November 13, 2025 • 32 mins
Camryn Irwin sits down with D'Marco Farr and Maurice Jones-Drew on the latest episode of Between The Horns to discuss the keys to defeating the Seattle Seahawks at SoFi Stadium, the Los Angeles Rams' versatile offense, and inside linebacker Nate Landman's impact on defense.
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Speaker 1 (00:06):
Welcome to Between the Horns, presented by your Southern California
a Toyota Dealers, Cameron Rwinmarco Farr, Maurice Jones Drew. As
we get set for week eleven, guys, this is gonna
be great. We're gonna take a look back at the
Rams pick up win over one rival as we prepare
for Seattle, another rival.
Speaker 2 (00:23):
From one to the next. Hi, you guys feel it.
Speaker 3 (00:25):
I'm good.
Speaker 4 (00:26):
We can stay in that win for a while. Now,
let's just listen. Who are you telling? Ny DeMarco. I
felt like I was just you know, forty two points
and I walked either there with my chest out, my head,
hell high. I flew down to La went to work
at the network. You got to see it over again,
you know. Then I went home, made sent a couple
of text message out to some people. Hey, how are
(00:47):
you feeling? Of course, not good, awesome, glad that you're
you know.
Speaker 3 (00:51):
It was fun. It meant a lot.
Speaker 5 (00:52):
It meant a lot for the fan bases for up
there down here. I meant a lot for this football
team to go up there and kind of right that
wrong that you let get away here for On Thursday
night in Sofi so to go up there and put
forty two points on him and absolutely dominate the football game,
it meant a lot. And it also meant that you
got ahead of the forty nine ers, which was so
important because this NFC race that's coming down the stretch,
(01:14):
it kind of built up to this game this Sunday
at so Far with the Seahawks. But yeah, a lot
of fun seeing Matthew Stafford do Matthew Stafford things.
Speaker 4 (01:23):
Shimmy, shimmy, not to say we're gonna get into the shimmy.
Speaker 5 (01:26):
And to see people going up the aisle. Oh yeah
before the game was over. Yeah, I mean that's that
was the moment for me. Yeah, I didn't say goodbye.
I just kind of watched them leave.
Speaker 4 (01:34):
It was fun.
Speaker 3 (01:34):
You just slow was just looking back, go ahead.
Speaker 1 (01:37):
Yeah, well, we really wanted to set this scene. So
what what a better place than right here at the
Toyota patio at SOFI. Guys, before we look ahead to Seattle.
You talked about Matthew Stafford. The shimmy was just superb.
But he's been superb all season long, actually since Week four.
Twenty touchdowns, zero interceptions. The MVP conversations only grew after
(01:57):
last week, and actually I was going through the search engine.
Just type in Matthew Stafford. It doesn't say Matthew Stafford search,
it's Matthew Stafford MVP search. It's the first thing that
comes up. How much better is this case?
Speaker 2 (02:09):
Now?
Speaker 3 (02:10):
That's pretty cool, man.
Speaker 5 (02:11):
I mean, I think the only way I could sum
it up because he deserves everything and all the attention
that he's getting because he's playing on a whole nother level.
The things he's doing to manipulate defenses with his eyes,
with his head is unreal. And JB said something I
thought was kind of funny. I think the horns on
the helmet kind of benefit him because he moves people
and he's going back this way. So the stuff he's
(02:31):
doing is you'll be talking about it long after he retires,
because this is stuff quarterbacks are going to be asked
to do from this point forward because of what he's
doing right now. But I think I could sum it
up this way. Maurice, it's his time. When you think
about where he came from in Detroit, and he was
great there. The only problem was Aaron Rodgers was in
the same division. So now he stands alone. He's in
(02:54):
the West, he's got a first place team, they're playing, well,
it's his time to be talked about in the MVP.
Speaker 4 (03:00):
Yeah. Yeah, to me, it's a perfect marriage. I think
when you put Sean McVay and the offense that he
came in with, the one that we saw with Jared
Golf and how it was so all these numbers and
stats are gonna put and put up, and then that
leaves and then it was kind of like trying to navigate, Okay,
how can we do this same offense with Matthew Stafford.
I think this year is the year, right, this year,
(03:21):
you're seeing all the work that they've put in, all
the time they've learned each other, all the different things
they want to do. And you see the bootlegs. We
didn't see a lot of bootlegs the last couple of years.
Those bootlegs, it just makes it easier for the quarterback
not to think it's half field. Reeves guys are right
in front of it. You see the athletic Look, no
he doesn't, he's running. And then when we need you
to be Matthew Stafford on third and eight and we
(03:42):
need you to rip a deep into to DeVante Adams,
you have that in your bag, and so to me,
I just feel like he's so much more comfortable under center,
so much more comfortable in this offense that he doesn't
have to think. Right. It's just like I know exactly
where I'm going with this place because I've seen this defense,
I know what they're gonna run against this call. I
have all this experience and then there's answers to every
question in every play. And so he's he's been i
(04:06):
would say, batting in like ninety eight percent, Like he's
passing these tests at ninety eight nine nine. And that's
what you're seeing right again. He understands where the ball
is supposed to be when it's supposed to be there,
and everyone's kind of on the same page.
Speaker 1 (04:18):
Well, you mentioned the bootleg, and it was interesting because
that's one of the plays that really stood out to
me from last week was the touchdown to Davis al
on that exact play where he extended it. You could
dissect any part of his game right now when of
be coming up green lights, green lights, how dangerous has
he become those specifically in the red zone and utilizing
so many different weapons.
Speaker 3 (04:36):
I think they have.
Speaker 5 (04:37):
That's the funny thing I was just when you were
talking about everything about Matthew staffordm like, it's it's not
like he's out there by himself. He's got some weapons,
he's got some players. Pooka's out there, DeVante's out there.
These tight ends have come into their own and the
run game and the old line I've really come into
the room. But yeah, I think for me, I mean
asking questions about them and to the offense, like why
is it clicking now? And they bring up the Baltimore
(04:59):
trip they talk about they just it's a mindset in
the red zone now. When they get into the red
zone they feel like they have to score and their
focus kind of narrows. That's the stuff you want to
hear coming out of an office. I think that's been
the difference in the red zone.
Speaker 4 (05:13):
Yeah, you know, I think the other part of the
red zone is the play calls. To be honest, I
mean it's not just straight drop back five guys running
routes right, it's play action pass their screen game involved
in the red zone in certain situations they're running the
football right. And so again, to me, I don't know
where it clicked. I think it is that Baltimore trip
(05:33):
where kind of all came together.
Speaker 5 (05:35):
I think it's the tight ends, man, Yeah, I do.
I think it's the emergence of the tight end.
Speaker 4 (05:38):
But I think again, how many times we've asked for
those tight ends over the years, right, And it's just
that now this offense is complete. You have four tight ends,
you have two running backs, you have five wide receivers,
you have a quarterback that's spreading the ball around. The
offensive line is healthy, and you're able to marry running
pass together and so that that's hard for any defense.
And it brings me back to when I used to
play against the Houston Texas when Kyle Shanahan's there had
(06:01):
Matthew shop right, and Matthew shop I used to tell
you all the time, like playing against him was one
of the hardest things because he had answers and he
was smart. Yeah, he didn't have the same arm talent
as Matthew Stafford. But when you put when you drop
a guy with that arm talent and that intelligence into
this offense, oh my, yeah, you should score every time
you're in the red.
Speaker 3 (06:17):
Zone's Matt shop There's only one Matthew Stafford.
Speaker 4 (06:21):
Matt Matthew staff whatever.
Speaker 1 (06:24):
Less respect talking about versatility. Four different players caught a
touchdown pass from Stafford this last week, Alan Parkinson, Nkoua,
and Adams. Not to mention the two rushing from Kyra
and Williams. You mentioned a little bit of the tight
ends thirteen personnel. Thirty of the sixty seven snaps from
last week were in thirteen personnel. What kind of strain
does that put in terms of a defense on the
other side?
Speaker 2 (06:44):
He laughs, He's like, that's Bruce.
Speaker 4 (06:46):
Shawn's getting a little greedy. Now go back to eleven
personnel a little bit.
Speaker 5 (06:49):
Let's slow down, but shout out to the giraffe, Corey
Kolbe Parkinson for the way he's rebounded from last year.
Speaker 3 (06:56):
Last year was rough for him. It just did not click.
Speaker 4 (07:00):
This year.
Speaker 5 (07:00):
He's been a different guy. And the thing that I
noticed most is his toughness. I mean, he has taken
some shots bam gets right back up back to the huddle.
So that tells me there's competition in the room. That
tells me there's a new intensity. Scott huff is their
their tight ends coach. I knew him from you dub
an O line coach, so you kind of implement that
O line kind of mentality to a tight end, right,
(07:22):
A very athletic group, a very different group. They do
so many different things and they work well together. U.
That to me has been the difference in the red
zone and the difference with this offense right now. But yeah,
having Higbee back is another thing. Give him his his
flowers too.
Speaker 4 (07:35):
Uh.
Speaker 5 (07:36):
This this offense that we talk about, it's all he knows.
This is the only offense he's run. So having him
back in the room is only going to help the group.
And then I think the rock star of the of
the thing or the potential is t Ferg. Yeah, he's
the receiver of the bunch. So depending on which three
of the four you see on the field will give
defenses just absolute nightmares.
Speaker 4 (07:55):
And you didn't say anything about David s Allen, who
has three.
Speaker 3 (07:56):
T R Yeah.
Speaker 4 (07:58):
Well, this is what I will say. When you have
a vision, right, and it's it rarely comes true. But
when you have a vision for guys right on your roster,
on your team, you're saying, Okay, this is what I
expect out of this group. We're seeing that from the
Rams tight end group, right. This is the vision that
Sean and less Need had when they drafted t Ferg
and they're like, we're gonna put some youth in here,
(08:19):
to put some competition in to get some guys going.
And sometimes competition makes guys shut it down, and sometimes
it makes you raise your game a little bit. And
that we're seeing the ladder of that, which is, you know, again,
tight ends showing up guys making plays. When you catch
the ball, you're seeing them seek it and turn and
look for contact and try to scot like because you
never know. And that's I've always I actually had this call.
(08:39):
I had to talk with the Daily Bruin called last
year this thing and they were asking about, you know
what my time at UCLA was like. And I remember
going to U slay there was ten running backs, right,
so if you fumbled, you had to get back into
the back of the line. I was like, hey, like, like,
I like touching the football, So when I get my opportunity,
I'm gonna make the most of it every time. And
that's what you're seeing in this tight end room is
(09:00):
when my numbers called that players for me. T Ferg
is out here trying to make catches. The first play
against the Niners was a fade ball or a wheel
route and Stafford gave him an opportunity, and I said,
I love that to let you know, like regards if
he's covered or not, we're gonna throw him the ball.
Speaker 3 (09:14):
Oh yeah, David Allen shout out to you too.
Speaker 4 (09:16):
I did.
Speaker 3 (09:17):
I didn't forget you, and I was just talking too much.
Speaker 4 (09:19):
And then I want to put this in about the
last little bit about the red zone. It's hard when
you have to cover Davante Adams on a fade or
a slant, but then you have to worry about our
tight ends and the flat and play action and the
running game and this. And you saw that with the Niners.
It was too much for them to think about and like,
so you can't cover Davante one on one, but that's
so when you did, it was a touchdown. You saw
(09:39):
that in the game, right when you did, when you
double team them, they ran the ball or play action
pass somewhere else, right, And so it just it's so
hard for a defense to have to cover the whole
field and five guys and make sure that you have
It just doesn't work.
Speaker 5 (09:52):
That way with a pitching machine of a quarterback, right,
and all he has to do is get open and
the ball is going to be on him.
Speaker 3 (09:56):
I don't know how you stopped that.
Speaker 1 (09:57):
This current iteration of the rams of rams offense. Is
this the most diversified offense under mcpagh that you've seen?
Speaker 3 (10:03):
I think so.
Speaker 5 (10:05):
This is what we've been hoping waiting for. Because he came,
he took the job as kind of a tight end guru. Well,
now you've got a group of guys where he can
work his magic and manipulate defenses. And if the defense
has a pretty good day, you still got to deal
with these.
Speaker 3 (10:19):
Guys out wide.
Speaker 5 (10:20):
I can just dump the ball off and spam it
to them and move it and a pretty good running game.
So it I think it could be. I think it
could be the best offense we've seen.
Speaker 1 (10:28):
Yeah, fair enough, let's switch it a little bit. Let's
look to the defensive side of the ball. Now, Rahams
have been opportunistic to this point, especially in their run defense.
What have you seen in terms of growth from that unit?
Speaker 3 (10:40):
What are you laughing about?
Speaker 4 (10:41):
Go ahead.
Speaker 3 (10:43):
Question? Who comes to mind?
Speaker 4 (10:46):
We were leaving the game and this guy walks by
me and I'm like, man like, who is that? Oh?
Let's puna forward? Were about the same size height at
least and I'm like and I'm like you, I'm like, dude, like,
there's no way that this guy is over here throwing
around three hundred pounds. He wouldn't. You wouldn't recognize that, right,
Like you know, they used to say big things come
in small package, And that's what he's doing. He's being
(11:08):
able to cover a gap to a gap or B
gap to B gap, and that allows everyone else to
do their job. And I think that was one of
the reasons last year the Rams had trouble. They couldn't
control that the interior gaps. And so you have a
guy like him that can get under the center, dominate
a gap to a gap, get penetration in the run
game or the passing game, excuse me, and collapse the
pocket all of a sudden. Now your linebackers can just roam,
(11:29):
they're flying around, guys are getting and it just having
that nose in the three four defense is so pivotal
to making this like the spine of this defense has
been fixed and they're able to run well.
Speaker 5 (11:40):
I'll say this, like last year's defense, they couldn't do
it consistently. This year they are doing it more consistently,
and I think it's because of his emergence or his
his the fact that he's here and I'm happy that.
You know, dudes that are under six feet are actually
having a shot to play in the NFL. My god,
and he's absolutely killing him. Here's the thing. He's slamming bodies,
whether he's making the play or not. That's how you
(12:01):
know he's wrecking shop. Anybody that's on him that has
to block him. First of all, it's a balanced breakfast
and you got to play snap the whistle because he
ain't gonna quit. And the minute you stop, he's gonna
pick you up and throw you. That's the type of
d line. That's the type of guy that just reeks
havoc in the middle and then shout out to the conductor.
Kobe Turner, who I think might be the best all
around guy on this football team, can play tough, could
(12:23):
be a run thug when needed. When it's a pass rush,
straighten out and get right to the quarterback in a blink.
So in the middle, they've done great. On the edges.
My goodness, I wouldn't want to play against your adverse. No,
even if he doesn't beat you, he's gonna beat you up.
I mean, regardless and Byron Young's having a fantastic gear.
So yeah, I think this defense as a whole has
been very, very consistent stopping the run, earning the right
(12:45):
the rest of the passage.
Speaker 4 (12:45):
And let me say this too, there's one play in
the Niners game that I think people It was a
touchdown by Brian Robinson, but people are like, oh, but
why would you highlight that? Well Landman comes Scott Free
on the goal line to make the play right like
that clean? That never happens because as an offensive players like,
we gotta get up on those linebackers down there. We're
(13:06):
not just tacking it on double teams. We're getting but
moving guys. But those guys have been so dominant up
front that you gave your linebacker a clean shot and
you just again this NFL. People make plays. But to
see that, I was like, Oh, this defensive line is
I said, hororizing people. Great play him, Yeah, because that's
the defensive scheme. You get a middle linebacker on a
running back in the backfield. Yeah, you're supposed to drop him. Yell.
Speaker 3 (13:25):
You know.
Speaker 1 (13:26):
Anytime I got a chance to be on this show,
it seems as if I want to talk about Nate
Landman because he has just been phenomenal. Now three forced
fumbles on the year, and by the way, Jared Versus
also at that mark. That's just one blow. The league
lead at four in total. What's been his effects?
Speaker 5 (13:41):
I think Verse just talks the ball out of Yeah,
fust ball comes out. But you know, I call it
force fumbles or strips. I mean when you call it
punch outs.
Speaker 3 (13:49):
I just hate this.
Speaker 5 (13:50):
Some people may say, oh, we can't be punching at
the ball, and they'll make that illegal, you know what
I mean, we can't be fisting at the ball, hitting
this stuff. But no, he's doing a great job of
getting the ball out and it's just that split second
and it comes with timing and knowing and trusting your personnel.
He's where he needs to be. He cuts off the football,
he's in great position to make the tackle. So when
Maurice Jones, Drew goes to lean in for a routine
(14:13):
hit and he just relaxes for a half second, Bam,
time to.
Speaker 4 (14:17):
Hit the football.
Speaker 5 (14:18):
Only certain guys have the guts to even try that
because if you miss, he's out the back door. So
he's a he's a heck of a linebacker. He's a
heck of a leader, and you could tell he's like
the heart and soul of his defense.
Speaker 4 (14:29):
Well, i'll tell you this too, is his football intelligence.
He understands that it's the guy that you don't see
with the running back. Right, there's been somewhere a guy's
looking at him. He's bunching the ball out, but a
lot of his ones are you're not seeing him. And
then you know that again, you're trying to break tackles
and you get like this and all of a sudden,
it's just you know, an upper cut or a right
jab or whatever it may be to the ball. But
he's ball aware that and there's it's it's hard to
(14:51):
explain that that type of I guess terminology. But there's
some people that are great tacklers. Yeah, Bobby Wagner's a
terrific tackler, makes all the time. There's certain people that
cause turnovers, right, It's like corners like Jalen Ramsey was
a cover guy, wasn't necessarily an interception guy. He was
a great cover, shuts you down guy. But then there
are certain guys they just get picks right, like they
(15:12):
give it plays. But you know what, it's fifty to fifty.
He may take that thing to the house too. So
it's just he's just a ball aware guy. He's always
aware where the ball is, how the guy's holding the ball.
And then another one again in a crucial situation where
the Niners are driving down to punch that ball out
and the Rams go down and score was it was huge.
Speaker 2 (15:28):
Knuckles on leather, right, that's what he's looking for.
Speaker 4 (15:31):
Knuckles.
Speaker 5 (15:32):
Yeah, that's a fine right, the punch the strip strip.
Speaker 4 (15:37):
There you go.
Speaker 2 (15:38):
We also have to give a nod to Emmanuel Forbes.
Speaker 1 (15:40):
Second straight game now where he's come away with an interception.
Speaker 2 (15:44):
Just how much better are you seeing him play right now?
Speaker 5 (15:46):
You can tell the confidence is growing. Shout out to
the coaching staff working with him and the weight room.
He's he's a lot bigger than the first time we
saw him. You saw him when he walked.
Speaker 4 (15:56):
Through the door. I mean, listen, he ate a hamburger
and but a lot big. I mean the first time
we saw him.
Speaker 5 (16:01):
Jesus, He's he's he's he's bigger, he's playing bigger, he's
covering better, he's attacking the football and the stuff. I like,
you know me, I like the way he plays the run, Yeah,
because they will leave him unblocked. Go block the safety
and force those corners to make tackles because they know
they can't. He has answered the bell each and every
week on that. You gotta respect him.
Speaker 4 (16:20):
I think what you said best is what he did
this offseason, right. He put the time in this offseason
to get stronger, get bigger, put on more muscle, and
then to be able to do those things right, to
be able to go in there and and and put
you know, your shoulder pads on a running back. And
I love the fact that he doesn't shy away from it.
He fits in his gap in the run game. He
may get ran over, he may the guy may be bigger, stronger,
(16:42):
but he's going in there to do it. And then
when you stop the run, it's just like it's just
like defensive line. When you earn the right to get interceptions, right,
when you earn the right to be put in a
situation where the quarterback has to get the ball out
quitting a known passing situation, you have opportunities to jump
the jump passes. And and again it was the pressure
caused by well when it was the pressure stopping the
run early in this game. Then the defensive line got
(17:03):
pressure on Mac Jones has to get the ball quick
and you have your eyes for your need to be
you're able to make a play, and that's what you're
looking for. Right, That's what he did it at what
he was at Mississippi State, Right, Yeah, that's what he
did there, and and and again that's why he was
drafted in the first round. You're starting to see that
though now and again. I think a lot of it
comes to being in the same system, being around the
same guys, understanding what they're looking for in certain situations,
(17:25):
knowing when you can be aggressive when you can't, and
then being able to compete too, because again, competition brings
the best out of everybody, and so having guys get
traded to come back here or guys getting healthy, it's
something that you're looking.
Speaker 3 (17:37):
For and have a really good defensive staff.
Speaker 4 (17:39):
Yeah, coach, I thought we weren't doing that, though, I'm
just saying I thought we weren't doing that. I got
we were trying to keep everybody from here.
Speaker 1 (17:47):
Yes here, all right, guys, but one more unit to
touch on and that special teams. It feels like a
little bit of a reprieve this week, which is a
glorious thing. Harris and mevs making his NFL start, goes
sick for six on extra points. Also Jake McQuaid in
the mix as the snapper, just quickly touching on what
it stood out about that unit.
Speaker 5 (18:06):
Okay, so being down there with him, I get the nickname,
I get it. Yeah, absolutely, But here's how it wents.
It's third on the list.
Speaker 2 (18:16):
That's great.
Speaker 3 (18:16):
Yeah, that's perfect.
Speaker 5 (18:18):
It needs to keep going further. We don't need to
talk about it, That's what I'm saying. I mean, I
think you're getting closed. I think everybody can exhale a
little bit. At least we did on game day. Let's
hope that carries over. But that's the point of it.
It's to me, it's never been about who's doing it.
Just as long as the ball goes through the upright.
Because this defense, this offense is playing at an elite
(18:39):
level and has a chance to ascend. That would stink
if that part of football would would hurt you and
keep you from where you want to go.
Speaker 4 (18:46):
Yeah. I believe in any journey that you take as
a football team, things are going to happen. You're gonna
have to be able to overcome some type of adversity,
and credit to the coaching staff of putting out a
competition and then making it a competition and saying, hey,
these guys won, We're gonna go see what they do.
Speaker 5 (19:04):
I but I, Maurice, in all my years, I personally
have never seen that. I have to say that to
where you have a long snapper and a placekicker that's
on the field doing the job and the other two
guys are on the sideline staring at them. I've never
seen that. So that that is competition at its truest.
Speaker 4 (19:20):
Form, and if you believe in competition, I mean there's
that's like that every week. Yeah, not just at that
position though, there's running backs.
Speaker 5 (19:28):
A long snapper, any kicker. I thought that was like, Wow,
they're not messing around all right.
Speaker 1 (19:32):
Time to fast forward, guys, we have a huge show
down here at SOFI on Sunday. Two teams both sitting
at seven and two, fighting for the divisional lead, both
on four game win streaks. Seattle has yet to lose
on the road this season. Also interesting as they're coming
in to so FI, just how big is this one?
Speaker 4 (19:50):
I mean again, I think you I thought you played
an NFC West Championship game last week. I think you're
gonna do it again this week, Kim. This team is
built very similar to the Rams. Right. Their defensive line
is crazy different, but crazy really good. Offense is very
similar to what the Rams do, pretty much the exact same,
but they just do it out of twenty one personnel
(20:12):
and eleven personnel. And so I think you're gonna have
to find ways to slow them down early. They start fast,
they start very fast. If you can slow them down
early and put a little pressure on Sam Darnold, I
think that'll help out. But offensively, the only way to
do that is by protecting your quarterback. Right, you gotta
be able to run the football this week. You can't
drop back. You gotta be able to be efficient in
(20:33):
the running game and play action pass and take your shots.
Speaker 1 (20:36):
How different is that defensive line? And why so you
just mentioned that they're bigger.
Speaker 4 (20:41):
They're bigger, they're athletic like Leonard Williams. Is a problem, right,
You can't have a three hundred pounds d n out
there right.
Speaker 5 (20:49):
Byron Murphy's yeah, is as quick as they come, and
he's kind of coming into his own.
Speaker 4 (20:53):
And then you have Lawrence. Who's who's coming out as well?
Who's making plays? And they were twice last week. Yeah,
they're blitzing.
Speaker 3 (21:00):
Lottery took it.
Speaker 4 (21:00):
They're blitz in. They're doing all these different things and
they can still get pressure with four. It goes back
to when we were right before we went to London.
I watched them versus the Seahawks versus the Jaguars, and they,
I mean they demolished the doors.
Speaker 5 (21:14):
Y Yes, absolutely, the good defense. They get after you,
Sam Darnold. I don't know how to explain this. I
want to say Jeff Gordon, but that doesn't do it
justice because he was actually a great driver. I mean,
I think they are good. I think he's been good
behind him. Last week they scored thirty five points before
the half. Right, boy just blew the doors off Arizona.
(21:34):
I think he turned the ball over three times.
Speaker 4 (21:35):
He did.
Speaker 5 (21:36):
That's what I mean. We don't talk about it. They're good.
He's good enough to run this offense. So I like
what you said. I think this offense is good. I
think their defense gets after you and special teams wise,
what it comes down to is who has the better
quarterback under center? Which quarterback is going to make the
fewest mistakes, So I would put all my stock in
Matthew Stafford. But same thing. If you let Seattle do
(21:59):
what they do offense, if you let them get the
run game going, so they have the benefit of play action,
you'll never catch him and they have the defense to
back you up. So same thing, same mentality with San Francisco.
You gotta land the first punch. You can't wait around
for them to establish momentum and then come back. You
have to establish and you have a.
Speaker 4 (22:16):
Little bit of a revenge factor in there with Cooper
cup right, so that's gonna that's gonna be come into
play as well. But I will tell you this, if
I'm if I'm Chris Shula, the first person in this
offense I want to stop is js In. He can
he can't. He can't do anything against us, right. We
have to make them play left handed and either run
the football or throw to other players. But I can't
have js In going, you know, post and different things
(22:37):
like that.
Speaker 3 (22:38):
This is where I have to argue with Maurice. I
think you can't cover him.
Speaker 4 (22:42):
We have to.
Speaker 5 (22:43):
You can't, That's what I mean. I think there's there's
no covering that guy. You can't cover receivers like that.
Which you have to do is get after Darnald.
Speaker 4 (22:49):
But that's what But that's what I'm trying to Like,
we gotta slow him, at least make Darnald hitch one time.
Speaker 5 (22:54):
Yes, I think you need to be letter perfect in
how you're covering him and be in position to make plays.
But if you think you got a guy to just
lock on him and that's gonna happen, never gonna listen.
Speaker 4 (23:04):
We're gonna throw bodies at him. Like we talk about
we talk about certain positions we had trouble in the past.
We're gonna keep throwing bodies multiple multiple, Look okay hard
like a quick jam, you got help over the top.
Maybe we're gonna have a linebacker chip and when he's
in tight we just can't let him just run because
if you let him run, it's gonna be a brother.
Speaker 5 (23:21):
Let's devote resources to going after Donald. See argument over,
So we're in the same page.
Speaker 4 (23:26):
There we go.
Speaker 1 (23:26):
Well, it also makes me think back to the wild
card last year. Nine sacks against Donald. Obviously a different
offense on the other side. But for Rams fans, I'm
gonna tell you or just general NFL fans, this is
a matchup you're gonna want to watch if you love
elite wide receiver play, because you're looking across the board.
You mentioned Jackson Smith and Jigba currently leading the NFL
right now with over one thousand yards, and then of
(23:49):
course we have our own Jackson Smith and Jigma Puka Nakua.
You can't forget about Devonte Adams, who I feel like
is currently a freight trade. He is only picking up momentum.
And of course the return of Cooper Cup here to
five stadium. So if you love elite wide receiver play,
this is the batchup you're gonna want to watch.
Speaker 2 (24:05):
Not to mention the quarterback, well, you know.
Speaker 5 (24:07):
I don't like elite receiver play. I like quarterbacks getting
hit very hard.
Speaker 4 (24:11):
You do.
Speaker 3 (24:11):
I like the defensive struggle.
Speaker 4 (24:12):
And let me say this and I'll tell you this too,
that the Rams have had a lot of success with
this Seahawks offensive line. It hasn't changed right, and you've
had success in those situations. So I do I agree
with you. If you are gonna stop JSN, you have
to get pressure on Donald quickly. It brings you back
to Braiden face sack last year where it was like
a two second sack, like he beat the guard. I
(24:33):
think it was the right guard. He beat him in
two seconds, right, And so you know that you have
an advantage there. You just have to stop them on
first down. Now you're gonna say stop the run, like no,
they throw the ball on first down more than anyone
in the NFL. They they do play action passes on
first down. So you got to make sure that you're
you're prepared for that and you slow them down and
get him in those third longs.
Speaker 5 (24:51):
Say his name again, Braiden Fisk, Yeah, Braid braid and Fisk,
Braiden Fisk. We need some braid and Fisk. Yeah, Braiden
Fisk can win this game. I'm not kidding. Braden Fisk
can win this game. You get interior pressure, game over, absolutely,
punchure the pocket game over, Yes, sir.
Speaker 1 (25:07):
One unit we haven't discussed quite yet is the Rams
offensive line. They've allowed just fourteen sacks this season, that's
tied for fourth best. They're going to have to deal
with it again. You mentioned Seattle's a defensive line. What
have you seen from the Rams offensive line that gives
you confidence going to this one?
Speaker 3 (25:22):
Uh, Okay.
Speaker 5 (25:23):
First of all, I love how this offensive line I
guess is built. You got the veteran and Rob Havenstein,
you got the youth at left tackle. You got Alark
Jackson who doesn't say a word and we don't talk
much about which is perfect. And you've got Kevin Dotson
who is the demolition man right and the brain in
the middle with Colvin Shelton. So there's a play that
I think. This is my favorite play. This is the
one where Pooka scored. First of all, it was a
(25:45):
great block by Tyler Higbee. Yes, he gets too, springs
the block. Watch Rob Havenstein does his job, gets like
knocked to the ground on a heap, gets up, see
that they scored, goes and walk straight to the sideline.
Then rewind the tape and watch Steve Avolo all the
way into the end zone. He wants a part of
the celebration. That's what I mean. Yeah, youth experience. I'm
(26:05):
not gonna add fifty yards to my day. You can
go ahead, young man. But they're all playing well together.
They communicate well. All the problems that you thought about
last season with protection issues, knowing which way to slide,
there haven't been many busts this year. That's all because
of the veteran experience in Coleman Sheldon. But the way
they're coming together, they're starting to move people, not just
(26:26):
position block, so run and pass. They're hard to beat
around the corner and they can absolutely move you off
the stumps in the middle. So if you want to
know what's making this thing go outside of Stafford, it's
that old line.
Speaker 4 (26:38):
Yeah. I don't know if Ernest Jones is gonna play
this week or not, but I'll say the biggest thing
I see from the Rams offensive line is when they
double team. They're up on those linebackers right away. It's
not like, oh, we're gonna say that the line of
scrimmage and go. No, they're chipping and moving guys, and
they're getting up to the second level, which is opening
up these gaping holes. And even though the Rams aren't
running the ball like we've seen in the past, right now,
(27:00):
right the play action passes there. Because if I'm a
linebacker and I see any type of run action, I
have to beat that offensive lineman to the spot because
once he gets on me, it's over. And the Rams
have done such a great job of getting up to
the second level. That that alone is making those linebackers
over pursue or get out of position. And again, like
you said, Matthew Stafford, that that's what's allowing this, the scheme,
the way they're getting up to the second level, the
(27:21):
when they do run the ball, all that's allowing them
to protect. Matthew Stafford more.
Speaker 3 (27:25):
They sell run pretty good, really good.
Speaker 5 (27:27):
They're really in the mind of Sean McVay when he
draws you in to get passing lanes open. They sell
it really well. Those linebackers in safety believe it's run
and then it's too late.
Speaker 1 (27:36):
Rams Rivalry game here at Sofi Stadium, we're going to
be in full midnight mode.
Speaker 4 (27:41):
How sweet?
Speaker 3 (27:43):
Yeah, can't wait, can't wait. This is going to be fun.
Speaker 1 (27:45):
Yes, but this is your chance to say a message
to the ramling about how impactful they could be in
this matchup.
Speaker 3 (27:51):
Oh, be loud.
Speaker 4 (27:52):
You know this.
Speaker 5 (27:53):
I keep telling you this about people Jared Vers and
Byron Young, and they depend on you. The louder you get,
the more pre sure they get, the more we win.
And I thought La was the city of champions and whatnot, right,
So do your part. Be here and be loud. Look
I'll tell you this. That is their advantage up there.
It is deafening in Seattle. It's almost unfair. So I
(28:14):
think it's only right that you give it to them
and show them what it's like here in sofa and
try to blow the roof off this place. So, like
I said, I think the offense will give people something
to cheer about. Keep that same energy when the defense
is out there and drowned out, drownd out all communication
that Sam Darnold has, and then get after him.
Speaker 4 (28:33):
I think this is a championship game. This is the
NFC West Championship game, like I said earlier, And when
you're in those modes and you want your team to win,
you need to be out and here and be a
part of the game, right, be a part of the environment,
the experience. Fans. I mean we both know this. I
mean I've been in I've played in U deb I
played in Seattle. I've been there where you can't hear
the quarterback give tell you the play? Yeah right? You
(28:55):
know how much of a disadvantage that is as an
offensive player, Like the quarterback is screaming. You just see
his mouth going like this, and you're like what what? Right?
And then you got to burn a time out, or
you have some miscommunication, you're able to get pressure on
the quarterback in a big sack on third down. Those
those things, fans definitely impact the game. So if you
want this just Rams team like to be where they
where everyone believes they can go, you got to be
(29:16):
a part of that, right, Like we're all a part
of it. I mean we have a job to do
as well. Yeah, but this is a this is a
city that the Dodgers just went back to back. We've
seen how they've been supported. As time for you know
those people that baseball season's over. Now it's time to
come to so far and let's do it again, right
and let this be the city of championships.
Speaker 1 (29:33):
I know you guys want another ring, that's all I'm oh.
Speaker 4 (29:35):
I know you want another ring two times, two times
super Bowl champions.
Speaker 1 (29:38):
Quick synopsis of our keys to victory because you guys
have already laid it out so beautifully. But just something
for Rams fans to hang on to. First key to
victory tomorrow.
Speaker 3 (29:47):
Okay, I'll say this.
Speaker 5 (29:48):
I think this will be the best defenses both teams
will have played with exception of Houston and I would say,
if you look at the tape from what they did
versus Arizona, you're gonna see a lot of that. They're
gonna try to get the ball out of Matthews sa
Efford's hands in a blank or beat him up. That's
going to be the game plan. So I would say
this protection from Matthew Stafford and not just pass blocking.
I mean protecting through running the football, being smart with it,
(30:10):
staying ahead of the chains, and kind of taking away
some of that aggression because he'll do it on his own,
but take away some of that aggression by continuing to
keep them on the field. And I think that'll pay dividends.
So Number one, protect Stafford. Number two, you got to
stop the run. You absolutely have to stop the run.
Make them one dimensional. I don't think you can cover
them one on one, but I know you can get
pressure on that quarterback. So it starts with stopping the run. Yeah,
(30:32):
to me, I was gonna say, just control the line
of scrimmage. If you can control the line of scrimmage,
meaning both sides of the ball, dominating them on defense.
If we're on defense, are on offense getting pressure, like
DeMarco says, stopping the run. But then on the de
vice versa the other ways. You know, they put a
lot of resource and invested a lot of money into
that defensive line in draft capital. Guess who else has
done the same thing, the rams on both sides, right,
(30:54):
So it's time for you to then now show why
you're getting paid or why you were selected at a
certain position.
Speaker 4 (30:59):
And this is that game. For this is Championship games
aren't about the guys on the outside. It's not about
the running back. It's really not about the quarterback. You
win championship games because of the interior. If you look
at the Eagles last year, the reason the Eagles beat
one was because their defensive line dominated down the stretch.
Offensive line did they They were able to run the football.
Their offensive line did as well. So when you're in
(31:20):
a championship game, it's all about the guys up front,
the guys that don't get all they've written about that,
those are the guys that have to win those games.
So to me control the line of scrimmage.
Speaker 3 (31:30):
Which one is it that one Braden fist is gonna
win this game?
Speaker 2 (31:33):
Look at you, right back to it.
Speaker 1 (31:35):
I'm gonna go bat some clean up here. I'm going
to say another clean game on special teams, just clean
and simple. And then I'm also going to say we
got to start fast if Matthew Stafford has been really
solid on those opening drives three straight where they've been
able to score. But guys, it's been a pleasure. Thanks
so much for hanging out here on between the horns
presented by your Southern California toilet Dealers, a beautiful setting
(31:55):
right here on our Toyota patio at Sofi Stadium.
Speaker 2 (31:58):
We can't wait to see you back
Speaker 1 (32:00):
Here at one five Sunday afternoon, the Rams and the
Seahawks looking for that divisional leader.
Welcome to Between the Horns, presented by your Southern California
a Toyota Dealers, Cameron Rwinmarco Farr, Maurice Jones Drew. As
we get set for week eleven, guys, this is gonna
be great. We're gonna take a look back at the
Rams pick up win over one rival as we prepare
for Seattle, another rival.
Speaker 2 (00:23):
From one to the next. Hi, you guys feel it.
Speaker 3 (00:25):
I'm good.
Speaker 4 (00:26):
We can stay in that win for a while. Now,
let's just listen. Who are you telling? Ny DeMarco. I
felt like I was just you know, forty two points
and I walked either there with my chest out, my head,
hell high. I flew down to La went to work
at the network. You got to see it over again,
you know. Then I went home, made sent a couple
of text message out to some people. Hey, how are
(00:47):
you feeling? Of course, not good, awesome, glad that you're
you know.
Speaker 3 (00:51):
It was fun. It meant a lot.
Speaker 5 (00:52):
It meant a lot for the fan bases for up
there down here. I meant a lot for this football
team to go up there and kind of right that
wrong that you let get away here for On Thursday
night in Sofi so to go up there and put
forty two points on him and absolutely dominate the football game,
it meant a lot. And it also meant that you
got ahead of the forty nine ers, which was so
important because this NFC race that's coming down the stretch,
(01:14):
it kind of built up to this game this Sunday
at so Far with the Seahawks. But yeah, a lot
of fun seeing Matthew Stafford do Matthew Stafford things.
Speaker 4 (01:23):
Shimmy, shimmy, not to say we're gonna get into the shimmy.
Speaker 5 (01:26):
And to see people going up the aisle. Oh yeah
before the game was over. Yeah, I mean that's that
was the moment for me. Yeah, I didn't say goodbye.
I just kind of watched them leave.
Speaker 4 (01:34):
It was fun.
Speaker 3 (01:34):
You just slow was just looking back, go ahead.
Speaker 1 (01:37):
Yeah, well, we really wanted to set this scene. So
what what a better place than right here at the
Toyota patio at SOFI. Guys, before we look ahead to Seattle.
You talked about Matthew Stafford. The shimmy was just superb.
But he's been superb all season long, actually since Week four.
Twenty touchdowns, zero interceptions. The MVP conversations only grew after
(01:57):
last week, and actually I was going through the search engine.
Just type in Matthew Stafford. It doesn't say Matthew Stafford search,
it's Matthew Stafford MVP search. It's the first thing that
comes up. How much better is this case?
Speaker 2 (02:09):
Now?
Speaker 3 (02:10):
That's pretty cool, man.
Speaker 5 (02:11):
I mean, I think the only way I could sum
it up because he deserves everything and all the attention
that he's getting because he's playing on a whole nother level.
The things he's doing to manipulate defenses with his eyes,
with his head is unreal. And JB said something I
thought was kind of funny. I think the horns on
the helmet kind of benefit him because he moves people
and he's going back this way. So the stuff he's
(02:31):
doing is you'll be talking about it long after he retires,
because this is stuff quarterbacks are going to be asked
to do from this point forward because of what he's
doing right now. But I think I could sum it
up this way. Maurice, it's his time. When you think
about where he came from in Detroit, and he was
great there. The only problem was Aaron Rodgers was in
the same division. So now he stands alone. He's in
(02:54):
the West, he's got a first place team, they're playing, well,
it's his time to be talked about in the MVP.
Speaker 4 (03:00):
Yeah. Yeah, to me, it's a perfect marriage. I think
when you put Sean McVay and the offense that he
came in with, the one that we saw with Jared
Golf and how it was so all these numbers and
stats are gonna put and put up, and then that
leaves and then it was kind of like trying to navigate, Okay,
how can we do this same offense with Matthew Stafford.
I think this year is the year, right, this year,
(03:21):
you're seeing all the work that they've put in, all
the time they've learned each other, all the different things
they want to do. And you see the bootlegs. We
didn't see a lot of bootlegs the last couple of years.
Those bootlegs, it just makes it easier for the quarterback
not to think it's half field. Reeves guys are right
in front of it. You see the athletic Look, no
he doesn't, he's running. And then when we need you
to be Matthew Stafford on third and eight and we
(03:42):
need you to rip a deep into to DeVante Adams,
you have that in your bag, and so to me,
I just feel like he's so much more comfortable under center,
so much more comfortable in this offense that he doesn't
have to think. Right. It's just like I know exactly
where I'm going with this place because I've seen this defense,
I know what they're gonna run against this call. I
have all this experience and then there's answers to every
question in every play. And so he's he's been i
(04:06):
would say, batting in like ninety eight percent, Like he's
passing these tests at ninety eight nine nine. And that's
what you're seeing right again. He understands where the ball
is supposed to be when it's supposed to be there,
and everyone's kind of on the same page.
Speaker 1 (04:18):
Well, you mentioned the bootleg, and it was interesting because
that's one of the plays that really stood out to
me from last week was the touchdown to Davis al
on that exact play where he extended it. You could
dissect any part of his game right now when of
be coming up green lights, green lights, how dangerous has
he become those specifically in the red zone and utilizing
so many different weapons.
Speaker 3 (04:36):
I think they have.
Speaker 5 (04:37):
That's the funny thing I was just when you were
talking about everything about Matthew staffordm like, it's it's not
like he's out there by himself. He's got some weapons,
he's got some players. Pooka's out there, DeVante's out there.
These tight ends have come into their own and the
run game and the old line I've really come into
the room. But yeah, I think for me, I mean
asking questions about them and to the offense, like why
is it clicking now? And they bring up the Baltimore
(04:59):
trip they talk about they just it's a mindset in
the red zone now. When they get into the red
zone they feel like they have to score and their
focus kind of narrows. That's the stuff you want to
hear coming out of an office. I think that's been
the difference in the red zone.
Speaker 4 (05:13):
Yeah, you know, I think the other part of the
red zone is the play calls. To be honest, I
mean it's not just straight drop back five guys running
routes right, it's play action pass their screen game involved
in the red zone in certain situations they're running the
football right. And so again, to me, I don't know
where it clicked. I think it is that Baltimore trip
(05:33):
where kind of all came together.
Speaker 5 (05:35):
I think it's the tight ends, man, Yeah, I do.
I think it's the emergence of the tight end.
Speaker 4 (05:38):
But I think again, how many times we've asked for
those tight ends over the years, right, And it's just
that now this offense is complete. You have four tight ends,
you have two running backs, you have five wide receivers,
you have a quarterback that's spreading the ball around. The
offensive line is healthy, and you're able to marry running
pass together and so that that's hard for any defense.
And it brings me back to when I used to
play against the Houston Texas when Kyle Shanahan's there had
(06:01):
Matthew shop right, and Matthew shop I used to tell
you all the time, like playing against him was one
of the hardest things because he had answers and he
was smart. Yeah, he didn't have the same arm talent
as Matthew Stafford. But when you put when you drop
a guy with that arm talent and that intelligence into
this offense, oh my, yeah, you should score every time
you're in the red.
Speaker 3 (06:17):
Zone's Matt shop There's only one Matthew Stafford.
Speaker 4 (06:21):
Matt Matthew staff whatever.
Speaker 1 (06:24):
Less respect talking about versatility. Four different players caught a
touchdown pass from Stafford this last week, Alan Parkinson, Nkoua,
and Adams. Not to mention the two rushing from Kyra
and Williams. You mentioned a little bit of the tight
ends thirteen personnel. Thirty of the sixty seven snaps from
last week were in thirteen personnel. What kind of strain
does that put in terms of a defense on the
other side?
Speaker 2 (06:44):
He laughs, He's like, that's Bruce.
Speaker 4 (06:46):
Shawn's getting a little greedy. Now go back to eleven
personnel a little bit.
Speaker 5 (06:49):
Let's slow down, but shout out to the giraffe, Corey
Kolbe Parkinson for the way he's rebounded from last year.
Speaker 3 (06:56):
Last year was rough for him. It just did not click.
Speaker 4 (07:00):
This year.
Speaker 5 (07:00):
He's been a different guy. And the thing that I
noticed most is his toughness. I mean, he has taken
some shots bam gets right back up back to the huddle.
So that tells me there's competition in the room. That
tells me there's a new intensity. Scott huff is their
their tight ends coach. I knew him from you dub
an O line coach, so you kind of implement that
O line kind of mentality to a tight end, right,
(07:22):
A very athletic group, a very different group. They do
so many different things and they work well together. U.
That to me has been the difference in the red
zone and the difference with this offense right now. But yeah,
having Higbee back is another thing. Give him his his
flowers too.
Speaker 4 (07:35):
Uh.
Speaker 5 (07:36):
This this offense that we talk about, it's all he knows.
This is the only offense he's run. So having him
back in the room is only going to help the group.
And then I think the rock star of the of
the thing or the potential is t Ferg. Yeah, he's
the receiver of the bunch. So depending on which three
of the four you see on the field will give
defenses just absolute nightmares.
Speaker 4 (07:55):
And you didn't say anything about David s Allen, who
has three.
Speaker 3 (07:56):
T R Yeah.
Speaker 4 (07:58):
Well, this is what I will say. When you have
a vision, right, and it's it rarely comes true. But
when you have a vision for guys right on your roster,
on your team, you're saying, Okay, this is what I
expect out of this group. We're seeing that from the
Rams tight end group, right. This is the vision that
Sean and less Need had when they drafted t Ferg
and they're like, we're gonna put some youth in here,
(08:19):
to put some competition in to get some guys going.
And sometimes competition makes guys shut it down, and sometimes
it makes you raise your game a little bit. And
that we're seeing the ladder of that, which is, you know, again,
tight ends showing up guys making plays. When you catch
the ball, you're seeing them seek it and turn and
look for contact and try to scot like because you
never know. And that's I've always I actually had this call.
(08:39):
I had to talk with the Daily Bruin called last
year this thing and they were asking about, you know
what my time at UCLA was like. And I remember
going to U slay there was ten running backs, right,
so if you fumbled, you had to get back into
the back of the line. I was like, hey, like, like,
I like touching the football, So when I get my opportunity,
I'm gonna make the most of it every time. And
that's what you're seeing in this tight end room is
(09:00):
when my numbers called that players for me. T Ferg
is out here trying to make catches. The first play
against the Niners was a fade ball or a wheel
route and Stafford gave him an opportunity, and I said,
I love that to let you know, like regards if
he's covered or not, we're gonna throw him the ball.
Speaker 3 (09:14):
Oh yeah, David Allen shout out to you too.
Speaker 4 (09:16):
I did.
Speaker 3 (09:17):
I didn't forget you, and I was just talking too much.
Speaker 4 (09:19):
And then I want to put this in about the
last little bit about the red zone. It's hard when
you have to cover Davante Adams on a fade or
a slant, but then you have to worry about our
tight ends and the flat and play action and the
running game and this. And you saw that with the Niners.
It was too much for them to think about and like,
so you can't cover Davante one on one, but that's
so when you did, it was a touchdown. You saw
(09:39):
that in the game, right when you did, when you
double team them, they ran the ball or play action
pass somewhere else, right, And so it just it's so
hard for a defense to have to cover the whole
field and five guys and make sure that you have
It just doesn't work.
Speaker 5 (09:52):
That way with a pitching machine of a quarterback, right,
and all he has to do is get open and
the ball is going to be on him.
Speaker 3 (09:56):
I don't know how you stopped that.
Speaker 1 (09:57):
This current iteration of the rams of rams offense. Is
this the most diversified offense under mcpagh that you've seen?
Speaker 3 (10:03):
I think so.
Speaker 5 (10:05):
This is what we've been hoping waiting for. Because he came,
he took the job as kind of a tight end guru. Well,
now you've got a group of guys where he can
work his magic and manipulate defenses. And if the defense
has a pretty good day, you still got to deal
with these.
Speaker 3 (10:19):
Guys out wide.
Speaker 5 (10:20):
I can just dump the ball off and spam it
to them and move it and a pretty good running game.
So it I think it could be. I think it
could be the best offense we've seen.
Speaker 1 (10:28):
Yeah, fair enough, let's switch it a little bit. Let's
look to the defensive side of the ball. Now, Rahams
have been opportunistic to this point, especially in their run defense.
What have you seen in terms of growth from that unit?
Speaker 3 (10:40):
What are you laughing about?
Speaker 4 (10:41):
Go ahead.
Speaker 3 (10:43):
Question? Who comes to mind?
Speaker 4 (10:46):
We were leaving the game and this guy walks by
me and I'm like, man like, who is that? Oh?
Let's puna forward? Were about the same size height at
least and I'm like and I'm like you, I'm like, dude, like,
there's no way that this guy is over here throwing
around three hundred pounds. He wouldn't. You wouldn't recognize that, right,
Like you know, they used to say big things come
in small package, And that's what he's doing. He's being
(11:08):
able to cover a gap to a gap or B
gap to B gap, and that allows everyone else to
do their job. And I think that was one of
the reasons last year the Rams had trouble. They couldn't
control that the interior gaps. And so you have a
guy like him that can get under the center, dominate
a gap to a gap, get penetration in the run
game or the passing game, excuse me, and collapse the
pocket all of a sudden. Now your linebackers can just roam,
(11:29):
they're flying around, guys are getting and it just having
that nose in the three four defense is so pivotal
to making this like the spine of this defense has
been fixed and they're able to run well.
Speaker 5 (11:40):
I'll say this, like last year's defense, they couldn't do
it consistently. This year they are doing it more consistently,
and I think it's because of his emergence or his
his the fact that he's here and I'm happy that.
You know, dudes that are under six feet are actually
having a shot to play in the NFL. My god,
and he's absolutely killing him. Here's the thing. He's slamming bodies,
whether he's making the play or not. That's how you
(12:01):
know he's wrecking shop. Anybody that's on him that has
to block him. First of all, it's a balanced breakfast
and you got to play snap the whistle because he
ain't gonna quit. And the minute you stop, he's gonna
pick you up and throw you. That's the type of
d line. That's the type of guy that just reeks
havoc in the middle and then shout out to the conductor.
Kobe Turner, who I think might be the best all
around guy on this football team, can play tough, could
(12:23):
be a run thug when needed. When it's a pass rush,
straighten out and get right to the quarterback in a blink.
So in the middle, they've done great. On the edges.
My goodness, I wouldn't want to play against your adverse. No,
even if he doesn't beat you, he's gonna beat you up.
I mean, regardless and Byron Young's having a fantastic gear.
So yeah, I think this defense as a whole has
been very, very consistent stopping the run, earning the right
(12:45):
the rest of the passage.
Speaker 4 (12:45):
And let me say this too, there's one play in
the Niners game that I think people It was a
touchdown by Brian Robinson, but people are like, oh, but
why would you highlight that? Well Landman comes Scott Free
on the goal line to make the play right like
that clean? That never happens because as an offensive players like,
we gotta get up on those linebackers down there. We're
(13:06):
not just tacking it on double teams. We're getting but
moving guys. But those guys have been so dominant up
front that you gave your linebacker a clean shot and
you just again this NFL. People make plays. But to
see that, I was like, Oh, this defensive line is
I said, hororizing people. Great play him, Yeah, because that's
the defensive scheme. You get a middle linebacker on a
running back in the backfield. Yeah, you're supposed to drop him. Yell.
Speaker 3 (13:25):
You know.
Speaker 1 (13:26):
Anytime I got a chance to be on this show,
it seems as if I want to talk about Nate
Landman because he has just been phenomenal. Now three forced
fumbles on the year, and by the way, Jared Versus
also at that mark. That's just one blow. The league
lead at four in total. What's been his effects?
Speaker 5 (13:41):
I think Verse just talks the ball out of Yeah,
fust ball comes out. But you know, I call it
force fumbles or strips. I mean when you call it
punch outs.
Speaker 3 (13:49):
I just hate this.
Speaker 5 (13:50):
Some people may say, oh, we can't be punching at
the ball, and they'll make that illegal, you know what
I mean, we can't be fisting at the ball, hitting
this stuff. But no, he's doing a great job of
getting the ball out and it's just that split second
and it comes with timing and knowing and trusting your personnel.
He's where he needs to be. He cuts off the football,
he's in great position to make the tackle. So when
Maurice Jones, Drew goes to lean in for a routine
(14:13):
hit and he just relaxes for a half second, Bam,
time to.
Speaker 4 (14:17):
Hit the football.
Speaker 5 (14:18):
Only certain guys have the guts to even try that
because if you miss, he's out the back door. So
he's a he's a heck of a linebacker. He's a
heck of a leader, and you could tell he's like
the heart and soul of his defense.
Speaker 4 (14:29):
Well, i'll tell you this too, is his football intelligence.
He understands that it's the guy that you don't see
with the running back. Right, there's been somewhere a guy's
looking at him. He's bunching the ball out, but a
lot of his ones are you're not seeing him. And
then you know that again, you're trying to break tackles
and you get like this and all of a sudden,
it's just you know, an upper cut or a right
jab or whatever it may be to the ball. But
he's ball aware that and there's it's it's hard to
(14:51):
explain that that type of I guess terminology. But there's
some people that are great tacklers. Yeah, Bobby Wagner's a
terrific tackler, makes all the time. There's certain people that
cause turnovers, right, It's like corners like Jalen Ramsey was
a cover guy, wasn't necessarily an interception guy. He was
a great cover, shuts you down guy. But then there
are certain guys they just get picks right, like they
(15:12):
give it plays. But you know what, it's fifty to fifty.
He may take that thing to the house too. So
it's just he's just a ball aware guy. He's always
aware where the ball is, how the guy's holding the ball.
And then another one again in a crucial situation where
the Niners are driving down to punch that ball out
and the Rams go down and score was it was huge.
Speaker 2 (15:28):
Knuckles on leather, right, that's what he's looking for.
Speaker 4 (15:31):
Knuckles.
Speaker 5 (15:32):
Yeah, that's a fine right, the punch the strip strip.
Speaker 4 (15:37):
There you go.
Speaker 2 (15:38):
We also have to give a nod to Emmanuel Forbes.
Speaker 1 (15:40):
Second straight game now where he's come away with an interception.
Speaker 2 (15:44):
Just how much better are you seeing him play right now?
Speaker 5 (15:46):
You can tell the confidence is growing. Shout out to
the coaching staff working with him and the weight room.
He's he's a lot bigger than the first time we
saw him. You saw him when he walked.
Speaker 4 (15:56):
Through the door. I mean, listen, he ate a hamburger
and but a lot big. I mean the first time
we saw him.
Speaker 5 (16:01):
Jesus, He's he's he's he's bigger, he's playing bigger, he's
covering better, he's attacking the football and the stuff. I like,
you know me, I like the way he plays the run, Yeah,
because they will leave him unblocked. Go block the safety
and force those corners to make tackles because they know
they can't. He has answered the bell each and every
week on that. You gotta respect him.
Speaker 4 (16:20):
I think what you said best is what he did
this offseason, right. He put the time in this offseason
to get stronger, get bigger, put on more muscle, and
then to be able to do those things right, to
be able to go in there and and and put
you know, your shoulder pads on a running back. And
I love the fact that he doesn't shy away from it.
He fits in his gap in the run game. He
may get ran over, he may the guy may be bigger, stronger,
(16:42):
but he's going in there to do it. And then
when you stop the run, it's just like it's just
like defensive line. When you earn the right to get interceptions, right,
when you earn the right to be put in a
situation where the quarterback has to get the ball out
quitting a known passing situation, you have opportunities to jump
the jump passes. And and again it was the pressure
caused by well when it was the pressure stopping the
run early in this game. Then the defensive line got
(17:03):
pressure on Mac Jones has to get the ball quick
and you have your eyes for your need to be
you're able to make a play, and that's what you're
looking for. Right, That's what he did it at what
he was at Mississippi State, Right, Yeah, that's what he
did there, and and and again that's why he was
drafted in the first round. You're starting to see that
though now and again. I think a lot of it
comes to being in the same system, being around the
same guys, understanding what they're looking for in certain situations,
(17:25):
knowing when you can be aggressive when you can't, and
then being able to compete too, because again, competition brings
the best out of everybody, and so having guys get
traded to come back here or guys getting healthy, it's
something that you're looking.
Speaker 3 (17:37):
For and have a really good defensive staff.
Speaker 4 (17:39):
Yeah, coach, I thought we weren't doing that, though, I'm
just saying I thought we weren't doing that. I got
we were trying to keep everybody from here.
Speaker 1 (17:47):
Yes here, all right, guys, but one more unit to
touch on and that special teams. It feels like a
little bit of a reprieve this week, which is a
glorious thing. Harris and mevs making his NFL start, goes
sick for six on extra points. Also Jake McQuaid in
the mix as the snapper, just quickly touching on what
it stood out about that unit.
Speaker 5 (18:06):
Okay, so being down there with him, I get the nickname,
I get it. Yeah, absolutely, But here's how it wents.
It's third on the list.
Speaker 2 (18:16):
That's great.
Speaker 3 (18:16):
Yeah, that's perfect.
Speaker 5 (18:18):
It needs to keep going further. We don't need to
talk about it, That's what I'm saying. I mean, I
think you're getting closed. I think everybody can exhale a
little bit. At least we did on game day. Let's
hope that carries over. But that's the point of it.
It's to me, it's never been about who's doing it.
Just as long as the ball goes through the upright.
Because this defense, this offense is playing at an elite
(18:39):
level and has a chance to ascend. That would stink
if that part of football would would hurt you and
keep you from where you want to go.
Speaker 4 (18:46):
Yeah. I believe in any journey that you take as
a football team, things are going to happen. You're gonna
have to be able to overcome some type of adversity,
and credit to the coaching staff of putting out a
competition and then making it a competition and saying, hey,
these guys won, We're gonna go see what they do.
Speaker 5 (19:04):
I but I, Maurice, in all my years, I personally
have never seen that. I have to say that to
where you have a long snapper and a placekicker that's
on the field doing the job and the other two
guys are on the sideline staring at them. I've never
seen that. So that that is competition at its truest.
Speaker 4 (19:20):
Form, and if you believe in competition, I mean there's
that's like that every week. Yeah, not just at that
position though, there's running backs.
Speaker 5 (19:28):
A long snapper, any kicker. I thought that was like, Wow,
they're not messing around all right.
Speaker 1 (19:32):
Time to fast forward, guys, we have a huge show
down here at SOFI on Sunday. Two teams both sitting
at seven and two, fighting for the divisional lead, both
on four game win streaks. Seattle has yet to lose
on the road this season. Also interesting as they're coming
in to so FI, just how big is this one?
Speaker 4 (19:50):
I mean again, I think you I thought you played
an NFC West Championship game last week. I think you're
gonna do it again this week, Kim. This team is
built very similar to the Rams. Right. Their defensive line
is crazy different, but crazy really good. Offense is very
similar to what the Rams do, pretty much the exact same,
but they just do it out of twenty one personnel
(20:12):
and eleven personnel. And so I think you're gonna have
to find ways to slow them down early. They start fast,
they start very fast. If you can slow them down
early and put a little pressure on Sam Darnold, I
think that'll help out. But offensively, the only way to
do that is by protecting your quarterback. Right, you gotta
be able to run the football this week. You can't
drop back. You gotta be able to be efficient in
(20:33):
the running game and play action pass and take your shots.
Speaker 1 (20:36):
How different is that defensive line? And why so you
just mentioned that they're bigger.
Speaker 4 (20:41):
They're bigger, they're athletic like Leonard Williams. Is a problem, right,
You can't have a three hundred pounds d n out
there right.
Speaker 5 (20:49):
Byron Murphy's yeah, is as quick as they come, and
he's kind of coming into his own.
Speaker 4 (20:53):
And then you have Lawrence. Who's who's coming out as well?
Who's making plays? And they were twice last week. Yeah,
they're blitzing.
Speaker 3 (21:00):
Lottery took it.
Speaker 4 (21:00):
They're blitz in. They're doing all these different things and
they can still get pressure with four. It goes back
to when we were right before we went to London.
I watched them versus the Seahawks versus the Jaguars, and they,
I mean they demolished the doors.
Speaker 5 (21:14):
Y Yes, absolutely, the good defense. They get after you,
Sam Darnold. I don't know how to explain this. I
want to say Jeff Gordon, but that doesn't do it
justice because he was actually a great driver. I mean,
I think they are good. I think he's been good
behind him. Last week they scored thirty five points before
the half. Right, boy just blew the doors off Arizona.
(21:34):
I think he turned the ball over three times.
Speaker 4 (21:35):
He did.
Speaker 5 (21:36):
That's what I mean. We don't talk about it. They're good.
He's good enough to run this offense. So I like
what you said. I think this offense is good. I
think their defense gets after you and special teams wise,
what it comes down to is who has the better
quarterback under center? Which quarterback is going to make the
fewest mistakes, So I would put all my stock in
Matthew Stafford. But same thing. If you let Seattle do
(21:59):
what they do offense, if you let them get the
run game going, so they have the benefit of play action,
you'll never catch him and they have the defense to
back you up. So same thing, same mentality with San Francisco.
You gotta land the first punch. You can't wait around
for them to establish momentum and then come back. You
have to establish and you have a.
Speaker 4 (22:16):
Little bit of a revenge factor in there with Cooper
cup right, so that's gonna that's gonna be come into
play as well. But I will tell you this, if
I'm if I'm Chris Shula, the first person in this
offense I want to stop is js In. He can
he can't. He can't do anything against us, right. We
have to make them play left handed and either run
the football or throw to other players. But I can't
have js In going, you know, post and different things
(22:37):
like that.
Speaker 3 (22:38):
This is where I have to argue with Maurice. I
think you can't cover him.
Speaker 4 (22:42):
We have to.
Speaker 5 (22:43):
You can't, That's what I mean. I think there's there's
no covering that guy. You can't cover receivers like that.
Which you have to do is get after Darnald.
Speaker 4 (22:49):
But that's what But that's what I'm trying to Like,
we gotta slow him, at least make Darnald hitch one time.
Speaker 5 (22:54):
Yes, I think you need to be letter perfect in
how you're covering him and be in position to make plays.
But if you think you got a guy to just
lock on him and that's gonna happen, never gonna listen.
Speaker 4 (23:04):
We're gonna throw bodies at him. Like we talk about
we talk about certain positions we had trouble in the past.
We're gonna keep throwing bodies multiple multiple, Look okay hard
like a quick jam, you got help over the top.
Maybe we're gonna have a linebacker chip and when he's
in tight we just can't let him just run because
if you let him run, it's gonna be a brother.
Speaker 5 (23:21):
Let's devote resources to going after Donald. See argument over,
So we're in the same page.
Speaker 4 (23:26):
There we go.
Speaker 1 (23:26):
Well, it also makes me think back to the wild
card last year. Nine sacks against Donald. Obviously a different
offense on the other side. But for Rams fans, I'm
gonna tell you or just general NFL fans, this is
a matchup you're gonna want to watch if you love
elite wide receiver play, because you're looking across the board.
You mentioned Jackson Smith and Jigba currently leading the NFL
right now with over one thousand yards, and then of
(23:49):
course we have our own Jackson Smith and Jigma Puka Nakua.
You can't forget about Devonte Adams, who I feel like
is currently a freight trade. He is only picking up momentum.
And of course the return of Cooper Cup here to
five stadium. So if you love elite wide receiver play,
this is the batchup you're gonna want to watch.
Speaker 2 (24:05):
Not to mention the quarterback, well, you know.
Speaker 5 (24:07):
I don't like elite receiver play. I like quarterbacks getting
hit very hard.
Speaker 4 (24:11):
You do.
Speaker 3 (24:11):
I like the defensive struggle.
Speaker 4 (24:12):
And let me say this and I'll tell you this too,
that the Rams have had a lot of success with
this Seahawks offensive line. It hasn't changed right, and you've
had success in those situations. So I do I agree
with you. If you are gonna stop JSN, you have
to get pressure on Donald quickly. It brings you back
to Braiden face sack last year where it was like
a two second sack, like he beat the guard. I
(24:33):
think it was the right guard. He beat him in
two seconds, right, And so you know that you have
an advantage there. You just have to stop them on
first down. Now you're gonna say stop the run, like no,
they throw the ball on first down more than anyone
in the NFL. They they do play action passes on
first down. So you got to make sure that you're
you're prepared for that and you slow them down and
get him in those third longs.
Speaker 5 (24:51):
Say his name again, Braiden Fisk, Yeah, Braid braid and Fisk,
Braiden Fisk. We need some braid and Fisk. Yeah, Braiden
Fisk can win this game. I'm not kidding. Braden Fisk
can win this game. You get interior pressure, game over, absolutely,
punchure the pocket game over, Yes, sir.
Speaker 1 (25:07):
One unit we haven't discussed quite yet is the Rams
offensive line. They've allowed just fourteen sacks this season, that's
tied for fourth best. They're going to have to deal
with it again. You mentioned Seattle's a defensive line. What
have you seen from the Rams offensive line that gives
you confidence going to this one?
Speaker 3 (25:22):
Uh, Okay.
Speaker 5 (25:23):
First of all, I love how this offensive line I
guess is built. You got the veteran and Rob Havenstein,
you got the youth at left tackle. You got Alark
Jackson who doesn't say a word and we don't talk
much about which is perfect. And you've got Kevin Dotson
who is the demolition man right and the brain in
the middle with Colvin Shelton. So there's a play that
I think. This is my favorite play. This is the
one where Pooka scored. First of all, it was a
(25:45):
great block by Tyler Higbee. Yes, he gets too, springs
the block. Watch Rob Havenstein does his job, gets like
knocked to the ground on a heap, gets up, see
that they scored, goes and walk straight to the sideline.
Then rewind the tape and watch Steve Avolo all the
way into the end zone. He wants a part of
the celebration. That's what I mean. Yeah, youth experience. I'm
(26:05):
not gonna add fifty yards to my day. You can
go ahead, young man. But they're all playing well together.
They communicate well. All the problems that you thought about
last season with protection issues, knowing which way to slide,
there haven't been many busts this year. That's all because
of the veteran experience in Coleman Sheldon. But the way
they're coming together, they're starting to move people, not just
(26:26):
position block, so run and pass. They're hard to beat
around the corner and they can absolutely move you off
the stumps in the middle. So if you want to
know what's making this thing go outside of Stafford, it's
that old line.
Speaker 4 (26:38):
Yeah. I don't know if Ernest Jones is gonna play
this week or not, but I'll say the biggest thing
I see from the Rams offensive line is when they
double team. They're up on those linebackers right away. It's
not like, oh, we're gonna say that the line of
scrimmage and go. No, they're chipping and moving guys, and
they're getting up to the second level, which is opening
up these gaping holes. And even though the Rams aren't
running the ball like we've seen in the past, right now,
(27:00):
right the play action passes there. Because if I'm a
linebacker and I see any type of run action, I
have to beat that offensive lineman to the spot because
once he gets on me, it's over. And the Rams
have done such a great job of getting up to
the second level. That that alone is making those linebackers
over pursue or get out of position. And again, like
you said, Matthew Stafford, that that's what's allowing this, the scheme,
the way they're getting up to the second level, the
(27:21):
when they do run the ball, all that's allowing them
to protect. Matthew Stafford more.
Speaker 3 (27:25):
They sell run pretty good, really good.
Speaker 5 (27:27):
They're really in the mind of Sean McVay when he
draws you in to get passing lanes open. They sell
it really well. Those linebackers in safety believe it's run
and then it's too late.
Speaker 1 (27:36):
Rams Rivalry game here at Sofi Stadium, we're going to
be in full midnight mode.
Speaker 4 (27:41):
How sweet?
Speaker 3 (27:43):
Yeah, can't wait, can't wait. This is going to be fun.
Speaker 1 (27:45):
Yes, but this is your chance to say a message
to the ramling about how impactful they could be in
this matchup.
Speaker 3 (27:51):
Oh, be loud.
Speaker 4 (27:52):
You know this.
Speaker 5 (27:53):
I keep telling you this about people Jared Vers and
Byron Young, and they depend on you. The louder you get,
the more pre sure they get, the more we win.
And I thought La was the city of champions and whatnot, right,
So do your part. Be here and be loud. Look
I'll tell you this. That is their advantage up there.
It is deafening in Seattle. It's almost unfair. So I
(28:14):
think it's only right that you give it to them
and show them what it's like here in sofa and
try to blow the roof off this place. So, like
I said, I think the offense will give people something
to cheer about. Keep that same energy when the defense
is out there and drowned out, drownd out all communication
that Sam Darnold has, and then get after him.
Speaker 4 (28:33):
I think this is a championship game. This is the
NFC West Championship game, like I said earlier, And when
you're in those modes and you want your team to win,
you need to be out and here and be a
part of the game, right, be a part of the environment,
the experience. Fans. I mean we both know this. I
mean I've been in I've played in U deb I
played in Seattle. I've been there where you can't hear
the quarterback give tell you the play? Yeah right? You
(28:55):
know how much of a disadvantage that is as an
offensive player, Like the quarterback is screaming. You just see
his mouth going like this, and you're like what what? Right?
And then you got to burn a time out, or
you have some miscommunication, you're able to get pressure on
the quarterback in a big sack on third down. Those
those things, fans definitely impact the game. So if you
want this just Rams team like to be where they
where everyone believes they can go, you got to be
(29:16):
a part of that, right, Like we're all a part
of it. I mean we have a job to do
as well. Yeah, but this is a this is a
city that the Dodgers just went back to back. We've
seen how they've been supported. As time for you know
those people that baseball season's over. Now it's time to
come to so far and let's do it again, right
and let this be the city of championships.
Speaker 1 (29:33):
I know you guys want another ring, that's all I'm oh.
Speaker 4 (29:35):
I know you want another ring two times, two times
super Bowl champions.
Speaker 1 (29:38):
Quick synopsis of our keys to victory because you guys
have already laid it out so beautifully. But just something
for Rams fans to hang on to. First key to
victory tomorrow.
Speaker 3 (29:47):
Okay, I'll say this.
Speaker 5 (29:48):
I think this will be the best defenses both teams
will have played with exception of Houston and I would say,
if you look at the tape from what they did
versus Arizona, you're gonna see a lot of that. They're
gonna try to get the ball out of Matthews sa
Efford's hands in a blank or beat him up. That's
going to be the game plan. So I would say
this protection from Matthew Stafford and not just pass blocking.
I mean protecting through running the football, being smart with it,
(30:10):
staying ahead of the chains, and kind of taking away
some of that aggression because he'll do it on his own,
but take away some of that aggression by continuing to
keep them on the field. And I think that'll pay dividends.
So Number one, protect Stafford. Number two, you got to
stop the run. You absolutely have to stop the run.
Make them one dimensional. I don't think you can cover
them one on one, but I know you can get
pressure on that quarterback. So it starts with stopping the run. Yeah,
(30:32):
to me, I was gonna say, just control the line
of scrimmage. If you can control the line of scrimmage,
meaning both sides of the ball, dominating them on defense.
If we're on defense, are on offense getting pressure, like
DeMarco says, stopping the run. But then on the de
vice versa the other ways. You know, they put a
lot of resource and invested a lot of money into
that defensive line in draft capital. Guess who else has
done the same thing, the rams on both sides, right,
(30:54):
So it's time for you to then now show why
you're getting paid or why you were selected at a
certain position.
Speaker 4 (30:59):
And this is that game. For this is Championship games
aren't about the guys on the outside. It's not about
the running back. It's really not about the quarterback. You
win championship games because of the interior. If you look
at the Eagles last year, the reason the Eagles beat
one was because their defensive line dominated down the stretch.
Offensive line did they They were able to run the football.
Their offensive line did as well. So when you're in
(31:20):
a championship game, it's all about the guys up front,
the guys that don't get all they've written about that,
those are the guys that have to win those games.
So to me control the line of scrimmage.
Speaker 3 (31:30):
Which one is it that one Braden fist is gonna
win this game?
Speaker 2 (31:33):
Look at you, right back to it.
Speaker 1 (31:35):
I'm gonna go bat some clean up here. I'm going
to say another clean game on special teams, just clean
and simple. And then I'm also going to say we
got to start fast if Matthew Stafford has been really
solid on those opening drives three straight where they've been
able to score. But guys, it's been a pleasure. Thanks
so much for hanging out here on between the horns
presented by your Southern California toilet Dealers, a beautiful setting
(31:55):
right here on our Toyota patio at Sofi Stadium.
Speaker 2 (31:58):
We can't wait to see you back
Speaker 1 (32:00):
Here at one five Sunday afternoon, the Rams and the
Seahawks looking for that divisional leader.
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