly later in the year last year.
Speaker 1 (01:41):
Will will there be a corresponding move And I think
I was reading the snap count correctly. It didn't look
like a Kello played yesterday.
Speaker 2 (01:51):
Yeah, you know, Dacobean and d Will ended up. We
will have to make a move, but it won't affect
the Kello. You know, we we will and and uh
D Kobe were able to go wire to wire and
they did a nice job for us. But Akello has
been a guy that we will certainly need. He's been
a big part of a lot of good things for us.
And uh We're grateful to have him on the on
(02:13):
the on the team.
Speaker 1 (02:14):
Thanks very much, You're.
Speaker 3 (02:15):
Welcome, Jordan, Hey Sean, Is there a possibility that Tyler
is back this week?
Speaker 2 (02:24):
There's a possibility. I think it's more likely. We'll see,
you know, what the following week looks like. But he
has exceeded everybody's expectations, probably other than his own. It
was great having him back out there. He'll get another
good week of practice and we'll see where that leaves us.
But if I was to say, is it more or
less likely that he would be able to play this week?
(02:45):
Probably a little bit less likely, even though he might
be able to. But whether or not, you know, we're
quite at that point. I don't know that yet.
Speaker 3 (02:53):
And then I know that after a couple of weeks,
you guys have re established some continuity along the offensive line.
What does that mean for Jonah Jackson now? And then
moving forward, We're taking it a.
Speaker 2 (03:05):
Week at a time, you know, I think the best
thing that you know sometimes I know, I know, I
personally get myself in trouble. You know, if you're not
in the present, I think that's the best thing that
you can do. Well, I'm not minimizing the way that
things could be affected. But I don't know what injury.
You know, we've been fortunate to stay healthy. I think
he's done a great job of practicing. He's improved. You
(03:26):
can see he's getting more and more comfortable with some
of the different things, and I've seen a lot of
I've been really impressed with just the man and the
way that he's handled a unique circumstance, to say the least,
as far as what that means. You know, I'm taking
it a day at a time with this group and
trying to pour into him and and he's approaching it
that same way. And I think there's been improvement on
(03:46):
his end from what we've been able to witness in
this practice settings.
Speaker 3 (03:50):
And then last for me, the Bills game a couple
of years ago, really physical game, and injuries started compounding
pretty much that night onward for you guys, and what
was kind of a crazy year at that point onward,
I guess, what do you remember from from that time
and what did it sort of reiterate to you about
(04:12):
continuing to develop that physicality that you want and that
you are trying you guys have been trying to instill
in your team after that time.
Speaker 2 (04:20):
Yeah, I think you know to I think we're are
can I think what you what you remember is that
every year is a new year and you have to
re establish. You have to continue to identify what are
the ways that maximize the group that you have. You
want to try to be smart about being healthy, but
but toughness will always last, you know, in a league
that's so cyclical, in a league that's ever changing, being
(04:41):
tough on both sides of the line of scrimmage, that's
tried and true and that sustains over time. You know,
you've eard me said before. Tough times don't last. Tough
people do we. I thought we played tough and gritty yesterday.
I think that was, you know, a step in the
direction that we need to be able to go and
that we want to go to maximize this group. But
that was that was a humbling night. I thought our
(05:02):
defense did a good job that night of being able
to take the football away. We weren't able to capitalize offensively,
but they got the best of us, and we all
saw what a freak show Josh Allen was in person,
and he's probably playing even better than he was then,
and that sure says a lot about what he's doing
for this team, and they've I mean, they just won
their fifth division in a row last night in week
(05:23):
twelve or their their twelve games. So it shows you
what kind of caliber team we got coming in here,
and we gotta be ready.
Speaker 3 (05:29):
Role Thanks, Sean, You're.
Speaker 2 (05:31):
Welcome, Adam.
Speaker 4 (05:34):
Hey, Sean, do you expect John Johnson or Troy Reider
to be back at practice this week?
Speaker 2 (05:40):
Yeah? You know, it's interesting because we got that one
spot left, and you know what's what's unique in terms
of being able to utilize that for the return off
of IR with the amount of slots that you do have,
both those guys could be physically ready. Both those guys
would represent our team getting better. The unique thing that
you know Less and I and some of the deep
some coaches we're talking about it earlier, is you know,
(06:03):
if you were to have an injury at one of
those positions, it maybe makes a little bit easier or
gives you some clarity in terms of, Okay, if we
had something at the safety, let's bring JJ back. If
we had something at the inside linebacker, let's get Troy back.
Speaker 3 (06:16):
You know.
Speaker 2 (06:16):
So those are ongoing conversations, but as of right now,
we're still working through that. Would love to have the
availability to bring them both back. It's a tough situation
that nobody to blame it us for that, and so
you know, we'll we'll handle it accordingly. But I don't
have a clear cut answer on that ada for you.
But they both could be available, but we only have
(06:36):
one of those guys that we could actually bring back.
Speaker 4 (06:39):
Does that ir math include kat Levinston having it does?
Speaker 2 (06:44):
Yeah, it does because of the way that we utilize
that spot at the beginning of roster cuts.
Speaker 4 (06:49):
Okay, and then yesterday somehow was the first time Rob
and Steve have been on the field together, Like the
first time you've had a full a lotment of offensive
lineman to pick from. So what was the assessment of
how that group played together yesterday?
Speaker 2 (07:07):
Tough? I thought they'd played gritty. I thought it was
especially illustrated in the run game, the way that we
came off, the way that we hit blocks. I thought
the backs, both backs were decisive, being able to press,
you know, the line of scrimmage and then get the
ball downhill, especially when they were really heavily committed to
the run with some of the different structures they were
(07:28):
playing defensively. But I thought Rob was really good. I
thought he played really productive in the run game. I
thought he strained to finish. I thought for the most part,
we did that across the board. There's always going to
be areas of improvement. But when you just flipped it
on and he said the identity that we wanted to
play with, I thought it was a step in the
right direction absolutely for our offensive line and it was
good to see that. And I thought that was a
(07:49):
big difference in us being able to, you know, get
the result that we were hunting up.
Speaker 4 (07:53):
I feel like as you tried to make that final
push towards the playoffs, important to finally have that whole
group together and try to, like Jordan was saying, build
that continuity now for.
Speaker 2 (08:04):
The Yeah, I think it's vital, you know. And I
think it's really vital for us to establish some different
ways of playing in a physical mindset of mentality. I
think that's going to be a key and critical factor
always if you want to be an offense that has
a chance to be productive, like we're obviously striving to do.
And I thought that was a big factor. So yes
to both of those questions without a doubt.
Speaker 4 (08:26):
Thanks Sean, You're welcome.
Speaker 5 (08:28):
Sarah. Hey, Sean, I know you are very focused on
what is happening now and not looking ahead, but I'm curious.
Jimmy Garoppolo signed a one year deal, obviously hasn't played
because Matthew Stafford has been healthy. How would you evaluate
how he's done this year and do you anticipate him
coming back next year?
Speaker 2 (08:46):
Yeah? I mean, I love Jimmy. I love being around him.
I love what I've seen from him. You guys have
heard me talk about, you know, just the opportunities that
he's had in these practice settings to show his stuff.
I've been a fan of Jimmy's for a long time,
whether it's competing against and watching him from Afar and
then you get to know him a little bit better,
you know, as far as those types of things, Like
(09:06):
you said, you know, we're in the moment. I love
working with Jimmy. I'm grateful to be here with him
right now. And obviously we love Matthew doing his thing
and leading our team. But I'm I'm focused on this
team and doing as good a job as I can
one day at a time. Would you would you like
to continue to work with him. Yeah, of course I
definitely would say that. But I'm enjoying working with him
(09:29):
right now maximizing those opportunities, and and then we'll we'll
have a little bit of clarity as we get through this.
But uh, you know, we're going to take it a
day at a time and try to be the best
we can for this week and our week of preparation
for the Buffalo Bills.
Speaker 5 (09:42):
As a backup quarterback when you aren't getting a chance
to play because of the starter's healthy, especially for a
veteran guy like Jimmy, what can you learn and take
to then have the opportunity to start again somewhere else
after this, Well, I.
Speaker 2 (09:57):
Think you can just maximize the opposite you're given, you know,
to continue to sharpen your skills to be able to
look at all, Right, what is a great player like
Matthew do? How does he go about the weekly rhythm
and his preparation. Jimmy's played at a high level this
in this league for a long time, and so he's
got his rhythm and routine. I think Dave R. Gohon
does a great job of being able to get both
(10:17):
Jimmy and Stetson up the speed on what we're trying
to do, because Matthew takes, you know, all those reps.
And I've been really impressed with just the consistency at
which Jimmy comes into the building, the way that he
interacts and acts and responds to his teammates and those
types of interactions, the way he elevates people around him,
the way that he's able to communicate with the coaches,
(10:38):
and he's really been a joy to be around.
Speaker 5 (10:40):
You've had a unique experience with Carson, with Jimmy, with
Baker that maybe the head coach would not get. When
you have a veteran quarterback like Matthew Stafford. What do
you enjoy about the opportunity to work with guys high picks,
veteran guys who have that experience.
Speaker 2 (10:57):
Yeah, just learning, you know, from their experiences, picking their brains,
where they've been, systems they've been a part of. You know,
There's just so much that those guys have to offer
from the accumulation of their experiences, all of them different,
but all of them in really cool atmospheres and environments
where I'm very curious as to what they've done, how
they go about it. Always trying to think about what
(11:18):
are the best ways for us to do certain things.
You know, I think there's a wisdom and there's you know,
just other experiences that you could draw on. But all
three of those guys there's a little bit different and
all of them were awesome, you know, to be around
in big time, you know, parts of our football team.
Thank you, You're welcome.
Speaker 6 (11:38):
Maria Hey, Sean having Hey, Having looked at the tape
and then thinking ahead to the next week, what can
you specifically work on in practice this week to get
off to a faster start.
Speaker 2 (11:51):
Yeah, I think this the consistent execution, you know. I
know we kind of talked a little bit about this
in the postgame presser with Jordan yesterday, you know, but
it really is how consistently can we how much can
we make sure that we're putting our guys in the
right spots and then they're able to execute, And it's
all of us in it together. But it's the consistent execution.
(12:12):
It's the consistent sound things that we're asking our guys
to do based on whatever those matchups are, the given
opponents and what we're anticipating and expecting. And you know,
there's been some examples where we've done it, and there's
been a lot of examples where we haven't done it
well enough, particularly on the offensive side of the ball,
you know, but we're going to continue to strive for
(12:33):
that consistency throughout four quarters. And that's you know, that's
really what I would say. I don't know if I
have some great answer for you. I wish I did,
otherwise we'd be doing it a little bit better.
Speaker 6 (12:44):
How frustrating is that for you to be on the
sideline as you see the time ticking away?
Speaker 2 (12:50):
You know, it's not I think you have to be
in the moment. I think you have to understand what
I tell you. What was it frustrating was some of
the great red zone stops that we were able to
get defensively, and for it to be you know, three
plays offensively in the first quarter. I feel like you
weren't able to get into a rhythm, but our defense
kept playing and for it to only be six to
nothing at the half. Based on everything that went on,
(13:11):
I think there was a lot of optimism and there
was a lot of encouragement on all, right, what we're
capable of doing if we just kind of put it together.
Talk about some of the things with a solution oriented
mindset of mentality, and the guys ultimately brought that to life.
But I know that we're at our best when we're
in the moment. We're totally immersed in being in the present,
doing the things that we can control, making sure that, hey,
(13:33):
when things aren't going down the way that we want,
let's be able to talk about it, let's communicate it,
let's correct it, and then let's ultimately try to be
able to give our guys the best opportunity to go execute.
And how that's brought to life with a mental and
a physical toughness, and I thought that was on display yesterday.
Do we want to start fast or of course, but
I think the resilience, the ability for guys to be
(13:54):
able to keep it together in spite of some of
the frustrating experiences is a good reflection on our football
team overall. Thank you, you're welcome, Erret.
Speaker 7 (14:06):
Thank coach McVeigh. A couple of quick ones for you
and for doing it against the Dolphins a couple of
weeks ago. I believe they ran three or four reverses
against you guys offensively. Are you seeing more reverses this year?
And if that's the case. What you're reasoning for them.
Speaker 2 (14:23):
Yeah, you're saying, are people running more against us? Yeah?
So are they just trying to get the edge with
the receiver. We do a great job pursuing to the football,
you know, and then dependent upon what that looks like
with flow away, if there's not some integrity based on
what that pursuit looks like, you open up some edges
(14:45):
and opportunities to be able to, you know, get the
flow of the defense going one way and come back
to the other. That is something that we've seen a
little bit. It started with Detroit in the very first
game of the year, you know, and usually if a
team shows that they can have some success on some stuff,
it's going to be replicated. This is the ultimate copycat league,
you know. And that's been there's been some opportunities where
(15:05):
people have replicated that had some success. We've made an
emphasis on it. They tried one yesterday, got got a
decent production on that game. But then there's been some
other opportunities where our ability to read out of the
stack redirect have some integrity in terms of what that
pursuit looks like on the backside. But that has been
a focal point for us, and I think, yeah, we
have seen some and it usually goes back to the
(15:28):
Lions had some successful ones on us, and then usually
people replicate it once it's on tape. If you show
that it's something that can work, you're gonna get it
until you show that you can consistently stop it.
Speaker 7 (15:41):
And then what's your policy on trick plays? I mean,
when do you like to run on? How many do
you usually have going into a game? And are you
seeing more trick plays league wide just because of try
and create explosives?
Speaker 2 (15:54):
Yeah, I mean I think you know, we haven't run
a whole lot of trick plays here. There's a lot
of success with people doing it. I think there's a
philosophy of a lot of people, you know, carry a
handful of, you know, an inventory of trick plays that
they start working throughout the course of the year that
they can kind of carry and that are all purpose
and might be a little bit better against certain teams. Obviously,
(16:15):
Detroit's gotten a lot of notoriety. They do a great
job with keeping it fun and uh and having a
you know, a large inventory of tricks. I know New
England with with Josh McDaniels for a handful of years
and Coach Belichick, they were always really good about having that.
I thought Mike, you know, when he was even with
the Jets, you know, they did a lot of different
cool stuff. We've done that here and there. But you know,
(16:38):
we're always going to do what we think is necessary.
But those those plays take time and if it's applicable,
then we'll do it. But it hasn't been something that's
been a huge focal point for us over the last
hand four years, and maybe we should start, you know,
implementing that a little more.
Speaker 7 (16:54):
Last one for your coach, bubble screens, I think we're
seeing less of those. Is that because of how you
can block as in the perimeter now versus how you
could block them in the past.
Speaker 2 (17:04):
I think so, you know, they're calling a lot more opis.
We actually threw a bubble screen touchdown yesterday to Puka.
You know, it might have looked a little bit different,
but that was a version of a bubble screen. But yes,
I think there's an uptip. You know, those plays are
being heavily officiated, whether you want to say it's these
RPOs or some of these where you know, if you're
(17:25):
making contact or alignments downfield. There has been a lot
of penalties called on those plays, which naturally makes you
a little bit more inclined to go away from those
and I think defenses are doing a better job with
perimeter control. You've got physical guys on the edges. You know,
you're getting some bigger bodies that are more versatile guys
that can play you know, the nickel or a safety
(17:47):
position and set edges, and so it's a little bit
more challenging, and then it's harder because of how it's officiated.
But there's still some teams that can make you pay.
But there's definitely been a down swinging, whether it's the
bubble screens or even some of the perimeter screens that maybe,
you know, we're a little bit more prevalent around the
league in years past. Thank you, coach, appreciate it. You're
welcome over wrap up with why okay.
Speaker 8 (18:13):
Hi Sean, you guys had a lot of success with
play action, not just this past week, but you know
the entire season, apart from just establishing the run. What
are some of the things that that your guys need
to do to execute that high level.
Speaker 4 (18:29):
Well?
Speaker 2 (18:30):
I think, you know, I think It always starts upfront
with the protection. You know, are you talking about a keeper?
A true play action? I think it's important to be
able to move the spot, but it really is you
know about you know, I do think the run certainly helps.
You know, being able to make things start out looking
the same and then end up different has always been
an important part of our offensive philosophy. And so you know,
(18:51):
what's the legitimacy of the action? What kind of run
seale are we getting? Are we running a boot? Are
we running a keeper? Are we running a play action?
Where is the setup point? But it really goes down
to guys just being able to do their job within
the framework of the play. Great protection and sell from
the line, great route distribution and separation by the skill
players they're getting out in the past pattern, and then
(19:14):
good timing and rhythm and good action by the quarterback
in the back. And so those are some of the
things that are key and critical as it relates to
the play action.
Speaker 8 (19:24):
And with that the offensive line. Is there anything different
that you asked them to do just in terms of
execution from you know, a regular passport?
Speaker 2 (19:38):
Yeah, I mean it is, you know, just some of
the different defensive structures you know, yeah, I mean it's
it's off of the run, Sell, I mean, there's a
lot of varieties that you can get as it relates
to what type of thing are we running. But I
think it's also really important for guys to understand the intent.
What are the mechanics of that particular play within the
(19:58):
framework of their role, what are the problems that can arise,
and ultimately, you know, what do those techniques and fundamentals
look like to be able to legitimize the intent of
the play in some of those play actions. Thank you, you
got it, man bes Coach, all right, thanks artists,
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