Kirsten Watson joins D'Marco Farr and staff writer Stu Jackson to discuss the Los Angeles Rams offense facing the Carolina Panthers defense, wide receiver Tutu Atwell's return from injured reserve, and the importance of creating a positive environment by celebrating each other's successes.
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:06):
Hello, and a welcome to Between the Warrens, presented by
your Southern California Toyota Dealers. I am Kirston Watson, joined
by DeMarco far Stude Jackson. It is Thanksgiving, so first
and foremost, Happy Thanksgiving, guys.
Speaker 2 (00:18):
Happy Thanksgiving. The magic is here.
Speaker 3 (00:23):
Back World Series champion in our miss.
Speaker 4 (00:25):
This is amazing.
Speaker 1 (00:26):
You know what we're gonna get into later in the show,
what we're all thankful for. But I just want to
say it's been a minute, so I am thankful to
be back with you guys.
Speaker 2 (00:33):
Yes, you and the championship or are you bringing here?
Speaker 5 (00:36):
Absolutely?
Speaker 1 (00:38):
Yes, the dust, the hand is given, it getting heavier.
Speaker 2 (00:42):
Of course.
Speaker 5 (00:42):
I've got my Super Bowl ring.
Speaker 1 (00:44):
Yeah, you all now, I've got two World Series rings
and I'm hoping we could keep it going.
Speaker 5 (00:49):
I'm just saying.
Speaker 2 (00:50):
It's going the right way. It's going the right way.
The culture feels good, right.
Speaker 3 (00:54):
Yes, sir, Absolutely, No better time than a six game
win streak to bring a back to back World Series
champion on the host.
Speaker 5 (01:00):
I appreciate it. Yes, it was insane.
Speaker 2 (01:03):
I bet it was. I bet it's still insane.
Speaker 5 (01:05):
It is still insane. Parade doesn't stuff.
Speaker 2 (01:07):
You better put like a rope around Blake Snow He's everywhere,
he's on parade. I love, yes, sir.
Speaker 5 (01:14):
I just love that.
Speaker 1 (01:15):
Obviously he's from Seattle and he has truly embraced Los
Angeles like he has become. He's a Rams fan, he's
a Lakers fan. He's just he is leaning in and
I love that for good.
Speaker 2 (01:26):
I love that championship like feel of a city right
when everybody's competing for for airtime. This is awesome. Thank
you Dodgers, Yes see you soon hold But.
Speaker 1 (01:35):
You know what it feels like the Dodgers their job
is finished. Now they're passing the baton onto the Rams.
And you guys, you mentioned it's too a six game
win streak. There's so much momentum excitement. We're coming off
of Sunday Night football, a huge blot win.
Speaker 5 (01:48):
Over the Buccaneers.
Speaker 1 (01:49):
Can you tell me what it was like just being
in Sofi Stadium that night, because it felt insane just
watching it.
Speaker 3 (01:55):
I said this on on Twitter after the game. It
legitimately felt like a playoff game with how loud it was.
Just the atmosphere, like the attendance everything, and just the
way that game started, the way that got the crowd
into it too. Between you know, just the way the
offense started out, and then obviously the fifty yard pick
six by Kobe Durant. I mean, that was just unbelievable.
Speaker 2 (02:15):
Land Shark is having. They said he's having a heck
of a game. I said, he's having a heck of
a year talking about Durant, but that that environment was
bonkers gosh that it was kind of like that game
in the Coliseum, the Monday night game with with Kansas City,
but it was all just for the Rams and it
was so much fun, so loud, and they backed it up.
(02:37):
They went out there and absolutely dominated, just dominated the
Tampa Bay Buccaneers. So there was so much expectation and
then you live up to those expectations and the roof
almost came out. It was awesome.
Speaker 1 (02:49):
You could literally hear the energy. I saw it on TV,
but you could feel the energy. You could fear said,
you can hear the MVP chans every time at the
Stafford have a touchdown.
Speaker 5 (02:57):
There's obviously a.
Speaker 1 (02:58):
Lot of excitement right now around the Rams. You guys
said at nine and two a top of the NFC,
how do you though block out the noise of you know,
is Matthew Stafford going to be an MVP? Is this
the team that we're going to be seeing in the
Super Bowl. There's obviously a lot of excitement right now.
Speaker 5 (03:16):
Yeah, it's only week thirteen.
Speaker 2 (03:17):
Okay, I think that might be the first time ever
I've heard that chant. No, I'm dead serious, and I'm
going if Tory Holt gets in this year, that'll be
six Hall of Fame guys I've played with. I don't
think I've ever heard a stadium start chant MVP until
this past Sunday. Maybe I just forgot about it. But
how do you block it out? I mean, one you
embrace it. I think Sean McVay has and when we
(03:39):
went around in the locker room after the game, just
asking the guys, did you know what was at stake?
Did you know Dallas had beat Philadelphia what this win
might might have meant? And they kind of said, yeah,
they knew. So they're embracing that role and then they
went out and dominated. But how do you keep it
from being a distraction? In my opinion, just stay together
as a team, do things together, stay amongst each other.
(04:02):
When you get outside the doors, there's going to be
a lot of people patting you on the back and
telling you how great you are. But when you're amongst
your guys, you can remember the hard work and remember
how last season ended. That doesn't go away. So I
would say stay amongst each other and keep that ecosystem
very tight, but embrace what it is, and you should
enjoy what it is. You're the number one team in
(04:22):
football right now. Enjoy that.
Speaker 3 (04:24):
It starts with the connection in the locker room. Mike,
you're talking about DeMarco. I think it also starts at
the top. Two is Sean McVay. My favorite thing that
he said about this was, you know, he was asked
about putting his postgame press conference after Sunday Night football, like,
you know, do you guys remember who was in first
place in Week thirteen last year? No, So still got
to be a day to day, week to week approach.
Speaker 4 (04:42):
Still have to earn it.
Speaker 3 (04:44):
The one of the things he always likes to say
to his humility is just a week away, a day
away in the NFL, and so still a big test
here coming up in Charlotte on Sunday against the Panthers.
But you know, keeping with that mindset and that consistency
is going to be a big piece.
Speaker 1 (04:57):
It also helps when you have guys who have been
on the big stage with and understand what it takes
to win a super Bowl to get to play in
the Super Bowl.
Speaker 4 (05:03):
Course.
Speaker 2 (05:04):
Yes, yeah, quarterback.
Speaker 1 (05:06):
Okay, so we're gonna out go to that quarterback, Matthew Stafford.
The tear that he has been on. We talked about
the MVP chance. Just how valuable in what he's doing
this year. Have you guys seen anything like this?
Speaker 2 (05:19):
Okay, so I saw this on the rundown and I'm like, yeah,
I have one as a teammate Kurt Warner. I've seen
this before, but this is a different story. This is
a dude, first round pick first overall, he's been that
guy forever. So the one thing he hasn't done is
win an MVP or really just get his due for
how great he is. So I think you're getting a
(05:41):
glimpse of that. How valuable is he. This is hard
and not to put other teams down, but think of Houston.
That defense is lights out. If they had a QB
different season, Think Minnesota, that roster is ready to win.
If they could figure out that number one spot, they'd
be right in the mix. Having a guy like Matthew
(06:02):
Stafford as your quarterback makes Saturday nights sleep easier, you
know what I mean. We're all paranoid before the game.
But having a guy like that where you know, no
matter what style of game it is, you can be
in it and he can make every single throw. So
how valuable is he you? You wouldn't be near as
good without him. How about that? That's the best I
can come up with.
Speaker 3 (06:23):
The next best I can come up with is the
documentary that we did on Matthew Stafford in twenty twenty
three in case people you know, really need an appreciation for,
you know, just the amount of things that he takes
on and puts on his plate to ensure that the
other ten guys around him are in a position to succeed,
and really just it's the total command and ownership of
the offense. That's the thing we keep hearing Sean McVay
(06:43):
talk about, like that's what's made him really valuable, just
being able to kind of, like I just said, like
put those guys in position to succeed, knowing how to
get guys in the right spots, the way he can
manipulate coverage, the amount of times I'm sure you've seen
on tape him just absolutely full of hook defenders so
that he can create a would rough.
Speaker 2 (07:00):
Him if by playing I would, because you can't embarrass
my secondary like that. Maybe you guys go this way. No,
I'd have to hit you. Yeah, I'm bad legally or illegal.
It's just wrong what he's doing. But he's terrific. I
was trying to come up with a comparison for the Dodgers.
It might be Almamoto. He's just that absolute assassin. I
would love to say I would love to say Otani,
(07:21):
but Stafford doesn't play safety. That's a whole different deal.
Speaker 1 (07:25):
But just how I think that, just quickly, the easy
comparison is a Clayton Kershaw because they grew up with
each other. And honestly, what Clayton Kershaw did for the
Dodgers this year and getting them even to position to
win I almost.
Speaker 5 (07:39):
Called it the NFC West.
Speaker 2 (07:41):
Yeah, to win the.
Speaker 1 (07:43):
Nl West and then to go on and be in
a position to obviously come out of in relief out
of the bullpen. But obviously there's that natural compare comparison
because of these are two players who are truly the
greatest we have seen in their respective sports. But when
you look at what he's doing specifically for the Rams
this year, I do think it's a Yoshino yam moto
(08:03):
and he is showing up for his team and putting
I mean, obviously it's a little bit different picture of
versus quarterback, but putting the team in a position to
win day in and day out.
Speaker 2 (08:13):
Almost the same that fade he threw to DeVante is
a strike. The places he puts the ball, that's an
absolute strike, and it's like, whoa. Not only are you
like yay, it demoralizes them same thing. Yeah, I mean
the one connection I would have with Kershaw and Matthew Stafford,
it's so funny when they walk into the building, it's
(08:34):
like all of the nonsense just stops, Like you don't
want to see him or have him see you acting
up when he's in this mode. So those two guys connect.
But having your leader be all in and keeping the
main thing, the main thing. You know how much of
a blessing that is for a coach that you don't
have to do that part of it. Your guy is
(08:57):
doing it for you. That's yeah, he's invaluable.
Speaker 1 (09:00):
A coach or manager manager can do their job leading
the team because you have the players in the locker room,
in the clubhouse who are truly setting the standard behind
the tone.
Speaker 2 (09:09):
Ask me that dumb question, go ahead, I like my job.
Speaker 1 (09:13):
I'm not respectfully, I don't want to do that you
mentioned just with the offense. Don't want to Adams obviously
he's been in the league for twelve years, but he's
talked about how this is the most fun he is
having right now. What is a comment like that just
say when you look at what he's doing in his
own right about how the dynamic between him and Matthew Stafford,
(09:35):
what they've been able to do offense with this group.
What does it just say when he's saying he's having
the most fun right.
Speaker 2 (09:39):
Now, I'm dying to know, because I have an answer
for Go ahead.
Speaker 3 (09:43):
I just think about he had that was like two
weeks ago. He had you know, one catch went for
a touchdown. It was thousands of his career. But you know,
even as you know, maybe frustrated or disappointed as he
was with the way he played, he still came into
the postgame press conference with a smile on his face
and was, you know, obviously happy that the team won,
but it's it's really moments like that, and just the
(10:04):
way that he's celebrating with other guys when when they
score a touchdown and when they get their opportunities, and
even just the interactions that I see with him with
with teammates.
Speaker 4 (10:13):
And coaches around this building.
Speaker 3 (10:15):
I mean, you know, yes, you'll he'll sit with the
wide receivers too, but he interacts with you know, like
they mentioned, like the defensive line, with specialists like you know,
he he enjoys just being around everybody in this building.
And I think that's probably the most telling thing. In
addition to the other example.
Speaker 2 (10:30):
I was thinking, it's he's home and he has a
great quarterback. Finally he has what he dreamed about. I
mean as a kid, like uh, he can show you
what he can do, and he's got a guy that
get him the football and he's right here in the sun.
So he's always been good. If you give him someone
that can help him, you know, you know, I guess
(10:50):
paint the picture, he's going to be absolutely dominant. When
that guy's not there, every receiver struggles. So I think
he's having the time of his life. Because when you
up thinking about this game, you always think about doing
it where you live. And basically he's doing that and
he's got a team that actually has a chance to
be great. So yeah, why wouldn't you have fun right now?
If you're not having fun, there's something wrong with you. Yeah, yeah, exactly,
(11:12):
it's very fair.
Speaker 1 (11:13):
But what has made him so unguardable? Just in the
red zone? What are you seeing on the field that
is standing out to you right now? With just his
performance this season?
Speaker 2 (11:23):
Okay, so I have to say this, and I think
JB said it on the broadcast that this is the
most drops he's had in a season, I think, or
something something close to it. But that's not even the case.
It's his hands, his route running. And the first time
we met him and got to know DeVante like what
is it about you? And he said, I'm actually a
point guard. I'm a basketball player. When you see that stuff,
(11:45):
especially the red zone quick stuff that is a guy
crossing you over, he just doesn't have to dribble, which
ain't fair, you know what I mean, And then the
ball's right there. It's almost unstoppable. So it's a guy
that works hard at his craft. He's got the body
for it. He's I still think he's in his as
athletic prime, and he's got an offense and a quarterback
that can just absolutely deliver when he needs it. So
(12:05):
that to me is what makes him special.
Speaker 3 (12:08):
Still separating at an elite level. And I also think
too you mentioned the hands, the late hands especially, like
can you imagine how frustrated would you be as a corner.
Forget the one that he beat on that twenty four
yard go ball for a touchdown, but like thinking you
have him covered and then he just goes yeah and
it's a touchdown, you know, and.
Speaker 2 (12:25):
He look Okay, there's a part of this is the NFL,
so you get away with things. His push offf is
so quick you can't even see it. I'm dead serious.
I mean you have to respect that as a defender.
Damn that was quick. Even the official couldn't see that.
That's how that separation occurs. But only the best can
do that type of stuff.
Speaker 5 (12:42):
So we've hit a lot on the offense.
Speaker 1 (12:43):
I think we need to dive into the defense because
this is we're seeing it on both sides of the ball,
and what has made this team so great when you
look at the dominating performs of the defense put up
on Sunday night against the Buccaneers. One hundred and ninety
three total yards allowed, seventy pass yards allowed.
Speaker 5 (12:59):
What are you? I mean, that's impressive.
Speaker 1 (13:02):
It was performance in front of Aaron Donald. What kind
of stood out to you just about the defensive side
of this game and this team specifically in week twelve.
Speaker 2 (13:09):
I bet that was weird. I'm serious with Aaron watching,
you might want to play your best game. That's Achilles
up there, bro. You might want to play good to day.
Speaker 5 (13:19):
But they felt that that I think, I hope.
Speaker 2 (13:21):
So, I mean, it's right there. It's the challenge. I
used to get fired up, and they're long gone, but
I would see the fearsome forceome and I would get
charged up. You know, I feel like they're watching me.
But this guy's right literally right there. But I thought
the defense took another step, just absolutely figuring out what
Tampa Bay was trying to do that day and then
(13:41):
slowly take it apart bit by bit. I love the approach.
They're going to attack without giving up explosives. That is hard.
It's not impossible, but it's very very hard to achieve.
All eleven have to be on the same page, and
you have to play for each other. There can't be
an ego, and that's what I see when they play.
It doesn't seem like it matters who makes the play
as long as the play is made mark of a
(14:03):
good defense.
Speaker 3 (14:04):
To me, I just love the pass rush, especially seeing
Kobe and Turner and Jared Verus each get two sacks.
It reminded me a lot, at least the way they
were rushing the quarterback of what Houston did to Buffalo
on Monday Night Football a couple weeks ago, where I
think it was Will Anderson or Deal Hunter for the
Texans defense exactly. They were talking about not necessarily not
over pursuing and trying to maintain that integrity and then
(14:26):
coming back upfield to take down Josh Allen. That's what
I felt like I was seeing a little bit at
least with Verse, maybe on his first or second sack.
One of them. It was when he bowl rushed Tristan Wurfs.
He you know, beats Worfs and then he climbs back
up to take down Baker for the sack.
Speaker 4 (14:41):
So that was what stood out the most to me.
Speaker 2 (14:44):
The Dodgers don't have a Jared Verse. We tried maybe
a bigger version of KK Maybe yeah, that plays you know,
the entire year. But just the way he's playing, the
way they're playing is so dominant the guy. And we've
talked a lot about the front and Nate Lanman and
Omar space too. I have to give Emmanuel Forbes a
lot of credit. Yes, wow, as he really just assumed
(15:05):
that role and taking an opportunity and just run with it.
And I had to be reminded. So there was a
play he made where he goes around the receiver and
knocks the ball down, just the cleanest one of the
cleanest pass breakups you'll over see. I'm like, wow, that
was awesome. Remember he was the first round pick. Oh yeah,
I'm supposed to that's normal for him. So but that's
what he gets to do. He found a spot. Now
(15:27):
you get to go play and he's making plays.
Speaker 1 (15:29):
You mentioned Emmanuel Forbes. What's kind of sad to you?
Do you just about his growth this season?
Speaker 2 (15:32):
Then?
Speaker 3 (15:33):
Yeah, I think it's just I mean I've seen a
couple of analysts say this, and just the way he's
using his length and athleticism and his speed, like basically
all the things that made him a first round pick.
He's starting to put that on tape, and now he's
playing with the confidence that maybe he didn't have, you know,
toward the end of his time with Washington. So just
seeing that confidence rebuilt and seeing him play to you know,
(15:54):
the level of player, the caliber a player that the
Rams believed he could be, I think has been the
most impressive thing to me, especially with the way that
you know, Aubrey Pleasant has worked with.
Speaker 2 (16:03):
Him another DBS has come through and regained his confidence.
I wonder how that happens, the rebuild. Yeah, it's coaching, right.
Speaker 4 (16:10):
Yep, exactly. Yeah, I love that.
Speaker 1 (16:12):
You know, we have been very lucky to see some
like really great nicknames in sports. So I mean, I
guess it's like, isn't one this one isn't as cool,
but like Shoheo tani issually like the Unicorn of just baseball,
probably in anything he would want to do.
Speaker 5 (16:28):
But for the Rams, yeah, we've got a kicker thicker
kicker that is phenomenal name. It's phenomenal. But tell me,
have you seen enough? Are you?
Speaker 1 (16:39):
I mean, he was obviously phenomenal on Saturday night Football?
Have you seen enough from him? Just interesting second half
of the season where you know, the schedule looks really good,
but obviously the games are getting more and more important
as we get to the playoffs.
Speaker 2 (16:52):
I think that part of the game made that game complete.
Offense dominated, defense dominated. We all held our breath until
it went through the uprights, and it looked pretty good.
The whole operation looked pretty good, not just him, the
entire thing. So that was a step in the right direction.
(17:13):
Have I seen enough? Okay, let's move to Carolina and
see what happens there. Okay, that's where you're at. I
guess is that fair? You know, until this whole thing
is settled, then it's not settled well.
Speaker 3 (17:22):
And the offense has just been executing at such ridiculously
high level in the red zone that they really haven't
needed him much really until last week. So you know,
as long as that efficiency continues, they may not have
too many opportunities to see. But I mean, for what
he showed Sunday, I mean, that was certainly a step
in the right direction.
Speaker 4 (17:41):
But we'll see.
Speaker 1 (17:44):
Yeah, all right, So you mentioned moving ahead two week
thirteen up against the Panthers in North Carolina and Charlotte.
This is going to be a matchup of two number
one overall picks. You've got Matthew Stafford, Bryce Young. For Bryce,
he's had kind of an up and down season. What
have you been seeing from him though this year? That
could pose a challenge to the defense. And how do
(18:07):
you kind of want to see the defense really get
to him early in this one?
Speaker 2 (18:11):
Same as last week, and it's the one I guess
Achilles heel of this defense. He's mobile quarterbacks that jump
out the window when you've got him at third nine
or whatever, and this is a favorable down for you,
and he scrambles and picks up the first down. Those
things tend to wear you out the longer they go.
(18:31):
So he's got a problem. But the cool thing is,
I think there's going to be some carryover from Tampa's
offense to this. It's orpo stuff. I think that's where
he's at his best. That little fake get the ball
out fast. If you shut that down, you've got a
chance to make him hold it and then get after him.
But that's been the game plan against everybody like that.
The thing is you actually have to make sure you
(18:53):
keep him in the pocket. Easier said than done. I
think Caroline is better than you think. I think San
Francisco is better than you think. So this is to
be a stiff, a tough matchup for the Rams in Carolina. Yeah.
Speaker 3 (19:04):
Yeah, it's out of structure playmaking that worries me too,
because for games like he had Monday night, there's still
been games where he's gone for what like over three
hundred and fifty yards and through or three touchdowns. I mean,
he's he's shown, you know, some flashes of somebody that's
you know, grown and developed. But like you mentioned, there
have still been those ups and downs. But he's shown
enough that there's still, like you said, just enough to
(19:26):
be you know, concerned and like you know, really be
on your p's and keys.
Speaker 2 (19:29):
I respect their running backs too, they're good. Is it
Cuba or Chubba Cuba? Cuba Cuba? Yep, Cuba Bubbard just
making sure yep, Okay, there's.
Speaker 1 (19:40):
Look, it's not going to be easy one on either
side of the ball when you look at even for
the Panthers defense and that game against the forty nine ers,
they had three interceptions in the first half and Week twelve,
So what's got to be the key for Matthew Stafford
in the offense just knowing they're going to be going
up against a tougher defense looking obviously Matthew will limit interceptions,
but just kind of what do you want to see there?
Speaker 2 (20:02):
You know, I'd like to see Kyen Williams and Blake
Korum take more of a role in this. If you
want to really protect Matthew Stafford, go ahead and run
the football. Run the daylights out of the ball and
let him throw behind that. I don't think you'd have
a chance, especially if you wear them down and give
him a bunch of reps and a bunch of looks
at your secondary to figure out what's going on. Then
(20:23):
he'll make you pay. So running the football, O line
got to be important. The tight end contribution keep that
up as well, and not just catching blocking. Kolpe Parkinson
is huge. I mean, that is a big, big dude.
I was told to call him a California redwood, and
I'm like, that actually makes sense. You look like a tree.
So that part, that contribution and no pre snap penalties
(20:48):
help Matthew Stafford by staying ahead of the chains. I
don't think there's a defense out there that could, you know,
I guess, shut you down. They can give you problems,
but the more looks and the more he's protected the
or he's going to get to you.
Speaker 3 (21:01):
Is it strange if I say more of the same
from Matthew Just the way he's played the last six games.
I mean, he hasn't really had a ton of turnover
worthy throws. Like he's striking the right balance right now
of being aggressive but also being smart and taking what
the defense gives him. And also, like we talked about earlier, manipulation,
manipulating the coverages when something isn't there to make something happen.
But like that decision making has been so on the
(21:23):
mark the last six games that I don't know that
there's much like for him specifically that he needs to change.
I think it's, like you said, just more on the
guys around him to allow him to continue to do that.
Speaker 2 (21:34):
And shout out to play calling. They've caught some guys
flat footed, like wooh that was that's mean? Yeah, some
of those tight end screens that get the one that
got Parkinson to the one oh nasty.
Speaker 4 (21:43):
Yeah, or Puka inserting in the sea gap I told
you I had rough.
Speaker 1 (21:48):
Wait now you get to add another weapon to to that. Well,
should be back in the mix on Sunday. Just how
does he make the offense more dynamics too.
Speaker 5 (21:54):
We'll start with.
Speaker 3 (21:55):
You you better back up, Yeah, yeah, yeah, I would say,
just you know that that third level of the defense
now has another element to worry about for this offense.
And what you know excites me or I'm curious to see,
is we think about all the thirteen personnel short yardage
stuff that we've done with DeVante, you know in the
(22:15):
you know, short area of the red zone. What about
you know, doing that with to two potentially like is
that something that you could potentially see where maybe he's
that receiver instead not in that specific area, but you know,
I don't know, maybe it's like a short yardage play.
But suddenly like they're you know, with you know, three
tight ends out there, they're chucking it downfield over everybody
said to too, like yeah, it's uh, it's like Sean
(22:39):
McVay said, you know, the the offensive staff has done
a good job of you know, using the putting the
personnel and then the available players on the field in
a position to succeed. And now that they get to
two back this this is kind of the next next
thing for them or the next challenge and continuing that.
Speaker 2 (22:55):
Every way possible that you can get speed on the field,
use that, use him. It's a it's an added dimension.
There's so much on tape right now that you have
to worry about as a defense, and you haven't seen
him for a while, and then they're going to insert
him into the group at different positions. So if you
think you got him, I think we can line up here,
we can go man there. Nope, you don't have enough
(23:17):
for that. And then the balls beyond you. So when
you have a guy like him, a speedster that Matthew
Stafford likes to throw to, he's gonna find him at
some point. So it's good to have him back.
Speaker 5 (23:26):
It's gonna be huge.
Speaker 1 (23:27):
And I'm sure he's thinking, well, just with the being Thanksgiving,
it's going to be able to get back out there
with that. What are we thankful for this year? Other
than Matthew Stafford? The rams?
Speaker 5 (23:37):
You know, what are what are you thankful for this year?
For Thanksgiving?
Speaker 2 (23:41):
The mute button on roadblocks? I'm thankful for family, for friends,
for health, great folks to be around. Yeah, just just yeah,
just all the blessings. It's it's been a lot, you know,
in Kelly. So it's it's It's nice to to be
(24:02):
at this point talking about positive stuff.
Speaker 4 (24:04):
Yes, family, friends, health, work, job.
Speaker 5 (24:09):
Okay, now we can include the rams.
Speaker 3 (24:11):
So yeah, I was gonna say, and yes, a year later,
I am still thankful for Kevin Dotson, but I wanted
to rearrange those things just a little bit.
Speaker 2 (24:20):
Yes, Uh, you mean from this team. Okay, that's all right. Well,
I mean we talked Nate Landman. How about that. I'm
thankful for Nate Landman. I'm thankful that everybody, uh just
didn't know how good he can be. Again, like Emmanuel Forbes,
you step into a role and you just absolutely kill it.
So uh, the Landman punch has been awesome. So thankful
(24:42):
for that. From a football perspective.
Speaker 3 (24:44):
I'm thankful for just the general atmosphere and environment in
this building. I love that because to borrow from you know,
when DeVante's talking about this is the most funny he
is having in his career. Landman said that when he
was talking about, you know, signing his extension Monday. You know,
just seeing how much fun these guys have coming to work,
like Sean McVay talks about, and the way they celebrate
(25:05):
each other's success like that makes it fun for me
to come to work, honestly, and it's cool to see
to see how that shows up on game day and
just makes things exciting. I mean winning helps too, of course,
but you know, that attitude and that mindset and the
camaraderie is something that I'm really thankful for just because
of how special it is to witness and see come
(25:25):
to life.
Speaker 1 (25:26):
I've got a fun one for you guys. Thankful for
a championship mindset. We are so lucky that we get
to be surrounded by individuals who want the highest level
of success. And when you're surrounded by that, you want
it as well. So whether it's here being a part
of the ramily or being here in the RAMS house,
I can feel the energy. I see what you guys
(25:47):
are doing day in and day out. We're seeing it
how the players perform on the field. But it takes
from everyone around us to build a championship team and
a championship mindset. We've had success in the past. The
hope is that more war comes winning what hopefully two
within a five year span. That that's how the talks
of dynasties come. And how lucky are we to be
(26:09):
a part of this and it's.
Speaker 5 (26:11):
Not just here.
Speaker 1 (26:12):
We get it with different organizations. We get it here
in Los Angeles. We've experienced pain in the city, especially
earlier this year, and how we've all come together to
rebuild that is the championship mindset and that energy. So
I think it's a good way to end.
Speaker 2 (26:26):
That's a.
Speaker 5 (26:29):
Well. That will do it, Mike Drop, that'll do it.
Speaker 1 (26:31):
From all of us here between the horns presented by
your Southern California Toyota Dealers, I am Kirsten Watson, DeMarco
far Stu Jackson. We hope you are joining us on
Sunday for Week thirteen at ten am Pacific against the
Rams against the Carolina Panthers. It's gonna be a fun one.
There's so much more on the line and hopefully this
(26:52):
team will continue to find their way at top of
the NFC. So from all of us to you, we
wish you a very, very happy Thanksgiving.
Speaker 4 (27:04):
Remember the
Hello, and a welcome to Between the Warrens, presented by
your Southern California Toyota Dealers. I am Kirston Watson, joined
by DeMarco far Stude Jackson. It is Thanksgiving, so first
and foremost, Happy Thanksgiving, guys.
Speaker 2 (00:18):
Happy Thanksgiving. The magic is here.
Speaker 3 (00:23):
Back World Series champion in our miss.
Speaker 4 (00:25):
This is amazing.
Speaker 1 (00:26):
You know what we're gonna get into later in the show,
what we're all thankful for. But I just want to
say it's been a minute, so I am thankful to
be back with you guys.
Speaker 2 (00:33):
Yes, you and the championship or are you bringing here?
Speaker 5 (00:36):
Absolutely?
Speaker 1 (00:38):
Yes, the dust, the hand is given, it getting heavier.
Speaker 2 (00:42):
Of course.
Speaker 5 (00:42):
I've got my Super Bowl ring.
Speaker 1 (00:44):
Yeah, you all now, I've got two World Series rings
and I'm hoping we could keep it going.
Speaker 5 (00:49):
I'm just saying.
Speaker 2 (00:50):
It's going the right way. It's going the right way.
The culture feels good, right.
Speaker 3 (00:54):
Yes, sir, Absolutely, No better time than a six game
win streak to bring a back to back World Series
champion on the host.
Speaker 5 (01:00):
I appreciate it. Yes, it was insane.
Speaker 2 (01:03):
I bet it was. I bet it's still insane.
Speaker 5 (01:05):
It is still insane. Parade doesn't stuff.
Speaker 2 (01:07):
You better put like a rope around Blake Snow He's everywhere,
he's on parade. I love, yes, sir.
Speaker 5 (01:14):
I just love that.
Speaker 1 (01:15):
Obviously he's from Seattle and he has truly embraced Los
Angeles like he has become. He's a Rams fan, he's
a Lakers fan. He's just he is leaning in and
I love that for good.
Speaker 2 (01:26):
I love that championship like feel of a city right
when everybody's competing for for airtime. This is awesome. Thank
you Dodgers, Yes see you soon hold But.
Speaker 1 (01:35):
You know what it feels like the Dodgers their job
is finished. Now they're passing the baton onto the Rams.
And you guys, you mentioned it's too a six game
win streak. There's so much momentum excitement. We're coming off
of Sunday Night football, a huge blot win.
Speaker 5 (01:48):
Over the Buccaneers.
Speaker 1 (01:49):
Can you tell me what it was like just being
in Sofi Stadium that night, because it felt insane just
watching it.
Speaker 3 (01:55):
I said this on on Twitter after the game. It
legitimately felt like a playoff game with how loud it was.
Just the atmosphere, like the attendance everything, and just the
way that game started, the way that got the crowd
into it too. Between you know, just the way the
offense started out, and then obviously the fifty yard pick
six by Kobe Durant. I mean, that was just unbelievable.
Speaker 2 (02:15):
Land Shark is having. They said he's having a heck
of a game. I said, he's having a heck of
a year talking about Durant, but that that environment was
bonkers gosh that it was kind of like that game
in the Coliseum, the Monday night game with with Kansas City,
but it was all just for the Rams and it
was so much fun, so loud, and they backed it up.
(02:37):
They went out there and absolutely dominated, just dominated the
Tampa Bay Buccaneers. So there was so much expectation and
then you live up to those expectations and the roof
almost came out. It was awesome.
Speaker 1 (02:49):
You could literally hear the energy. I saw it on TV,
but you could feel the energy. You could fear said,
you can hear the MVP chans every time at the
Stafford have a touchdown.
Speaker 5 (02:57):
There's obviously a.
Speaker 1 (02:58):
Lot of excitement right now around the Rams. You guys
said at nine and two a top of the NFC,
how do you though block out the noise of you know,
is Matthew Stafford going to be an MVP? Is this
the team that we're going to be seeing in the
Super Bowl. There's obviously a lot of excitement right now.
Speaker 5 (03:16):
Yeah, it's only week thirteen.
Speaker 2 (03:17):
Okay, I think that might be the first time ever
I've heard that chant. No, I'm dead serious, and I'm
going if Tory Holt gets in this year, that'll be
six Hall of Fame guys I've played with. I don't
think I've ever heard a stadium start chant MVP until
this past Sunday. Maybe I just forgot about it. But
how do you block it out? I mean, one you
embrace it. I think Sean McVay has and when we
(03:39):
went around in the locker room after the game, just
asking the guys, did you know what was at stake?
Did you know Dallas had beat Philadelphia what this win
might might have meant? And they kind of said, yeah,
they knew. So they're embracing that role and then they
went out and dominated. But how do you keep it
from being a distraction? In my opinion, just stay together
as a team, do things together, stay amongst each other.
(04:02):
When you get outside the doors, there's going to be
a lot of people patting you on the back and
telling you how great you are. But when you're amongst
your guys, you can remember the hard work and remember
how last season ended. That doesn't go away. So I
would say stay amongst each other and keep that ecosystem
very tight, but embrace what it is, and you should
enjoy what it is. You're the number one team in
(04:22):
football right now. Enjoy that.
Speaker 3 (04:24):
It starts with the connection in the locker room. Mike,
you're talking about DeMarco. I think it also starts at
the top. Two is Sean McVay. My favorite thing that
he said about this was, you know, he was asked
about putting his postgame press conference after Sunday Night football, like,
you know, do you guys remember who was in first
place in Week thirteen last year? No, So still got
to be a day to day, week to week approach.
Speaker 4 (04:42):
Still have to earn it.
Speaker 3 (04:44):
The one of the things he always likes to say
to his humility is just a week away, a day
away in the NFL, and so still a big test
here coming up in Charlotte on Sunday against the Panthers.
But you know, keeping with that mindset and that consistency
is going to be a big piece.
Speaker 1 (04:57):
It also helps when you have guys who have been
on the big stage with and understand what it takes
to win a super Bowl to get to play in
the Super Bowl.
Speaker 4 (05:03):
Course.
Speaker 2 (05:04):
Yes, yeah, quarterback.
Speaker 1 (05:06):
Okay, so we're gonna out go to that quarterback, Matthew Stafford.
The tear that he has been on. We talked about
the MVP chance. Just how valuable in what he's doing
this year. Have you guys seen anything like this?
Speaker 2 (05:19):
Okay, so I saw this on the rundown and I'm like, yeah,
I have one as a teammate Kurt Warner. I've seen
this before, but this is a different story. This is
a dude, first round pick first overall, he's been that
guy forever. So the one thing he hasn't done is
win an MVP or really just get his due for
how great he is. So I think you're getting a
(05:41):
glimpse of that. How valuable is he. This is hard
and not to put other teams down, but think of Houston.
That defense is lights out. If they had a QB
different season, Think Minnesota, that roster is ready to win.
If they could figure out that number one spot, they'd
be right in the mix. Having a guy like Matthew
(06:02):
Stafford as your quarterback makes Saturday nights sleep easier, you
know what I mean. We're all paranoid before the game.
But having a guy like that where you know, no
matter what style of game it is, you can be
in it and he can make every single throw. So
how valuable is he you? You wouldn't be near as
good without him. How about that? That's the best I
can come up with.
Speaker 3 (06:23):
The next best I can come up with is the
documentary that we did on Matthew Stafford in twenty twenty
three in case people you know, really need an appreciation for,
you know, just the amount of things that he takes
on and puts on his plate to ensure that the
other ten guys around him are in a position to succeed,
and really just it's the total command and ownership of
the offense. That's the thing we keep hearing Sean McVay
(06:43):
talk about, like that's what's made him really valuable, just
being able to kind of, like I just said, like
put those guys in position to succeed, knowing how to
get guys in the right spots, the way he can
manipulate coverage, the amount of times I'm sure you've seen
on tape him just absolutely full of hook defenders so
that he can create a would rough.
Speaker 2 (07:00):
Him if by playing I would, because you can't embarrass
my secondary like that. Maybe you guys go this way. No,
I'd have to hit you. Yeah, I'm bad legally or illegal.
It's just wrong what he's doing. But he's terrific. I
was trying to come up with a comparison for the Dodgers.
It might be Almamoto. He's just that absolute assassin. I
would love to say I would love to say Otani,
(07:21):
but Stafford doesn't play safety. That's a whole different deal.
Speaker 1 (07:25):
But just how I think that, just quickly, the easy
comparison is a Clayton Kershaw because they grew up with
each other. And honestly, what Clayton Kershaw did for the
Dodgers this year and getting them even to position to
win I almost.
Speaker 5 (07:39):
Called it the NFC West.
Speaker 2 (07:41):
Yeah, to win the.
Speaker 1 (07:43):
Nl West and then to go on and be in
a position to obviously come out of in relief out
of the bullpen. But obviously there's that natural compare comparison
because of these are two players who are truly the
greatest we have seen in their respective sports. But when
you look at what he's doing specifically for the Rams
this year, I do think it's a Yoshino yam moto
(08:03):
and he is showing up for his team and putting
I mean, obviously it's a little bit different picture of
versus quarterback, but putting the team in a position to
win day in and day out.
Speaker 2 (08:13):
Almost the same that fade he threw to DeVante is
a strike. The places he puts the ball, that's an
absolute strike, and it's like, whoa. Not only are you
like yay, it demoralizes them same thing. Yeah, I mean
the one connection I would have with Kershaw and Matthew Stafford,
it's so funny when they walk into the building, it's
(08:34):
like all of the nonsense just stops, Like you don't
want to see him or have him see you acting
up when he's in this mode. So those two guys connect.
But having your leader be all in and keeping the
main thing, the main thing. You know how much of
a blessing that is for a coach that you don't
have to do that part of it. Your guy is
(08:57):
doing it for you. That's yeah, he's invaluable.
Speaker 1 (09:00):
A coach or manager manager can do their job leading
the team because you have the players in the locker room,
in the clubhouse who are truly setting the standard behind
the tone.
Speaker 2 (09:09):
Ask me that dumb question, go ahead, I like my job.
Speaker 1 (09:13):
I'm not respectfully, I don't want to do that you
mentioned just with the offense. Don't want to Adams obviously
he's been in the league for twelve years, but he's
talked about how this is the most fun he is
having right now. What is a comment like that just
say when you look at what he's doing in his
own right about how the dynamic between him and Matthew Stafford,
(09:35):
what they've been able to do offense with this group.
What does it just say when he's saying he's having
the most fun right.
Speaker 2 (09:39):
Now, I'm dying to know, because I have an answer
for Go ahead.
Speaker 3 (09:43):
I just think about he had that was like two
weeks ago. He had you know, one catch went for
a touchdown. It was thousands of his career. But you know,
even as you know, maybe frustrated or disappointed as he
was with the way he played, he still came into
the postgame press conference with a smile on his face
and was, you know, obviously happy that the team won,
but it's it's really moments like that, and just the
(10:04):
way that he's celebrating with other guys when when they
score a touchdown and when they get their opportunities, and
even just the interactions that I see with him with
with teammates.
Speaker 4 (10:13):
And coaches around this building.
Speaker 3 (10:15):
I mean, you know, yes, you'll he'll sit with the
wide receivers too, but he interacts with you know, like
they mentioned, like the defensive line, with specialists like you know,
he he enjoys just being around everybody in this building.
And I think that's probably the most telling thing. In
addition to the other example.
Speaker 2 (10:30):
I was thinking, it's he's home and he has a
great quarterback. Finally he has what he dreamed about. I
mean as a kid, like uh, he can show you
what he can do, and he's got a guy that
get him the football and he's right here in the sun.
So he's always been good. If you give him someone
that can help him, you know, you know, I guess
(10:50):
paint the picture, he's going to be absolutely dominant. When
that guy's not there, every receiver struggles. So I think
he's having the time of his life. Because when you
up thinking about this game, you always think about doing
it where you live. And basically he's doing that and
he's got a team that actually has a chance to
be great. So yeah, why wouldn't you have fun right now?
If you're not having fun, there's something wrong with you. Yeah, yeah, exactly,
(11:12):
it's very fair.
Speaker 1 (11:13):
But what has made him so unguardable? Just in the
red zone? What are you seeing on the field that
is standing out to you right now? With just his
performance this season?
Speaker 2 (11:23):
Okay, so I have to say this, and I think
JB said it on the broadcast that this is the
most drops he's had in a season, I think, or
something something close to it. But that's not even the case.
It's his hands, his route running. And the first time
we met him and got to know DeVante like what
is it about you? And he said, I'm actually a
point guard. I'm a basketball player. When you see that stuff,
(11:45):
especially the red zone quick stuff that is a guy
crossing you over, he just doesn't have to dribble, which
ain't fair, you know what I mean, And then the
ball's right there. It's almost unstoppable. So it's a guy
that works hard at his craft. He's got the body
for it. He's I still think he's in his as
athletic prime, and he's got an offense and a quarterback
that can just absolutely deliver when he needs it. So
(12:05):
that to me is what makes him special.
Speaker 3 (12:08):
Still separating at an elite level. And I also think
too you mentioned the hands, the late hands especially, like
can you imagine how frustrated would you be as a corner.
Forget the one that he beat on that twenty four
yard go ball for a touchdown, but like thinking you
have him covered and then he just goes yeah and
it's a touchdown, you know, and.
Speaker 2 (12:25):
He look Okay, there's a part of this is the NFL,
so you get away with things. His push offf is
so quick you can't even see it. I'm dead serious.
I mean you have to respect that as a defender.
Damn that was quick. Even the official couldn't see that.
That's how that separation occurs. But only the best can
do that type of stuff.
Speaker 5 (12:42):
So we've hit a lot on the offense.
Speaker 1 (12:43):
I think we need to dive into the defense because
this is we're seeing it on both sides of the ball,
and what has made this team so great when you
look at the dominating performs of the defense put up
on Sunday night against the Buccaneers. One hundred and ninety
three total yards allowed, seventy pass yards allowed.
Speaker 5 (12:59):
What are you? I mean, that's impressive.
Speaker 1 (13:02):
It was performance in front of Aaron Donald. What kind
of stood out to you just about the defensive side
of this game and this team specifically in week twelve.
Speaker 2 (13:09):
I bet that was weird. I'm serious with Aaron watching,
you might want to play your best game. That's Achilles
up there, bro. You might want to play good to day.
Speaker 5 (13:19):
But they felt that that I think, I hope.
Speaker 2 (13:21):
So, I mean, it's right there. It's the challenge. I
used to get fired up, and they're long gone, but
I would see the fearsome forceome and I would get
charged up. You know, I feel like they're watching me.
But this guy's right literally right there. But I thought
the defense took another step, just absolutely figuring out what
Tampa Bay was trying to do that day and then
(13:41):
slowly take it apart bit by bit. I love the approach.
They're going to attack without giving up explosives. That is hard.
It's not impossible, but it's very very hard to achieve.
All eleven have to be on the same page, and
you have to play for each other. There can't be
an ego, and that's what I see when they play.
It doesn't seem like it matters who makes the play
as long as the play is made mark of a
(14:03):
good defense.
Speaker 3 (14:04):
To me, I just love the pass rush, especially seeing
Kobe and Turner and Jared Verus each get two sacks.
It reminded me a lot, at least the way they
were rushing the quarterback of what Houston did to Buffalo
on Monday Night Football a couple weeks ago, where I
think it was Will Anderson or Deal Hunter for the
Texans defense exactly. They were talking about not necessarily not
over pursuing and trying to maintain that integrity and then
(14:26):
coming back upfield to take down Josh Allen. That's what
I felt like I was seeing a little bit at
least with Verse, maybe on his first or second sack.
One of them. It was when he bowl rushed Tristan Wurfs.
He you know, beats Worfs and then he climbs back
up to take down Baker for the sack.
Speaker 4 (14:41):
So that was what stood out the most to me.
Speaker 2 (14:44):
The Dodgers don't have a Jared Verse. We tried maybe
a bigger version of KK Maybe yeah, that plays you know,
the entire year. But just the way he's playing, the
way they're playing is so dominant the guy. And we've
talked a lot about the front and Nate Lanman and
Omar space too. I have to give Emmanuel Forbes a
lot of credit. Yes, wow, as he really just assumed
(15:05):
that role and taking an opportunity and just run with it.
And I had to be reminded. So there was a
play he made where he goes around the receiver and
knocks the ball down, just the cleanest one of the
cleanest pass breakups you'll over see. I'm like, wow, that
was awesome. Remember he was the first round pick. Oh yeah,
I'm supposed to that's normal for him. So but that's
what he gets to do. He found a spot. Now
(15:27):
you get to go play and he's making plays.
Speaker 1 (15:29):
You mentioned Emmanuel Forbes. What's kind of sad to you?
Do you just about his growth this season?
Speaker 2 (15:32):
Then?
Speaker 3 (15:33):
Yeah, I think it's just I mean I've seen a
couple of analysts say this, and just the way he's
using his length and athleticism and his speed, like basically
all the things that made him a first round pick.
He's starting to put that on tape, and now he's
playing with the confidence that maybe he didn't have, you know,
toward the end of his time with Washington. So just
seeing that confidence rebuilt and seeing him play to you know,
(15:54):
the level of player, the caliber a player that the
Rams believed he could be, I think has been the
most impressive thing to me, especially with the way that
you know, Aubrey Pleasant has worked with.
Speaker 2 (16:03):
Him another DBS has come through and regained his confidence.
I wonder how that happens, the rebuild. Yeah, it's coaching, right.
Speaker 4 (16:10):
Yep, exactly. Yeah, I love that.
Speaker 1 (16:12):
You know, we have been very lucky to see some
like really great nicknames in sports. So I mean, I
guess it's like, isn't one this one isn't as cool,
but like Shoheo tani issually like the Unicorn of just baseball,
probably in anything he would want to do.
Speaker 5 (16:28):
But for the Rams, yeah, we've got a kicker thicker
kicker that is phenomenal name. It's phenomenal. But tell me,
have you seen enough? Are you?
Speaker 1 (16:39):
I mean, he was obviously phenomenal on Saturday night Football?
Have you seen enough from him? Just interesting second half
of the season where you know, the schedule looks really good,
but obviously the games are getting more and more important
as we get to the playoffs.
Speaker 2 (16:52):
I think that part of the game made that game complete.
Offense dominated, defense dominated. We all held our breath until
it went through the uprights, and it looked pretty good.
The whole operation looked pretty good, not just him, the
entire thing. So that was a step in the right direction.
(17:13):
Have I seen enough? Okay, let's move to Carolina and
see what happens there. Okay, that's where you're at. I
guess is that fair? You know, until this whole thing
is settled, then it's not settled well.
Speaker 3 (17:22):
And the offense has just been executing at such ridiculously
high level in the red zone that they really haven't
needed him much really until last week. So you know,
as long as that efficiency continues, they may not have
too many opportunities to see. But I mean, for what
he showed Sunday, I mean, that was certainly a step
in the right direction.
Speaker 4 (17:41):
But we'll see.
Speaker 1 (17:44):
Yeah, all right, So you mentioned moving ahead two week
thirteen up against the Panthers in North Carolina and Charlotte.
This is going to be a matchup of two number
one overall picks. You've got Matthew Stafford, Bryce Young. For Bryce,
he's had kind of an up and down season. What
have you been seeing from him though this year? That
could pose a challenge to the defense. And how do
(18:07):
you kind of want to see the defense really get
to him early in this one?
Speaker 2 (18:11):
Same as last week, and it's the one I guess
Achilles heel of this defense. He's mobile quarterbacks that jump
out the window when you've got him at third nine
or whatever, and this is a favorable down for you,
and he scrambles and picks up the first down. Those
things tend to wear you out the longer they go.
(18:31):
So he's got a problem. But the cool thing is,
I think there's going to be some carryover from Tampa's
offense to this. It's orpo stuff. I think that's where
he's at his best. That little fake get the ball
out fast. If you shut that down, you've got a
chance to make him hold it and then get after him.
But that's been the game plan against everybody like that.
The thing is you actually have to make sure you
(18:53):
keep him in the pocket. Easier said than done. I
think Caroline is better than you think. I think San
Francisco is better than you think. So this is to
be a stiff, a tough matchup for the Rams in Carolina. Yeah.
Speaker 3 (19:04):
Yeah, it's out of structure playmaking that worries me too,
because for games like he had Monday night, there's still
been games where he's gone for what like over three
hundred and fifty yards and through or three touchdowns. I mean,
he's he's shown, you know, some flashes of somebody that's
you know, grown and developed. But like you mentioned, there
have still been those ups and downs. But he's shown
enough that there's still, like you said, just enough to
(19:26):
be you know, concerned and like you know, really be
on your p's and keys.
Speaker 2 (19:29):
I respect their running backs too, they're good. Is it
Cuba or Chubba Cuba? Cuba Cuba? Yep, Cuba Bubbard just
making sure yep, Okay, there's.
Speaker 1 (19:40):
Look, it's not going to be easy one on either
side of the ball when you look at even for
the Panthers defense and that game against the forty nine ers,
they had three interceptions in the first half and Week twelve,
So what's got to be the key for Matthew Stafford
in the offense just knowing they're going to be going
up against a tougher defense looking obviously Matthew will limit interceptions,
but just kind of what do you want to see there?
Speaker 2 (20:02):
You know, I'd like to see Kyen Williams and Blake
Korum take more of a role in this. If you
want to really protect Matthew Stafford, go ahead and run
the football. Run the daylights out of the ball and
let him throw behind that. I don't think you'd have
a chance, especially if you wear them down and give
him a bunch of reps and a bunch of looks
at your secondary to figure out what's going on. Then
(20:23):
he'll make you pay. So running the football, O line
got to be important. The tight end contribution keep that
up as well, and not just catching blocking. Kolpe Parkinson
is huge. I mean, that is a big, big dude.
I was told to call him a California redwood, and
I'm like, that actually makes sense. You look like a tree.
So that part, that contribution and no pre snap penalties
(20:48):
help Matthew Stafford by staying ahead of the chains. I
don't think there's a defense out there that could, you know,
I guess, shut you down. They can give you problems,
but the more looks and the more he's protected the
or he's going to get to you.
Speaker 3 (21:01):
Is it strange if I say more of the same
from Matthew Just the way he's played the last six games.
I mean, he hasn't really had a ton of turnover
worthy throws. Like he's striking the right balance right now
of being aggressive but also being smart and taking what
the defense gives him. And also, like we talked about earlier, manipulation,
manipulating the coverages when something isn't there to make something happen.
But like that decision making has been so on the
(21:23):
mark the last six games that I don't know that
there's much like for him specifically that he needs to change.
I think it's, like you said, just more on the
guys around him to allow him to continue to do that.
Speaker 2 (21:34):
And shout out to play calling. They've caught some guys
flat footed, like wooh that was that's mean? Yeah, some
of those tight end screens that get the one that
got Parkinson to the one oh nasty.
Speaker 4 (21:43):
Yeah, or Puka inserting in the sea gap I told
you I had rough.
Speaker 1 (21:48):
Wait now you get to add another weapon to to that. Well,
should be back in the mix on Sunday. Just how
does he make the offense more dynamics too.
Speaker 5 (21:54):
We'll start with.
Speaker 3 (21:55):
You you better back up, Yeah, yeah, yeah, I would say,
just you know that that third level of the defense
now has another element to worry about for this offense.
And what you know excites me or I'm curious to see,
is we think about all the thirteen personnel short yardage
stuff that we've done with DeVante, you know in the
(22:15):
you know, short area of the red zone. What about
you know, doing that with to two potentially like is
that something that you could potentially see where maybe he's
that receiver instead not in that specific area, but you know,
I don't know, maybe it's like a short yardage play.
But suddenly like they're you know, with you know, three
tight ends out there, they're chucking it downfield over everybody
said to too, like yeah, it's uh, it's like Sean
(22:39):
McVay said, you know, the the offensive staff has done
a good job of you know, using the putting the
personnel and then the available players on the field in
a position to succeed. And now that they get to
two back this this is kind of the next next
thing for them or the next challenge and continuing that.
Speaker 2 (22:55):
Every way possible that you can get speed on the field,
use that, use him. It's a it's an added dimension.
There's so much on tape right now that you have
to worry about as a defense, and you haven't seen
him for a while, and then they're going to insert
him into the group at different positions. So if you
think you got him, I think we can line up here,
we can go man there. Nope, you don't have enough
(23:17):
for that. And then the balls beyond you. So when
you have a guy like him, a speedster that Matthew
Stafford likes to throw to, he's gonna find him at
some point. So it's good to have him back.
Speaker 5 (23:26):
It's gonna be huge.
Speaker 1 (23:27):
And I'm sure he's thinking, well, just with the being Thanksgiving,
it's going to be able to get back out there
with that. What are we thankful for this year? Other
than Matthew Stafford? The rams?
Speaker 5 (23:37):
You know, what are what are you thankful for this year?
For Thanksgiving?
Speaker 2 (23:41):
The mute button on roadblocks? I'm thankful for family, for friends,
for health, great folks to be around. Yeah, just just yeah,
just all the blessings. It's it's been a lot, you know,
in Kelly. So it's it's It's nice to to be
(24:02):
at this point talking about positive stuff.
Speaker 4 (24:04):
Yes, family, friends, health, work, job.
Speaker 5 (24:09):
Okay, now we can include the rams.
Speaker 3 (24:11):
So yeah, I was gonna say, and yes, a year later,
I am still thankful for Kevin Dotson, but I wanted
to rearrange those things just a little bit.
Speaker 2 (24:20):
Yes, Uh, you mean from this team. Okay, that's all right. Well,
I mean we talked Nate Landman. How about that. I'm
thankful for Nate Landman. I'm thankful that everybody, uh just
didn't know how good he can be. Again, like Emmanuel Forbes,
you step into a role and you just absolutely kill it.
So uh, the Landman punch has been awesome. So thankful
(24:42):
for that. From a football perspective.
Speaker 3 (24:44):
I'm thankful for just the general atmosphere and environment in
this building. I love that because to borrow from you know,
when DeVante's talking about this is the most funny he
is having in his career. Landman said that when he
was talking about, you know, signing his extension Monday. You know,
just seeing how much fun these guys have coming to work,
like Sean McVay talks about, and the way they celebrate
(25:05):
each other's success like that makes it fun for me
to come to work, honestly, and it's cool to see
to see how that shows up on game day and
just makes things exciting. I mean winning helps too, of course,
but you know, that attitude and that mindset and the
camaraderie is something that I'm really thankful for just because
of how special it is to witness and see come
(25:25):
to life.
Speaker 1 (25:26):
I've got a fun one for you guys. Thankful for
a championship mindset. We are so lucky that we get
to be surrounded by individuals who want the highest level
of success. And when you're surrounded by that, you want
it as well. So whether it's here being a part
of the ramily or being here in the RAMS house,
I can feel the energy. I see what you guys
(25:47):
are doing day in and day out. We're seeing it
how the players perform on the field. But it takes
from everyone around us to build a championship team and
a championship mindset. We've had success in the past. The
hope is that more war comes winning what hopefully two
within a five year span. That that's how the talks
of dynasties come. And how lucky are we to be
(26:09):
a part of this and it's.
Speaker 5 (26:11):
Not just here.
Speaker 1 (26:12):
We get it with different organizations. We get it here
in Los Angeles. We've experienced pain in the city, especially
earlier this year, and how we've all come together to
rebuild that is the championship mindset and that energy. So
I think it's a good way to end.
Speaker 2 (26:26):
That's a.
Speaker 5 (26:29):
Well. That will do it, Mike Drop, that'll do it.
Speaker 1 (26:31):
From all of us here between the horns presented by
your Southern California Toyota Dealers, I am Kirsten Watson, DeMarco
far Stu Jackson. We hope you are joining us on
Sunday for Week thirteen at ten am Pacific against the
Rams against the Carolina Panthers. It's gonna be a fun one.
There's so much more on the line and hopefully this
(26:52):
team will continue to find their way at top of
the NFC. So from all of us to you, we
wish you a very, very happy Thanksgiving.
Speaker 4 (27:04):
Remember the
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